Reduce Clutter – Get Organized
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, Home Improvement, Organizing, Parenting, decluttering
Reducing clutter will aid in getting yourself organized. But how we reduce that clutter is the first challenge.
If your home or office has a lot of clutter, to avoid becoming overwhelmed, start small. Whether it’s a drawer or closet, getting started is half the battle. You’ll find that the act of decluttering becomes contagious. Now only for ourself, but often for other family members, as well.
If children are involved, make it a game. Set up boxes or totes and let them determine that which can be donated, or maybe later sold in a garage sale. If children are taught charity (the gift of sharing and giving to the less fortunate), they will soon learn how to easily give up toys they are not playing with.
As you declutter, you may encounter some items to which you have an emotional attachment. If you’re not willing to let go of these items, think about packing them up and putting them in storage.
On thing I learned from reruns of the “Home Made Simple” show on TLC (The Learning Channel , is to have either a “path” or a “home” for everything you own.
A home for your clothes would be a closet or drawer
A home for dishes, pots or pan may be in a cabinet, drawer or hanging off of a pot rack.
A home for books would be a bookcase or shelf
A home for a family heirloom may be a curio cabinet
A path for excess toys, clothes not being worn, or decorator items not being used may be…”to our favorite charity”
A path for broken or worn out items would be ….to the garbage
A path for seasonal clothes or sports equipment would to …..to storage
A path for important papers would be……to be filed.
I now use this technique when I go shopping. If I see something, and I think of buying it, I ask myself, “Do I have a home for it?” Often the answer is no. By using this technique, I’m not only saving money, but reducing excess clutter.
Some say, if you bring one new item into your home, you should remove two like items. Although this appears to be a great system to declutter a home, I haven’t tried it yet.
Photo Credit: ifindkarma’s photostream
Tags: decluttering, decorator items, emotional attachment, excess clutter, family heirloom, garage sale, half the battle, photo credit, pot rack, rerunOprah And Peter Walsh Give Motivation To Declutter
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, decluttering
Did you see Oprah on March 26, 2008? It was about people who hoard stuff, aka hoarders.
Peter Walsh, author of “Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?: An Easy Plan for Losing Weight and Living More was a guest on Oprah.
The show was a rerun, but ever since I saw it the first time, It has stuck with me. Clutter is bad, for many reasons.
But, it’s tough to let go of clutter. In some odd way, we become attached to our “stuff”. It makes us feel secure, but often wanting more.
But, the problem is, if we hoard stuff, we can create a breeding ground for all kinds of unhealthy stuff…spider nests, black mold, mildew, and other unhealthy airborne viruses and respiratory problems. It’s lack of air circulation that partially causes these problems.
Oprah’s show me motivated. I got rid of stacks of magazines, cleaned out my closets, and cabinets, and now have a good collection of stuff to sell at my next garage sale.
It also opened my eyes to what I bring into the house. I try to only buy stuff I need or will use.
As I get older and wiser, I find I now only want to be surrounded by stuff that “makes my heart sing”. Stuff I really, really, really enjoy looking at. That’s right, that’s 3 “reallys”.
I also keep my receipts. Often, a day or two after I buy something, I change me mind and decide I really don’t want/need it. Now I take it back to the store.
Did Oprah’s show on hoarding motivate you? What did you think about what Peter Walsh had to say?
Update:
Or did you see Dr. Phil’s show on April 28, 2008 about hoarders? Share your thoughts in the comment section (below).
Tags: air circulation, black mold, breeding ground, closets and cabinets, garage sale, hoarders, mold mildew, oprah, peter walsh, rerun, respiratory problems, spider nestsSimplify Your Life – Find Your Creativity
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, Cleaning Tips, Organizing, Projects
The easiest way to simplify your life, is to get rid of clutter.
Clutter can be everywhere. In your closets, on your counter top, in your office, in the children’s rooms, in your garage, in you car…the list goes on.
Too much clutter can overwhelm you. It can make you tense and irritable. It can be embarrassing. And, clutter can also stifle your creativity.
