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How to Successfully Plan and Prepare for a Cruise

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Cruise, Vacation — No Comments ↓

Cruises offer a wide array of experiences and entertainment for an unbeatable value.  With a wide array of ships and destinations, you can sail to and from just about anywhere in the world, even Alaska.  Which destination and what type of cruise are for you? What do you do once you book? How do you pack? Check out the answers to these questions and more below on how to successfully plan and prepare for a cruise.

  1. Pick a Boat.Today’s cruise options include everything from Maine Windjammers to luxe cruise lines. Before choosing a cruise, ask yourself who you will be traveling with, why you’re traveling, and what type of traveler you are. For family vacations, one of the major cruise lines is probably ideal. If you’re looking for a young, hip, party boat, you might want to consider a line that caters to a young adult crowd.  Are you more at home in hiking in the woods?  Maybe a small ship traveling up the coast of New England is for you. Choose the best type of cruise for your traveling companions, purpose, and unique personality.
  2. Where To? Where do you want to go? Are you wanting a warm, sunny break in Mexico, Bermuda, or the Bahamas? Are you looking to see the coast of Alaska, or sail the Mediterranean? What about heading up the coast of New England? Decide where you want to go and check out the cruise lines that travel there.
  3. What’s Your Budget? Set a budget and decide what you want to spend it on. Is your priority a luxury ship with all the extras? Will you splurge on extras such as shore excursions, alcohol, specialty restaurants, or off-duty shopping? Know the answers to these questions before you start looking for your perfect ship. When you set your budget, be sure to account for any “hidden” fees or extras you might not find out about until you’re on board, such as additional fees for premium liquors.
  4. Listen to the Critics. CruiseCritic.com is a great place to get impartial reviews from other passengers about specific cruises and cruise ships. Before you book, check out the passenger reviews and pictures from the ship you are considering. A one off about a poor cabin steward can be dismissed. Several people complaining about the food should be paid attention to.
  5. Get an Agent. Yes, you can book a cruise directly, but a cruise travel agent will provide invaluable assistance. Agents can help you choose and get the best deal on your dream cruise. They can also advise you on options you’ll want, such as a balcony stateroom, or a late dinner seating. Agents can also take some of the more annoying, cruise-planning off your hands, such as purchasing insurance, booking and coordinating transportation to and from the port, and even printing and mailing luggage tags and cruise documents to you.
  6. Insurance is Key. Very often, cruises are booked months in advance. Anything can happen between when you book your cruise and when you finally set sail. Purchase all-inclusive travel insurance that covers everything from the onset of a pesky sinus infection to a family emergency.
  7. Choose Your Options. Once your cruise is booked, read up on all the options the ship you are sailing on offers, including food and drink packages, cell phone and data service, shore excursions, and on-board activities and experiences. Choose the ones that match your personal preferences and budget. Decide if you want to book these options in advance to be sure you get the activities and time slots you want, or if you want to risk getting a better deal by booking on board. Very often, special deals for on-board services, such as spa treatments, are offered on the day the ship sails.
  8. Know Where You’re Going. Read up on the ports of call you will be visiting. Select what you want to do and see at each port, and how you want to do or see it. Do you want to go independently into all the ports or sign up for guided excursions? With guided excursions there is less risk of the boat departing without you, but these are often more expensive than self-guided tours.
  9. Check Out the Itinerary. Very often, a cruise line’s itinerary, or a sample thereof, will be posted on the cruise line’s website, or on one of the cruising message boards. Check out what kind of activities will be offered, the ship’s dress code, and evening entertainment. Most luxury cruises have at least one “formal” night. More casual cruises, such as Maine Windjammers, offer a lobster bake. Know what you will need to bring and start shopping for anything you don’t have in advance to get the best deals.
  10. Read Up. Spend some time researching cruising on the ‘net. Amazon offers several inexpensive e-books on cruising. A favorite is Tips from the Cruise Addict’s Wife by Deb Graham. The Internet includes several solid packing lists and tips for first time cruisers.  CruiseCritic also has a “Roll Call” section for passengers booked on a specific cruise ship and sailing to connect with each other prior to departure. A little advanced preparation will go along way once you’re on board.

