365-day organizer

New Look, New Site, New...Everything

2010-07-21T14:43:00.003-04:00

I'm back...and excited to announce that my new website is up and running!

In an effort to include more than just organizing and clutter, I've changed my business name to Simple Organized Living.

On my new site, I will include tips, ideas, resources, and tools to simplify and organize ALL aspects of your life. Everything from decorating, entertaining, gardening, and DIY projects, to time and money management, family-friendly recipes...and of course, clutter control.

Click here to visit my new site!

And here to subscribe to my RSS Feed.

You can also follow me on Facebook --> SimpleOrganizedLiving

Or on Twitter --> @LivingOrganized

triple chocolate bundt cake

2010-07-02T07:37:00.007-04:00

I woke up this morning around 6:30am and made 2 triple-chocolate bundt cakes...that's normal, right? It was such an easy recipe that I thought I should share it. And I know it's delicious because I ate some at 7:30am...again, normal right?

There are just a few simple ingredients, and best of all, it starts with a cake mix!

Ingredients:

1 pkg. devils food cake (18.5 oz.)
1 pkg. chocolate pudding (4 serving size)
1 1/3 c. water
1/2 c. vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips.

First, I whisk the dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredient (and chocolate chips) and whisk for 30 seconds in a large bowl.

Simply pour the triple-chocolaty goodness into a greased and floured bundt pan and bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes.

Remove and cool on a wire rack...and taste test!

At this point, it is perfectly wonderful to eat "as is"; however, if you want to do a little something extra, you can add a glaze over the top.

Vanilla Glaze Ingredients:

1 c. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla extract
1 T. milk

Mix all ingredients together, adding a little more milk if necessary.

Spread/pour glaze over bundt cakes.

--Or for even more chocolate...you can use a chocolate glaze.--

Chocolate Glaze Ingredients:

3/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 T. butter
1 t. corn syrup
1/4. vanilla extract

Mix the first 3 ingredients in a microwave save glass bowl (or a double boiler) and heat for 30 seconds on medium power.

Stir and continue heating in short increments until the chocolate is melted.

Stir in the vanilla...and spread over the cake.

NOTE: (you definitely want to have something under the cake to catch the dripping chocolate)

I used the vanilla glaze and put chopped nuts on one, and chopped chocolate on the other. I'm bringing the chopped chocolate one to a dinner tonight. I hope it goes over well.

give your home some fresh air

2010-07-01T13:38:00.005-04:00

For the past few days, west Michigan has experienced a huge drop in temperature and humidity. (I'm wearing jeans and a light-weight sweater on July 1...glorious!) I actually love mid-60's weather (as long as it's sunny). I also love opening the windows to let the fresh air in. I start to feel couped up with the air conditioning on...but Michigan humidity is not something to mess around with.

If you are craving fresh air in your home, opening the windows not the only way to achieve it. If your home is starting to feel stale or stagnate, another way freshening things up is by doing some light decluttering.

To start, simply set your timer for 15-20 minutes and walk through your home with a box, bag, or laundry basket. Look for items in your home that have gone stale, and place them into your container. Recycle old magazines, toss tired floral arrangements, and pull a few faded sweaters or t-shirts out of your closet. When the timer rings, step back and feel the difference just a little bit of breathing room can create in your home.

Happy decluttering!

monday madness...saving $200 on groceries

2010-06-28T21:33:00.008-04:00

I often get questions regarding coupons and if it is really worth the time spent to cut coupons, file them...and then remember to use them each week.

While it does take a bit of organization and dedication, I can assure you that it IS worth it!

Each week, I spend about 2 hours on Sunday afternoon going through the ads, clipping, filing, and printing coupons, and making my grocery lists for each store. Then on Monday, I try to hit the stores. I like going on Monday because the stores are still stocked and they usually are less busy.

Here are some of the deals I got today; you tell me if it was worth my 2-hour investment.

Meijer

Spent: $22.45 -- Saved: $117.24

Here are a few of the things I purchased:

6 packs of Huggies wipes (all free)
6 boxes of cereal (nearly free after coupons and $4 off 4 boxes at Meijer)
3 loaves of bread
2 gallons of milk
4 boxes of crackers
2 packages of cookies (free when you "like" Nabisco on Facebook)
5 packages of sausage
5 packages of kraft cheese (all free w/ coupons from Kraft)
DiGiorno frozen pizza (free coupon from Kraft)
2 gallons of milk
Fruit and veggies (from the discount rack
Dishwasher tabs and shower cleaner (all free)

Rite Aid

Spent: $0.88 -- Saved: $29.00

Walgreens

Spent: $1.82 -- Saved $39.83

Target

Spent: $0.43 -- Saved $12.27

Here are the totals after my morning shopping excursion.

TOTAL SPENT: $25.58

TOTAL SAVED: $198.34

I saved myself nearly $200 for a 2-hour investment cutting coupons and making my lists. I don't know about you, but I would say $100/hour is worth the effort!

What about you? Do you use coupons? Do you feel it is worth your time?

5 reasons people hate budgets

2010-06-26T08:00:00.001-04:00

Do you have a budget? Yes a budget; a system that you put in place to monitor, and restrict how much money you save and spend each week, month, and year.

Personally, I’m a big believer in budgets. I’ve had one for as long as I can remember and I think they are an essential tool for reducing stress and creating a simple, more organized life.

I’m not sure why, but I come across more people who simply hate the thought of creating and maintaining a personal budget. On a list, I’m sure budgeting would rank up there with going to the dentist.

Why do some people hate the idea of living on a budget? I suspect it’s based on some past experience or just preconceived notions. The list below compiles a few reasons I have seen. And interestingly enough, these are some of the same reasons why people don’t get their homes and life more organized.

1. Accountability:

This is a biggie. Most people don’t like to be held accountable…for anything! And they certainly don’t want someone else telling them what they can and can’t do with their money (or lack of it). Accountability means limits…and those are never fun. Who wants to be limited as to how often they can go out to eat or how much they can spend on clothing each month? It’s easier just to swipe a plastic card and deal with the effects later, right?

2. Image:

Some people are just too proud to live on a budget; they feel it makes them look poor. However, I have found that the people who look rich, often don’t have a dime to their name. Look a little deeper and you’ll probably find a huge mortgage, car payments, sky-high credit card debt…and a lot of stress.

Scaling back your spending might make you look poor at first, but after a brief adjustment period, you’ll know it was the best thing you ever did for yourself and your family. Creating a budget will help you save more, build your net worth, make wise financial decisions, and get you on the path to real wealth.

3. Denial:

Without a budget, or any knowledge of how much money is available (or unavailable), it’s very easy to simply justify every dollar spent. A budget sheds light onto the true situation and forces people to take action.

Unfortunately, embracing denial only works until you lose your job, get sick, or get a foreclosure notice. Then the mess is unavoidable and undeniable.

4. Fear:

Starting a budget can be a bit intimidating if you’ve never done it before. But don’t let this stop you from getting started. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You’ll learn what you need to know along the way and in the process, you will begin to realize how you are spending your money and what needs to change

5. Laziness:

Yes, it takes effort to create and maintain a budget. However, if your budget is too much work, then you are doing something wrong. I only spend about 5 minutes a day updating my budget (yes I do it every day). It might take you a little longer when you first get started, but with all the technology available today, budgeting is very easy.

So how do you create a budget?

I personally just use Excel to keep track of my finances and it has worked for me for years. Another great resource is www.Mint.com. It is free and pretty easy to download. If you want more options (and more cost) you might want to check out www.ynab.com. It is important to find the system works for you…even if it costs you a little money. It will well worth the investment!

Organizing your finances, simplifying your spending, and living debt free are excellent ways to begin creating your best life. Start today!

organize your ideas

2010-06-23T08:00:00.002-04:00

I often have so many ideas floating around in my head; ideas for my house, ideas for my clients, ideas for dinner, upcoming projects, things I have to do yet, etc. etc. Can you relate? Here are some ideas to take away the feeling of chaos and help you to organize and implement the wealth of ideas you have.

Get all of your ideas out of our head. Don't worry about organizing them yet, just do what is called a `brain dump'. Write down every idea--don't try to do more than get them out of your brain and onto paper.

Create categories for your ideas. Your categories will be specific to you and your situation but could include home decorating, home improvements, craft projects, social activities, family vacations, business projects, and so on. Don't try to do anything more than brainstorm categories for now.
Place your ideas into the categories listed above. Use different colored highlighters to mark each category. Once you have a different color for each category, it's time to go through your list of ideas. Decide which category you think each idea fits into, and then highlight it with the corresponding color. Don't worry if you have ideas that don't fit any of your categories. We'll deal with that next.
Create additional categories (as needed). For those ideas that don't fit your existing categories, let them be your guide for additional categories. Some additional categories might include self-improvement, health goals, financial goals, etc. You can make your categories as broad or as narrow as you choose. Making them a bit broader eliminates having too many categories.

Transfer your lists to a notebook, index cards, PDA, or computer. Remember this is for you--so make it work for you.

Implementing your ideas. Some of your ideas can be moved to a daily or weekly To-Do list and completed in a short time frame. Others might be a bit more complex and therefore require several steps to complete it. In this case, you should break these ideas down into small steps that you can then put on your daily or weekly To- Do list.

As you work through your list of ideas in each category, don't cross them out as you complete them. Instead, highlight each one as it is completed. This will make it easy to see and remember all the things you have accomplished. Also, remember that your lists might change as you complete items and add new ones. Feel free to adapt your category system to best suit your personality and your personal organizing style. This is your document, make it work for you.

what pots and pans are right for you?

2010-06-21T08:00:00.002-04:00

Recently, I’ve been doing a bit of research on pots and pans. I currently have nonstick pans, but have been hearing lots of negative talk about potential side affects of the nonstick coating. Apparently, it can cause cancer…but then again, it seems that everything now days can cause cancer. So I’m not too concerned, but I do feel like I should at least research some of my other options.

I’ve learned that there is much more to consider when buying pots and pans beside how well they heat food, how easy they are to clean, how pretty they look on my stove, etc. I should also consider the safety of these pots and pans as they are essentially the surfaces upon which my food will sit.

So here is what I found as far as healthy kitchenware is concerned; however don’t go and throw out everything you currently have. Decide for yourself what is the best cookware for your family and your cooking needs, and then do your research and wait until you find a sale…don’t pay full price!

Aluminum: This material has become less popular over recent years as we learned that it reacts to acidic foods like tomatoes and causes leaching, and we don’t need to add even more of this potentially toxic substance. My vote = FAIL
Teflon: Teflon was/is very popular as a great non-stick surface. However, Teflon is said to leach toxic chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, and obesity. In addition Teflon has a tendency to scratch and chip easily making the pot or pan unusable. My vote = FAIL
Copper: It looks great and it gives the impression that you are a fancy chef (even if your not!) It also conducts heat very well. Yet it is hard to care for and keep looking nice. Copper would be nice for occasional or decorative use but not for every day cooking. My vote = NEUTRAL
Silicone: This material has really made a splash in recent years. The attraction is mostly due to the fact that it is a non-stick surface that isn’t Teflon. It seems that silicone doesn’t leach but it is also should not be used at temperatures hotter than 420 degrees. Silicone is safe, but personally, I do not like using it. I feel like it has a weird smell…but I have an ultra sensitive nose! My vote = NEUTRAL
Glass: Glass is awesome for baking and for the oven. I would even say it is the best material for these uses (although it is definitely breakable and somewhat heavy). It is safe and easy to use and cleans up very well. Glass doesn’t conduct heat well so it is much better for oven cooking than for stovetop cooking. My vote = PASS
Cast Iron: An old classic that has been used for generations. It is durable and easy to use once it is seasoned. It has been used for many decades without any connection to ill effects so this option is likely to stick around. My vote = PASS
Stainless Steel: It’s safe, but not the easiest for non-stick cooking. Cooked on scrambled eggs are going to require some serious soaking in my experience. It may not be the most convenient but it is certainly safe. My vote = PASS

Just like electronic devices, it seems that there are always new materials coming out for kitchen tools. I recently heard of “Green Pans” that claim to be safe and non-stick alternatives to Teflon. I personally like using non-stick Teflon…but I’m also aware that sacrificing convenience now is a lot wiser that sacrificing health complications later on in life.

So...after my research, I've decided to glass for baking (which I already did) and stainless steel for the majority of my cooking. However, I still have a couple Teflon pans…just for eggs!

How about you? What do you use? What do you love?

celebrate father's day

2010-06-20T08:00:00.002-04:00

To celebrate Father's Day, here are a few fun and inspiring quotes I found about Fathers. Make sure to show appreciation for the Father(s) in your life today!

It’s only when you grow up and step back from him―or leave him for your own home―it’s only then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it.

Margaret Truman, in an address to a joint session of Congress (1984)

Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap on a rope.

Bill Cosby, Fatherhood

Your father. He never loses patience, never doubts or complains, but always hopes, and works and waits so cheerfully that one is ashamed to do otherwise before him.

Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get.

Tim Russert, Big Russ and Me

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.

Sigmund Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents

simplify your laundry routine

2010-06-19T23:03:00.002-04:00

Laundry may be a chore we all face, but it doesn't have to feel like one. With improvements to washing machines, laundry products, and even fabrics, the old rules of laundry don't necessarily apply today. Make this task go more quickly and easily with these simple tips to help you get you out of the laundry room and back to more important things!

