SolutionsForYou, Inc. Portland, Oregon

Order a book; help save a life

2012-01-01T10:33:00.000-08:00

I have some very sad news to report as well as a plea for assistance for my dear friend Dawnie Grubstein. Dawnie is 41 years old and a single parent of her 17 year old son. She has been fighting Stage 4 cancer for almost 3 years now. She's been able to beat it once, but it is back again and with a vengeance. She has just been given a matter of weeks maybe months to live, but there is hope.

Her friends and family are raising money to help Dawnie. All profits of sales of the book Get Organized Today! I co-authored will be donated to Dawnie’s care. If you or you know someone who needs help getting organized please order this book. If you are a Professional Organizer, this is great client thank you gift.

There is a healing center in San Diego that she just arrived at moments ago. They have a proven track record of success with cancer patients in Dawnie's position. As long as Dawnie wishes to fight, her family and friends wish to be there with her and support her as much as we can through this time. Her spirit is strong and her heart is determined.

Thank you in advance for helping Dawnie.

New Venue and Updated Training Curriculum for 2012!

2011-10-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to announce we have a new venue for our seminars starting in 2012! It is grand and the Container Store is a mere two blocks away.

We are also updating our curriculum and integrating the Container Store in it. Plus fabulous goodies for you.

Mention this blog post when you register with payment for a seminar and receive a $50 Container Store gift card upon completion of your seminar training.

Watch our web site for complete details soon.

A humorous song about clutter--enjoy!

2011-09-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

10 Easy Steps to Organize Your Paper

2011-09-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

Do you struggle to keep up with the influx of mail and other paper information? Here are ten quick and steps to organize a household paper processing and storage station:

1. Create an area in your home to process and store your paper: If you have a kitchen desk this is a good location, but any area where you can create a small flat surface with storage underneath will work.

2. Create an in-box: Designate something as a mail in-box such as a basket or tray and place this on the flat surface. It can be anything that will hold a week’s worth of mail but no more.

3. Add a recycling bin to your paper processing station: Place a recycling bin or trash bin under your flat surface and near your in-box so you will have easy access to throw away all the junk mail you don’t need to open.

4. Place a trash bin under the flat surface: For non-recyclable items that arrive in the mail.

5. Place a shredder next to the recycling bin: To dispose of any incoming paper that has personal information or account numbers on it. This will help reduce the risk of identity theft.

6. Designate a basket or tray for magazines/catalogs and place on the flat surface next to or stacked on top of your in-box: Separate bulky magazines and catalogs from your other mail. The container should be portable so you can easily move it around to where you read. The container should be big enough to hold a month’s worth of reading but small enough that you will get rid of the old magazines as new ones arrive. Donate and recycle old magazines to your local library, hospital or other charitable organization.

7. Create a file for bills to be paid: Sort your bills into a portable tote so that you can carry it with you to where you are comfortable to pay bills, such as the kitchen table with a cup of coffee, making it feel like less of chore. Keep a checkbook, pens, stamps and envelopes in the tote for easy access. Or, simplify bill paying further by setting up on-line bill pay with your bank.

8. Create a file for each family member: If you are the primary mail sorter in your household, but other people receive mail—set up a file and label with the person’s name. Add mail to their folder as you sort. Ask the person to check their file weekly or place it where they will take action.

9. Set-up reference paper storage: For your bank statements, insurance policies and claims, tax receipts and other important documents should you need to refer to them later. A file cabinet underneath your flat surface or next to is ideal, but any box that will hold files inside will work fine. Organize by broad subjects to simplify your system. Label your files and place in your storage alphabetically for easy access. Weed annually—after you have filed your taxes is good time to do this.

10. Create a household binder: For organizing the endless stream of paperwork that the kids bring home from school such as school/sports schedules, lunch menus, sports team information, and after-school activities. Also directories, emergency information, medical information and the all-important take-out menus. Keep it near the phone and you'll have easy access to all the information you need. It will instantly become "command central" for your entire family.

When you have completed these steps it might look something like this

If you follow these easy steps, opening your mail will no longer be that dreaded task.

Eat Frogs and Reach your 2011 Goals

2011-01-05T10:54:00.000-08:00

For many, January marks the time to reflectively think about what we want to accomplish for the new year. And, for many this is a daunting task because we don't know where to start. Here are a few pointers to get you started.

Determine Your Goals. Time management experts across the board agree that one of the major causes of a crazy schedule is failing to set clear goals. Focus your energy towards achieving those goals that give you purpose. Goals are the foundation or bedrock of a solid time management program. Brian Tracy author of Eat That Frog outlines seven simple steps for setting and achieving goals.
1. Decide exactly what you want
2. Write it down on a Master To Do List
3. Set a deadline for your goal; set sub-deadlines if necessary
4. Add to Your Master To Do List everything that you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal.
5. Organize the list into a plan by priority (ABCDE – see below) and sequence
6. Take action on your plan immediately
7. Resolve to do something every single day that moves you toward your major goal

Activity: On your Master To Do List, write down exactly what you want (goals), a deadline for each, and then prioritize your list.

If you are struggling with identifying your goals, then first identify your roles and what you want to accomplish in each. For example; my roles are spouse, parent, business owner, friend, teacher, and volunteer. My goal for my parent role this week is to find a math tutor for my daughter.

Activity: Or, you can do the quick list method Brian Tracy suggests. In thirty seconds write down your three most important goals in your life right now. You can expand on this exercise by asking the following questions:
What are your three most important business or career goals right now?
What are your three most important family or relationship goals right now?
What are your three most important financial goals right now?
What are your three most important health goals right now?
What are your three most important personal and professional development goals right now?
What are your three most important social and community goals right now?
What are the three biggest problems or concerns in your life right now?

Think about your goals and review them daily. Every morning when you begin, take action on the most important task you can accomplish to achieve your most important goal at the moment. Brian Tracy author of Eat That Frog terms this “Eat That Frog!” Your “frog” is your biggest most important task, the one you are most like to procrastinate on if you don’t do something about it. It is also the one task that can have the most significant impact on your life at the moment. This is the task you want to start with each day. Often when we procrastinate it is because the task seems too hard. But, if you did it first then the rest of the day is easy and you don’t have that frog croaking at you! You must develop the routine of eating your frog before you do anything else and without taking too much time to think about it.

Activity: Look at your Master To List what is your frog today? Eat it!

Practice the ABCDE Method
A = A task that is very important and something you must do. These are your frogs in life. You may have more than one “A” task. You can prioritize these by writing “A-1”, “A-2”, and so on. A-1 is your ugliest frog!
B = A task that you should do. These are your tadpoles of your life. Reviewing an unimportant phone call or reviewing your e-mail is a B Task.
C = A task that would be nice to do, but left undone would not suffer great consequences such as, phoning a friend or having lunch with a co-worker.
D = A task that you can delegate to someone else to free up more time for your A tasks such as, your teenage child doing his own laundry instead of you doing it.
E = An activity that you can eliminate altogether such as watching television.

Activity: If you haven’t prioritize your goals on your Master To Do List, review your list right now and put an A, B, C, D, or E next to each task or activity. Select your A-1 task and begin on it immediately. Discipline yourself every day to do nothing else until your A-1 task is complete.

Time management is really self management. It is taking control of the sequence of events—having control over what you do next and your ability to choose the task that you will do next. Your ability to choose between important (what you decide to do) and urgent (what others may try to dictate you do) is the key determinant of your success in life and work.

Activity: Before you begin any task today ask yourself, “Is this task going to help me achieve one of my goals (important)?”

If you have struggled to reach goals in the past, let 2011 be the year you reach your goals...get started today--eat a frog!

Do you want to learn more about successful time management habits? Check out my e-book 4 Weeks to Reclaim Your Time (free with the purchase of my book Get Organized Today!).

Living Simply: The Ultimate Guide to Conquering Your Clutter

2010-12-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

Reprinted with permission by Leo Babauta.

First: Why Should You Simplify?

What’s the problem with clutter? Well, nothing, if that’s the way you like things. Everyone lives differently, and I’m not saying the decluttered lifestyle is better than the cluttered one.

However, I’ve found some benefits of decluttering from my decade or so of experience with this issue:

* Less stressful. Clutter can be a lot of visual distraction and mental stress. It’s basically a bunch of things you have to do (put away clothes, file papers, pay bills, get rid of junk, etc.) that you’re procrastinating on. While you don’t want to think about them, in the back of your mind you know they’re there.
* More efficient. I don’t know about you, but I work much better in an uncluttered home or workspace. There aren’t as many distractions, which means I can focus better.

* More peaceful. I can really relax in an uncluttered home. It’s just serene.

* More attractive. When you’re trying to sell your home, real estate agents will tell you that decluttering a home will really increase your odds of selling at a good price. That’s because people think uncluttered homes are more attractive. The same applies to when you have visitors — they will think your house is nicer just because it’s uncluttered.

* Saves time. Clutter comes with a time cost — you have to look for things, move things, store things, take things out of storage. Decluttering takes up some time, but in the long run I’ve found it saves a lot of time.

* Saves money. Clutter comes with a price tag as well — you need a bigger home and bigger closets and other storage space for all the clutter. Sometimes people buy extra storage space in other facilities to store all their stuff. Moving is a big hassles too, and costly. Other people will buy or build a shed or other storage structure in their own home.

* Frees up space. Less clutter means more space for living and playing and working. A garage is a good example — some people have so much clutter that their car(s) don’t fit in the garage, meaning they have to park outside. But declutter your garage and you have room for the car, or maybe a home gym instead.

Fundamental Simplicity Principles

Before you tackle your clutter, there are four basic steps to decluttering to keep in mind. Let’s take the example of decluttering a single drawer. These are the fundamental steps:

1. Collect. Take out everything and put it in a pile. Empty the entire drawer, and pile it all on a counter or a table. Take everything out, down to the last paper clip.

2. Choose. Pick out only the few things you love and use and that are important to you. Just sort through the pile, picking out the really essential stuff. Be very selective. Put the important stuff you pick out into a separate, smaller pile.

3. Eliminate. Toss the rest out. You know you’ll never need those manuals again. Don’t be sentimental with this step. Either throw everything into a big trash bag, or find a new home for some of the items if you think someone might have a use for them — donate them to charity or give them to a friend who would love them. And yes, you have to toss out all the chopsticks.

4. Organize. Put back the essential things, neatly, with space around things. Clean the drawer out first, of course, and put the very small pile of things you chose back in the drawer, grouping like things together and leaving space around the groups. Having space around things makes everything look neater and simpler.

This process is repeated for every drawer, shelf, table top, counter space, floor, closet, or any other area you’re trying to declutter.

10 Ways to Get Started

When you first decide to tackle your clutter, things can be overwhelming. Don’t let that intimidate you! Just get started, and tackle one small thing at a time. Don’t worry about the entire mess — focus on one area. Just that one area. It could be a countertop. It could be a drawer. It could be just a little corner of a room. It doesn’t matter what you choose — just start small.

Here are some different strategies for getting started — choose one and give it a try. If it turns out to be too hard, try another. It doesn’t matter which one you choose — what matters is starting.

1. Start clearing a starting zone. What you want to do is clear one area. This is your no-clutter zone. It can be a counter, or your kitchen table, or the three-foot perimeter around your couch. Wherever you start, make a rule: nothing can be placed there that’s not actually in use. Everything must be put away. Once you have that clutter-free zone, keep it that way! Now, each day, slowly expand your no-clutter zone until it envelopes the whole house! Unfortunately, the neighbors don’t seem to like it when you try to expand the no-clutter zone to their house, and start hauling away their unused exercise equipment and torn underwear when they’re not at home. Some people don’t appreciate simplicity, I guess.

2. Clear off a counter. You want to get your house so that all flat spaces are clear of clutter. Maybe they have a toaster on them, maybe a decorative candle, but not a lot of clutter. So start with one counter. Clear off everything possible, except maybe one or two essential things. Have a blender you haven’t used since jazzercise was all the rage? Put it in the cupboard! Clear off all papers and all the other junk you’ve been tossing on the counter too.

