"How Clutter Costs You Money"

I came across this interesting article, "How Clutter Costs You Money".  This was published by Vanquard, an investment management company.   

Belongings are unnecessary costs when we buy duplicates, purchase items we rarely if ever use.  They devalue our home, cost us late fees, and eat up our time looking for misplaced items.  See the entire article at:  https://retirementplans.vanguard.com/VGApp/pe/pubnews/clutter.jsf

The fact that an investment company has the same views as professional organizers about all the "stuff" we collect is affirming.

Organize the Garage in Seven Simple Steps

The garage tends to be the holding spot for belongings we no longer want in the house, but aren't ready to give up yet. The "holding spot" will fill up if left unattended. Take the time to organize the garage while the weather is nice and before the task appears overwhelming.

1. When you move items to the "holding spot" in the garage, store them in a closed container, label and date them. If you haven't used the items in a set period of time, say one year, toss or donate the items.
2. Schedule a time to devote to the project. Include a backup date, in case of rain. Allocate plenty of time. Depending on the amount of belongings stored in the garage, this project could take an afternoon or a weekend.
3. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water.
4. Sort belongings into categories: lawn care, tools, toys, etc
5. Purge: get rid of what you don't use and items from the "holding spot" that are past their "use by" date.
6. Designate a specific area for each category – tools by workbench, toys by service door, lawn care items on shelf above mower, etc. Use containers for small items. Label containers. Consider labeling shelves also, so all family members know where items should be returned after use.
7. Reward yourself for a job well done with an activity you enjoy. (Avoid rewarding yourself with a purchase – adding more belongings to your home as a reward for getting rid of others can be counterproductive.) Read a book. Go to a movie. Play baseball. Sit by a bonfire with friends.

Quick Spring Cleaning Projects

The weather is turning warmer. Now is the time to lighten the feeling in your home. Surround yourself only with belongings that you use, love, and enjoy. Making more space for your belongings will make spring cleaning faster & easier. Here are a few project ideas:
1. Garage: Grab a garbage bag and do a quick purge. Fill the bag with belongings that you haven't used in the past year. Either toss the bag or donate, depending on the condition of the items.
2. Linen Closet: Remove sheets, blankets, and extra towels that you don't use. Donation centers always need linens.
3. Bathroom: Dispose of toiletries that you don't use.
4. Kitchen: Remove pots, serving platters, and dish towels that are used only for special occasions. Store these on a shelf in the basement or attic, with holiday decorations, or in another out-of the-way location. This will provide more room for items used routinely.
5. Pantry: Check expiration dates and dispose of any food that is past its prime.
6. Bookshelf: Remove tchotchkes that have collected. Donate any books that are no longer of interest to you.
Purging will not only make spring cleaning more efficient; it may also lighten your spirits! Happy spring!

Overflowing Kitchen Drawers?

Kitchen drawers tend to collect clutter. Why? They are convenient. Items we don't know where to put are tossed in kitchen drawers. Small objects not wanted on countertops are slid into drawers. Small items that we are afraid to throw away, even though we don't know what the items are for, get tossed in kitchen drawers. Here are some ways to prevent kitchen drawers from becoming stuffed:

• Use dividers to separate items. In a drawer with all utensils, sort by type: spatulas, knives, measuring cups, slotted spoons. You will be amazed how much this helps in finding the utensil needed.
  
• Assign a specific spot for each item.
  
• Hot pads & utensils for cooking near stove
• Knives by the food prep area
• Flatware & serving utensils near eating space
• Dish clothes & towels by the sink
  
• Store items used only during the holidays. Storing those extra serving spoons and holiday towels used only a few times a year will free up space for those often used items.
  
• Keep a minimum of tools and hardware in the kitchen.
  
• Those little things that may be important, but you are not sure what for, are taking up your prime storage space. If you aren't ready to toss them, store those little pieces and parts in a small container in the garage or basement. If you haven't figured out what they are for in a year, it's time to get rid of them.

Organizing a kitchen drawer takes a short amount of time and will make using your kitchen so much more enjoyable! Which drawer in your kitchen bothers you the most? Take 30 minutes and transform that drawer into a functional space. You'll love it!