1. Stop sorting.

I grew up watching my mom sort darks, lights, and whites on laundry day. If one stray white sock got mixed up with darks or colors, the result was a dingy gray sock.

However, these days, sorting isn't always required. Thanks to higher quality fabrics that aren't as likely to run, you can put together a last minute load of lights and darks without much chance for disaster. And there are new products like Shout Color Catchers. Toss in a Color Catcher and let it "catch" any dyes that run, which you'll see when the load is clean.

2. Utilize your basket.

Another annoying part of laundry is folding clothes and delivering them to their rightful places around your home (or relying on your kids to put their own clothes away). Often times, the clean clothes tend to just stay in the basket, right?

Why not just let your kiddos live out of the basket? If there's room in the closet, give each child his or her own basket and keep the basket in the closet. Does it really matter they grab their shirts from a drawer or a basket? Let go of that anxiety and make putting laundry away that much simpler!

3. Stop ironing.

I’ve pulled my iron out about 4 times in as many years! I don’t like to iron and I feel like it is a huge waste of time so instead, I buy clothes that don’t need to be ironed and I hang and/or fold my clothes while they are still warm from the drier. I’ve also used Downy Wrinkle Releaser which smooths out wrinkles quickly.

4. Be organized.

Laundry becomes much less efficient if your laundry room is cluttered with various detergents, products, and other items. Take time to go through your laundry room and organize it.

Keep detergents you use on a regular basis within reach of the machine and put others away (or toss them!). Have rods put up so you can hang delicates or clothes that can't go into the dryer. Have a small bin on the machine to place coins, barrettes, or small toys that you find. Place a wastebasket close by so you can toss papers and lint away. You'd be surprised how far a little organization will go!

5. Get more use out of your clothes.

There's no reason why you can't wear clothes more than once before washing them. Unless I spill something or get very sweaty, I will usually wear my clothes at least 2 times before putting them in the wash. The same rule goes for our towels and sheets. Obviously, socks and underwear don't get second chances, but jeans, sweaters, dresses, skirts, and shirts sure can!

With a few tweaks to your laundry routine, you will not only simplify this dreaded chore, but you can also save yourself a bunch of time each week!

some thoughts about cards...on my birthday

2010-06-16T08:00:00.002-04:00

Today is my birthday! I'm officially a quarter of a century...which makes me sound old; so I think I'll just say I'm 25!

I love birthdays because, for a day, I reconnect with so many people via Facebook messages... and birthday cards. I love getting and giving cards for all different occasions, but I have to be careful because it is so easy to accumulate an enormous amount of "card clutter".

You know; card clutter...when you continue to buy more cards every time you see one that would be perfect for so-and-so...but then you completely forget to give the card to so-and-so when that time comes. Even with the best of intension and the most organized card files, it's still easy to accumulate card clutter.

One thing that I have done to eliminate the amount of cards I have to purchase (and store) is to simplify my categories. I no longer purchase cards for every occasion. Now, I only have 3 categories:

Thank-You
Congratulations
Blank

I feel that Thank-You cards are a must. Whether you are thanking someone for a gift or for a job interview, a card is 10 times nicer than an e-mail or e-card.

These Thank-You cards are one of my favorites.

I just bought them at the grocery store: 10 for $5.00.

These are a little more professional looking...
again, just from the grocery store!

More Thank-You cards from Night Owl Paper Goods...so pretty!

I also keep a bunch of "congratulations" cards around. Of course, I use these cards for graduations, but I also use them instead of having lots of different cards for weddings, engagements, baby showers, new jobs, new homes, etc. etc. All these occasions are reasons for congratulations...right!

This super cute card can be purchased from The Haystack Needle.

Egg Press also has a HUGE selection of gorgeous custom cards.

And finally, I keep a lot of blank cards handy.

I have a variety of colors and patterns, and I use these cards for everything else. I find that people often enjoy a hand written message versus a generic Hallmark greeting. Blank cards are also much less expensive and usually come in packs of 10-20 cards.

Of course, if you want to eliminate all your cards, here are some fun websites you might want to check out. You can create the cards online, and then mail or e-mail them to the recipients... meaning you never have to store another card again!

Want to create personalized photo cards or stationary? These sites can do that!

And those sites are just a few of the many online card resources. They are the ones that I have used and like!

What about you? Do you have a store or website you get cards from? Let me know...and I'll add it to my list.

save money on insurance

2010-06-15T08:00:00.001-04:00

Insurance is one of life’s necessary evils. We pay the premiums every year even if we don’t use any of the benefits; it’s something we do “just in case”. I often think of how much money we could save by not having health insurance, but then I quickly remind myself that there are very few things that can blow a budget like unexpected medical bills. Even if you save and invest, your finances can be torn apart by unforeseen health problems.

Even though medical insurance can be expensive, there are a few things you can (and should) do to make sure you’re not paying more than you have to:

1. Keep your Information Organized:

Of course, I would suggest this! But in all honesty, you can save a lot of time, money, and stress by organizing your insurance and medical information in one, easily accessible area.

2. Understand your Insurance Policy:

Insurance policies ~~can be~~ are confusing. Take the time to read, and re-read, your policy to be sure you understand what is covered and what you are responsible for. Know what your deductibles are and what doctors are included in your network. Know how your plan works in the case of emergencies and don’t be afraid to call your insurance provider with any questions.

3. Pay Attention to your Bills:

Don’t assume your medical bills are accurate. In the last year, I have personally been overcharge 3 times! Take the time to carefully read all your medical bills and make sure to ask questions if something seems wrong. Believe me; you care more about your money than your insurance company or your doctors, so take charge of the situation.

4. Always Look for a Deal:

You’ll never know unless you ask. Some places will offer you a deal and some won’t… so pack up your pride and just ask! Even if you have insurance, you may still be able to save big bucks by negotiating with your provider’s financial office. I recently had a filling at the dentist and negotiated a lesser fee base on the amount my insurance covered. I saved about $20.00 on just one filling!

5. Be Smart About your Prescriptions:

Don’t necessarily assume that brand name drugs are “better” than generic. You could save as much as 75% just by asking your doctor or pharmacist if your prescription comes in a generic form. Also, make sure you shop around for the best price and always look for coupons. Even if you do get the generic, prices can still vary. Call around to different pharmacies and see what their prices are and if they have any coupon offers for transferring a prescription to their store.

6. Stay Healthy:

This may seem obvious, but one of the best ways to save on insurance is to stay healthy. Regular exercise and a proper diet reduce the risk of many diseases and improve self-esteem, both of which will help with your pocketbook.

As with all things in life, spending a bit of time upfront can save you lots of time and money in the long run. Take a few moments this afternoon to get your insurance and medical papers in order and see how much money you can save.

kid's clothes

2010-06-12T08:00:00.001-04:00

Schools out...Great!

Your kids are home all day...Great! Except that they seem to instantly create clutter the moment they wake up!

One area that seems to easily spiral out of control is the closets. It is so difficult to keep up with your children's changing sizes, the seasons, school clothes, play clothes, nice clothes, etc. etc.

It might seem overwhelming, but try out a few of my suggestions below and see if you can't make it a fun experience for you...and your kids!

Have a mini fashion show: get your children to try on all their clothes and walk up and down the hallway to "show them off". This is a great time to see what fits and what doesn't. Anything that doesn't work should go to charity.
Make it fun to stay organized: Install a basketball hoop above the hamper for a fun way to pick up clothes.
Implement lots of colored boxes, bins, etc: You could use these colors to sort specific seasons (blue for summer, red for winter) or to sort types of clothing (blue for shorts, red for pants). This is a great visual way to help your kids remember where there clothes belong.
Get your children involved in the process: They are SO much more likely to keep there space organized if they get to make some of the decisions too. Ask them what they like and actually listen to their thoughts. It will make a big difference.

Take a few moments this weekend to host your own fashion show and get your kids a little more organized.

attitude improvements

2010-06-10T08:00:00.001-04:00

I’ve experienced so many technical problems over the last few days that I actually considered hiring my own personal IT specialist (not really…but almost!)

For example:

Cell phone: stopped working for no reason at all
Internet: down for 3 full days with no explanation from AT&T
Desktop computer: too much to say…but it’s not pretty
Laptop computer: wouldn’t turn on, wouldn’t turn off, wouldn’t do anything
Camera: (practically brand new) randomly takes pictures before you press the button
SD memory cards: not 1, but 2 of our memory cards bit the dust…on the same day…with all our pictures still on them :(

If I could buy a T-shirt to express my feelings...this is the one I would want!

I could go on, but I’ll stop there for now!

Need-less-to-say, running a business out of my home with no cell phone, internet, computer, or camera can be a little…well, um...frustrating to say the least.

How did anyone survive without it all?

So last night I broke down; I had enough! I was on the phone with AT&T for about 35 minutes and FINALLY got the internet problem fixed, only to find that both our computers now had massive viruses because of the aforementioned faulty internet connection (sigh).

I was up until about 1:00am uninstalling programs, installing new anti-virus, and updating both computers. Thankfully the majority of our computer related problems seem to be on the mend. The cell phone and camera are yet to be determined!

As I worked on the computers (and watched the time tick on), I was REALLY feeling sorry for myself. And then I felt bad about feeling bad…and the whole cycle was worsened!

So, as I waited for uploads, downloads, reloads, etc; I searched my newly connected internet for a few ways to improve my attitude. And these are 5 that I really liked.

Find a positive response to every situation. Yes, often my first response is negative; especially these last couple of days. But on a positive note, I wouldn’t even be able to run my business if computers, cell phones, and the internet didn’t exist. Yes, I have to maintain them and fix them…possibly throw them out the window and buy new ones, but at least they are available for my use!
Act happy, even if you’re not. You don’t have to be happy all the time, but you can try to look happy. Interestingly, studies have shown that the more you act happy, the happier you will actually feel!
Look for the good in other people. Rather than seeking to identify the negative traits in the people around you, look for the positive ones. (This was extremely difficult for me as I tried to explain my internet problem with the non-English-speaking AT&T representative…but we figured it out!)
Drop the sarcasm. Sarcasm can be a lot of fun, but in the end, it’s just negativity wrapped up and packaged as a joke.
Get plenty of rest and eat a good diet. Ok, I have the eating part under control…but I did chuckle to myself as I read the part about “plenty of rest” at 1:00am! I’m usually pretty good about getting at least 7 hours of sleep…and I do know that diet, exercise and rest make a HUGE difference in my attitude.

Now instead of my T-shirt...I'll try out this mug!

After last night, I think my husband would be very happy if I started implementing one or more of these ideas. I guess I have nothing to lose; and neither do you! Let’s try to add a little more positivity to our lives.

quick paper tip

2010-06-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

A common cause of paper clutter is the lack of habits and routines for handling and staying on top of your paper. Paper requires action, so to keep paper clutter away you must act on your paper regularly.

Begin by processing your paper every single day, or in other words, strive to completely empty your collection bin once every twenty-four hours. Do this by recycling the junk mail, filing papers you need to keep, and placing bills and other actionable paper into your action system. Remember, action creates change!

strawberry lemonade - 2 ways

2010-06-08T08:00:00.006-04:00

Strawberries are always a welcome reminder that summer is officially here.

Every June, I spend a Saturday morning picking strawberries at a local farm...and they try to come up with recipes to use them all up!

One of my favorite things to make is strawberry lemonade; and this recipe is the best one I've found so far.

Sensational Strawberry Lemonade:

Ingredients:

½ c. lemon juice (about 3 or 4 lemons)
4 c. water
¾ c. sugar
½ t. salt
1 c. strawberries, cleaned and hulled

Directions:

Cut lemons in half and juice them until you reach ½ cup. Pour the juice through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the seeds. Cover and refrigerate.

Place water, sugar, salt, and strawberries into a pan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir often, crushing the berries with your spoon. Continue to boil, stirring often, until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Let cool, cover, and refrigerate until chilled.
Pour the chilled syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher; discard the pulp. Add the lemon juice to syrup; stir. Taste, and adjust to desired sweetness.

Serve lemonade with ice cubes and garnish with thin lemon slices.

However, if you don't have time to make lemonade from scratch, here is another great (time-saving) recipe using frozen ingredients that you might even have on hand. This lemonade won’t be as pink as the recipe above, however it is still extremely refreshing on a hot summer afternoon.

Simple Strawberry Lemonade:

Ingredients:

1 (12 oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
4½ c. water
1 (10 oz.) package frozen strawberries, partially thawed

Directions:

In a large pitcher, mix together lemonade concentrate and water. Stir in strawberries. Serve with ice cubes and lemon slices.

These recipes are 2 of my favorites and I make them both regularly. Give one of them a try this month. Then let me know what you think, or feel free to send me one of your favorite recipes to try out.

10 tips to tidy your house

2010-06-07T08:00:00.004-04:00

Need an easy way to get your home straightened up in 30 minutes or less? These are 10 great tips for when unexpected company arrives and you have no time to thoroughly clean and organize your home
1) Have a clean entrance. Clear the entry table and floor area from all clutter. Put bills & mail away, shoes in the closet, and straighten the door mat/rug.

2) Clear off the kitchen table and push in the chairs.

3) Fluff couch cushions and pillows. Your living room will instantly look nice & neat.

4) Straighten up the coffee table. Stack magazines neatly, put remotes in a basket or on a tray, and take any stray snack dishes to the kitchen sink.

5) Wipe down kitchen counters and
sink. No time to do the dishes? Stack them in the sink and place a dishtowel on top to hide the mess.
6) Place a fresh, clean hand towel in the bathroom, and wipe down the sink.