3. Pick a shelf. Now that you’ve done a counter, try a shelf. It doesn’t matter what shelf. Could be a shelf in a closet, or on a bookshelf. Don’t tackle the whole bookshelf — just one shelf. Clear all non-essential things and leave it looking neat and clutter-free.

4. Schedule a decluttering weekend. Maybe you don’t feel like doing a huge decluttering session right now. But if you take the time to schedule it for later this month, you can clear your schedule, and if you have a family, get them involved too. The more hands pitching in, the better. Get boxes and trash bags ready, and plan a trip to a charity to drop off donated items. You might not get the entire house decluttered during the weekend, but you’ll probably make great progress.

5. Pick up 5 things, and find places for them. These should be things that you actually use, but that you just seem to put anywhere, because they don’t have good places. If you don’t know exactly where things belong, you have to designate a good spot. Take a minute to think it through — where would be a good spot? Then always put those things in those spots when you’re done using them. Do this for everything in your home, a few things at a time.

6. Spend a few minutes visualizing the room. When I’m decluttering, I like to take a moment to take a look at a room, and think about how I want it to look. What are the most essential pieces of furniture? What doesn’t belong in the room but has just gravitated there? What is on the floor (hint: only furniture and rugs belong there) and what is on the other flat surfaces? Once I’ve visualized how the room will look uncluttered, and figured out what is essential, I get rid of the rest.

7. Put a load in your car for charity. If you’ve decluttered a bunch of stuff, you might have a “to donate” pile that’s just taking up space in a corner of your room. Take a few minutes to box it up and put it in your trunk. Then tomorrow, drop it off.

8. Pull out some clothes you don’t wear. As you’re getting ready for work, and going through your closet for something to wear, spend a few minutes pulling out ones you haven’t worn in a few months. If they’re seasonal clothes, store them in a box. Get rid of the rest. Do this a little at a time until your closet (and then your drawers) only contains stuff you actually wear.

9. Clear out your medicine cabinet. If you don’t have one spot for medicines, create one now. Go through everything for the outdated medicines, the stuff you’ll never use again, the dirty-looking bandages, the creams that you’ve found you’re allergic to, the ointments that never had an effect on your energy or your eye wrinkles. Simplify to the essential.

10. Pull everything out of a drawer. Just take the drawer out and empty it on a table. Then sort the drawer into three piles: 1) stuff that really should go in the drawer; 2) stuff that belongs elsewhere; 3) stuff to get rid of. Clean the drawer out nice, then put the stuff in the first pile back neatly and orderly. Deal with the other piles immediately!

The Next Steps

Once you’ve gotten a start, here are some other steps you can take to keep your momentum going:

1. Tackle one spot at a time. After doing one or two spots in the section above, choose another. Just do one spot at a time — don’t worry about the rest of the house. Each time you tackle a spot, you’re making another uncluttered space. Set aside a little time each day to do this, or big chunks if you can find them.

2. Designate a spot for incoming papers. Papers often account for a lot of our clutter. This is because we put them in different spots — on the counter, on the table, on our desk, in a drawer, on top of our dresser, in our car. No wonder we can’t find anything! Designate an in-box tray or spot in your home (or at your office, for that matter) and don’t put down papers anywhere but that spot. Got mail? Put it in the inbox. Got school papers? Put it in the inbox. Receipts, warranties, manuals, notices, flyers? In the inbox! This one little change can really transform your paperwork.

3. Create a “maybe” box. Sometimes when you’re going through a pile of stuff, you know exactly what to keep (the stuff you love and use) and what to trash or donate. But then there’s the stuff you don’t use, but think you might want it or need it someday. You can’t bear to get rid of that stuff! So create a “maybe” box, and put this stuff there. Then store the box somewhere hidden, out of the way. Put a note on your calendar six months from now to look in the box. Then pull it out, six months later, and see if it’s anything you really needed. Usually, you can just dump the whole box, because you never needed that stuff.

4. Create a 30-day list. The problem with decluttering is that we can declutter our butts off (don’t actually try that — it’s painful) but it just comes back because we buy more stuff. So fight that tendency by nipping it in the bud: don’t buy the stuff in the first place. Take a minute to create a 30-day list, and every time you want to buy something that’s not absolutely necessary (and no, that new Macbook Air isn’t absolutely necessary), put it on the list with the date it was added to the list. Make a rule never to buy anything (except necessities) unless they’ve been on the list for 30 days. Often you’ll lose the urge to buy the stuff and you’ll save yourself a lot of money and clutter.

5. Learn to file quickly. Once you’ve created your simple filing system, you just need to learn to use it regularly. Take a handful of papers from your pile, or your inbox, and go through them one at a time, starting from the top paper and working down. Make quick decisions: trash them, file them immediately, or make a note of the action required and put them in an “action” file. Don’t put anything back on the pile, and don’t put them anywhere but in a folder (and no cheating “to be filed” folders!) or in the trash/recycling bin.

6. Teach your kids where things belong. This only applies to the parents among us, of course, but if you teach your kids where things go, and start teaching them the habit of putting them there, you’ll go a long way to keeping your house uncluttered. Of course, they won’t learn the habit overnight, so you’ll have to be very very patient with them and just keep teaching them until they’ve got it. And better yet, set the example for them and get into the habit yourself.

7. Set up some simple folders. Sometimes our papers pile up high because we don’t have good places to put them. Create some simple folders with labels for your major bills and similar paperwork. Put them in one spot. Your system doesn’t have to be complete, but keep some extra folders and labels in case you need to quickly create a new file.

8. Have a conversation with your SO or roommate. Sometimes the problem isn’t just with us, it’s with the person or people we live with. An uncluttered home is the result of a shared philosophy of simplicity of all the people living in the house. If you take a few minutes to explain that you really want to have an uncluttered house, and that you could use their help, you can go a long way to getting to that point. Try to be persuasive and encouraging rather than nagging and negative. Read more about living with a pack rat.

9. Learn to love the uncluttered look. Once you’ve gotten an area decluttered, you should take the time to enjoy that look. It’s a lovely look. Make that your standard! Learn to hate clutter! Then catch clutter and kill it wherever it crops up.

Keeping It Uncluttered

Once you’ve tackled most of your clutter, you want to keep it fairly uncluttered from here on out. And trust me, clutter will come back if you let it. You have to make decluttering a continuous process — not necessarily every day or week, but something that you regularly revisit. More importantly, create systems and habits that will keep the clutter from overwhelming you once again.

Here are some ideas:

* One in, two out. Make it a rule: for every new item that comes into your life, you need to remove two. That means gifts, clothes, shoes, books, magazines, anything. It’s great to have a place where you put things you’re going to get rid of … whether to give to other people or to donate to charity or to take to a used book store. Then you can just grab the stuff on your way out to do errands.

* Limited storage. I like this rule because it fits in with my philosophy of self-set limitations: don’t allow yourself to have tons of storage space. The more storage you have, the more stuff you’ll keep. Instead, have limited storage and if stuff doesn’t fit in there, get rid of it. That forces you to make choices. They key is making those choices … if you don’t, you’ll end up with clutter.

* Clear floors and flat surfaces. Keep them clear. A room looks so much cleaner if all flat surfaces, from the floor to tabletops to countertops, are clear of clutter. Remove everything from these surfaces except perhaps one or two decorative items (don’t clutter with knick knacks). If you find stuff making its way here, clear it out. Clearing surfaces once a day or every couple days is a good routine.

* Designate a home for everything, and be fanatic. When you find stuff on flat surfaces, or draping over a chair, it might be because you don’t have a designated spot for that kind of thing. If you don’t, designate a spot for it immediately. If stuff doesn’t have a home in your home, you need to get rid of it, or it will forever wander around the house. The other problem might be that you have already designated a spot for it, but you’re just not good at putting it away. In that case, take a month to build up the habit of putting things where they belong immediately. It’ll make a huge difference.

* Regular decluttering sessions. Put in your calendar. Even the best of us need to declutter regularly. If you’ve decluttered your home, things might be great now, but you’ll need to do clutter maintenance. Put it in your calendar: perhaps once a month, once a week, or once every few months. Experiment to see what interval works for your life.

* Reduce your desires for more. If clutter is coming into your life at a rate that’s too great for you to handle, you might need to look at your buying habits. Do you go shopping for clothes or gadgets or shoes or books every week (or more)? Are you always buying stuff online? If so, is it out of real necessity, or do you just like to buy stuff? It’s important that you take a look at these desires, and see if you can address them. Reducing your desires will go a long way to reducing your need to fight clutter.

* Change your habits. Clutter didn’t create itself. It’s there because you put it there. What habits do you have that created the clutter? There may be many of them, some of them already mentioned above: you buy a lot, you don’t designate a home for things, you don’t put things away, you buy but don’t remove things … you may have other habits that create clutter. Change those habits, one at a time. Take 30 days and focus on a clutter habit, and see if you can create a new habit that will reduce your clutter.

“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” - William Morris

5 Clutter Personality Types--which one are you?

2010-12-14T08:20:00.000-08:00

I recently watched a Nate Berkus episode where Geralin Thomas described five clutter personality types. Take a look and let me know which one are you?
1. Easily Distracted
2. Procrastinator
3. Bargain Shopper
4. Sentimentalist
5. Perfectionist

Lists, my life would fall apart without them.

2010-12-13T13:39:00.000-08:00

I find lists particularly purposeful when they can be reused, especially at certain times during the year, like now during the holidays or when I'm planning a vacation. Or, for everyday activities such as grocery shopping and meal planning. Template reusable lists (checklists) are a huge time saver and there are lots of resources out there that provide them. To help you I have collected a list of my top five:

ListPlanIt
Real Simple Checklists
Printable Grocery Lists
Simply Checklists
Checklists for Parents of College Students

Check them out and save yourself not only time but your sanity!

My son leaves for college in one month…so, what does that have to do with organizing?

2010-08-10T14:05:00.000-07:00

A lot! There is more to going to college than packing up clothes and ordering dorm bedding—you do know that you need extra long sheets for dorm beds don’t you?

Even if you don’t have children heading off to college one day, read on for ways you can save money for other reasons or just how to live with less.

For those of you with young children, those planning to have children or those who have a child just a few years away from finishing high school if you haven’t started saving for your child’s college education, START. I thought I was prepared financially but I’m not even close. I thought my insanely brainy boy would be raking in the scholarships—NOT. Don’t count on scholarships, don’t count on great loan rates, and most of all don’t count on family. START saving A LOT of money now.

My son is going to an out-of-state college (not private) and that alone is costing $15,000 more a year just because he isn’t a resident. Yes, $15,000 MORE not total. And, if you thinking obtaining residency is easy—well rethink that idea, it’s not. When I starting saving for him I thought I would be paying $10,000 TOTAL per year for four years. He is studying architecture and it is at least a five year program. I also thought the money would grow, but we all know what happened to the market and college funds in the past two years...so, now you know how far behind I am with my savings plan!

Lastly, don’t let your financial planner tell you to worry about your own retirement first. Because when the time comes that same financial planner will say, “What were you thinking, how are you going to pay for his college?” I’m thinking of firing my financial planner!

Here are a few ideas to save you money that you can deposit into your child’s college fund or just live on less money:

1. Clip coupons and use the Couponizer to organize them. I wish I had started doing this 18+ years ago I might actually have saved enough for college just with clipping coupons.

2. Consign your gently worn clothing that you are no longer wearing. My daughter regularly sells her clothing to the Buffalo Exchange to pay for her new clothing. My son, daughter and I have consignment accounts at Katelyn’s Closet and 95% of what we consign sells.

3. Only pay for something if it is on sale (groceries may be the exception here since not everything you need at the grocery store will always be on sale). But, don’t buy something just because it is on sale. Buy if you need it and buy it on sale.

4. Ok, you have heard this one a zillion times—stop buying your daily latte, mocha or whatever your drink of choice is. Deposit the $3+ into your child’s college fund instead. In one year you will save $1,092+, but in 18 years you will save $19,656 plus interest. My husband and I didn’t give up coffee altogether. A few years ago we bought an espresso machine for a ridiculous sale price and now make all of our lattes and mochas at home. Between the two of us we save $2,704+ year—that covers textbooks.

