what to do with your children's artwork??

I have so many clients who are unsure what to do with the mountains of artwork their children bring home from school each day…and with the start of school right around the corner, here are a few ideas I’ve used with some of my clients.

1. Each month, hang your child’s art work on a blank wall or the kitchen cabinets, have your child stand in front of the artwork and take a picture or two. Then you can toss all the artwork and keep the pictures…leaving your will 9 pictures at the end of the school year instead of boxes of art!
2. Have a special spot in your child’s bedroom and in your home to display a few of their favorite pieces…the rest can be pitched.
3. At the end of the month, have your child pick out his or her favorite piece of art and put it in a 3-ring binder or special art folder. The rest of the artwork can go…and at the end of their school career you will have several nicely organized binders full of their artwork.

Feel free to mix, match and alter these ideas to fit your family’s needs…any system is better than no system; especially when it comes to paper! Just remember to detach yourself from the emotional attachment you might feel towards the art work. A picture is just a good and you will feel so much better with out all that clutter lying around your home!

For more organizing ideas, visit my website: www.andreadekker.com

learn to multi task

Are you looking to maximize your time? I’m assuming the answer is YES!!!!! If so, one tip I have for you is to multi-task whenever possible!!

I know that some of you are thinking that you can’t multi tasks, but let me assure you that you can! Yes, even men can multi task if they really try!

Here are some ideas:

- fold laundry, organize your pictures, scrap book, make a grocery list while watching TV

- clean up the kitchen or clean out the fridge while making dinner

- tidy up the bathroom while give your children a bath

- go through your mail and paper while you are on a long phone conversation with a friend or family member

- file some of your paper work while waiting for your computer to download

- clean the sink after you finish doing the dishes

The list goes on and one and on…

Something else to think about as you strive to maximize your time is not putting things off if they can be done concurrently with an activity at the present time. For example, if you need to purchase groceries at the supermarket, think of the other things you need to purchase and the other businesses in the area you need to visit. Batch tasks together so you make one trip instead of multiple ones. Not only will you save time, you will also save some gas money!

What ways do you multi task? Share you ideas with us!

urgent and important

Do you feel like you are constantly running behind? Do you have half your to-do list left undone at the end of each day? The solution to your problem could be as simple as re-evaluating what is URGENT and IMPORTANT in your life.

Urgent refers to a time deadline.
Important means it is high value.

Every day things come across our path that are of low or high importance, and low and high urgency. How we respond to these things often determines how much time you have left over to do what you really want to do.

Urgent things on your list might be getting a big project at work completed by the deadline or picking up your sick child from school…they have to be done right now and you will stop other things you are doing to get them done.

Important tasks might be something like getting the oil changed in your car or doing the laundry. These things have to get done and you will have to set time aside to do them…but they don’t have to happen this second.

You get the idea.

So, if getting organized is important to you, you will need to set aside some time to get started. If getting organized is urgent (people are arriving at 6:00pm for dinner) then you should stop whatever you are doing and start right now!!!

Keep your urgent and important tasks in front and don’t waste your precious time on unimportant and “un-urgent” things.

get your family on board

Having an organized household will allow you to spend more quality time with your family. The key to this scenario is to get your home organized and have it stay that way. That means the entire family needs to support your mission. Here are some ways to motivate your family towards that goal.

1. Be the example: Make sure that you get organized before you expect everyone else in your family to become organized.

2. Set clear and reasonable expectations: For example, do not expect children who are too young to participate in heavy cleaning and organizing. Do not give small children jobs that are out of their reach and are not accessible (i.e. high shelves).

3. Create a chore chart: A chore chart is an excellent visual tool to remind everyone of their chores and it shows everyone how they are progressing. Gather each family member's input and it becomes a family responsibility. Also, keep in mind that homework should be included on the chore chart.

