Archive for decluttering

De-Cluttering 101.3

January 25, 2012 at 12:54 am · Filed under Garages, Spring Cleaning, books, closet, decluttering, kids and toys

Tip #3 for De-Cluttering:

1 In, 1 Out
You  may have heard this one before…for every new item you purchase or receive, one that you already own goes out.

Coming off the recent holiday which likely involved gifts, now is a good time to go back and practice this rule.

  • For that new book you received, pull one you already read off the shelf and donate it.
  • For the new sweater, choose one out your closet and give it away.
  • For the new kitchen item, find something you haven’t used in a long time and let it go.

Be ready to take this rule forward to any shopping you do.

  • New shoes?  Out go an old pair.
  • A spiffy new nail polish color?  Out goes an old one.

janets closet
Here’s a good looking closet where the clothes are all hanging straight.  For every new jacket she purchases, and old one will go out.

You get the idea.  This is going to keep you on  track with the right amount of stuff….If you keep shopping and not purging it is going to add up quickly and you will be back in the clutter again.

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Decluttering 101.2

January 25, 2012 at 12:52 am · Filed under Garages, Spring Cleaning, books, closet, decluttering, kids and toys

Tip #2 for De-Cluttering:
Are you holding things for “you night need it someday?”

While helping a family clean out the garage last week we ran into a number of items that fell into the same category over and over.  “But I might need it someday.”  There were items like electronic cords, an old cassette tape player, Disney movies on VHS, potential baby gifts (lots and lots of these),

The reality is those things that

  • Do you use it?
  • Do you need it?
  • Do you love it?
  • Is it important to you?
  • Do you have too much of it?
  • Are you holding it for “just in case I may need it someday”?
  • Did you once use that item, but it no longer really fits into your life?

Sometimes the item is practical and useful, but you don’t necessarily love it (a can of motor oil for example).  That’s a keeper….

But, if you have that same can of motor oil times 50 and those cans are taking up a lot of space, do you really need that much? Let some of it go….

Maybe you sold the car that took that particular motor oil….you don’t need those cans any longer….

Look critically at how the item fits into your life.

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De-Cluttering 101

January 25, 2012 at 12:50 am · Filed under Garages, Spring Cleaning, closet, decluttering, kids and toys

Tip #1 for De-Cluttering:

How to decide what to keep and what should go….

Ask yourself these questions.  The answers will help you reach your decision.

  • Do you use it?
  • Do you need it?
  • Do you love it?
  • Is it important to you?
  • Do you have too much of it?
  • Are you holding it for “just in case I may need it someday”?
  • Did you once use that item, but it no longer really fits into your life?

Sometimes the item is practical and useful, but you don’t necessarily love it (a can of motor oil for example).  That’s a keeper….

But, if you have that same can of motor oil times 50 and those cans are taking up a lot of space, do you really need that much? Let some of it go….

Maybe you sold the car that took that particular motor oil….you don’t need those cans any longer….

Look critically at how the item fits into your life.

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Reflect and Build

January 25, 2012 at 12:48 am · Filed under Holiday Tips, Spring Cleaning, Uncategorized, decluttering

To start the ball rolling for 2012 let’s take a different tact than setting those old resolutions.  Ho-hum.  Do you really stick with them anyway?  Instead, take some time to reflect on the accomplishments you achieved last year, and think about how you can build on them for 2012.

  1. Take a quality quiet moment to reflect on last year.
  2. Write down some of the achievements you made no matter how small they may seem.  The act of writing them down is much more powerful than just thinking them in your head.
  3. Celebrate those achievements.

Now think about how you can treat these as a foundation and build on them in 2012.

  1. Choose a WORD that inspires you.  I will share with you that my word for 2012 is JOY.
  2. Use that word as your filter throughout the year.  Run any actions, lack of actions, purchases, events, relationships…just about everything through this word and see if they match.

The foundation of organizing is de-cluttering so that you end up with the right amount of stuff.  When making the tough decisions about de-cluttering use your word as the filter.  In my case I will ask myself if keeping the item will bring me joy.  Sometimes the answer will be yes.  But other times the joy will come from the relief of not holding on to things I truly don’t need.  The joy will be in the space that is created by letting go of the item.