Quick Spring Cleaning Projects

It's beautiful outside today. I've got a bit of spring fever.

I started by going through my "mismatched socks" bin. This is where I toss those socks that come out of the dryer without a match. When the bin gets full, I sort through it, matching up the socks.

Then I moved to the cabinet above the refrigerator. I sorted through the medicines, removing some that had expired, put the glues in a cup to contain them, and emptied the vase I put stamps in for my husband. (He collects stamps. I put the stamps in his stamp box in the office.)

I was on a roll. I headed to the dining room to empty out the hutch. I tossed several candles that were spent, put a table cloth that I don't use in my donation bin, and added a container for my kid's airsoft gun accessories. Yes, I keep airsoft guns in our hutch. This is convenient storage, close to the backyard, which is the only place they are allowed to use them.

That was all the time I had. In about an hour, I'd purged, cleaned, and organized three areas. Yippee!

Consumable Gift Ideas

With the current trends of going green and uncluttering our homes, consumable gifts are a great gift option. As you are trying to decide on a gift, think of the person's interests and activities. What does he/she enjoy & appreciate. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Practical gift cards:
  Gas
  Groceries
  Phone
  Auto service
  Car Wash Tokens
  Cleaning service
  
• Entertainment:
  Theater or movie tickets
  Tickets to a sport event, concert, or special event
  Movie rental gift certificates
  Favorite Restaurant gift certificates
  Museum tickets
  Lessons for an area of interest – music, craft, sport
  Gift certificate for a spa: massage, facial, manicure, or pedicure
  Gift card for downloadable music
  Fresh flowers
  
• Wrapable gifts:
  Candy
  Candles – those that are completely disposable
  Gourmet foods/beverages
  Homemade foods
  Stationary/Note Cards & stamps
  Car Care Supplies
  Art Supplies
  School Supplies
  Magazine subscription (purchase one to wrap)
  
• The gift of time – coupons to:
  Babysit
  Run Errands
  Prepare a meal
  Together Time – plan a favorite activity for the recipient
  
• For Children – coupons for fun:
  Parent-child time – the child chooses the activity (within time & budget limits)
  Stay up late
  Dessert before lunch
  Pajamas for the day
  Choose menu for the day
  Extra TV or video game time
  No Chores Day
  
• Donations to a favorite charity in the recipient's name

What are your favorite consumable gifts?

Kitchen/Dining Room Tables

Tables do tend to catch clutter. Here are a few ideas to help you resist the urge to drop and forget:

• Use an attactive table runner, placemats, and/or centerpiece to decorate the table.


• Have a designated mail/bill paying station. If the table is used for these functions, store the supplies close by.


• Create a "launching/landing pad" near the back door for items that will be leaving the home.


• When shopping, allow time for putting away the purchases as soon as arriving home.


• Plan to use the table for eating. Break out the candles and the good dishes often and enjoy the space!

10, 20, & 30 Minute Decluttering Projects

Mark your calendar for Monday, Nov 22^nd. It's National Declutter Day, a day to remove some of the "stuff" from your home. Here are a few organizing project ideas, depending on how much time you have for this venture.

10 Minutes:

Quick decluttering: Walk through your home carrying a large garbage bag. Put in the bag any belongings that you don't use or love. Donate or toss the full bag.

Organize a utensil drawer. Use a drawer organizer to separate utensils by use. Donate gadgets and utensils that aren't used. Store utensils that are used only at the holidays with holiday decorations, leaving more space for what you need.

Decrease your junk mail by removing your name from mailing lists. Include all forms of your name. Within three months, there will be a reduction in junk mail. Write to:

Mail Preference Service
Attn: Preference Service Manager
Direct Marketing Association
PO Box 3079
Grand Central Station, NY

20 Minutes:

Clear out the junk drawer. Get rid of anything that has been sitting there, unused, for more than a year. Put back only what you use in the kitchen. Put away items that belong in other areas of the home.

Eliminate some paper. Recycle catalogs, magazines, newspapers.