4. Have a reward system: Find out what types of rewards motivate your children and us it! You can also implement a family reward if everyone gets their chores done. And do not forget to reiterate the obvious rewards of having an organized home by making the end result of their hard work visible in their minds.

5. Make organizing fun: Turn on upbeat music that everyone enjoys listening to during chores. Turn chores into a game or even a contest to see who can put away the most things away. Consider setting a timer and making it a race. This will create a burst of energy to beat the buzzer.

6. Keep it interesting: As children get older and more skilled in completing chores around the house, they will usually want different or more challenging things to do. Make sure to change the routine and the rewards as time progresses.

7. Determine where family members are already organized and build upon their strengths.

8. Make sure to get on the same page as your spouse: Nothing is worse that being inconsistent with the children with mom saying one thing and dad saying another. Discuss the chores with your spouse beforehand and agree on the rules and guidelines. This will eliminate any frustration and resistance on your child's part when chores are being done.

For more organizing ideas, visit my website: www.andreadekker.com

slow down and enjoy the rest of summer

Summer is more than halfway over! I can hardly believe it myself…but school will be starting in just 4 or 5 weeks! I don’t know about you, but I have been extremely busy with all sorts of home and yard projects but as of today, they are nearly all finished! So, I’ve decided that it’s time to slow down and savor the rest of the summer.

It’s time enjoy fresh vegetables from the garden and meals cooked on the grill.

It’s time to put my feet up and relax.

It’s time to take long walks through the park and enjoy the longer days while they last.

It’s time to make some s’mores and simply enjoy the best that summer has to offer.

What’s on your summer to-do list? Does it include slowing down and taking a few minutes to drink it all in? If not, slow down for a minute today and make a short list of simple summer pleasures. Then…slow down…and simply enjoy!

tip of the week (7/26/2009)

July 26 – August 1, 2009 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from James, from Byron Center, MI

James writes: "If you have a document that you repeatedly make copies of, make it easy with a designated original. On your original (or a very clean copy) write 'Original' in yellow highlighter. It has to be yellow since other highlighter colors will show on photocopies, but yellow doesn't.

Keep this in a convenient folder OR in a sheet protector in a handy binder. If you have a lot of these kind of documents, dedicate a small binder to 'originals'. You can run copies while it's still in the sheet protector, and never get the original lost or mixed in with copies again.”

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Do you have an organizing or time management tip that you would like to share? Click here and your tip could be the next one featured in our newsletter, our blog or on our website! For more organizing tips, check out www.andreadekker.com. It is full of great organizing tips for every area of your life.

clutter 101

If you opened your front door and a huge swarm of wasps flew in I can bet you wouldn't just "leave the problem for later" would you? Of course not! You would immediately get the wasp spray and call an exterminator. You would also set up a system to assure that the wasps never entered your home again. Yes, this situation would be an inconvenience but you realize that you must promptly deal with the wasps so they don't take over your home.

The clutter in your home can be compared to the the wasps in the situation above. Clutter disrupts your life and is a huge inconvenience... however; many people do not feel the need to deal with clutter promptly to keep it under control. They make excuses and "leave the problem for later."
What is the best way to deal with clutter? To prevent it from ever entering your home...here are some tips on how to do just that!

simplify your life: part 5

You are always so busy...rushing around from hear to there... never with enough time to get anything done. Does this sound like you? Join the club! In today's society, we are all too busy to clean and organize our homes, our offices and our lives. Never-the-less, organization is important so I've put together a list of ways to simplify your home and your home activities. The last 4 posts have all been about ways to simplify your life…today is your motivation to get started!

start today
If you are serious about starting a new, simplified life, there is no better time to start than right now! It takes at least 21 days to change an old habit or create a new one so start creating a more simplified home environment today! Just pick one idea from the list above and work on that for a while. Once it becomes a habit, come back and try something else.

