Get Organized!

Get Organized: 4 Easy Steps to Organizing Success

2012-01-19T13:22:00.000-05:00

So you recently made a New Year's Resolution "to get organized." Well, you're in good company! Organization is always a popular top 10 resolution every year.

But now that you've set the organizing goal, how do you successfully negotiate the ins and outs of accomplishing it? Here are 4 tips to do just that.

(1) Have a plan.

Don't say: My goal is to get organized.

Do say: I want to better manage my time. -Or- I want to tidy up my closet. -Or- I want to organize my estate.

Speaking in generalities leads to doing in generalities. In other words, if you don't have decisive organizing goals, you won't get decisive organizing results. Take the time to make a plan...you'll be glad you put in the extra effort in the end.

(2) Make a schedule.

Don't say: I know what I want to do, and I'll get to it when I have time.

Do say: I know what I want to do, and I need to make a schedule of when to do it.

If you treat your organizing sessions like a regular appointment, you're more likely to take it seriously and follow through with your plan.

(3) Focus.

Don't say: This week, I'm going to overhaul my kitchen, organize my files, get ready for taxes, clean out my closet, update my address book, re-do my schedule...

Do say: This week, I'm going to organize my tax-related files.

If you try to take on too many organizing projects, you will surely fail. Focus on one task, and one task only, until it's complete. And let that success, as little or big as it may be, propel you onward.

(4) Have a positive attitude.

Don't say: Man, this is gonna be hard! I don't know if I can...

Do say: What a challenge! I'm gonna do this and come out the other side a better person for it.

As Thomas Jefferson put it: "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on Earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." Your thoughts channel real power to help you achieve your organizing milestones -- so think positively, and put those brain bytes to good use!

© 2012 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: 51 Ways to Get Organized Now, Part 2

2012-01-05T08:02:00.001-05:00

In the previous blog, I shared the first half of my 51 easy and quick ways to get organized and feel more balanced today. (If you missed the last issue of Organizing Essentials, you can read the whole article here.) Here are the remainder of the 51 tips- happy organizing and Happy New Year!

Declutter Your Space
31. Purge your sock drawer – toss any that have holes, are worn out, faded or have no match.

32. Gather post-it notes and scraps of paper with names, addresses and phone numbers on them and record them in a central address book.

33. Go through your DVD or CD collection. Organize by donating or tossing outdated ones, uploading music to your iPod and destroying old software ones.

34. Tackle receipt clutter. Take 15 minutes and search out pesky unwanted receipts throughout the house, car and your pocketbook. Toss the ones you don’t need, file the good ones.

35. Clean out your wallet – toss out receipts, extra change, expired coupons and ID cards, etc.

36. Go through your kitchen spices. Throw out expired ones and make a list of what you need to replenish your store.

37. Clean and organize the surface of your office desk. Tackle the drawers if you have the time.

38. Tackle the medicine cabinet. Throw out old, expired items. Make a note for what you need to restock.

39. Restock or purchase your home’s first aid kit.

40. Make your bed first thing in the morning to start the day off right.

41. Create a pet zone. Keeping Fifi’s crate, leashes and collars, food dishes and toys all together frees up space and helps keep mess to a minimum.

42. Recycle an old paper towel holder to organize girl’s headbands and elastic hair accessories.

43. Hang a fish net from the ceiling to store stuffed animals, dolls, or action figures.

Conscious Organizing
44. Situate a charity box in your home where items to be donated can be stored.

45. Dedicate a day to “being nice.” You’ll find that emotional clutter gets cleared away quickly by a positive attitude and “pay-it-forward” actions.

46. Make an appointment for yourself that you’ve been putting off: Hair, dentist, manicure, massage, dermatologist, etc. Take care of yourself and you’ll take better care of your life.

47. Estate planning. Review your preparations and update where needed. Tackle one task you’ve been putting off for this.

48. Gather all unused wire hangers and take them to the dry cleaners to recycle.

Sneaky Organizing
49. Before the kids go to bed, have a 10-minute race to see who can pick up the most stuff.

50. Hide a quarter in a stack of clean clothes to be put into drawers and tell the kids whoever finds it gets to keep it.

51. Install a basketball hoop over a laundry basket for slam-dunking dirty clothes.

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLCWould you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: 51 Ways to Get Organized Now, Part 1

2011-12-15T07:00:00.001-05:00

As we prepare for the New Year, it’s a sure bet that somewhere along the way you’ll be thinking about goals and resolutions to get your life more organized. To help you get a jump start, I’ve put together a list of 51 easy and quick ways to get organized and feel more balanced today. Please don’t let this number overwhelm you - you don’t have to do all 51 at once! Read through the list, prioritize the ones that will give you the best benefit and tackle a handful of those to begin with. In no time at all, you’ll find that your home, business and life are much more organized, stress-free and ready to start the New Year with a bang!

Time Savers
1. Store take-out menus by using a 3-hole punch and a simple binder for easy access.

2. Organize loose recipes and torn-out magazine pages with a 3-ring binder and clear plastic sleeves

3. Make a meal or two ahead of time. Freeze and have it ready for those crazy days when you have no time – or energy – to cook.

4. Create a laundry-room “Lost and Found.” Designate a box or basket to hold items found in pockets and lonely single socks.

5. Organize clothing into four categories: formal, work, casual and sport and store in separate areas of the closet for quick and easy access.

6. Keep cleaning supplies together in a plastic bin to keep them organized in a single space easy to find and easy to access for all types of chores around the house.

7. Place your purse, briefcase and keys in a designated area every day so you always know where they are.

Maximum Efficiency
8. Create a garage sale box and keep items you plan on selling in one location.

9. Take 30 minutes as you watch a favorite TV show and finish the mending pile you have on your sewing machine.

10. Sort your mail over your garbage can or recycle bin. Junk mail will never make it into your home or on your counter tops!

11. Don’t answer the phone for a few hours. You’ll be surprised at how much more productive you will be.

Stress Relief & Peace of Mind
12. Keep labeled folders to store warranties and operating manuals together for appliances and household items.

13. Buy a label maker. Use it!

14. Create a gift bin or shelf/storage area. Keep gifts bought ahead of time there, labeled and ready to go.

15. Computer and electronics cables: untwist, label, straighten each and every line, then plug them all back in bundled neatly together.

16. Unsubscribe to unwanted email newsletters or updates from companies that you no longer want. Use the “unsubscribe” link usually found at the bottom of the emails.

17. Delete as least 25 old email messages from your Inbox that you don’t need any more. Then empty the Trash or Deleted Items folders in your email system.

18. Check your candle supply to be ready for potential power outages. Make sure all flashlights in the house have fresh batteries in them.

Budget-Friendly Organizing
19. Place risers under your bed frame to lift and add storage area.

20. Position hooks or organizers behind doors to corral your stuff, there are all kinds of holders for hats, purses, shoes, coats and belts that fit standard door frames.

21. Use old muffin pans to sort nails, screws, and other hardware in garage.

22. Empty tissue boxes make great plastic grocery bag dispensers.

23. Hang a rack above a kitchen island to hold pots and pans, freeing up cabinet space.

24. Those empty holiday card boxes are also great to use as drawer organizers.

25. Organize your battery stash by implementing a storage solution such as bags, containers or drawer dividers. Organize by battery type and size.

26. Gather up all the loose change from your purse, house, car and laundry room. Bag it up and take it to the bank or one of those coin sorting machines at the local grocery store.

27. Organize your coupons. Use a small accordion folder made for such a purpose or a system that works for you.

28. Gardening tools can be stored vertically on simple hooks attached to the walls so they're easy to get to when you need them and they're out of the way when you don't.

29. Use a bead-storage craft box with a clear lid to store jewelry in various compartments.

30. Use decorative votive candle holders to organize small desk items such as tacks, rubber bands, binder clips, business cards, etc.

Be sure to check out my next blog for the remaining 21 tips that will help you get organized and balance your life!

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: The Most Productive Week of Your Year is Waiting for You

2011-11-30T15:59:00.008-05:00

Every single year, getting organized holds a solid place of honor among most people’s top 10 New Year’s resolutions. At the start of every January, millions of people around the world resolve that this year is the year that they will finally get organized. But by the end of that month, many of those same people are running out of steam as they give up hope of reaching their organizing goals.

This may sound like your own life! If it does, you are not alone. And you’re in good company thinking about your resolution ahead of time, because NOW is one of the best times of the year for you to take action for powerful organizing and achieve your resolution before New Year’s even gets here. (Yes, during the holidays!)

The last week of the year can be extremely productive. Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas and other holiday celebrations and commitments are past. The kids are often still out of school, so you’ve got free labor to help you out. And the extra workout of packing, carrying, cleaning and uncluttering will make you feel much better about those chunks of fudge and pie you kept sneaking during the last few weeks.

Here are seven year-end tasks to help organize your home and life and get a serious head start on your New Year’s resolution.

1. End of the year financial projects. Now is the time to get all of your financial paperwork for the year completed and organize receipts so you’re ready for tax time. Also, check to make sure that your savings and checking accounts are serving your needs and change them if necessary. Ditto for your retirement accounts and goal progression. Make adjustments to savings and withholding if needed.

2. Back-up all of your computers. If you already have a system, make sure that it is backing up your files regularly. If not, purchase a storage device or online service for just this purpose.

3. After you’ve backed up all your digital files, make sure that all of your photographs are organized as well. Sort them by date, occasion or with whatever system that works for you. If you keep photo albums, order prints from any occasions missing from the past year and get your photo albums done for the year.

4. Review beneficiary information on all investments and policies. If your family has grown or changed in the last year, now is the time to make sure your beneficiary information is current.

5. Review your insurance accounts for house, cars, life. Make sure that they are meeting your requirements and talk to your agent to adjust if you need to make changes.

6. Clean out the paper. Over the course of a year, most of us accumulate way more paper than we need, and much of it ends up in our files and drawers. Spend some time going through your files and drawers and see if the papers in there are still necessary and relevant to you.

7. Purchase a 2012 calendar. Use your 2011 calendar as a guide to note birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions on the new calendar. Place sticky notes on the months you need to schedule medical and dental checkups. Record appointments, school events, and recurring obligations.

Finish these simple organizing tasks and you’ll find that after the toasts, the cheers and the goals of weight loss, romance and organizing are shared – you’ll emerge ahead of the crowd when you declare yourself officially uncluttered for a fantastic New Year.

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Time-Wasting Habits – and How to Break Them

2011-11-16T14:19:00.016-05:00

"Perfectionism is a paralytic. It’s a powerful venom that causes productivity to die a slow, painful death.” ~ Carmen Coker

When tackling a cluttered lifestyle, sometimes it’s not what you need to get that will help, it’s what you need to get rid of. Today we’re going to talk about three common time-wasters – and actions steps that will help you to get them out of your daily routine so that you can enjoy a clutter-free, stress-free life.

Time Waster #1: Answering the phone every time it rings. Next time you rush to answer the phone when it rings, ask yourself this: Why am I answering the phone? Is it because it’s the polite thing to do? Am I expecting a call? Is it an emergency? Or maybe it’s my favorite radio station telling me that I won $1,000?

Whatever the reason, it’s practically second nature to drop everything when the phone rings. This instinct makes the phone one of the most dangerous enemies of productivity.

TAKE ACTION: Try each day to not answer the phone for one hour, then work your way up to more later on. Choose a time when you need to be at your most productive and turn the phone to silent mode. Hide it in a drawer, stick it in your glove box or even have your spouse hide it from you. But no matter what, don’t touch that phone! And see how much you will accomplish once you’ve removed that extra distraction.

Time Waster #2: Waiting for Perfection. If you are putting things off until the time is right or conditions are perfect, they will never happen. Perfectionism is a paralytic. It’s a powerful venom that causes productivity to die a slow, painful death.

Perfectionism poisons your productivity and makes you think: I’ll do this when I have more money; I’ll do this when the time is right; I’ll do this when I have enough resources; I’ll do this when I’m not so tired or I’ll do this when I lose a few pounds.

When we delay starting a task because we are waiting for the perfect time, the perfect place, or the perfect scenario, we might as well say “I’ll do this when I win the lottery.” With this mindset, your chances of accomplishing that task are just as slim as winning the lotto.

TAKE ACTION: I challenge you to think about a to-do that you’ve been saving for that “perfect” day and start it right now, imperfections and all. Remember, good is good enough!

Time Waster #3: Multi-tasking Gone Bad. Multi-tasking has become the battle cry of the over-worked, over-stressed and over-committed. In order to survive, we’ve been taught that multi-tasking is always the answer. Not true. The only proper way to multi-task is for those moments when it’s OK to be on auto-pilot – like emptying the dishwasher and watching the news. But for mindful tasks, like listening to your spouse or budgeting finances, you need to give full attention where full attention is due.

The bottom line is that the secret is to live in the present – one of the big benefits you’ll get from organizing your life that I constantly tout.

TAKE ACTION: When you’re working on the computer, shut down everything (yes, Facebook too!) so you can focus on just the task at hand. When you are decluttering your house, decide on a specific area, stay put and stay focused. Don’t leave the room and then decide to fold laundry, then pick up a few things in your kid’s room on the way back. Your time is not being used effectively and all of those projects could have been accomplished much quicker had they been done one at a time, with focus.

Studies have shown that, on average, people are interrupted an average of four times each hour. But here’s the interesting part - they often don’t go back to what they were working on before they were interrupted. So you can see how important it is that we identify the time-wasting habits we’ve absorbed into our lives and start working now on changing that behavior. Take away the distractions and the time-wasting habits little by little and you’ll be amazed at the clarity and productivity you’ll gain in your life.