Vacation time is so precious to us. A cruise can be a fabulous way to spend that time. By doing your homework in advance, you will ensure you have the experience of a lifetime from the moment you set sail.

Photo: Cristina M. Mille

You’ve Found Your Dream Job, Now What?

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Job Search — No Comments ↓

You've Found Your Dream Job, Now What?

Congratulations! You’ve found your Dream Job, or at least a new job with new opportunities, now what? Leaving a current employer for a new position is far more than simply giving notice and collecting your last paycheck. Here’s everything you need to do to end your tenure with you now former employer on a positive note.

  1. Wait for It. If your new employer requires a background check, always wait for official notification that background check has cleared before giving notice, no matter how tempted you are to do so beforehand. Even if you are squeaky clean, you never know what could come up.
  2. Exit Gracefully. Like my Mom used to say, ‘You never know when you will run into that person again…’. Unless your well-being is in danger, always give notice both verbally andin writing to your manager. HR will need the written notice for your employee file. Start with “I am very grateful for this opportunity, unfortunately…” and then give your reason for leaving. The rule of notice holds true even if you never intend to use a company as a reference. LinkedIn lives on forever. You never know who knows who.
  3. Clean Your Cube (Or Office). Removing your personal effects from your cubicle or office space gradually eliminates the need to carry large boxes out on your last day. You will also be prepared if your employer asks you to leave immediately on receiving your notice. Take a few things home every day. Backup and delete personal files, including emails, from your computer. Take any hard copy personal files home.
  4. Don’t Take What Isn’t Yours. Leave all company property, no matter how old or unused, behind unless you have permission to take it with you. Even more importantly, understand your employer’s Intellectual Property Do not take copies of materials that fall under this policy, even if you created them. If you must take such materials, i.e.: if you are a writer and need material for your portfolio, get your employer’s permission. Carefully remove all references to proprietary information, including client names, specialized processes, and patented technology, from such materials.
  5. Understand Your Benefits. If HR does not schedule an exit interview to review separation logistics, request one. Ask about your last paycheck, payout for unused vacation time, medical benefit eligibility, and 401K policies for former employees.
  6. Confirm when you will be eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage with your new employer. If these benefits do not start Day 1, COBRA at least your medical coverage until they kick in. Even if the gap period is only a couple weeks, COBRA! A couple years ago, my friend switched jobs and didn’t COBRA. During that time, her son had to go to the E/R. The result was over $5,000 in medical bills. Don’t gamble with your health.
  7. Know Your Vested Balance. If your 401K has a vested balance under $5,000, a former employer has a right to remove you from their plan without notice. Avoid potential tax penalties by contacting the firm that manages your 401K and rolling over your vested balance if it is below this threshold. If you have a vested 401K balance over $5,000, contact the 401K manager and find out what the fee for leaving your money with your former employer will be.
  8. Stay in Contact. Be sure to gather any contact information for colleagues you will want to stay in touch with for future networking. Connect with these colleagues – and endorse them for relevant job skills – on LinkedIn. For more information on using LinkedIn to strategically manage a job change, check out this article on The Muse.
  9. Leave on a High Note. On your last day, thank your manager, co-workers and any personnel you have worked closely with. If you are required to have an exit interview, by all means, don’t go on a rage about co-workers or management. If you are leaving because of a specific conflict, be honest about the conflict, but not bitter. Have a positive word to say about everyone you worked with.

The grass may be greener on the other side, but don’t leave the pasture before your last day. Perform your job duties to the best of your ability until you turn in your ID badge. If you leave your former employer thinking highly of you, you will reap great rewards in the future!

Photo: Pixabay – Wemer Heiber

Setting Up for a Successful Garage Sale

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Downsizing, Garage Sale, Storage, Summer — No Comments ↓

Setting Up for a Successful Garage Sale

Holding a garage sale is a fun, profitable, eco-friendly way to clear clutter from your home. The saying is true “one person’s trash is another’s treasure”. Virtually anything can be sold at a garage sale. Old glassware? Check. Fabric scraps? Check. Old kids toys? Check. Discarded electronics? Absolutely! Just throwing items out on a folding table and putting a sign on your lawn won’t make your sale successful. Here are some tips for maximizing your time and creating a fabulous, fun garage sale.

