There was an article by David Kocieniewski in the on-line version of The New York Times last Monday titled "After $12,000, There's Even Room to Park the Car". While this article was an interesting read for me as an Organizing Consultant, I could not help but think there are a lot of people out there that might be contemplating spending thousands of dollars to get their garages in order.
Once again, I must say that it is not necessary to buy more "stuff" in order to get organized. This is merely treating the symptoms of a problem and not addressing the root causes.
According to the article, in 2005 $800 Million (yes, Million!) was spent on garage organizing products. This is double the amount spent in the year 2000 and is expected to rise by 10%/year for the next decade!
Organizing products can be good tools but without an understanding of the root causes of disorganization, purchasing these products can be a waste of money. A good professional organizer or organizing consultant (that is not affiliated with any product lines) can help you get to the root cause of your disorganization and maybe save you thousands of dollars in the process.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Old Paint
I recently met with a client that had a lot of old paint in her basement and wanted to know how to get rid of it. This is very common. Every house I have ever lived in has had paint cans in the basement, many left from a previous owner.
If you do not plan on using extra paint around your space, please be sure to dispose of it properly to protect our environment. Check the label on the can to see if the paint you want to get rid of is latex or oil/solvent based.
A lot of the household paint used these days is latex based. If you have latex based paint that you want to get rid of you can let the remainder dry up by leaving the lid off (away from pets or children) or you can add kitty litter to the can. The kitty litter will soak up the remaining paint and turn into a yucky hard glob. Once the latex paint is dry you can dispose of it with your household trash.
However, if you have oil or solvent based paint, stain or other household toxins, you will need to dispose of these properly at a collection site in your community. In Washtenaw County, Michigan, there is a collection site for residents only on Zeeb Road just north of I94. This time of year you need to make an appointment to drop off household toxins during the week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You just need to call 222-6874. When I called today, Joanna was very helpful in answering all of my questions.
If you have other common household items that you need to get rid of but don't know what to do with, please contact Simply Organized Life and we will try to help!
If you do not plan on using extra paint around your space, please be sure to dispose of it properly to protect our environment. Check the label on the can to see if the paint you want to get rid of is latex or oil/solvent based.
A lot of the household paint used these days is latex based. If you have latex based paint that you want to get rid of you can let the remainder dry up by leaving the lid off (away from pets or children) or you can add kitty litter to the can. The kitty litter will soak up the remaining paint and turn into a yucky hard glob. Once the latex paint is dry you can dispose of it with your household trash.
However, if you have oil or solvent based paint, stain or other household toxins, you will need to dispose of these properly at a collection site in your community. In Washtenaw County, Michigan, there is a collection site for residents only on Zeeb Road just north of I94. This time of year you need to make an appointment to drop off household toxins during the week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You just need to call 222-6874. When I called today, Joanna was very helpful in answering all of my questions.
If you have other common household items that you need to get rid of but don't know what to do with, please contact Simply Organized Life and we will try to help!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Share Your Blog!
The Simply Organized Life blog is my first. Having started this in November 2005, I am a newbie to blogging. I do not know that many bloggers, but I thought it would be fun to share the blogs of friends, family or others that read this blog.
Please feel free to add comments with your blog or favorite blog's address. Remember to please keep it clean. This is a family show.
Through the Yahoo Group for my MBA class, it came to my attention that Shawn, a fellow Michigan State MBA, has started a blog on Logistics in Asia. While a little high brow (if I may say so) it is a good read for anyone interested in Northeast Asia or Supply Chain Management. Check it out at:
http://asiagander.typepad.com
Please feel free to add comments with your blog or favorite blog's address. Remember to please keep it clean. This is a family show.
Through the Yahoo Group for my MBA class, it came to my attention that Shawn, a fellow Michigan State MBA, has started a blog on Logistics in Asia. While a little high brow (if I may say so) it is a good read for anyone interested in Northeast Asia or Supply Chain Management. Check it out at:
http://asiagander.typepad.com
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Happy Valentine's Day!
It's that time of year again where cards and candies are adorned with hearts. We at Simply Organized Life know that many of you may be scurrying around today to make those last minute purchases for your Valentine. If you do not have a Valentine this year, treat yourself to some fresh flowers or chocolate tomorrow when they are marked down!
Last week, I went to my favorite Hallmark store (the one closest to my house) and picked out a Valentine's card for my husband along with some birthday cards for February/March. It was late afternoon and there were a few other women in there picking out cards. I quipped with the cashier that on February 14th the store would probably be full of male last minute shoppers. However, we all know that last minute holiday shopping isn't just for men. Women too, often find themselves shopping at the last minute for that "perfect gift"!