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at http://www.organizeclutterbugs.com/

Get Organized: Organizing Tools that Will Take Your Holiday Event From Blah to Brilliant!

2011-11-02T09:43:00.008-04:00

Can you imagine the holidays without either throwing a party or attending one? It seems that this time of year just wouldn’t be complete without several get-togethers – or more! Which is why it’s only appropriate to discuss how you can host your own holiday bash in an oh-so organized fashion:

I’ve taken a good look at the do’s and don’ts of party planning and broken it down into the few essentials you need to master for a super soiree. And included easy organizing tips to ensure your party is declared the event of the year!

Party Prep: Once you’re chosen a date and set the theme, it’s time to get down to some serious planning. Create a worksheet that keeps all your planning information in order. Expand it for larger occasions or shorten it for small ones. On this worksheet, you’ll want to list:
• Things to Buy – anything you need to purchase for your event.
• Things to Do – tasks you need to accomplish prior to the event.
• Things to Get – anything you must borrow or rent. This also serves as a post-party reminder to return these items.

The Guest List: Keep your guest list organized and on track by creating a record that will help you both before and after the party. Create a 7-column chart. Title the columns Name; Contact Info; Invitation Sent; RSVP yes, RSVP no; Attended yes; Attended no. If you plan on frequently hosting events, take it a step further and create a separate area for each guest that includes complete contact info (email, phone, address) as well as spouse and children’s names, birthday and anniversary dates and miscellaneous facts such as if they have allergies. Keep this list with you at all times – it’s both a great way to keep track of your guest list for the party and good to keep after the event is over for planning the next shindig.

Party Food: Décor is great and music is a must – but we all know that the food often takes the spotlight at parties. Create a helpful chart to help you get organized by placing the basics in one column – such as dips, fruits, salads, entrees, sides, desserts, etc – with additional columns for listing ideas, if someone is contributing items and a place to check each thing off as they are accounted for.

Who Is Bringing What? One thing to start doing right now to reduce party-planning stress is to understand that it is OK to ask for help. Your guests are all too happy to pitch in. As they offer to bring drinks, dishes and even supplies, it’s important to keep track of who is bringing what. Create a worksheet listing the items that have been assigned out to guests to bring. Group the items by food and beverage; décor and props; entertainment; etc. In an adjacent column list the person responsible and their contact information.

Party Debriefing: This is a huge secret of successful party planners. Do you know that moment after the party when you kick off the heels, relax and review the entire event in your mind? Have your party planning organizer kit nearby and write these thoughts down. Think about the following points – and I’m betting you see how it handy it will be to have these written down for when you start planning your next event:
• Guest favorite foods and drinks
• Nice touches that were appreciated
• I got the most compliments on the…
• Everyone was asking for…
• There was TOO much of…
• And TOO LITTLE of...
• Who should be invited again…
• Who should NOT be invited again…
• Ideas and thoughts for next time…

A disorganized host inevitably does not get to enjoy her own party. However, by taking some of these tips and working them into your event planning this season, I know that you will be declared the “hostess with the mostess” and actually get to enjoy your own party. Now that’s a holiday miracle!

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: The Organizing Tip That Will Change Your Life

2011-10-19T20:07:00.003-04:00

Simple, but super: Never leave a space empty-handed

Sometimes, it’s the simplest of things that can have the biggest impact on our lives. I know in my own life, in this fast-paced world we live in, it seems like there is never a time when something isn’t disorganized and out of place. Our homes, our cars, our offices, even our computers – they all have stacks, piles, bags and bits sitting around and cluttering things up with stuff that doesn’t belong.

And yet I’ve found one simple and proven way to take a powerful step toward streamlining your spaces and tackling your mess before it tackles you. And that is to never leave a space empty-handed.

Decluttering and simplifying is yet another activity where we want it all done and we want it all done right now. While this may seem like a pretty easy thing to do at first, it really isn’t. You’ll inevitably become overwhelmed, stressed and make decisions you’ll later regret. However, by incorporating this deliberate action into the way you live, you’ll find that sooner than you know you’ll be living in a more spacious and organized space.

When you are in your home, take the time to look around you when you move from room to room. Are there things that don’t belong? When you leave the room, for whatever reason, be sure to grab a glass and return it to the kitchen, take a book back to the office, or whatever else needs to be organized or cleared.

Never leaving a space empty-handed can be applied to more than just your house as well. For example:

Office: You may not be “leaving the room” but as you move from one project to another, take the time to move something to its rightful place. This can include filing some of the receipts from that big stack, shredding documents, etc.

Car: Is your backseat full of overdue library books, coupons and flyers for the store, sports equipment and even a few diapers (even though they are now tweens!)? Each time you get out of the car, take something with you. Put sports equipment in special bins in the garage. Add a run to the library to you next errand-running safari – or ask Daddy to take care of them on his way to work tomorrow. When the whole family pitches in, never leaving a space empty-handed takes on a whole new level of power and results.

Online/digital/home computer: Are you done reading your email? As you “leave” this space, take the opportunity to delete ones you’ve read and don’t really need to keep. Assign ones you need to follow up with categories, due dates, tasks and more. Create folders and a filing system in your computer for your projects and take the time to move files there for safekeeping. And last, but not least, start the update process for your virus protection right before you go to a coffee refill.

The bottom line here for you to take away from this is that the power of small actions shouldn’t be overlooked. While it may not seem like you’re making much progress or that what you’re doing is even worth it, in the end given enough time the changes can – and will – be huge.

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Time to iOrganize My Life

2011-10-05T16:19:00.020-04:00

I have to confess, I have a new favorite spot to go shopping. It’s open 24-7, everyone is always friendly and the prices are rock-bottom. Sometimes I even get some pretty great stuff for free! Yes, I’m a big fan of shopping at the app store. This store is an amazingly useful place for those who are looking to make the most of their time. Of the hundreds of thousands of apps (short for software applications that run on mobile devices) available for all every type of smart phone, I have found that there are a select few that make the grade for being truly useful helping users stay focused and organized – although I must warn you that none of these include tossing angry birds at rogue hogs (a little shout-out to those who are addicted to the wildly popular “Angry Birds” app.)

If you use a smart phone, but haven’t yet ventured into the world of apps, you’re not alone. Time spent – or wasted – on smart phones has become a serious problem. And that’s where I am stepping in to help you out! I’ve listed here 5 apps I’d like to share with you that have the potential to help you get your life on track by harnessing the power of technology.

Cozi

Consistently voted best organizing app for families by national parenting groups and publications, Cozi is a free app that helps busy families manage schedules, track shopping and to- do lists, organize household chores, and stay in communication—all in one place. All family members can access Cozi from any computer or mobile device. Cozi helps families to be more productive, so they have more time for the things they really want to do.

Available for iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry; free

iStudiez

An education app great for student, teacher and parent is iStudiez. Available in a free “lite” version as well as a pro version, the award-winning iStudiez app tracks course schedules, lectures and labs, tracks tasks and deadlines, plans and reminds of homework, arranges assignments and provides resources to support both student and teacher.

Currently available for iPhone or iPad; free and pro $2.99 versions

Idea Sketch

For creative types with fertile minds that are always spinning out new ideas, Idea Sketch lets you easily draw a diagram - mind map, concept map or flow chart - and convert it to a text outline, or vice versa. You can use Idea Sketch for brainstorming new ideas, illustrating concepts, making lists and outlines, planning presentations, creating organizational charts and more. With this app, you get the best of both worlds – combining fun and productivity.

Available for iPhone, iPad; free and pro versions

Gtasks

Task-masters, rejoice. Google offers the Gtasks app that simply and efficiently syncs with your Gmail task list – and lets you keep a mobile-only list as well. You also have ability to share your lists or task items easily via Gmail, texting and other options.

Available for iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry; free

Seasons

Foodies around the world are always looking for the next big app. Here is one that has a lot of potential. Seasons keeps you organized and up-to-date as you hit the produce markets for what is fresh and in season in your area, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and Western and Central Europe. This app allows you to organize your shopping list, while also living greener and eating healthier by knowing what is fresh and in season. It includes photos and descriptions of produce and helps you find nearby farmers’ markets as well.

Available for iPhone and iPad; $1.99

As you can see, there are a wide variety of apps with great potential for streamlining the many different facets of life from home to work to out-on-the-town. These 5 are the most recent ones that stand out during my time spent shopping – I meant “researching studiously” – in the apps store. And be sure to let me know when you discover something amazing in the apps world yourself.

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Take Back Control of Your Inbox

2011-09-08T05:30:00.002-04:00

"Email is a system that delivers other people’s priorities to your attention. It’s up to you to decide when that priority should be managed into your world. It’s not the other way around.” ~ Chris Brogan

There was a time when I would sit down in the morning to open my email and I would cringe a little, afraid to look at all the new messages piling into my Inbox already crammed full of messages I hadn’t yet had the time, or courage, to get to.

Overwhelmed? Oh, yes! A large percentage of the email we see on a daily basis is irrelevant, and the accumulation of it leads us down a slippery slope of distraction that definitely hampers our productivity.

Keeping your inbox organized and clutter-free isn’t an impossible goal, however. I’ve created a system that helped me organize my email and I’ll share the best parts of it here with you today. Start with a healthy dose of discipline, create and stick to a filing and organization system like I’m sharing with you here, and you’ll quickly take back control of your own Inbox.

1. Create a filing system: This is great for organizing emails you receive on a regular basis that center around common subjects. Be diligent and file or label these emails daily as you receive them for this to work.

a. Create folders for businesses, people or subjects that you receive frequent emails about and file those emails to their proper place immediately. This is a lifesaver and probably one of the best organizing ideas you can implement.

b. Labels (Gmail) or Categories (Outlook) are also excellent ways of grouping emails concerning similar subject together for easy searching and reference later on.

2. Get rid of clutter: Take a look at all the newsletters and commerce emails you receive – I bet there are quite a few.

a. Unwanted emails: If you are on lists that you did not sign up for, these are the first to go (keep reading for specific directions).

b. Next, look at the ones that you’ve been a long-time subscriber to. Are they still all pertinent to your life? Do you even read them anymore? A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t opened them for a month or two, then they aren’t worth keeping. Remove yourself from these as well.

c. HOW TO: An effective way to cancel your subscriptions or remove your email from unwanted lists is to use the “Manage Subscription” or “Unsubscribe” links usually located at the end of the message. Don’t waste your time by directly replying with “unsubscribe” or rude comments to the unwanted email – it rarely works as those addresses are often not monitored.

3. Don’t be afraid to delete: Read your e-mail as time permits and then delete any correspondence that doesn't have content worth keeping for future reference. Then, empty your trash daily.

4. Prioritize, take action, then file or delete. As you read your emails in the morning, make use of the prioritizing system your email system provides. This can be flags, tasks or even using a free secondary system such as Nudgemail.com that will prioritize emails according to a date you send and send them back to you at that requested time as reminders. Once you’ve completed the action required for that email, file or delete it. Don’t let it sit stagnant in your Inbox, remember we’re uncluttering here.

The above tips when practiced daily will make a world of difference in keeping your Inbox organized and clutter free. Just a bit of discipline is all it takes to be on the road to less time spent dealing with e-mail and more time for other things ... like paying attention to your family or your business, or even the occasional girls happy hour. You know, the important stuff.

© 2011 Clutterbugs LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com.

Get Organized: Back to School

2011-08-23T12:06:00.009-04:00

It’s the time of year when the smell of newly-sharpened pencils and fresh crayons reminds us that a new school term is approaching and life will soon transition from lazy days to active schedules for the whole family.

Think of it this way - the start of a new school year is like having a bonus New Year’s Day, bringing with it the chance to make a fresh start. Now is the perfect time to think beyond back-to-school supply shopping and plan for ways to ensure a smooth season for with a few useful and fun organizing ideas, like these favorites I’ll share with you here today:

Mornings: If chaos has been the rule in the past in your home, look carefully at what can be done ahead of time.
• Pre-pack lunches: Store lunch supplies on a low shelf so younger children can help pack their own meals to go.
• Have backpacks packed and ready to go the night before.
• Place sports or lesson equipment for the next day near the door, easy to grab on the way out.

After school
• Label boxes or bins and place them under hooks that give each child their own place for jackets, backpacks and all the odds and ends that come home from school every day.
• Create a homework station for each child and have a box there containing all the supplies they might needs such as pens, pencils, erasers, crayons, calculators, paper, etc.

Paperwork roundup
• Have a small storage box labeled for each child’s paperwork that comes home every day. Each day sort through their paper bin and immediately purge unwanted items. Do it at the same time as the kids are doing homework and you’ll set a good example as well as keep your papers sorted.
• Once a week, look at the items left in your child’s box and determine the right place for them. Important papers such as school directories, teacher contact information and classroom rules and schedules can go into a special binder for you. Schoolwork you want to keep for posterity (or to show off when they start dating down the road!) can be kept in a labeled 3-ring binder. Art work can go into a folder or expandable keeper, or displayed in a special place in your home or at the office.

Extracurricular
• For regularly-scheduled activities after school or on weekends, create a calendar or reminder system to be posted near the door to help out. Now it’ll be easier to remember to grab your tennis racket on Tuesdays, snack on Fridays and soccer cleats on Saturdays.
• Create a “command central” for the entire family’s communications to keep track of Mom, Dad, kids and even the pets’ activities. It can include a master calendar, different colored markers for each family member and a notepad for messages. There are even apps for smart phones such as Cozi (http://www.cozi.com/), a free online organizer that helps families say goodbye to chaos and hello to organized bliss by coordinating schedules online and instantly uploading them to every family member’s phone.

