SimpleSpaces Organizing and Hoarding in the News

Estimates suggest that one to two million people in the United States struggle with the issue of hoarding - accumulating items to the point that they overrun the home and affect daily life. This issue has been in the media recently, raising awareness, not only of the challenge some people struggle with, but also letting those who hoard knwo that they are not alone and that help is available.

I recently had the opportunity to work with American Hoarders as they cleaned a home of a couple that struggles with hoarding issues. I worked with the clients to organize their pantry, closet, and master bathroom. The couple agreed to be interviewed by Channel 3 News in Madison, WI, to share their story. You'll hear a little from me in the news clip at http://www.channel3000.com/family/21647380/detail.html

For people struggling with hoarding, the organizing process is full of difficult decisions and is exhausting. The end result is worth the challenges. They have their space back. They can use belongings that they may not have had access to for years. They can invite family and friends into their homes. Celebrate!

Prioritize Holiday Activities

The holiday season can get hectic. When it's the fun crazy-busy holiday spirit that's great! When it's that stressful, "oh, my gosh, I'm never going to get everything done!" madness, it's time to look at what your wants are for the season. This is one time of year where time management and setting priorities is so vital to enjoying the season.

What is important for you & your family?

• What traditions are important for you.
  
• What would you like to add to your preparation & celebrations?

What activities can you discontinue?

• What activities do you find stressful?
  
• What activities are not enjoyable?
  
• What traditions have lost their meaning?

Who can help?

• Delegate – get family & friends involved.
  
• Work together – anything is more fun when done with a friend.
  
• Pay for services – hire a teen to wrap presents, or watch the kids, while you shop or bake.
  
• Trade services – you love to bake and your neighbor loves to decorate. Bake for her while she decorates for you.

Make a plan:

• List those activities you want to partake in.
  
• Schedule the activities; write them on your calendar. If you have more activities, than time, look for activities to eliminate or delegate or participate in certain activities every other year. Take care of yourself - allocate down time.

Yes, there are more questions than answers above. This is not about what someone else thinks should be important. This is about using your time in a way that is meaningful for you and your family. I encourage you to take the time to reflect on these questions, and then celebrate the holidays in a way that adds significance to your life. May you find peace and serenity in this holiday season!

Hall Bookcase

Before & after pictures sometimes don’t tell the whole story. This beautiful built in bookshelf in the hallway had become a “catch-all”. The client loves books and had two large bags of books that she hadn’t been able to enjoy. The books had been sitting in bags in the corner of the kitchen. She couldn’t see what books she had so was looking forward to finding a “home” for them, where they would be easily accessible.

All the items that belong elsewhere were removed. Also, a box was filled with books to be given away. This left so much room for books; a dream come true for the client! All the books fit, with room to spare. There are actually more books on this shelf than when we started the project. There was even room for a book with beautiful pictures to be displayed opened. Each time the homeowners walk down the hall, they can enjoy the pictures, turning pages occasionally to enjoy the whole book.

That peaceful feeling the client was enjoying as I left that day is the story. That’s what made this organizing project a great success!

Maintaining Order

You’ve worked hard to get your home organized. Belongings are in convenient spots, you can find what you want, and your home looks great! Now, how do you keep it that way? Here are a few organizing routines to help maintain order.

Always put items back in their assigned “home”.

Follow the one-in, one-out rule. When you purchase a new item for the space, remove an item from the home.

Spend 5-15 minutes daily, putting belongings in their assigned spots. With children, make this fun:

• Set the timer for 5 minutes and see how much they can get done.


• Make a reward a part of the routine: once the area is picked up they play outside, get to watch tv, or play a favorite game.


• Work with young children, making clean-up a fun time.

Have an “accountability partner”. Check in with your partner weekly to report on the condition of the area of concern.

When a shelf, cabinet, or drawer gets too crowded, select an item or two to remove from the home.

When each season ends, donate any clothing items you haven’t worn.

“No empty hangers” signal: Use this as a sign that there are more clothes than needed in the closet. Pick several items to give away.

A few routines to keep children’s toys manageable.

• Celebrate an “unbirthday” or a “1/2 birthday”. The child picks a toy to give away. Then reward the child with cake and ice cream!


• Before or after gift-giving celebrations: get rid of toys that are broken or no longer used. When you notice child hasn’t played with a toy or hasn’t worn certain clothes, ask, “Can we give this away?”