7) Grab a big basket and place all of the stuff left on the floor (toys, a book, slippers, whatever your family leaves all over) inside. Put in a closet and be sure to have the family put those items away later in that same day.

8) Open your curtains and blinds and let in the light. If it's a nice day then open a window for a fresh breeze. More light makes your rooms seem brighter and bigger too.

9) Turn on a lamp or three for a nice, warm, welcoming glow.

10) Close doors to untidy areas, light a pretty candle, and greet those at the door with a smile!

Remember to only focus your attention on the areas your guests will actually see (living room, kitchen, bathroom, entryway, etc). Don’t worry about closets, toy rooms, pantries, or other areas where your guest will not go.

Better Homes and Gardens Magazine

2010-06-05T08:06:00.003-04:00

I usually don't encourage my clients to subscribe to any additional magazines, as they somehow seem to stick around for years to come! I personally don't subscribe to any magazines, but I did receive Better Homes and Gardens as a gift for 2 Christmases...and now I'm hooked! However, I'm not going to pay full price for a magazine (or anything for that matter) so I've been waiting for it to go on sale...and it's here!

You can now get a subscription to Better Homes and Gardens magazine for only $2.99 per year right now from Tanga.com. Simply add the magazine to your cart and choose how many years you’d like to receive it. You'll have to enter your mailing information, then use coupon code HOMES at the checkout and it should knock the price down to $2.99 per year. (Tanga sometimes varies the price of an item by a dollar or two throughout the day.)

So get your magazine deal...and then remember; once you finished reading it, get rid of it!

keepsakes and family heirlooms

2010-06-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

I recently worked with an elderly client who had enough “stuff” in her basement to furnish a second home or cottage. She was very depressed that her basement was basically unusable and was frustrated that some of the things had been ruined due to water damage and mold. When I asked her why she was keeping it she said, “I’m saving it for my kids”.

This might sound like a loving gesture…but her children are now all 40’s or older; and they have their own homes, families…and stuff! Most of them live over an hour away, and none of them have appropriate vehicles to cart the stuff back to their homes.

I have seen this situation several times before… and in most cases, the kids don’t want any of their parents “stuff”. They may want one or two keepsake items, but that is it. Unfortunately, my client felt that her adult children should be delighted to have these treasures.

As I sat there thinking of what I could say to help her “get a grip”, I reminded myself that I am one of the most unemotional people I know, and that many people have strong emotional ties to their stuff. If you can relate to my client, here are a few things to think about:

1. Remember that it is just stuff, and it is not the physical objects that you are attached to, it is the memory associated with the objects. There are many ways to preserve those memories even after you get rid of the stuff. You might try taking pictures of it all and creating a scrap book, or you can take scraps of old clothes and make a small quilt.

2. Respect and accept your children’s wishes. Your children are more important than your stuff and you don’t want to strain your relationships over a basement of stuff. Accept that they might not want to keep anything at all.

3. Offer the items to extended family or friends. If your immediate family doesn’t want it, there might be others who will. However, make it casual and don’t pressure them!

4. Sell the items via Craig’s List or Ebay. If you feel your items have real value, you could try selling them and donating your profits to a worthy cause; or split the money with your children. They certainly will appreciate that.

5. Donate the rest of your items to your favorite charity and take your tax deduction. Think of all the people who will benefit from your treasures and create new homes for them.

Handling family heirlooms and keepsakes can be an emotional project, but it is important move the stuff out of your home before your children have to do it for you. I have seen too many situations where the kids just come in with a dumpster and trash everything because any other option is too much work. You certainly don’t want to leave your children with the burden of cleaning out all your stuff.

free products from p&g everyday solutions

2010-06-04T13:14:00.002-04:00

Have you signed up for P&G Everyday Solutions yet? If not, you’ll want to sign up soon. They are offering some great samples and coupons right now — including free Pampers and Pantene samples.

After you sign up, just log in to your account and click on “Samples and Coupons” to choose which samples you’d like to order. You can order new samples and coupons every quarter.

our garden shed

2010-06-03T08:00:00.001-04:00

When we bought our house 4 years ago, my dad promised to build us a shed "sometime". Well, sometime happened last Fall. He finally had the time to build it and I got to customize it to fit all my gardening needs. I originally thought about painting it barn red...but then decided to go with a neutral color.

This spring, I did a bit of landscaping around it and added all the finishing touches. Not only is it super organized, it's also cute, and it adds a hint of country charm to my suburban home!

This is the back wall of our shed. I installed an old kitchen cabinet on the right for enclosed storage. Then I used a bunch of old peg board that we found in our basement. I painted the whole inside of the shed white for a clean look.

I may have gotten a little carried away...but I found some clearanced fabric and made a skirt for my "custom" workbench...more hidden storage!

I think I have enough shovels... I really do use them all.

I found this metal storage cabinet for free by the road and now use it to hold all our pesticides, chemicals, fertilizers, insect repellent, and outdoor games. I also stuck clothes pins to the inside of the doors so we can hang our gardening gloves.

I love pegboard...such an inexpensive (and visually attractive) way to organize large or small spaces

More (free) storage pieces to store camping gear, gardening tools, etc.

Some of my pretty terracotta pots "just for looks" since some are really too small to actually plant in.

I love our shed.
I love all the extra storage.
I love that our garage is now uncluttered.

I love feeling like Martha Stewart as I work in my shed!

an organized garage

2010-06-02T08:00:00.003-04:00

The "unofficial" start of summer is "officially" here! Memorial Day has come and gone, which means it's a great time to get your garage a little more organized for the summer.

I have organized many garages over the past few years and it is always because my clients feel completely overwhelmed by the thought of trying to organize such a large space all at one time. One tip that seems to help most of my clients is to break the large area into smaller "zones". For example, you might have one zone for tools, one zone for toys/yard games, and another zone for trash & recycling.

My dream has always been to have nothing except the cars in our garage. But since that is not very practical or realistic, I simply try to keep as little as possible in our garage. Last Fall, my dad built us a big shed in our backyard; which meant that we could move nearly everything in our garage into our shed! So, this is what our garage looks like now:

It looks pretty good and I am happy with the amount of "stuff" we need to keep in our garage.

As I organized our garage, I took my own advice and created 3 main zones to break up the larger space:

ZONE #1: Car & Bike Supplies
I found this locker unit on the side of the road (free) and it fits perfectly between our service door and our garage door. We keep bike supplies (pump, helmets, tools, etc.) in one locker and car supplies (buckets, rags, wax, oil, filters, etc.) in the other. It's out of the way and kind of cute!

ZONE #2: Trash & Recycling Center

I put 2 floating shelves up on the wall outside the door to our house. They serve as our extremely simple trash & recycling center. We use one trash can for trash and the other for plastic, tin & glass. The red crates are used for pop cans and extra trash bags, supplies, etc. The brown bag is for paper.

ZONE #3: Coats, Shoes, & Misc.

I found this cute coat hook/shelving unit at Ikea and thought it would be perfect for our garage. It has plenty of hooks for coats, hats, umbrellas, etc. We use the cubbies for smaller items, and on top, I have a basket of basic tools...and a few decorations (who says I can't decorate my garage!) The 3 ladder-back chairs are from a garage sale and are a great spot for guests to sit and take off their shoes.

That's it, everything else in our shed. We have a pretty small two-stall garage so it's important to keep it clean and organized, otherwise our cars will hardly fit!

If you are thinking about tackling your garage this summer, just take a moment and think about what zones you might like to have, and then work at creating them. Take one zone at a time, and it will seem so much less overwhelming than worrying about the entire garage all at once.

decluter your kids' paperwork

2010-06-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

The school year is winding down and you are getting ready for summer break, right?

But before you take all the paper and memorabilia left from this school year and shove it in the bottom of a closet or drawer, (where it has the potential to magically multiply over the summer months) take an afternoon to organize your kids’ school papers!

Take advantage of the slower inflow of new paper and get on top of what’s accumulated over the last school year. Clean out your files and discard papers that pertain to the past school year’s teachers, schedules, and assignments. Discard paperwork from sports teams and seasons that have come and gone. Clear your refrigerator of hot-lunch slips, spelling tests and art work. Be ruthless, and save only the MOST meaningful items in three-ring binders (one for each child).

With a little bit of effort now, you can enjoy paper-free surfaces all summer long; and next fall, you will enjoy not having to declutter your multiplied paper mess.

cut your grocery bill without cutting coupons

2010-05-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

Many of you know that I am a huge advocate of cutting coupons to save on our weekly grocery bill. However, what if you don’t have access to coupons? Or what if you don’t want to put the effort into clipping coupons? That’s fine! It’s not for everyone…and even if coupons aren’t for you, there are still ways you can significantly reduce your grocery bill each week. Here are 4 to get you started.

1) Plan Ahead: yes, I often talk about planning ahead to save time, but planning your weekly menu in advance will also help you save significantly on your groceries each week. Even if this is the only thing you do, you’ll greatly reduce your grocery budget. If you have a moment to glance at the sale ads, plan your weekly meal around the meats and produce that are on sale that week…saving you even more.

2) Shop at Discount Stores: I’m not sure what stores are in your area, but there are stores by me, such as Aldi, that don’t take coupons and don’t have sales, they just have really low prices all the time. I don’t shop at Aldi all the time…just because I can get even better deals by using coupons, rebates, and shopping the sales; but if you don’t have the time to do that, Aldi will save you lots of money! Aldi usually carries a variety of non-brand-name foods that are very comparable to brand name products. They have great prices on produce, milk, tortilla chips, and baking products, to name a few.

3) Cook From Scratch: I know some of you are thinking that you don’t have time to cook from scratch, but I grantee it will save you both money…and calories! Processed food is usually very high in sodium, calories, and fat, so cooking from scratch will benefit your family in multiple ways. Look for simple, inexpensive recipes using easy-to-find ingredients. Also, make double and triple batches of your family’s favorites and store them in the freezer. I will often set aside a couple days each month for mass baking and freeze snack items for lunches, dessert, etc.

4) Shop Once Per Week: The more you go to the store, the more money you will spend. Even if you have a ridged grocery budget (which I highly recommend) it’s still easier to save when you don’t even enter the store…imagine that! So this goes back to planning ahead; because you will have to plan your shopping list for the entire week so you only have to go to the store once.

By implementing these simple concepts, you will be able to save your family hundreds of dollars each year…which is defiantly worth it if you ask me!

What about you; do you have any other ideas for saving money without using coupons?

family fun for less

2010-05-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

Who says you need to spend a lot to have fun? Oftentimes, the most rewarding family moments are the simplest and most affordable. As summer approaches, get in the habit of establishing a regular family time; here are a few free and inexpensive ideas to get you started.

Plan a Picnic:
Grab a blanket, sunglasses, finger foods, and lots of water and enjoy an afternoon of fresh air at a nearby park, playground, beach...or in your back yard.

Stargaze:
No need for a fancy telescope, Google Sky can help you find stars, planets, and constellations where ever you live. Just choose a dark, clear night and head outside for a night of educational fun!
Here are the "new moon" nights for the summer of 2010: June 12, July 11, August 10.

Let's go to the Movies:
The cost of movies have skyrocketed, making it nearly impossible for a family to enjoy a night out at the movies. Instead, create an in-home theater with a variety of popcorn, movie-sized candy (at Walgreens or most Dollar Stores for $1.00), and rent a family favorite from the movie store. Turn the lights and other electronic devices off and snuggle up with lots of blankets and pillows.

Treasure Hunt:
Hosting a treasure hunt is a simple as making a list of items you might normally find in nature. Or, to liven it up, you could hide small bags of candy, small coins, and other prizes around your yard. For children who can't read, you can create a "picture list" so they know what to look for.

Water Works:
Oh hot summer days, nothing is better than going to a water park. However, you can create a water park in your back yard with multiple sprinklers, a kiddie pool, water balloons and squirt guns. It is still tons of fun at a fraction of the price!

Sundae Supreme:
Replace a costly trip to the ice-cream shop with an at-home sundae supreme party. Serve vanilla and chocolate ice-cream with a variety of fancy toppings set up in stations around the kitchen. Let everyone mix-and-match toppings for their own individual creation. Chopped candy bars, crushed cookies and hot fudge are a few must-have toppings.

Family Game Night:
Break out your cards, board games, and video games for a fun and interactive evening. Mix Monopoly and Sorry with Wii and there will be something for everyone.

Berry Delicious:
Summer is the season for fresh fruit. Take advantage of this by heading out to a local "U-pick" farm to pick as many as your family can eat. Make sure you all wear grubby clothes and go before the heat of the day.

These are just a few ideas for inexpensive family fun this summer. Let me know what you and your family are doing to create BIG memories on a not-so-big budget.

my latest deal

2010-05-25T08:00:00.001-04:00

I’ve been getting loads of e-mails with questions on how I keep my grocery budget so low each week. And this week was no exception…I managed to purchase over $98.00 worth of meat, dairy, fruits, veggies, bread, snacks, etc. for only $2.56!! That has to be some type of record!

And before you even ask… No, I don’t use Savings Angel; No I don’t buy multiple Sunday papers; No we don’t eat Ramen Noodles...ever!

So how do I do it?