Click here for tips on how to simplify your office!
Click here for tips on how to simplify your life!

simplify your life: part 4

You are always so busy...rushing around from hear to there... never with enough time to get anything done. Does this sound like you? Join the club! In today's society, we are all too busy to clean and organize our homes, our offices and our lives. Never-the-less, organization is important so I've put together a list of ways to simplify your home and your home activities. Keep reading all week long for more SIMPLE ideas!

simplify your environment
Eliminate clutter in your home and you will immediately feel more relaxed; not to mention your house will radiate a sense of calm rather than chaos. Although it could be a long process, just remember to start small and take it a little at a time. Clear out your closets, dressers, pantry, cabinets, garage and basement. Ask yourself if you use it, if you need it, if you love it and if loves you back! If you answer "NO" to any of the above questions, chances are you can probably get rid of it!

Click here for tips on how to simplify your office!
Click here for tips on how to simplify your life!

simplify your life: part 3

You are always so busy...rushing around from hear to there... never with enough time to get anything done. Does this sound like you? Join the club! In today's society, we are all too busy to clean and organize our homes, our offices and our lives. Never-the-less, organization is important so I've put together a list of ways to simplify your home and your home activities. Keep reading all week long for more SIMPLE ideas!

simplify your shopping
Rule number one: ALWAYS shop with a list! This will help you get in and get out without forgetting one item or overspending on something you didn't need. Also, keep a well-stocked pantry or closet with regularly used items on hand to avoid last minute trips to the store. This works for everything from non-perishable food, paper products, toiletries and even gifts or gift cards for the last minute gifts you don't have time to buy!

Click here for tips on how to simplify your office!
Click here for tips on how to simplify your life!

simplify your life: part 2

You are always so busy...rushing around from hear to there... never with enough time to get anything done. Does this sound like you? Join the club! In today's society, we are all too busy to clean and organize our homes, our offices and our lives. Never-the-less, organization is important so I've put together a list of ways to simplify your home and your home activities. Keep reading all week long for more SIMPLE ideas!

simplify your kitchen
Keep a list of quick recipes that you can make without much prep work or fancy ingredients --we've listed several meal planning sites right here on our blog! Also, keep the items you use on a daily basis in easy-to-reach places and store seasonal items on higher shelves or in the back of deep cabinets. Store like items together: put the dishes, silverware and glasses by the dishwasher for easy unloading or by the table for easy access during meals. Keep all the items and ingredients you use for baking in one location and those you use for cooking in a separate location. Keep the counters free from clutter...this will give you a whole new outlook on your kitchen!

Click here for tips on how to simplify your office!
Click here for tips on how to simplify your life!

simplify your life part 1

You are always so busy...rushing around from hear to there... never with enough time to get anything done. Does this sound like you? Join the club! In today's society, we are all too busy to clean and organize our homes, our offices and our lives. Never-the-less, organization is important so I've put together a list of ways to simplify your home and your home activities. Keep reading all week long for more SIMPLE ideas!

simplify your cleaning
Keep a large tub, bin, basket or even a cardboard box in each bathroom, in the kitchen and in the laundry room; fill the containers with cleaning supplies for each room. Cleaning will go much faster when your cleaning supplies are easy to find and in a convenient location. Also, if you take a few minutes to de-clutter your home prior to the cleaning process, you'll be amazed at how much faster it will go since you will only have to focus on one activity at a time!

Click here for tips on how to simplify your office!
Click here for tips on how to simplify your life!

tip of the week (7/19/2009)

July 19 – July 25, 2009 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Karen, from Grand Rapids, MI

Karen writes: "Whenever I get sick of cleaning and organizing, I just trade some cleaning time with a friend. My sister or best friend can get my living room and kitchen uncluttered much quicker than I can and I have a basket or two (usually of papers) to sort out in the end.

They don't have the emotional attachment to the clutter that I have. I then repay their time by doing a task they don't especially enjoy doing.”