• Rotate toys. All toys do not need to be available at one time. Store some toys in a convenient location and switch what toys are in storage occasionally. When you bring the stored toys out, they are like new to your children! (If the child doesn’t play with the toys just out of storage, it’s time to get rid of the toy or put it in storage until a younger child is ready for the toy.

Keep a “donation” tote in a convenient spot – laundry room, garage, or trunk of your car. When you come across an item you haven’t used in over a year, toss it in the donation tote. Drop the items at your favorite donation station.

What routines do you have to keep your home in order?

Snowball Effect

Have you experienced the “snowball effect”? My husband and I just purchased loft beds for two of our children. This means we need to find space to store their old beds. I don’t plan to give them away, because I imagine they’ll both be ready for their standard beds again in three to four years. The beds will fit in a little used closet in the finished basement. Now, where do I store the sleeping bags that had been in that closet? That’s the snowball effect – the movement/storage of one item affects several other items.

You probably notice the snowball effect most often when bringing big items into the home. Be aware of how placement of small items in the home can also take on the snowball effect. For example, say I am putting dishes away. There’s not enough room for all the cups, so I put a few where the bowls usually go. Then I stack some bowls on the plates, because there is not room for them in their normal “home”. Now all the plates won’t fit in the stack with the bowls, so I need to find a spot for them. This can happen in drawers, cabinets, and closets – everywhere items are stored.

To prevent the “snowball effect”, evaluate the cause of the lack of space. Are there too many of an item assigned to the space? Do you need to create more storage space? Can any items be removed from the space? How can the space be used more efficiently? Finally, get into the routine of always returning items to their assigned spots to prevent the snowball effect from taking over.

Procrastination

I’ve been avoiding completing my estate planning for a long time. I don’t want to decide who would take care of my children. I don’t want to think about not being the one to raise them. Finally, after 12 years of procrastinating, I have completely this unpleasant task.

People tend to procrastinate for any number of reasons:

1. Lack of time
2. Lack of information
3. Perfectionism
4. Want to avoid decisions
5. Want to avoid uncomfortable feelings

How does one get past the procrastination phase?

· Schedule a time to get started. Treat this time as an appointment. Don’t cancel or reschedule!

· Get more info. Ask for help from a friend that has the skills & knowledge needed for the project. Or hire an expert to walk you through the project.

· Break the project into small steps – focus on one step at a time.

· Reward yourself. What do you enjoy? Plan to do the activity when you’ve completed each step. Plan a bigger reward for completion of the entire project.

· Use your support system – talk and/or journal about any uncomfortable feelings about the project.

What have you put off in the past? And what have you done to get past the procrastination?

Making Space

This summer, when we were on vacation, we stayed at a hotel that served a continental breakfast. They had a Belgian waffle maker station, which my children loved, so we decided to get one for our home. Where was I going to put this new appliance? I like how my kitchen cabinets are organized. There is enough space in my pantry and cabinets that I can get what I want without needing to move anything around. Adding a waffle maker would make it more crowded than I like. Could I get rid of the wok? I only use that a few times a year. How about donating those small casserole dishes that I rarely use? I haven’t yet decided where this new item will go or what will be displaced. I’ll experiment with a few options and determine what works best. To keep my cabinets efficiently organized, something will need to go.

When bringing a new item into your home, consider the following:

• How often will I use this item?


• Is there space for the item in my home?


• Where will it be stored?


• What item(s) will be displaced?


• What can I get rid of to make space for the new purchase?

Making the decision about storage space each time you make a new purchase not only prevents impulse purchasing, it can also prevent storage areas from becoming overstuffed and overwhelming.

"Perfectly" Organized

A few weeks ago, I was going to an organizing event with a fellow organizer. I’d printed out directions from MapQuest. My colleague had a GPS, so we used that instead. We were almost to our destination, when the charge on his GPS died. We tried to find the charger. It was not where he normally keeps it. Turns out, his son had taken it to the house to charge his phone. By this time, we were past the road listed on the MapQuest directions. We didn’t have the phone number of our destination, so couldn’t call for help. We resorted to a map, which I couldn’t read, because I don’t have bifocals. (I’m in denial that I’m to that age!) What a comical situation: two professional organizers totally unprepared! Between the map and my MapQuest directions, we eventually found our way. Forty-five minutes later, we made it to our destination!