Make sure that you don’t miss out on the wonderful opportunity that the new school year brings. Now is the time to combine fresh organization strategies like these with ones that have worked well for your family in the past to create a routine that will make back-to-school fun for everyone, Mom and Dad included.

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Check Off Those Summer Organizing To-Do's -- Here's How

2011-07-14T09:42:00.009-04:00

The weather is great, you’re feeling energized from all that extra solar energy you’ve been absorbing and you’ve got some extra time off. Now is the perfect time to tackle one of those big organizing projects you’ve been wishfully thinking of. First, let’s review a few tips that will help you to get started and maximize your productivity.

1. Pick one project. Yes, just one: Focus and stick with that project until it is done. Now is not the time for multi-tasking, even though it may be second nature. Often that really big job can be accomplished in one day as long as you develop a laser-focus.

2. Research and prep: Take some time before you start your project to research how others have successfully tackled similar projects. You can find a wealth of ideas online for what to do – and what not to do as well. If you know that you will need baskets, boxes, shelves or other types of equipment, shop ahead of time to get the best bargains and have it all ready when to begin your project.

3. Break the job into small pieces: This makes it easier to organize, delegate and keep you from feeling overwhelmed.

4. Reward yourself: If just the thought of having a clean, organized space isn’t enough, set a reward for yourself to look forward to when you’re done, such as a massage or a nice dinner out that night.

Now that you have the basics down for your big project, let’s take a look three common organizing hot-spots that are great for this season and several ideas and inspirations for keeping the clutter under control.

Gardening Workspace

Mount a large piece of lattice, found at any home and garden store, behind your potting bench. Large s-hooks can be easily used to hang tools, gloves and bags to keep your seeds in. (It looks super-cute, as well!)
Keep a medium-size galvanized bucket full of clean sand on your potting bench as an easy place to store your garden tools. The sand helps to keep the blades clean, stops rust from forming and will even help maintain sharp edges.
Buy a garden or tool belt tote that fits securely around a 5-gallon bucket. You can find these at most garden and home supply stores. Just like a tool-belt for a bucket, this handy multi-pocketed belt will keep all your supplies organized while leaving plenty of carrying room in the center bucket.
Use a small clean pot to hold plant markers and a Sharpie for creating quick labels for your flowers or veggie garden.

Storage Sheds

This is a great project for a beautiful weather day. Drag everything out of your shed, create piles of keep, throw out and donate items and sweep and clean out the entire shed.
If it’s dark inside, install an inexpensive shop light that will encourage use of the space more often.
Purchase simple, heavy-duty storage shelves or racks and use them to place all the smaller items on, getting as much off the floor as possible.
And don’t forget the beauty of simple nails and s-hooks for hanging things out of the way. The more you get off the floor, the more efficient and attractive using the shed will be.

Pool and Beach

Wet towels, swimsuits and piles of toys all cause organizing distress. Moving from the pool to the beach and back again complicates things as well. For use at home, head to your nearest dollar store and invest in a few plastic laundry-type baskets or milk crates. Label them with bright colors and using water-proof materials to make it fun. Water will drain out, toys will dry and you’ll have one easy place to grab towels or suits from when it’s time to dry them out.
Get a pop-up mesh laundry bag to store towels and toys in when moving from pool to beach and back again. You can just shake it out to get most of the sand out of the bag and keep it out of your car and home.
Always have a large zip lock bag with you for cell phones and electronics. And take a tip from the surfer crowd, always carry a bottle of baby powder. It’s an absolute miracle at getting all the sand off and keeping it out of your car and home.

Get Organized: How to "Organize" Your Pampered Pet

2011-06-21T07:21:00.002-04:00

~ In memory of Buster ~

He (pictured above on right) was a big sweetie pie and a best friend — and he is, and will continue to be, sorely missed.

Do you own a pampered pet like me? Maybe two, three, or more? If you do, then he/she is very much a part of your everyday life, and it's important to include the pet in your overall organizing plan for yourself or your family.

Here are some ways you can organize your pet's stuff:

(1) Use an old plastic container or wicker basket as a central holding point for the pet's toys. Place it in a spot where the pet spends a lot of his time, and a spot where he can reach inside the container easily to get the toys. At the end of the day, you can make a round of the play area with container in-hand, picking up the pet's toys and putting them back inside the container.

(2) Designate cabinet space for the pet. Use the space to store canned food, dry food, treats, wipes, bath supplies, medicines, leashes, etc. Categorize the items, stack them neatly or place them in small containers, and there they will stay...organized and out-of-sight!

(3) If you like to travel with your pet, use an old backpack or other bag to organize the pet's items for the trip. Carry the staples: food, treats, toys, bowls, an old water bottle with lid to hold fresh water, paper towels and/or wipes for messes, meds, extra blanket, etc.

(4) Hang a hook in an inconspicuous area, such as behind a door, inside a closet, or in the garage or utility room. Use the hook for leashes, collars, pet apparel, etc.

(5) Create a notebook for the pet. Include copies of important vaccination documentation, phone numbers to ER clinics, kennel or sitter information, etc. Also, if you are sentimental and have stashed mementos of your pet over time, then make sure you get a versatile notebook that can support the items you have kept. For example, zipper pockets for the "my first ID tag," clear pockets for pictures, page pockets for certificates or medical records, etc.

These days, pets have gained a higher status in most homes, so much so that they are typically treated like an integral member of the family. In fact, according to the American Pet Products Association, Americans will spend almost $50 BILLION on pet supplies in 2011 alone. If you're reading this article, it's a sure bet that you're a pet lover and that you'll likely be contributing to that dollar amount in some way, shape, or form. A little "pet organizing" will eliminate leashes, sweaters, and other pet products from overwhelming your space.

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Yes! Taxes Can Be Stress-Free, Mess-Free - Here's How...

2011-03-11T04:38:00.002-05:00

In the words of Dave Barry, "It's income tax time again, Americans: time to gather up those receipts, get out those tax forms, sharpen up that pencil, and stab yourself in the aorta."

Filing taxes = huge pain. We all know it. We all go through it once a year. And while there's no way around tax season, there is a way to make the process less stressful.

P.R.E.P.A.R.A.T.I.O.N. (I'm hearing a collective sigh from all the procrastinators out there!) A little bit of preparation can make a huge difference in your tax filing experience.

Here are 5 steps to a help you file your taxes, on-time and un-frazzled...

(Think T-A-X-E-S!)

(1) Tally: Decide how many hours you'll need for tax prep.

First, choose a final date, such as "I wanna be done with my taxes by 1 April." Then work your timetable backwards from there, planning around your work schedule, family responsibilities, and extracurriculars.

Second, think about how long it's taken you in the past to file. If 6 hours of tax prep has been enough in the past, then this year will likely be no different unless you have major changes in your life. So pencil in 2 hours on your calendar for 3 Saturdays between now and April 1st, or maybe 1 hour each Monday and Wednesday evening for the next 3 weeks. Etc, etc.

Looking ahead will prevent a last-minute tax crunch and all the pressure that comes with it!

(2) Assemble: Gather all tax-related documents.

Search your files, baskets, and bins. Your objective? To find any and all receipts, canceled checks, and other papers that support an item of income or deduction.

Be on the lookout for important forms like W-2s and 1099s in the mail.

And don't forget about the charitable donations you've made over the last year! Visit www.itsdeductibleonline.com for *free* software from TurboTax that tracks and adds your donations year-round and accurately determines the value of your donated items.

(3) X-cessorize: Compliment your tax prep efforts.

I'm not talking shoes and purses here! It's all about storage. Now that you've got each and every one of your tax documents assembled, they must be organized in one central location, so as not to get lost.

There are lots of different tax organizers that can keep your tax papers in order. You can dress 'em up in style with something like the Buttoned Up® Tax Filer ™. Or if you're not into fancy-schmancy, then you can dress 'em down with the oldie but goodie manila envelope.

(4) Evaluate: Assess how you want to file your return.

Will you prepare your return or go to a tax preparer? Do you qualify to file at no cost using Free File on the IRS website? Are you eligible for free help at an IRS office or volunteer site? Will you purchase tax prep software or e-file online?

There are many possibilities to consider! Weigh them all and find the option that best suits your needs. You may need to make modifications to your tally and time line, if necessary.

(5) Schedule: Make a date to file your return.

If you're doing your own taxes, make an appointment with yourself. If someone else is doing your taxes, make an appointment with him/her.

Schedule asap — before the calendar fills up! And schedule a date several weeks ahead of the April 15th tax deadline, just in case something comes up and you need a bit more time to complete filing.

And remember: It's never too early to start tax prep for 2012!

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: What Jerry Seinfeld Can Teach You About Productivity

2011-02-24T03:56:00.014-05:00

Watch this video on YouTube instead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5GEA7724tc

How can you apply Seinfeld's secret productivity tip to your life? I'd love to hear your ideas! Leave a comment here to share...

Video Transcript:

Hi there. My name is Carmen Coker, and I'm a professional organizer and productivity expert. And if you've been a follower of mine in any capacity, whether it's my newsletter, my blog, social media or anything in between, then you probably know a dirty little secret of mine...and that is that I love celebrity gossip. And I especially love it when I find a quote from an A-lister about whether or not they're neat freak or they're the opposite. What I don't find very often is when a celebrity is actually dishing out advice on how to be organized and more productive. And so when I come across something like that, I like to share it because it's very fascinating, for me at least, and I know there are a lot of you out there who also enjoy the celebrity culture. So, hopefully, you'll listen to this and take something away.

The celebrity in question is Jerry Seinfeld, and he was once asked what his biggest tip for being productive and successful happen to be. And he said, "Don't break the chain."

Now, what exactly did he mean by that? Well, he went on to explain that, as a comedian, in order to be a good comedian, he had to write every single day...but sometimes he didn't feel like it. And I know that there are a lot of you out there who can relate to that as well, when there's something that you have to do day in and day out, and you really just don't feel like it all the time. So he said what he would do is every time he would sit down to write, he would put a big "X"on his calendar and that eventually would, after one or two days, would make a chain. And so his motivation was to keep that chain going on his calendar and to not break it.

So what you can see behind me are some examples of how you can apply the don't-break-the-chain method in your life. Across the top is Monday through Friday and that would be something like Seinfeld was trying to do, where he was writing every single day. That's one example of a chain.

You also have something on maybe one day a week. For example, maybe you like to have lunch with your best friend because having that friendship and keeping that friendship is a high priority for you. So you would have a chain of Wednesdays all the way down your calendar. Or maybe you like going to the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays or perhaps even Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, so you would have a chain of Tuesdays-Thursdays or Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays.

These are just a few examples of how you can use the don't-break-the-chain method in your calendaring and planning. And if you decide to use this method, I'd really love to know how it goes for you. So definitely leave a comment for me. That's it for this video. We'll see you next time.

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this video in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Where Do You Put the Big Rocks (aka Priorities) in Your Life?

2011-02-17T06:10:00.000-05:00

In the previous blog post, I shared an organizing and time management riddle with you. (If you missed it, you'll want to catch up first and read the initial post here.)

There is a teacher who fills a jar with rocks, then pebbles, then sand. And he asks a student, “What is the point of this illustration with the jar?”

The student replies, “No matter how much I have to do, I can always squeeze something else in.”

“No!” declares the teacher. “If you don’t fit the big rocks in first, then you’ll never fit them in at all. Always consider this as you set your priorities.”

So...do you make room for the big rocks — the big priorities — first in your life? Or squeeze them in, if and when you are able?

It’s important to remember that TRULY LIVING YOUR PRIORITIES (not wanting to live them or thinking about living them) is fundamental to ENJOYING A BALANCED LIFE.

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Do You Fill Your Day With Rocks, Pebbles, or Sand?

2011-01-27T07:55:00.030-05:00

Here’s an organizing and time management riddle for you.

There is a student who professes that his studies are his #1 priority, although one would never guess as much because he is perpetually late to class and behind on assignments. One day, a teacher, who sees great potential in the student, asks the student to stay after school for a discussion.

When the student arrives, the teacher has 4 items displayed:

1. an empty glass jar,
2. a pile of rocks,
3. a pile of tiny pebbles, and
4. a pile of sand.

The teacher says to the student, “Tell me when the jar is full.” And the teacher picks up a handful of rocks and dumps them into the jar.

“It’s full now,” the student declares. “You can’t fit anything else in the jar.”

“You are incorrect,” replies the teacher. “There is still room in the jar for more.” As he says this, the teacher pours a handful of tiny pebbles into the jar, and they fall into the spaces between the rocks.

“It seems full now,” the student states. “But I feel like this might be a trick question!”

“Hmmm…I’m glad to see you are catching on. Because this jar is still not full,” responds the teacher. As he says this, the teacher pours a handful of sand into the jar, and the grains fall into the spaces between the tiny pebbles.

“I’m afraid I don’t really get the point of this,” the student shares.

The teacher fixes the student with a firm stare, and says, “Well, you claim that your studies are top priority for you, but you don’t act like it. You are always late, not only to class but with turning in assignments. You have such potential, but you are throwing it all away, and you are going to ruin your chances for a successful future if you don’t re-prioritize and start showing the faculty that you are serious.“

As the student nods his head, the teacher continues and asks, “Now, you tell me – what is the point of this illustration with the jar?”

What was the student’s answer? And more importantly, what is the meaning of this riddle in YOUR life?

I'll give you a little hint: check out the title of this article again and think "prioritizing."

If you believe you know the answer, I'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment below if you'd like to share your thoughts.

Next time, we’ll discuss the answer and what it means to you.

