Organize Archives

Sunday Savings::7 Ways Organizing Saves

March 10, 2013 by Heather Filed Under: Organize, Organizing Projects, Paper management, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources

I’m shifting gears this week to share 7 Ways Organizing Saves you big $$!

I’ve often had clients comment to me that they are ashamed of spending so much money to hire an organizer and they wonder if something is wrong with them. No way! Anyone who cares enough to invest their time and money will potentially be saving hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Really…I’ll share some statistics and examples.

Source: moneysmartfamily.com via HKpowerStudio on Pinterest

7 Ways you can Save by getting more organized:

Money-both cash and checks. I have found either cash or checks with almost all of my clients when we dig in and start sorting. Sometimes it’s just a few dollars and sometimes I’ve found hundreds! I know other organizers who have found thousands if not HUNDREDS of thousands with clients!
Space-by clearing out old clutter and not PAYING to store it in storage bins or rooms in your house! EX…do you store your junk in your garage and your second most valuable asset-your car-out in the elements? If you have storage bin or room in your house you are throwing hundreds out the window every month. According to the storage industry 10% of Americana households have storage!! Why would you pay to store stuff you don’t need or use? Short term storage can have a purpose if you are moving but otherwise it’s probably a waste.
Calories! Yes by saving time and being more productive you can prepare healthier meals for yourself and family. Not to mention the act of organizing can be quite physical and you will burn calories while your at it.
Relationships…many relationships are put under tremendous stress when one partner is utterly unorganized. The conflicts that can arise from one partners responsibilities not being met again and again can lead to devastating consequences!
Taxes-found receipts, deductibles and preventing expensive audits or late fees.
Time-when you know where to find what you need you will save time on a daily basis. [time=productivity=money]
Fees-you can eliminate late fees on bills and credit cards if you have an organized system for bill paying in place.

Rather than asking yourself if you can afford to hire an organizer or spend the time working through it on your own shouldn’t you ask yourself how you can afford NOT to be organized?

What value do you think being organized has in your life?

Where can you find ways to save?

Mend It Monday

March 4, 2013 by Heather Filed Under: Organize, Organizing Projects, Systems & Techniques

Last Monday I spent some time working through a stack of mending that I had been holding off on. It was finally time. I had my sewing machine out and a great book from the library to assist me; Mend it Better. I must have lived a previous life in more frugal times because I can not part with things that just need a little TLC to make them as good as new again.

In my stack of mending I had several tank tops that were too long (I am vertically challenged so this is often the case), a couple of sweaters that had been visited by a moth or two in storage) and a pair of my husband’s jeans that had several tears.

I had patched his jeans once before but there were additional tears so I both patched and added some decorative top stitching.

After years of owning and never using a walking foot for my sewing machine I finally gave it a try too and fell in LOVE with it! I hear some people say they don’t really think it makes much difference but with my machine and fine/knit fabrics it made for a fantastic modification! I breezed through he knits without any stretching or shifting of fabrics.

Finally I tried my hand at darning on the fine moth holes on the 2 sweaters and found the process quite easy and a handy skill to know. I wouldn’t want to do a lot of this but the process involves a type of needle weaving through the knit structure and having a good working knowledge of both types of textiles I found pretty easy to understand how to stabilize the fabric around/over the holes. It doesn’t necessarily make the holes invisible, just keeps them from spreading further.

There are certainly times that tossing or donating is more appropriate but I’m working on improving my mending habits by adding a few new skills as I go. Do you mend things regularly, pay someone else to do it or just get rid of things that need a bit of TLC?

Sunday Savings::GO-Month Wrap up

January 27, 2013 by Heather Filed Under: Organize

I’m back with a end of the month Sunday Savings round up for you. There are a lot of great deals out there right now on all things Tax Prep related but there are other great savings on organizing related products as well.

Staples has deals on a range of external Hard drives (from 1-3 TB $79-$149) if cloud based backup isn’t enough or right for you. Below are a few hi-lights of some of their helpful organizing products on sale this week.

If you are lucky enough to live near a Container Store (which, sadly I do not!) the Elfa Sale continues through this week with 30% off shelving & installation!

Over at World Market this week all storage baskets are 25% off. But PLEASE-don’t buy it unless you know exactly where it’s going and what will be stored in it!

Baskets

Another one of my favorite places for organizing supplies and inspiration is Ikea. They currently have 15%off their Besta Storage line with the “Family” card (free program).

Finally, if you are planning a garden for this upcoming growing season Botanical Interest currently has free shipping (orders over $50). They are one of my favorite seed companies for quality and selection!

