Schools is Almost Out - Some Tips to Clear the Upcoming Clutter

School is almost out !!!! Only a few more weeks to go!

Kids will be cleaning out their lockers and bringing home a lot of  STUFF.  Stuff that you haven't seen in a year. Maybe even stuff that you didn't know that you were missing - like your Tupperware! Well - that is if you are lucky enough to get your Tuupperware back - instead of it having been "accidentally thrown out".

Kids will also be bringing home a lot of papers and other things that they find  in their lockers. Maybe even some clothes. If they are like most kids they will probably just dump it all in the hallway when they come home. And it will stay there for weeks.

So, before you get too far into the summer take some time to organize the mess. And if you can, make the kids help. It is their mess after all!

First, throw out all of the garbage.

Second, take back your Tupperware, dishes, silverware...

Third, grab those clothes and throw them in the laundry. After they are clean, decide if they still fit or might still fit by the start of the next school year. Otherwise, into the "donate pile" they go.

Fourth, go through their papers and decide which ones you want to keep (things such as art work or other papers you really want to keep). You might want to dispose of the other papers when the kids are not around. If you have a folder/box or notebook for each child you can put anything you want to save into their file (by grade). If there is any art work that you want to keep but is too big for your file box - you might want to take a picture of it instead of keeping the actual paper.

Fifth, any extra school supplies that can be used for the next year can be put away in a bag and you will have a head start on shopping for the next school year. Be sure to keep a list of what you already have so that you don't buy duplicates when you get the rest of their school supplies in late summer.

Sixth, check the condition of their backpack and lunch box and toss them or put them away for next year (after a thorough cleaning of course!).

Don't let the mess sit there all summer. You know what to expect - so get ready with a plan - clear it up right away and get on with your summer!

It will only be a few more weeks - until the chaos sets in! Start planning some activities now - to keep the kids busy throughout the summer - so that you too can enjoy the great weather!

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

Organizational Consulting Services

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Storage Units - Garages - Basements: Stuff Everywhere

A lot of people have things in storage. Whether its in a garage, the basement or a storage unit.

The big questions is - WHY? 

Why did you put it into storage? Are you really going to use it again? Later? Sometime? In the next year? The next five years? Be honest!

Let's be realistic. If you put it into storage because you don't have enough room in your closet and you switch between summer and winter clothes - well - that's one thing.

But - a few suggestions. Make sure that the clothes are clean when you put them into the bin. Make sure the bin is securely closed (to prevent dust, water and critters).

Make sure the bin is labeled so that you know what's in there!

If you are storing things because you are going to move - be sure that everything is in good condition and wrapped well. Again, label the bin (or box). It will save you time when you are ready to move so that you know where to put the bin once you arrive at your new destination.

Don't store things that you have never used or rarely used or will probably never use. Don't store old books that you will never re-read or books from your high school or college years. Be honest - you are never going to re-read the books and there is no reason to store them.

Don't store old magazines that you never have time to read - because you won't ever get around to reading them.

Don't store things from relatives or friends - that you will never use. Give them to someone that will use them and appreciate them.

Don't store old furniture from your childhood for your kids. They have their own tastes and they don't want your stuff. They just don't have the nerve to tell you.

Don't store stuff that you will not be able to use for the next five years. It's a waste of space and money and in five (or ten) years - you won't want it anyway. And it will also probably be moldy or unusable.

Be realistic. If you don't have room for it - you need to make a decision on how long you are going to pay to store it. Look at the money spent on storage fees - versus the actual value of the item.

Sometimes you just have to let things go.


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

Organizational Consulting Services

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Getting Organized - in Small Chunks of Time

A major reason that people say they can't get organized is "because they don't have enough time".

Well - that's just an excuse!

There are many things that you can do to organize, declutter and clean your home and your life - that doesn't take up a lot of time.

You can put away all of the shoes that are taking over the entryway of your home
You can clear off the kitchen counter
You can organize one drawer in your kitchen
You can clear out one side of the medicine cabinet in your bathroom
You can throw out all of the old newspapers that are still on the coffee table
You can put away your laundry that has been sitting on our dresses for the past week
You can clear out your purse
You can sort the mail

There are a lot of things that you can do - that take up very little time.

Give yourself  5, 10 or 20 minutes - pick something - and then do it!

For more inspiration and ideas - reread:

In Five Minutes I Can .....

Get Organized In Twenty Minutes A Day 

 

Organizing Your Purse (Briefcase / Backpack)....

 

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Do You Use It ??? Have you worn it lately ???

Most people have a lot of "stuff" that they never use. Yet - they just can't seem to get rid of it.

Why?

Because they bought it and it was expensive
Because someone (family member, friend...) gave it to them
Because they might need it "someday"
Because they might lose weight and fit into it again
Because they could break it apart and use it for something else
Because....
Because......
Because.........