I once heard a story of a women who wanted to simplify her life. She first got rid of her husband, then proceeded to get rid of most of the furniture in her home (he picked it out…she hated it), and then moved onto her closets and cabinets. Even though her home was nearly empty of “stuff” , she was happier than she had been in many years. She felt lighter, and her creativity, which had been dormant for many years, began to resurface.
Now, I’m not suggesting that simplifying your life, means getting rid of a spouse, but, getting rid of clutter can result in a feeling of “a ton of bricks being lifted”
But…where do you start?
It doesn’t matter what room you start in, just start.
If you are feeling too overwhelmed, start with a small area. …maybe a drawer, cabinet, or bathroom.
Remove all items from your selected area. Find another area where you can sort through these items. This can become a time consuming process, so allow sufficient time.
Take items you haven’t used, or don’t like, and get rid of them.
Create three boxes or bags. Label them as:
Trash
Donate
Keep
One thing that I do, since we have an annual neighborhood garage sale, is to create a fourth box, for “garage sale” stuff. I keep this box in the garage, and throughout the year, add stuff to it, when I am doing “mini” decluttering projects. Read my previous article How To Have A Successful Garage Sale, for great garage sale tips.
If you change your decorating scheme, and have a mixture of different motifs, throughout your home, this is a great time to pack away (if you still like them), items that aren’t matching your current decor.
For example, I love the Victorian era, but am currently not using that theme in any of my rooms, so I have packed away all of my Victorian decorations. I know I will revive that theme at a later date, so instead of getting rid of my fine Victorian pieces, I have them stored away.
Hint: When deciding whether to keep or get rid of makeup and/or lotions, remember, they do have a shelf life. Lotions can start smelling rancid, and mascara, only has a shelf life of 3 to 4 months. For a complete list of shelf life for beauty products, see this article at Real Simple.
Once you have removed all items from the area your are decluttering, proceed with cleaning that area. Scrub the counter tops, wipe out the cabinets, sweep the floor. Do whatever it takes to get that area clean.
After your area is clean, start putting things back, one by one. As an added bonus, when you begin to put things back, you may end up tossing or donating, even more.
Proceed to throw the trash in the garbage can. As soon as possible, take the “donate” box/bag to your favorite charity drop off. Get it out of your house.
Decluttering can be contagious. Just about the time you finish one area, you will be motivated to declutter even more.
Before you know it, your whole house will be decluttered.
As an added benefit, you will feel “lighter”.
Don’t be surprised if your creativity kicks in, too. 
How To Stage A Home For Sale
Filed under: Archives, At Home, Making Money, Selling A Home
Staging a home, which will be for sale on the market, may help to sell a home quicker. How to stage a home, is actually quite easy, but can be time consuming. If you watch HGTV, you can find many television shows that talk about staging a home.
What is “staging a home”? To stage a home, is to “prepare” your house before you put it on the market. Just as it’s important to “dress for success”, when you stage your home, you are “dressing” your home for potential buyers to see.
Let’s get started:
1) Declutter your home. Take everything out that you’re not going to be using, until you move into your new home. It’s best not to stack this stuff in your garage. It may be well worth the investment, to rent a storage unit in which you can store the excess items.
2) Clean your house. Wash the windows. Shampoo the carpeting, if needed. Wipe spots off of walls and doors. Cleanliness is very important.
3) Repaint as needed. If you have a room that’s painted an “odd” color, use primer, and repaint the room a neutral color.
4) Make necessary repairs. If faucets drip, or toilets run, fix the problem. Walk through your home using a critical eye, and take notes of all repairs you can do, without spending over your budget. If you don’t know how to use a “critical eye” on your own home, ask a friend to do it for you.
5) Remove as many of the “personal” items as possible. Too many family photos, can add clutter, as can too many toys. Some buyers cannot see past a “mess”.
6) On days your home is being showed, make sure it smells good-no pet smells, foul cooking and/or tobacco odors, etc…>
7) Put your toothbrushes, prescription bottles, ashtrays, dishes (dirty or clean), and laundry, away. Do not stuff items in closets or cabinets, as buyers often open doors and drawers. Remember to also put any valuable items in a safe place.
8.) Keep you counter tops clean and free of clutter. The more you place on the counter tops, the smaller they look to buyers.