Had we been “perfectly” organized, this situation wouldn’t have happened. Forget about being perfectly organized! It creates stress and is time consuming. “Livable” organization is the goal, being organized enough to find your belongings when wanted and having time to relax and enjoy those people and activities that are meaningful for you. Aim for livable organization, which creates peace and saves time.

Saver Syndrome

My husband is a saver. He likes to keep belongings from his past. Every once in a while I will gently broach the subject of donating some of his “stuff”. He has probably sixty cassette tapes that we have been storing in our entertainment center. He has not listened to any of them in at least ten years. A few years ago, I asked him about getting rid of them. He said “no.” This weekend, I asked if he’d go through them with me and let go of those he no longer wanted. He was willing. He found several tapes that he didn’t need, because he also had the music on CDs. Then he picked out those he had rarely listened to even when they were new; more to get rid of. Now we were getting somewhere! He started picking out those he really liked and put them in the “keep” box. Slowly he narrowed down those to keep to less than half of the original amount. Yah! Now we have more room to store CDs and Wii games.

Chances are that members of your household have different organizing styles. Respect everyone’s style and together develop guidelines that work for everyone. Organizing For Your Brain Type, by Lanna Nakone, is a great book that explains different organizing styles and how people with different styles can coexist peacefully.

My second point: Make purging a part of your routine. When one new item comes into the home, one item goes out. When the shelf or closet or cabinet is full, look at what can be removed. When you notice items aren’t being used, review what you have. That may motivate you to use the item. If it doesn’t, donate it.

Now my husband knows what music he has on tapes. He may start listening to them. If so, great! If not, we’ll go through the process again in a year or two and he’ll be ready to let go of more.

Quick Tip - Wastebaskets

How many wastebaskets do you have in your home? Homes typically have wastebaskets in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and offices. This is one case where more is better. Place wastebaskets in any area where trash is generated.

Consider putting wastebaskets in the following areas:

• Bedrooms
• Craft Space – one near each area where trash is generated
• Garage – one by the workbench, one by gardening supplies, etc
• Living room – use a decorative basket with a lid
• Patio – select a container with a sealed lid or place the wastebasket in a sheltered area

Julie Morgenstern, organizing expert and author, recommends the “kindergarten” model for organizing – place items close to the area where they will be used. The same holds true for wastebaskets. They are more likely to be used when they are conveniently located.

Time Management is for Kids, Too

Adults often have many obligations – work commitments, family life, volunteer activities, and the list goes on. Children are also balancing more and more activities – school, sports, clubs, etc. As a new school year begins, talk with your child about managing his/her time. Together with your child, determine an appropriate amount of involvement based on the child’s age, personality, and needs.

1. How much time each week will the child participate in after school and/or evening activities? *What activities are required? *What optional activities is he/she interested in?


2. How much time is needed daily for homework?


3. How much “down-time” does your child need to function at his/her best?


4. When is family-time?


5. When will the child take care of his/her chores?

Discuss these questions with your child and help him/her set priorities. Together plan a daily routine that includes the child’s priorities, homework, chores, and time to relax. Then, enjoy a balanced and productive school year!

Prepare for Back to School

Another school year is upon us! The older my kids get, the faster the summers go! Planning ahead will help to make the transition to school days go more smoothly. Here are a few things you can do to prepare.

Command Center - Ready
The command center is the information hub. Include a family calendar with everyone’s schedules marked. Update this as soon as a new event is planned. Designate a specific spot for children to put all the papers they bring home from school. Have files for scheduled events, phone numbers, school information, etc. Spend 10 minutes daily keeping this area current.

Determine how school memorabilia will be handled. See my blog, "End of School Year," May 28, 2008 for ideas.

Homework Station - Set
Make a homework area. Include typical homework supplies – paper, pencils, eraser, etc. See my blog, “Create a Portable Homework Station”, March 3, 2009 for more ideas.

Go Shopping

• School Supplies – Check the list of items required for your student. Make sure you have what is needed and get extra of items that will need to be replaced throughout the year.
• Clothes – Go through closets; remove clothing that is too small, worn out, or your child doesn’t wear. Shop for any needed items.

The beginning of a new school year is exciting! It can also be quite hectic, until a routine is developed. Get a jump-start by making some preparations ahead of time! Then enjoy the last days of summer and the start of the school year.

What's In Your Wallet?