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Painless Holiday Shopping and Gifting

2010-12-09T06:35:00.009-05:00

Have you ever been at a loss as to what gift to buy someone? It's a safe bet that we've all been there before!

There's only one way to take the speculation out of gift-giving, and that's PREPARATION. If you wait until the last-minute to figure out what to get whom, you're going to waste valuable time in the process. Not to mention, the worry that comes with "hoping" the recipient likes the gift you selected on a whim.

One simple, manageable way to stay on top of your gift-giving game is to create a list of must-know info about each person.

This includes:

- Favorite colors, brands, and sizes for clothing

- Favorite stores, hang-outs, and restaurants

- Favorite authors and magazines

- Favorite music, TV shows, and movies

- Favorite foods, wine, and beer

- If they have any collections, hobbies, or special interests

- Etc.

A listing such as this gives you a lot of room to maneuver. Not only do you know what each recipient likes, you'll have multiple options within multiple prices ranges. You could go for the expensive, like a new outfit or new techie gadget, or go for the inexpensive, like a new book or a $20 gift certificate.

Here is a painless method to note (and remember!) possible gift ideas all year-round: Personalized Holiday Gift Ideas. While designed for Christmas gifts, it works equally well for other special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's or Father's Day, Valentine's Day, or any "just because" situation.

My hope is that this organizing resource makes you a little more *organized* than ever before!

SPECIAL NOTE: The above article includes just one of 40 easy-to-use Christmas organizing tools from The Clutterbugs' Guide to an Organized Christmas.

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: How to Select the BEST Planner for Your 2011

2010-11-18T05:55:00.002-05:00

William Penn, the founder of the great state of Pennsylvania, once said: "Time is what we want most, but what we use worst."

Does that sound like a day in your life?

One of the cheapest, easiest ways to solve your time management problems is by using a personal planner. (And just to be clear, this does not include "using" it as a coaster, doodle pad, paperweight, or otherwise unrelated purpose!)

Here's a look at the different types of planners, and how you can pick out the best planner to suit your personality and lifestyle.

1. Yearly - allows you to see the entire year in one fell swoop. While yearly planners are great for reference, they really don't let you to plan much of anything. There are so many days and months included in yearly planners that there's hardly any room included for writing anything down. As an aside, any true monthly, weekly, daily, or combination planner - all of which will be discussed shortly - should offer some version of a yearly planner in the form of a 1, 2, and/or 3-year outlook.

2. Monthly - allows you to see an entire month at-a-glance. Monthly planners are a perfect choice for those individuals who have only 3-4 appointments or notations to make each day. Monthly planners are highly recommend for creative types, who crave a little structure but not a lot. If you really like to or need to schedule down to the minute, then a monthly planner is not going to work for you at all.

3. Weekly - allows you to see a week at-a-glance, either in a Sunday-Saturday or a Monday-Sunday format. Make sure you pay attention to that detail! If you like Sunday-Saturday, and you buy Monday-Sunday, it can be an adjustment. Sunday-Saturday always splits the weekend in half, which means you have to write things twice if you are participating in an activity happening over the entire weekend.

4. Daily - allows you to see one, possibly two, days at a time. With daily planners, you can schedule in great detail because there are specific time slots like 9, 10, and 11am. Daily planners are not recommended for those who like to look at an entire month at one time, because you won't get that visual.

5. Combination - allows you to see a mixture of yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily features. This is arguably the best type of planner overall. Why? Because combination planners give you flexibility! Sometimes you need to be strict with your time, planning the exact second, and sometimes you don't. Combination planners provide a great middle ground to do just that.

Before investing in any planner, check to see if it offers other tools to help you "keep it together" besides the standard dates, notes, and holidays.

For example...

- If you are a fitness buff, then you might want a planner with a daily calorie log and exercise journal.

- If you are a "yummy mummy," then you might want a planner that allows you to track your children's schedules in addition to your own.

- If you are the thoughtful type, then you might want a planner that includes an address book so you are ready with contact details when a Hallmark moment strikes.

Do yourself a BIG FAVOR - don't just rush out to the store and grab any ol' thing and hope it will work out! By doing so, you are psychologically and energetically telling yourself that your time is really not that important. On the other hand, if you take a few moments to make a wise choice about your personal planner, you are telling yourself that you are serious about taking control of your schedule. And your life will be infinitely better because of it!

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at http://www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: What's Your Organizing Personality?

2010-11-03T09:00:00.001-04:00

Organizing systems are not one-size-fits-all. Your organizing personality — or what I like to call your logic type — is truly the most important aspect to consider when organizing any room or project.

If you try to organize something that runs against your system of reasoning, then it will never, ever stick!

That’s why, in my work as a professional organizer, I have identified four logic types: Geometrical, Positional, Chronological, and Categorical.

• Geometrical or "How"

If you have geometrical logic, then you like clean lines, right angles, and symmetry. You feel most organized if...

- Your papers are stacked in a straight row on your desk.

- All the book spines are lined up perfectly with the edge of a bookshelf.

• Positional or "Where"

If you have positional logic, then you like things to be where they will prove most useful. You feel most organized if...

- Your keys are always by the front door so they are nearby when you leave.

- Your clothes hamper is situated in your closet because that is where you always change clothes.

• Chronological or "When" or "How Often"

If you have chronological logic, then you relate everything to a point in time. Your life is strictly based on a calendar of events or time of day, month, or year. You feel most organized if...

- Your records are filed according to date.

- Your weekly routine accomplishes the same tasks on the same day of each week.

• Categorical or "What" or "Who"

If you have categorical logic, then you sort everything into a group. You feel most organized if...

- Your kitchen cabinets are arranged by type of food.

- Your music library is displayed by genre.

Most of your habits and patterns should be obvious to you, and hopefully you relate strongly to one logic type or another.

In some cases, you could be a combination of the 4 logic types. For example, you could organize geometrically by shape — like pants, skirts, shirts — and then categorically by color within each geometric — like white pants, brown pants, jeans and pink shirts, red shirts, black shirts.

These logic types are not designed to make organizing seem difficult, nor should you spend a lot of time agonizing over what logic type you may be. They are just considerations to make you think about what you like and dislike, so that you can create the best organizing systems to support you and your lifestyle.

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: College Entrepreneurs Develop Hip, New Organizer

2010-10-14T11:16:00.005-04:00

This week, I was contacted by a very inspiring group of college students from Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering in Massachusetts who have developed Accessibles, a hip, new way to organize notebooks and planners.

Rui Wang, one of the students in this group of budding entrepreneurs, explained that, "We noticed that lots of people store their thoughts chronologically and subsequently made etched-metal monthly tabs to let you control how you organize..."

If you'd like to support youthful innovation, initiative, and entrepreneurship, you can grab your very own set of Accessibles here: http://accessibles.myshopify.com/.

The cost is $15, and as this is their first round of production, the product is available in limited numbers until TOMORROW, 15 October.

I'm sure you'll join me in wishing Rui and crew all the best! And personally, as an entrepreneur myself, I'm happy that I can be counted as one of their very first paying customers.

Get Organized: Do You Suffer from Cobbler's Children Syndrome?

2010-10-14T11:12:00.002-04:00

The word “cobbler” comes from a bygone era and quickly conjures up visions of Charles Dickens and not so much modern times. But the fact of the matter is — despite living in the 21st century — you may suffer from Cobbler’s Children Syndrome (CCS) all the same.

Simply put, CCS describes a situation where a cobbler spends so much time repairing shoes for all the villagers, that he has neither the time nor inclination to do the same for his own family. As a result, his children have the worse shoes of all the children in the village.

Now, I doubt YOU are a cobbler in the strict sense of the word, but the irony of this syndrome can play out in many situations.

However, let’s focus on just one of these situations, which happens to be the severest of all — when you give and give to other people and causes, until you have nothing left to give to you.

Maybe you have a big heart. Maybe you have a hard time saying “no.” Maybe you feel you have to live up to a set of expectations. No matter the reason, if you have a tendency to take on too many things…it won’t be long before you start to become overwhelmed, exhausted, frustrated, and resentful.

And there’s only one way out of this downward spiral: become a gatekeeper for your schedule. And not an I’ll-let-anyone-or-anything-through gatekeeper but an I’ll-kick-your-butt-if-you-even-try-to-get-past-me gatekeeper.

You and you alone control how you use your time, with a few exceptions, of course. But if you don’t guard your time and use of it, then who will? You have to have high standards for how you manage your time…or else it — and all those extra, non-essential commitments — will manage (or should I say manhandle?) you.

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Get Rid of Clutter – Transform Your Life

2010-09-20T17:31:00.009-04:00

It's often hard to keep the momentum going after you start an organizing project. Reason being, unless you are a professional organizer or self-proclaimed organizing junkie, organization can seem...boring. Pointless. Overwhelming. Difficult.

Does this situation sound familiar to you? Then it's very likely that when you think about getting organized, your natural procrastination mechanism kicks into overdrive.

You are not alone! In fact, one of the most popular questions about organizing is: "How do I get/stay motivated?"

The answer to this question requires you to look at your life from the inside-out. In other words, the best thing you can do to motivate yourself to get organized is to think about your BIG WHY. (And this doesn't take a long time or require a lot effort!)

While considering this, it's important to remember that the why is different for everyone. Maybe you want to create a world where...

- You're not overwhelmed and suffocated by disorganization.

- You have more free time to spend with family and friends and to do the things you love.

- You save money because you no longer have to constantly replace lost items.

- You're ready to welcome unexpected guests in your home, with no embarrassing mess to explain away.

- You don't feel pulled in a million directions because you only commit to activities that you enjoy and that your schedule can handle.

- You find what you need when you need it - in seconds!

- You set a positive example for your children, so they want to help your home stay organized.

- Your friends say "I wanna have a home like yours! You've got it all together."

These are just a few of the many reasons why you may want to organize your life, your home, your work. And each one is equally powerful and transformational.

No matter the reason, when it comes to finding the motivation you need to get organized and stay that way, always think about how organization will benefit you and yours. Then keep that in mind when any cloudy "organizing" day comes your way.

So let me turn the tables and ask you a question: "What amazing world lies just beyond your chaos?"

The answer may just be the catalyst you need to get up, get moving, and FINALLY get organized.

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Hanging Pictures Made Easy

2010-09-06T14:48:00.006-04:00

There's not much to putting up a picture. Hit nail, hang frame. It's a non-event, really...UNTIL you have a rogue picture. You know, that frame that just won't stay straight, no matter what.

That's why I love 3M. They invent things that you never knew you needed, but once you know about them, you wonder how you ever survived before they came along. Like the Post-It Note...no one can argue that the Post-It belongs in the organizing hall of fame!

And in keeping with the strong 3M tradition, they have created a new line of Damage-Free Hanging Strips and Clips. Including -

- Frame Stabilizer Strips: Prevent crooked frames by locking and keeping them straight. Available in black and white to match your home’s décor.

- Sawtooth Sticky Nail Metal Hangers: Mount frames that hang with a sawtooth, key hole or eyelet without damaging your walls.

- Wire-Backed Sticky Nail Metal Hangers: Display frames that hang with a wire without using damaging nails.

- Picture Clips: Organize your counter or desk space by hanging photos, coupons, reminders or schedules. Translucent clips blend in with surfaces.

- Picture Hanging Strips: Come in small, medium and large sizes, and are available in white and now also black.

There you have it! 5 amazing products you didn't know you couldn't live without.

Find more details (and COUPONS!) at http://www.command.com/

So...how would you use 3M strips and clips to help you get organized?

Get Organized: U Is For UNII Palette

2010-08-26T09:07:00.013-04:00

This post is part of the "Organizers A to Z" series. Cool organizers you could live without, but why would you want to?!

At first glance, the UNII Palette may look just like any other make-up holder. But, my friend...that assumption is oh-so-wrong!

Ladies - if you're like me, then you are loyal to a few different brands of cosmetics. And while each brand has its own special case(s), there's no way to mix and match! You end up with a drawer full of different eye shadows, mascaras, lip liners, etc.

In other words, all these little containers are big space-hoggers in your bathroom, your purse, your suitcase.

Herein lies the magic of UNII.

When you buy a UNII, you get don't get any make-up. What you get is a super savvy palette that streamlines ALL the make-up you already own. AND you also get instructions on how to remove your cosmetics from its original packaging so that you can store it on your new UNII Palette. (It's so easy!)

I think this video will do a better job of showing you exactly what I mean:

Make-up lovers, rejoice! Lots of cosmetic choices no longer means lots of clutter.

How much? $29 plus FREE shipping

Where? Buy online at UNII Cosmetics

Why? For a little less drama in the bathroom (and in your purse!)

How would you use a UNII to help you get organized?

Get Organized: Are You a Grasshopper or an Ant When It Comes to Organizing?

2010-08-19T08:06:00.003-04:00

Once upon a time, there was a Grasshopper enjoying a beautiful summer day. He was hopping about, chirping and singing to his heart's content. In the middle of the Grasshopper’s delightful afternoon, an Ant passed by, struggling to carry an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

"Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of working so hard?"

"I’m helping to lay up food for winter," said the Ant, "and I recommend you to do the same."

"Why bother about winter?!" said the Grasshopper, “It’s such a beautiful day! And we have got plenty of food right now." But the Ant went on his way and continued his toil.

Several months later, a harsh winter fell. The Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while he saw the Ants distributing corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer.

Then the Grasshopper knew: It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

You may have heard this famed Aesop’s fable before, probably from a parent or teacher when you were in kindergarten or elementary school. The wisdom of its lesson applies to several aspects of life, organization being one of them. If there is an area of your life that you need or want to organize, then start working on it immediately! If not, you may find yourself in a situation where you wished that you had made organizing a priority.

