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Shoo the Shoes

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Closet, Clothes

Shoo the Shoes

I recently worked with a client who had to move everything out of her bedroom closet so that a single-pane window could be replaced with an energy-efficient one.

This was a great opportunity to do a quick purge. Before hanging up an item, she would think of the last time she wore it and the likelihood she would wear it again. Anything she had not worn in the past few months but still loved first had to pass the “does it still fit?” test. She was able to set aside a few items to donate that someone else could put to better use.

The big space saver, however, came with the shoes. We had taken down a dozen shoe boxes stacked on a shelf. Why were they on the shelf and not the shoe rack? Because they were not in her regular rotation of footwear. These were the dressy heels she would wear to weddings, or the fun sandals worn because they were cute but not comfortable if she had to do a lot of walking. In other words, they equated to shoes she probably did not need. A couple of pairs of dress shoes fit, but she did not like wearing them. Why did she still have them? Because they were in fantastic condition and cost enough that she did not want to be wasteful. Well, they were not useful sitting in a box in her closet. Somewhere out there is a woman who would be thrilled to have them, and whose feet would be happier wearing them. She said it felt good donating them to Big Brother Big Sister.

How long did the shoe purge take? Less than 10 minutes. So worth it that you might want to consider doing the same!

Photo: Pixabay

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Are you Stockpiling Old Magazines?

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Magazines

Are you Stockpiling Old Magazines?

Some of us love our magazines so much that we save them. Not that there is anything wrong with that—if you have the space to store them and you look at them again.

Those of us of a certain age remember stacks and stacks of mustard-colored National Geographic magazines stored in the basement because the photographs inside were so amazing that tossing them in the trash seemed sinful.

If you grew up in the pre-Internet, pre-Google Dark Ages, you saved magazines for a few reasons.

  • For reference (school or work). Back in the day, to read back issues of a magazine, we had to go to the library, in person (!), fill out a slip at the desk, and wait for the librarian to retrieve the items from storage. Sometimes instead of a physical magazine, you were handed microfiche, a film that you viewed with a special device.
  • Our mothers saved magazines to be cut up for school projects, such as illustrating book reports. Some of us inherited the “just in case” gene.
  • Another reason we saved magazines is that they were not available at libraries. I am referring to niche magazines published for a limited readership, such as those for hobbies.

Nowadays, you can find most—if not all—magazines online.

If you find yourself with stacks of magazines that you are saving “just in case” and need to free up some space, check your local library, including the networks it belongs to, to see if the periodicals you like are stored. Also check the publisher’s website to see if you can get access through your subscription.

Why clutter up your precious space when the magazines you would be interested in looking at again can be obtain elsewhere?

Photo: Pixabay

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A Tisket, a Tasket, Store it in a Basket

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Storage

A Tisket, a Tasket, Store it in a Basket

Baskets are inexpensive and handy containers for organizing all kinds of stuff: clothes, toys, linens, cleaning supplies, home office supplies, bathroom supplies… you name it.

They are one of the most versatile and simplest organizers you will find.

The size of the basket limits what you can put in it, which in and of itself forces you to get organized to some degree.

Many baskets have handles so you can carry them around as needed, especially as you pick up toys from around the house. Some baskets are designed to be stacked or can be hung from a wall. Others fit nicely in a cabinet. For example, a friend stores all her dogs’ toys and gear in attractive, cloth-lined baskets that fit side-by-side on the bottom shelf of a cabinet.

Baskets come in a variety of materials, to suit your home décor: wicker (great for towels and spare rolls of toilet paper in the bathroom), wire (for office supplies or kitchen utensils), and plastic (toys, beach stuff, or cleaning supplies). I keep a plastic basket under my kitchen sink for the various cleaners and sponges I use regularly. Then, when I need to clear out that cabinet, I just must move one item, the basket, instead of a dozen cans, jars, and bottles.

What do you store in baskets?

Photo: Pixabay

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Hang it Up

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Closet, Clothes, Storage

Hang it Up

In addition to his athletic prowess, Boston Celtic legend John Havlicek was known for being meticulous. His wife said he hung all his clothes a half inch apart in his closet at home and folded his socks over a hanger.