Several years ago, while on vacation, my husband’s wallet was stolen. He had credit cards, checks, photos, and a special note his mom had written to him 15 years earlier. He spent an entire afternoon calling credit card companies to report the loss. After we got home, I spent 8 hours calling every company we get a monthly bill from. We have many our bills set up on automatic debits, so I had to complete new forms with our new bank account number. And of course, losing the special note was the biggest loss of all. That was irreplaceable. My family & I are leaving for our summer vacation tomorrow. You can bet our wallets will be down to the bare minimum!

Yes, even something as small as a wallet needs to be organized, and right before vacation is the perfect time to take care of this task.

1. Remove items you don’t need.
2. Carry few credit cards.
3. Make copies of the front & back of credit cards, so you have all necessary info if your wallet gets lost or stolen.
4. Health insurance theft is the newest form of identity theft. Experts suggest you do not carry your health insurance card, and instead carry a copy of the card with the group number blocked out.
5. Never carry your Social Security Card.
6. Have duplicates of any photos you carry.

Now you can relax and enjoy your vacation!

Back to School Shopping

Yes, it’s that time again. Today I took my three boys shopping for school supplies. Here’s our routine. At the end of last school year, we received a list of required school supplies. I filed these in our “School” file.

This morning, I took out the lists along with all our school supplies left over from last year. Each of my children took his list and marked off items we already had. Of course, for younger children, parents will need to help.

Then we went to the store. Each of the boys picked out his supplies and checked them off the list as the items were put in the shopping cart. (One of my boys even took a clipboard so checking off each item was easier!)

I always buy extra of items that need to be replenished - paper, glue, folders, and pencils. Prices are great during back to school sales and having the supplies at home is so convenient during the school year.

When we got home, we spread everything out on the floor. The boys picked out their items, labeled everything, and put their supplies in their backpacks and a storage bin. I made a list of a few additional items the boys wanted. Then, we stored the bins.

We’re ready for school to start! What routines have you found that are helpful as you get ready for school days?

Making Space in My Closet

This morning I spent ten minutes making my closet a more pleasant place to be! I’ve had three pair of pants and two blouses in there that I haven’t been able to wear in over a year, since I've gained a few pounds. I’ve been thinking that I’ll lose that weight and be able to wear those clothes again. Quite some time ago, I moved those clothes to the back of my closet.

I’m still not ready to give up on losing the 10 pounds. Today, I stored the clothes in a basket, labeled it, and put it on the top shelf of my closet. If, in 6 months I still don’t fit into the clothes, I’ll move them to my “donation” basket and get rid of them for good.

(While I was going through my clothes, I also pulled out some that I haven’t been wearing and put them in my “donation” basket, leaving more room in my closet for the clothes I love.)

This is a great way to deal with those items that you’re having difficulty letting go of. Box the item and label the box with the contents and the date you’ll get it out of your house if you haven’t used it.

School Memorabilia

Throughout the school year, when my kids bring home a particularly special work of art or written work, I put their creation in a tote to save for them. Everything else goes in their drawer. Today I made a deal with my kids, ages, 12, 12, and 10. I’d do their chores, if they’d go through their drawer of school papers from the past year and pick out which they’d like to keep.

First, let me explain our tote concept. Each child has a tote labeled “Name’s Memorabilia”. This is for all their memorabilia for all of their school years. Their only guideline is they can’t keep more than can fit in the tote. We have gone through the totes once removing some items to make more room. Now they have gotten the idea of saving a few memorable pieces and tossing the rest.

We had a fun morning remembering events from the past year as they sorted through their drawer of papers. They each picked some items to keep and recycled the rest. The keepers then are moved to their totes and stored in the basement (humidity controlled) and their drawers are empty, ready for next school year’s work.

This is a routine we enjoy each year. It’s not only fun, it’s educational. My children are practicing decision making and learning to sort, prioritize, and set limits for themselves.

What are some ways you handle memorabilia?

Purging Files

Office files need to be purged periodically. Here are a couple of routines for keeping your files updated.

Set aside time once a year to go through every file. Discard any documents that are no longer needed. Shred those that have identifying information on them. When papers are filed, the most current typically are placed in the front of the file. If you’ve followed this method, finding and discarding the older documents is just a matter of flipping to the back of each file and removing those that are obsolete.