For example,

- Organize your files at work today, so that tomorrow when your boss calls on you in a crisis, the documents you need are readily at hand.

- Straighten up your car this weekend, so that next week when your crush asks you for a ride, there is no embarrassing mess to explain away.

- De-clutter the extra room this month, so that next month when your little brother suddenly needs a place to crash, there is a comfy spot ready.

- Put your estate in order this year, so that an unexpected tragedy in the next year does not leave your family in the lurch. (A special note on this one: I realize death is not the happiest of topics. In fact, you may feel by even bringing up the subject, you're tempting fate. But if you care about those around you, especially if you’re a parent, you should be prepared.)

Do you want "finding balance" and "being prepared" to be priorities in your life? Then there is NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT to set and achieve your organizing goals! Each day provides all of us the opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to make our lives better than ever before.

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: De-Clutter Your Costanza Wallet

2010-08-09T06:59:00.002-04:00

Do you have a Costanza Wallet?

Even if your wallet isn't "morbidly obese" like George's...it’s probably taken its fair share of abuse.

So your challenge for today is to clean out your wallet. Ditch the old receipts, extra change, and old ID cards. And enjoy the lighter load!

Get more quick, simple organizing tips in 101 Days to a More Organized You.

Get Organized: T Is For Tubtrugs

2010-08-02T08:46:00.004-04:00

This post is part of the "Organizers A to Z" series. Cool organizers you could live without, but why would you want to?!

What makes a great organizer truly great?

VERSATILITY.

For me, that means a storage and organization solution...

- Is available in lots of colors and sizes.
- Is easy to use and access.
- Can be used for multiple purposes.
- Is built to last.
- Is eco-friendly.

Enter: Tubtrugs!

Having a few of these babies myself, I can personally vouch for their website claim that a Tubtrug is "the most useful tool for thousands of jobs around the home and garden...carrying, mixing, pouring, scooping, plastering, storing, washing, gardening, pets..."

And I'm happy to say that a Tubtrug fits ALL my "versatile" organizing requirements.

Plus, it's not just like any other tub -- because that would be...well, blah and boring! It's super-strong handles, flexible body, and frost/UV protection (won’t degrade in sunlight or frost) make a Tubtrug stand apart from your Average Joe tub.

How much? $10-35, depending upon size

Where? Buy online at Tubtrugs

Why? Why not?!

How would you use a Tubtrug or two to help you get organized?

Get Organized: Bye, Bye Drop Zone!

2010-06-03T07:37:00.002-04:00

Every home has a drop zone (or 2, 3, or more). It's a place where stuff tends to get "dropped" without so much as a second thought. And this happens so often that a small pile of things becomes a huge pile in a short period of time.

Sound familiar? Uh-huh.

As you read this, your home's drop zones will immediately spring to mind...

- The front door area

- The kitchen counter

- The dining table

- The coffee table

- The bedroom floor

- The top of the desk

- The desk drawer

- The book shelf

- The file box

- The chair

And if drop zones have already invaded your home, they likely have invaded other spaces as well, like your vehicle.

- The glove box

- The passenger seat

- The back seat

- The trunk

With a drop zone, it's easy to let the clutter multiply because it's an old habit - and old habits die hard. It's easy to ignore your the clutter because it's been there for so long. It's easy to justify leaving the clutter "as is" because it's the effortless way out.

BUT - have you ever heard the saying, "If you always do what you've always done, you always get what you've always got"? In other words, if the status quo is "bombs away" in your drop zone and you continue as is...you'll never get rid of the clutter!

So I challenge you to go against the flow by organizing a drop zone in your home today. Ready, set, organize!

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: 5 Low-cost Ways to Organize Your Kitchen Now

2010-05-27T07:29:00.003-04:00

As the saying goes, the kitchen is the heart of the home. But your kitchen can also be the heap of the home if you let clutter pile up!

Here are 5 easy, low-cost ways to organize your kitchen now:

(1) Edit your counter space.

It's so easy to put most of your appliances on the counter top. It's totally understandable - you get quick access whenever you need something.

The problem? Most of us are true conformists to the 80/20 rule; 80% of what we keep, we never use. And that includes 80% of what's on your counter!

So look at what's on top of your counters and ask yourself...does this really need to be in my kitchen? If not, then it probably doesn't really need to be in your house at all.

(2) Out with the old to make room for the new.

You wouldn't really eat stale crackers, would you? Then why are they in your kitchen? Get them - and all other expired or outdated foods - out of your cabinets, pantries, fridges, and freezers.

Of course, food isn't the only thing that might have worn out its welcome. Donate any cookbooks or kitchen gadgets that haven't been used in 1-2 years or more. Scrutinize any freebies you've nabbed recently, like sports squeeze bottles and koozies. Truth be told, you didn't really need them in the first place, and you likely don't really need them now.

(3) Divide and conquer.

Think about how you use your kitchen when you're making dinner. Separate your kitchen into distinct quadrants based on your kitchen habits (i.e. cooking, preparing, cleaning, storing) and then organize utensils accordingly.

(4) Think outside-the-box...or in this case, outside the kitchen.

The kitchen is a high-traffic area, and often times, stuff will find its way into the vicinity. Designate a bin or basket for items that should not be in the kitchen. At the end of each day, have an assigned family member fill the container with the non-kitchen items and carry them back to the room where they belong.

In addition, bulk foods purchases and items like china - which are used sparingly or only a few times a year - can be stored elsewhere in your home to free up more space in the kitchen.

(5) Turn your paper piling into paper filing.

I don't know about you, but mail and other paperwork seem to multiply and take over my counter if I don't take care of it immediately! One solution: hang large envelopes and label one per family member. Use these containers to distribute papers, mail, messages, etc. Another idea? Store take-out menus in a file folder and tuck the folder away in a drawer near the phone or inside the phone book.

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Do You Feed Your Clutter?

2010-05-20T08:07:00.003-04:00

There is a story about an old Cherokee who was teaching his grandchildren about life.

He said to them: "A battle is raging inside me...it is a terrible fight between two wolves.

"One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

"The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The old man fixed the children with a firm stare. "This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too."

They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win the battle?"

The old Cherokee replied: "The one you feed."

Now, you may be thinking - Nice story. But what does this have to do with organizing and finding balance?

Well, it got me thinking of a different take on this story. And it goes something like this...

I have a battle raging inside of me, and it is a terrible fight between two wolves.

One wolf represents clutter, and all the things that come with it like chaos, stress, frustration, loss, pain, wastefulness, hassles, and ineffectiveness.

The other stands for order, and all the things that come with it like clarity, peace, gain, pleasure, usefulness, waste-lessness, ease, and efficiency.

This same fight is going on inside of you, and inside every other person, too.

Which wolf will win, you ask? The one that you feed.

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Finding the Motivation to Start

2010-05-14T05:54:00.003-04:00

In my "former life," before becoming a professional organizer, I was in the military for about 6 years. Let's just say there are lots of things I remember about boot camp and most of them unpleasant.

Running in combat boots.

Getting yelled at.

Doing push-ups until I collapsed.

Getting yelled at.

Woken up in the middle of the night for inspections.

Getting yelled at.

30 second showers.

And, yup...you guessed it! Getting yelled at some more.

I recall thinking at one point, Why am I putting up with 6 weeks of this?

While all my friends were enjoying summer vacations, I was being subjected to unwanted rules, impossible orders, minimal sleep, nasty food, physical fitness ad nauseam - all topped off with copious amounts of shouting.

But then I remembered how much I wanted to be in the military and serve my country, and I realized that 6 weeks of training would only make me a stronger, better soldier. The end justifies the means, if you will.

And I could be miserable during the whole ordeal or I could make the most of it...it was totally up to me.

I realize that for some of you out there, getting organized may be just about as fun as boot camp. But in this day in age, when life keeps getting crazier and crazier, you can't afford not to be organized!

Dr. Wayne Dyer, the "father of motivation," once said, "Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice." Isn't that so true?

I could have been miserable through boot camp, but instead I tried to motivate myself as much as possible, keeping the end in sight. And the same goes for organizing...

If you know you have to get organized, you can choose to procrastinate, and your disorganization will just cause you more frustration. (Not to mention lost time, money, and resources!)

Or you can choose to get motivated, get organized, and truly know the freedom that comes with it. It's always your choice...

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: How to Simplify Anything

2010-05-06T06:09:00.004-04:00

S.I.M.P.L.I.F.Y

It's something which we all aspire to do. But it's one of those things that is often easier said than done, especially in today's fast-paced world.

Not only do we have to deal with the outside factors that the world throws at us, we also have to deal with inside factors as well - namely, ourselves.

In general, human beings are inclined to over-do everything. We over-commit, over-schedule, over-analyze, over-achieve, and over-complicate (just to name a few). And all of these, in turn, lead to over-whelm.

So herein lies the million dollar question: how do you live simply?

And the answer: make conscious choices to do so.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, founding director of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness, once explained his philosophy on simplicity as "...seeing less so I can see more, doing less so I can do more, acquiring less so I can have more."

Hmmmm....

Let's rewind and read that one more time.

- SEEING LESS so I can SEE MORE.

- DOING LESS so I can DO MORE.

- ACQUIRING LESS so I can HAVE MORE.

Let me ask you - do you tend to complicate your life by seeing more, doing more, and acquiring more than necessary?

If so, your challenge for this week (and hopefully for long-term as well) is to simplify something.

- If you're tempted to buy something, think twice. Is this item going to truly add value to your life?

- If you're tempted to do something, think twice. Is this task essential to your goals?

- If you're tempted to look at something, think twice. Is this visual going to distract from your productivity?

From this point on...when you are tempted, err on the side of simplicity! Making conscious choices to do so will bring positive change into your life in a BIG way.

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: #1 Productivity Tip (And It Takes Less Than 2 Minutes!)

2010-04-29T03:44:00.003-04:00

As a professional organizer, I always get asked: How can I be more productive? How can I get more stuff done everyday?

These are both great questions, and the answer lies not in what you do but how you think.

You see, when you are plagued by negative thoughts, you often produce negative results. This is because your thoughts channel real power to help you achieve personal success and growth, as well as a productive lifestyle.

Let me give you an example.

One of my #1 suggestions for being more productive is: make your bed.

Now, there's the obvious organizing result - that your bedroom looks neater with a made bed. But that's really beside the point here.

Instead, consider how making your bed helps you be more productive, not necessarily organized. (I'll give you a hint. It's not about doing the task and getting to check it off your to do list!)

Making your bed sets the TONE for your day. It says I'm up, I'm focused, I'm ready to work and get things done!

Not making your bed, well...it says the exact opposite. It makes you want to just crawl right back under the covers and be lazy.

Do you see the difference?

So think positively about your time, your schedule, your to-do's - and see how much better your life can be as a result. It can literally be the difference between operating at a whole new level of productivity or stagnating where you are now.

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: 3 Secrets to Having an Organized Home Even With a Disorganized Spouse

2010-04-27T11:45:00.005-04:00

Did you know that married men are four times more likely to leave their pajamas on the floor in the morning compared to single men?

Well, it’s a proven scientific fact – not just a figment of your imagination! And although it speaks to those in a marriage, it’s a statistic that naturally reflects in any committed relationship. There’s ALWAYS one side that is messier than the other.

It can be extremely difficult – if not impossible – to keep an organized and de-cluttered home when your partner doesn’t seem to be on board with the idea of organization.

Until NOW, this problem has never really been addressed or answered.

That's why I've teamed up with Dr. Patty Ann, acclaimed relationship expert, to do just that in our FREE call on Wednesday, May 5th at 4pm EST:

"3 Secrets to Having an Organized Home Even With a Disorganized Spouse (or Partner, Significant Other, Roommate, Whatever)"

If you are wondering how to deal with someone whose messy habits are creating havoc in your home and relationship...well, wonder no more!

In this free teleclass we'll discuss:

The one thing you must know to have an organized home even with an "oh-so-messy" better half (Hint: it has NOTHING to do with where you put your stuff!)

How to stop sabotaging any chance that your spouse will listen to your requests to tidy up and help you around the house.

How to compromise and still get what you want…an organized home!

*Please note: if you can't make it live or you are reading this weeks after the call, we will be sending the audio of the call to those who register*

Go here: http://organizedhomedisorganizedspouse.com/

Hope to see you there!!!

Get Organized: Is Your Life Unbalanced? Here's Why.

2010-04-23T03:35:00.002-04:00

Often times, we tend to think of clutter as "stuff" in our space: piles of paper on the desk, clusters of toys on the rug, mounds of mail on the kitchen counter, stacks of magazines on the sofa, and heaps of laundry on the bed.

And while this is true, there are other types of clutter that can creep into your life.

For example:

-- Do you over-commit to people, organizations, or causes? Then you have something that clutters your schedule.

-- Do you have someone in your life that bleeds your energy and patience, so much so that the very mention of their name causes you great stress? Then you have something that clutters your spirit.

-- Do you look for a distraction, like a TV show, whenever you know you have work to be done? Then you have something that clutters your habit patterns.

-- Do you lose focus a lot when you really need to finish a project? Then you have something that clutters your mind.

In other words, clutter can permeate more than just your surroundings; clutter can permeate all or parts of you.

And in the same respect, organizing is more than managing your belongings. Organizing is managing you - all parts of you - so that you feel balanced and in control.

So the next time you tidy up your house, yet you still feel "off" and frenzied, then examine the other areas of your life that may need to be de-cluttered to help you pinpoint your problem.