But all of this "stuff" - that is never used and probably had been forgotten about is taking up room. Valuable space in their home.

People complain that they don't have enough room, enough storage space - yet they have "stuff" that is cramped into every nook and cranny - and is never used.

If you haven't used something in over a year. If it doesn't fit anymore. If it's out of style. It's time to "let it go".

If your child has graduated high school - you don't need to keep their childhood toys.

If you never use the fancy china or silverware that is in your hutch - "let it go".

It's not easy for a lot of people. Especially if it has sentimental meaning. But - you can take a picture of it and keep the memory. Memories don't take up as much room.

Clear out your clutter and clear out your stress.

"Let it go".



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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Organizing to Sell your Home

It's springtime - and a lot of people are putting their house on the market. So how can you make your house look better?

• Declutter
• Organize
• Pack Up Unneeded Stuff
• Stage Your Home to Showcase It's Assets

Here are some basic tips:

Make the entryway welcoming and clutter free – by hiding shoes, coats, keys…

Keep tables, countertops, nightstands coffee tables and dressers clear of papers, trash & clutter

Clear off refrigerator magnets

Clear out your cupboards so that they are not overflowing or messy – so that potential buyers can get a sense of the actual space

Box up kitchen items that you rarely use – to maximize the look of the space

Empty the garbage

Make the beds

Clear out your closets – so that they aren’t stuffed full and make them look roomy

Set the table

Open up blinds and shares to let in natural light

Start packing before you even sell your home – so that it looks more spacious

Make decisions and purge before you pack – instead of packing everything and paying for and moving stuff that you will throw out when you get to your new home. It’s a waste of time and money.

Rearrange your furniture to make your room look bigger and more inviting

Clear out children’s toys and put the toy bin away for open house

Do a thorough cleaning and deodorize

If you have an office – turn it into a bedroom

No more than 3 items on the kitchen counter

Clear bathroom countertops, add fresh towels 

Maximize space by minimizing stuff


Re-read:

Getting Ready to Sell Your Home - DeClutter For a Better Sale

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Letting Go and Starting Fresh

Clutter is about more than stuff. It's about your life - past and present. For most people clutter - or memories as they call it - is about their past. Having things that remind us of our childhood, or what we accomplished (old trophies) - gives us a sense of who we are. Or who we were.

But sometimes - we hold on to things from the past that have bad memories attached to it.

The question is - why?

Why do you want to be reminded of a bad or traumatic period of your life?  So that you don't make the same mistake again? Or maybe to remind yourself that you were able to change and become a better person?

Whatever the reason - holding on to painful memories just keeps you in the past.

By letting go - of your clutter - of the past - you can start to make new and better memories.

Physical clutter takes up a lot of room in your home. Emotional clutter takes up a lot of room in your mind and heart.

Going through each room of your home - getting rid of the clutter - lets you open up the room to a new and fresh outlook on life. By clearing the clutter of things that no longer interest you (old crafts) - you make room for new interests.

Give yourself permission to clear the clutter out of your life - and let in more productive possibilities!

Start fresh - one room - one day at time!



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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

A Few Organizing Tips To Get Rid of Clutter

Clutter looks bad. It takes over our home and seems to grow. It usually starts at the front door.

When you walk into your home - what do you see?  A bunch of coats, hats, boots - strewn everywhere?  Piles of stuff - never moving.

You can conquer clutter!  Start by having a landing area for your coats, hats, boots - and anything else that comes into your home. Use your coat closet!  Sounds logical doesn't it?  Yet most people don't use their closet and instead pile things up on a bench or hang  a bunch of coats on one hook - meant for only one coat. It looks bad and gives a bad first impression.

By using a coat closet for coats - and only current weather gear - your entry way will immediately take on a more organized and clutter free look.  Keep off season coats and gear in another closet or basement if there is not enough room in your entry way closet.

Horizontal surfaces are not your friend! People tend to pile things on them. And then more on top of that. And then more on top of that.....   You get the picture!  Piles upon piles! 

What are piles?   Delayed decisions.

Instead of just piling things - put them where they belong right away!  It really only takes a few seconds to put things where they belong.  Yet, people seem to think that it takes longer than it actually does and that it takes a lot more effort. In reality - piling things and then having to look through the pile and finding the correct home for the item - actually takes a lot longer and a lot more effort than doing it right in the first place.  It's all psychological.

Have a donate bin handy.  Whenever your family outgrows things (clothes, toys, books....) or you find that you aren't using something anymore - put it into your donate bin.  When the bin gets full - take it to a donation center. Don't forget to get your donation receipt so that you can put it on your income tax return.

By keeping clutter at bay - your home and your life will become clearer and your stress levels will go down.

So start today - and check those piles!  Banish clutter from your home!


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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com