I spend about 2 hours every Sunday afternoon cutting and organizing my coupons, looking through store ads, and creating my grocery list for the week.
I ONLY buy what is on sale…period! When things go on sale, I stock up, when they are not on sale, we eat something else.
I pair store coupons (Meijer, Target, Spartan Stores) with Manufacture coupons (Kraft, SaraLee, Aunt Millies). You usually can’t use more than one coupon per item, but you CAN do this when one is a store coupon and one is a manufacture coupon.
I use lots of rebates. These are often right in the Sunday paper ads…but sometimes they can be a bit trickier to find. Using rebates is a little work, but these are what can really save you money. Often I find that I can actually get paid for buying an item I was planning to buy anyway.

This might all seem a little overwhelming, but keep in mind I’ve been doing this for a long time…and it definitely get’s easier after time!

So how did I do it this week?

A few weeks ago, I participated in a Kraft Foods' promotion via an online survey from Kraft. Following the survey, I got to pick a handful of products that I would then get free coupons for.

Last week, my coupons arrived in the mail…accompanied by a $10.00 rebate when you spend $30.00 on Kraft Products.

This week, Meijer had a TON of Kraft products on sale and additional Mejier coupons for these Kraft products at MeijerMealBox.com

So, using the Meijer sales, my manufacture & store coupons, and the Kraft rebate I was able to purchase everything you see in this picture for only $2.56!!

Oh...and you can click here for Free Kraft Products at Target!

spring blooms in my garden

2010-05-24T08:00:00.007-04:00

Just because I've spent so much time in my garden over the last 3 years,
...and just because we had such glorious weather this weekend,
...and just because I found an awesome (and free) photo editing program (picnik.com)...

I decided to be very unproductive today and spend time taking (and editing) lots of picture from my garden!

They turned out great; hear are a few of my favorites:

Wave Petunias (in my favorite wicker chair)

Verbena

Chives

Iris

Columbine

It seems that the "fruit" of all my extremely hard labor is finally starting to show...and I'm excited! We'll see what turns up the rest of the season.

Graduation Cupcakes

2010-05-23T08:00:00.002-04:00

May means Graduation...and my husband (a high school teacher) and I have had our fair share of graduation parties this spring!

I got lots of creative ideas from those parties so when I was asked to bring a dessert for my brother-in-law's college graduation party I used this cute cupcake idea.

I tweaked it a little bit, but the concept is pretty simple:

Bake cupcakes from a mix
Fill cupcakes with chocolate pudding
Top cupcakes with chocolate covered graham crackers
Make tassel out of licorice (pull-n-peel)
Top with M&M

They turned out great...and were a big hit at our party.

They didn't taste too bad either!

3 reasons to organize your kitchen

2010-05-21T08:00:00.001-04:00

Need another reason to organized your kitchen?
I'll give you 3:

Save Time - organizing your kitchen means less looking around to find something when you really need it.
Save Money - organizing your kitchen helps you save money; if you know what you have on hand, you are less likely to buy duplicate items and will have less wasted food.
Save Stress - organizing your kitchen restores order and a sense of calm in one of the main focal points of your home.

Is that enough to motivate you?
Set you timer for 15 minutes and start today!

5 minutes and 5 steps to more organized living

2010-05-19T07:28:00.003-04:00

Anyone who knows me...or who reads this blog, knows that I am a huge fan of "list making". I feel that it is very important to have a tentative plan for the upcoming hours, days, weeks and even months.

For me, these lists give me a chance to relax and concentrate on other (more important) things because I already have "my plan"! Although things don't usually work out exactly as planned, it is still nice to take a few moments to think through my day and feel like I am ready to go.

As I work with clients who constantly seem to be stressed out, fly by the seat of their pants, and wonder why they are always behind and never seem to get anything accomplished, I often find myself implimenting some type of list creation with them. We sit down and figure out the most important areas they want to de-clutter while I am working with them. Then we decide on the 5 most important things for them to do after I leave. And finally, we decide on the 5 most important things for them to do the following day.

It is interesting how in about 5 minutes, and with 5 small steps of action, I can literally see their stress melting away! They FINALLY have a plan and they know where they hope to go, what the end results should be, and when they should accomplish these end results.

I usually get an e-mail or phone call within a few days, thanking me for my work and expressing amazement at how much less stress they had for those few days!! It always makes me smile!

So my challenge to you is to grab a pad of paper and a pen and take 5 minutes to write the 5 most important things for you to do today! Then every evening after dinner and before you go to bed, take 5 minutes to think about the day ahead and write down your top 5 things to do. I guarantee you will sleep better!

square foot gardening

2010-05-17T11:16:00.009-04:00

Over the weekend, I was able to squeeze in a few hours of time to prepare and plant my vegetable garden. Since we are currently in the process of redesigning and re-landscaping our backyard, my vegetable garden had to be smaller than what it was in previous years. Because of this, I was forced to get a little more creative with the way I planted and what I planted.

I did a little research and found a bunch of information on Square Foot Gardening.
The common practice in Square Foot Gardening is to first make a 4'x4' raised bed of soil (usually about 6" deep) and then divide this raised bed into 16 1' x 1' areas using twine or some sticks. This enables you to divide your crops and physically reach all portions of a particular raised bed without stepping on the soil or affecting the other plants.

If you have a small garden area, you might only be able to accommodate 1 or 2 raised beds. However, if you have lots of space, you could create several raised beds separated by 3' aisles.

Once you have created your raised bed and filled it with good soil and organic matter, you can begin planning!
You should plant a variety of plants in your raised bed, and the number of plants you plant in each square depends on the size of the plant. For instance, if your plant is large (broccoli, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, peppers) you should only grow 1 plant per square food. If your plants are medium sized (onions, head lettuce, chard) you can grow 3 or 4 per square. And if your plants are small (radishes, carrots, herbs, beans) you can grow 8-16 per square.

Here's a great graphic to give you an idea of how to plant your vegetables.
So, the idea is to plant some of the small plants next to the larger plants so they can all "get along" and maximize your gardening space (and effort).

Here is a GREAT website if you want to learn more.

It's a pretty good method and I know others who currently use it. I think I'm going to give it a try this year!

Let me know if you have other ideas for gardening in smaller spaces or if you have tried square food gardening!

spring cleaning giveaway announced!

2010-05-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

It's Friday, which means I can announce the winner of our Simplify Spring Cleaning Free Give-away...the Micro Fiber Cloth!!

The winner is: Rochelle H

I will be sending you an e-mail shortly to let you know that you won.

Thank you to everyone who entered to win. I will hopefully be doing several more giveaways this summer so please keep coming back and sharing your ideas, questions, and comments. I love to hear them all.

Also, if any of you are interested in purchasing your own micro fiber cloths, they have a great selection at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, Walmart, etc.

15 new uses for odds and ends

2010-05-13T08:00:00.003-04:00

Have you ever lost one earring and weren't sure what to do with the other one? How about all your old coffee cans or salt and pepper shakers? It's easy enough just to throw them away...but what if there was a fun and creative way to re-purpose these odds and ends?

This thought got my creative juices flowing and I searched around until I found this great link from REAL SIMPLE magazine...I love that magazine!

The article: 15 New Uses for Your Odds and Ends has lots of creative ways to re-purpose some of the little treasures that might be lying around your house right now.

Check it out and let me know what you think...or if you have other similar ideas!

lighten your load in 7 simple steps

2010-05-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

Do you crave the peace, calm, and beauty that greater organization would offer you? And yet, at the same time, dread the process of getting there? Here’s the good news: you’re not alone! For many, the mere thought of letting go creates an almost insurmountable obstacle for getting more organized. And yet … letting go of excess possessions—like supplies, shoes, unused gifts, clothing with the price tags still attached, and incomplete projects, along with letting go of old habits and beliefs about organizing—is key to creating a future filled with greater calm, control, and organizational bliss.

So how do you do it? There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The trick is to figure out what works for you. What will motivate you to overcome “letting go” and move forward to the peace, calm, and beauty you crave? The answer may not be has horrible as you might think!

#1: Visualize the finished result:
The more clearly you can describe to yourself the benefits of letting go, the easier it will be to make any tough decisions that come up during the process.

Why do you want to change or get more organized?

What are you making space for?

How will your space look, feel, and function when you’re finished?

What benefits will you realize when you are more organized?

#2: Remind yourself of past successes:
Do you remember the last time you really dug deep, and let go of unwanted and unneeded things? How did it feel afterward? Did you feel lighter? Did you feel more positive? Were you more able to relax? Did you feel more motivated to do things you really love to do?

#3: Prioritize:
Ask yourself: Which belongings in your home are most important to you?

#4: Decide how much is enough:
We all have things we love to have plenty of. For some it’s tea. For others it’s t-shirts. For me it’s kitchen gadgets! When you have too much of a good thing you may start to feel bad about the excess, or you may even forget what you have. How much is enough and how much is too much?

#5: Anticipate and remove your obstacles:

Obstacle 1: I might need it someday”
Solution: Decide when “someday” is. If you can’t come up with a definite answer, then assign an arbitrary date up to six months out in the future. Put the item in a box, write the date on the outside of the box, and move on. If the “someday” (the date on the box) comes and goes and you haven’t needed the item … you are now free to send it off to a happier place.

Obstacle 2: I paid good money for this”
Solution: Accept that the money is spent, and no amount of hanging-on to an item can bring your money back.

Obstacle 3: I could sell this at a garage sale or on Craig’s List:
Solution: Decide if you will actually put the time and effort into selling your items. If not, find a charity you’ll feel good about donating your items to and schedule a day for them to pick up your items. You will still get a tax deduction and you can save all that effort.

Obstacle 4: I received it as a gift
Solution: Realized that gifts don’t (or at least shouldn’t) come with strings attached. I know this one can be hard to swallow… but it’s true.

#6: Create quick results:
If you’re faced with a mound of things to go through, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Look for ways to create visual results quickly. One way to do this is by grabbing a large box or laundry bin and clear off all your flat surfaces. Now, everything “looks” so much better and you only have to work with the stuff in the box…not the entire room.

#7: Keep building on your successes:
Keep moving in the direction of your goals. Set aside 15-30 minutes a day for tackling a corner, drawer, or shelf. Or block out a couple of hours each Saturday to go through a small space in your home. Little by little you’ll lighten your load and create peace, calm, and beauty in your home and life!

organized office

2010-05-07T08:00:00.022-04:00

When we first moved into our home 4 years ago, I set up one of the bedrooms as our home office. We had a spot for our computer and miscellaneous office supplies, but what we really needed was a "multi-purpose room". For example, I wanted a craft area, a sewing area, a gift wrapping area, a project area with tools, etc. etc. My husband wanted an area for his school paper, books, and bags; and an area to watch TV, read, grade papers, etc.

So I had the challenge of turning a TINY 9'x10' area into a room for all our needs...and here is what a little creativity, $27.00 worth of yard sale furniture, and LOTS of paint can do!

A computer desk was a must, and I found this one for $5.00 and painted it black. The drawers house our office supplies (envelopes, stamps, pens, paper, blank CD's etc.) To the right of the desk is a large basket for Dave's school bags and books.

The frame above the desk was purchased for $3.00 from Hobby Lobby (95% clearance b/c it had no glass!). I painted it and put chicken wire in it...and now it has multiple uses. During the holidays, we display all our cards, pictures, and letters. During the school year, we use it to hang schedules, notes, pictures, cards that we need to send, etc.

The next part was a bit trickier because I needed a spot for craft and sewing supplies. I don't do a ton of either activity, but I do enough that I want the basic supplies on hand and easily accessible.

A few more yard sale finds solved my problems.

The yellow armoire ($7.00 + paint) hides all my sewing supplies and the larger craft supplies. I store fabric scraps in the large black box, cards and other craft papers in the 2 blue boxes and all my sewing supplies are front and center for easy access.

The armoire also provides a nice place to "hide" our printer, paper shredder, and the TV (per my husband's request).

The small white cabinet ($10.00+paint) holds smaller craft supplies in the drawer and the the wood crate below.
We also use the lower part of this cabinet to store binders with information for the many committees we are part of.

Now, for the closet!
We have a very small closet in our office but I've managed to create 3 distinct zones in this one closet. You can click on the above link to see how I created a gift wrapping zone, a paper filing zone, and a tool zone to round out our "multi-purpose" room. (oh, and the filing cabinet was FREE on the side of the road!)

All we needed was a big comfy chair for reading and watching TV. I found this one on Craig's List...and while it is not part of my $27.00 office make-over, I did get it for only $40.00 and it's a Rowe brand from Klingman's ...so I think I did a pretty good job!

So there it is, 90 sq. feet of space, $27.00 of furniture, a $40.00 chair, lots of paint, and we have a room that fits all our needs.

Monster Cookies

2010-05-06T08:00:00.003-04:00

I love cookies...especially if there is any amount of chocolate in the cookie. So when I came across this recipe from ladies at church, and saw that it had 2 pounds of chocolate in it, I knew I would love these cookies.

I have made Monster Cookies in the past, but this is my favorite recipe (so far) and this is the recipe I will continue to use until someone can convince me of a better one.

This recipe is for a full batch of Monster Cookies which makes about 24 DOZEN cookies!

I ALWAYS make a half batch...mainly because I shouldn't even think about making 288 cookies for just me and my husband, but also because I rarely have 18 cups of oats sitting around, and that amount of dough won't even fit in my Kitchen Aid mixer!

You may thanks me later because I wrote out the recipe so you can easily "halve it" or even "quarter it" depending on what ingredients you have and the amount of time you have. However, if you feel so ambitious...go ahead and make a full batch! I dare ya!