5. If you are fortunate enough to have someone else clean your home, consider cutting back to once a month instead of weekly or biweekly and do all of the cleaning yourself. I’m not sure exactly what this costs, since I clean my home, but I have heard it is around $100+ a cleaning. So, depending on how often your cleaning crew cleans will depend on how much you save. But whatever it is, deposit into your child’s college fund.

6. Walk or use public transportation more and save the gas money. Consolidate your errands and do them all on one day instead of going out every day. If I didn’t need my car for my business I would seriously consider giving it up. I would save thousands of dollars a year in gas, maintenance and insurance costs. I would probably weigh 10 pounds less too with all of the walking I would do.

7. I can hear my father’s voice with this idea, “Turn off the lights! Stop running the water while you brush your teeth!” These seem like trivial ideas, but believe me you will save hundreds of dollars a year if you are more energy conscious.

8. When you get a raise, save it with every paycheck. If you could live on what you made before, you can still live on it.

9. Have an annual garage sale. I had my first one in 15 years a few weeks ago. I’m great at going through my stuff on a regular basis and donating to charitable organizations. But, with our first tuition payment due I rethought this practice and decided to hold a garage sale. We didn’t make tons of money but we made $550 and we would have given that away with past practice. It may not sound like much, but when you realize it will pay for your child to come home for Thanksgiving or Christmas it is a fortune! For tips on a successful garage sale read my good friend and colleague Danielle Liu’s garage sale tip sheet.

10. Do it yourself! As I write this blog I’m watching my husband wash the windows. Something we in the past have hired to have done. But we’re saving $200 to do it ourselves. In a few weeks my husband is going to demo the master bathroom down to the studs and remodel it himself. We were told by one company it would cost us $25,000. That was a huge motivator to do it ourselves and hire only what we need such as a drywaller and electrician.

I could go on and on with money saving ideas, because believe me I’m implementing them all at least for the next 7-10 years my kids are in college (yes, my daughter starts in two years, that’s when the pain really starts). If you have money saving ideas, please share them with me.

I have implemented a sliding scale plan that will help you to save money when you work with me. And, referrals are always appreciated!

No matter what, start saving for a purpose or to live with less.

So, if you see me and my gray hair roots are showing and my clothes look like they are off the Goodwill rack, please don’t judge because my kids’ college education depends on it!

Get Organized Today!

2010-08-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Personal and professional success is the result of more than talent, commitment and hard work. Success requires you to organize your home, your office and your relationships to meet the demanding needs of each. How efficiently you order these important aspects of your life is your key to finding success with ease and is one of the most important tools you have for becoming the absolute best you can be.

In Get Organized Today!, myself and 18 other top experts have joined to give you insightful guidance and advice learned through years of study and consulting with their clients and colleagues. These experts share their secrets and give you powerful organizing information and strategies. All the organizing professionals you will meet in this book want you to live your life with ease and simplicity.

Get Organized Today! is the book you need to help you plan, execute and maintain order in your work, life and relationships.

Get Organized Today! Retails for $24.00 and you can receive your signed copy today for only $20.00 plus shipping.

BONUS
Order Get Organized Today! and Receive my 4 Weeks To Reclaim Your Time e-workbook FREE.

50 Best Blogs to Organize Everything in Your Life

2010-06-06T08:26:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled my blog is listed among the 50 Best Blogs to Organize Everything in Your Life featured on OnlineDegrees.net.

Online Degrees is dedicated to helping students find the best accredited online college to pursue their associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree. They work diligently to find the best online schools which provide the ultimate in schedule flexibility while delivering a high quality education. With so many excellent online colleges to choose from, they will work with you to match your career needs with the perfect online education choice.

If you are interested in pursing a Professional Organizing career online check out my online Webinars and Self-study programs for Professional Organizer business owners.

And, be sure to check out the other 49 best blogs on Online Degrees.net.

Listen to My Clutter-Busting Tips for the Entire Home

2010-05-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

I had the extreme pleasure to be interviewed by Matt and Bonnie Dewkett of The Joyful Organizer. Listen to some wonderful organizing tips that you can apply to any room in the home. I also provide and explain some of the benefits of getting organized.

Listen to internet radio with The Joyful Organizer on Blog Talk Radio

Please share with friends and family and feel free to rate the show in iTunes.

Enjoy!

Feeling BLIS from NAPO Conference

2010-04-28T09:17:00.000-07:00

Last week I was in Columbus, Ohio for my 8th NAPO conference. I always come back re-energized and exploding with new organizing systems, techniques and practices as well as inspiration from fellow Professional Organizers. Here are a few new ideas that I would love to share with you (my clients):

Set-up your power office
Tackle your towering to-do list
The cost benefits of organizing
Strategies to organize individuals with ADD/ADHD
Organizing tools you can find on the Web
How to maximize small spaces

As always, I learned a lot and also met some fun and functional organizing vendors. My favorite is BLIS (Best Life Information System) and I would love to show you a demo of how this Web-based home and life information management system allows you to have all of your important information at your fingertips. You can quickly view your calendar, link to a Web site, pull up your family’s important medical information, plan a birthday party, make a to-do list, or locate the plumber’s number, just to name a few of the 1,000 actions BLIS can do. It is a secure Web-based program allowing users to access important information remotely and conveniently.

Call me today to set up a session on any of these new organizing ideas and products I have discovered. Speaking of sessions, I was inspired to establish a new pricing model—the more hours you purchase, the lower your cost, ask me how I can save you money and get organized.

I can’t wait to save you money and show you some powerful organizing tools and systems!

Announcing...Get Organized Today

2010-04-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to be a co-author of Get Organized Today with so many top-notch and fun Professional Organizers!

Get Organized Today will be available late-Summer 2010.

My chapter is Win at Organizing - Overcoming Chronic Disorganization.

For complete details visit our Web site Books page.

Schedule me to speak to your organization (work, church, club, networking group, etc.) about how to Win at Organizing. Call me for details 503.246.0170.

Taking a fresh look at your business

2010-03-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's difficult to imagine that taking on those organizing projects may save you money instead of cost you money. Getting organized is an investment. Over time you will save money, increase productivity and achieve a better balanced work environment. If people know where...

Art Closet Organizing Makeover Masterpiece

2010-02-23T17:25:00.000-08:00

Tried out my new flip camera video taping a client's art closet organizing makeover. Here are the results...

Hear what people are saying about our GO System Webinars

2010-02-20T16:11:00.001-08:00

Here's what people are saying about our GO System training:

I thoroughly enjoyed the training and felt that Anne was clear and concise with the information.

I am a new organizer and really appreciated the depth and scope of information presented in the webinar. Having an understanding of underlying issues with clients is essential in providing excellent service. Signe Hill

I highly recommend the Go System as a set of tools to work with in order to become more productive, have more clarity and work more efficiently.

The Go System course was both enlightening and educational. It is unlike any other organizing course I have taken. Knowing why things instead of just knowing that they happen will make me both a better Professional Organizer and a better business owner. I highly recommend this course to anyone that would like some specific actions to take to improve their productivity. Cindy Vanhoff Professional Organizer Reclaimed Spaces, LLC Spokane, Washington

I really liked the multi-tasking exercise! It was a real eye opener.

I set up the file system and did the prioritizing. It felt FABULOUS! Thanks Anne!

I've been using the FOCUS method to get some major projects done.

Register for our next Webinar series starting March 5, 2010.

4 Weeks to Reclaim Your Time - eBook

2010-02-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

Do you know poor organization is often a derivative of poor time management?
Do you often feel overwhelmed?
Are you feeling like you juggle too many tasks at once?
Do you feel your environment is in constant chaos?
Do you feel like you have too much to do and not enough hours in the day to do everything?
Do you often say, “I’m too busy, I don’t have time.”

Then this e-workbook is for you!

For 28 days follow my Four Week Plan to More Effective Time Management and I will teach you habits that will lead to more control over your time and skills to manage yourself within your time more effectively.

There are 24 hours in one day, 7 days in one week, and 365 days in a year. We all get the same exact amount of time. It is how we choose to spend our time that makes the difference. You’ll be amazed at the changes you can make in just four weeks and I’m sure you will be surprised at how easy the changes are to make.

Each week covers a different focus:
Week One (habits 1-7) creating new habits, goal setting (the foundation of effective time management) and prioritizing
Week Two (habits 8-14) time management tools
Week Three (habits 15-21) planning and scheduling
Week Four (habits 22-28) addressing procrastination

Ready? Get started! Full color e-workbook just $9.95.

Your Go System Registration

2010-01-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

It's time to register for the next GO System Webinar Lunch and Learn series starting February 12, 2010. The great thing about Webinars is you can attend them without ever leaving your office or home!

The GO System is a training course that focuses on workplace productivity. This course is for those of you who have "had enough" in terms of workplace stress, long hours and unproductive workdays...and are seriously ready to get more focused, organized, and productive. The GO System addresses seven major issues that help significantly improve personal and workplace results including:
1. Establishing strong foundational habits
2. Processing incoming items
3. Prioritizing
4. Using time rationally
5. Effectively managing projects
6. Understanding personality issues
7. Understanding psychological issues

The bottom line - you'll get more done!

The profile of a typical GO System course candidate:
*Unorganized people who have finally "had enough" are excellent candidates.
*Surprisingly, highly organized people respond very positively to GO System training. These people are typically constantly on the lookout for a few more good ideas, or looking for a resource to help others in their workgroup get more organized and productive.
*People recently, or about to be, promoted to management find the GO System very helpful as do others experiencing a significant increase in responsibility.
If you are interested, and I hope you are, grab a sandwich and join me!

For complete details visit our Web site GO System page

Registration closes Friday, February 5th.

This is also a great workplace training event for your employees.
Call for details 503.246.0170

NAPO Oregon Presents: 2010 Pacific Northwest Organizing Expo

2010-01-28T06:06:00.000-08:00

This is a free event, so come join us! Stop by and see me at the Professional Organizer Training Institute booth. Great door prizes!

For more information visit their website .

NAPO Oregon Presents: 2010 Pacific Northwest Organizing Expo
January 30, 2010, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Montgomery Park, 2701 NW Vaughn Street, Portland Oregon

How to Get a Copy of Your Vital Records by Real Simple

2010-01-27T08:02:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been frustrated because you could not find an important document when you needed it and then further frustrated because you did not know how to obtain a replacement? It's 'real simple', here is all you need to know How to Get a Copy of Your Birth Certificate, Replace a Passport, and Store Important Documents | How to Replace Your Passport | Real Simple.

INTRODUCING THE GO SYSTEM

2010-01-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

I’m kicking off GO Month with my GO System Webinar Lunch and Learn series.

GO stands for Getting Organized. January 2010 will mark the sixth year of NAPO sponsoring Get Organized (GO) Month. GO Month is dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of getting organized and of hiring a NAPO professional organizer.

The GO System is a training course that focuses on workplace productivity. This course is for those of you who have “had enough” in terms of workplace stress, long hours and unproductive workdays…and are seriously ready to get more focused, organized and productive. The GO System addresses seven major issues that help significantly improve personal and workplace results including:
1. Establishing strong foundational habits
2. Processing incoming items
3. Prioritizing
4. Using time rationally
5. Effectively managing projects
6. Understanding personality issues
7. Understanding psychological issues

The bottom line – you’ll get more done!

Many people offer the following advice: They tell you to, “Work smarter…not harder! Few of these people offer any specific, solid, practical or proven suggestions on how to do this.

The GO System addresses 14 specific issues, ideas and strategies to help you learn to work smarter, not harder. People often say, “If I get one good idea from a training course it will be worth my time and money.” You will experience and enjoy at least 14 major takeaways from the GO System course.

You'll be able to:
Ensure that time spent at work is quality, productive time
Decrease productivity-killing stress and anxiety
Improve your ability to follow up and follow through on assignments
Improve your ability to quickly recover from unexpected interruptions
Increase your contribution to the bottom-line results of your organization

The GO System course content is unique, interesting, relevant, easy-to-understand and easy-to implement. Researchers have determined time and time again that people pay attention to, and remember, things that are novel, interesting, relevant to their particular situation and clearly presented.