*On a slight side note, with the big game count down in full swing there are some great deals on TV’s this week. Not that a TV will help you with organizing, I’m just saying if you are already in the market for a new one, now might be a good time to check them out.

If you’ve got to shop this week, hopefully some of these ideas will help you save.

Wednesday’s Word::Tenacious

January 23, 2013 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Tips & Resources

Tenacious is a great word. One we don’t hear people using much in today’s everyday language but it’s tenacity that usually helps us to hold our course.

Definition of TENACIOUS

(courtesy of Merriam-webster)

a : not easily pulled apart : cohesive <a tenacious metal>

b : tending to adhere or cling especially to another substance <tenacious burs>

a : persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired <a tenacious advocate of civil rights> <tenacious negotiators>

We all find at times we may need to cultivate tenacity, especially when we feel uncertain, discouraged or otherwise like we want to give up because something is sooo HARD! Some people can naturally be described as tenacious and others may find that Tenacity is a skill that they need to cultivate. There are naysayers out there that say Tenacity can not be taught and although it’s not easy or a “traditional” subject to try to teach I’d bet every parent has tried to varying degrees to teach their children tenacity. I think it’s also important to be selective about being tenacious. No one wants to be constantly pushing towards goals or ideas that no longer serve them so most importantly, evaluate when to let go of things that are not appropriate and cultivate tenacity in more selective terms.

5 Ways to cultivate tenacity:

Listen to your gut (intuition, instinct or whatever you want to call it)/Ignore your Ego (that naysayer, little devil on your shoulder etc). If it’s making you miserable, it’s time to re-consider it.
Try it a different way; often times if we’ve tried and given up there may be a different system or solution that might just click! Keep trying until you Succeed and keep track of what works!
Embrace the Process; not the outcome. There’s no denying we are a result driven society but by being more process centered we can appreciate and congratulate ourselves along the way (to the bigger goals)
Surround yourself with tenacious people. When we see others emulate qualities we want to cultivate we will be much more likely to succeed.
Hold yourself accountable but let got of the guilt! Maybe you need an accountability partner (one of those other inspiring tenacious people in your life). Putting it out there in front of others helps hold you to your word.

GO Monday::You & Your Desk Assignment

January 14, 2013 by Heather Filed Under: Organize, Organizing Projects, Paper management, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources

Since it’s GO Month, I’m doing my best to bring you GO-Monday organizing tips. Today, here’s your Desk assignment if you choose to tackle it!

Spend the last hour of your day at work keeping your desk organized for a more productive week, month & year!

But Really! If you will just spend 30-60 min’s today and clean up your desk, I PROMISE it will make you feel so much better, more productive, more effective and less stressed when you sit down to do anything.

Here’s a quick breakdown with a few tips to keep in mind as you are tackling this little (or maybe not so little?) task:

If you already have a good filing system in place–sort items & file or toss/shred the rest…IF NOT…
Decide if you are A). a filer or B). a piler (using this quiz). If you are a ‘filer’ proceed to the next step using a vertical file sorter, If you are a ‘piler’ then proceed but modify this system using a horizontal filing “baskets”
Create a “Tickler or Action file system” for the items that need to remain nearby. There are several types like 43 Folders or a more Action based system. Then sort items & file or toss/shred the rest
Clear the supplies off, put them in drawers or bins/boxes/baskets-Labeled as needed. Keep only what you actually use regularly on the desk (like 1 pen or pencil and one notepad and the electronic “paraphernalia”)
Utilize vertical space, hang a cork, whiteboard, calendar, action file sorter (this is not where things should live permanently!) or anything else that you can remove from your desk to better use vertical space.
Remove anything unrelated to work or home office (toys, mail that hasn’t been sorted, tools, knicknacks etc)
Optimize your workspace ergonomics; check the height of your chair, monitor, and desk. Add good lighting and consider using or adjusting arm rests, using a riser for your monitor, a wedge for your wrists etc.
Include something beautiful (not a bunch of things!), one or two beautiful objects like a plant, a crystal, a photo, candle etc that give you a place for you to rest your eyes (when you are taking those recommended 3-min breaks from your monitor).

IF this doesn’t seem like a task you can tackle in 30-60 min’s and you can’t do it all at once then tackle the tasks above that seem easy and check them off the list. When it comes to the BIG piles, can you do a quick sort and keep only the things you really need on/near your desk in a desktop sorter of some type? The rest can go into a box for you to label “SORT” and work on a little at at time (30 min’s a day) for the rest of the week or until it’s done.

Coming to work tomorrow will be that much more joyful with a neat an tidy desk!

Brought to you by National Clean off your desk day! Who thinks of these things? Hallmark? Is there a card for it?

Now, I’m off to take my own medicine! Happy Clean Desk Day!