I have been there too from time to time: frantically running from store to store at the mall or around town looking for the perfect thing for a family member or friend. However, with just a little planning you too can avoid the stress and the rush of last minute shopping.
Here are a few brief tips:
1) Birthdays---Write all important birthdays of loved ones in your calendar. This can be done once a year if you purchase paper calendars. If you use an electronic calendar this only needs to be done once. Set a time once a month to shop for cards or gifts.
2) Weddings/Showers/Etc.---When you receive the invitation, take a moment to mark your calendar and RSVP. While you have your calendar handy, set a time to shop on-line or in store for a gift. For best selection on gift registries, shop soon after you receive the invitation.
3) Major Holidays (Christmas/Hanukkah/Etc.)---Shopping year round can be a great way to reduce stress and spread out the expense, but only if you keep the items in one place AND keep a detailed record of what you purchase for whom. I have worked with many clients that forgot about their year round purchases and ended up shopping at the last minute anyway.
Last week, I went to my favorite Hallmark store (the one closest to my house) and picked out a Valentine's card for my husband along with some birthday cards for February/March. It was late afternoon and there were a few other women in there picking out cards. I quipped with the cashier that on February 14th the store would probably be full of male last minute shoppers. However, we all know that last minute holiday shopping isn't just for men. Women too, often find themselves shopping at the last minute for that "perfect gift"!
I have been there too from time to time: frantically running from store to store at the mall or around town looking for the perfect thing for a family member or friend. However, with just a little planning you too can avoid the stress and the rush of last minute shopping.
Here are a few brief tips:
1) Birthdays---Write all important birthdays of loved ones in your calendar. This can be done once a year if you purchase paper calendars. If you use an electronic calendar this only needs to be done once. Set a time once a month to shop for cards or gifts.
2) Weddings/Showers/Etc.---When you receive the invitation, take a moment to mark your calendar and RSVP. While you have your calendar handy, set a time to shop on-line or in store for a gift. For best selection on gift registries, shop soon after you receive the invitation.
3) Major Holidays (Christmas/Hanukkah/Etc.)---Shopping year round can be a great way to reduce stress and spread out the expense, but only if you keep the items in one place AND keep a detailed record of what you purchase for whom. I have worked with many clients that forgot about their year round purchases and ended up shopping at the last minute anyway.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
New Year's Resolutions
It is the last day of January and Get Organized Month has flown by! You may also be wondering where the time went if you made a New Year's Resolution 31 days ago.
If you resolved to get organized in 2006 and still have not started, don't worry, the calendar doesn't have to read January 1st for you to have a fresh start! Anytime is good for setting new personal goals.
It has been said that many people cannot keep their New Year's Resolutions because they are too broad and do not have specific goals. I often see this too with my clients that have tried time and again to "get organized" on their own. They know they want their home or office to look organized but do not know how to break the work down into specific steps and goals. Or perhaps it all seems too overwhelming.
It is okay! Simply Organized Life is here to help you know where to start and set realistic goals when it comes to your organizing journey. Remember, getting and staying organized is a process, not an event!
If you can, take a little time today to evaluate where you are in the process of meeting your New Year's Resolutions. Start small and set obtainable goals for yourself with realistic deadlines.
If it still seems overwhelming, feel free to post or e-mail us your questions regarding reaching your goals in getting organized! We are here to help you!
If you resolved to get organized in 2006 and still have not started, don't worry, the calendar doesn't have to read January 1st for you to have a fresh start! Anytime is good for setting new personal goals.
It has been said that many people cannot keep their New Year's Resolutions because they are too broad and do not have specific goals. I often see this too with my clients that have tried time and again to "get organized" on their own. They know they want their home or office to look organized but do not know how to break the work down into specific steps and goals. Or perhaps it all seems too overwhelming.
It is okay! Simply Organized Life is here to help you know where to start and set realistic goals when it comes to your organizing journey. Remember, getting and staying organized is a process, not an event!
If you can, take a little time today to evaluate where you are in the process of meeting your New Year's Resolutions. Start small and set obtainable goals for yourself with realistic deadlines.
If it still seems overwhelming, feel free to post or e-mail us your questions regarding reaching your goals in getting organized! We are here to help you!
Friday, January 20, 2006
Organizing Products
In my first post for Get Organized Month, I promised to share my thoughts on some popular organizing products.
Those of you that have worked with me professionally or inquired about my services know that I recommend organizing products sparingly and am not currently affiliated with any product line. While there are so many great tools (and pretty things!) out on the market these days, I find that when I work with my clients, roughly 90% of them do not need to buy any physical products to get organized.