Now, more than any other time you need to be demonstrating that you are organized, productive, and highly effective either in your workplace, to your customers, for your family, and for yourself.

Register for my GO System Webinar training and learn simple, specific and effective solutions that offer quick relief to workplace and personal stress. Over the course of three one-hour live “lunch and learn” webinars you will learn specifically about:
1. WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY ILLUSIONS
2. MULTI-TASKING VS. PRODUCTIVITY
3. CONQUERING MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CLUTTER
4. 5X5 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
5. SIMPLIFIED PRIORITIZING
6. STRATEGIES FOR ACCEPTING THE INFLEXIBILITY OF TIME
7. THE JOB OF A PROBLEM IS TO GET YOUR ATTENTION
8. A SIMPLE MODEL FOR CREATING DESIRED RESULTS
9. AVOIDING AVOIDANCE STRATEGIES
10. PEOPLE, PERSONALITIES AND PRODUCTIVITY
11. SELF-DEFEATING BEHAVIOR INFLUENCES
12. BEHAVIORAL TAPES
13. PROCRASTINATION
14. CHANGING BAD AND UGLY HABITS INTO GOOD HABITS
15. FINAL [SELF] EXAMINATION

Your $64.95 registration payment includes:

A 64-page, four-color, high quality, professionally developed workbook to reinforce the course material during the class and document all the main points of the training course for after class review. $19.95 (includes shipping)

THREE one-hour live lunch and learn webinars ($15 each hour):
January 22, 29, and February 5 (12:00-1:00 p.m. East Coast OR 12:00-1:00 West Coast Time), OR

February 12,19, and 26 (12:00-1:00 p.m. East Coast OR 12:00-1:00 West Coast Time), OR

March 5, 12, and 19 (12:00-1:00 p.m. East Coast OR 12:00-1:00 West Coast Time),

Access to a special GO System resources website for 12 months following your participation in the course. This website offers a wide variety of tools, resources, articles and information to help reinforce and implement the ideas presented in the GO System course.

What about the return-on-investment for the training?

In terms of money, compute both the cost of disorganization and the break-even related to your investment in GO System training.

In terms of time, give me 3 hours of your time and I’ll show you how to free up over 10 weeks of available time over the next 12 months. Not a bad tradeoff!

To borrow a tag line from a TV ad, the relief from stress and anxiety is priceless!

Don’t spend one more day lacking focus, being unproductive, or disorganized! Register for your GO System training now! Space is limited--register now!

Stretch Your Holiday Dollar

2009-11-09T10:21:00.000-08:00

I'm going to share with you what I do every November and December to save money so I have a little extra for gift giving and purge my pantry and freezer at the same time.

My secret...I prepare meals ONLY from what I have in my freezer and pantry as of November 1st. The only groceries I purchase are fresh produce, dairy and bread.

What's your secret to saving money around the holidays or in general? Come on share and send me your comments!

Tis the night before Halloween

2009-10-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

Tis the night before Halloween and not a creature is stirring, but
Mom is having a frightful dream of the upcoming holidays and all the hoopla it's bringing!

If this is how you are feeling, I have five stress-free holiday solutions that will bring you peace and joy.

For $14.95 you receive a 30-minute Stress-Free Holidays phone consultation at a time that is convenient for you including:
1. Your personalized holiday task list that you can accomplish.
2. Your personalized holiday countdown calendar for visual motivation and tracking.
3. Your personalized holiday gift list, budget, and plan.
4. Gift-giving tips.
5. Holiday simplifying tips.

All this will save you time, money, and most of all frustration. $14.95 is a small price to pay for what could cost you hundreds of dollars, hours you don't have, and frustration you shouldn't have to experience.

It's only 27 days until Thanksgiving, 42 days until Hanukkah starts, 53 days until the first day of Kwanzaa, and 56 days until Christmas--time is a wasting! Contact me today to arrange your 30-minute Stress-Free Holidays consultation.

anne@solutionsforyou.com
503-246-0710

Back to School Post #7 of 7- Conclusion-Help Them Find Their Own Way

2009-09-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

Help Them Find Their Own Way
I have learned from my own experience that what works for me and works for my son and works for my husband doesn’t work for my daughter. If your method of organization isn’t working for your student, help her brainstorm a different method that will work for her. If she can come up with her own solution she will have more ownership of it and be more successful as a result.

*Image provided by Microsoft clip art
Excerpt from Get Rich Organizing

Do you know what's in your closet?

2009-09-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

Do you have a closet full of clothes and can never find anything to wear? Do you hate to shop for clothes? Do you buy clothes and when you wear them feel like they just aren’t quite right?

I can help! I wanted to add personal wardrobe stylist to my repertoire of organizing services. Fortunately, I met Margaret Spencer, Founder of Holobi®, through my training background. I trained with Margaret and I am now thrilled to be a Certified Holobi® D.R.E.S. System Stylist who can show you how to bring out your brilliance and confidence so you can shine!

Find out more about our wardrobe makeover services and packages so you can enjoy an organized wardrobe and project the image you intend and feel brilliant!

View my Holobi® profile for the Holobi® services I can provide you.

Back to School Post #6 of 7 - Teach Project Management

2009-09-24T06:42:00.000-07:00

Teach Project Management
With longer projects, planners are essential. Suggest students subtract two days from the project’s due date for each week they have to work on it. (For a three-week assignment, for example, subtract six days and consider the new date as the due date.) This gives the student a buffer if anything comes up to throw him off schedule. From there, help your student work backward in his planner to create shorter term goals, such as “purchase materials,” “complete outline,” “finish first draft,” etc. This helps them manage their progress along the way and avoid a frantic rush to finish at the end.

*Image provided by Microsoft clip art
Excerpt from Get Rich Organizing

Back to School Post #5 of 7 - Teach Time Management

2009-09-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

Teach Time Management
It’s the rare middle school student who can gauge how much time an assignment will take. Suggest your student use a timer to develop the skill. If they time themselves reading a fifteen-page chapter, for example, they’ll have a good idea how long to allocate when they have to read thirty pages, sixty pages, or more.

Plan their week every Sunday night or sometime over the weekend. Instruct the student to write in their planner any known commitments and assignments. Also review what materials might be needed for projects during the week.

*Image provided by Microsoft clip art
Excerpt from Get Rich Organizing

Back to School Post #4 of 7 - Use Tools Wisely

2009-09-17T06:38:00.000-07:00

Use Tools Wisely
Most middle school students use binders and planners, but many don’t use them effectively. Help them to choose a binder with several pockets, then designate the pockets as follows: One for each subject, to hold all completed assignments the teacher has returned; one for all homework to complete, so it’s easy to see what needs to be done; and one for homework to turn in, which should be empty at the end of each day.

With planners, suggest finding one that shows a week-at-a glance, with blank headings for columns and rows (also known as teacher planner). Designate each column as a day of the week and each row as a subject area or class. Include a row for extracurricular activities as well. This way, students can see everything they have to do on each day. If one day looks heavy and another light (no assignments in one class or no extracurricular activities, for example), help your student determine how to use time on the light day to make the heavier day less hectic.

Instruct the student to highlight completed assignments in the planner, and check them off once they’re turned in, so you can quickly scan the week for anything not completed and/or turned in.

*Image provided by Microsoft clip art
Excerpt from Get Rich Organizing

Back to School Post #3 of 7 - Make Homework Routine

2009-09-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

Make Homework Routine
You can help by making sure your student has a suitable space to work without distractions and with homework supplies nearby. Find a place that’s comfortable but not so comfortable he’ll fall asleep.

Create a routine of setting aside a specific time for doing homework, not just “sometime tonight.” Have a really specific time so that gets developed into their routine and becomes a habit also.

*Image provided by Microsoft clip art
Excerpt from Get Rich Organizing

Back to School Post #2 of 7 - Parents Need to Stay Involved

2009-09-09T05:47:00.000-07:00

Parents Need to Stay Involved
While middle school is a time of burgeoning independence, parents need to stay involved, at least until their student shows he can manage his own workload. Help your student by creating a routine and habit of the parent checking in with their child each day to review their homework and their projects.

Have them check daily to ensure their child has completed his work and packed it in his backpack or binder. When the student returns from school, make sure he’s turned it in.

For most kids, these daily checks will become habits before long and the parent will be able to relinquish the responsibility.

*Image provided by Microsoft clip art
Excerpt from Get Rich Organizing

Back to School Post #1 o f 7 - Transitions

2009-09-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

I took the month of August off, but now I'm gearing up to send my kids back to school next week. I'm devoting the month of September blog posts to tips on transitioning back to school.

Parents need help organizing their children and their homework (typically middle school students with ADD). The challenges of transitioning from one teacher in elementary school to many teachers in middle school often takes students, and parents, by surprise. Many students lack the organizational tools necessary to handle the multiple classes, assignments, projects, teaching methods, and expectations. This all leads to a breakdown in study skills, lower grades, and increased tension between parents and children.

What’s a parent to do? Don’t panic! In my upcoming blog posts I will offer simple tips to help your student develop the organizational skills he’ll need to succeed in middle school, and in life. (Excerpt from Get Rich Organizing)

If you have any tips to suggest, please post a comment. Otherwise check back soon for more in this series of blog posts and excerpts from Get Rich Organizing.

*Image provided by Microsoft clipart

My Book is Published!

2009-08-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

Get Rich Organizing: The Professional Organizer Survival Guide to Launch, Manage, and Grow a Profitable Business

Order your signed copy now!

Listen to my book interview with Susan Creal
www.freeconferencecall.com
Login:
access code 220447
phone 6054754875
subscriber pin 401106

Effortless Organizing Solution #28

2009-07-29T08:28:00.000-07:00

Say NO! Take 15 minutes and go through your calendar and your projects. What did you commit to that you really don't feel passionate about? What are you giving up that you truly want to do but can't be cause you said YES to other activities?

Select at least three activities or projects that you really don't want to do and say NO. Take them off your list/calendar and add three activities that will truly make you happy--or don't add anything and enjoy the freedom it brings you.

The next time someone asks you to do something and you really don't want to do...say NO!!

Effortless Organizing Solution #27

2009-07-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

Get a jump on your week! Sunday night sit down with yourself or your family and take 15 minutes to plan your week. 15 minutes of effort will save hours during the week! Review the following:
*Calendar of activities
*Who is taking whom where, when, and how?
*What's for dinner and who's cooking it?
*Who's doing what chores and when?

Let me know how your week goes. Did this save you time? Reduce frustration? Increase family communication?

Effortless Organizing Solution #26

2009-07-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

Take 15 minutes and assemble a "while-you-wait" bag. Do you find yourself standing in line, stuck in traffic, at your child's sporting event and wish you had something to occupy your time? You can get a lot done in brief periods of time. Pack your bag for those projects you can do anywhere and keep the tools you need in your bag too. here are a few ideas:
*Read a novel or magazine
*Write thank you notes
*Sort through your coupons
*Write a shopping list
*Pay your bills
*Plan your weekly menus
*Crossword puzzles
*Fill out forms
*Write a blog

Effortless Organizing Solution #25

2009-07-26T08:11:00.001-07:00

Stop the junk mail insanity!!! Are you just returning from a vacation and appalled at the amount of junk mail you received? Then do your part and stop your junk mail. Take 15 minutes and send a letter and $1.00 to the address below to get off the junk mail list. Click here for a sample letter or you can also register online.

Mail Preference Center

Direct Marketing Association

P.O. Box 643

Carmel, NY 15012-0643

Effortless Organizing Solution #24

2009-07-24T07:34:00.000-07:00

Add turntables to difficult places to reach.

I am vertically challenged. So, whenever I find it difficult to reach something on a shelf, I add a turntable for the items on that shelf. This works particularly well in kitchens (pantry, top refrigerator shelf, and upper cabinet shelves).

Turntables also work well in cabinets when you can't reach the back of cabinet such as under the bathroom sink for storing cleaning bottles.

Do you have places you can't easily reach? If you do, take 15 minutes and add turntables for the items in those spaces. You will be amazed at how much easier life can be when you can reach the things you need without getting on a step stool or down on your hands and knees.