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: The Biggest Organizing No-No of All

2010-04-01T10:30:00.001-04:00

You're sure to find a perfectly organized home when you open up any magazine. And those pictures make you think: Man, I wish my house looked like that!

Of course, the ideal home doesn't have to be in a book, in a magazine, or on TV. You may need to look no further than your next door neighbor or your own family to find the poster child for neat freakiness. And that person makes you think: Man, I wish my house looked like theirs!

With organizing, as with most things in life, it's sometimes easy to compare yourself with others. And when this happens, it's important that you give yourself a reality check.

The perfectly organized home? The perfectly organized life? Here it is:

No one gets it right all the time. So don't be so hard on yourself!

A perfectly organized home should never be your goal. Instead, focus on creating a home organizing system that fits your daily routine and helps you have quick access to your belongings.

This is one of those "things" that is much easier said than done. So it's a good idea to remind yourself of this principle...every single day!

An simple way to do this is to print off this article and cut out the NO IMAGE AVAILABLE graphic. Then tape it to a spot you see all the time, like your bathroom mirror, or nest it inside something you use a lot, like the loose change in your wallet. You'll automatically know what it means, and it reinforces the idea inside your head, which is a key step to believing it!

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Conquer Spring Cleaning!

2010-03-25T08:04:00.004-04:00

Spring has sprung! Which means it's officially time to start up your annual spring cleaning overhaul. Here are a 4 ideas to jump-start your efforts:

(1) Update your files.

We all have the looming April 15 tax deadline ahead of us. (At least the Americans do!) This is a great time to sort through not only your financial paperwork but also other documents in your files. Clear out the old stuff, back file what is necessary in storage, and shred whatever you don't need to keep.

(2) Prep your house for spring rains.

Check your roof for curled, cracked or missing shingles. Inspect window and door seals to ensure they'll keep out water. Clean out your sump pump, its drains, and its filters. Ensure gutters are clear, and that any downspouts and extenders are firmly attached. Keeping an organized home maintenance schedule will save you costly repairs down the road.

(3) Start spring cleaning!

Make a list of all that you need to do: take drapes to the cleaners, wash comforters and winter coats, etc. Depending on the length of the list, accomplish 1-3 items each week. By the time summer rolls around, you'll be done cleaning and ready to enjoy the sunshine!

(4) Prep for garage sale season.

Purge a room a week throughout spring. As you are clearing out a room, take the things that you want to sell, tag each one with a price and then store in a central area for all sale items. This way, you will avoid rushing around the house a week before the garage sale, trying to figure out what to get rid of. And you'll have already given everything a price, so you can avoid the late-night pricing session the night before the sale.

Remember: You don't have to do ALL the above to make the most of springtime. Pick 1 - 2 and go from there! Either way, you'll be a few steps closer to feeling balanced and organized.

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Exposed! Top 20 Procrastinating US Cities -- Is Yours One?

2010-03-23T04:41:00.009-04:00

Click on the interactive map below to find out what US cities are "top slackers" when it comes to filing taxes on time.

And if you are a procrastinator, then check out Last-Minute Tax Tips for Procrastinators. (Note: Once on the page, make sure you scroll to the bottom of the post to see those tips. They are sort of hidden.)

Get Organized: 5 Things That Should Not Be in Your Closet

2010-03-18T16:00:00.003-04:00

You didn't know it when you woke up this morning, but today is your day of reckoning. Yep, that's right! It's time to open up your closet doors and face your wardrobe head-on.

There are many considerations when it comes to editing your clothing and accessories, and here are the top 5 "wardrobe violations" that should not be in your closet - EVER.

(1) Stains

This seems like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many sweat stains and ketchup stains I run across in my line of work. Staining is a constant threat to any article of clothing! And it can happen anywhere, so clothes should be checked all over. The biggest problem spots tend to be the edges of long-sleeve shirts or jackets, around the inside of collars, and underarm areas.

(2) Outdated Style

What happened in the 80s, fashion-wise, should stay there and not your closet. (Unless it's for a "totally rad" costume, of course!)

(3) Wrong Taste

This is not to say whether or not a piece of clothing is tastefully-made, but rather - does it truly reflect your taste? Perhaps it did at one time, but it doesn't anymore. Or maybe it was gifted to you, but you never wear it because you hate it. If it's not right for you, then it's time for it to go.

(4) Poor Comfort

Is something too low-cut? Is it too tight or too loose? Are you always making adjustments when you have it on? Assess how comfy you feel wearing a garment or accent, and if it doesn't make the cut, get rid of it.

(5) Duplicates

If you have more than two identical or similar pieces, then it's highly likely that you don't need the extras at all. (Uh-huh...I'm talking to you with the 10 pairs of black shoes!)

Each of these "should nots" are a cinch to spot and give you a very good reason for discarding and making some extra space in your closet. So your challenge for this week: purge 5 - 10 offending items from your closet. And don't forget to recycle or donate when possible!

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: MagnaPods

2010-03-15T12:56:00.012-04:00

I just discovered a new organizer, and I'm so excited to share with you because it's REALLY cool.

They're called MagnaPods, and they're basically a small storage unit designed to magnetically adhere to anything steel. Here's a close-up:

As a pro organizer, I love storage and organization solutions that multi-task. And MagnaPods do just that! Not only can you use them in the bathroom to organize toiletries and beauty products, but you can use them for many other things like...

- Want to keep stickies near your family message center? Store a handful of Post-it pads on a magnetic board in the MagnaPods Cosmetic Organizer (just take the adjustable dividers out).

- Visit the vending machine regularly for mid-day munchies? Collect loose change in the MagnaPods Cosmetic Organizer (moving the dividers to fit different-sized coins) and attach it to the inside of your desk drawer.

- Need a pen to be handy at all times? Use the MagnaPods Toothbrush Holder to keep a pen on the fridge or file cabinet for quick lists and notes.

- Are you a student? Stash small necessities within easy reach (instead of buried under books and clothes) on a locker wall with any one of the MagnaPods products.

I could go on...but I'll let the MagnaPods website speak for me: http://www.magnapods.com/

How would you use MagnaPods to help you get organized?

Get Organized: 4 Ways to Be Less Forgetful

2010-02-18T10:22:00.005-05:00

There's an old Chinese proverb that says,"The palest ink is better than the best memory." And there's a good reason for that — relying on your memory can be tricky business!

If you find that you're a little scatterbrained, here are 4 ways to boost your memory skills so that you are less forgetful:

(1) Memory fitness

There are lots of reasons why you could forget something, but many of the common causes of memory loss are related to how well you take care of yourself. Stress, unhealthy diet, sleep deprivation — all lead to poor brain function.

So if you take care of your overall fitness, you'll also be taking care of your memory's fitness. How's that for multi-tasking!

(2) Memory routines

One could argue that repetition is boring. However, if a regular routine has programmed you to always...

- Meet your best friend at the gym every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 630am

- Call your mom at 2pm each Saturday

- Pay your bills on the 12th of the month

- Spend quality time with your kids from 6-830pm daily

- Answer important personal emails from 9-930pm every night

- Plan tomorrow's dinner the night before

...then you're more likely to remember what needs to be done or where you need to be, and when.

(3) Memory cues

Putting a sticky note message on your bathroom mirror, setting a watch alarm to beep an hour before a big appointment, noting and checking to-do's on your calendar, creating pop-up reminders in your email — these are all popular examples of memory cues. And they're popular because they're simple and they work!

(4) Memory techniques

Sound complicated? Great news! Many of these techniques you learned as a child, like alliteration. An elementary example of alliteration would be "Susy sells sea shells by the sea shore." Of course, that's not likely to help you as a grown-up! Something like "Family on Fridays," "Menu Plan Mondays," or "Bi-monthly Bills" is more useful for the adults.

Another type of a memory technique is association, where you mentally link something with a way of remembering it. For example, your favorite radio show goes off the air at 9pm every night. When the DJ signs off, you associate that with packing lunches for the next day.

So the next time you need a memory jogger, try one (or more) of the above methods to boost your ability to recall the what's, when's, and where's of life.

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: How a Messy Car Costs You (and How a Tidy One Saves You Money)

2010-02-11T10:08:00.000-05:00

You've probably thought about how clutter in your home and office costs you resources like time and money. But have you ever considered that a cluttered car costs you as well?

It does! Especially where gasoline expenses are concerned.

Here are 4 ways organizing your vehicle, its maintenance, and its use can save you BIG on gas money:

(1) Remove excess weight.

According to FuelEconomy.gov, you should "avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your miles per gallon (MPG) by up to 2%."

So get rid of extra cargo like books, CDs, sports equipment, tools, toys, trash...these little things not only add up, they add clutter to your car.

(2) Do your research.

Look at websites like GasNearU, GasPriceWatch, and GasBuddy to determine the stations that have the lowest gas prices in your local area. (Note: I found the cheapest option on GasBuddy.)

(3) Plan ahead.

Before stepping out of the house, make a list of all the errands that you need to run. Then map out your tasks by determining what's nearby or on your way and plan the most gas efficient route.

Feeling overwhelmed? Or maybe just lazy? The web tool Remember the Milk will do this entire step for you...

(4) Stay on schedule, be on time.

Knowing when your car needs to go into the shop for tune ups, oil changes, and tire rotations is only half the battle. Making and keeping the maintenance appointments are the second half. By accomplishing each half, your car will remain the well-oiled machine that it was made to be...all while helping stretch the gas as far as it can go.

There you have it — 4 ways an organized car can be a money-saving car. Now, the question is...what are you gonna do with the extra cash in your pocket?!

Get Organized: When Lists Don't Work

2010-02-08T02:00:00.001-05:00

Generally speaking, a list is a good thing because...

When you write a list, it helps you focus. When you follow a list, it keeps you on track and moving toward list completion. And when you cross off list items, you feel productive.

And yet, despite proven results and positive qualities, lists don't always work for everyone, every time because...

When you have to make a list, it means you have lots to accomplish. When you have lots to accomplish, you suddenly don't want to do anything but sit on your couch, watch TV, and eat ice cream.

In other words, making a list is making you procrastinate. At this point, you've entered into a mind-game between your lazy self and your productive self, and your lazy self is winning!

If you find yourself in a similar situation, I encourage you to fight back by creating a “NOT To-Do” List to help you get organized.

The “NOT To-Do” List is exactly as the name implies; a list of things you do not want to do.

For example...

#1 The Not To-Do List for Housekeeping

- Throw shoes by the front door

- Let mail pile up on the kitchen counter

- Forget to file bills at the end of month

#2 The Not To-Do List for Time Management

- Hit the "snooze" button on the alarm more than once

- Check email more than 2 times per day

- Turn on TV while getting ready for work

With the "NOT To-Do" List, you're giving your lazy self permission to be lazy while, at the same time, giving your productive self permission to get things done.

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

The Key to Finding Balance and Getting Organized

2010-01-14T09:32:00.003-05:00

When you are responsible for taking care of others — whether it be at work, at home, or both ― then taking care of YOU can become a low, maybe even non-existent, priority.

Women, in particular, feel incredibly off-kilter when this occurs, but men are also not immune to self-neglect and its repercussions.

Here's what I mean...

- You're working more hours, so that's less time for exercise. You gain a few pounds, and your pants are fitting tightly...and you feel blah.

- You're juggling lots of responsibilities, so that's less time for planning. You've put off your hair appointment 3 times, and your roots are scary-looking at best...and you feel blah.

-You're on-the-go from morning to night, so that's less time for your mind to rest. You keep forgetting things, most recently your best friend's birthday...and you feel blah.

I could go on with examples, but the "blah" feeling is your gut telling you that you're off-balance. Something in your life is not quite right.

Avoiding self-care, for whatever reason, is destructive, and it takes a huge toll on your mind, body, and soul. As Jack Kornfield once explained, “When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with...ourselves.” And that’s never a good thing!

It's time to stop the self-neglect! This week, begin your journey back to balance by making an appointment that you really need. Whether it’s to see your health care provider or to see your facialist, hairdresser, barber, masseuse, manicurist, chiropractor — do whatever you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make you feel good, inside and out.

The bottom line is: The most important thing you can do to find balance and get organized is take care of yourself.

Find out how you can get more small, manageable steps to a more organized you, visit: http://www.organizeclutterbugs.com/moreorganizedyou.html

© 2009 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Recycled, Reused, and Repurposed Organizers

2010-01-11T04:37:00.011-05:00

I love it when I discover *fresh* organizing ideas! Especially when they allow you to reuse the stuff you already have in your home to help you get organized.

Case in point...BHG's Clever Storage Solutions You'd Never Expect. There are 19 "unexpected organizers" in this feature, and here are my top 3 faves...

#1 Forks as Storage Solutions

For a unique and organized display, attach decorative vintage forks to the wall to hold tickets, receipts, and business cards.

#2 Shutter to Declutter

An old discarded shutter is a perfect family communications center. Replace the top slats with corkboard and sort mail in the bottom slats.

#3 Unique Coat Rack

Mounted hangers serve as a unique coat rack for easy entryway organization. Attach sawed-off wooden hangers to a board by screwing them in through the back. Add heavy-duty picture hangers to the back of the board for mounting on the wall. Throw hats on top and hang purses and coats on the hangers' hooks.

Looking for more ways to recycle, reuse, and repurpose your way to an organized home? Check out Cheap Organizers.

Note: Above information and graphics are courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.

You Resolved to Get Organized...Now What?

2010-01-07T07:00:00.004-05:00

So you recently made a New Year's Resolution "to get organized." Well, you're in good company! Organization is always a popular top 10 resolution every year.

But now that you've set the organizing goal, how do you successfully negotiate the ins and outs of accomplishing it? Here are 4 tips to do just that.