I bake all the cookies at once and then freeze them...but you could also just freeze the dough and make the cookie fresh each time.

INGREDIENTS:
12 eggs

4 c. brown sugar

4 c. white sugar

4 sticks of butter (1 lb…you can substitute half for margarine if you want)

2 T. vanilla extract

2 T. corn syrup (white)

8 t. baking soda

3 c. peanut butter (2 16 oz. containers)

18 c. quick oaks (don’t use old fashion oats)

16 oz. semisweet chocolate chips

16 oz. M&M’s

2 c. nuts (optional…and I don’t add them)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a VERY large bowl, cream the butter & sugars until well blended.
Add eggs and mix well.
Mix in the vanilla, corn syrup, baking soda, and peanut butter and stir until well blended.
Add in the oatmeal (one or two cups at a time). Finally, stir in the chocolate chips, M&M’s, and nuts by hand.

*I have a Kitchen Aid mixer and when I make a half batch, it is full to the brim!*

Cover your cookie sheets with parchment paper (the parchment paper is essential to thick, chewy cookies)
Place large scoops of dough on the cookie sheets 2 inches apart.
Bake for 12-14 minutes or until set and edges are slightly brown.

Now, it's time to get out your cooling racks...and you'll need all of them!

I usually let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes and then gently move them to cooling racks. Make sure they are completely cooled before you store and/or freeze them.

Then, you can eat all the broken ones, all the crumbs, and (if you still haven't had enough) just go ahead and eat several whole cookies...yes they are really that good!

tips to avoid "yard sale" clutter

2010-05-05T08:00:00.004-04:00

I’m willing to bet, since you’re reading this blog, that creating and maintaining an organized home is tops on your priority list. If your goal is to live in an organized and clutter-free home, it’s important to recognize that one of the best ways to control clutter is to keep it out of your home in the first place. And one of the best ways to do that is by becoming a clutter-free shopper.

This is usually somewhat easy when you’re shopping for groceries or other perishable items. But when you’re shopping at flea markets and yard sales that sell one-of-a-kind things, making smart purchase decisions can be quite a bit trickier. For this type of shopping, you need a simple plan of attack that will help you distinguish the shopping treasures from tomorrow’s would-be trash. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Tip 1: Make a List
The first step to avoiding regrettable purchases (and the clutter that follows) is to make a list of things you want and need for your home.

Tip 2: Take Measurements
To make sure the items you purchase will fit in your home, take accurate measurements of your spaces ahead of time.

Tip 3: Ask, Do I LOVE It?
Think about an item in your home that you absolutely love. Got it? The important thing while shopping is to tune into your true feelings about the items by remembering what you do when you truly love an item. For me, when I rationalize a purchase is when I get in trouble and create tomorrow’s clutter. But when I truly love an item at first sight—this feeling lasts for years.

Tip 4: Ask, Is This in My Budget?
Now it’s time to get rational. Ask yourself if the item is in your budget and if not (and you truly love it), see if there’s a way to rearrange your budget differently to make this item yours. If it’s just too far out of your budget, let it go.

Tip 5: Ask, Am I Willing to Make Space for It?
If you determine a must-have item won’t fit in the space you intended, consider other uses for the item. Could you let go of an item you already own to make room for the treasure in your hand?

Tip 6: Ask, Can I Use It As Is?
Unfinished projects can easily become clutter, so be aware of how many projects are already on your to-do list before bringing home another project. Ask yourself “Can I use this as it is?” or, “Do I realistically have the time to make it usable?” If the answer is no...pass it by.

I do a lot of “shopping” on Craigslist and at various thrift stores and yard sales so I regularly put these tips into practice. Also, since I purchase a large amount of furniture (and only use it for short periods of time), I always consider whether or not I can resell the item for at least as much as the purchase price. If I think it would be easy to sell, then I buy it; if not, I pass it by. It's a fun little hobby and a great way to keep things flowing into and out of my home, without letting clutter build up. If you’re out shopping and you’re on the fence about an item, ask yourself if it would be easy for you to get rid of later, if you find it doesn’t work for you.

With these tips in hand, all that’s left to do is head out there and find some treasures. Happy hunting!

simplify spring cleaning--free give-away!

2010-05-03T08:00:00.002-04:00

Simplify your spring cleaning with a micro-fiber towel! And while you're at it...get one for free!

It’s very possible you’ve been using micro-fiber cloths for years. But for me, this is a fairly recent discovery and I'm delighted!

What’s so great about micro-fiber cloth? Well, it picks up dust like nobody’s business, without using any added sprays or chemicals. It’s also very handy during the cleaning stage of any organizing project.

I love my micro-fiber towels because they save me time cleaning and dusting. They also save me money on dusting sprays and paper towels. Finally, they save me a lot of space because I just need 2 or 3 micro-fiber rags instead of piles of gross rags, paper towel, cleaning sprays, etc. Saving time, space, and money...it's a no-brainier for me!

You can find micro-fiber towels at Target, Meijer, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, and lots of other stores near you...or if you want a FREE one, simply leave a comment on why you love your micro-fiber towel or why you would love to try a micro-fiber towel. The winner will be picked at random on Friday, May 14th and notified on May 15th.

Happy spring cleaning!

1 small closet...3 uses

2010-04-30T08:00:00.013-04:00

Our home office is one room in our house that we could not do without. The room is just a small extra bedroom; and the closet is even smaller so I knew it would require lots of organization to function at maximum capacity.

We needed the closet to do 3 very specific things:

House all our gift wrapping supplies
House all our paperwork
House basic tools and craft supplies

Since the closet is SO small I decided to removed the door to give us easier access to our "stuff". Here it is...all 3 feet of it!

ZONE 1: Gift Wrapping
LOCATION: Top Shelf

I have 4 large white bags that contain all my wrapping supplies:
1. large bags
2. large boxes
3. small bags
4. ribbons & bows.

To the left is a birds-eye view of my "bag filled with small bags!"

Then I have 2 boxes; one that contains a variety of small boxes, and one that contains tissue paper. (Yes, I save tissue paper!)

Then I labeled each bag and box with cute tags that I made from construction paper.

ZONE 2: Paperwork
LOCATION: Filing cabinet and fire-proof safe

In the center of my closet is a large 4-drawer filing cabinet. And if we need to find piece of paper, we know just which drawer to look in!

Drawer #1: Personal paperwork
Drawer #2: My business paperwork
Drawer #3: Hubby's school paperwork
Drawer #4: Craft paper, cards, envelopes, etc.

I use the tabs down the center for our main categories, and the tabs on the left for subcategories.

For example: the main category might be "utilities" and then the subcategories would be each of the different utility companies we work with (DTE, AT&T, Consumers Electric, Allied Waste, etc.)
This system works wonderfully for us.

We also keep a small fire-proof safe on top of the filing cabinet for important documents and information.

ZONE 3: Tools & Craft Supplies
LOCATION: Peg Board

Inside our closet, on the right side, I installed a small section of peg board to house some of our smaller tools and craft supplies.

Our larger tools are either in the shed outside or down in the basement but these are the ones we need to keep on hand for more regular use.

This section of the closet would otherwise just be a bunch of wasted space.

-----------------------------------------------------------
So there you have it... 1 small closet transformed with virtually no out-of-pocket costs to fit 3 distinct needs in our home office.

Next week I'll post more pictures of our office along with more organizing tips so make sure to check back!

before and after...my chair project

2010-04-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

It rained all weekend and I couldn't do any yard work...it was horrible! So instead, I decided to work on a project that had been on my to-do list for a couple of weeks now (yes I procrastinate too!)

I got this chair for FREE; however it needed lots of work. It's actually a Lazy Boy recliner; it works great and the structure is solid.

I cleaned it up as good as I could, and then reupholstered it with a heavy white canvas fabric that actually used to be a couch slip cover. It was the only fabric I had on hand that was enough to cover this chair. I disassembled the couch slip cover and re-used it for the chair.

Here I am about half way finished.

The whole project took me about 3 hours to complete and I only stapled my finger once! The best part was...it only cost me $5.00 for this new-to-us chair that looks great in our living room!

Ahhh...I love a good deal!

do you feel overwhelmed?

2010-04-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

This week I thought I'd share a personal experience so that you can learn from my mistakes. I've been thinking about doing things a little differently in my business and with my website. So I decided to consult with other business owners and website designers to gather some opinions.

Well, as you'd expect, this one said this, another said that, still another said a different thing…multiplied by about 10! There were some great ideas in there but I realized that I'd come to a screeching standstill due to overwhelm and I was indecisive.

But this got me thinking - how many times do we feel overwhelmed because other people feel that we should do things but yet it doesn't feel right for us? Things like volunteering for committees, at the children's school, church, etc.

If you feel this way, here are a few things to think about this week:

- Think about areas of your life where you feel overwhelmed.

- Is it the state of your desk, your wardrobe, your children's rooms, or your business?

- Check in and examine why you feel so overwhelmed.

- Is it that you don't know what to do or where to start?

- Take one small action and see how that sits with you.

- Keep building on that action, step by step, until you build momentum and can see your way out.

something is better than nothing

2010-04-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

When it comes to getting organized and clearing out clutter, remember that some progress is better than no progress. In short: some is better than none.

The beginning of any big project can be hard. That end point can seem so far away that it’s sometimes difficult to muster up the energy to even get started. You think I couldn’t possibly get it all done today, so you don’t begin today…or tomorrow…or the day after that.

This form of “all or nothing” thinking—I can’t clean out the entire garage today so I’ll wait to begin—can keep you indefinitely stuck in inaction. Keep this in mind: you can’t finish something until you start it. So just focus on getting started; the finishing will fall into place.

Whenever you find yourself avoiding the start of a big project—organizing or otherwise—remember the catchy little phrase “some is better than none.” You don’t have to finish the entire project today, but you could get started today. After all, any progress you make today is a step in the right direction—a step closer to done!

Here’s to beginnings!

simplify your to-do list

2010-04-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

Feeling overwhelmed with everything on your to-do list? I know the feeling! My list get's longer and longer every day...and because of the warmer weather, I have less desire to do any of it!

I have to remind myself to simplify my to-do list by throwing out all the post-it notes and scraps of paper and instead, focus on a few of the main things I need to accomplish each day.

If you work outside the home, you might want to have 2 lists; one list should be your to do list for work and the other one for home. Each list should only contain the most important things in order to keep your lists short.

The shorter your list, the less overwhelming it will be, and the easier it will be to get started...and that is the hardest part!

new projects to welcome spring

2010-04-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Spring is in the air, and I couldn’t be happier! Here are some fun, quick and clutter-free things to do to welcome spring into your home. Even choosing one or two of these projects will make a difference—so don’t feel like you have to do them all. Remember, every step forward counts!

Store out-of-season clothing. Now is a great time to wash or dry clean seasonal items like hats, scarves, and heavy coats. Do a sanity check before storing, and donate anything that is worn, torn, or no longer fits.

Freshen up your home with seasonal colors. Consider getting some low-cost throw pillows or a new area rug for an inexpensive pick-me-up inside your home. (Just remember to donate the old pillows or rug, to keep clutter at bay!)

Plant flowers, vegetables or herbs in colorful pots on your patio, deck, or kitchen window sill.

Check expiration dates on sunscreen. If necessary, stock up on fresh supplies of sunscreen, lip balm, and bug spray.

Declutter your freezer. If you cook seasonally—for example, if you prepare more roasts and soups in the winter, and depend more frequently on salads or grilling in the summer—now is a great time to clean out your freezer. Use up the frozen roasts, stew meat, soup vegetables and anything else you’re unlikely to use in the upcoming warmer months.

What do you like to do to welcome spring?

set some mini goals

2010-04-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

Ah, Spring is here! I love living in Michigan, and I love all 4 seasons; but I am ALWAYS ready for Spring to make it's first appearance. This year, the warm weather came a bit early and I am thankful for that. I have already completed several yard projects over the past few weeks and am in the middle of re-landscaping our back yard (it needs it!) I'll post pictures once I am further along.

The only problem with this warm weather is it makes it much more difficult to sit inside cleaning and organizing; I'm sure you can you relate! However, since my job is to motivate my clients and readers to get more organized, I feel that I have to "practice what I preach" and keep my house clean and organized...while still enjoying the warm weather.

One thing that really helps me stay focused is to set mini goals with specific time frames. Some examples are:

clean out the dishwasher and clear the counter tops each night before I go to bed
wipe down the bathroom counter each day after I finish getting ready
de-clutter one area of my closet when I put the laundry away
clean out the refrigerator when I put this week's groceries away
never walk out of a room without picking one thing up

Each of these small tasks can be completed in just a few minutes...and if I consistently follow through with my "mini goals" my house will consistently stay organized and clutter free. I will also eliminate time-consuming organizing projects later on when I would rather be enjoying the summer months.

Take a few moments today and set several mini goals for you and your family. Your home won't become magically organized over night, but you will make consistent progress and you'll still be able to enjoy your life!

organized your greeting cards

2010-04-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

Do you buy greeting cards with intentions of sending them out, but lose track of them? Well, here is a simple tip from my Grandma to help you get them better organized.

Buy a calendar with a pocket for each month. Note which days you need to send a card, and who it needs to go to. Then, put all the cards for that month into the pocket. At the beginning of each month, take an hour or so to write in all the cards for that month and address each envelope. Put the date you need to mail the card where the stamp will go.