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Do you have an organizing or time management tip that you would like to share? Click here and your tip could be the next one featured in our newsletter, our blog or on our website! For more organizing tips, check out www.andreadekker.com. It is full of great organizing tips for every area of your life.

Practice “Partial Progress Thinking”

Many of my clients get frustrated when they decided to get organized because they feel like thy only have two choices: buckle down and organize 24/7 or be lazy and get nothing done. And, neither of these options really sound that appealing! This, my friends, is all or nothing thinking. Do you recognize it? Have you ever thought that way, too?

If we can let got of our “all or nothing” way of thinking, we would see that in fact there are lots of other choices I we can make to be more organized that we are right now…but still have a joyful and fulfilling life. We don’t have to stick to a super strict schedule where we are constantly organizing. Sounds good, right?

If you’re a victim of all or nothing thinking, give partial progress thinking a try. There are usually a host of options between all and nothing, and often one of these middle-of-the-road solutions can work even better than either of the extremes. To practice partial progress thinking, ask yourself: Are there any options between all and nothing? Or, is there a way I can make progress on this project, even if I can’t do it all right now? Then see for yourself how good it feels to find the happy medium offered by partial progress thinking.

organize your ideas

You're in the car, in bed or at the grocery store and WHAM. You're hit with an idea. You write it down, and promptly lose it upon returning home. How can you keep those darn things organized?

If you have a lot of random ideas, get some index cards and a plastic, expanding recipe file. Label each tab with categories that best represent your ideas.

- Things to do
- Things to buy
- Craft ideas
etc.

Put your ideas on the cards and file them accordingly.

No more lost ideas!

maximize your drawer space

Do you have limited drawer space for your clothes and accessories? Are you looking for a way to maximize the space you do have without eliminating your wardrobe?

Socks and Undies:

Get a divider for your socks and underwear drawers. For years and years I just folded socks over themselves and threw them in a drawer. If figured they couldn't take up any less space than that. Then about 4 years ago, I decided to try some plastic drawer dividers that you can find at nearly any clothing store or supermarket (Wal-Mart and Target carry them!). What a difference it made! Not only can I fit all the items in my drawer without jamming; I can see all the colors and styles and putting them away takes half as long! I actually gained one whole drawer by using dividers.

T-shirts:

Stand your shirts on end. If you have deep enough drawers, fold your shirts in half one more time and stand them up in the drawer. That way you can see them all and get at the one you want without digging through a pile. This works great for shorts and jeans too.

Another idea is to use shoe boxes to divide up your drawers. You can cut them to fit the height of your drawer and keep scarves and other accessories neatly organized!

For more organizing ideas: visit my website: www.andreadeker.com

half- dirty clothes

Are you tired of “half-dirty” clothes lying around your house, in your child’s bedroom and in your laundry room? You know what I’m talking about…those clothes that you wore once and they are not really dirty but you still don’t want to put them back in your closet with your clean clothes!

I had this problem so I decided to have 2 baskets in our room, one for dirty clothes and one for “half-dirty” clothes. You can fold and roll your jeans and shirts and put them in this basket. It keeps them out of the bathroom, off the floor, and clean enough to actually wear that second time!

For more organizing ideas; visit my website: www.andreadekker.com

11 ways to end procrastination

We’ve been talking a little bit about procrastination and how it is actually a habit that you have to consciously break…kind of like going on a diet…but for your time! We want to eliminate all the time-wasting activities from your daily diet of time!

So how do you beat procrastination? Here are some ideas:

1. Divide big projects into smaller more manageable pieces.

2. Write it down. This can be listed in no particular order and will give you a handle on just what you need to accomplish.

3. Schedule priority items. One useful way to schedule items in order of priority is to use deadlines.

4. During scheduled times, do what was scheduled. Often people will avoid working on the priority by cleaning their closet which hasn't been done in 7 years or washing dishes or even walls--anything to avoid the priority item.