Effortless Organizing Solution #23

2009-07-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

You have 15 minutes... GO! Use this time to: clear our your voicemail box, put 20 pictures in a photo album, run the trash relay, return an important call, toss the spoiled food in your refrigerator, clean out a bathroom drawer, sort the mail, wrap a gift, fill out a form, make a grocery list, or flip through your calendar and plan for the upcoming week.

If you take care of a task this size every time you have 15 free minutes, you will be organized and clutter free in a very short time.

Effortless Organizing Solution #22

2009-07-24T07:26:00.001-07:00

SET TIME LIMITS - If you have to work late or during the weekend, set time limits for yourself. Whether you work for two or four hours, stop working at the end of that time and enjoy the rest of the evening or weekend.

Setting time limits can also encourage you to start a task you have been putting off. I don't particularly like to weed. So I set a timer for 15 minutes. When the timer goes off I usually keep on weeding. It's the getting started and thinking it will take too much time that often prevents us from starting an undesirable task.

Effortless Organizing Solution #21

2009-07-21T07:44:00.001-07:00

Take a break! Do nothing on your "to do" list today. Instead practicing doing nothing. Not sure how? I suggest you read Real Simple's August Issue article 10 Ways to Enjoy Doing Nothing. But, then that would be doing something instead of nothing!

Effortless Organizing Solution #20

2009-07-20T08:20:00.001-07:00

Pay your bills online and set them up to be automatically paid if possible.
Take 15 minutes right now and go online to your bank and set up your bill payments online. It's easy and you can set up recurring payments automatically for payments such as your mortgage, insurance, anything that is the same amount payment after payment.

Think how much time you will gain by letting automation work for you! And, you won't incur late fees because you forgot to pay a bill. That's what I call a double savings--time and money--with a single task!

Effortless Organizing Solution #19

2009-07-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

Plan your errand route!

Monday or Friday is my designated errand day--depends mostly on my client schedule. Today is my designated weekly errand day and I have a lot of errands to run. They really pile up in a week's time.

I know if I don't take a few minutes to plan out my route I'll be zig zagging all over town. Not only will I be wasting time, I'll be wasting gas--a precious commodity these days. Take 15 minutes before you start your errand jaunt to plan your route and save hours from zig zagging!

Happy Monday!

Effortless Organizing Solution #18

2009-07-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

Attack your magazine clutter!

I know you have them. Those stacks upon stacks of magazines--some read, some not, and some you want to keep for your "someday" ideas.

An effortless solution to reduce your stacks is to take 15 minutes and sort through your magazines. Keep only the past 12 issues of any one magazine subscription. Toss any that are older than 12 months.

When your new issue comes in toss the oldest issue. This will keep your subscriptions to a maximum of one year's worth of issues. Which, INMHO is still too many for those who often say, "I'm so busy", or "I just don't have time".

If you really want to reduce your magazine clutter, toss all but the current issue. And, unsubscribe to any magazines you are not enjoying any more. Enjoy your new found space and freedom from the guilt of not reading your magazines!

Effortless Organizing Solution #16 and #17

2009-07-18T07:22:00.000-07:00

Solution #16 - A truly functional shower caddy!

I was in Storables the other day picking up closet materials for a client and one of the sales staff pointed out this great new product they have, she said for college students. It's a shower tote by Interdesign. I said not only is it great for college students it great for kids (and adults) going to camp to store their shower necessities!

We camp every year with our kids. Now camping for me is a camp ground with access to a public shower. I have used the typical shower totes with one open bin and a handle and they have worked fine. But, everything gets sort of jumbled together. This one has a specific spot for bar soap, a place for tooth paste and tooth brushes and two bins for shampoos or make up products. This tote ORBZ! keeps everything in its designated place. Love it!

Effortless Organizing Solution #17 - Make a list!

Make a list (preferably electronic) of everything you need to take with you camping or your child needs to take to camp. it will only take you 15 minutes to do this. Save it and print a copy for each time you need it. This will save you time having to rethink year after year what to pack for camp!

Want to save more time on not only a camp list but all of your lists? Check out ListPlanIt. They have these two lists for camping:

CAMPING LIST - Is your family preparing for a camping trip? Are you staying in a tent or even in a cabin? Remembering everything is not easy. Just print out this list and check it off as you gather the items!

CAMPER / RV PACKING LIST - Whether you are planning a trip to the lake for the weekend or a trip around the country for a year, packing your camper or RV is a major task. Your comfort depends upon what you remember (or forget) to bring along.

Happy camping!

Effortless Organizing Solution #15 - The 5x5 Habit for Increased Work Place and Personal Productivity and Efficiency

2009-07-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

As a professional organizer, I have the opportunity to assist home owners and business owners with office organization—specifically information management and productivity efficiency. You are not alone if this area presents a challenge for you.

One method to simplify information management is to use the "5 x 5" habit for incoming information. The 5x5 habit consists of five categories of incoming information and five possible decisions of what to do with each piece of information. By grouping items, you can begin to rewire your brain around this sometimes overwhelming chore.

The 5x5 habit methodology is a component of the GO System. It’s simple. “GO” stands for Getting Organized! The GO System is a proven, step-by-step process that can help you find things when you need them and, more importantly, help you stay focused on high-priority activities.

Here's how to break it down:

Five Information Categories

The first step is sort incoming information into one of five categories:

1. Paper: All mail, catalogs and magazines, junk mail, memorabilia, kids' schoolwork, newspaper/magazine articles.

2. E-mail messages.

3. Voice mail messages.

4. Verbal requests from family, friends, co-workers, and others.

5. Your ideas: Your own projects and ideas.

Five Decisions

The next step is to narrow down your decisions for what to do with each piece of information by making one of five decisions:

1. Discard: A basic premise of staying organized is to learn to throw unnecessary paper / information away. Some questions to ask are:

- Will you have time to read this?
- Are you legally required to keep it (certificates/proof of identity)?
- Is there a tax reason to keep it (resale of property/tax basis/annual tax filing)?
- Can you get this information later if you need it?
- Is the information still current?
- Will you actually use it/refer to it?

2. Delegate: Does it belong to someone else, can someone else take care of this, will someone else want/use it?

3. Take immediate action: If it takes two minutes or less (just a guideline), do it now! This is the one piece of advice that my clients tell me they use constantly. If you think you don't have time now, what makes you think you'll have time later? For example:

- Make a phone call.
- Enter an event in your calendar.
- Enter a phone number/address in your contact database or book.
- Sign a document and return it.

4. File for reference: No action is required, but you want it for future reference. File in a simple reference filing system.

5. Requires follow-up or action that takes more than two minutes (anything that doesn’t fall into the previous four decisions). You can place these items in a “tickler system” (1-31 daily files and January-December monthly files) for items that need action on a specific date or in a general action file such as:
- Phone calls
- Reconcile
- Read
- Bills to pay
- Meetings
- Any other action that is pertinent to your situation

Using the 5x5 habit for incoming information and the simple file systems for reference and follow-up/action will substantially increase your productivity and ability to focus on what is important.

The GO System addresses the major issues that cause chaos and disorganization:
- Handling Incoming Items
- Prioritization Issues
- Rational Use of Time
- Project Management Issues
- Email efficiency
- Electronic Information Management

The system is easy to understand, easy to implement and easy to maintain. It doesn’t get any better than that!

I am a Certified GO System Trainer and Consultant and a member of the Network of Productivity Excellence and I would welcome the opportunity to provide practical ideas on improving your workplace and personal productivity.

Call 503-246-0710 and schedule your three-hour individual or group productivity session.

Effortless Organizing Solution #14

2009-07-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

your passwords!

How do you keep track of your passwords? Most likely on a piece of paper "hidden" away. Not very convenient when you are on your computer and can't remember your password for the store you are purchasing from online.

I have an effortless solution for you. Well, it may require some effort initially to key in your password information, but then whenever you need access to a password it will be extremely effortless. Here's the secret PASSWORDS PLUS. Download a trial today, trust me you will thank me for this one!

Effortless Organizing Solution #13

2009-07-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

MAKE APPOINTMENTS FOR YOU - Take 15 minutes and schedule a few pampering appointments for YOU to recharge your batteries. Today I'm starting a pilates class and getting a massage--my batteries are pretty run down!!

Effortless Organizing Solution #12

2009-07-12T09:15:00.001-07:00

Dealing with closet bulge!
Is your closet jammed full? Does the thought of cleaning it out overwhelm you? You are probably making the project bigger than it needs to be.

Set up this one simple system and watch your closet space expand. Place a basket on the floor of your closet or near your closet. Whenever you come across an item of clothing that you haven’t worn in a year, needs repair, has a stain on it, doesn’t fit you NOW, or your simply do not like anymore, place it in the basket. When the basket is full donate what you can’t resell. Set this system up in all of your closets.

Effortless Organizing Solution #11

2009-07-11T06:27:00.000-07:00

Where are your clutter-energy drains?

Take 15 minutes to create a list of what drains your energy in your physical environment. Go through your space methodically and write down anything that bugs you when you walk in the room. The first step is simply to become aware of where your energy-sucking clutter zones are.

The next step is schedule 15 minutes to start addressing one of the areas on your list--pick the one that bugs you the most. You know, that monkey on your back. If you can get the monkey off your back you will gain energy to address the other areas.

Effortless Organizing Solution #10

2009-07-10T05:33:00.000-07:00

Ditch all your unused electronics! One of the major stumbling blocks for my clients to letting go of something is, "I paid a lot of money for it.” The monetary value of any item is only that for which you could sell it. Don’t hesitate to part with something simply because you paid a lot of money for it.

Keeping items that don’t serve a purpose in your life today cost you in terms of lost productivity and sacrifice of freedom. Plus it is negative energy. It makes you MAD that you spent a lot of money for something that you are not using any more and keeping that item around is a constant reminder of that feeling.

For example many people are transitioning from the big-bulky computer monitor or TV and replacing it with a sleek, slim, and sexy flat screen monitor. Yet, they keep around those big bulky monitors because they paid a lot of money for them. One of the criteria I use with clients in helping them to decide whether or not keep something is, if it makes you feel bad or mad get rid of it!

If you have unused, unloved electronics laying around that are making you MAD it's time to ditch them. Costco has made it easy for you to recoup some of that money you are festering over. They have a new electronics trade-in and recycle program. Take 15 minutes and gather up those electronics you need to ditch and feel HAPPY about it!

Effortless Organizing Solution #9

2009-07-09T05:55:00.000-07:00

Set your timer for 15 minutes to organize and catalog your library of books. This may take several 15 minute sessions to complete depending on how many books you have. By breaking it down in 15 minute increments the job will not seem so overwhelming. You might plan to work on this task for 15 minutes every day until it is completed or once a week for 15 minutes. The point is to keep at it until the task is completed.

An easy way to catalog your books is to number each book. Record the number associated with the book title and book author in a word document or excel document that you can search to locate a book. For example:
#1/Get Rich Organizing/Anne Blumer, CPO
#2/Eat That Frog!/Brian Tracy

Effortless Organizing Solution #8

2009-07-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

Set your timer for 15 minutes and organize your spice jars. Discard any spices and seasonings that have expired or you have duplicates of (toss the old/keep the new).

Return your spices to your spice drawer or cabinet in ALPHABETICAL order making access of your spices a snap.

Effortless Organizing Solution #7

2009-07-07T06:27:00.000-07:00

Set your timer for 15 minutes and go through your medicine cabinet clearing out all expired medications, make-up, lotions, and potions. While you are at it, toss away any products you know you will not use.

With what is left group by category; medication, make-up, tooth care, and lotions and return to the cabinet in a designate spot.

For example; medications on the top shelf, make-up on the next shelf down, tooth care on the next shelf, and lotions on the last shelf.

This will help you find what you need when you need it.

Effortless Organizing Solution #6

2009-07-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

Clear Out Your E-mail Inbox! Spend 15 minutes clearing out as many e-mails from your inbox as you can. Don't spend this time replying to e-mails. Focus on deleting e-mails you no longer need.

Create three sub-folders within your "inbox" folder; Reply, Follow-up, and Action.

As you come across e-mails that you need to reply to, move those to a "reply" folder.