  1. Pick a date. Research the best time in your town to have a garage sale. You can also check your town website to see if a Town-Wide Garage Sale is planned. If so, sign up for it. If not, pick a date and put it on your calendar. Setting a deadline in advance means you won’t procrastinate getting ready for your sale!
  2. Start gathering. A garage sale is a perfect excuse to go through your home room by room and pull out items you no longer love and use. Check your attic for old electronics, baby clothes, and toys gathering dust. Place them in a central location in your house.
  3. Sort and Clean. Sort each item by category into its own container for storage and easy transport to the area where you’ll set up your sale. As you sort each item, wipe it down, inside and out. Buyers will be attracted to clean items and you’ll get a better price for them.
  4. Price it Out. You’ll sell more items if they are priced in advance. Set a realistic starting price for each item but leave some wiggle room for bargaining. If you’re not sure how to price out your items, check out The Ultimate Garage Sale Pricing Guide on Angie’s List. Use neon colored price tags to make the prices easy to find. Several hardware and stationary supply stores sell pre-printed, adhesive price tags specifically for garage sales. These are a great investment. Use a black Sharpie to write custom prices.
  5. Organize – Don’t you enjoy going into stores that have defined categories? It is so much easier to shop. Have sections for clothing, electronics, housewares, travel; whatever you can group together will make a nicer experience for your shopper and you want them to stay and look around. If you have several of the same item, create a sign with the price of each item on card stock.
  6. Advertise – Put your yard sale on Craigslist, Nextdoor, and any town related news sites. List a few teaser items and definite hours. If you don’t want early birds, state that! You can also specify cash only and items need to be carried away that day. If you can’t assist hauling stuff to people’s cars, say so.
  7. Have Cash on Hand. I recommend having at least 2 rolls of quarters, a handful of $5 bills and at least $20 in singles ready before your first customer arrives. If you expect any items to sell for pennies, nickels, dimes, or quarters, make sure you have that to give change back. Use a cash box or large, zippered pouch to keep your money in. Those cosmetic cases that come with beauty bonus buys work great for this purpose.
  8. Bag It. Have extra bags, plastic boxes, and newspaper on hand for customers who request a bag to carry their item in, purchase multiple items, or purchase fragile items. You can store up plastic grocery bags and reuse them for this purpose.
  9. Hydrate and Screen. You’re going to be standing or sitting in the sun for the majority of the day. Avoid dehydration and sunburn by keeping plenty of bottled water and sunscreen on hand. Reapply sunscreen throughout the day.
  10. See You Next Year! Have a plan for what you will do with your unsold items at the end of your garage sale. On my last sale, I created 3 separate groupings: Toss, Sell Online, and Save for Next Year. Anything I was going to sell online (VCR from 2000 anyone?) I put a neon sticker on. Everything I plan to sell next year went into boxes labeled “Save for Next Year”. I photographed the stuff I planned to sell online and posted it. The “Save For Next Year” boxes went into my attic.

Above All, BE SAFE! Do not let shoppers into your home no matter what the emergency. If they are truly in distress, call 9-1-1 immediately. Otherwise, direct them to a nearby public facility.

Happy Selling!

Photo By: Cristina M. Miller

Simplify Your Hobbies

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Hobbies — No Comments ↓

Simplify Your Hobbies

If you’re like any hobbyist – sewer, woodworker, scrap booker, etc. – you’ve accumulated materials for projects that have never been done and scraps from projects that have. These tips will help you decide what to keep and what to toss from that craft closet and simplify your hobbies.