Another option is to purge documents when adding to a file. For example: I keep a “Schedules & Invitations” file. This contains information about activities my family is involved in. I put invitations here after the date has been written on the family calendar. When we are going to an event, I pull out the invitation so I have any pertinent information and remove any outdated schedules and invitations at that time. That file is purged!

Hint: On each of file folder, label how long the records within should be kept. Consult with your accountant regarding records retention guidelines or see IRS Publication 552, Recordkeeping for Individuals http://www.irs.gov/publications/p552/ .

Supply Kit for Traveling

If you’ve got an “on-the-go summer” planned, you may want to create a supply kit to keep in the car.

Include typical first aid supplies, such as:

• bandages in a variety of sizes
• gauze pads
• tape
• scissors
• antibiotic ointment
• antiseptic wipes
• tweezers
• instant cold compress
  
  If you already have a first aid kit, check supplies. See what needs to be added and replace any item that has past its expiration date.

You may also want to include:

• hand sanitizer
• baby wipes
• sunscreen
• bug spray
• after-bite gel
• blanket
• snacks

Preparing the supply kit means you’ll be ready for the unexpected, leaving more time for summer fun!

Organizing for Summer Convenience

Here are some simple changes to make in your home for the summer:

1. Place a large lidded bin on the patio to hold outdoor toys. A container close to where the toys are used makes pickup easier.

2. Put sunscreen in a basket by the back door to catch the kids before they get out the door.

3. Store towels near the back door for easy access for kids planning to play in the water. (I use my dining room hutch.)

4. Put a clothes-drying rack on the patio for hanging wet towels & swimsuits to dry.

Small changes in the organization of the home put these summer supplies at your fingertips. What simple adjustments do you make in your home for the summer?

Short-Term Goal Setting

My 10-year-old son’s goal was to finish a book. He made the following “To Do” list:
1. read
2. think
3. read
4. think
5. think
6. read
7. think
8. snack
9. read
10. think
His list continued to #23. I use lists for daily tasks, weekly chores, household projects, shopping, long-term goals, etc, which is why my child is making a list on how to read a book. Lists are helpful for me. They do not work for everyone. Here are a few ideas about setting short-term goals:

1. If the activity can be completed in less than 5 minutes, do it now.

2. Prioritize – pick 1 to 3 things you’d like to accomplish today.

3. Designate a specific time to complete the activity.

4. Estimate the time you’d expect the activity to take, and then add extra time to allow for interruptions and surprises. Some experts suggest doubling the estimate.

5. When you have a large project, break it into small steps. Focus on one step at a time.

Whether you make lists or not, planning is critical in achieving goals.

Our Throw-Away Mentality

I just watched a thought-provoking video at www.storyofstuff.com. According to the speaker, Annie Leonard, only one percent of products purchased are still in use six months later. Now, I realize statistics can be misleading. This statistic probably includes consumables like food and cleaning supplies. Yet, this does make me stop and think.

And so, I’m asking myself, “How much am I consuming and how fast am I consuming it?”

Every time a new item is purchased, you need to find a space for it. At some point, there is no more space and organizing the area is necessary. Limiting what comes into your home is the “green” thing to do, it saves money, and it makes organizing your space easier.

Take a look at what comes into and out of your household. Before purchasing, ask yourself, “Will I still be using this in six months?” “Do I already have an item that can serve this purpose?” “Can I rent or borrow this, instead of buying?” “Will I use this often?” “Do I absolutely love it and will I still enjoy this item next year?”

My resolve: I’m going to work on using less paper. What is one thing you can do to decrease your consumption?

In Case of Emergency File

A few years ago, a good friend of mine passed away. She had taken care of all the bills and record keeping. Besides dealing with the grief of her loss, her husband had to quickly get a handle on their financials, which only added to his incredibly difficult situation.

Who pays the bills, files important documents, keeps the financial records in your household? If something were to happen to that person, would someone else be able to step in and take care of the finances?

Donna Smallin, author and professional organizer, recommends making an “In Case of Emergency File”. Ask yourself, “What would someone need to know to take over the finances in this household?” Include necessary information in one file. This may include: bank acct numbers & passwords; phone numbers of attorney, accountant, financial planner, investment broker; location of important document: social security cards, insurance policies, will, power of attorney.

Let significant people in your life know about this file. Review this file yearly and make any necessary updates. This is a mundane job. Force yourself to take care of this. Your family will appreciate it in the unlikely event of a tragedy.