You do not have to go to those extreme measures for a neat closet. You can quickly make your closet look a lot nicer just by buying a set of matching hangers. Features to look for, depending on your needs, include:

  • Thickness of each hanger: obviously thicker hangers take up more space
  • Weight/material: Main options are wood and plastic. Heavy clothing (such as winter coats) needs stronger (wooden) hangers. Nobody should use wire hangers, ever. (Who could ever forget the scene in the movie, “Mommie Dearest”, with Faye Dunaway?)
  • Notches for clothing with straps
  • Clips for pants or skirts
  • Swivel hooks
  • Fabric-lined (velvet, felt) to prevent clothes from slipping
  • Appearance: a matter of personal taste
  • Space-saving hangers that accommodate several pairs of pants, shirts, scarves, neckties.

You cannot ask for a simpler, less expensive solution to upgrading your closet than investing in a set of hangers (roughly $25-$50 for 50, depending on, well… features).

Photo: Pixabay

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How to Fold Everything, and I Mean Everything (Even the Cheese)

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Clothes, How To, Linens

How to Fold Everything, and I Mean Everything (Even the Cheese)

A key to reducing clutter and maximizing storage space is to fold your clothes and linens. Other items you might fold are dinner napkins (for presentation and utility), flags, and ingredients. I have curated a collection of instructions for folding everything, so you do not have to weed through the Internet to watch some longer-than-necessary videos.

Fitted sheets – Watch these two videos to choose which method is best for you. At first attempt, the method may seem very awkward. Do it a few times and it becomes second nature.

Martha Stewart

YouTube

Towels – Who knew there are so many ways to fold a towel? Here are instructions to fold towels like in hotels or luxury spas, for a towel rack, and to reduce wear and tear. I always like the way a linen closet looks when you open the door, and you feel like you are in a store with all the sheets and towels folded nicely.

Better Home & Gardens

Napkins – Now you can fold your napkins to suit the theme or mood of your gathering, impressing guests and family!

Wikihow

Socks – Did you know that folding socks takes up less space than rolling them into a ball? Here are a few different methods for folding those pesky socks.

YouTube

For collared shirts and t-shirts the question is to fold or hang? A lot depends on your space and hangers. You do not want to be walking around with those hanger marks on your shirts, so maybe, depending on your space, folding is better for knits and lightweight shirts.

Shirts, pants, dresses, especially for packing away for the off season, may be best folded.

Flags – Ever wonder how flags get to be that perfect triangle? At my Dad’s funeral a few months ago, I watched two Navy officers fold his flag, and they made it seem so easy. I think it would take me a few times to get it just right. How about you?

Ingredients – One of the funniest episodes on TV was the “fold the cheese” scene in the series Schitt’s Creek. Here is the answer to what David Rose (the character in Schitt’s Creek episode) wanted to know.

And just for fun – Want to learn Origami? This is how you make a spider and a dragon.

I hope I have added some whimsy to your day and saved you time by researching the various methods of folding everyday items. May it give you a giggle and save you space in your home.

Photo: Pixabay

 

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Do Not Leave a “Shred” of your ID in Your Trash

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Identity Theft, Shredding

Do Not Leave a “Shred” of your ID in Your Trash

You have been diligent about sorting through papers (good for you!), and now you have a stack of documents to discard. Wait! Do any of these contain private information, such as your name, address, phone, email, date of birth, account number, medical history, financial information, or prescription drug labels, among others? You cannot just toss these into the trash. Once something is in the trash, it is free game for anyone to take, including scammers and others who can sell your information on the dark web, exposing you to identity theft and other scams.

If you think ripping the papers in half, or in smaller pieces is good enough, have another think. Someone who wants your personal information badly enough will tape those fragments together. (Remember the movie Argo?)

You need to shred these papers. Buy a shredder, preferably a cross-cut model, and do it yourself. These are not expensive and are easy to use. Tip: if you have pets, unplug when not in use. Curious pets have been known to stick tongues in shredders. (Shudder.)

If you prefer not to own a shredder, you can take your papers to commercial businesses that will shred them for you, for a fee. Staples and UPS stores are among those offering this service.

Alternatively, you might be able to find a shredding event in your community, whereby a commercial shredding business brings equipment onsite. My bank sponsors one every spring. Some years I have too many documents to run through my shredder without it overheating, so the bank’s event is a welcome (and free) service. Other possible organizations that may offer free shredding events are The Council on Aging/Senior Center in your town or the Lions Club (for a donation to their charitable causes).

