Pass It On - NOT !

Parents (especially Mom's) have a tendency to hold onto things to "pass on" to their children. They are the "keeper of the memories" - the "keeper of the heirlooms". And they want to "pass it on" to the next generation.

Unfortunately, most of todays children don't want their parents "stuff". They don't want to be burdened with furniture or dishes or knick-knacks. They have their own stuff and their own style.

Yet - they don't kow how to say "no" - "no thank you!".  They don't want to hurt your feelings. So for some of them - they have a basement or attic or garage full of stuff they don't want, won't use and yet won't throw away.

Children expect us to keep all of their drawings and things they made for us - when they were childen. But when they are older - most of them don't even remember making it and they wonder why we even kept it!

Some very brave children have told their parents that they don't want their stuff and that they will get rid of it (toss it in the dumpster) when they die. Hear that gasp of horror???? Their parents are stunned and hurt that their kids don't appreciate their "stuff" which is sooooo special. But it's not special to the children. They have their own stuff, their own taste, their own lives. They don't have room for more.

We should not expect (or in some cases, demand) that our children will take (and cherish) our stuff.

So, if you have family heirlooms or keepsakes or things that you think your childen (or family members) will want after you pass on - ASK THEM!!! If they say "no - don't like it - don't need it - don't have room for it...." - RESPECT their wishes. Let it go to another family member or friend that will appreciate it. But ask them also.

Each person's home is a reflection of them - not of you. By not taking or keeping all of the stuff you give them doesn't mean that they don't love or care about you. They can still keep the memories without keeping the physical stuff.

Ask your children or family members before you unload your home into theirs. They will appreciate it!

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

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Decluttering Mistakes That Clients Make

Decluttering is hard! If it was easy - everyone would be doing it - all the time! It takes being in the right mindset and setting aside enough time to actually get anything done.

People make the mistake of thinking that it will be easy and will only take an hour. Even if you are in the right frame of mind - or think you are - you will come across something that has a "story" - something that you will be emotionally attached to. And then time stands still. And you start going down memory lane.

Before you start your decluttering project - have a list of questions that you can ask yourself - about what you will and won't get rid of. That way, when you run across an object that you might have a question about - you already have the answer.

So what are some mistakes that clients make when it comes to decluttering?

1) Hiding the clutter. You know who you are! You are having company come over any minute and you haven't finished cleaning up - so you just shove everything into a closet. And then you forget about it and it never comes out and gets put away.

2) Decluttering other peoples stuff. Don't! It's a big mistake. Only declutter stuff that is actually yours - or ask the other person (whose stuff it is...) if they are willing to get rid of it. Never throw out someone else's stuff. World War III could erupt!

3) Decluttering - but the stuff never leaves the house! I encourage my clients to keep a continuous "donate" box in their home - if they are able to leave the stuff in the box and when it's full, actually take it out of the house and drop it off at the donation site. But - if you leave the box by the door and you (and other family members) go through the box and take things back out - then it hasn't served any purpose. Once the box is full (or even before if you can't stop yourself from taking things back) - put it in your car - and immediately drive it to the donation site.

4) Second guessing yourself. This is where making a list of questions to ask yourself comes in handy. For some people - when they touch an item - even though they have not used the item in years - all of a sudden they "need it" or "want it" or "can use it". "Be strong!".  You haven't used the item in a while and maybe you didn't even realize you still had it - so let it go. If you really do "need" the item later down the road - you can probably buy it again. But really, what is the chance of that?

5) Not having a regular decluttering routine. Decluttering is not a "once and done" process. As your life changes (age or interests change....) - the things that you used to use (or wear or do...) just don't fit into your "current" life. And that's the key word "current". Having a set decluttering routine - whether it's once a season or once a year - is crucial in maintaing a clutter free and stress free home.

6) But it's worth money! Really? To whom? Probably only to you. Let's get serious. We all think that our "stuff" is valuable. It's probably not. Sorry! And once you have bought the item - you are not going to recoup your cost. So holding on to an item that you don't use isn't saving money or stopping you from losing money - you already spent the money. And thinking that you are going to sell it and make a lot of money - isn't realistic. Think about the time you have to spend taking pictures and posting it online - or setting up and having a garage sale. How valuable is your time - versus making $20 or $50 - if you have to sit at a garage sale for the entire day? Donate the item and you are usually much better off.