5. Schedule in breaks and rewards.

6. Find yourself an accountability partner, someone to help monitor your progress.

7. Try to set realistic goals for yourself and your time.

8. Be honest with yourself about how much you can do. Learn how to say `no' if you are unable to take on a task.

9. Make a to-do list and include time approximations for how long each part will take. Always add in extra time for the unexpected or interruptions.

10. Don't be too hard on yourself. The more stressed or worried about what you have to do, the less likely you are to do your work. Concentrate on your strengths and develop a `can do' attitude.

11. Don't be a perfectionist. It doesn't always have to be done perfect, just do it! Go on--admit that you have some fears and anxieties about your ability to get the job done! It isn't all or nothing.

So there you have it, a bunch of great ways to help you beat procrastination…put them into practice TODAY!!

For more organizing ideas, visit my website: www.andreadekker.com

procrastination

Everyone experiences procrastination from time to time. Some people are chronic procrastinators, while others claim they work better under pressure. It's not about being lazy, but often people run out of time or take on too many projects. Some of the things we never get around to doing are boring, difficult, overwhelming, and complicated. Most people procrastinate due to feeling overwhelmed.

Like many things, procrastination is a habit, and habits can be broken and retrained. Are you one of the millions who procrastinate. I've heard it sail that `Procrastination is like a credit card: It's a lot of fun until you get the bill.'

Make it a goal to change your procrastination habits...it won't be easy but it's worth it.

Want to know how? Keep checking back this week for ways to break the habit!

tip of the week (7/12/2009)

July 12 – July 18, 2009 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Joyce, from Cambridge, OH

Joyce writes: "I use suction cups with hooks attached on them. You can buy these at the hardware store.

I attach several of them in a row to the mirror on my dresser. I then hang my necklaces on them in varying degrees of length. Each hook holds several necklaces. In the morning, I just decide which length necklace I need to go with my outfit and pick one off the hook.

It keeps them from accumulating in a pile on the dresser or in a tangled mess in the jewelry box.”

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Do you have an organizing or time management tip that you would like to share? Click here and your tip could be the next one featured in our newsletter, our blog or on our website! For more organizing tips, check out www.andreadekker.com. It is full of great organizing tips for every area of your life.

the middle of summer

So here we are...right in the middle of summer. I hope you’re having a great month!

For me, July is when summer and all its goodness are in full swing: pool parties, grilling out, beautiful flowers, bountifyl gardens and maybe even a vacation getaway! Best of all, there’s still time to get some things done before the busyness of fall returns and the school year starts back up!

So, use the last couple weeks in July to get motivated and finish...or start an organizing project!

time is money

We've all heard the saying, "time is money" and to a certain degree, that is true. However, today I want to challenge you by saying that time is more important than money.

Why? Because you can always do something to make more money but you can never get time back…NEVER.

Once you fritter away your time on unimportant things, you can never get that time back.An email made its way around about a year ago about a man who gave his son two jars, one empty and one with marbles.

There were enough marbles for the weeks he had left to live (assuming a man's average mortality). He told his son to move one marble to the empty jar every Saturday so that he'd realize that he could never, ever get that time back.

Yes, the story is a bit hokey but it does have a point. I'm practical so I like to think of it like this…

Divide your weekly salary by the number of hours you usually work per week. That's your HOURLY rate.Now, when you spend an hour surfing the internet, watching TV, reading blogs when you should be working, visualize yourself throwing that money in the trash!

If you're very frugal like me, it'll shock you and make you realize the value of your time!

what are your "non-negotiables"?

We all have tasks on our daily to-do list that are non-negotiable: we will do them no matter what else is going on. For many of us, this list includes things like brushing our teeth, eating, and checking our email. But what else is on your list? Have you ever given it much thought?

Ideally your non-negotiables are your most important tasks—those things that make your life rich, move you forward on important goals or projects, and just plain make you happy. In the perfect world, your non-negotiables are in sync with your values.