Each week, make sure you check your calendar and mail the appropriate cards.

get your dvd's organized

2010-04-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Do you spend such a long time searching through your DVD's for something to watch that you give up and watch something else? Take a bit of time and sort your DVD's. There are a few ways you can sort them. You can put all of your boxed sets together, this would include boxed sets of television shows, along with boxed sets of movies and sequels. You can then sort the rest of your DVD's by genre. For example: sci-fi, action/adventure, comedy, drama, family and musical.

do you have intense clutter?

2010-04-07T08:00:00.001-04:00

Do you have intense clutter? You are not alone. Whether it's an emotional attachment to family heirlooms or a fear of needing it someday; it is a common problem among nearly all of my clients (and lots of other people too). We get frustrated by the magnitude of our problem and are paralyzed to the point of not being able to know where to start. Here are some solutions to help you deal with your clutter and prevent future accumulation.

Get Help! Let's face it; we are all attached to our stuff. As a result, we find it difficult to make the decision to let go. For totally objective help, call a professional organizer. Not only are they able to help you to purge the clutter, they can help you to set up a workable solution for organizing what remains, and help you to avoid future problems.

Pack up and leave: No, we aren't advising just walking away from it all permanently. But, if you are paralyzed and just can't do it, pack up a weekend bag, or a week's worth, leave and let someone else come in and clear out the clutter. This can be frightening because you have no say in what stays and what goes. But, it may be just what you need to do to finally get rid of the clutter.

Do a little imagining: Imagine you only have three hours to gather what is important to you and evacuate your home. When you're faced with the need to make that decision, it becomes much clearer to you what you can and can't live without. When you realize this, you also realize how little of the rest you really need.

Make a comparison: Take a visit to a women's shelter, or an organization that has transitional housing. Once you see how great their need is for goods, and how little they have, you may find it easier to let go of your excess.

Live out of the box: Choose a room and pack it up--just as if you were moving. As you need things, remove them from the boxes. Whatever hasn't been removed in a month's worth of time gets donated. Drastic? Yes. Effective? Yes.

These ideas may sound ridiculous to you right now, but if you are serious about clearing a huge amount of clutter from your home, you may have to take drastic measures! From my experience (which is a lot!) I witness the stress melting off my client’s shoulders after the clutter has been cleared from a room in their home. It’s overwhelming but it’s worth it.

control your clutter...now!

2010-04-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

One of the reasons clutter feels stressful is because it often represents lingering indecision. Whenever you can decide what to do with an item or a piece of paper right away, do so. When you make a decision now, you’ll dramatically reduce all that clutter that piles up as a result of indecision.

Ahhh…goodbye clutter, and goodbye stress.

my organized closet

2010-04-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

In my March newsletter, I mentioned that my "project" for the month of March would be to organize my closet. After the newsletter went out, I received countless e-mails from clients and readers, asking to see pictures of my closet. So, since I have nothing to hide, here it is! Pretty great huh?

OK...so that's not really my closet; I think it might be bigger than my living room! But wouldn't it be amazing to have a closet like that??

On a more realistic note, I am lucky that our master bedroom has 2 separate closets so my husband and I don't have to share...which is definitely a perk. Our closets are nothing special, just small, double-door closets.

However, even the smallest closets can be organized; they might just require a bit more creativity.

Here are a few pictures of my actual closet...
My dad built custom closet systems in our closets when we moved in 4 years ago...which really helps to maximize the space.

Shirts and skirts on the left side. Jeans and t-shirts are folded on the middle shelves...and no, I don't color code my closet!

Dress pants, belts, and dresses on the right side.

Sweaters and sweatshirts are organized by weight on top two shelves.

All my purses and bags on the top shelf as well. I have a basket for the smaller bags.

(Notice that I use all the same hangers...which really helps to save space!)

So that's it. Nothing special but it's organized!

I am pretty intentional about constantly getting rid of things, especially if I purchase something new. I also try not to buy anything unless I know I have a place for it in my closet...and am willing to part with something else! (this is also a great way to save money!)

So, for all of you who were so eager to see my closet, I hope I didn't let you down.

66 all-natural cleaning solutions

2010-03-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

Are you looking for all-natural ways to clean and disinfect your house this spring?

Real Simple Magazine has 66 fresh ideas to help you do just that! Click here for more info.

spring cleaning...in 15 mintues

2010-03-29T08:00:00.002-04:00

My daffodils are already blooming (see picture!) which means it is time for some spring cleaning. I don't know about you, but every time I hear "spring cleaning" I think of longs days scrubbing away at windows, floors, and other time-consuming projects. But this really doesn't have to be the case. There are a lot of cleaning and organizing "mini-projects" you can do to freshen up your home in just 15 minutes! Yes you heard me right!

Here are a few spring cleaning suggestions for the next time you have a few minutes to spare:

Clean and disinfect your counters and sinks
Wipe down the fronts of your cabinets and appliances
Sweep one room
Vacuum one room
Dust a room at eye level (after all...that is the part people see first!)
Fold throw blankets and fluff your pillows
Clear the clutter from one room or area in your home
Change the sheets on your bed...and remove some of the heavier blankets
Clean the toilets in your bathroom(s)
Quickly dust the tops of your door frames and window frames
Wipe the hand smudges off light switch plates and door knobs
Wash your picture window or sliding glass door
Sweep out your garage and/or front porch
Shake out the rugs at each entry door
Clear any expired food from your fridge
Empty your trash and put new liners in each can
Throw out any old/empty bottles of cleaning solutions and take note of any products you need to stock up on
Purchase a big bunch of spring flowers to display on your (newly clean and organized) counter!

I could go on and on (believe me I could!)...but I think you get the idea. There are lots of ways you can get started on your spring cleaning with out spending all day. So set your timer for 15 minutes and do one of the items on the list above.

love it...or lose it!

2010-03-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

When your closets become difficult to close, your cupboards are overflowing with dishes, and your storage area has reached capacity, it's clearly time for an organization intervention!

It is a challenging task, however, to make your mind up to eliminate the unnecessary and useless items and bring more order and organization to your home. By taking a logical “love it” or “lose it” approach to organizing your home, you will easily clear your cherished storage spaces of superfluous clutter and perhaps even clear your mind in the process!

KITCHEN:

Love it: Plates, bowls, cups, and glasses that coordinate and easily nest into other pieces.
Lose it: Storage containers that are missing their tops or bottoms, dishes that do not nest into other pieces, chipped or broken glassware, and your massive collection of water bottles and coffee cups.

MEDIA:

Love it: Any movie that you watch repeatedly and classic books you enjoy revisiting.
Lose it: 8 tracks, books you never intend to read, your entire collection of CD's (after you transfer them onto a computer or MP3 player).

KNICKKNACKS: (I personally would say to lose all of them…but I’ll be nice!)

Love it: Memorabilia from special events, souvenirs from vacations, and small collections…as long as they can be beautifully displayed with adequate shelf space.
Lose it: Everything else!

CLOTHING

Love it: Your favorite sweatshirt and pair of jeans, an appropriate mixture of business and casual clothing, and at least one of each basic clothing item.
Lose it: Those clothes you `hope to fit into one day,' clothing that is stained, damaged, or waiting more than 6 months for repair, outdated and out of style clothes.

Taking a `Love It or Lose It' approach to getting organized will simplify decisions made in the process of your next organization intervention. The predetermined deciding factors will serve as guidelines as you easily choose which items will stay and which will soon find another home.

make the most of your time

2010-03-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

One of the organizing obstacles I hear about most from clients and workshop participants is time! With our already overcrowded schedules, it can be difficult to find the time to tackle the myriad organizing projects swirling around in your head!

The natural tendency when getting organized is to look for large blocks of time in which to start and finish an organizing project. But as we know too well, large blocks of time can be pretty hard to come by. And while you wait for the elusive large block of time to arrive, the clutter builds up even more.

So instead of waiting, do what I advocate in my online workshops: look for ways to make progress on your organizing projects in smaller blocks of time. Look for little pockets of time, five minutes here, or ten minutes there, to squeeze in just a little bit of organizing. Instead of sneaking off to check email or to catch up with your friends on Facebook, use these snippets of time to make progress on your organizing projects.

Here are some organizing and decluttering projects you can do in small bursts of time:

Match food storage containers with their lids; pitch any stray lids or containers.
Clear out unnecessary plastic drinking cups.
Sort through today’s mail and pitch or shred the junk mail.
Clear out a drawer in the bathroom. Pitch old makeup, creams, and lotions.
Declutter and straighten a dresser drawer.
Pitch old magazines, catalogs and newspapers.
Toss out expired medicine or food.

What small project can you tackle today for ten or fifteen minutes to make progress in your home?

getting organized is SIMPLE

2010-03-22T08:00:00.003-04:00

Since the name of my business is “Organization Made SIMPLE” I focus a lot of energy on creating concepts that my readers and clients can easily understand and implement in their own home and with their own family. The following is just that…a “simple” formula for organizing your home, office, schedule, and life!

S Start Small: Set a timer for 15 minutes and do what you can.

· Clear your counters

· Clean one drawer in your kitchen or bathroom

· Organize one shelve or section of your closet

· File one handful of papers

· Fold and put away one load of laundry

I Immediate Action: Don’t procrastinate…start today!

· Make a goal to do a little every day

· Every time you walk from room to room, take something with you and put it away

· De-clutter for 20-30 minutes before you go to bed

M Make a Space for Everything: If something doesn’t have a “home” it is clutter.

· Make a home for everything in your home, office, car, purse, etc.

· Involved your family and make sure they know where the “home” for each item is

· If you can’t find a home for it, get rid of it!

· Think about where you will put something before you buy it

P Plan Ahead: Anything you can do now will save valuable time later.

· Pack lunches and pick out clothes the night before

· Plan a week/month of meals in advance and make your grocery list accordingly

· Spend 15 minutes at night planning the next days activities

· Plan a weekly or monthly budget to prevent over spending

L Leave Emotions Out: Try to separate your emotional attachment from the physical object.

· Limit the amount of pictures (doubles, triples) you hand on to; only keep your favorites

· Get rid of your “skinny” clothes, when you lose the weight, you’ll want new clothes!

· Don’t feel guilty about donating a gift…your friends will never know

· Realize that you don’t need an object to keep a memory…the memory will still be there

E Enlist Accountability: Have a friends or family member to keep you accountable.

· It’s easier to reach your goals if you have someone who is checking up on you.

· Tell this person your organizing goals (Ex: organizing my kitchen by summer)

· Have a regularly schedule time for this person to call and “check up”

These “SIMPLE” organizing techniques will help you to get started—which is often the most overwhelming part—and finish any organizing project you have on your to-do list right now!

a little storage goes a long way

2010-03-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Are you looking for creative…and inexpensive ways to add more storage to your home? Join the club! Some rooms area easier to organize than others...especially if they are rooms that aren’t used on a regular basis. Below, I’ve listed 3 of the most used rooms in your home…and a few ways to increase your storage in each room.

Living Rooms: Declutter bookcases and shelving by using colored containers, baskets, or boxes to contain DVD's, CD's, books, magazines and candles. Use a coffee table with added storage (or an ottoman that opens) to enclose pillows, blankets, photo albums or books.
Bathrooms: Use containers or small tins or bowls to organize items on the counter or within the medicine cabinet. Shelving that fits above the toilet could be useful to hold towels.
The Kitchen: A dish dryer can be used for cookie sheets and muffin tins. An old canister can be used to hold utensils. Store Christmas dishes or special serving platters way in the back of deep cabinets or on the top shelf. Keep items you use to cook every day in an easily accessible spot.

If you just use a little creativity, you can find appropriate (and inexpensive) storage solutions for every room in your home!

little ways to save time

2010-03-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

Are you always looking for some time to sit down and read that latest book from the library, or watch a special program on TV? If so, here are a few hints to help you arrange that time.

1. When preparing your meals, clean up as you go, washing by hand or putting appropriate items right into the dishwasher. Put away ingredients that need to be stored in the refrigerator or pantry immediately after you use them.

2. Take out your clothes the night before work or school. This way you don't waste valuable time in the morning looking for the right thing to wear.

3. Fill up your gas tank when it hits the quarter of a tank level. In case of an unexpected appointment, you won't have to worry about running out of gas.

4. Cook some meats ahead of time and store in the freezer. For those nights you are too busy to start from scratch, this will help you get a quick dinner on the table.

5. Pick a regular day each week to do your bills or any desk-related items. If you don't have bills that week, work on your budget or bank statement. When it comes to finances, just a bit of disorganization can lead to overdraft and other fees.

6. If you are comfortable having bills paid online, sign up for this service. Mark your calendar on what particular day the bills will be paid so you can keep track of what's happening.

7. When making appointments, mark your calendar right away--along with any necessary contact information.

8. Have the family work on planning the weekly agenda, so that there is no one left in the rain waiting for a ride. Try and arrange car pools with other family members and friends whenever possible.

9. Have colors for each family member for towels, toothbrushes, hair care items and more. It can save a lot of time and prevent confusion. Even match the hampers and baskets if possible.

If you do some or all of these items you will be finding that extra time to do the things you enjoy. You will also feel like you are more in control.

free closet makeover!

2010-03-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

Are you interested in winning a free organizing makeover for your home, office, kitchen, closet, etc?? Who isn't!

Well, lucky for you, I am partnering with Wood TV8 and eightWest to give away a FREE closet makeover for one lucky viewer!