  1. Evaluate – If you have many hobbies, are you really working on all of them? Can you pare down to just a few and focus on them? Are you engaging in them regularly to justify all the stuff that goes along with each hobby? It’s not a bad thing if decide you enjoy a different hobby. Letting go of the items for the less interesting hobby opens up space for the hobbies you enjoy more.
  2. Make Space – Choose a place where you will work on your hobby. This can be a dedicated area, such as a sewing room or basement workshop, or a double use space, such as a dining room for scrapbooking or a home office for digital photography. Ensure the space you choose is big enough to support your hobby and has the proper furniture for it. Can you spread a queen-sized quilt across that dining room table? Is there a bench in that basement workshop to properly trim the lumber for that bookcase? A friend of mine uses her living room sofa table as a sewing desk. It allows her to be close to her kids while she is working. A popular place for scrapbooking is a dining room table.
  3. Storage – Containers are your best friend for hobbies. They not only keep your stuff all together, they act as limiters to how much your need to be storing. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on expensive, hobby-specific storage devices for this. Check out this articleon how to reuse everyday household containers for craft supplies.
  4. Easy Access – If you can’t grab the stuff you need when you need it, why bother? You need to find a dedicated area to store your hobby items. Find a dedicated area to store your hobby items sorted by hobby. This Neatfreak! closet organizerworks great for storing hobby materials in a closet and requires no assembly. Whether you turn a guest room closet into the storage area or a dedicated corner or shelving unit, pick a location that will enable you to have ALL items associated with that hobby in one spot. If possible, it should be the place where you will work on that hobby.
  5. Sort and Label – Most of us only have a few hours a week to spend on our hobbies. Make the most of that time by placing all of the materials you need for each specific project you are working on in its own container and label that container. These 12×12 containersare great for scrapbooking. The zippered plastic bags retailers sell sheet sets in are excellent for sewing projects. By sorting and labeling your hobby projects, you’ll be able to instantly grab what you need when you need it.

Photo: Alison Headley

Organize Your Online Presence Before Launching a Job Search

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Apps, Job Search — No Comments ↓

Organize Your Online Presence Before Launching a Job Search

Launching a new job search is more than sending out resumes. These days your resume, online presence, personal and professional life need to be organized to tell a cohesive story. Here’s how to organize your online presence before launching a job search.

  1. Google Yourself – It’s important to know what a prospective employer is learning about you when they do an Internet search on you. You need to find out first and clean up any erroneous information. To Google yourself, enter your name, city and state, and, if you’ve moved recently, your previous location into Google. Check both website and images. Contact any sites with information that could harm you in a job search and ask them to delete it.
  2. Go Social – Make sure there are no forgotten social media profiles – including blogs – on the Internet (MySpace anyone?). If there are, delete the accounts. Set the privacy settings on your Facebook, Twitter, Meetup, etc. and any other social media sites so all anyone can see is your name, profile picture, and location. Change your banner images to be politically neutral or make them private. Scrub your newsfeeds of anything you would not want an employer to see.
  3. Ditch the Selfie – Your profile pictures should be current and across all professional and social platforms. Dress up in interview attire, stand against a neutral background, and take a picture with an actual camera. Change into your “play” clothes and repeat. Crop both pictures to show only your face and shoulders and use a program like Photoscape (http://x.photoscape.org) to balance the lighting. The first picture goes on your LinkedIn profile. The second goes on ALL of your social media sites.
  4. Match It Up – Your resume should highlight your skills and career achievements first. It should also be Search Engine Optimized (SEO’d) around the type of job you are looking for. It should also exactly match your LinkedIn profile. You do not want an employer reading your resume and then seeing something different on LinkedIn.
  5. Use the Technology – You want to stand out and grab attention when you are searching for your new job. Besides a standard resume, how else can you present yourself? Use video, Pinterest, a website, or blog to highlight your creative side. Showcase your work! Join and actively contribute to groups that align with your current and/or desired industry and profession. You need to show that you understand the power of digital platforms and are technologically savvy. Saying it is one thing but showing is more powerful.

Coming Up: Organizing Your Resume and Job Search Application Paperwork.

Photo: Pixabay – Gerd Altmann

How to Better Organize Your Cellphone

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Apps, Phone — No Comments ↓

How to Better Organize Your Cellphone

We love our cell phones and tablets. But when was the last time you looked at all the apps you have accumulated? Some people can scroll screen by screen searching for the app they want and it’s hard to find among all the useless apps they have on their devices. How to better organize your cellphone?