One of my non-negotiables is putting something away when you get it out. It’s one thing I will always take a few moments to do…even if I’m in a hurry. What are your non-negotiables, and are they in sync with what you really want?

Next time you feel as if you don’t have time to do something you really want to do, do a gut-check on your non-negotiables. Are they your most important items, or simply things you’re doing out of habit? If you find the most enriching items on your to-do list are getting squeezed out by lower value tasks, renegotiate your non-negotiables. One by one, replace a low-value daily task you’re simply doing out of habit, with an activity that is more enriching and rewarding. Little by little you can transform how you spend your days, and enrich your life in the process.

new organizing resources

Do you need lots of helpe getting organized? Check out the website below...

Are you ready to take your business to the next level of professionalism while utilizing today's most effective technologies? Have you heard how effective social networking has become for professionals?

Enter TheChaosPlan.com

TheChaosPlan.com is the most comprehensive, creative and cutting-edge personal organization service on the web, we help men and women cut the clutter from their lives. Our members receive individualized attention, direct support, and access to dozens of resources.

The members of TheChaosPlan.com are provided a weekly, step by step manageable plan to get and stay organized!

Click her for more information!

i can't organize because...

Are you putting off getting organized? If so, some of the “excuses” below might sound familiar to you! Don’t torture yourself by putting it off time and time again. Make a goal and start organizing today!

I Can't Organize Today Because...I don't know where to start.
The only wrong response to this excuse is to not start at all. Organizing or being organized is a way of life. It's not an event with a beginning and an end. It's an ongoing process that will help change your life and the way you see it. You can literally jump in anywhere.

I Can't Organize Today Because...the kids are home.
Perfect! Make your children part of your organizing as opposed to seeing them as obstacles or part of the problem. Take the opportunity to teach your children valuable lessons and habits that they can carry with them through life.

I Can't Organize Today Because...I don't have the money.
Organizing requires no money to get started. You simply need to pick a project and start. In fact, the very worst mistake you can make is to run out and spend a bunch of money on organizing supplies. Pretty boxes or containers are useless before you have taken the important first steps of purging your no longer needed belongings and coming up with a plan for the stuff that will remain.

I Can't Organize Today Because...it will take too long.
If you have just five minutes, you can begin to organize. One example, go to your bathroom cabinet and quickly pull out all products, medicinal or otherwise that are expired or that you have not used in the last 12 months. Be firm with yourself and toss anything that falls into this category.

I Can't Organize Today Because...it's too overwhelming.
Take baby steps. You can break your organizing project into small manageable pieces. Instead of cleaning out your whole closet at once, decide to just go through your purses or shoes. Then the following day or the next time you have a chance, you can move on to another phase.

I Can't Organize Today Because...I do not want to get rid of anything!
Very often we are so controlled by our emotions that we fail to realize that we are holding on to things that have outlived their usefulness. By giving some real thought to your purging phase, it may be much easier than you expect.

I Can't Organize Today Because...I'm afraid to do it wrong!
The only way to really do it wrong is to not do it. As you work through your project you will discover that some things may work better than others but there is very little about organizing that can't be undone if necessary.

See it’s not so bad! If you are still tempted to put off your next organizing project, DON’T! Take the time today to pick where you are going to start and then tomorrow take a few spare moments and dive in!

For more organizing ideas, visit my website: www.andreadekker.com

organize your travel mementos

Are you planning a family vacation some time in the next couple of months? You will probably take lots of pictures…right? And then you will get home and have no idea which pictures when with which day of your trip…not to mention all the mementos you picked up along the way! If you are into scrapbooking…or even if you just love to take pictures, a little pre-planning can save you lots of headaches when you get back from your trip.

First, you will need to pack a few basic essentials like a spiral notebook, a pen, and several envelopes or zipper-top bags. Designate one bag or envelope for each day of your trip and label it with a label or marker. Then, every day as you collect interesting items, tuck them into the pre-labeled compartment designated for that day. Jot down some notes about the highlights of the day in your notebook and at the end of the day, tear out your notes and store them with the rest of your daily keepsakes.