To enter to win, e-mail Terri DeBoer: terri.deboer@woodtv.com with a picture of your messy closet.

You can also click here to watch the episode where they describe the contest a little bit more. (It starts at the 5:45 minute mark). I will keep you posted as to when the show airs!

learn to be more organized

2010-03-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

Do you ever feel as if you should already know how to get organized? That somehow organizing is a gene and you missed out on it? If so, you’re in good company. Often when people call to inquire about my organizing services or online workshops, they feel funny reaching out for help because, well, Shouldn’t I already know how to do this?

As someone who has read countless books and articles on organizing, attended numerous organizing and time management seminars, spent hours upon hours in client’s homes implementing various organizing solutions, I know for certain that much of what I know about organizing I have learned. Yes, I have always been interested in organizing—even as a child. But one thing I know for sure is that because of the knowledge I’ve gained through years of learning and taking action, organizing is much more natural and efficient for me now than even just a few years ago. Today organizing seems more instinctive for me than ever before, but it’s because of things I have learned and done through the years, not because of something I was born knowing how to do.

So what does that mean for you? Well, simply that you CAN learn to be more organized. Unfortunately, you know as well as I do, that it is often very difficult to “teach an old dog new tricks” so it won’t be easy. But, if you are serious about getting more organized and learning to better manage your time, it can be done! Take a class on getting organized, check out a few books from the library, read on-line articles, etc.etc.

Whatever approach you choose, recognize that your end goal isn’t learning how to be organized; but actually being more organized. Give yourself permission to take action and try different techniques and ideas. Even if some of them don’t work perfectly on day one, the process of taking action and trying an approach will be your greatest teacher of all. Continue learning and taking action until organizing becomes a habit.

tip of the week (3/14/2010)

2010-03-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

March 14 – March 20, 2010 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Barb from Jamestown, MI

Barb writes: “While living in a small apartment, I stored the extra set of sheets in a vacuum-type bag and put them between the mattresses of the bed they went to. This system saved us a lot of room in our linen closet.”

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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.

two-for-one projects

2010-03-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

I love it when one single project allows you to accomplish two goals. I call these projects “two-for-ones”: two tangible benefits for the price of one organizing project! This past week, I accomplished this with one of my clients.

In our most recent organizing session, we focused on all the electronics in the home: TV’s, DVD and VHS players, gaming systems, computers, printers, scanners, cell phones, etc. etc!

My client picked the items that her family used and was willing to part with the rest! But I had an even better idea…I suggested that she sell them on Craig’s List so she could recoup a bit of her costs. Since she wasn’t very familiar with Craig’s List, I offered to post the items for her. She sold everything and made enough money for 2 additional organizing sessions!

Not only did she clear a ton of clutter in her home, she also made a nice chunk of change as well! Hmmm…less clutter and more cash; I’ll take that any day!

more paper organizing ideas

2010-03-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

All of us have fun paperwork that we like to keep, but it can easily morph into piles of clutter. Here are a few suggestions for how to organize that paperwork, your time and even your money!

Greeting Cards: It’s a good idea to keep greeting cards on hand for upcoming or unexpected occasions. Use an accordion file with labels for each type of card, so you can find all like-themes in the same space and choose exactly the right one for the occasion.
Recipes: Magazines, printouts from the holiday cookie exchange, or old index card -- recipes come at us from all sides and quickly pile up. Use a small shoe box or photo album to organizing all your recipes by categories that conform to your cooking style. If you can’t decided whether to keep a recipe, give yourself a deadline. And if it doesn't make it into the dinner rotation by then, get rid of it!

Kids' Artwork: Just like greeting cards, children's artwork should be given a place of honor. However, due to the high production rate of artwork, you will have to set some limits. Let your children keep one or two favorited each month. Those can be displayed until the end of the next month, and can then be stored in a binder. At the end of the year, you will have the top 24 pieces of art for each of your children.

Journaling: If you use journals on a daily or weekly basis, do your best to buy them in similar sizes so they can easily be stored together. Then, don't kid yourself. If you discover that you've been absent from your journal for a few weeks, months or even years, don't buy a new one--just skip a page and get back into it.

Articles: Are you always clipping articles and ideas from magazines and newspapers? Organize your articles by topic in hanging folders. Within each hanging folder create manila subfolder to divide items into 'read' and 'unread' or any other divisions that you would find useful.

Coupons: Snipping coupons from the paper is a great way to save money, but not the easiest thing to keep organized. Designate a small accordion folder with labeled tabs to corral your coupons. Once a month take a few moments to toss any expired ones and remind yourself of others that you have on hand.

put an incubator in your closet

2010-03-08T08:00:00.001-05:00

When I said incubator you probably thought of baby chicks, didn’t you? This almost sounds like I’m suggesting ways to add clutter to your closet! But the kind of incubator I’m talking about will actually make it simpler to eliminate closet clutter. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

An organizing incubator is simply a container you designate as the place to put items you think you might like to let go of…but you’re not yet 100% certain. The idea is to remove the items that you’re on the fence about, and isolate them from the things you’re certain you want to keep. In essence, you give yourself a waiting period of up to three months to let the items incubate. If you discover you need any item in the incubator during the waiting period, pull it out and use it. At the end of your incubation period, donate the items that are still in your incubator, knowing you’ve made a good choice!

tip of the week (3/7/2010)

2010-03-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

March 7 – March 13, 2010 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Lindi from Big Rapids, MI

Lindi writes: “To organize an abundance of colored scarves that my daughter and I share, I purchased an over-the-door shoe holder. It has clear vinyl pockets.

I store one large or two small scarves, rolled up, into each see-through pocket. The scarves stay neat and we can see the colors at a glance.”

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make organization your goal

2010-03-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

There are lots of goals and resolutions made on the 1st of each; however, just because it is now March doesn’t mean it’s too late to make a few new goals for the rest of the year! One of the most important goals you can make is one that will affect every area of your life. That is to resolve to be more organized!

No matter what your goals are, organizing is at the crux of those goals. If you don't apply organizing principles to the things you wish to do, your thoughts, ideas and results are going to be haphazard.

Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

1) Remove the clutter. Whether it's clutter in your bedroom or basement, clutter in your email inbox, paper clutter, or clutter in your mind, it's taking up precious space that could be used for the important things in your life.

2) Balance your schedule. A schedule that's all work and no play is just as bad as a schedule of all play and no work. Work to achieve a balance in your schedule that leaves time for work, play, family, goals, friends, education and all the things that are most important to you.

3) Get it on paper. If it's just in your mind, it's floating around up there with everything else you have to think about. Get it on paper, make it concrete, and get it done.

4) Prioritize 1-2-3. Have a minimum of three important things to complete in every day and do them in the order of importance. If you don't complete one of them, that should be on your 1-2-3 Priority List tomorrow.

5) One in? Two out! If your home or office is already cluttered, make it a rule that for every item you bring in, two have to go. By the end of the year, you'll have lightened your load tremendously.

people first, stuff second

2010-03-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Financial guru Suze Orman says, “People first; then money.” I say, “People first; stuff second.” To explain what I mean, let me ask you a question. Does the amount of stuff you have and the way it’s organized enhance or inhibit the lives of the people who live in your home? If the clutter in your home prevents you from having friends over, or from really relaxing with your family at the end of the day, your stuff is getting in the way of your living your best life. When you put people first, you take the lead in creating an environment that shows your family you love them. You also show respect for your home and the belongings in it.

the power of deadlines

2010-03-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Have you ever noticed that the items on your to-do list that have deadlines are the ones that get done, while the tasks without firm deadlines tend to linger indefinitely? Whether you love them or hate them, there’s tremendous power in assigning target dates to the tasks on your to-do list. Deadlines help you prioritize, and even better, deadlines inspire you to take action.

Keep this in mind: Tasks with deadlines are the tasks that get done!

Now, you may be thinking, that’s great, but I always miss my deadlines. That’s okay. If that happens, simply set a new deadline and get back into action! When you set a completion date for a task and take steps to hit it, you work more purposefully than if you didn’t have a deadline. Whether you ultimately finish in your established time frame or not, on deadline day you will be much further along than if you hadn’t set a deadline.

Put this tip into action by setting a deadline for the most important task on your to-do list. Then get busy taking action, and see if you don’t hit your deadline, or at least accomplish the task faster than you normally would have. Once you see their power, you can add deadlines to more and more of your tasks. Who knows, you may just come to love deadlines after all!

tip of the week (2/28/2010)

2010-02-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

February 28 – March 6, 2010 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Kristen from Warren, MI

Kristen writes: “My car has not been consistently clutter-free since I started driving when I was sixteen. Now, with two children in the back seat, it seems even more impossible!

A few months ago, I found something that really works for me--a simple basket. I purchased a cute, floppy basket at our local craft center for only $2.50. Now, whenever I am coming or going, I grab the basket and take it with me.

I throw library books that need to be returned into the basket when it's in the house, so I remember to take them with me. I throw my empty coffee cup, kid's toys, and my purse into the basket when its in the car, so I remember to take them inside with me.

The key is to empty the basket as soon as you walk inside. My car has now been clutter-free for 64 days!”

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tips for organizing small spaces

2010-02-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

For most people, it is a challenge to organize any space…but this challenge is multiplied by the confinements and limitations of a SMALL space. However, just because your space is challenging, it's still possible to be organized. Keep in mind though that it's imperative to use every inch of available space both efficiently and wisely. Many of these tidbits can be utilized in any space:

The “one-in-one-out” rule: This rule works well with items such as shoes, clothing, toys and books. For any new item bought or received as a gift, one item must leave.

Find solutions that are both functional and attractive: Use a storage ottoman that looks good and also serves as a great storage solution. Also consider hidden storage such as drawers in coffee or end table.

Be realistic with your space: A 10' x 10' room will feel bigger when it is filled with less stuff. Remember, the scale of furniture will also affect the visual space in a room.

Purge excessive items often: Keep small boxes in a closet that can be used to temporarily store items that need to be donated until you have enough to call a charity for a pickup.

Set realistic limits: For instance, if you only have room for 30 hangers in your closet, do not buy extra hangers. Instead limit yourself to only those 30 hanging pieces of clothing.

Be creative and resourceful: In a small kitchen, use a plastic dish drying tray to hold cookie sheets. Reuse old mugs and baskets to organize office supplies.

Find the hidden space potential in your room: Plastic containers under the bed can store linens, shoes, out of season clothing or extra bedding. Is there space not being utilized behind a staircase? Hanging shoe holders can be used on the back of doors to organize much more than just shoes such as kitchen utensils, spices, or food. Use cork boards and pegs on the back of doors to organize jewelry such as necklaces.

Use wall and ceiling space. In the kitchen, you might use a hanging holder for pots and pans. In living and office spaces, use floor to ceiling shelves. Another example is magnetic spice racks that hang on the walls.

Embrace the pluses of living in a small space and use its entirety to its full potential. You will feel like you are living in a large space…but you will have less to clean!

10 things to organize in 10 minutes or less

2010-02-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Desktop: Put pens & pencils back in the holder, put away stray paperclips and rubber bands, sort through the piles of paper. Throw out anything that is outdated or no longer needed.

Junk Drawer: We all have one. Throw out anything you don't need anymore. Use old check boxes or baby food containers to sort the items you do keep in the drawer. Put away things that have a different home.

Purse: Pull out all the old receipts, notes, and grocery lists that ended up crumpled at the bottom. You probably don't need 5 pens and 3 kinds of gum. Consider taking out all those punch cards and 'club' cards that you don't use everyday. Keep them in a small pouch in a desk drawer and just get out the one you need when you need it.

Refrigerator: Dig all the way to the back and pull out the stuff that's out of date or that no one likes. A crowded refrigerator has to run more often to keep all that food cool and only ends up costing you more money.

Linen Closet: Do you need 30 washcloths for 4 people? Probably not. Pull them out and turn them into rags. Use them to dust, dry your car, or to clean up after home improvement projects.

Medicine Cabinet: Weed out all medications that are past the expiration date. Make a note of any outdated prescriptions so you can contact your doctor to refill them if necessary.

Files: File one pile of paper…and remember to only file papers you absolutely need to keep for tax or reference purposes.

Birthday Cards: I keep an assortment of birthday cards on hand for whenever I might need them. Once or twice a month check the calendar and sign and send birthday cards for the next two weeks.

Bookshelf: Do you really need your college textbooks? How about all those novels you read 3 years ago and haven't picked up since? Load them into a bag or box and take them right out to your car. Next time your out running errands drop them off at your local charity of choice.

Magazine Rack: Magazine racks tend to pile up with outdated catalogs and magazines. Get rid of the outdated ones. If you want to keep a magazine for the idea you read in it, consider just tearing out the article and storing it in a file folder or binder. Both options use much less space than storing years of magazines and the information is much easier to find without having to weed through 7 years of magazines.

Ahhhh….see what you can accomplish in only 10 minutes! Start today!

"tickle" your papers organized

2010-02-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

With tax season just around the corner, any shortcomings in your paper management system may really be rearing their ugly little heads. The good news is this: when you create an effective paper management system, it takes the stress out of finding your important papers, not only during tax season, but all year long. In the spirit of effective paper management, this month’s storage solution will help you stay on top of your important, actionable papers.

What it is: this month’s storage solution is the tickler file, a simple filing system made up of 43 folders—one folder for each day of the month (numbered 1 through 31), plus one folder for each month of the year, each labeled—you guessed it—with the name of one month.