Decluttering is an ongoing process - that will keep your home clutter free - so that you can live the life you have now!

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

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Magazines, books, games.....oh my!

Clearing your clutter of stuff that you no longer want, need or "serves your purpose" is a great way to make your home look better and your spirit feel lighter. It makes people feel like they have accomplished an impossible task (for some it is) and it gives them the motivation to do things they never thought they could.

And then comes the question - "what to do with the stuff..."?

There are a lot of donation centers and resale shops in most cities. For some people, giving their donated items to the "right" organization - one they feel aligns with their values - is very important. For others, they just want it out of their home and the nearest donation center will do just fine. 

A question that came up in one of my classes was "what can I do with magazines, besides recycling them"? And then we expanded it to "books and board games".

So we made a list:

• Schools
• Hospitals
• Assisted living centers
• Nursing homes
• Senior centers
• Retirement homes
• Libraries
• YMCA
• Coffee shops
• Breweries
• Homeless shelters
• Churches

They could all use the magazines, books and board games - to keep people entertained and to have a reason to socialize. Bring out a board game and people will come together. Magazines and books will keep people from getting bored when you're waiting in the hospital. Being able to read magazines that you didn't have to pay for - priceless! 

So pass on the magazines, books and games - and let someone else enjoy them!

It's a win for everyone!

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
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Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....   

End 2016 By Clearing Your Clutter - Now Is The Time To Donate

2016 is coming to a fast close.  The New Year will soon be here. Before the year ends take a realistic look at all of the new things that you acquired over the holidays. I'm sure that you probably have duplicates of things that you already have. Newer, of course - but duplicates.

Before year end - go through some of your gifts and decide if it's not time to "release" your old things.

If you received some new clothes - go through your closet and decide what you can get rid of.  Anything that is too small, doesn't fit properly, you never actually wore, anything that you never liked to begin with.... 

Be realistic - unless you have tons of extra closet space that you have never filled up - something has to give!

Get rid of your old sweaters or shirts that you rarely ever wear or are out of date.

Get rid of books and movies that you have finished.

Get rid of old magazines that are still laying around.

Get rid of any kitchen gadgets that you have never or rarely ever used.

Get rid of anything that you have not used in the last six months. Be honest with yourself. If you haven't used it in the last six months - chances are that you won't use it in the next six months.

Someone out there can probably use it - so - donate it!

By making more room in your closet  you are actually taking better care of your clothes. They are not so cramped. They will hang better and you will actually be able to see them - thus - you might actually wear them.

Start 2017 off by being ORGANIZED!

One small step at a time....



Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

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Start the Holiday Season - by Decluttering Now

This year has gone unbelievably fast! The holidays will soon be here - and that means more "stuff" everywhere, the stress of deciding what to buy everyone and also deciding where to fit everything.

So - take a step back - breathe - and start making room now.  That means decluttering your closet and house of things that you really don't want anymore. Things that you have grown tired of.  Things that no longer fit into your decor ....or mood.

Let's be honest - you know that you will get more "stuff" for the holidays.  So start making room now.

Go through your closet and pull out anything that does not fit anymore (be honest with yourself). Pull out anything that is out of style or worn out.

Do the same with the kids and each person in your house.

Then start on the kids toys. I'm sure that since last Christmas they have outgrown a few toys!  Pack them up and donate them to someone that can really enjoy them. Be sure to make your kids a part of the process.  It's never to early to teach them about donating and sharing their things with people that can really use them. A great lesson to learn early in life!

Now step back and take a look at your living room. Are there any decorations, nick-nacks - that you no longer enjoy?  Then pack them up.  Your home should be "your" home - not someone else's. If you don't like something - pack it up. 

Start decluttering now - before the mad rush of the holiday season really kicks in. By doing so you will save yourself a lot of stress and you will have accomplished something.

As the holiday season gets closer - please remember that everyone has their own tastes.  Don't buy gifts because you like them - but rather because you know the other person will really enjoy (or need) it.