Bill Paying Routine

Right now everyone is watching how he/she spends. Developing a bill paying routine will prevent late payment fees and higher interest rates.

Many people enjoy the convenience of paying bills online and using personal financial software that reminds them about upcoming bills.

Some people, even technology users, prefer to pay bills the old fashioned way, by writing checks. Here is an option for those people.

1. Using a monthly calendar, highlight the paydays.

2. Gather the due dates for all bills, quarterly and yearly as well as monthly bills. On the day a bill needs to by paid, taking into account delivery time for mailed payments, write the payee and approximate amount due.

3. Keep this calendar in a “To Pay” file and as you receive bills, add them to the file.

4. Schedule a specific time, on every payday or within a few days of payday, to attend to financial responsibilities. At this time, take care of all the bills that need to be paid before the next payday. On the calendar, check off bills as they are paid.

Now more than ever, staying on top of your financial situation is important. This method is especially helpful for visual people, because they are able to "see" all their bills at a glance.

Develop A Routine That Works - Changing the Sheets

I’ve written before about the importance of organizing based on your lifestyle and what works for you. Here is a prime example.

Last week I was talking to my neighbor about our routines for changing the bedding. On Monday, I strip two beds, launder the sheets and remake the beds with the same sheets. On Wednesday, I strip the other two beds and do the same. This method works for me because I hate to fold the sheets. The only time I fold sheets is when the season changes and I switch the type of sheets on the beds.

My neighbor prefers to change all the bedding in one day. All the beds get fresh sheets and she tosses the dirty ones in the laundry room until a few days later, when she washes, dries, folds the sheets, and puts them away until next week.

My point: a major component of keeping your home and life organized is developing a routine that fits your personality and style. Gather organizing ideas from others and use the ones that work for you. So, what is your routine for changing bedding?

Getting the Laundry Done

Traditionally, best practice for getting the laundry done has been to assign a laundry day, one day designated exclusively to doing load after load of laundry. For today’s typically family that often would mean spending one weekend day taking care of laundry. Weekend time is so valuable! Who wants to spend it doing laundry?

Here is another option: Do a load or two of laundry each day. In the morning, before leaving for work, throw a load in. When you get home, put that load in the dryer and start a second load. By the end of the evening, two loads are done.

Getting children involved: have each child take their full laundry basket to the laundry room. If each child has enough clothing for a dark and a light colored load, one child’s laundry can be done in an evening and putting the clothes away is a snap, since all the clothing washed goes to one room. (Side note: use a laundry bag for each child’s socks to make sorting the socks go faster and prevent socks from disappearing inside sweaters.)

The traditional suggestion has been to have your children collect their clean clothing from the laundry room. The difficulty is, if the child doesn’t get their laundry, the laundry room gets cluttered. Another option is to put the clean clothing in a laundry basket and put it back in the child’s room for him/her to put away.

Of course, as children get old enough to do their own laundry, teaching them and allowing them to take care of their clothes is the most efficient way to take care of the laundry.

Finding Balance

A part of time management is finding balance in life: making time for self, family, work, and volunteer commitments.

Your entire day is booked with many activities: working, sleeping, cooking meals, exercising, volunteering, family time, relaxation time, etc. In order to add another commitment, something will need to be given up.

When considering involvement in a new activity, here are a couple of questions to ask:

1. Is the new activity of great interest to you?
2. What current activity will you be giving up or doing less of?
3. Is the new activity worth the loss of the current activity?

Considering your answers, make the decision that makes the most sense for you.

Organize Using Repurposed Household Items

Everyone is looking for ways to save money. Instead of purchasing containers to organize your home, here are some ideas of items that can be used.

1. Cardboard shoeboxes – for storing craft items, controllers & games for gaming systems, DVDs, food items such as mixes or seasonings that come in bags, small toys such as matchbox cars or Polly Pockets.

2. Coffee cans – for storing plastic bags: put a can in the kitchen and one near each wastebasket in bathrooms & bedrooms.

3. Egg cartons – for beads & small crafts, and earrings -hot glue a piece of fabric (I like velveteen) in the carton to give it a luxurious look.

4. Cereal boxes – from the bottom of the box, mark 2” up, cut along that line – this is a great size for organizing drawers: in a desk for pens, pencils & small office supplies, in the kitchen for utensils, and in the bathroom for toothpaste, floss, combs, makeup.

