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Wishing you all a happy Memorial Day. Looking for some facts about Memorial Day and how it all started? Here are a few fun factsto share with your family and friends. Enjoy your holiday!
Photo: Almanac
5 Ways to Get Motivated to Get Organized
You’re done. Done with stuff EVERYWHERE. Done with not being able to find anything. You have decided once and for all you are going to get organized. Great! Now comes the hard part of actually doing it. It’s time to get motivated.
- Invite Guests– Will there be guests showing up in the future? There is nothing more motivating that having a drop-dead date to get you closer to your goal. It’s important to be realistic and giveyourself a window of time before inviting them over. Scheduling it too soon is only pure torture – be kind to yourself!
- Listen to Music– Start movin’ with some tunes. Every person is motivated by different melodies. It can be upbeat music, or soothing music. Whatever your preference, music will pushyou when you get stuck. I use Pandoraand choose one of my favorite songs. Pandora will select songs similar to the one you chose and most times it is just what I need to listen to. There is a free version as well as a subscription version.
- Take a Picture– Seeing your space through the camera is a totally different view than with your own eyes. I also encourage people to do this to see that they are making progress. Taking photos as you work will show you allthat you have accomplished.
- Set a Timer – I recommend using a timer to keep you on track. It is a great motivator when you know you only have to work for a certain time period. When the time expires, you might want to continue working since you’re in the groove of organizing. Using the timer also helps you stay on track if you have other obligations for that day. Starting earlier in the day will also ensure that you get the organizing done before you waste the day away on other tasks.
- Keep it Simple– If you are dragging your feet to getting organized, the last thing you want to do is to make it complicated. Keep in mind the person who will be using and maintaining the area that you are organizing. Labeling will be very useful so everyone knows where to get and put an item away after use. You don’t want to be the only person responsible for maintaining order in your home.
How do you stay motivated? Share so others can benefit from your ways.
Image: The Container Store
Do or Don’t: Drop Zones
Your keys likely land in a drop zone. Your kids’ backpacks have a drop zone. The dog leash…drop zone. How important are drop zones in one’s house? I believe they are a necessity.
The most important area in a home that needs a drop zone is where you enter and exit. For some households, that may mean the mud room. For others, it may be the area by their front door. Having dedicated spots near where you enter your home is going to help you keep and stay reasonably organized for success.
The number of people who live in your home will dictate how many people can store their belongings in the drop zone space. If you are fortunate to have a large closet where you enter the home or a large mud room, you won’t have to be so limiting in the quantity of shoes or coats that each member of your family can keep in that area. If you are tight on space, then you may only be able to keep a certain number of in-season items per person. The overflow of shoes and coats may have to stay in each person’s bedroom or be stored in another closet or location in your house.
If you’re planning a drop zone by the entry, there are a few things to ask yourself:
- Is there enough space to have dedicated areas for backpacks, briefcases, and purses?
- Is this the best spot to hang keys when you get home?
- Is there room to keep an electronic charging station so your device is charging overnight and ready for you the next morning?
- How best can you configure this space to meet the needs of your family?
Drop zones may also be necessary if you live in a multi-level home. Running up and down the stairs gets old fast! Let’s face it, we can be a bit lazy. It’s easier to put down items and gather it all at once before heading up the stairs.
One may also decide that having a drop zone in a bedroom or office is necessary. I think your family and habits will dictate if you need this. Not every family has the same needs, but if items are just being dropped in a room, that may be an indication that you need to consider how to best handle this self-proclaimed drop zone.
The best way to know how you need the drop zone to function is to see what lands in this spot!
Do you have drop zones in your home? If so, what rooms?
Image: California Closets
Tip Tuesday: Last-Minute Tax Tips
There are many positives about tax day. I’ve heard of Chipotle giving away free burritos. Free gifts at retailers. Free coffee. Come on, it’s pretty awesome…if you’ve actually filed your taxes. If you haven’t, it can feel oh-so overwhelming. It’s time to get organized! Now keep in mind: I am a professional organizer, not an accountant. Everyone should check with their own accountant to see what will work for them. I am merely offering some suggestions that may help my clients when working on their taxes.
Below are a few quick tax organization tips (assuming you have at least filed for a tax extension).