By starting now - and doing a little bit at a time - you can avoid (or lessen) the stress that accompanies the holiday season.




Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

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Clear the Clutter - End of the Year Donations

It's now December and the shoppers are out in full force. Everyone is getting ready for more stuff to take over their homes.

I admit - I am not a shopper. There is only so much stuff that anyone needs (wants is a different story).

Yes - most people love to get presents.  But where are they going to put them?

No one actually thinks about that part of it. If you only have so much space - and you can't fit anything else in - something has to go!

That's not a bad thing!  People outgrow stuff (physically, emotionally or intellectually).  So let someone else have the pleasure of using the things that you don't need (or want) any longer.

There are people out there that can use the things that you don't need or want any longer.

Give back - do something worthwhile for someone else.  Help those in need when you have more than you need.

Before you go shopping - decide to clear out your closet of things that you can donate.  People change, needs changes.....  let someone else get the pleasure of things that you are ready to part with.

Get your kids to clear out toys they have outgrown. It will teach them to help others. And everyone knows they will get more toys anyway.

Before year end - take your donations to Goodwill or a shelter or a church...   Anywhere they will take donations.

Do something good for someone else - and your closet!

Clear Your Clutter and you will be surprised how freeing it really is!

Happy December!


Organizational Consulting Services

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DONATING – TEACHING YOUR KIDS TO SHARE

Christmas should be about more than “how many gifts am I going to get”. Christmas should be about family and friends. Not “things”.

That said, we all like to get gifts. Especially the children. But how much “stuff” does one person really need?

It is fun to open presents, especially when you get the new sweater or new toy that you’ve been wishing for. But how many sweaters do you really need? And how many games can you play with at once?

When my daughter was very young we started the tradition of “sharing” her toys. We would go through all of her toys at the beginning of December and decide which ones she really played with and which ones she really didn’t. Then we would decide which ones she wanted to “share” with other children whose parents couldn’t afford toys.

It is really important that you make your child understand the “importance” of sharing. Of giving. But, it has to be “their” idea. It’s not an easy concept for kids to understand. Especially once they realize that you are “taking” their toys away.

My daughter thought it was a great idea. At first. Until I took the bag filled with toys, which she picked out herself and tried to leave the room. Then she cried. I had to sit down with her and explain that not everyone has extra money to buy their kids toys at Christmas and that by her sharing her toys….toys she didn’t play with anyway and that she had outgrown…she was making another child happy.

Once she really understood that she had control over what and how much she gave away she was happy. And every year after that she knew that at the beginning of December she would start putting together a bag or two of toys that would make a difference in another child’s life. And a “sharing” tradition was born.

There are many group homes, children’s organizations and churches that accept donations around the holidays. Find one and start your own “sharing” tradition.

By starting when your child is young you can teach them a lesson that they will remember the rest of their lives and hopefully pass on to their children.

And you will have a more organized and less cluttered house and a tax deduction.

Happy Holidays !


Organizational Consulting Services

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YEAR END ORGANIZING

Another year is coming to a close and a new year is looming ahead.

There are a number of things that you can do now to get ready for next year.

Donations:
Go through your closet and the rest of your home and get rid of anything that you have not used all year or anything that you have outgrown (clothes, toys….) or anything that you just don’t want anymore. Take your items to a donation center (such as Goodwill or your church…..) and be sure to get a donation slip so that you can deduct it off of your taxes. It’s a win-win situation. You give things that you no longer use to someone who can use it and you get a tax deduction.

Get Ready for Next Years Taxes:
As the year winds down start thinking about the year end process of cleaning out your files and establishing new files for next year. Make sure that you have the needed supplies (folders & envelopes….) to store the past years information.

Getting ready for taxes can be painless if you’ve kept track of things throughout the year. If not, now is the time to start making your lists and spreadsheets so that you can start fresh next year .

You don’t need to wait for January to start copying all of your spreadsheets and lists and anything else and labeling them with “2010”. If you have Excel spreadsheets for your expenses or donations it’s a simple process to copy them and then blank out the 2009 data. You will be one step closer to being organized for 2010.