While my opinions may not make me popular with the $4.36 billion home storage products industry (Newsweek, June 7, 2004), I firmly believe that getting (and staying) organizing is more than just buying the right products.
That being said, in this post I will recommend one tool that can really help you out in your organizing journey.
If there is one product that I recommend frequently to both residential and commercial clients, it is the shredder. A shredder is a wonderful tool for getting rid of unwanted papers and protecting your privacy. There are shredders on the market at various price points, so that nearly everyone can find one in their price range.
Take some time during Get Organized Month to use your shredder and get rid of unnecessary papers!
Those of you that have worked with me professionally or inquired about my services know that I recommend organizing products sparingly and am not currently affiliated with any product line. While there are so many great tools (and pretty things!) out on the market these days, I find that when I work with my clients, roughly 90% of them do not need to buy any physical products to get organized.
While my opinions may not make me popular with the $4.36 billion home storage products industry (Newsweek, June 7, 2004), I firmly believe that getting (and staying) organizing is more than just buying the right products.
That being said, in this post I will recommend one tool that can really help you out in your organizing journey.
If there is one product that I recommend frequently to both residential and commercial clients, it is the shredder. A shredder is a wonderful tool for getting rid of unwanted papers and protecting your privacy. There are shredders on the market at various price points, so that nearly everyone can find one in their price range.
Take some time during Get Organized Month to use your shredder and get rid of unnecessary papers!
Monday, January 16, 2006
Organized Tax Time!
Believe it or not, it is tax time again! Why wait until April, when Get Organized Month is here now! Even if you do wait until April to file your taxes, I have some simple organizing tips that will help you in the months ahead.
2005 Taxes
Employers and financial institutions (such as banks and mortgage lenders) are required by law to mail you the appropriate 2005 tax forms by January 31, 2006. This includes W2s and 1099s to name a couple of the forms. You may have already received one of these forms in the mail.
Make sure you have a special place to put these forms where they will not get mixed up with other household paperwork, used as drawing paper by your child, or God forbid, eaten by the dog! Hanging file folders work great. You can also use any sort of folder or envelope. If you feel compelled to use a shoebox, go ahead! The important thing is to keep all of your tax paperwork in one easy to find location.
Now is also the time to spend a few moments gathering up other tax related papers, such as receipts or cancelled checks from donations. If you work with a tax professional, such as a CPA, request a worksheet or list of documents that you need for your appointment (many CPAs will send this automatically). If you prepare your taxes yourself, be sure to pick up the appropriate forms at the post office or library before they are gone.
2006 Taxes
In my last post, I wrote about decluttering my basement and coming up with a few donations. If you decide to declutter during Get Organized Month, remember to request receipts for your donations. However, you will not be able to deduct the value of your donations until 2007 when you file your 2006 taxes.
Just as I mentioned above, make sure you have a special place to keep your 2006 tax related paperwork that is separate from your 2005 tax return paperwork. You will need these papers a year from now!
2005 Taxes
Employers and financial institutions (such as banks and mortgage lenders) are required by law to mail you the appropriate 2005 tax forms by January 31, 2006. This includes W2s and 1099s to name a couple of the forms. You may have already received one of these forms in the mail.
Make sure you have a special place to put these forms where they will not get mixed up with other household paperwork, used as drawing paper by your child, or God forbid, eaten by the dog! Hanging file folders work great. You can also use any sort of folder or envelope. If you feel compelled to use a shoebox, go ahead! The important thing is to keep all of your tax paperwork in one easy to find location.
Now is also the time to spend a few moments gathering up other tax related papers, such as receipts or cancelled checks from donations. If you work with a tax professional, such as a CPA, request a worksheet or list of documents that you need for your appointment (many CPAs will send this automatically). If you prepare your taxes yourself, be sure to pick up the appropriate forms at the post office or library before they are gone.
2006 Taxes
In my last post, I wrote about decluttering my basement and coming up with a few donations. If you decide to declutter during Get Organized Month, remember to request receipts for your donations. However, you will not be able to deduct the value of your donations until 2007 when you file your 2006 taxes.
Just as I mentioned above, make sure you have a special place to keep your 2006 tax related paperwork that is separate from your 2005 tax return paperwork. You will need these papers a year from now!
Monday, January 09, 2006
Get Organized Month!
Simply Organized Life is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (www.napo.net). NAPO has designated January as Get Organized or GO Month! Throughout the month of January I will be sharing lots of free tips to help you on your organizing journey this month.
I always say to my clients that getting (or being) organized is a process, not an event. Even Professional Organizers need to declutter from time to time. That is exactly what my husband and I did yesterday in our basement in honor of GO Month.