- Gather Your Tax Documents– The first step is putting a system in place for storing your tax-related documents. Gather your W-2s, 1099s, insurance forms and other items that you have either received in the mail or downloaded. Having these all in one place makes sure you don’t overlook one.
- Review Last Year’s Taxes– Look at your taxes from last year to make sure you don’t overlook an important aspect of your taxes. Additionally, make note of what major life changes have happened. Did you have a new child? Did you buy a home? Did you invest money? Everyone’s situation is unique and therefore make sure you have what you need.
- Make Note of Deductions– You will need receipts, cancelled checks or statements that support what you can deduct. If you are audited, you will need to provide documentation so before you estimate your deductions, back it up by having proof of such deduction. Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t find what you need. Let it go for this year and make a commitment to yourself to create folders or envelopes to hold the receipts starting now for next year’s taxes.
- File Online– First, make sure you have at least filed the necessary paperwork for an extension. Secondly, file online! The IRS processes your return faster when you E-file. Bonus: avoid the time it takes to go to the post office and wait in line to mail your return by certified/return receipt mail (and yes, make sure if you do paper returns, that you mail it via certified/return receipt mail to verify you did indeed mail your taxes.)
Once you press submit, and file your taxes, it’s time to celebrate. Grab that burrito, sip on your coffee, or simply throw your feet up and relax – the worst part of the year is OVER.
Image:Pixabay
3 Things to Get Rid of While Spring Cleaning
We’re still waiting for the arrival of warmer weather in New England, but we’ve officially entered spring cleaning season. Have you started yours yet? In order to do a bang-up job, you may realize that some of your cleaning supplies and tools need some sprucing up. Your cleaning is much less effective when you don’t have the proper equipment.
When you grab for your tools, take a closer look at these items to see if they need replacement:
- Mops and brooms– In my opinion, a dirty old mop is about as effective as a bladeless knife. It is hard to clean when the mop itself is the problem. Have you considered a mop that uses a microfiber cloth instead of the type that needs wringing out? It may be time to rethink the type of mop you are using. You can also save time and space by not having a separate bucket to wring out your mop. Additionally, keep in mind the type of flooring that you will you be cleaning. Make sure the mop matches your floor type.
- Buckets– Most households have two buckets – one for carrying cleaning supplies and the other for cleaning solution. If your bucket handle is falling apart, it’s time to buy a new one! If you use your bucket only to make a water-based solution and the bucket is cracked or dirty looking, it’s time to buy a new one. Ensure these buckets are functional in advance, saving yourself frustration and time once you finally do get down to the nitty gritty of the actual cleaning!
- Cleaning Gloves – Let’s face it – no one wants to be touching dirty, dusty, yucky places, right? Using gloves is one way to make sure your hands do NOT touch the gross areas. However, are your cleaning gloves also gross? If they could be classified as a biohazard, well, it’s time to get rid of them, too, and buy some new ones. If you (and your budget) are in the mood for some fancy gloves, check out these gloves. This purchase just might make the whole spring cleaning task more palatable if you can look at something pretty and whimsical while tolling away to beautify your home!
It’s a good practice to take a monthly inspection of your cleaning items to double check that they’re ready for proper use. By staying on top of your tools, you can ensure a streamlined cleaning experience in the future.
Image: The Container Store
PURGE: 5 Things to Get Rid of In Storage Before You Die
Dawn Link
Posted in Books, Children, Downsizing, Estate Planning, Family, Moving, Storage
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I don’t want to sound morbid, but it’s important to broach this topic. Have you thought about what is going to happen to the boxes of untouched items in your attic when you pass? Most people use their basements or attics to store family artifacts, unused home items and more, but when the time comes for you to journey to the other side, someone in your family will be responsible for managing, donating or throwing away those items. Let’s start by talking about the 5 things to get rid of in storage before you die.
I know, I know. You’re saving these items for your children…and their children. Those cute baby clothes? Oh yes, your daughter who is now six-years-old will certainly dress her future child in them, right? While it is a sweet sentiment, it’s important to be realistic. What will your children or grandchildren not appreciate?
Here is a list of items that are currently of no value in the marketplace other than your sentimental heart. This is a great place to start when thinking of downsizing and not leaving it to your children.