Once you have paid your last bills for 2009 you can pull everything out of your files and put them into envelopes with the appropriate labels. For example: have an envelope labeled “Household Expenses – 2009” and include your gas, electric, water, phone, cable….bills. Have another envelope labeled “Bank & Credit Card Info – 2009” and include all of your bank statements, checks, credit card statements….

These are just some examples of ways to organize and store your information.

Have an envelope all ready for your accountant labeled “Tax Info for Accountant” and as you get your W2’s and your year end financial statements and anything else that you usually give to your accountant immediately put it into your envelope. That way you won’t need to search for it when you are ready to do your taxes.

By starting to at least think about this before year end and leaving yourself time to get things organized at a pace that’s comfortable for you ….you won’t be stressed out come tax time.

Calendar:
Now is the time to transfer all repetitive events to next year’s calendar. Birthdays, anniversaries, meetings, doctors appointments….

Keep one main calendar that has the entire families schedule on it so that you can see everything at a glance instead of having to go to each person’s calendar.

Make notations on your calendar for reminders, such as scheduling all of your yearly check-ups, dental appointments, kid’s physicals….. Depending on your doctors scheduling policy I usually put a reminder note at least 3 – 4 months in advance so that I can book my appointments early (and get them at a time that’s convenient for me).


By thinking ahead for next year you can avoid the New Year organizing rush.

Happy Organizing !


Organizational Consulting Services

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DOWNSIZING, DE-CLUTTERING and DONATING

Three D’s that can not only make your home more livable and function better but it can also be a godsend to other people.

People downsize for a variety of reasons – economics, the house is too big after the kids leave or a spouse dies, they want to spend less time cleaning a big space or yard, they want a different lifestyle.

Downsizing can also be “freeing” – both financially and emotionally. If you have less space (or things) you have more time for yourself and time to pursue other activities (hobbies, volunteering, school….).

Do you really need a 3,500 square foot house if you live alone? Do you really want to spend all of that time cleaning rooms you never use? And what about the mortgage? Wouldn’t you rather spend that money elsewhere? Like your retirement?

Downsizing is not a “bad” thing. It doesn’t mean that you are “poor”. The word should actually be changed to “right sizing”. What was “right” ten (10) years ago might not be “right” for your today.

If you always wanted to live in the city and be a part of the hustle and bustle and in the center of all of the culture….maybe now is the time. If your kids are grown and you don’t need a four (4) bedroom house in the suburbs why stay?

Change is hard. But once you jump in and “right size” you might wonder why it took you so long.


De-cluttering. Not only will you gain space you never knew you had in your home but you will be able to find things more easily. Saving you time and money. Think about the repercussions of not being able to find things. What happens when you can’t find your keys and are late for work? You could possible be fired.

What if you are running late for your child’s play rehearsal because you can’t remember where you left your purse? You are probably screaming at your kids, running around the house looking for your purse and they are crying because you’re yelling at them. Whose fault is it that you can’t find your purse?

De-cluttering brings about “order”. It reduces stress – because now everything has a place and you aren’t searching for things.

Do you really need to keep bits and pieces of toys that you can’t find? Do you really need to keep toys that don’t work? Or your children have outgrown? Do you really need to keep clothes from when you were 20 something ? Really ? Like you actually believe they will come back into style? Before you’re 50 ?

LET GO! It’s a hard concept for most people. It’s mostly psychology with a bit of nostalgia thrown in. What if you “need” (insert whatever you are keeping). What if ?

Now take a deep breath and say to yourself “I can live without (insert whatever you are keeping) “. Put it into a garbage pile or a donate pile and move on. Don’t think about it too long or you might try to fish it out.

Soon you will have de-cluttered an entire room and when you look around you will have so much more space you might think you’re in the wrong house!

Donating. Not only are you “recycling” your household items and helping people that don’t have the money to buy new things, but you are also getting a tax write-off. Be sure to keep a list of exactly what you donate, date, amount, value and where donated. Be sure to get a receipt for your taxes.

We keep a “donate box” in the garage and make it a habit to go through our closets and cupboards every few months to get rid of things that we’ve outgrown or haven’t used in a long time.

Then when the box gets full we drive down to a donation center and drop off our box.

It makes us feel good that we aren’t just throwing things out that others can use.



Organizational Consulting Services

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