9) If you have wallpaper, border, or amateur looking faux painting, consider removing it, and painting the walls a neutral color. You need to appeal to buyers with many different tastes.
10) If you have too much furniture in a room, it will make the room look small. Consider removing some of the furniture.
11) This may be a great time to have a garage sale (see previous article: How To Have A Successful Garage Sale)
12) Think minimalist. Keep the decorating simple.
13) Outside the home, give your home curb appeal. Do people want to stop and see the inside? Trim bushes, pull weeds, plant some flowers, put down bark chips, mow the grass, sweep the driveway, wash the windows, pressure wash the house, repaint as needed, haul away any junk cars, clean up the yard.
Most buyers want a “turn key” home. One they can “turn the key in the lock, and move their things into”. Most buyers prefer not to paint, take down wallpaper, shampoo carpeting, etc…before they move in. They may make changes at a later date, but they need to get on with their lives, now. Not adhering to this, may turn buyers off.
Remember, you’re leaving this home. Soon you will be in a new home, and the home you’re staging will belong to someone else. If you just “love” that red room , or duck wallpaper border, take a picture of it. Create a lasting memory.
Remember, you’re moving on. This is the time to let go of any emotional attachment you may have to your home.
With a properly staged home, your home may sell faster than others in the same price range. It may be a time consuming process, however, in this very competitive housing market, not staging your home, could cost you lost time in moving, and more importantly…..money.
To read more on home staging and how it may help to sell your home faster, read my latest article: The Secret To Selling Your Home Faster Than The Competition
Tags: emotional attachment, garage saleSave Money – 16 Ways
Most of us like to save money. Saving money can actually be done in very simple ways. Here’s a list of 16 ways, I’ve found to save a few dollars. Add them up, and the savings can be substantial.
1) Recycle used print cartridges, and get a store credit, of up to $3.00 each. Want more information?
(Read: Recycle Used Print Cartridges-Get An In-Store Credit)
When buying your printer cartridges, stores often offer a “set” of two or three cartridges in one package. By buying the cartridges in a “set”, you can often save a few dollars. (When I purchased mine last week, I saved $6.00, by buying them in a set, vs individually).
2) Use white vinegar to make your own window cleaner. Save even more on household chemicals, read: Uses For Vinegar.
3) If you use dryer sheets, it’s not necessary to use a whole sheet for each load. I’ve cut mine in half (or even smaller), and they work just as well.
4) Do you buy bottled water? Get a Britta pitcher, filter your own water, and use a “reusable” type bottle for “water to go”, If your refrigerator has an inline filter, just fill your “reusable” bottles, and keep them in the refrigerator until you need them. (There are also other great water filtering systems that you can connect to your faucet, that will filter your water.)If you don’t mind the taste of your tap water, just fill your “reusable” bottles, and refrigerate them.If you’re reusing “bottled water bottles”, make sure they’re sanitary. Wash them with hot soapy water and place them upside down to dry. I just read an interesting article about reusing water bottles. You can read it at : www.plasticsinfor.org
5) Use coupons whenever possible. Some stores offer a “doubler” coupon, and you can even save more. Check online for free coupons. Buy the “all you” magazine for less than $2.00-most issues are filled with over $35.00 worth of coupons. Save Money. Print Free Coupons Anytime.
6) Buy online. Save gas and time. Get your merchandise delivered right to your door. (Don’t forget to check the company’s return policy)
7) To save on stamps and envelopes, and the time it takes you to go to the post office, use your fax machine, or email, to send documents.
8.) Instead of using pre-printed (business) envelopes (with your return address), buy cheap plain envelopes (or window envelopes), and get an address stamp with your name and address. Stamp your own envelopes. Using window envelopes also saves time in addressing an envelope.
9) If you use business cards, make your own. Office supply stores sell the perforated paper in several colors. Be creative, (or not) and, design your own business card. Then, just print them off.
Get the Basics You Need in a CLICK at Office Depot!
10) Save money on car insurance. If your car is paid off, and the value of you vehicle is low, you may not need full coverage. Talk to your insurance representative about this option. Also, shop around for car insurance.