If you are closing a business where you have sensitive information (such as a medical practice), it would be worthwhile to pay a commercial shredder to come to your office, shred onsite, and provide a certificate of destruction for FACTA or HIPAA compliance.

Believe me, please: the time you spend to shredding will save you hours of time, stress, and aggravation trying to deal with any potential identity theft. How true the old adage: “An ounce of preventions is worth a pound of cure.”

Photo: Pixabay

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Prevent Travel Hassles with These Under-the-Radar Tips

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Travel

Prevent Travel Hassles with These Under-the-Radar Tips

In previous blog posts, I have suggested useful items to pack when traveling. Here are some additional under-the-radar travel tips for avoiding some major inconveniences, such as having your data stolen, running out of juice on your phone, and paying fees for overweight luggage.

So many items now have RFID chips for quick scanning. These chips can save you time during transactions, but they also give crooks a way of picking your pocket without making physical contact with you. RFID blocking sleeves protect your credit/debit card and passport information from being scanned by a “digital pickpocket” who is near you on the street, in a restaurant, store, or other public building. You can even get wallets and purses with RFID protection built in.

Having your phone run out of juice while you are out sightseeing is a major inconvenience. Think of all the things you need your phone for: keeping in touch with fellow travelers, taking photos, calling for an Uber, making online dinner reservations, yadda, yadda, yadda. One solution is a power bank or portable charger. Charge it up at home or in your hotel and use it to power up your phone on the go. Most hold a charge for months until used; you then simply recharge it for next time.

Another solution is taking your power cord with you and plugging it into a public USB outlet. You must be careful with these, though, as hackers can tinker with those outlets to infect your phone (or tablet) with malware, even possibly install malicious code to access and steal your data. A small, inexpensive device known as a USB data blocker can protect you. A USB data blocker is a device that lets your smartphone or tablet into USB charging ports including charging kiosks, and USB ports on gadgets owned by other people, including those on airplanes and at airports.

Taking lots of photos? Make sure they are being backed up to the cloud in case your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged.

To avoid the hassle of having your credit card or ATM declined, be sure to notify your credit card company and bank of your travel plans. Otherwise, transactions from unusual locations, especially outside the United States, might be flagged as fraud. While you are at it, find out about what ATMs you can use at your destination and what the fees are. Likewise, find out about foreign exchange fees when you use your credit card or withdraw foreign currency from an ATM.

Finally, scan and store copies of your travel documents (itinerary, passport, airplane tickets, hotel confirmations) in the cloud (iCloud, Dropbox, or other online storage app) or in the “secure notes” section of your password manager. You should also have copies of your drivers’ license, health insurance card(s), eyeglass prescription, and a list of medications in the cloud, just in case.

Shifting gears now away from electronics, are you someone who overpacks and worries about paying fees for overweight luggage? Invest in an inexpensive, portable luggage scale so you know before you arrive at the airport what your suitcase weighs and can take mitigating action. (Leave behind some clothes or shoes? Pack more into your carryon? Ship souvenirs home?) Travel experts say that we should take out at least a third of what we originally pack.

Hopefully with these tips to prepare ahead, you can enjoy a wonderful summer vacation!

Photo: Pixabay

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Do You Suffer From Lethologica?

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Memory

Do You Suffer From Lethologica?

I recently added a new word to my vocabulary: Lethologica, the inability to remember a particular word or name

Now, I just need to remember “lethologica”!

If you are like me, here are some effective strategies to enhance your memory:

