tip of the week (3/14/2010)

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.

tip of the week (3/7/2010)

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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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.

tip of the week (2/28/2010)

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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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.

tip of the week (2/21/2010)

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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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.

tip of the week (2/14/2010)

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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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.

tip of the week (2/7/2010)

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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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.

tip of the week (1/31/2010)

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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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 organizingg tips for every area of your life.

tip of the week (1/24/2019)

January 24 – January 30, 2010 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Chuck from Lansing, MI

Chuck writes: “I travel a great deal, and don't have time to re-invent the wheel so to speak when packing a bag. So I have a series of lists that enable me to delegate packing to staff, friends and family if need be: a 2-day bag, a 4-day bag, a week-long bag, etc.

Some other useful traveling tips I use are:

1. Always carry plastic shopping bags. They are excellent for holding laundry, wrapping anything wet and keeping anything dry.
2. Always carry foam ear-plugs so you can sleep properly when traveling.
3. I keep a record of the serial, reference and registration numbers of all my insurance policies, bank accounts and personal and professional information in a single word document on my computer. At any time I can access it should emergencies or other needs arise.”

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tip of the week (1/17/2010)

January 17 – January 23, 2010 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Renee from Holland, MI

Renee writes: “To keep school, scouts and sports information, etc. together, I use a loose leaf binder with tabs--one for each child. When I receive a paper I need to keep, I use a 3-hole punch and place it in the binder in the appropriate section.

After I started this method, I didn't lose things on the fridge or accidentally throw something away or forget something special.

In addition, I belong to several organizations and use this binder system concept for keeping my information together.”

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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 organizingg tips for every area of your life.

tip of the week (1/10/2010)

January 10 – January 16, 2010 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Marge from Grand Rapids, MI

Marge writes: “I needed to organize my menu, grocery list and coupons in a place with easy access, and not on the refrigerator. I asked my husband to put a magnet on the back of the kitchen cupboard door. He bought a strip of metal and screwed it to the inside of the door, using small screws so they wouldn't poke through to the front.

Now I use a pad of paper with a glued magnetic strip on the top for the grocery list. The pad of paper easily gets pulled off, written on, and then put back on the metal strip.

A magnetic pinch clip is used for the menu, which I prepare weekly before going to the grocery store. I also use a smaller magnetic clip for any coupons I can use.”

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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.

tip of the week (1/3/2010)

January 3 – January 9, 2010: this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Annie from Downers Grove, IL

Annie writes: “At the beginning of a new year, I always go through all my clothes and shoes to get rid of the ones I no longer wear. To help me “remember” which items I wear and which ones I don’t, I use the method described below.
Lightly place a piece of tape on the clothing article or shoe in an obvious place. When you wear it, remove the tape. At the end of the season, anything that still has tape on it gets tossed out or donated to charity.

This is a surefire way to see what clothes and/or shoes you no longer wear.”
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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.

tip of the week (12/20/2009)

December 20 – December 26, 2009 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Mary Lou from Big Rapids, MI

Mary Lou writes: “One Christmas I realized, almost last minute, that I didn't have enough placemats for the 17 guests who would join us for Christmas dinner.

I went to a dollar store and bought decorative wall calendars; the ones that are about 12 inches square when closed. I wrapped them in foil-type gift-wrap, put ribbons on them (put the ribbon on so it crossed in the upper left part of the package), and attached gift tags where the ribbon crossed for place cards. These were my placemats.

The table looked far more festive than I hoped, and we started a new Christmas tradition when I invited guests to unwrap their 'placemats.'

Everyone loved the idea and now my kids have a little fun when they just casually start 'tearing up' their placemat after dinner while unsuspecting new visitors look on. Everyone is delighted to find they may do the same. This also provides the small Christmas gift I like to make sure every visitor receives when they join us for dinner.”

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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.

tip of the week (12/06/2009)

December 6 – December 12, 2009 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Sarah from Kalamazoo, MI

Sarah writes: “I have a lot of necklaces, all kinds from 14Kt gold and sterling silver to costume pieces. I never could find the right chain I was looking for or a particular set of beads or pearls.