Given my profession, we probably have less "stuff" in our basement than "most people" but that doesn't mean that there isn't room for improvement or a need to pare down a bit from time to time. Over time we all have a tendency to accumulate "stuff" and I am no exception.
Our goal yesterday was to make room for some new holiday decorations without buying additional shelving or storage products (I will let you know what I think about some popular organizing products in another essay later).
We tend to forget about those things in our basement. You know, out of sight, out of mind. It was amazing what my husband I found that we could release to be donated, recycled, or sold on eBay. These things are no longer serving their purpose for us, but we know that there is someone out there that can use these things now!
When you take on your GO Month project be sure to keep in mind that items you may be saving to be used "someday" might be better put to use by someone else "right away"!
I always say to my clients that getting (or being) organized is a process, not an event. Even Professional Organizers need to declutter from time to time. That is exactly what my husband and I did yesterday in our basement in honor of GO Month.
Given my profession, we probably have less "stuff" in our basement than "most people" but that doesn't mean that there isn't room for improvement or a need to pare down a bit from time to time. Over time we all have a tendency to accumulate "stuff" and I am no exception.
Our goal yesterday was to make room for some new holiday decorations without buying additional shelving or storage products (I will let you know what I think about some popular organizing products in another essay later).
We tend to forget about those things in our basement. You know, out of sight, out of mind. It was amazing what my husband I found that we could release to be donated, recycled, or sold on eBay. These things are no longer serving their purpose for us, but we know that there is someone out there that can use these things now!
When you take on your GO Month project be sure to keep in mind that items you may be saving to be used "someday" might be better put to use by someone else "right away"!
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Holiday Tip #10: Have Fun!
Christmas week is here! And Hanukkah and Kwanzah are week from tomorrow. I find this timing very appropriate to write the last of our 10 Tips for Stress Free Holidays (or at least holidays with less stress!).
Tip #10: Have Fun!
I founded Simply Organized Life with the goal to help others find more time and space in their lives for things that really matter. That includes having fun! Fun is an essential element in enjoying our lives and is especially important at this time of the year.
Hopefully our tips have helped you to be better prepared for this holiday season, so you can take time to relax and have fun! This holiday season please be sure to do whatever it is that makes you smile, laugh and enjoy life.
It has been so much fun this past year to work with and help our clients put order back into their lives one baby step at a time! Thank You!
We at Simply Organized Life look forward to helping more wonderful people in the New Year!
Happy Holidays!
Tip #10: Have Fun!
I founded Simply Organized Life with the goal to help others find more time and space in their lives for things that really matter. That includes having fun! Fun is an essential element in enjoying our lives and is especially important at this time of the year.
Hopefully our tips have helped you to be better prepared for this holiday season, so you can take time to relax and have fun! This holiday season please be sure to do whatever it is that makes you smile, laugh and enjoy life.
It has been so much fun this past year to work with and help our clients put order back into their lives one baby step at a time! Thank You!
We at Simply Organized Life look forward to helping more wonderful people in the New Year!
Happy Holidays!
Friday, December 16, 2005
Holiday Tip #9: The Reason!
As we near the end of our 10 Tips for Stress Free Holidays, it seems time for contemplation over why we do all that we do during the holiday season. This leads us to our next tip.
Tip #9: Remember the Reason for the Season!
No matter what your faith or what holiday you will celebrate this season, we at Simply Organized Life hope that you will take time to remember why you celebrate. At the end of the day, that is what matters!
Our friend Jennifer who lives in Vienna, sent me a great little e-mail that may have wandered into a few of your in boxes during this season. It is called "1st Corinthinans Christmas" and while it is not inclusive of all the faiths, there was one line that really sums up my point behind this tip.
"If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus upon the Babe in the manger, I have missed the point."
So, no matter if you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzah or whatever holiday this season....remember why!
Tip #9: Remember the Reason for the Season!
No matter what your faith or what holiday you will celebrate this season, we at Simply Organized Life hope that you will take time to remember why you celebrate. At the end of the day, that is what matters!
Our friend Jennifer who lives in Vienna, sent me a great little e-mail that may have wandered into a few of your in boxes during this season. It is called "1st Corinthinans Christmas" and while it is not inclusive of all the faiths, there was one line that really sums up my point behind this tip.
"If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus upon the Babe in the manger, I have missed the point."
So, no matter if you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzah or whatever holiday this season....remember why!
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Holiday Tip #8: Imperfection!
Here in Michigan the snow is falling and creating the perfect winter scene outside of my window. This is the kind of scene that really gets me into the holiday spirit. It makes me want to create the perfect holiday scene inside of my home too! Before I get carried away with strings of white lights, we should talk about holiday tip #8.