(1) Have a plan.

Don't say: My goal is to get organized.

Do say: I want to better manage my time. -Or- I want to tidy up my closet. -Or- I want to organize my estate.

Speaking in generalities leads to doing in generalities. In other words, if you don't have decisive organizing goals, you won't get decisive organizing results. Take the time to make a plan...you'll be glad you put in the extra effort in the end.

(2) Make a schedule.

Don't say: I know what I want to do, and I'll get to it when I have time.

Do say: I know what I want to do, and I need to make a schedule of when to do it.

If you treat your organizing sessions like a regular appointment, you're more likely to take it seriously and follow through with your plan.

(3) Focus.

Don't say: This week, I'm going to overhaul my kitchen, organize my files, get ready for taxes, clean out my closet, update my address book, re-do my schedule...

Do say: This week, I'm going to organize my tax-related files.

If you try to take on too many organizing projects, you will surely fail. Focus on one task, and one task only, until it's complete. And let that success, as little or big as it may be, propel you onward.

(4) Have a positive attitude.

Don't say: Man, this is gonna be hard! I don't know if I can...

Do say: What a challenge! I'm gonna do this and come out the other side a better person for it.

As Thomas Jefferson put it: "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on Earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." Your thoughts channel real power to help you achieve your organizing milestones -- so think positively, and put those brain bytes to good use!

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: Are We Consumed By Stuff?

2009-10-05T07:00:00.004-04:00

I've been reading A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel Pink, and it's really been an eye-opening experience.

Inside the book, there's a section devoted to abundance, and how it's now easier than ever to get your hands on "stuff." In other words, it's a simply-ask-and-you-shall-receive world.

Here is a short excerpt from A Whole New Mind, with some alarming statistics about just how much we really have:

- "During much of the 20th century, the aspiration of most middle-class Americans was to own a home and a car. Now, more than 2 out of 3 Americans own the homes in which they live. As for autos, today the United States has more cars than licensed drivers -- which means that, on average, everybody who can drive has a car of his own."

- "Self-storage has become a $17 billion annual industry in the United States, larger than the motion picture business."

- "Business writer Patty LaBarre notes, 'The United States spends more on trash bags than 90 other countries spend on everything. The receptacles of our waste cost more than all of the goods consumed by nearly half of the world's nations.'"

Wow. I feel the need to downsize...

Note: Information and graphics courtesy of A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink.

Get Organized: Fabulous Organizing Freebies!

2009-10-01T07:00:00.004-04:00

I stumbled across 30 Fabulous Freebies on Kiplinger.com, a wonderful site for personal financial advice. The special report highlights "primo goods and services" that are available at no cost. (Woohoo!)

From the list, here are the freebies that'll help you get organized:

16. FREE ONLINE BILL PAYING

Stop paying your bills by check and put their payment on autopilot. At many banks, including Bank of America, BB&T, SunTrust and Wachovia, you get free bill paying with every online checking account. (Be sure you read the fine print -- some banks may require you to maintain a certain balance in your checking account to get the freebie.)

But even if your bank doesn't give you this freebie, you can probably arrange for automatic bill paying directly with the parties sending the bills, such as your utility, credit-card, phone and mortgage companies.

18. FREE DIGITAL STORAGE SPACE

With free online backup storage, you can protect your important files and photos from computer crashes, theft or natural disaster.

For instance, Spideroak.com and Myotherdrive.com each give you 2 gigabytes of free and secure digital storage space. You can also store your cherished photos and videos at sites such as Photobucket.com and Flickr.com. You can also store your pics at photo-print ordering sites such as Snapfish.com, Shutterfly.com or Walmart.com, as long as your account is active.

19. FREE TECH RECYCLING -- WITH BENEFITS

Not only is it getting easier to keep your old electronics out of the landfill, but you may even get some free cash in exchange. Services such as BuyMyTronics.com, Gazelle.com, MyBoneyard.com and GreenPhone.com recycle or refurbish your old tech and send you a check in return. They take cameras, cell phones, MP3 players, game consoles and more.

If you can't find anyone willing to pay for your dinosaur, look for other free places to recycle. For instance, Best Buy will take many of your tech castoffs at no charge. And keep your eyes open for free e-recycling days in your city.

Check out 30 Fabulous Freebies for more ways to get a little something for nothing.

Note: The above information is courtesy of Kiplinger.com.

Get Organized: Yard Sales of the Rich and Famous

2009-09-29T07:00:00.004-04:00

There are pairs that are meant to be together: PB & J, Bert & Ernie, Ebony & Ivory.

And there are pairs that are a less natural fit...say, Hollywood & Yard Sale?

However, last Saturday, Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher forged a new path and hosted her first yard sale at her home in Studio City, CA.

The event was a bit different than your typical garage sale! Shoppers paid $50 to enter, searched through upscale goods like Coach purses and Disney vacation packages, and feasted on fine food flown in from Florida.

Another difference? The sale was completely for charity, ultimately raising around $20,000 for local LA organizations.

Teri explained that she got the idea from her daughter Emerson, who was inspired by de-cluttering her closet one day.

And how did Ms. Hatcher manage to get it all done? "You get motivated by the giving. I can’t wait for the next one!"

Kudos to both mom and daughter for not only getting organized but also giving back.

Get Organized: Small Space Solutions

2009-09-24T07:00:00.013-04:00

I recently discovered Small Space Solutions for Every Room on BHG.com, which includes 20 ideas for making the most of your space -- complete with pretty pictures!

Here are my top 5 faves from the article:

(1) Convert Wasted Space to Storage

Why let that space behind the stair riser go to waste? Work with a builder to box in the space under a few stairs and design a hinged riser that pulls open for access. It can be the perfect spot to hide away toys, books, and out-of-season items.

(2) Climb the Wall

If your bedroom is too tiny for a side table, hang a shelf beside the bed to hold an alarm clock and bedside necessities. A wall-mounted lamp provides for nighttime reading while leaving shelf space free. Add more shelves for books or more display space.

(3) Eliminate Visual Obstacles

Anything that stops the eye in its movement around the room can register as a boundary or border that limits space. Eliminate the obstacles, and you enhance the sense of limitlessness. A unifying color is one powerful means of banishing limits; glass is another. The glass top on this coffee table virtually disappears, opening the center of the room so it feels bigger. Keeping accessories and window treatments to a minimum also eliminates eye-stopping obstacles, but don't go overboard. The eye needs a place to rest, too, and that's where focal points come in.

(4) Design Rooms to Multitask

If your house is too small for a separate living room and dining room, gear the living space for double duty. Replace the usual coffee table with a tall accent table or even a small breakfast table. This 18th-century-style drum table stands 30 inches tall, which is about an inch taller than the standard dining table and works comfortably with the antique chairs as well as the sofa. If you have low chairs, look for a table 10 or 11 inches higher than the chair seats.

(5) Make Space Work Harder

Built-ins that serve multiple functions make small spaces live larger. Here a built-in bookcase defines a seating nook with storage cabinets below the bench. Wall-mount lamps illuminate the nook for nighttime reading or conversation. This unit is custom-built, but a handy do-it-yourselfer could replicate the idea by using standard cabinets for the base of the bookcase on each side of the seating nook and building shelves from 5/8-inch plywood. The long shelf above the seating nook should be anchored to the wall and ceiling as well as the side bookcases. Instead of built-in seating, use a loveseat, and stash baskets underneath for out-of-sight storage.

See 15 more innovative, space-saving ideas at Small Space Solutions for Every Room at BHG.com.

Note: Above information and graphics are courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.

Get Organized: Pushing Past Procrastination to Get Things Done, Part 2

2009-09-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

When it comes to organization, getting started is half the battle.

If you're procrastinating on an organizing project, the key to pushing past the procrastination is to find out what motivates you. If you know your motivators before a wave of procrastination hits, then you'll be prepared to deal with it — head on — as soon as it arrives.

So ask yourself, "What makes me want to get things done? To get organized?"

In Part 1, we discussed free time, money, and positive energy as catalysts for getting you up and moving. This time, it's...

(4) Shaping your destiny.

I realize that for some of you out there, home organization may be just about as fun as boot camp. But in this day in age, when life keeps getting crazier and crazier, you can't afford not to be organized!

Dr. Wayne Dyer once said, “Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice.”

Isn't that so true? It definitely applies to organizing...

If you know you have to get organized, you can choose to procrastinate, and your disorganization will just cause you more frustration. Or you can choose to get motivated, get organized, and truly know the freedom that comes with it.

It's always your choice...

(5) Tough love.

There can be some undesirable consequences that accompany disorganization.

- Can't find your keys in the mornings = late for work

- Forget a birthday = guilty feelings (you) and hurt feelings (birthday boy or girl)

- Neglect to declutter the house = embarrassing mess to explain away to visitors

- Pack a suitcase without a purpose = too many socks and too few undies

- Pay a bill after it's due = excess late fees

- Overlook expired car registration = traffic ticket and possible fines

I'm sure you could add a few more examples to this list!

It's time to get organized — and stop putting yourself in situations where you wish that you had made organization a priority. Shoulda, coulda, woulda.

For the purpose of this article, I've applied the above motivators to organizing specifically. But you can relate this same formula to other areas of your life where procrastination plagues you.

Knowing your strong inner motivators + Knowing where you're vulnerable to procrastination = Knowing how to push past procrastination.

It's that simple. Although sometimes we tend to make it harder than that!

Martin Luther, German priest and scholar, opined “How soon 'not now' becomes 'never'.” Your "nows" are fleeting — don't let them slip away!

To Your Organizing Success!

Carmen Coker
Professional Organizer

Note: Image courtesy of Microsoft Office Clip Art.

Get Organized: Pushing Past Procrastination to Get Things Done, Part 1

2009-09-17T07:00:00.003-04:00

I find that, when it comes to organization, getting started is half the battle.

If you're procrastinating on an organizing project, the key to pushing past the procrastination is to find out what motivates you. Know your motivators before a wave of procrastination hits, and you'll be prepared to deal with it — head-on — as soon as it arrives.

So ask yourself, "What makes me want to get things done? To get organized?"

Here are some possibilities...

(1) Free time.

It's well-established that if you simplify life, you save time.

But just how much time, exactly, will you save? US News and World Report recently demonstrated that the average American spends 1 year of their life looking for lost or misplaced items at home and in the office.

1 year = 365 days = 8,760 hours = 525,600 minutes = 31,536,000 seconds

Any way you put it — it's a lot of time! A lot of time you could have been doing other things...

(2) Money.

Think about your biggest organizing problem. Let’s just say, for example, that it’s your home office.

Assume that you're losing $20 a week ($3 a day) in personal resources — lost time, energy, productivity, sanity — because you don’t have an effective organizing system in place. (It's probably much more than $3/ day, but we'll go for a moderate amount.)

Imagine you decide against de-cluttering your home office and continue down the same unorganized path for the next 5 years. You will lose over $5000 of resources!

Although that $5000 is just a hypothetical figure, it puts disorganization in a whole new light.

(3) Positive energy.

According to the book The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People by Dr. David Niven, it's important to establish a schedule to take your tasks from "To Do" to "To Done."
Dr. Niven writes: "We often feel overwhelmed by the chores that have to be done on a regular basis. We clean the kitchen, then the living room needs to be vacuumed...and 16 other things need to be done. With a routine, you will not be lost in wondering what's next."

Precisely how much will a household routine boost your level of happiness? 100 Simple Secrets explains: "In a study of families, regularity in household routines improved daily personal satisfaction by about 5%."

In Part 2: I'll cover more strategies for getting over procrastination and how you can relate them to other areas of your life.

Organizationally Yours,

Carmen Coker
Professional Organizer

Note: Image courtesy of Microsoft Office Clip Art.

Get Organized: Organize Your Junk Drawer in 10 Easy Steps Part 2

2009-09-14T09:00:00.004-04:00

Last week we tackled the first 5 steps of organizing that old junk drawer- the Achilles Heel of clutter. It’s just so tempting to throw things in that drawer, things that don’t have a place or things you don’t have time to find a place for.

We covered the first 5 steps: finding a flat surface, setting a timer, combing through the drawer’s “guts,” spreading everything out in plain view and throwing out the trash. Here are steps 6-10 to complete the journey to an organized drawer!

(6) Sort like items. After the trash is gone, put like with like. For example, all sticky notes in one pile, all batteries in another, etc.

(7) Complete a second run-through for trash.
Once the sorting is finished, look for any leftover garbage. There will always be an elusive piece or two of rubbish! Don't let them escape.

(8) Incorporate a drawer organizer. You can either buy a drawer organizer or make one from several every-day home items.
Whichever route you choose, it's best to have an organizer with multiple compartments of different shapes and sizes to accommodate many types of objects. Another option would be to combine multiple small organizers into one large organizer.

Here's the one I use, and I love, love, love it!

(9) Place like items (sorted previously) into the individual compartments of the drawer organizer.
This is where your drawer organizing system takes shape. Isn't it mah-velous? No more clutter!

(10) MAINTAIN.
Just as you learned in kindergarten: Put things back where they belong! It's the best way to keep your junk drawer organized for life.

Bonus:
If you'd like to print out this checklist, please look for the printer-friendly version here: http://www.home-organization-online.com/printable-to-do-lists.html

Happy Organizing!

Carmen Coker
Professional Organizer

Note: Image courtesy of Microsoft Office Clip Art.

Get Organized: Organize Your Junk Drawer in 10 Easy Steps Part 1

2009-09-10T09:00:00.005-04:00

Junk drawers — everyone's got one. (Or maybe 2 or 3!) It really starts out as an innocent act of "I'll just put this here now and take care of it later." Until, *poof* that one little thing multiplies and becomes a cesspool of trinkets, gadgets, tools, and whatnots. Who knows what's really inside!