  1. Delete –Just like we need to clean out our refrigerator or closets, we need to declutter our cellphones. Ask yourself which apps you use the most in your day to day life. Not sure which apps you use vs. those you don’t? Check your phone’s battery and data usage in “Settings”. The apps that draw the least power or use the last amount of data are the ones you don’t need. Delete anything with a low data usage in particular.
  2. Folders –For some apps it may make sense to create folders on your screen to help manage those apps that you use but not frequently. I have a folder on my iPhone for all the airlines. I don’t use them often but when traveling, I like knowing I have the app on my phone for each airline I will be using. Google ‘how to create folders’ for your model of phone.
  3. Organize –Put the apps that you use most frequently on the first screen, so you don’t have to scroll through the screens to find the ones you want. On an iPhone, when you add an app, it goes to the last page or first open slot. You can move the apps around to suit your needs.
  4. Home Screen –If you have an iPhone you can store 4 of your most used apps in the dock. No matter what screen you are looking at, the 4 apps on the bottom always are visible. I keep my phone, email, safari, and calendar in my dock as they are the ones I use the most. Customize based on your preference.
  5. Storage –Use the cloud for storage and back up. This will help save memory on your phone. Photos, music, and video take up a lot of room on your phone. Putting them in the cloud saves space and memory. Depending on how much you need to backup and store, most cloud services are free. If they do charge, it is not that much per month. Well worth it in case your phone dies or is lost.
  6. Streaming– Using a streaming service such as Spotify or Pandora allows you to listen to any music but not have to store the music on your phone. They all offer a free version so decide how much you will use the service and if you want to be ad free by paying a monthly fee. If you use these services, decide if you will use data for them, or just run them over Wi-Fi when it is available and update your phone’s settings accordingly.
  7. Backup!– I mentioned backing up your phone in the storage section, but it needs to be repeated. I have worked with a lot of clients who never backed up their phone or thought they were only to find themselves without precious photos, text messages, videos, etc. BACKUP your phone on a regular basis. It is worth the extra money!

Photo: Pixabay  Approved for Reuse

Happy 4th of July!

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in 4th of July, Holidays — No Comments ↓

Boston Professional Organizer, 4th of July

Happy 4th of July! Enjoy this patriotic holiday if you live in the United States by taking the day to celebrate our country’s history and freedom.

Photo: HuffingtonPost

5 Ways to Declutter Your Beauty Sample Stash

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Bathroom, Cosmetics — No Comments ↓

5 Ways to Declutter Your Beauty Sample Stash

We all love the thrill of getting free stuff, and in the world of retail beauty products, free samples are abundant.  All of the major department store brands: Clinique, Estee Lauder, and Lancôme off regular “bonuses” that include a cosmetic case filled with new products. Sephora provides three free samples with every online order. There are also those enticing, low-priced trial sizes perched near the checkout counter of every beauty department or beauty store.  All those beauty bonuses and trial sizes can become clutter if we aren’t careful. Let’s talk specifically about the free samples that come with certain beauty products. How can we declutter our beauty sample stash?

  1. Just Say No– The easiest way to keep the excess out of our lives is to not bring it in our homes in the first place. If you are offered any free samples, say no to the items you know you won’t use. For example, I don’t wear perfume. So many of my clients have various sensitivities so I avoid perfume. Therefore, if I am offered a perfume sample, I say no thank you. I say the same when I am purchasing a product during “Bonus Days”.
  2. Try it– How many times do we bring beauty samples home and they just sit on our bathroom vanity? If you are unsure of a color and how it will work with your skin tone or type, try it. You can do this by visiting the retailer who sells it and asking them for a complimentary sample. Most of these samples will be smaller than a typical trial size, in a recyclable container. Instead of hanging onto it, you can easily throw it away.
  3. Commit to Use– Have a plan for when you will try each new sample you pick up, and how long you will try it before making a decision to purchase the full-size version. Stick to this plan. Even if you do decide you like a sample, unless it works noticeably better than the product you’re replacing, use up the old product first before you purchase the new one.
  4. Share–If you decide you don’t like an unopened sample and don’t intend to use it, offer it to friends, family, or a local women’s or homeless shelter or food pantry that accepts these items.
  5. Regroup– Sort your samples into groups according to occasion. I have three: Special Occasion, Every Day, and Weekend. Samples of full-coverage foundations, long-wearing primers, and eye liners go into my “Special Occasion” group. I so rarely wear these products that I don’t need more than a sample size on hand. My “Every Day” collection includes new BB Creams, blushes, and skin treatments to try for work days. My “Weekend” stash has tinted moisturizers and multi-purpose highlighters I can toss on quickly when I want some coverage, don’t need a full “face”. Use up the samples in each group before accepting more or buying more trial sizes.