11) If you qualify, take advantage of “senior” discounts. Some stores have a “senior” day, with savings of 10%. Some movie theaters, hotels/motels, restaurants, and some airlines, also offer senior discounts. Using these discounts, could amount to a substantial savings.
12) Save on gas, by carpooling, biking, walking, or taking the bus.
13) To save on children’s clothes or toys, share “hand me downs”, with family and friends. Shop at second hand stores, on eBay, or at garage/yard sales. Have a garage sale of your own, and make some extra cash. (Read: How To Have A Successful Garage Sale)
14) If you buy something and it doesn’t fit, or match your decor, return it. (Read: Save Those Receipts, It’s Money In the Bank)
15) Instead of drinking brand named sodas, buy the store brand. In most cases, the difference in flavor is minimal.
16) To also save on gas, make sure your tires are properly inflated. Not sure? Most tire shops, provide this free service to customers who have purchased tires from them. Or, pick up a tire gauge (they’re cheap), and test your own. Need air? Find a gas stations that has air available.
Want more ways to save money? Read my previous aritcle 16 Great Ways To Save Money.Add all of these ideas together, and you’ll have 32 ways to save. How sweet is that?
Do you have more money saving tips you would like to share? Just drop me a comment, and others can read your ideas.
Tags: garage sale
How To Have A Successful Garage Sale
Having a garage sale is a great way to declutter, get more organized, plus make some extra cash. However, having a successful garage sale takes some planning.
While preparing for a garage sale, you’re house may feel like it’s being turned upside down. Plan for it.
1. Go through your house (closets, drawers, cabinets), garage, and/or storage unit, and collect all items you no longer have a use for. Make it a family event and encourage your children to get rid of some of their unused toys or games. Let them keep the money they earn by selling their “stuff”.
Store all items in a central location. Don’t try to sell “junk”, i.e. broken toys, empty margarine containers, empty glass jars, etc. – if nothing else, either put them in a “free” box, or throw them away.
2) If you’re planning on selling clothes, do not sell clothes with permanent stains, holes, or rips (either throw those clothing items away, or cut them up and use them for rags)
3) Pick a day, or weekend for your sale. Watch the forecast-due to the weather, you may have to delay your sale.
4) Plan how to display your items, i.e on tables, shelves, on drop clothes (or old sheets), on hangers, or in boxes. You may have to borrow, or rent folding tables.
5) Get your signs ready, and plan where to place them. Need a permit to have a garage sale? Do your homework. Get any needed permits ahead of time.
A few days before the sale
6) Advertise in the local newspaper. In your ad, target big ticket items, or if selling clothes, advertise sizes, or say “baby clothes”. Include your address and the day(s) and time for the sale. Do you need to include directions? If so, add those as well.
7) Price your items. Important: Price your items to sell. If you price your items too high, you’re going to be left with them.
I usually price in $.25 increments, may have a “dime” box of small stuff, and I always have a “free” box. Kids love to rummage through the free box and I allow them to choose one item each. It also keeps kids occupied while their parents are “shopping”.
At my last garage sale, I priced all clothes (adult), hard cover books, and bedding items at $1.50. (I also advertised that in my ad) Hint When pricing, ask yourself, “What would I pay for this, and feel like I got a deal?” Don’t get hung up on what you paid for it. Remember, you want to get rid of this “stuff”.
8.) Go to the bank and get cash for your sale…small bills and change ($100 worth should be more that sufficient), and set up a “cash box” or fanny pack. Do not put all of your cash in a cash box. Keep extra cash either in your pocket or in a safe place.
9) Start setting up for your sale, and be done pricing by the night before the sale starts. If you can set up inside your garage, set up early.
Group like items together, i.e. kitchen items, picture frames, books, etc. Decorating items look great when grouped by color. Keep breakable items on higher shelves or near the back of the table, so they don’t accidentally get broken.
If setting up inside your garage, cover all items that are not for sale by either using tarps or old sheets. Garage salers will often ask if you’re selling something they see in the back of your garage. Some people can be very rude, so be prepared. If using only half of your garage for your sale, block the back half by using tables, hanging a tarp, or whatever works for you.