30 Minutes:

Select the 2 to 3 most packed shelves in the linen closet. Pull out items, sorting into categories. Determine how many towels & sheet sets you need. Eliminate the excess. Could sheet sets be stored in the bedroom where they are used? Fold and return needed items to the shelves.

Grab a donation bag and head to a clothing closets & dressers. Toss in any clothing/shoes that you haven't worn and you don't feel comfortable in.

Take a little time to do some decluttering then stand back and enjoy the order you've created!

Items in Transition

Items that need to be taken elsewhere, fixed, or put away become clutter unless there is a transition spot for them. Do you have a place for…?

• Library books – shelf or basket where you read.
• Dry cleaning – bag in closet or laundry room.
• Items to donate – bin in trunk of car or convenient closet or laundry room.
• Items that need repair – bin in garage or kitchen.
• Purchased items that need to be returned or exchanged – bag in car or "launching pad" - a spot designated for all the items you'll need when you leave the house.
• Borrowed items that need to be returned – bag in car or "launching pad".
• Items that need to be returned to their "homes" in a different area of the house: a spot for items to take downstairs or upstairs, a spot for items to go to the garage, etc. – basket, bag hanging on doorknob, or bin near the transition area.
• Items that your children have left out and need to put away – basket or shelf in living room/family room.
• Clean laundry for family members to put away – shelf in laundry room, laundry basket in child's bedroom.

What transition spot could you not do without?

#1 Key to Organization

The #1 Key to getting and staying organized is to simplify. The volume of belongings is directly related to the time involved in keeping those items organized. Consider shoes for example. Keeping 30 pairs of shoes neatly arranged is much easier that keeping 300 pairs of shoes under control. This holds true for all belongings. So the question becomes, how do I simplify?

• Studies show we typically use only 20% of what we own. Seriously take a look at items in your home that are taking up space and are rarely, if ever, being used. Donate those items that you don't use, love, and enjoy.
  
• Ask yourself, how many _______________ do I need? Keep your favorites and give the rest to someone who can use them.
  
• Consider renting large, seldom used items instead of purchasing. Is the rental fee worth the cost of more storage space for other items?
  
• Before purchasing an item, determine where it will be kept. If space is not available, ask (1) Do I really need this item? (2) What can I dispose of to make room for this new item?
  
• When bringing a new item into the home, remove a similar item from the home.
  
• You have permission to remove from the home items that were a great deal, were gifts, and that were expensive. If you aren't using them, they are taking up valuable space. Let them go.
  
• Store holiday serving dishes, linens, and any other items used only at that holiday with the holiday decorations. Store them in an out of the way location, freeing up closet and cabinet space for those items used frequently.

Your belongings are meant to add comfort and joy to your life. When they are falling out of the cabinets or preventing closets from being closed or stopping you from finding the items you want, they are not serving their purpose. Simplify and enjoy the calm.

Garage Sale Purge

I'm not a fan of garage sales. There is a significant time investment with the chance of a small return. We had a neighborhood garage sale last weekend. I hadn't planned to participate. My children thought it would be great fun. They found several toys they could agree to sell, so I consented.

I needed to find some items I could get rid of. I checked closets, drawers, the attic & basement asking these questions:

• When did I last use this?
  
• Do I love it?
  
• How many of these do I have and how many do I need?
  
• Is the item in good condition? (I even threw out a few items that were worn.)

I came up with several items I could add to the sale. It wasn't a huge sale. We didn't make much money. Anything that didn't sell, I loaded up and dropped at a donation station. If I'd decided I didn't need these items anymore, there was no point taking them back into my home. I gained storage space, which made all the time worth it!

Does this mean I'll have more garage sales? No. I don't enjoy it. I will look at the belongings I'm storing with a more critical eye and donate those I don't love and use regularly. Purging belongings by deciding if they had more value in my home or in a garage sale worked well. In fact, yesterday I noticed some cookie cutters that I haven't used since last summer. Time to move those to my donation bin and make more room for the items I do use.

What helps you to purge no longer used items from your home?

Painless Unpacking

After a vacation, do the remnants hang around the house for weeks, cluttering up your space? Follow these steps to remove the vacation remnants before they become clutter.