I hope you take a moment and give this short exercise a try.  You are welcome to share my word, Joy, or to find your own that really resonates with you.

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Clean out before the Holiday Gifts arrive

January 25, 2012 at 12:45 am · Filed under Holiday Tips, decluttering

(originally posted 11-29-11)
More stuff is likely to be coming into your life in the next few weeks.  And what a joy it is to receive thoughtful gifts from your friends and loved ones.  Also, you might be giving gifts in your own home (toys for your little elves?) and therefore you can anticipate what’s coming and what will need space.  With a little forethought now, you can be ready to receive, use, enjoy, and possibly store those new things.

If you have any ideas of the types of gifts that you or your family members will be receiving, concentrate on those categories for a thorough clean out.  Typical gifts can include:

  • Toys
  • Books
  • Clothing
Run through of the playroom and eliminate those toys that the kids have outgrown or no longer enjoy.  Unfortunately there is a Federal Law prohibiting used toy donations, but you might know a friend or neighbor who would love your used, good condition toys.
Scan your book shelf for titles you no longer need.  If only three books go out, that’s OK.  You might receive a few titles and you will have made some room for them.
A quick flip through your closet might enlighten you that you no longer wear a certain size or style and out they go leaving you with a bit of space for your new garments.

The point is the more space you make now…the easier it will be to accommodate your new treasures from gift givers.

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Consumable Gifts

January 25, 2012 at 12:43 am · Filed under Holiday Tips, Saving Money, decluttering

(This post was originally sent 11/22/11, but it can apply all year)
Hey this week you get to eat lots of turkey and then go shopping for wild bargains the next day.  Top that off with some cyber shopping and yikes….there goes any relaxation time for this holiday week.

I am reading the Steve Jobs book and it has inspired me to challenge you to “think different” this holiday gift giving season.  How about less “stuff” gifts, and more “event” gifts.  Think about giving your gift recipients gifts that let them do things or get services they would love. It seems like we all have too much stuff and don’t need any more.  Here are some ideas.

  • movie tickets.
  • theater, ballet, or music tickets.
  • restaurant gift certificates.
  • a token for a homemade dinner delivered (with wine and dessert).
  • not a good cook?  Gift Certificate for a dinner delivered by a caterer.
  • A paid appointment with a Professional Photographer.
  • A session with a Wardrobe Consultant.
  • Babysitter service (that means you do the babysitting…every parents of youngsters dream).
  • Gift Certificates to a spa, nail salon, hair salon.
  • Gift Certificates for a message.
  • Gym Membership.
  • Car Detailing.
  • Handyman services.
  • Tickets to local kids parks like the Steam Trains in Berkeley or Fairyland in Oakland.
  • Zoo passes.

I bet you can think of a bunch more…. and if you do it yourself (like babysitting or cooking) you can save some money and still not appear cheap.   After all its the heartfelt effort that will really matter.

It is wonderful to support your local merchants, service providers, and local arts community.  AND you are giving an event instead of more stuff.

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Gift Shopping Ideas

January 25, 2012 at 12:41 am · Filed under Holiday Tips, Saving Money, decluttering

How about some tips to save time and money while gift shopping?  The best advice I can offer is to prepare your thoughts and make a comprehensive list.
  • List everyone you want to recognize with a gift including family, friends, teachers, service providers, neighbors and more.  It might take more than one pass to remember everyone.
  • Jot notes with potential ideas, sizes (if needed), favorite hobbies or activities to jar some gifting ideas.
  • On-line saves time.
  • Take advantage of Free Shipping on-line this season…I hear there are going to be allot of these offers.
  • Choose stores or websites that match the recipient.
  • Plan your physical shopping geographically to maximize your time out in the stores.
The worst time-waster is to arrive at a store with no written notes and your brain goes completely blank.  Prepare ahead of shopping and have it in writing.

Some people use the same list year after year (you might consider putting it on a spreadsheet).  This way you can see what you gave each person in years past, have their vitals like sizes and interests at the ready, and more.