5. Printer paper boxes – if you have access to these, they are great for storing everything. Having uniform size boxes makes efficient use of the storage space.

*Remember to label your boxes!*

Repurposing everyday household items as organizing containers is a wonderful way to get organized and save money. (Plus, it’s good for the environment.)

Create a Portable Homework Station

Many children do their homework at the kitchen table. To be prepared, have school supplies in a portable workstation. When it’s homework time, all the needed equipment is there.

Items needed may include: pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, paper, glue, and crayons. Older children may also need: pens, dictionary, calculator, and stapler.

A timer helps some children focus. Typically, have student work for 20 minutes; take a 5-10 minute break, then back to work for 20 minutes, etc.

Files, folders, or drawers for:
* Lined Paper
* Completed & Graded Work (to stay home) Look through these papers as
often as your child brings work home. Get rid of what is no longer wanted often. (See http://www.simplespacesorg.blogspot.com/search/label/school - End of the School Year, May 28, 2008, for ideas on saving your child’s work.)
* Important Information for parent – schedules, newsletters, field trip information
* Project Files – for projects that are to be completed over a period of time
when the majority of the work is done at home. (Have a separate file for each project.)

Younger children will need help sorting their papers. Work together, so as the child gets older, he/she is able to take responsibility for sorting papers as they are brought home.

What to use as a Portable Workstation:

- Plastic storage drawers with 3 drawers: one drawer for supplies, one for paper & projects, and one for completed work & important info, OR
- Basket: Use folders for paper items and smaller containers for supplies, OR
- Table top file: use files for paper items and containers for pencils, crayons, etc. (The containers should fit in the file so there is only one item to move when it’s work time.)

Have a storage spot close to the kitchen table for your portable workstation so set up and put away is fast and convenient.

When it’s suppertime, pack up the portable homework station and put it away. You’re got your table back for mealtime!

Routines to Simplify

1. Put an “errand” basket or bag by the door. Fill it with library books to return, items to return to the store, dry cleaning, etc. Then grab the basket and go.

2. Sort dirty clothes by laundry load: white, colors, and darks. When there is a full load, take care of it. This takes 10-15 minutes out of your day instead of spending most of a day doing all the laundry at once.

3. Use a custom grocery list. I know, I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating. www.casorganize.com/files/grocery_list6.doc has a wonderful list. Edit the list, so it contains the items you shop for. This makes shopping so much more efficient.

4. Sort the mail as soon as you bring it into the house: bills, to read, to respond, to file, toss, and shred. Take care of toss & shred immediately. Put a basket for the “to read” pile near your favorite spot to relax. Put the “bills”, “to respond” and “to file” piles in specific spots in your office. When it’s time to pay bills and take care of the paperwork, you’ll have everything sorted and ready to go.

5. Set a goal for each day. Determine one thing you want to accomplish each day. It may be as simple as doing something you enjoy for 10 minute or one small step toward a much bigger goal.

National Time Management Month

February is National Time Management Month. Here are a few methods to help you use your time efficiently:

1. Block uninterrupted time for activities:

• Group errands and plan the shortest route.
• Check & respond to emails only twice per day.
• Let the machine get the phone when you are involved in another activity.
• Make time for family & self.

2. Prioritize: Decide what tasks are most important and focus on achieving those tasks.

3. Develop routines: Laundry on Monday, scrub floors on Tuesday, groceries on Wed, etc.

4. Delegate: Give all family members responsibilities based on their ages & abilities.

5. Use a calendar: Keep track of everyone’s schedules in one spot.

Labeling File Folders

Organizing paper can be a tedious task. Put on some music, invite a friend to join you, and make it fun. You'll be thrilled when it's done!

Labeling - Use labels that make sense for you. For example, a file with a college savings plan for your child could be labeled 529 Plan, College Savings, Education Savings, Tuition Savings, etc. Choose the label that fits what you would think of. For labels in the “Action Items” category, use verbs: to do, pay, read, discuss, etc. (Printed labels are easier to read and invoke a calmer feel than handwritten labels.)

Tabs - Using 5-tab hanging file folders:

1. Put each category on a tab on the far left of the file. For example: Bank Statements.
2. Leave the second tab spot empty.
3. Stagger the tabs for the subdivided categories in the 3rd through 5th tab holders. For example: put “Checking Account A” in the 3rd tab holder, “Checking Account B” in the 4th, “Money Market Account” in the 5th (last), then return to the 3rd tab holder for “Savings Account”, etc. This method gives an “outline” effect. Finding the broader category on the left is easier when the tabs for the subdivided categories are separated.