As soon as possible after arriving at home:

1. Unpack the car completely, including the trash.

2. Gather laundry baskets or large containers to use for sorting.

3. Empty all luggage, sorting the contents into containers. Suggested categories:

• Laundry
• Clean clothing
• Toiletries
• Memorabilia

4. Return the items to where they belong.

5. Return luggage to storage area.

Shortly after the vacation:

1. Replenish depleted items from your toiletry bag and store with your luggage.

2. Memorabilia: Process photos in your preferred method. Sort through memorabilia: get rid of duplicates and keep only what has significance for you. Store in a large envelope or small memorabilia box, labeled with the location of the vacation and the date.

Now that you're unpacked, you can enjoy "home sweet home" and the memories of your wonderful vacation!

What's in Your Linen Closet? 7 Ways to Make Space

Why is it that linen closets become the drop spot for items to be tucked away and forgotten forever? I'll be the first to admit, little of what I have in my linen closet is actually linens. There are cleaning supplies, light bulbs, board games, small dumbbells, and a few linens.

After everything that was no longer used or belonged elsewhere was removed from this closet, there was room to space. (Later the vacuum and other cleaning supplies were added to this closet, making more space in the extra bedroom.)

A linen closet is often a convenient spot to store items that will be used in the living areas of the home. Here are some ideas to make the best use of that space.

1. Store sheets in the bedroom where they will be used to free up this prime space.


2. Remove from the home any linens that haven't been used in over a year. If you've gone through a complete change of season without using them, chances are someone else could use them.


3. Store holiday linens in long term storage with the rest of your holiday decorations. When you decorate for the holidays, that will be your reminder to use those linens.


4. Determine what categories of items belong in the closet. These should be items that are used close to this area of the home.


5. Remove items from the closet that belong elsewhere.


6. Assign a specific category to each shelf.


7. Use containers to corral small items of the same category & label the containers.

The linen closet in most homes is a convenient storage space. Make the most of it!

Reduce Housework by 40%

Cleaning professionals say that getting rid of excess clutter reduces housework by 40%. - from www.NAPO.net.

It's that time of year – time to do a thorough cleaning of your home, open up the windows, let the fresh air in, and get rid of the dust. This is also a great time to evaluate your belongings and get rid of any clutter that is weighing you down.

1. Consider the chotskies in your home. They tend to collect dust and add time to housecleaning. Select a few that you absolutely love and get rid of the rest. If there are several you can't bear to part with, store some and rotate them.
   
2. Examine your clothing. The majority of the clothes in our closets are rarely worn. Pick out the clothes that feel comfortable, are flattering, and you love to wear. Donate what remains.
   
3. Dig to the back of the linen closet. Have you used those items in the past year? Get rid of the worn towels, the scratchy or mismatched sheets, and any other unused items.
   
4. Open those kitchen cabinets. Pull out the unused small appliances, excess serving utensils, containers with missing lids, worn dish towels, etc and get rid of them.

Items you aren't using get in the way and take up space. Making space for the items you use and enjoy will cut household chores and make access to those items easier, gaining more time for other activities. And who couldn't use more time!

Hoarders Show

I had the incredible opportunity to help on a project for the Hoarders show on A&E. http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/video/ Doug is a single father who adopted two special needs children. He's been overwhelmed with their needs and the home has suffered. He risks losing his children.

You won't see much of me in the show. What you will see is an amazing transformation in the home. Professional organizers from NAPO-WI provided over 100 hours of service. 1800 Got Junk hauled away approximately 10,000 pounds of items removed from the home. A cleaning company made the home shine.

I worked on the little girl's room. When she came home from school after the first day of work, she immediately saw a photo of her birth mom we'd uncovered in her room. I was privileged to witness her jubilation. It was an amazing moment for everyone in the room.

Brenden McDaniel, professional organizer and owner of Action Organizing, lead this project. He continues to work with Doug. Brenden has reported that Doug has done a phenomenal job maintaining the home.

I'm grateful that I could be a part of such a life changing event. Working with the team of professionals was inspiring. I love what I do!

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!

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?

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.

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.

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?