As you come across e-mails that you need to follow-up on, move those to a "follow-up" folder.

Those e-mails requiring action, move to an "action" folder.

Delete, reply, follow-up, and action are your e-mail filters as you receive new messages.

Follow these steps and your e-mail in-box should remain "empty" at the end of each viewing.

Effortless Organizing Solution #5

2009-07-05T07:25:00.000-07:00

Write Your To-Do's for the Upcoming Week!

It's a proven fact, what you write down gets done. Take 15 minutes to write your to-do's for the upcoming week. Be sure to include all the roles you play including work, family, home, volunteer, and you!

Don't stop here. Now schedule when (day/time) you will do each of your "to-do's". That step will insure you complete everything on your to-do list, otherwise it might remain an uncompleted list.

Effortless Organizing Solution #4

2009-07-04T07:16:00.000-07:00

Catch Up With Family and Friends! This should be easy to do on the 4th of July!! Stay close to the ones you love by setting aside a half hour on a Saturday afternoon to talk and catch up with friends and family. Whether it's a call to your parents or an e-mail to a close friend, every gesture will be appreciated without taking up the whole day. Make this a habit and repeat every Saturday or the first Saturday of each month. You'll feel more connected to those who matter the most to you.

Happy 4th of July!!

Effortless Organizing Solution #3

2009-07-03T11:06:00.001-07:00

Send Your Spouse On Your Errands. Delegating is the essential ingredient to getting it all done! Stop doing it all yourself!! Find the tasks on your to do list that can easily be accomplished by someone else; delegate those tasks and watch your list dwindle!

Effortless Organizing Solution #2

2009-07-02T06:43:00.001-07:00

Keep Your Shoes Tidy in Your Closet! Tackle that pile of shoes by getting a sturdy shoe rack and organize your shoes by type: heels, athletic shoes, flip flops, flats, and special occassion.

If you still don't have enough room after you've culled your collection, place your flat, casual shoes like flip flops in this great flip flop holder availble from The Container Store.

Put gently worn shoes that you no longer wear in a bag to be donated. Put the bag with shoes to be donated in your car wo you can drop them off when you're out on your next errand.

Effortless Organizing Solution #1

2009-07-01T05:38:00.000-07:00

Clear the Clutter Out of Your Car--empty water bottles, tissues, receipts, food wrappers, etc. Trash piles up in the car.

Set your timer for 15 minutes. Grab a trash bag and sift through the clutter in your car, throwing away garbage or junk.

Then arrange the glove compartment, console compartment, and seat back pockets to contain only necessary items (including a car trash bag!)

Effortless Organizing Solutions

2009-06-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

Organizing doesn't have to involve hours or days. Sometimes just doing a little each day will make a bigger impact over time. And, you will create a new habit which is what is missing in your life--the organizing habit.

Pick one thing to do right now - yes, right now! Set your timer for 15 minutes and do just one small thing every day. You’re going to feel great about your home and office.

Need help? For the month of July I will blog each day one 15 minute organizing activity to inspire you to create this new habit.

Ready, set, go!!

Improving My Services for You!

2009-06-07T13:15:00.001-07:00

I'm very excited about what I have been working on to improve my services for both my organizing clients and my training participants. Here's a recap:

My book, Get Rich Organizing: A Professional Organizers Survival Guide to Launch, Manage, and Grow a Profitable Business is in the final stages of publishing. Planned release date is early July 2009 and will be available at Amazon and my web sites. Read a sample.

To better meet the needs of my business clients, I am training to become a certified GO System Consultant to provide practical ideas on improving workplace productivity. Call 503-246-0710 and schedule a three-hour productivity session in July and receive a free GO System.

A little fun for my female clients, I will soon be a certified Holobi Personal Stylist and can assess your clothing needs, fashion style, best colors and body's unique proportions. All together, this gives you a roadmap to your brilliance.

What-to-Wear Seminars will be offered soon. This fun and informative seminar can be held at home with friends or an office with associates. Each guest gets a mini-profile to define their body shape and they learn how to dress for their individual shape. Seminar fee is applied toward any Stylist Service. One and a half hours, $25 per person with an 8 person minimum. Call 503-246-0710 to schedule a seminar in August and the host receives a free two-hour profile!

I am volunteering for NAPO national as the Education Committee Quality Assurance Director to ensure NAPO's education programs are providing quality education to its members and the public (where available).

I'm looking forward to providing you with new effortless solutions to organizing your life so you can do more with less.

How do you track and complete tasks?

2009-06-05T11:28:00.000-07:00

As a matter of course I use Outlook tasks to track and complete my tasks. However, in the middle of the night that isn't convenient and it seems that is when my brain wants to dump my tasks. When I can't sleep because that little voice is telling me everything I need to remember or remember to do, I use post-it notes.

I jot down a word or more just so I remember the next morning when I look at them. Then I stick my post-it notes on top of my laptop (I use a docking station and a separate monitor). As I complete a task I remove the post-it note from the top of my laptop. If I haven't completed a note by the end of the day I transfer the task to my Outlook tasks.

But, somehow seeing the post-it notes on top of my laptop is a huge visual reminder for me and it keeps me on top of my tasks. Removing the notes from my laptop is even more satisfying than checking it off in Outlook.

When you need to do a brain dump what is your methodology?
How do you keep track of your tasks?

Earbud Yo-Yo Winner and Review

2009-05-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

Monica Ricci wrote a product review on her blog awhile back about the earbud yo-yo along with a give away offer.

It was perfect timing because just before reading Monica's blog I was saying to my husband how much I hate how the iPhone earbuds get all tangled up. Takes me several minutes to untangle and by then I've worked up a good sweat. Well, I wrote a similar comment on Monica's blog and I was one of the winners! I was excited because I rarely win anything--not one of those lucky people!

The earbud yo-yo arrived last week and I've been trying it out. I agree with Monica's 'pros' about the earbud yo yo. She said, "First of all, they're small and cute! They're about an inch square and about 1/2 inch thick. They come in translucent colors, opaque colors, and decorative designs such as animal prints, a soccer ball, stars and stripes, checkered flag, camo, and tie-dye. I have the one called Swirls. The Earbud Yo-Yo is easy to use and to my absolute delight, it really does keep my earbuds from getting all tangly! The secret is the little rubber "teeth" on the corners that keep the cords from unwrapping until you pull them out."

However, Monica said she couldn't think of any 'cons' and I have. I was hoping it would be more like a yo-yo and retract the cord. It doesn't--you have to wind the earbuds up manually. Maybe version 2.0 will have a automatic windup feature.

For now, I am very happy to have untangled earbuds and a very cute container to boot!

Thank you Monica!!!

Weekly Menu

2009-05-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tuesday - Baby Back Ribs; Coleslaw; Buttery Mashed Potatoes

Wednesday - Roasted Chicken; Green Beans and Almonds; CousCous

Thursday - Chicken Ceasar Salad; Garlic Bread

Friday - Pasta with Peas, Shallots and Herbs (pesto)

Saturday - Halibut with Sugar Snap Pea Salad

Sunday - Flank Steak with Summar Squash and Pine Nuts

Monday - Curry Chicken; Rice; Asparagus

Let the Pros Handle It - Kiplinger's Report

2009-05-11T07:44:00.001-07:00

Picked up this tidbit of information from the NAPO member online chat and thought I would share it:

Professional Organizers and NAPO got a nice little plug in the June issue of Kiplinger's "Simplify Your Life" article. Here's the quote from "Let the Pros Handle It:"

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER. Tame your pack-rat tendencies, maximize your closet space, help prepare boxes for a move or set up a system for filing paperwork. Cost: $40 to $200 per hour, or by flat fee per project.

There's an abbreviated version of the article online at http://www.tinyurl.com/q9ugpm.

What would you do to become organized?

2009-05-10T13:11:00.001-07:00

Share your thoughts. Results will be published in a future post.

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

Here are the lyrics to the crazy new video Total Momsense and listen/view her singing it here:

Get up now
Get up now
Get up out of bed
Wash your face
Brush your teeth
Comb your sleepy head
Here's your clothes
And your shoes
Hear the words I said
Get up now
Get up and make your bed
Are you hot?
Are you cold?
Are you wearing that?
Where's your books and your lunch and your homework at?
Grab your coat and your gloves and your scarf and hat
Don't forget you got to feed the cat
Eat your breakfast
The experts tell us it's the most important meal of all
Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall
Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at three today?
Don't forget your piano lesson is this afternoon
So you must play
Don't shovel
Chew slowly
But hurry
The bus is here
Be careful
Come back here
Did you wash behind your ears?
Play outside
Don't play rough
Would you just play fair?
Be polite
Make a friend
Don't forget to share
Work it out
Wait your turn
Never take a dare
Get along
Don't make me come down there
Clean your room
Fold your clothes
Put your stuff away
Make your bed
Do it now
Do we have all day?
Were you born in a barn?
Would you like some hay
Can you even hear a word I say?
Answer the phone
Get Off the phone
Don't sit so close
Turn it down
No texting at the table
No more computer time tonight
Your iPod's my iPod if you don't listen up
Where you going and with whom and what time do you think you're coming home?
Saying thank you, please, excuse me
Makes you welcome everywhere you roam
You'll appreciate my wisdom
Someday when you're older and you're grown
Can't wait 'til you have a couple little children of your own
You'll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly
But right now
I thank you NOT to roll your eyes at me
Close your mouth when you chew
Would appreciate
Take a bite
Maybe two
Of the stuff you hate
Use your fork
Do not you burp
Or I'll set you straight
Eat the food I put upon your plate
Get an A, Get the door
Don't get smart with me
Get a Grip
Get in here I'll count to 3
Get a job
Get a life
Get a PhD
Get a dose of...
I don't care who started it
You're grounded until your 36
Get your story straight
And tell the truth for once for heaven's sake
And if all your friends jumped off a cliff
Would you jump too?
If I've said it once, I've said at least a thousand times before that
You're too old to act this way
It must be your father's DNA
Look at me when I am talking
Stand up straight when you walk
A place for everything
And everything must be in place
Stop crying or I'll give you something real to cry about
Oh!
Brush your teeth
Wash your face
Get your PJs on
Get in bed
Get a hug
Say a prayer with Mom
Don't forget
I love you
**KISS**
And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom's work never ends
You don't need the reason why
Because
Because
Because
Because
I said so
I said so
I said so
I said so
I'm the Mom
The mom
The mom
The mom
The mom
Ta-da

Words by Anita Renfroe Copyright 2007 Bluebonnet Hills Music/BMI

Weekly Menu

2009-05-06T10:23:00.001-07:00

This week I am making use of a family size package of chicken breasts and chicken thighs that I got on sale.

Tuesday: Teriyaki Chicken and Broccoli with Rice Noodles

Wednesday: BBQ Shredded Chicken and Onions Wrap with Coleslaw

Thursday: Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas with Green Salad

Friday: Pasta with Chicken and Alfredo Sauce and Broccoli

Saturday: Asparagus Frittata with Green Salad

Sunday: Beef Roast with Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus with Almonds

Monday: My daughter's Gotcha Day - her choice but she hasn't told me yet.

*What's a Gotcha Day? The day she came home (adopted).

Interview by Susan Creel with Anne Blumer

2009-05-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

Success Driven Woman Interview Series Presents:
Anne Blumer, Professional Organizer
Owner and Founder of SolutionsForYou, Inc.
www.solutionsforyou.com

May 13, 2009 12:00-1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Registration Cost: FREE

Sign up now to learn:

•Anne's story and how she became such a success!
•Which obstacles she encountered and how she overcame them.
•Tips on getting organized in your own home/office.
•How to get started on a project and how to KEEP it organized!
•Much, much more!

There will also be time for a Q&A session at the end. Get your questions ready!

SPECIAL BONUS: Anne will be giving away TWO File Solutions Home Filing Systems!! ($32.95 each value!)

10 Ways Getting Organized Makes/Saves You Money

2009-04-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

1. Ditch your storage unit. If you are paying $50 month, that's $600a year savings or $3,000 in five years! Invest the $50 and make money.