Tip #8: Accept Imperfection!
I must admit it...I am an HGTV junkie and I love all of those holiday decorating shows that are on TV now. They make the prettiest things and absolutely gorgeous scenes for the home and garden. I recently saw an episode of Divine Design where Candice Olson not only put up a tree with all kinds of homemade decorations that people in the real world have no time to make, but she also painted and changed around two rooms! Don't even get me started on Christmas at the White House!
This makes for great entertainment in my humble opinion (my husband says it's boring and would rather watch an old violent movie with Arnold in it). But entertainment value not withstanding, I think these shows send a message that everything about our holidays needs to be perfect. This in turn, causes a lot of stress at an already stressful time.
If we can accept that things will not be perfect at the holidays, we can relax and enjoy the blessings that we do have. Let's face it, most of our homes do not look like the homes on HGTV, the kids and pets will not always behave perfectly (not mention those relatives that always seem to get on your nerves) and no matter how much money we have (or do not have) there will never be enough time to make everything "perfect".
I still enjoy my HGTV, while looking at the simple and somewhat sparse holiday decorations in my home. After all, with or without fancy decorations we can still have a wonderful holiday season!
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Small Group Event
Yesterday evening at Panera Bread on Washtenaw, I met informally with five moms of small children to share organizing and time management tips. All of the women have husbands in graduate school at the University of Michigan, which creates its own unique challenges to getting and staying organized.
Pictured left to right: Kate, Shannon, Carolyn (Simply Organized Life), Maribelle, and Holly (missing from photo: Carol)
Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to come out on a cold December evening! Thanks also to the stranger that took our photo!
Please leave a comment or contact Simply Organized Life if you are looking for a formal or informal speaker for your group.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Holiday Tip #7: Clutter Free!
As we get closer to the holidays it is natural to feel a little pressure to get that "perfect gift" for a family member or friend. Rather than rush out to the mall or the nearest big box store, consider gifts that are both useful and clutter free.
Tip #7: Give Clutter Free Gifts!
The last thing most of us need is more "stuff" in our homes or offices. Now, if the folks that you are buying for have asked for an Xbox and you were lucky enough to get your hands on one this year, by all means give them what they want. But for the rest of the people on your list (and if you couldn't get an Xbox), try to give a gift that won't be looked upon as clutter come July or August.
What is a clutter free gift?
Simply Organized Life considers clutter free gifts to be anything that the person receiving has requested, can use and/or will not take up much space. This can include consumable items such as food, home spa items, bird seed, or basically anything that will be used up in the months ahead. Clutter free gifts can also include services such as oil changes, snow removal, spa treatments, or any kind of service that offers gift certificates. It can also be a charitable donation in honor of that person that has everything.
In addition, a clutter free gift does not have to cost anything but your time and can be homemade. In a recent conversation, a friend told me that she (along with her siblings) prepares and gives complete frozen meals to their elderly parents. What a wonderful way to share and care for someone you love!
A note about gift cards
Gift cards are great, but are not always clutter free. When working with clients, we at Simply Organized Life often stumble across unused gift cards. Please be sure that the gift card is for a store or restaurant that the person frequently visits and that using the gift card will not add more clutter to their space.
In our next post we will share more on Tip #8: Accept Imperfection!
Tip #7: Give Clutter Free Gifts!
The last thing most of us need is more "stuff" in our homes or offices. Now, if the folks that you are buying for have asked for an Xbox and you were lucky enough to get your hands on one this year, by all means give them what they want. But for the rest of the people on your list (and if you couldn't get an Xbox), try to give a gift that won't be looked upon as clutter come July or August.
What is a clutter free gift?
Simply Organized Life considers clutter free gifts to be anything that the person receiving has requested, can use and/or will not take up much space. This can include consumable items such as food, home spa items, bird seed, or basically anything that will be used up in the months ahead. Clutter free gifts can also include services such as oil changes, snow removal, spa treatments, or any kind of service that offers gift certificates. It can also be a charitable donation in honor of that person that has everything.
In addition, a clutter free gift does not have to cost anything but your time and can be homemade. In a recent conversation, a friend told me that she (along with her siblings) prepares and gives complete frozen meals to their elderly parents. What a wonderful way to share and care for someone you love!
A note about gift cards
Gift cards are great, but are not always clutter free. When working with clients, we at Simply Organized Life often stumble across unused gift cards. Please be sure that the gift card is for a store or restaurant that the person frequently visits and that using the gift card will not add more clutter to their space.
In our next post we will share more on Tip #8: Accept Imperfection!
Friday, December 09, 2005
Holiday Tip #6: Ask for It!