To keep your photos organized, write “day 1” on a paper and take a picture of it before the first day of your trip. Do the same for every day or your trip “day 2” “day 3” etc. then you will have each day’s pictures neatly organized and you won’t have to try and remember which day it was. Also, if you have recording abilities on your camera, you could record a short segment saying the date and the location. This is also a great way to help you remember where you were when you took the pictures!

When you get home you’ll be ready to scrapbook—without the hassle of after-the-fact-organizing!

Happy travels!

tip of the week (7/5/2009)

July 5 – July 11, 2009 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Lori, from Detroit, MI

Lori writes: " Most of us have a coin jar, but loose change also ends up under the sofa cushions, in drawers and in the laundry room. Did you know that the average American household has about $90 in change floating around? At our house, we make finding change a game for our kids…and a way to get them to clean! We assign each of them a section of the house and they have to really get down and dirty cleaning/looking for change. At the end of the day, they can keep all the change the found and purchase a special treat! You’d be surprised how much they find…and how clean your house looks!”

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Do you have an organizing or time management tip that you would like to share? Click here and your tip could be the next one featured in our newsletter, our blog or on our website! For more organizing tips, check out www.andreadekker.com. It is full of great organizing tips for every area of your life.

happy 4th of july

Happy 4th of July! Enjoy the time with family and friends!

downsizing challenges

I have a lot of clients who are downsizing from a house to a condo…or just to a smaller house. This can be a huge challenge even before you throw clutter into the mix!

An adult child of one of my clients had a wonderful idea that I share below:

When you're downsizing from a house to a condo, have each one of your grown children come one at time and let them put his or her name down as a possible owner for the dining room table, armoire or bookcase (whatever you won't take in the move) in exchange for helping you de clutter.

We did this in my mom’s house and once we cleared the clutter my mom picked the things to move to her condo. Then, whatever was left over was ours.

It was like Christmas as mom decided who got the rest of the items among us!

This is a great way to clear the clutter in your home…even if you aren’t downsizing. You will know that your possessions are getting a loving home with one of your relatives/friends and you will get a little more space. Just make sure your relatives/friends actually want what you are giving them!!

For more organizing ideas, visit my website: www.andreadekker.com

learn to remember

How many times have you gone shopping and forgotten your list? Have you forgotten your best friend's birthday again? These simple, but very effective, tips are excellent tools to help you remember stuff.

1. Write it down: If you don't record tasks you need to do, those tasks are bound to be forgotten. Write down what needs to be remembered and place your note in an obvious area, like one the bathroom mirror or the kitchen refrigerator.

2. Spread some cheer...on time. How about those birthday cards you mean to send out and then forget? Usually near the end of the previous month is a good time to mail. Just send out ALL the cards for the following month at once.

3. Send yourself an email or a voicemail. The message will sit in your inbox until you've done whatever you've reminded yourself to do. Then, you can simply delete it.

4. Carry a little notebook: It can be a little bound tablet tucked into your purse or pocket. If you need to do something, just jot it down and you'll be able to refer to it daily.

5. Get into a routine: Designate certain days to do certain things. For example, do laundry on Mondays, do errands on Tuesdays and so on.

6. Set an alarm: Have to make a call at 11A or pick up your son from soccer practice at 4? Use your watch, oven timer or cell phone alarm feature, so it beeps when you have to leave.

7. Make it obvious: Have to return DVDs? Leave them in a tote bag on the door handle where you exit your home. Have to stop to get gas before work tomorrow? Leave a sticky note on your steering wheel. Need to remember to take your medication? Leave a note on your bathroom mirror.

Put these simple ideas into practice and your forgetful ways will be a thing of the past!

For more organizing ideas, visit my website: www.andreadekker.com