Your list can be as simple or sophisticated as you like.  The important thing is that it works for you.

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Lessons from Daylight Savings….

January 25, 2012 at 12:39 am · Filed under decluttering

Daylight Savings provides a good lesson….

Think back about 10, 15 or 20 years ago.  When it was time to change your clock, there were probably 2 or 3 clocks to be changed.  It took about 5 minutes.  Now we have many clocks: on our kitchen appliances, computers, phones, car dashboards, bedsideS, TV’s, and so-on and so-on.  A few of these may be updated automatically like on the computer, but most are still manual.  Now it takes a lot longer to complete this simple, yet necessary task.

The point is the world continues to change and evolve.  While some of our new technology is helpful and even time saving, other parts of our environment have gotten more complex and cumbersome.

I am often asked during an organizing session, “How can I possibly keep up with all the things coming at me?  Papers coming home from work and school, emails that need responses, toys, toys and more toys (little tiny plastic things), magazines, catalogs….”  I am sure we can all name more things that are bombarding us and driving us crazy.

1.  Give yourself a break.  Just like we have more clocks to change at Daylight savings time, we have more things to deal with than ever before  in so many areas of our lives.

2.  Break it down and focus on the things that are most important.

3.  Get rid of the stuff that is clutter...it just gets in the way.

Did this solve your clutter issues?  Probably not specifically, but maybe it will get you thinking about it differently.

I always encourage that de-cluttering before the fall holidays (many of which entail gift giving of some sort) is a great time to attack!  You donations will go to good use at the Thrift stores.  You will create space and be ready for some new de-lights from your friends and family.

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3 tips to help save money at the Grocery store

January 25, 2012 at 12:37 am · Filed under Holiday Tips, Saving Money, decluttering

I am catching up on my blog posts….so here come a bunch…..

1.  Shop your pantry, refrigerator and freezer before you go to the store.
If you really want to save some money, the best place to start is to use what you already purchased.  Clean out the freezer and cook those foods.  Look in the refrigerator for items that are close to expiration and use them.  All of our pantries are loaded with great staples and even some odd jars (gift basket items usually).  Pull them out and try something new.

Don’t know what to prepare with the items you have?  Jump on the web to any cooking site and type in your ingredients.  You will get lots of great ideas.

BONUS:  You are making room in all three places for the new foods you will be purchasing for entertaining.

2. Make a meal plan for the week.

Simply writing out a breakfast, lunch and dinner plan by day for the week will get you organized and focused on what you really need from the store.

3. Shop with a list
After you have reviewed your pantry, refrigerator and freezer, and made a meal plan for the week using those found foods as your inspiration, make a list of the few additional items you need.  A list keeps you focused and you are less apt to wander the aisles picking up items here and there and then YIKES look at the total on the bill.  A list will keep that total in check.

And don’t forget to pick up some more water for your emergency supplies…we had a nice tremor last night!

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Define Your Containers

October 19, 2011 at 12:38 am · Filed under Garages, Mail, Spring Cleaning, decluttering, kids and toys, paper management

Home offices.  Kitchen Counters.  Entry tables.  These are prime spots in the home for baskets, bins, and boxes that are filled with many random items that just seem to collect there.  These are known as the “Big Black Holes” (BBH).  You have no idea what is in there and especially what is at the bottom.  There is nothing wrong with the container.  The issue is the system, or lack there of.

So how can you use these containers effectively without the BBH syndrome?

  • Define the Use of the Container very clearly
  • Only the items that fit in that definition can go in there.

Here’s an example
Say there are 4 square shaped baskets in your office all full of stuff, random, who knows what.

  • Empty all four, sort out the items and break them into four categories (or put them away and just start over).
  • Categories might include names like Maps, coupons and store cards, new mail, bills to pay, seminar notes and brochures, a specific vacation.  You get the idea.

It is not a catch all for anything, but a container for something specific.

The category may change over time:  a vacation that is next month has an end date.  The container might change after the vacation is complete to holiday planning items….

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