  1. Stay mentally active: Engage in activities that challenge your brain, such as puzzles, reading, learning a new language, or playing a musical instrument. Regular mental stimulation helps keep your brain sharp.
  2. Get enough sleep: Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to enhance your memory and cognitive function.
  3. Eat a brain-healthy diet: Include foods rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins to support brain health. Foods like blueberries, fatty fish, turmeric, broccoli, nuts, and seeds can be beneficial.
  4. Regular exercise: Physical exercise not only benefits your body but also improves brain function and memory. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week.
  5. Manage stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact memory. Practice stress management techniques like meditation and deep breathing exercises or engage in relaxing activities to reduce stress levels.
  6. Break information into chunks: Instead of trying to remember large amounts of information all at once, break it into smaller, more manageable chunks. This technique, known as chunking, helps your brain process and retain information more effectively. This is precisely why telephone numbers and our social security numbers are broken into chunks of three each.
  7. Use mnemonic devices: Mnemonic techniques can aid memory by associating information with vivid images, acronyms, or rhymes. For example, create a phrase to remember a series of items. You might have learned the names of the planets and colors of the rainbow with mnemonic phrases.
  8. Repeat and review: Repetition and regular review can reinforce memories. Practice retrieving information multiple times to strengthen your memory of it. Never forget a person’s name by working it into your conversation three times when you first meet him or her.
  9. Stay organized: Keep your physical and digital spaces organized, use calendars or planners to manage tasks and appointments, and make to-do lists. Being organized reduces mental clutter and frees up cognitive resources for better memory.
  10. Stay socially engaged: Social interaction and maintaining strong relationships can support brain health. Engaging in conversations, participating in group activities, and connecting with others can stimulate your brain and memory.

Remember that everyone’s memory abilities differ, and it is normal to forget things occasionally. However, by implementing these strategies consistently, you can enhance your memory and cognitive functioning.

Want to read more about memory?

Photo: Pixabay

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Organize a Drink Station for Your 4th of July BBQ

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in 4th of July, Holidays, Recipe

Organize a Drink Station for Your 4th of July BBQ

Celebrating the 4th of July with a BBQ? To save yourself some time that day to enjoy everyone’s company, perhaps you would consider setting up a self-serve drink station. Here is how:

  • Decide if you will be providing alcoholic beverages. If so, will you serve beer, wine, and/or cocktails?
  • Always provide non-alcoholic drink options.
  • Chill items that need to be served cold. A simple way to do so is to have a large tub filled with ice.
  • Make sure, though, to have a separate container to hold ice for the drinks as no one wants to use that same ice in their beverages.
  • Provide a few recipe cards in case guests are unsure how to make a mixed drink. Make sure the print is large! The recipes can be put in a cute frame in the drink area. You can even concoct a cute name for your … well … concoctions! If you are hosting a themed party, choose the cocktail options for your guests in advance, and make sure all the ingredients are laid out assembly line style in the order the appear on the recipe, like a serving line in a buffet.

Finally, offer nonalcoholic beverages as one way to ensure your guests do not leave drunk. Here are some suggestions:

Milkshakes, lemonade, mocktails and slushies. Whipped lemonade anyone?

Punches, spritzers, and mocktails

Creative combinations of fruits, vegetables, and spices

Color-changing lemonade slushies!

 

Happy 4th of July! May you have a safe and fabulous day of celebrations

Photo: Pixabay

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Practice Smart Time Management By Prioritizing

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Time Management

Practice Smart Time Management By Prioritizing

Prioritizing tasks is an essential part of effective time management. Here are some tips for doing so:

  • Make a to-do list: Write down all the tasks you need to do, and then prioritize them in order of importance. Use a tool like Todoist or Trello to help you keep track of your list.
  • Identify urgent vs. important tasks: Urgent tasks are those that require immediate attention, while important tasks are those that have a significant impact on your goals or values. Tasks can be urgent and important, urgent and unimportant, non-urgent and important, and non-urgent and non-important.
  • Tackle tasks systematically: Focus first on urgent and important tasks, then, depending on deadlines, consequences, and your energy level, move on to the urgent and unimportant or non-urgent and important. As for the non-urgent and non-important items? Well, what are they doing on your list anyway? Do those on a day when you have absolutely nothing else to do, when inclement weather traps you indoors, or when you are caught up on all the shows you are streaming.
  • Consider deadlines: If a task has a deadline, make sure to prioritize it accordingly. Try to complete that task well before the deadline to avoid feeling stressed and rushed.
  • Break down larger tasks: Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable tasks to help you make progress and feel less overwhelmed.
  • Evaluate the consequences: What are the potential consequences of not completing a task? Can you live with those consequences?
  • Consider your energy levels: Handle tasks that require the most energy and focus during your peak times. For example, if you are a morning person, tackle your most important tasks in the morning.
  • Be flexible: Your priorities may change throughout the day or week. Be willing to adjust your to-do list as needed to accommodate new tasks or changes in circumstances.

When you complete a task, be sure to cross it off your to-do list so you can enjoy the rush of feel-good hormones!

Photo: Pixabay

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