I bought an inexpensive bulletin board and mounted it on my closet wall. I line up push pins on the board, and hang my chains and things from the tacks. Now I can easily see everything and select what I want.

You can also put the tacks anywhere you want, higher for longer pieces, lower for shorter ones--like bracelets.

I love this! It has saved me a lot of hassle. Hope you enjoy it.”

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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.

tip of the week (11/29/2009)

November 29 – December 5, 2009 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Lexi from Detroit, MI

Lexi writes: “I had two whole drawers in my filing cabinet related to notes and handouts I received in college. Because I went into a field directly related to my majors, I felt it would be wise to keep all of this information.

Then one day I realized that many of these papers would never be used. If I had a question about Latin verb conjugations, I would never go to a filing cabinet full of hand-written notes, even if I knew right where to find the paper. I would instead go to the reference book on the other side of the room, because the explanation would be far more thorough and easy to find.

I began measuring all the papers I think of saving by this same standard. 'If I had a question about this, where would be the easiest place to look for information?' If the answer to that question is 'in a textbook,' 'on the Internet,' or something that is not 'on this piece of paper,', that paper immediately gets recycled!”

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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.

tip of the week (11/22/2009)

November 22 – November 28, 2009 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Mary from Columbus, OH

Mary writes: “I used my computer to organize the grocery list on my refrigerator according to the grocery store I usually frequent, so I can go straight through the store without backtracking. My family knows to mark an item on the list as soon as it is used up.

At the bottom of the list, I have space for items I can't find when I go to that store, so I remember to buy them at another store that week. Or, if it is something I don't need in a hurry, I just put it on next week's grocery list”

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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.

tip of the week (11/15/2009)

November 15 – November 21, 2009 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Lynne from Allendale, MI

Lynne writes: “My sons only wear white athletic socks…so to minimize the number of unmatched socks he has, I buy only one brand and style of socks for him. This way, I can match any sock with a mate.

When one sock wears out, I hang onto the mate until another sock gets worn out or goes missing and I have a pair again. When the total number of socks gets low, I restock with the same brand and style again.”

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

Tip of the Week (11/8/2009)

November 8 – November 14, 2009 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Eva from Grand Rapids, MI

Eva writes: “As an apartment dweller, organizing/storage is always a problem especially for a collector. Years ago I picked up some very sturdy coated wire baskets with pull handles at a garage sale that are worth gold to me. I stack two of them full of bathroom extras in the cabinet under the bathroom sink. Rarely used items go in the bottom one and extra toothpaste, soap and lotions etc go in the top one.

The other basket goes into my refrigerator on the deep shelf that holds tall items. No more things going bad because I forgot they were at the back of the shelf. Just slide the basket out and I've got instant access to any bottle or tall container.

Another wire basket on a shallow shelf keeps soda cans upright and low containers like sour cream and yogurt at the tips of my fingers. Having access to the back of my fridge gives me lots more space too.”

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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.

tip of the week (11/1/2009)

November 1 – November 7, 2009 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Carolyn from Sylvania, OH

Carolyn writes: “I put sticky notes on the dash board of my car to help me recall which errands I have to run. This way, they are already in my car and right where I can see them. I've even put them on my steering wheel!”

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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.

tip of the week (10/25/2009)

October 25 – October 31, 2009 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Jamie, from Grand Rapids, MI

Jamie writes: “When my daughter was born, we had a changing table for her. When she outgrew it, sentimental as I am, I didn't want to get rid of it.

Now we use it in the laundry room. I put six laundry baskets, two on each level. I labeled each basket in black ink for sorting: whites, reds, darks, towels, sheets, and hand washing.

Everyone can easily and quickly sort their own laundry when they bring their laundry basket to the garage. It works great and speeds up the laundry process because the sorting is already done.

It also helps when you are teaching your children to do laundry so they don't mix a red shirt with the whites!”

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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.

tip of the week (10/18/2009)

October 18 – October 24, 2009 this week’s "tip of the week" was sent from Fran, from South Bend, IN

Fran writes: “Whenever I make an appointment and put it in my appointment book (hairdresser, doctor, plumber, etc.), I always put the phone number right besides it. That way if I need to cancel or change the appointment, I don't have to go searching for the number.

This saves a lot of time and aggravation.”

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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.