Our intention with this holiday tip is not to focus on material gift giving or to make demanding requests of our family members. The intent is to get away from giving meaningless gifts or worse yet, something that might be considered clutter several months from now.
Tip #6: Ask for What You Want (and ask others what they want!)
The truth of the matter is that most people stress over holiday gift giving. This tip is meant to eliminate some of that stress both on the giving and receiving ends.
By letting your loved ones know what you want for the holidays you help them give a gift that will be appreciated for years to come. Furthermore, what you might want for the holidays may not be material at all. This is especially true for our older relatives that probably have everything that they need, but just want to spend some time with family.
You should also ask others what they want for the holidays. If your friends and family are open with you this tip can save you time, frustration and money---especially if you happen to be a last minute shopper.
There will be people that readily tell you what they want. Then there are others that will say something like "oh, I don't need anything" and you darn well they will expect a gift come holiday time. For these more challenging folks on your list, look and listen for cues they might give you regarding something they might need or be able to use.
By sharing our wishes with our friends and family during the holidays, we get away from frenzied holiday shopping and focus on what is really important during this special time.
For tip #7 we will write about and provide suggestions for clutter free gifts!
Tip #6: Ask for What You Want (and ask others what they want!)
The truth of the matter is that most people stress over holiday gift giving. This tip is meant to eliminate some of that stress both on the giving and receiving ends.
By letting your loved ones know what you want for the holidays you help them give a gift that will be appreciated for years to come. Furthermore, what you might want for the holidays may not be material at all. This is especially true for our older relatives that probably have everything that they need, but just want to spend some time with family.
You should also ask others what they want for the holidays. If your friends and family are open with you this tip can save you time, frustration and money---especially if you happen to be a last minute shopper.
There will be people that readily tell you what they want. Then there are others that will say something like "oh, I don't need anything" and you darn well they will expect a gift come holiday time. For these more challenging folks on your list, look and listen for cues they might give you regarding something they might need or be able to use.
By sharing our wishes with our friends and family during the holidays, we get away from frenzied holiday shopping and focus on what is really important during this special time.
For tip #7 we will write about and provide suggestions for clutter free gifts!
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Holiday Tip #5: Declutter!
We have talked about prioritizing how you use your time and money during the holidays. Now it is time to talk about how you use your space during the holidays.
Tip #5: Declutter your Space!
If you plan to decorate for the holidays at home or in the office, all of your beautiful decorations will be overshadowed if clutter abounds. Now is the time to declutter! This can be very empowering! Not only will you make room for those beautiful decorations, you will also make room for new gifts!
Make room for decorations!
Holiday decorations are usually displayed in the most public areas of a home or office. These are the areas that you want to look nice for visitors all through the year, but especially at the holidays. If you are overwhelmed by clutter in these spaces, focus on one area at a time that you plan to decorate. For example, if you want to decorate your staircase banisters, focus on clearing the steps of any clutter.
Make room for new gifts!
This tip is great for anyone that expects to receive a gift during the holidays. At Simply Organized Life we teach our clients to practice the "one in, one out" rule. This means that if something new comes into your space, something old must go out. This simple rule can keep clutter from taking over! By letting go of some things before the holidays, you can free up space and share with others that may be less fortunate. It is also a great lesson to teach children!
January is GO (Get Organized) Month! Watch for more tips on decluttering next month!
Remember....it is a process, not an event!
Tip #5: Declutter your Space!
If you plan to decorate for the holidays at home or in the office, all of your beautiful decorations will be overshadowed if clutter abounds. Now is the time to declutter! This can be very empowering! Not only will you make room for those beautiful decorations, you will also make room for new gifts!
Make room for decorations!
Holiday decorations are usually displayed in the most public areas of a home or office. These are the areas that you want to look nice for visitors all through the year, but especially at the holidays. If you are overwhelmed by clutter in these spaces, focus on one area at a time that you plan to decorate. For example, if you want to decorate your staircase banisters, focus on clearing the steps of any clutter.
Make room for new gifts!
This tip is great for anyone that expects to receive a gift during the holidays. At Simply Organized Life we teach our clients to practice the "one in, one out" rule. This means that if something new comes into your space, something old must go out. This simple rule can keep clutter from taking over! By letting go of some things before the holidays, you can free up space and share with others that may be less fortunate. It is also a great lesson to teach children!
January is GO (Get Organized) Month! Watch for more tips on decluttering next month!
Remember....it is a process, not an event!
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Holiday Tip #4: A Financial Plan!
December is upon us and we hope our tips are eliminating stress in your life! One of the biggest stressors (not just at the holidays) is money. Our tips will help you keep spending in check this holiday season. You will thank us come January!