- China – When was the last time you used your own china when entertaining? If you use it, it is usually at a holiday dinner. The millennials do not want your china or your Grandmother’s china. Sad as it may be, they are not a sentimental generation. When was the last time you saw china listed on a bridal register? The bride and groom may list everyday dishes, but a formal china pattern is not usually listed.
- Brown Furniture – The ornate, heavy, real wood furniture that we grew up with is like an anchor to your children. They would rather shop at IKEA than have the kind of furniture they grew up with.
- Silver – As sad as it is, this is another category that no one wants. If it is real silver, you may consider selling it for its silver value and lighten your load.
- Toys – Look at eBay to see what heirloom toys are worth. Trends change, and what was once a popular toy (hello, Beanie Babies!), may be of no value today.
- Books – They weigh you down. Everyone has different taste in books so why keep them? Yes, sentimental ones or first editions of a book you do re-read can be kept, but I am talking about your college textbooks, or books you read once. Pass those on and either use your kindle or borrow a book from the library.
What else can you downsize and not leave as a burden to your children? They will love you all the more!
Photo: Real Simple
5 New Products You Need to Organize Your Home
Smell that? That’s the smell of springtime in New England. Okay, okay, it’s March, and we all know we’ll likely have a few more storms, but we can at least get excited for spring cleaning! There’s no better way to celebrate the (almost) arrival of this season than to stock up on organizing products. Here are five of my favorite products you need to organize your home that you can order from Amazon with the touch of a button.
- Outlet Shelf – What if you could perch any small electronic device on a shelf in your bathroom and keep it off the bathroom counter? I love this product. Best of all, no additional hardware to install as it uses your vertical single outlet as a way to mount it. This beauty comes in white, almond, and black.
- Broom Holder – I LOVE this product. The thought of wet mops sitting on floor or carpet is really gross. I love that this holder has hooks to give you more options of hanging various cleaning items.
- Pull Out Storage Container Drawer – The pullout drawer is one of my favorite ways to really maximize storage space in the kitchen. This drawer is great for customizing the drawer to best contain your food storage tops and bottoms.
- Bedside Caddy – This is a perfect graduation gift for a college bound freshman. They can keep all their stuff that would normally go in/on a bedside table in this caddy attached to either their headboard or side rail. You can also use this to store item you use in the living room like a remote control, knitting needles or tissue.
- Gift Wrapping Hanging Organizer – Wouldn’t it be great to have one organizer that can hold most of your gift wrapping items? The simply luxury of having the wrapping paper off the floor and kept neat for your next use is a huge reason to love this organizer!
What are some of your favorite Amazon products that you can’t live without to keep you organized?
Photo: Amazon.com
Do or Don’t: Storage Units
Storage units and facilities are a growing segment. Think about how many storage facilities you see on a daily basis. Do you think they would keep opening more and more if there wasn’t a need? I don’t think so.
Here’s the truth: I do think storage units are useful, if used properly. They shouldn’t be a spot to dump your things, and then never, ever, ever think about them again. It’s not only a terrible habit, but it’s a huge waste of your money each month!
Below are a few scenarios when you might actually need a storage unit.
A temporary storage solution when you’re selling your home…
If you’re selling your home and need to store overflow items, this might be a great solution. You want your home to be free of excess items, so it looks bigger. However, if you’re never planning to retrieve these items after you sell your home, this is not a good idea.
Storage for a small apartment…
I rented a small storage unit for a few years because I was living in a small, one-bedroom apartment. I had no place to store my holiday decorations. I knew this was a temporary situation, and I did go to the storage unit at Christmas and retrieve bins and bins of decorations. I would prune through the items each year, and when the holiday was over, the items returned to storage. I did end up moving to a larger home, and then I finally emptied and got rid of my storage unit!
A place to gather items after a death in the family…
After a family member passes, it can be hard to go through their items in a timely manner, especially if you have to sell their home quickly, or are dealing with an expiring lease. Placing items in a storage unit can be a great place to temporary store these items as the family sorts through what needs to be kept, and what needs to be purged.
The general rule of thumb is this: If you are actively using it, then it is okay to utilize a storage unit. I have worked with many clients who have no idea what is in their storage unit and find it easier to pay the monthly fee versus spending the time going through the contents.