2. Sell your clutter or items in the storage unit on Craig's list or e-bay.

3. Don't want to spend time with Craig's list or e-bay? Donate the items and take a tax deduction next year.

4. Meal planning will save you money because you buy only what you will use based on the meals you have planned. No more running to the store for a missing ingredient will save you money on gas.

5. For one month eat from your pantry and freezer. Buy only perishable items you need. Maybe you will eat the food you have before it expires too!

6. Unearth gifts you have bought for people and contain them in one area (shelves in a closet, drawers in a dresser, or a large container). Create a gift center and store cards, gift wrap, and gifts all in one space where you can find them. Doing this may mean you don't need to go gift shopping this year because you have found all of the gifts you forgot you already purchased.

7. Stop retail shopping therapy. I don't think this needs explaining.

8. Don't buy something just because it is on sale--for you or anyone else. If it is on sale and you will use it (consumable) then that is a smart decision. My point is, don't buy something on sale just because "it is a good buy", if you don't know what you will do with it.

9. When I work with clients to clear their clutter I always find money in some form--gift cards, coupons, cash, uncashed checks, savings bonds that have matured, a receipt to return an item of value (jewelry or expensive clothing usually), the list goes on and on. Want to find money? Clear your clutter!

10. Consign gently used clothing that you are never, ever going to wear again. I practice this and make an easy $500 year. Last year I made $623.57. How do I know? I use Quicken’s find feature and in less than a few seconds I knew exactly how much I made.

How have you saved or made money by getting organized?

Weekly Menu

2009-04-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

Someone mentioned to me that my meals are "fancy". I replied that I have a few gourmets to cook for! This week Safeway had a great meal combo coupon offering for a spaghetti dinner, taco dinner, and hamburgers. This week it is back to simple, easy, and cheap dinners!

Tuesday - Grilled Shrimp, Peanutty Soba Noodles, and Edamame

Wednesday - Hamburgers with Cheese, Avocado, and Bacon

Thursday - Beef Tacos

Friday - Pasta with Meat Sauce, Green Salad, and French Bread

Saturday - Take-out Sushi

Sunday - Roasted Chicken, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Green Peas

Monday - Chicken Tacos

I'll be at conference after this, so the family gets to eat all the unhealthy food they want! Check back on May 5th for new menu plan.

Product Review

2009-04-18T15:09:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in a previous blog that I am determined to cut my grocery bill in half. So far I am averaging 56% weekly savings! Coupon clipping, buying items on sale, and redeeming store dollars off coupons really adds up fast! I am saving more than I'm spending!! I heard about the Couponizer recently and ordered one--can't wait to receive it. Here are the components of The Couponizer® System:

The Couponizer™ - wire bound booklet
Your Guide to Smart Savings
CoupStacker - presorting mat
Shopping List
CoupTracker - record monthly savings
Scissors
Carrying Bag

To learn more and to order one (only $19.95!) click here.

Weekly Menu

2009-04-14T07:18:00.000-07:00

Tuesday - Lamb Pitas with Tomato, Scallions and Mint Yogurt Dressing

Wednesday - Turkey Meatloaf, garlic mashed potatoes, and peas

Thursday – Chicken-satay-with-rice

Friday - Farfalle, Pesto, and Asparagus

Saturday – Greek Orzo and Grilled Shrimp Salad with Mustard-Dill Vinaigrette

Sunday – Herb Crusted Salmon Filets (Ikea), Asparagus and Sliced Almonds, Whole Wheat CousCous

Monday – Beef Roast with Root Vegetables

FRE*E Teleclasses You Don't Want to Miss!

2009-04-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

Ready to make some long needed changes, but aren't sure how?

Join Professional Success and Wellness Coach, Susan Creal for these F*R*E*E, teleclasses and finally overcome your negative beliefs you have and be free and open for an organized, successful life.

How to create an organized, successful mindset and eliminate those negative, self-defeating beliefs for good!
April 21, 2009 8:00-9:00 p.m ET

How to gain back control, clarity and organization in your business and life.
May 12, 2009 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET

About the Coach:
Susan Creal is known as a Success and Wellness Coach for Women Entrepreneurs because she knows first-hand how to overcome obstacles both personal and professional with using specific tools and techniques she uses in her own life and the hundreds of women she has coached over the years. She is the founder of Success Driven Woman, LLC, a company supporting women entrepreneurs and sales professionals in creating lasting change, a success mindset and unstoppable self-confidence.

Susan's coaching style is a no-nonsense; get it done approach, coupled with sincerity and compassion. As a licensed Wellness Coach, a Life Strategist trained in the Life Strategist theories and techniques of Dr. Phil McGraw, a member of IAC, ICF, Coachville, Well coaches and a graduate of Coach U's CEP program Susan is committed to her profession. With extensive coaching in the Anthony Robbins coaching style methodology, Susan can guarantee two things for your life...Massive Change and Massive Results! "It's all about change! Are you ready?" You can read what some of her raving fans have to say about working with her by visiting www.successdrivenwoman.com

Weekly Menu

2009-04-07T10:40:00.001-07:00

I have shifted my weekly menu post to TUESDAY so I can plan my meals around the weekly grocery specials.

Monday – Grilled Rib Eye Steaks with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Cucumber/Tomato Salad

Tuesday - Beef and Bean Enchiladas with a Green Salad

Wednesday - Chicken and Barley Soup

Thursday – French Toast and Bacon

Friday - Creamy Macaroni and Cheese with Steamed Broccoli Crowns

Saturday – Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloins with CousCous and Roasted Asparagus

Sunday – Leg of Lamb with Orzo; Minted Peas; Cucumber Yogurt Salad

Monday – Pork Fried Rice and Potstickers

Organizing Inspiration - How to Cut Your Grocery Bill

2009-03-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

I'm determined to cut down our grocery bill. I have done a lot of research and learned a few new tricks. Here are my grocery bill cutting tips:

1. Clip coupons, but don't use them right away.

2. The coupons you clip in today's paper will be on sale in 4-6 weeks. Use them then for huge savings. Sale price + coupon.

3. Buy items when they are on sale--even if you don't need them right now, but you know they are items you will consume--stock up.

4. Shop at stores that offer double coupons--although I haven't found one in Portland yet.

5. Shop at warehouse stores such as WinCo for huge savings--especially buying their generic brand vs. name brand. I have saved as much as $1 per item by purchasing generic over brand. When it comes to canned water chestnuts I can't taste the difference between generic and brand--so why spend the extra $1?

6. Keep a grocery price book of the items you buy regularly. Note the regular price and sale prices so you know when to buy at the lowest price.

Yesterday, I went grocery shopping at Fred Meyer for just a few items, because they were on sale and I had coupons. I spent $61.83. If I had paid non-sale price and didn't use coupons it would have cost me $96.58 I saved $30.25 buying items on sale from their regular price plus $4.50 in coupons. I'm just starting out with coupon clipping, so if I had more coupons I would have saved even more.

By the way, chicken breasts are on sale for 99 cents a pound at Fred Meyer this week--I wish I had a bigger freezer!

What do you do to cut your grocery bill? Please share, because I'm determined to cut my grocery bill by more than 50% each time I shop.

Why should you get organized?

2009-03-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

Check out the following organizing statistics - courtesy of napo.net - they will knock your socks off!

80% of what we keep we never use.

23% of adults say they pay bills late (& thus incur fees) because they lose them.

An enterprise employing 1,000 knowledge workers wastes $48,000 per week, or nearly $2.5M per year, due to an inability to locate and retrieve information.

The document for a Boeing 747 weighs more than the plane itself.

We wear 20% of the clothes we own 80% of the time. The rest hangs there, just in case.

IKEA did a survey of customers in which 31% reported they were more satisfied after clearing out their closets than they were after sex.

Did you know...80% of what we file never gets looked at again!

Job stress is estimated to cost U.S. industry between $200 and $300 BILLION annually.

Are 18,000 sheets enough? Your four-drawer file cabinet, when full, holds 18,000 pages.

Getting rid of clutter eliminates 40% of housework in an average home.

80% of the clutter in homes is a result of disorganization, not lack of space.

25% of people with two-car garages don’t park any cars in there and 32% parked only one.

Women with shoe racks were seven times more likely to be on time for work than women without shoe racks.

Men who organize their home offices are more likely to spend time playing with their children than men whose home offices are in disarray.

11 million American households currently rent storage space, an increase of 90 percent since 1995 — even as the size of new American houses has grown and the size of the American family has shrunk. In the last two years, close to a million more households have joined the ranks of storage renters, and there is now more than two billion square feet of rental storage space in the United States, earning more than $22 billion in gross revenue in 2006.

Only 11% of respondents knew where their Social Security cards were located. Do you know where yours is? If not, call me 503-246-0710 I can help you!

Why do you do what you do?

2009-03-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

I’m always curious how and why people are doing what they do. I recently met with my best friend growing up and she said her sister-in-law told her that you do what you do based on your first memory. She asked me what my first memory is. My first memory is I was three years old and I was in our home that was being built at the time and the tile layer, Hal, was laying tile in the front hall. I had a bag of jelly beans and it broke spilling all of the jelly beans on the floor. The tile layer started eating all of the black [licorice] jelly beans—my favorites. I remember screaming, "stop eating my jelly beans." Now, what that has to do with teaching others how to become organized or how to run a Professional Organizer business I’m not sure—other than maybe I should have had a better container for my jelly beans!

What is your first memory and how does it connect with what you do?

P.S. Licorice is my favorite candy.

Next, find out how and why I became a Professional Organizer.

Weekly Menu

2009-03-16T06:05:00.000-07:00

I have a family size package (8) of porkchops and of chicken breasts that I bought super cheap and froze. Time to thaw and enjoy!

Monday - Chicken Curry with Chickpeas and Rice

Tuesday - Pork Chops with Orange Soy Glaze and Udon Noodles

Wednesday - Chicken Pot Pie

Thursday - Pork Chops with Mushroom Cream and Hazelnuts, Roasted Blooming Onion with Ranch Dip and Roasted Spaghetti Squash

Friday - Simple Pasta and Green Salad

Kids are away for Spring Break--that means lots of seafood on the menu next week because they don't like it, but I love it!

Saturday - Thai Red Curry Mussels and Soba Noodles

Sunday - Garlic Basil Shrimp

Got kids? What's Your After School Routine?

2009-03-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

For a fun after school routine idea for your kids, check this out from LivingLocurto and all of Amy's other fun downloads. Amy makes organizing fun+fabulous!

Organizing Your Craft Materials with WOW Factor

2009-03-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

Tip: Sort your craft materials by color and place in clear jars and containers, such as those pictured here.

Ribbons were sorted by color, removed from their spools, and placed in large glass jars. Embellishments of various types were also sorted by color and placed in smaller glass jars and clear drawers.

Materials are not only organized and easily accessible, but also add a punch of color and WOW factor to the crafter's room.

Organizing Inspiration

2009-03-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

"What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?"

Product of the Week-Doorknob Forget-Me-Not Organizers

2009-03-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

I was planning to blog about this very product this week and Erin Doland beat me to it! I wish this product existed when I was growing up. I remember every morning my mother and father heading out the door and always, always, always searching for something--keys, wallet, book--you name it they couldn't find it! Now you know why I'm a professional organizer--survival!

If you struggle with remembering everything you need to take with you out the door each day, this is the product for you!

Weekly Menu

2009-03-09T13:29:00.001-07:00

Monday - Roasted Leg of Lamb, New Potatoes and Asparagus. Amaretto Mousse Cheesecake (birthday cake for Stefan)

Tuesday - Lamb Soulvaki with Tzatziki

Wednesday - Hawaiian-pizza

Thursday - Roasted Honey Mustard Salmon

Friday - Pasta

Saturday - Salmon, Potato and Corn Chowder

Sunday - Salmon-quesadillas-with-sun-dried-tomatoes

Organizing Inspiration

2009-03-04T06:26:00.000-08:00

“Don’t agonize. Organize!” Florynce R. Kennedy

Effortless Organizing Solution – 5 Tips to an Organized Closet

2009-03-03T06:23:00.000-08:00

Tip #1 - Take everything out of your closet so you have a clean slate. Consider installing a new closet system if yours is not functioning well (add double hanging rods or a system with adjustable shelves and rods). Paint the closet.