Using these tips will make not only your beauty sample stash, but your entire beauty regime more organized.

Photo: www.pixabay.com; Approved for Reuse.

Moving Tips for a Smoother Transition

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Moving — No Comments ↓

Moving Tips

Summer is a popular time of the year for moving. According to Money.USNews,around half of all moves take place between May and September. It makes sense as college students are vacating their rental apartments, the weather is better, and school aged children are out of school and therefore it is less disruptive for the family. How can you ensure your move goes smoothly?

  1. Hire a moving company – I know you think you can do it all yourself but given the amount of time and physical toll it takes on your body, hire the professionals to do the work for you. Your friends and family will be so appreciative!
  2. Edit your possessions – Why move items you don’t want, use, or love? Taking the time to make the hard decisions now will ensure you have less to unpack at your new home and less freight to move.
  3. Create a timeline – Use your calendar to help guide you and keep you on track. Once you know the move date, you can figure out the best day to cancel your utilities and turn them on in your new location. It also gives you the end goal, so you can hopefully strategically edit your possessions and/or pack up your belongings, so you are not waiting until the last minute to do it all.
  4. Label everything – You will be so grateful at the other end if you know which box the coffee maker or bed sheets are in, so you can settle in faster. I always have my clients make a few boxes label ‘Open First’ and inside are all the immediate items they will need upon arrival in their new home. Electronic chargers, toilet paper, paper towels, daily medicine, bedding; just to name a few. What immediate items would you need to have access to in order to settle in faster?
  5. Pets/children – On the day of your move, do yourself a favor and have someone watch your furry and human children. Now is not the time for your pets to run away while the doors are open all the time while movers are in and out. Your children may also get under foot and it may be a traumatic day for them to see all the stuff in your house leaving.

Moving is stressful. There are ways to minimize the stress and these are just a few to help you have a smoother move. Happy trails to you!

3 Ways to Get Ahead of Summer Plans

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Calendars, Summer — No Comments ↓

3 Ways to Get Ahead of Summer Plans

It’s time to start focusing on summer plans. If you haven’t already signed up your children for summer camp, now is the time while you may still have options. Have you decided on your final destination for your summer vacation? Have you planned your vacation days off from work? How can we stay organized in the next few months with all these events in the midst?

  1. Use your calendar – I just finalized my summer trips and have them blocked out in my calendar. I now know when I am going to be gone and more importantly, when I am able to tackle any projects. I have identified a few priority tasks that I want to accomplish this summer and only chosen 2 out of my list. I don’t want to overwhelm myself and make summer a miserable time. I still have the list of tasks I want to accomplish but am not putting a ton of pressure on myself to tackle them all.
  2. Launching pad – We all know summer adds another level of given clutter. We have the additional outdoor items that creep into our entry areas. The sunglasses, sunscreen, towels, sporting items, and other items that your family only does in the summer. Now is the time to establish either bins or hooks or bags that can hold such items to ensure that they are off the floor and an ugly mess.
  3. Enlist others – Hopefully your summer schedule isn’t as hectic as other times during the year. Try to include others in the decluttering process. Make it part of the night time routine to restore order to the rooms that were used during the day. It is a great life lesson to teach to everyone so that the clutter doesn’t get so out of hand that it is such a chore to restore it back in order. Bonus; it everyone does it now, it will make the rest of the year oh so much organized and less for YOU to have to do!

How do you stay organized in the summer months?

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