Setting up a functional and attractive filing system takes time. The results are well worth the effort. Instead of filing & bill paying being a stressful ordeal, they become a simple task.

Organizing Home Office Files

Last week I talked about organizing your desktop. Today, let’s focus on the files.

1. Sort papers into broad categories. Common categories are listed in bold.

2. Next, sort into categories within the broad headings. Samples are listed below.

3. Many of the categories will then need to be subdivided. For example, divide "Bank Statements" into: Checking Account A, Checking Account B, Money Market Account, Savings Account, etc.

4. Alphabetizing the files within each category.

5. Label each file folder. (I’ll write more about this next week.)

Action Items: to do, pay, read, etc. Some people prefer to have these files on the desktop, while others prefer to have them in the file cabinet.
Financial Records: bank statements, loans, pay stubs, receipts, tax records, etc.
Lifestyle Records: church, classes, pets, volunteer work, etc
Vital Records: certificates, education records, employment info, medical records, will, etc.
Trash/Recycling: any info you no longer need. 80% of what is filed is never referred to again, so consider if this is something you will look at again.
Shred: any trash that has identifying info: social security number, account numbers, passwords, etc.

I am using the categories of financial, lifestyle, and vital records from Julie Morgenstern’s book, Organizing from the Inside Out.

Desktop Organization

Desks seem to be a magnet for clutter. The top of the desk is “prime real estate”: it is your workspace. Keep the area cleared off, except for the job you’re working on. The easiest way to gain more desk space: Hang family photos and certificates on the wall.

People who like visual cues often prefer to have items used on a daily basis stored on the desktop: pens, stapler, paper clips, post its, etc. Use one desktop organizers for these often used items. Current projects can be neatly stored in a desktop file or in hanging wall files. (Wall files mean more work space.)

People who prefer to have items tucked away could use the most convenient desk drawer to store those items used daily. Use a drawer organizer so the items are sorted and easy to locate. Current projects can be stored in the front of a file drawer that you can reach easily from your chair, typically on the right for a right-handed person and on the left for a left-handed person.

First, determine which of the above methods would work for you, and then make these small changes to reclaim your workspace.

“It’s Time For Change!”

Sorry, with this being inauguration day, I couldn’t resist. This is truly an historic day, no matter what your political views!

Getting more organized is one of the top ten New Year’s resolutions people make. Is it one of your resolutions? What space in your home do you look at and think, “It’s time for change”? What steps have you made to get organized?

Thinking about getting organized DOES count as a start. This is planning time. What do you want to change? Envision what you would like the organized space to look like. What do you use the space for? What is working for you in this area? What isn’t working? What items belong here, but you can never find? What doesn’t belong here, but you always find here?

Now, bear with me as I use another quote, “Just Do It”. Getting started is always the hardest part. Set a date, write it in ink in your calendar, and do not cancel this important appointment with yourself. Having a person to cheer, encourage, and help you as you work on the project can keep you motivated and makes the job more fun.

See the April 30, 2008 article, “Five Steps to Get Rid of Clutter” for guidelines that may be helpful in completing your organizing project. Recognize what needs to be changed, make a plan, and do it!

Double Wammy - Toys, Toys, Toys

My home has been hit by a “double wammy”. In the past month, not only have we celebrated Christmas, all three of my children have celebrated their birthdays. You can guess where I’m going with this. We have had an influx of new toys, gadgets, and games.

How do keep the flood of gifts from throwing your home into a jumbled mess? You need to make space for the new items by purging. Get rid of what the kids are no longer playing with. Donate, toss, or sell the items, just get them out of the home.

Next, find a “home” for all the new items. Some toys may fit into already designated spots. The new doll can join the basket of other dolls. New containers may need to be purchased & labeled for a new category of items, such as the coin collecting kit.

The assigned “home” should be as close to the area the toy is used as possible, so the doll basket will go next to the doll house, the tricycle in the basement or garage, and the science kit near the kitchen sink.

Avoid the overwhelming feeling of chaos. Get into the routine of getting rid of unused items and assigning a specific spot for every item in the home. In this way, keeping control of all the “stuff” becomes much more manageable.