Tip #4: Make a Financial Plan (And Stick to It!)
Rather than calling it a "budget" we like to call it a plan for financial success during the holidays. The goal is not to add to debt in January! You can do this by being in control of what you spend and save this season.
Each of our 10 Tips builds upon the tip before it. By keeping it simple (Tip #1), creating a plan (Tip #2) and using a calendar (Tip #3) you are prioritizing how you want to spend your time this season. You also need to prioritize how you spend your money.
The first step is to determine the overall amount that you can afford to spend on the holidays without adding to your debt in January. Once you have your "magic number" you need to break down your spending plan into categories. This should include not only gifts, but also extra food, decorations, utilities, and travel expenses to name a few.
The difficult part for most people is sticking to the plan. If you find you are a little too freewheeling with the credit card, you may want to make an envelope with cash for each of your categories. Another alternative is to purchase prepaid credit cards for in person or on-line shopping. It is okay to use your regular credit card, as long as you can pay for all of your purchases when the bill comes.
In our next tip, we will make room for wise purchases by decluttering your space!
Tip #4: Make a Financial Plan (And Stick to It!)
Rather than calling it a "budget" we like to call it a plan for financial success during the holidays. The goal is not to add to debt in January! You can do this by being in control of what you spend and save this season.
Each of our 10 Tips builds upon the tip before it. By keeping it simple (Tip #1), creating a plan (Tip #2) and using a calendar (Tip #3) you are prioritizing how you want to spend your time this season. You also need to prioritize how you spend your money.
The first step is to determine the overall amount that you can afford to spend on the holidays without adding to your debt in January. Once you have your "magic number" you need to break down your spending plan into categories. This should include not only gifts, but also extra food, decorations, utilities, and travel expenses to name a few.
The difficult part for most people is sticking to the plan. If you find you are a little too freewheeling with the credit card, you may want to make an envelope with cash for each of your categories. Another alternative is to purchase prepaid credit cards for in person or on-line shopping. It is okay to use your regular credit card, as long as you can pay for all of your purchases when the bill comes.
In our next tip, we will make room for wise purchases by decluttering your space!
Monday, November 28, 2005
Holiday Tip #3: Use a Calendar!
December has not yet arrived. Not yet, that is. However, now that Thanksgiving has passed the holiday pressure is on and Simply Organized Life wants to make sure that you do not crack under this pressure! This leads us to our stress free (or at least less stress!) holiday Tip #3:
Tip #3: Use a Calendar!
Hopefully, most of you are already using some sort of calendar or planner in your daily life to keep track of personal, professional and family appointments. It does not matter what type of calendar you use (paper or electronic) but we recommend using one calendar for all appointments if possible. If you are not using a calendar, now is a good time to start (e-mail us if you don't know where to start, we will help!).
To avoid overbooking (and going crazy) during the holidays, put all of your appointments on the calendar. This includes the company parties, family gatherings and even your kids' holiday events. Be sure to ask your family members about these events and if you will be required to bring anything, dress a certain way or in general make any preparations. Remember, to say "no thank you" to events that do not fit with your holiday plan. This is the difference that will keep you stress free!
If any of your scheduled events require preparations, check to see if they fit with your holiday plan. If they fit with your simple holiday plan (i.e. it is something you want to spent time on), schedule time in your calendar for those preparations and do not forget to schedule driving time! For example, if you want to attend your company holiday party, but need the appropriate attire, schedule time in your calendar for shopping in person or on-line.
If the scheduled events on your calendar require preparations that do not fit with your holiday plan (i.e. it is something that you do not want to spend time on), try to outsource or avoid those duties whenever possible. For example, if your child needs treats for the school party and you are clueless in the kitchen, schedule time with your child to purchase or order an alternative. It can still be homemade, just not from your kitchen.
With so many service providers available these days you can outsource just about any holiday task from baking, to decorating, to even sending your holidays cards (ask Simply Organized Life what we can do for you!). The key is to make sure that you can afford to outsource holiday tasks. In our next blog we will write about making a financial plan for the holidays!
Tip #3: Use a Calendar!
Hopefully, most of you are already using some sort of calendar or planner in your daily life to keep track of personal, professional and family appointments. It does not matter what type of calendar you use (paper or electronic) but we recommend using one calendar for all appointments if possible. If you are not using a calendar, now is a good time to start (e-mail us if you don't know where to start, we will help!).
To avoid overbooking (and going crazy) during the holidays, put all of your appointments on the calendar. This includes the company parties, family gatherings and even your kids' holiday events. Be sure to ask your family members about these events and if you will be required to bring anything, dress a certain way or in general make any preparations. Remember, to say "no thank you" to events that do not fit with your holiday plan. This is the difference that will keep you stress free!