Tip #2 - If you haven't worn it in the last year or it doesn't fit, it’s time to let go of it. Make a game of it, for every two items you keep—let one go. This will reduce your wardrobe by one-third.

Tip #3 - We’re all trying to save money or find ways to make money. Instead of donating everything you are letting go of, consider taking your discards to a consignment shop. A fun idea is to have a “naked ladies” party—clothes swap with your girlfriends.

Tip #4 – After you have downsized your wardrobe, put your clothing back in your closet. Create an area or zone for each clothing type (shirts/blouses, pants, skirts, jackets) and then sort each zone (clothing type) by color. Then you will know where to put your clothing away.

Tip #5 - When you buy something new, then something must leave—the one in one out rule.

Organizing Habit #29

2009-03-02T06:18:00.000-08:00

Pick a problem room and identify the “pinch point” – The pinch point is the one thing that prevents everything from running smoothly when it is not in order. So, if the laundry room is your problem area, look for the source of the problem (one big pile, no detergent, etc.) and tend to that first.

See it. Fix it! If the pinch point in your laundry room is clothing buildup because you’re out of detergent, then keep your soap out where you can see it. I keep my laundry soap in a glass cookie jar on top of my washing machine. Visual reminders help keep your necessary tasks top of mind, so they’ll be fixed faster.

Once you eliminate the pinch point, you’ll be amazed how quickly everything else falls into place.

Weekly Menus March 2- 8

2009-03-01T16:15:00.000-08:00

Monday - Wonton Soup

Tuesday - Pork Fried Rice

Wednesday – Beef Roast with Root Vegetables

Thursday - Green Chile Beef Empanadas

Friday - Asian Beef Salad with Cilantro, Scallions and Sesame Seeds

Saturday – Eating out at Jen’s Garden for Stefan’s birthday!

Sunday – Egg Toasts (Our favorite Sunday dinner without the kids)

Product of the Week

2009-03-01T11:27:00.001-08:00

Tote Baskets – I love these tote baskets. I use them primarily in kitchen pantries and cabinets or bathroom cabinets to store and organize items that I don’t want to see and I want to be able to grab easily.

In the kitchen I use the large tote baskets to store and organize bags of snack chips, packages of pasta, rice, grains, hot cereals, baking products (flour, sugars), and root vegetables. I use the small tote baskets for snacks, teas, baking products (sprinkles, flavorings, cupcake liners, etc.), seasoning packets, and beverage packets to add to water.

In the bathroom, I use the large tote baskets to store cleaning supplies, tall bottles of shampoo, liquid soaps, and hair products. I use the small tote baskets to store makeup, bar soap, first aid items and medicines.

Each tote has a specific purpose of what it is storing and labeled accordingly.

Organizing Inspiration

2009-02-25T05:16:00.000-08:00

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit."

Aristotle

Are You a Right-Brained or Left-Brained Thinker

2009-02-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I devoured the book 4 Weeks to an Organized Life with AD/HD by Jeffrey Freed and Joan Shapiro. It hooked me in right away because it is the first book, of many, that I have read about AD/HD and organizing that explained AD/HD individuals are visual thinkers and that is a gift that left-brained thinkers do not have--or at least not as intense as right-brained thinkers and individuals with AD/HD.

The authors define right-brained thinkers and left-brained thinkers as follows:

"Right-brained thinkers are rapid-fire, nonsequential, visual thinkers. If you are right-brained thinker, you see things from many angles, often at the same time. You are a holistic, big-picture thinker, who needs to know why you are learning something before you can absorb it. You are a dreamer, and you tend to be distracted easily in your own endlessly changing internal world, as well as by the external world.

Left-brained thinkers are more sequential and linear in their thinking, learning in a step-by-step process. If you are left-brained, you think more in words than in pictures. You are logical and analytical. You keep track of time, and you tend to plan and prioritize. You are likely to finish one idea or task before starting on another.

Organization comes naturally to left-brained thinkers and very difficult if you are right-brained, visual thinker."

Previously, I understood that individuals with AD/HD are visual learners and that meant they needed visual reminders to learn and remember. However, the authors point out that if you are right-brained, then your visual mind holds its information in pictures. But these are not ordinary pictures. These are extremely vivid images and before they [right-brained] create anything they must create a picture of it in their mind. The authors state, "The term visual learner really refers to the way an individual stores information, not to how he or she takes in that information."

The authors also provide a quick assessment to help the reader determine if they fit the AD/HD profile. "If you answer six or more of these questions "yes," and you can see these patterns as present for your whole life, then it is likely that you do have AD/HD:
1. Do you procrastinate regularly patting off tasks that, for you, require a lot of mental energy?
2. Do you have difficulty completing tasks or projects?
3. Do you often forget or find yourself late for appointments?
4. Do you feel restless or full of nervous energy and compelled to do things?
6. Do you have trouble organizing yourself to do a complex task?
7. Do you find yourself lost in your own thoughts, even when someone is talking directly to you?
8. Do you have difficulty throwing things away, even if they have little value or specific usefulness to you?
9. Do you react quickly to conflicts?
10. Do you sometimes blurt things out and then wish that you hadn't spoken?
11. Do you take things to heart, finding yourself easily hurt and sensitive?
12. Do you find most of these problems disappear when you have something fun or interesting to do?"

What I find particularly useful about this book is it provides theory and background but also practical activities and powerful techniques to develop and harness the strengths of the visual right-brained thinker that can significantly help them to develop organizing skills that might otherwise be too difficult to master.

I highly recommend reading this book and following their 4 Week Plan if you are a right-brained thinker or have AD/HD.

Weekly Menus February 23-March 1

2009-02-22T16:09:00.000-08:00

Monday-Thursday – I’m making it easy on myself this week and following Robin Miller’s Quick Fix Meals, four of them with Puttanesca Sauce as the base including
Pasta Puttanesca
Puttanesca Chutney over Chicken with Potatoes and Broccoli
Crabmeat Salad in Halved Honedew Melons
Tomato Soup with Bacon-Cheese Melts

Friday – Mac and Cheese with Spinach

Saturday – Chicken Pot Pie

Sunday - Sun-dried Tomato Pesto-Stuffed Pork

Storables 25% Sale

2009-02-21T11:29:00.000-08:00

I didn't want you to miss out on this information. Storables is having a 25% off EVERYTHING REGULARLY PRICED in their store until March 2nd (see details below)!

If you have been waiting to buy some products to help you with your organizing pursuits, now is a great time to get them!

Organizing Inspiration

2009-02-18T08:16:00.000-08:00

“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” A.A. Milne

Weekly Menu February 16-22

2009-02-15T07:54:00.000-08:00

Monday - French Onion Soup and Roast Beef Sandwiches (use Saturday's leftover beef tenderloin)

Tuesday - Roasted Vegetable Stew with CousCous

Wednesday - Chicken Curry--roast extra for Friday's dinner (uses Tuesday's leftover roasted vegetable stew)

Thursday - Arugula-caramelized-onion-and-goat-cheese-pizza and Hawaiian-pizza

Friday - Creamy-fusilli-with-mushrooms-and-chicken (uses Wednesday's extra roasted chicken breasts)

Saturday – Honey-mustard-glazed-salmon-fillets

Sunday – Salmon-quesadillas-with-sun-dried-tomatoes

Organized Student

2009-02-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

Is your middle schooler struggling with organizing their schoolwork or lacking organizing skills?

Get some tips and solutions by reading an article I was interviewed for by Metro Parent (pages 33-34).

Organizing Inspiration

2009-02-11T12:23:00.000-08:00

“Organize your life around your dreams - and watch them come true.”

Effortless Organizing Solution

2009-02-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

Are you hand writing a grocery list every time you shop? Do you zig-zag through the grocery store because you are following your list and not shopping aisle by aisle in a straight forward route? If you are, you may be organized (you make a list and you bring it with you), but you’re not effortlessly organized.

To make your grocery list and shopping activities effortless, create a handwritten or typed list of all the items you typically purchase at your grocery store in the order your grocery store is laid out, i.e. aisle 1, 2, 3, etc. Make several copies for future use.

This makes these tasks effortless because you will have a pre-printed list and it will be in a logical order. Both make it easier for you to shop. If you send someone to shop for you, you are making the task truly effortless!

Weekly Menu

2009-02-08T05:39:00.000-08:00

Monday 2/9–Chicken Piccata with Lemon Capers and Artichoke Hearts

Tuesday 2/10–Drunken-clams-over-cappellini

Wednesday 2/11– Chicken-satay-with-rice

Thursday 2/12- Bistro Egg Sandwiches

Friday 2/13– Spaghetti-carbonara

Saturday 2/14–Beef Tenderloin with Béarnaise Sauce, Roasted Asparagus, Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Sunday 2/15– Antipasti Dinner Salad

SolutionsForYou, Inc. Portland, Oregon

Order a book; help save a life

New Venue and Updated Training Curriculum for 2012!

A humorous song about clutter--enjoy!

10 Easy Steps to Organize Your Paper

Eat Frogs and Reach your 2011 Goals

Living Simply: The Ultimate Guide to Conquering Your Clutter

5 Clutter Personality Types--which one are you?

Lists, my life would fall apart without them.

My son leaves for college in one month…so, what does that have to do with organizing?

Get Organized Today!

50 Best Blogs to Organize Everything in Your Life

Listen to My Clutter-Busting Tips for the Entire Home

Feeling BLIS from NAPO Conference

Announcing...Get Organized Today

Taking a fresh look at your business

Art Closet Organizing Makeover Masterpiece

Hear what people are saying about our GO System Webinars

4 Weeks to Reclaim Your Time - eBook

Your Go System Registration

NAPO Oregon Presents: 2010 Pacific Northwest Organizing Expo

How to Get a Copy of Your Vital Records by Real Simple

INTRODUCING THE GO SYSTEM

Stretch Your Holiday Dollar

Tis the night before Halloween

Back to School Post #7 of 7- Conclusion-Help Them Find Their Own Way

Do you know what's in your closet?

Back to School Post #6 of 7 - Teach Project Management

Back to School Post #5 of 7 - Teach Time Management

Back to School Post #4 of 7 - Use Tools Wisely

Back to School Post #3 of 7 - Make Homework Routine

Back to School Post #2 of 7 - Parents Need to Stay Involved

Back to School Post #1 o f 7 - Transitions

My Book is Published!

Effortless Organizing Solution #28

Effortless Organizing Solution #27

Effortless Organizing Solution #26

Effortless Organizing Solution #25

Effortless Organizing Solution #24

Effortless Organizing Solution #23

Effortless Organizing Solution #22

Effortless Organizing Solution #21

Effortless Organizing Solution #20

Effortless Organizing Solution #19

Effortless Organizing Solution #18

Effortless Organizing Solution #16 and #17

Effortless Organizing Solution #15 - The 5x5 Habit for Increased Work Place and Personal Productivity and Efficiency

Effortless Organizing Solution #14

Effortless Organizing Solution #13

Effortless Organizing Solution #12

Effortless Organizing Solution #11

Effortless Organizing Solution #10

Effortless Organizing Solution #9

Effortless Organizing Solution #8

Effortless Organizing Solution #7

Effortless Organizing Solution #6

Effortless Organizing Solution #5

Effortless Organizing Solution #4

Effortless Organizing Solution #3

Effortless Organizing Solution #2

Effortless Organizing Solution #1

Effortless Organizing Solutions

Improving My Services for You!

How do you track and complete tasks?

Earbud Yo-Yo Winner and Review

Weekly Menu

Let the Pros Handle It - Kiplinger's Report

What would you do to become organized?

Happy Mother's Day!

Weekly Menu

Interview by Susan Creel with Anne Blumer

10 Ways Getting Organized Makes/Saves You Money

Weekly Menu

Product Review

Weekly Menu

F*R*E*E Teleclasses You Don't Want to Miss!

Weekly Menu

Organizing Inspiration - How to Cut Your Grocery Bill

Why should you get organized?

Why do you do what you do?

FRE*E Teleclasses You Don't Want to Miss!