If you need to use a storage unit, take inventory of what you put in it, and better yet, take photos. Also, be sure to read my last blog post about items that aren’t worth storing for your children, and perhaps this will help guide your decision.
Remember, these fees add up, and the money you could spend on a storage unit can be better used on a vacation or other family activities. Memories are worth more than any material object!
Photo: Move.org
What I First Notice When I Walk In a Home
Dawn Link
Posted in Bathroom, Bedroom, Clothes, Kitchen, Laundry, Office, Paper Management, Storage
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Before I officially start this post, I want to state that I am in no way judgmental when I enter a client’s home. I do not put on my organizers glasses unless you are paying for my services. That said, if you are a client, there are a few areas that I first notice when I walk in a home and as we tour your home for the first time that you may or may not point out to me.
- Front Entry – This tends to be the drop point for many items. Are there a lot of coats and shoes in the entryway? It could mean that the home has no front hall coat closet, or there is no mudroom. It could also mean that there are just too many items stored in the entry for each person, and we may want to find additional solutions for the collection.
- Kitchen Counters – Are the counters clear? Or is there too much stored on the counter? This may indicate a storage issue or someone that is a very visual person. There are things we can do to work on this!
- Random Piles – Perhaps there is a stack of bills on the kitchen counter. Or cosmetics on the dresser. Sometimes this indicates that the person likes to do an activity in an area that isn’t supported with a storage solution for this activity, so the items just land in a pile. This can lead to clutter, and there are great storage solutions for this, if one doesn’t want to change their habits.
- Desk Clutter – I’ve written extensively about clearing off desk clutter. The thought is this: physical clutter can lead to mental clutter! If you are a visual person, and need papers on your desk to remind you of tasks, this is fine, but it’s important to systemize this to ensure items don’t start piling up.
- Clothes in the bedroom – Usually if there are a lot of clothes on the floor, and they are clean, the person either has too many clothes for their existing situation, or they are visual and can’t have them in drawers. If the clothes are dirty, I ask if there is a laundry hamper in the room. Often times there is but it has a cover on it and the person doesn’t want to take the time to lift the cover to put the dirty clothes IN the hamper. Again, there are easy solutions for helping every personality type stay organized!
Those are a few of my observations of what I notice when I first walk in a home and when I am touring the spaces with a first-time client. What is the first thing you notice when you walk into someone’s home?
Photo: Container Store
Tip Tuesday: The Right Way to Fold Your Clothes
There are two types of people. Those who love to fold clothes, and those who do not. Some find this process therapeutic, and others? Well, they could care less if their clothes were rolled up in a ball. While it does feel great to open a drawer to perfectly flat clothes, there is also a reason for this. It saves SPACE.
If you are like most of my clients, you are trying to fit a lot of clothes into your drawers. It’s time to learn how to fold so you can maximize this precious space.
You’ll find that when clothing is organized, you really can fit more in and it is so much easier to see and grab. Below are a few tips to properly folding and storing your clothing:
T-shirts – We’ve all seen the perfectly pressed and folded clothing at department stores. This is how you should be folding your own clothes. Once they’re folded, stack them vertically, so that you can see them rather than stacking them one on top of the other.
If you have shallow drawers, see if rolling your tops allows you to fit more in than just folding them. Again, having them stored vertically (or front to back) vs. horizontally will allow easier access and selection.
Bras – if you have all your bras lined up in a drawer with the cups nestled into each other, you not only can fit more it, but the bras will keep their shape longer.
Underwear – Instead of throwing them in a drawer, fold them into squares and line them up vertically. To do so, lay the underwear flat. Bring 1/3 of the underwear to the center and then bring the other 1/3 to the center. Fold up the bottom section and you should have a nice square. Bonus: if you put them in a box inside the drawer they will stand up better.
Socks – There are many different ways to fold socks. Some like to roll them tightly like they do in the military. Others fold the pair in half, while others will roll the cuffs back to keep the pair together. It really is a matter of preference. However, taking the time to pair them, will save you time in the morning!
If your drawers are in need of properly folded clothing, I challenge you to tackle one drawer a week this month. This is a realistic goal, and before you know it, you’ll have yourself an organized dresser. What other clothes do you fold and how does it save you space?
Photo: Real Simple