If any of your scheduled events require preparations, check to see if they fit with your holiday plan. If they fit with your simple holiday plan (i.e. it is something you want to spent time on), schedule time in your calendar for those preparations and do not forget to schedule driving time! For example, if you want to attend your company holiday party, but need the appropriate attire, schedule time in your calendar for shopping in person or on-line.
If the scheduled events on your calendar require preparations that do not fit with your holiday plan (i.e. it is something that you do not want to spend time on), try to outsource or avoid those duties whenever possible. For example, if your child needs treats for the school party and you are clueless in the kitchen, schedule time with your child to purchase or order an alternative. It can still be homemade, just not from your kitchen.
With so many service providers available these days you can outsource just about any holiday task from baking, to decorating, to even sending your holidays cards (ask Simply Organized Life what we can do for you!). The key is to make sure that you can afford to outsource holiday tasks. In our next blog we will write about making a financial plan for the holidays!
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Holiday Tip #2: Plan, Plan, Plan!
Our last entry covered Stress Free (or at least less stress!) Holiday Tip #1: Keep it Simple! In that blog we mentioned creating a holiday plan which leads us to...
Tip #2: Plan, Plan, Plan!
Once you have decided what is important to you for simple holiday celebrations, you need to create a plan to make it happen.
Going through the holidays without a plan is kind of like driving in the car without a map. I know, many of you will resist this metaphor with the logic that you do not need a map for somewhere you have already been. But if you got lost (i.e. stressed or sidetracked) the last time you went through the holidays, a plan for this holiday season is going to help keep you from getting in a wreck (i.e. overdoing, overspending, and regreting it come Janaury).
You can create a simple holiday plan, by writing down what you want to do this holiday season and scheduling time to do those things on your list. You do not need a fancy notebook or special paper, but you should have your calendar near by for scheduling time. Any paper or calendar will do, or if you are a techie, you might want to do this on the computer.
Next time we will talk more about using a calendar for scheduling both holiday events and tasks!
Tip #2: Plan, Plan, Plan!
Once you have decided what is important to you for simple holiday celebrations, you need to create a plan to make it happen.
Going through the holidays without a plan is kind of like driving in the car without a map. I know, many of you will resist this metaphor with the logic that you do not need a map for somewhere you have already been. But if you got lost (i.e. stressed or sidetracked) the last time you went through the holidays, a plan for this holiday season is going to help keep you from getting in a wreck (i.e. overdoing, overspending, and regreting it come Janaury).
You can create a simple holiday plan, by writing down what you want to do this holiday season and scheduling time to do those things on your list. You do not need a fancy notebook or special paper, but you should have your calendar near by for scheduling time. Any paper or calendar will do, or if you are a techie, you might want to do this on the computer.
Next time we will talk more about using a calendar for scheduling both holiday events and tasks!
Monday, November 21, 2005
10 Tips for Stress Free Holidays
Yesterday Simply Organized Life participated in a Holiday Showcase Event in Ann Arbor with some other great local vendors. We shared our 10 Tips for Stress Free Holidays (or at least holidays with less stress!). These tips do not cost anything and will help you save time and money during this busy time of the year. After all...Everyone deserves a Simply Organized Life!
In the weeks ahead, we will elaborate on the 10 Tips and welcome you to share your comments with our readers!
Tip #1: Keep it Simple!
Complexity adds stress. It is that simple.
The key to avoiding stress during the holidays is to keep things simple. At Simply Organized Life we know that is easier said than done especially with all of the media messages, stores all decked out, not to mention the pressure to keep up with those crazy neighbors that always go over the top.
One of the ways to keep things simple is to focus only on the things that you enjoy during the holidays. This may take a little thought, as there are so many things we do "just because". Think about what you and your family enjoy during this season and why. For example, if you enjoy putting up a tree is it because the way the tree looks when you are finished or is it because your kids have so much decorating it with simple things? Asking yourself these questions, will allow you to focus only on the enjoyable elements and keep it simple!
As for those things that always stress you out (and maybe you never seem to get done) if it is not necessary, eliminate it from your holiday plan. What!? No holiday plan!? We will talk about making a simple holiday plan next time.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Welcome!
Simply Organized Life now has another home on the web! In addition to our main website at: www.simplyorganizedlife.com we now have a weblog at: http://simplyorganizedlife.blogspot.com !
We are so excited about this new home on the web and cannot wait to start sharing information with you about our professional organizing, event planning and relocation services!
We are so excited about this new home on the web and cannot wait to start sharing information with you about our professional organizing, event planning and relocation services!
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