How it works: a tickler file allows you to gain control over paper that you want or need to take action on at a date in the future, but not today. So, if you’re going out of town on the 15th of the month, you can file your travel itinerary, directions and confirmation numbers in the folder labeled 15. If your child’s birthday is in November, throughout the year you can collect birthday party ideas and file them in the October folder—giving you plenty of time to plan the big event in November. The best part of all, by having a spot for these future actions, you no longer need to let them pile up on the counter in hopes they remind you to take action! You simply check your tickler file each day, and your actionable papers are right there waiting for you.

Where to get one: You can make your own tickler file using plain manila file folders or decorated file folders and a labeler.

Who knew forty-three simple folders could make life so much easier?

tip of the week (2/21/2010)

2010-02-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

February 21 – February 27, 2010 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Jayne from Grand Rapids, MI

Jayne writes: “I clip mittens, gloves, hats and scarves to a skirt hanger with clothespin-like clips. I keep one or two of these prepared in the coat closet. Everything is within reach when dressing for the rain or cold.”

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keep or toss?

2010-02-19T08:00:00.001-05:00

Every day, we have countless decisions to make about comes into our home and what leaves. It can easily be confusing to know what to do. In general, asking one or more of these questions will help you to make the decisions that you need to make.

Do I absolutely love it? If you cannot honestly say you absolutely love the item, you don't need to keep it.
Does it serve a useful purpose? If the answer is no, or not really, let it go!
Will it be out-of-date before I need it again? Too often books and other printed information are out of date before we need it again. And now-days, it’s so easy to find the most up-to-date information on the web.
Am I hanging on to it out of obligation? Let's face it; we all feel a twinge of guilt when we think about not keeping a gift. Remember that a gift is given without strings or obligations, and the receiver is free to do as they wish with the gift.
Will it affect me financially if I toss or shred it? When it comes to paperwork, it seems that we hang on to it--fearing financial repercussions if we toss or shred. The majority of the time, you will not need to keep the paper document, but if you are unsure, click here for some helpful guidelines.
Do I have a place for it? We often make impulse purchases and then have to deal with where to put it. So, make a conscious decision to stop and think before you buy, and decide based on knowing exactly where it will go in your home.
Do I really need to buy it, or can I rent it? Specialized tools, yard equipment, and entertaining items are things you might want to consider rending. The charge to rent isn't usually anywhere near the cost to purchase and you don't end up with clutter that you have to store!
Do I need to keep a hard copy? Rather than printing from your computer, save a copy to your computer a copy of whatever you might ordinarily print off just to file.
Do I use it? If you don't use it, lose it! If you don't wear it, donate it! If you don't eat it, get rid of it! Think how much less work there will be around the house if we don't spend all our time maintaining stuff we never use, wear or eat!
What's the worst thing that could happen if I get rid of it? By trying to figure out the worst `what-if' we can be assured that in all likelihood, it won't ever be an unrecoverable act to get rid of something.

Keep theses questions in mind the next time you decide whether to keep or toss!

do a little bit each day

2010-02-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Are you frustrated with the progress (or lack of progress) you have made on your organizing goals this year? No matter what it is you wish to do, if you just do a little bit each day to get you closer to your goal, you'll get there.

Set an alarm for a certain time each day. If you haven't worked for at least 15 minutes on the goal you wish to reach by then, stop everything and work on it for 15 minutes immediately.

Every little bit helps and after a few weeks, you will be amazed at the progress you have made!

my most often asked question...

2010-02-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

This is the ONE question I get asked by clients more than any other question.

I want to get organized but it's all so overwhelming. Where do I start?

There are different ways to approach this question but before we even start with the practical aspects, you need to do this:

First of all, relax and take a deep breath. Then get your mind in the right space.

Realize that this is a process and that you will not have a totally organized home in one hour, despite what you saw on TV.

Remember the home makeover shows have TONS of organizers and stylists behind the scenes making the space look beautiful. You only have you (or if you're really blessed, a friend or family member to help you).

Now that we've got that part settled, let's talk practical.

When trying to decide where to start, grab a pen and paper and walk through your home…room by room. Write down specific areas that are the most overwhelming to you right now. For example, the junk drawer in the kitchen, the dinning room table, the entry way, the bathroom counters, etc.

Then, once you have your list, look it over and pick ONE spot to tackle first.

Think about what you use the space for, who uses the space, how you would like the space to look when you are finished, etc.

Bite the bullet and get started. Set your timer for 15-20 minutes and start clearing out that specific space. Dump any trash, create a pile for give-away items, and create another pile for items that need to be returned to a different room in your house.

Don’t focus on anything else for that period of time and don’t allow yourself to be distracted by your phone, computer, the TV…or your family! You will be amazed with what you can do in such a short amount of time. Then tomorrow, make it a goal to spend a few more minutes in that space. Before you know it, you will have moved onto the next clutter hot spot on your list.

tip of the week (2/14/2010)

2010-02-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

February 14 – February 20, 2010 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Jenn from Coopersville, MI

Jenn writes: “Is your address book a mess because people move or change phone numbers? To alleviate this problem use a pencil to write down your family and friends information. If someone moves or changes information you can just erase the previous info and start fresh. This has reduced buying a new address book and keeps the information organized and neat.”

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respect your time

2010-02-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Most of us like volunteering sometimes, and that's a good thing. However, if you have too much going on and you already invest tons of time giving of yourself, it's OK to say "no" to some of those time requests coming in--especially when those requests don't fit in with your goals.

Start respecting your time and your schedule and you will enjoy what you already do even more!

put a little love in your home

2010-02-10T08:00:00.001-05:00

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s a great time to spread some love in your home’s direction. When you shower your home with love, it will magically return the favor, by making you feel honored, respected, and loved, too. Here are some simple ways to show your home the love it—and you!—both deserve.

Free Ideas:

Declutter the flat surfaces. Put items back where they belong, and remove anything from your home that you no longer use, need, or love. Notice your reaction to items and let go of anything that doesn’t make you feel good.

Bring treasured mementos out of storage and rearrange your decor to place items you truly love in prominent places.

Light scented candles to fill your room with a warming glow and an uplifting scent.

Low-Cost Ideas:

Freshen up the room in which you spend the most time with a coat of paint.

Forego roses this Valentine’s Day, and instead, buy less expensive floral arrangements to display in recycled glass bottles throughout your home.

Purchase new pillow covers for a quick and affordable spruce-up for your couch or bed.

Reading this tip won’t change how you feel about your home. But action will! Pick just one item from the list, and then shower a little bit of love on your home.

organizing resources for crafters

2010-02-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Crafters always seem to have at least ten of everything — we do love our supplies! But have you ever gone off to the craft store to buy another just because it's easier to find things there? If that sounds familiar, put aside the shame and get organized.

If you've got a craft, ArtBin has a storage solution for you. You can even shop their Pink Ribbon line, where proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Fund.

ArtBin offers an extensive line of molded storage boxes to organize the craft room of your dreams, or soft-sided products for those projects on the go ... even if "go" just means moving to the couch to finish up that scarf in front of your favorite TV show.

Get—and stay—organized. Click here to start.

tip of the week (2/7/2010)

2010-02-07T08:00:00.002-05:00

February 7 – February 13, 2010 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Rachel from Big Rapids, MI

Rachel writes: “Something that has increased my motivation to work quickly and efficiently, and also incorporates rewards into a busy day:

I set an alarm for a set amount of time (say, 90 minutes). I have a list of what I want to accomplish in that amount of time. If I finish all items on the list before my time is up, I do whatever I want for the remainder of the time.

I get things done much more quickly, and am having fun too!”

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start organizing right now!

2010-02-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Are you looking for the perfect time to get organized? Here are some compelling reasons to motivate you to start now.

First and foremost: the sooner you start getting organized, the sooner you’ll be finished. In other words, the earlier you deal with your clutter, the faster you’ll feel relief from the feelings of being overwhelmed and stressed that have been piling up right along with the unwieldy stacks and unsightly clutter.

If you feel like you’re climbing an uphill battle to conquer Mount Clutter, it is certainly easy to think of reasons not to get started now. Perhaps you feel like you don’t have enough time, or you aren’t sure where to begin, or maybe you’re just feeling completely overwhelmed by the thought of it all. But at the end of the day, the sooner you start, the sooner you enjoy the benefits of organized living.

The good news is this: Getting started is very simple and you don’t need a lot of time to do so. And you don’t have to know each of the steps between point A and point B in order to start. All you have to do is begin! Grab a timer and a box, and pick a room. If you aren’t sure which room to choose, start with the room you’re in right now!

Once you have your supplies ready, set your timer for just fifteen minutes and look for the low-hanging fruit—items you know at a glance you no longer use, need or love. If you find yourself spending more than five seconds trying to make a decision on an item, put the item down and keep moving. Keep looking and plucking until the timer goes “ding.” Take note of how good it feels to be in motion, and then pat yourself on the back. You just got started, and you are now fifteen minutes closer to finishing!

create a chaos-free morning (part 2)

2010-02-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

Mornings can easily become the most frenzied time of the entire day. For many families, the process of waking up, getting dressed and preparing for each day is hectic. Despite your best efforts, you may habitually struggle to arrive at work, school, or other activities on time because of morning chaos. To make matters worse, a stressful morning can easily set a negative tone for the rest of the day. By creating a chaos-free morning, you can not only reduce stress and calm commotion, but you will also improve your attitude and performance for the rest of the day as well.

If you read our post from earlier this week and are still struggling to get your mornings under control, here are 5 more tips to help you do just that!

Set your alarm clock to give you 15 extra minutes every morning. The extra time will allow you to remain on schedule even if there are unexpected snags in your morning routine.
Establish a routine. Make a list of everything that needs to be done each morning and determine what order those things will occur.
Give children a list of things `to do' each morning. Making their own beds, picking up laundry, and other age appropriate chores can make your job easier and keep the children busy while you attend to your own responsibilities.
Delegate responsibility. Assign everyday responsibilities such as cooking breakfast, dressing small children, and starting the coffee maker to capable family members.

Give yourself time to clean up. Nobody wants to return home to a messy house. Giving yourself several minutes each morning to tidy up will allow you to relax and enjoy your home once you return.

Recurrent frenzied mornings will quickly become a thing of the past when you use these simple suggestions to get organized. With minimal effort, you can quickly develop evening habits and morning routines for your family that will make the most out of your limited time in the morning. Reducing confusion and establishing a comfortable, yet flexible schedule will calm morning chaos and set the tone for a positive, productive day for your entire family.

create a chaos-free morning (part 1)

2010-02-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

The key to calming morning chaos for yourself and your family begins by establishing groundwork the previous evening.

Check your schedule every evening to see what is on your agenda for the next day. Gather any items you will need for tomorrow's events and activities.
Organize yourself and your family the night before. Pack backpacks and lunch boxes. Ensure that all permission slips are signed and paperwork is filled out. Make yourself a `to do' list for items you need to accomplish tomorrow.
Pre-dress for success. Take a moment to check tomorrow's weather forecast and choose appropriate clothing the night before.
Designate a place for keys, purses or backpacks, and coats near the door and ensure they are all accounted for before you go to bed each evening
Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep will almost definitely leave you dragging and nothing encourages morning chaos more than being slow-moving and lethargic

Now that your schedule has been checked, necessities are prepared and placed in a convenient location, and clothing is set out; you are ready to face the day ahead…right?? If you still feel overwhelmed by morning madness, check back later this week for a few more steps you can take every morning to reduce chaos as well.

tip of the week (1/31/2010)

2010-01-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

January 31 – February 6, 2010 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Mike from Grand Rapids, MI

Mike writes: “I lack space in my workshop, so I fasten glass jam jar lids to the underside of the shelves. The jars can be filled with nails, screws, nuts and bolts and just screwed up into the lids. I can see at a glance what's in each jar, no labels needed! My wife thinks they look pretty.”

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organizing challenge...taxes

2010-01-29T08:00:00.001-05:00

It's the last weekend in January...and that means it is getting close to tax season!

Take a few hours this weekend to get all your tax paperwork in order. It will save you lots of time, stress, and money when you go to get your taxes done in the next few weeks.

Remember, the sooner you file your taxes, the sooner you get your refund!

a formula for eliminating clutter

2010-01-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

A simple way to stay organized and create new habits is to become mindful of the things you add to your home and life. For each thing you add, decide to remove something old. So, if you add a new shirt to your closet, take out an old one. If you add an exercise class to your weekly schedule, subtract the equivalent amount of time from another activity such as web-surfing or watching T.V.

This strategy can also help you stay focused on achieving any goal – organizing, or otherwise. Instead of working on ten new habits at once, pick one new habit that moves your life forward, and find a competing old habit to subtract. For example, you could add the habit of drinking green tea in the morning, and eliminate your mid-morning Diet Coke habit. Or add the habit of spending fifteen minutes a day decluttering, and shed the habit of waiting to tackle your organizing projects in longer, more laborious sessions.

It all adds up to this simple formula for getting and staying organized:

1 new thing minus 1 old thing equals zero clutter added

Now that’s one equation that works for me!

Happy organizing!

clutter control workshop

2010-01-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

If you’re looking for quick and simple ways to transform your home into an organized and supremely functional space, our Clutter Control workshop is for you!

In just 3 hours you’ll learn how to completely organize your home, making it easy to find and access everything inside! Say goodbye to jumbled piles of papers, clothes, and stuff and say hello to organized bliss!

The class is tonight so contact me immediately if you want to register!