Morning of the sale
10) Put up your signs. Having good signs, with the address and directional arrows, can drive more traffic to your sale. Avid garage salers will “chase signs”. Don’t scrimp on signs.
11) Be prepared for “early birds”. If you advertise that your sale will start at 8:00 a.m., it’s not uncommon to see people showing up at 7:30. You can decide how to handle the early birds. Either tell them you’re not open for business yet, or if you want, let the sale begin.
12) Try to have at least two people working the sale. One person can be the cashier and the other person can be helping customers, or moving inventory around as items sell. You can give each other a break, grab a bite to eat, etc… It’s also a safety issue.
13) If using a cash “box” Do not leave your cash box unattended. Many people have been ripped off by leaving their cash box unattended.
14) Be willing to negotiate on your prices. Don’t take a check, unless you know the person. Be willing to “Hold” items for someone, but, only for a very short period of time.
15) Keep small or expensive items, such as jewelry, close to the “cashier” table. It’s not uncommon to have unscrupulous people steal at a garage sale.
16) If you’re cash box is getting full, take some of the money out and put it in your pocket, or take it inside the house to a safe place
17) Keep your house locked. Don’t let people use your bathroom or go inside to try on clothes.
18) Near the end of your sale, be willing to drop, or start marking your prices down. Remember, you don’t want to be left with too much.
19) Take down all signs You don’t want people showing up at your door, uninvited, because you neglected to take down your signs.
20) When the sale is over, box up what’s left and take it to your local charity. Write down what you’re donating and use it as a tax write off.
21) Take some of your profits and treat yourself to a nice, relaxing dinner. You deserve it.
You’re done. What a great feeling to have that behind you. Your house is less cluttered, your garage has more room, you may be able to get rid of that storage unit ($$$$), and, you made some extra cash in the process.
What to really have fun with a garage sale? Organize a neighborhood sale. Make it an annual event.
Hint I’ve had garage sales many times. I usually have them for two days. Friday and Saturday. My most successful day has always been on Friday.
Tags: garage saleGet Motivated to Organize with TV Shows
Filed under: Archives, At Work, Cleaning Tips, Decorating, Organizing
Motivation to get organized can come from many sources. My favorite source of motivation is the television show, ” Clean Sweep” which airs on TLC (The Learning Channel). I love watching them go through two rooms of a home, purge, then have a garage sale. In the meantime the crew of “Clean Sweep” is busy painting, redecorating and reorganizing the rooms. I gain so much knowledge from this show, and get great tips, as well.
I recently found another show that helps with organizing and time management. It’s named “Home Made Simple” and also airs on TLC. They have quick and easy recipes, and lots of ideas to make life less stressful.
HGTV (Home & Garden TV) has a show named “Mission Organization”. They use a professional organizer to help the homeowners.
All of these shows are filled with great tips and ideas to make life a little easier. I usually watch “Clean Sweep” and “Home Made Simple” on Saturday mornings, while I’m doing housework. They get me motivated to want to do more.
Tags: garage saleThe Relatives are Coming! Clean the House!
One thing that I’ve noticed over the years is that if we’re expecting out of town guests, I sure get motivated to get the house cleaned and organized. It works the same way if we’re planning a party. Amazingly, I can clean the house pretty fast.
That got me to thinking… how come I can’t stay that motivated all of the time? I would venture to guess it’s because I knew I didn’t have to. But, I sure do like the way the house looks when everything is fairly neat and orderly.
The more I thought about this, the more I realized I needed to declutter, and streamline my cleaning process. Over the past year, I have taken down a lot of little knick knacks that are only good for collecting dust, I had a garage sale and sold stuff that no longer was of use to me, I donated clothes I no longer wore, and the decorating stuff that I still liked, but didn’t match the decor, I boxed up and stored.
In the process of purging the house of needless “stuff”, I found that I began to feel less stress. I think the clutter was making me feel “weighed down”. Now when I clean, it’s so much easier and less time consuming. It also give me more time to concentrate on my hobbies, and spend more time with family and friends.
I’m enjoying this newly found freedom so much that I recently “repurged” my closet and am planning another garage sale in the next few months.
Bring on the relatives.
Tags: garage saleLife Saving Tips
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