A junk drawer is one of those areas that can be de-cluttered very quickly and very easily. And it can even be fun!

Involve your family in the mix; children especially love the challenge. It's not a chore but rather a treasure hunt for them! Or invite 5 of your closest friends over for lunch and an organizing power session. They just bring a brown bag lunch, a junk drawer, and supplies.

Turning the project into a social event not only makes the task more appealing, but it also imposes a deadline so you're more likely to get it done.

So your challenge is to tackle your junk drawer! You'll find the checklist for doing so below.

Supplies: drop cloth (ie. old towel, old sheet, newspaper, etc), trash bag, drawer organizers, timer, junk drawer.

(1) Find a flat surface.

Get comfortable and get ready to work! If you like to operate standing up, find your nearest countertop or table. If you prefer to sit, set up shop on the floor.

Either way, place a drop cloth on the flat surface to protect it.

(2) Set a timer for 20 minutes.

I'm a firm believer that if you set a time limit, you will get more done. Why? It forces you to focus and get moving!

(3) Remove and set aside dangerous or breakable items in the drawer.

Gently comb through the drawer's "guts."

You never know when you might come across something sharp! Getting those articles out of the way will ensure your safety. (Betcha didn't know that organizing a junk drawer could be hazardous!)

Likewise, taking out fragile items will avoid any unwanted accidents.

(4) Dump out the contents of the drawer onto the drop cloth.

Spread everything out so that you have a clear view of each item.

(5) Throw out trash.

This includes: unnecessary papers, notes; broken, expired, useless items; belongings you no longer need or use; etc.

Trash is normally pretty obvious, but when in doubt about something, ask family members to make sure it has no purpose or value.

Look for steps 6-10 in next week’s blog.

Until Next Time,

Carmen Coker
Professional Organizer

Note: Image courtesy of Microsoft Office Clip Art.

Get Organized: How to De-Clutter When You Treasure SO Many Things Part 2

2009-09-07T09:00:00.008-04:00

Last week, we talked about the reasons people have a hard time getting rid of things and that the main reasons is attachment, especially to sentimental items.

Here are 2 more tips I recommend to help you get organized and overcome your resistance to purging:

(1) I have a feeling that you could downsize, or in the very least, re-arrange some of what you have to give you more space. Perhaps you could...

- Have your old documents and photos professionally scanned, which will save you the hassle of DIY scanning. It's well worth the investment! Afterward, you can keep the originals of some of the more special items, placing them in an acid-free scrapbook for display.

- Have some old pics and mementos professionally framed. My mom did a collage with some of her heirlooms (her mom's wedding ring, grandma's hairpin, old photos) and it looks fantastic.

With both of these examples — you get these objects out of the box, where you never see them, and into the open, where you can enjoy them all the time.

(2) Consider hiring a professional organizer in your area to assist you, even if it's just for a couple of hours. Although the organizer will not ever make a decision for you on what to keep or toss, he or she will help YOU make decisions. That may just be the push you need.

You can visit the National Association of Professional Organizers for a free local referral: http://www.napo.net/referral/

Here’s to de-cluttering and the space it brings-- not only to your home but to your life!

To Your Organizing Success!

Carmen Coker
Professional Organizer

Note: Image courtesy of Microsoft Office Clip Art.

Get Organized: How to De-Clutter When You Treasure SO Many Things Part 1

2009-09-03T09:00:00.017-04:00

There are many reasons why people may have trouble purging things, and attachment is one of the most common reasons of all. It's also one of the most difficult hurdles to overcome, especially if that attachment makes us feel good or feel loved.

If you are feeling this way, don’t be alarmed — this is a completely normal reaction! That being said, this reaction can easily spiral out-of-control, and if taken to an extreme, the attachments can become very problematic.

Here are 2 tactics I recommend if you find yourself in this type of situation:

(1) First of all, I recommend that you pick up a copy of the book Buried in Treasures by David Tolin, Randy Frost, and Gail Steketee. It's written specifically for those who need help with compulsive saving. Inside, you'll find lots of instructions, tips, and exercises to help you manage your possessions.

Buried in Treasuresis such a wonderful resource, that I'd be remiss not to tell you about it! It covers so much that cannot be said in the short span of an article.

(2) I always caution that you don't have to get rid of everything to get organized. If something really is important to you, you don't have to force yourself to toss it out.

I'm not sure how big your "collection" of things happens to be, but if you’re running out of room, then…
- Organize it so that you know what is where, and
- Arrange to rent a small storage unit, climatized to handle old documents and photos.

I know that's just a little information, but hopefully it will get you started to a new, uncluttered you! Stay tuned next week for more tips on decluttering!

Happy Organizing!

Carmen Coker
Professional Organizer

Note: Image courtesy of Microsoft Office Clip Art.

Get Organized: 5 Hidden Ways to Boost Bath Storage

2009-08-31T09:00:00.004-04:00

BHG has a wonderful article about finding some extra bathroom storage in not-so-obvious places. As we all know, bathrooms often run short on storage room, but with a little creativity, you'll find more than you thought -- if you know where to look.

(1) Carve Out a Niche

The space between bathroom wall studs is just waiting for you to claim it. In this shower, white tile lines the niche. The bottom ledge and a glass bar keep towels handy, while a glass shelf holds bath oils and other accessories. (Pictured right)

(2) Go for a Spin

Add turntables inside an upper cabinet, adjusting the height and number to achieve flexible storage. Lower cabinets hold pullout baskets.

(3) Iron Things Out

Wouldn't it be great to have an ironing board in the bath for last-minute touch-ups on busy mornings? Consider equipping the vanity area with a built-in ironing board that slides in and out like a drawer.

(4) Panel Discussion

Transform a decorative upper panel on the front of the vanity into handy tilt-out storage. Kits available through home centers come with hinges and a shelf that attach to the back of the panel.

(5) Medicine Chest Disguise

Try this trick to conceal a not-so-attractive standard medicine chest. Apply a print to a cut-to-fit wooden panel (or paint your own design) inside a wooden frame. Nonglare glass protects the paper from moisture.

There are 2 more super-sneaky ways to add extra storage to your bath...you can find out more, as well as see photos of all the above ideas, at BHG.com.

Note: All article information and images are courtesy of BHG.com.

Get Organized: Alice.com Prepares You for the Unexpected

2009-08-27T09:00:00.005-04:00

It’s 4am and you, New Mom, have woken up for the 4th time because Junior needs a diaper change.

You shuffle over to the changing table in a fog and reach for a diaper, only to find…nothing. Not a diaper in sight. Not one in the car, not a one in the diaper bag. Panic abounds!

Well, a new shopping and organizing site called Alice wants to make sure that never happens to you again.

Launched in June, Alice.com helps you get organized by enabling you to manage your household with a few clicks of a mouse. First, you set up your account and tell “Alice” about your family members and what types and brands of products you buy most often. The site then organizes all your top picks, finds deals and coupons for you, and also reminds you when you’re running low so you never again have to make a middle-of-the-night trip to the store.

A huge bonus is that all your orders include free shipping. And because Alice.com works like a marketplace, they can also offer great prices.

Shopping on Alice.com is easy as it allows you to view and sort the products you need by brand, price, or coupon availability. The bottom of the screen has a running tally of products on sale as well as reviews from real users.

Other features that help you get organized include...

- Budgeting, which totals your spending in each category and racks and stacks your spending in comparison to others in the Alice community, and

- Neighborhood, a chat function that lets you gab with the other shoppers about your favorite products, great deals, or anything else you feel like sharing.

What would you do with all that extra time if you let someone else do the shopping for you?

Get Organized: 3 Tips for Organizing Kids

2009-08-25T09:00:00.005-04:00

It’s that time of year. The time of peace on earth and goodwill toward men.

Nope, I’m not talking about the holidays. I’m talking about back-to-school...the house gets a little quieter and Mom can put her feet up, enjoy a nice cup of tea, and take a well-deserved break!

But before you start daydreaming about your hard-earned respite, let's get organized. Here are 3 tips to making organizing a family affair.

(1) Mark your calendar.

Look at your children's school schedule and note when they have an extended break. Pick 2 - 4 of those time periods for bi-annual or quarterly organizing sessions.

This is where you resist the urge to go it alone because it would be easier to do everything by yourself. Organizing kids should be like a learning lab. You, as the parent, guide your children through the entire process: toss, sort, categorize, and store.

As a result, children are more likely to understand and maintain the organizational system.

(2) Safety first.

Part of being organized is being prepared for emergencies, and kids most definitely need to be in the loop.

First, get the adults together and create an escape route in the event of a fire, a place to hunker down during a tornado, etc. Then, bring the children into the picture.

After walking the children through the exit routes and safe zones, have a pre-made blueprint sketch of the house and ask them to draw out where they need to go in certain emergency situations. Have them place these drawings in a special place in their rooms, such a "treasure chest," where they can look at it whenever they want or can access it quickly if they need a reminder. (As the adult, make sure it's a wise place to stash this info.)

This is a simple way to show your children the importance of certain papers and being able to retrieve those documents if necessary.

Also, think about putting key contacts on the back of the blueprint. Their own address and home phone number, parent's cell numbers, and emergency numbers - in case the kids find themselves in a troubling situation.

(3) Ready, set, go!

If you want to include your little ones in the process, then make organizing a game.

Put some clear plastic containers in the middle of a messy room, and then assign a container to each child. (The number of baskets should correspond to the number of kids.) Tell your children to grab things on the floor and put them in their basket, set a timer for 2 - 3 minutes, and race!

Give the one who places the most items in the basket, therefore helping you the most, a small prize.

In what ways do you help your children get organized?

Get Organized: Websites That Make Your Life Easier

2009-08-20T09:00:00.002-04:00

Every day, smart people come up with web resources that make our lives more efficient, more productive, and more organized. And while I'm not smart enough to be one of those super intelligent beings, I AM smart enough to use their tools!

So here’s my list of THE coolest websites that help you get organized. Most of these sites are free to use, although some require account sign up.

(1) Chore Buster - automatically creates chore lists and schedules.

(2) Cozi - tracks and manages family activities, schedules, shopping, and household chores from your PC, web browser, or mobile.

(3) Hassle Me - hassles and nags you via email to get stuff done.

(4) Tripit - compiles your scattered travel info into a master itinerary with plans, weather, maps, restaurants, and more.

(5) My Punch Bowl - keeps all your party planning in order.

(6) TurboTax: ItsDeductible Online - tracks and adds your donations and accurately determines the value of your donated items.

(7) Remember The Milk - manages and organizes your tasks online.

Get Organized: Cheap Organizers

2009-08-18T09:00:00.004-04:00

Shopping for storage and organization products can get very expensive, especially if you purchase items to help you organize a whole room.

Good news! There is another option which lets you save $$$ and save Mother Earth.

What you may not realize is that there are dozens of potential organizing solutions in your home at this very moment. My book Cheap Organizers shows you how to identify commonplace items you can use from your home to create over 150 cheap organizers.

(And you don’t have to be “crafty” to do this! I'm certainly not.)

Join the revolution! Recycle, reuse, and repurpose your way to an organized home...

Get Organized: Clutter, Clutter Everywhere

2009-08-13T09:00:00.006-04:00

When you imagine clutter, you probably think about that pile of bills on your desk or the menagerie of toys your 3-year-old can never seem to find a place for.

That kind of clutter can definitely be frustrating to deal with, but there are other types of clutter that can make their way into your home and your life.

Do you have a cluttered schedule? Perhaps you’ve spread yourself a little too thin with too many work or personal commitments, too many activities, too many causes, or too many hobbies. Your calendar is not just full - it's bursting at the seams, leaving little time for relaxation, let alone organization.

Step back, take a look at your schedule, and decide what activities maybe aren’t so important, especially if they’re taking time away from family, friends, or other significant parts of your life.

Or perhaps you have a cluttered behavior. Do you procrastinate? Spend too much time web surfing, watching TV, or talking on the phone?

If you have any of these bad habits (or 2, or 3, or more), it's leeching valuable time from your day. It can be hard to break these kinds of habits. But try choosing just one to tackle and see how much more time you have in your day.

In order to get organized at home, you must attack the source of clutter, whether it be in your surroundings, in your schedule, or in your behavior.

What kind of clutter is making a mess of your life?

Get Organized: Peace of Mind in Death

2009-08-11T09:00:00.001-04:00

Kick the bucket. Buy the farm. Bite the dust. We like to use silly euphemisms for death because the truth is: it’s an uncomfortable topic.

A lot of people don’t like to talk about it and some people are so superstitious that even bringing up the subject makes them feel like they’re tempting fate. But no one is getting out of here alive and death is just a fact of life, so if you care about those around you, especially if you’re a parent, you should be prepared.

What does that mean?

It means you need to get organized: have a will drawn up, your medical directives spelled out, and your life insurance policies in place. You don’t want your children to have to carry the burden of your unwillingness to get your affairs in order.

And if you have young children, you need to decide who’s going to take care of them in your place. Asking someone to be a godparent is not the same thing as asking them to be a legal guardian. This should be well thought out. If you want your children to be brought up a certain way, in a certain faith, those details should be discussed at length with whomever you choose as their guardian.

You’ll be amazed at the peace of mind you’ll feel when you have everything in place!

And how’s this for being prepared for death: prepare to live a long life! Exercise, eat well and get regular physicals.

How many of us refuse to see a doctor because we don’t want to know what’s wrong with us? That’s not only silly, but a selfish way to think if you have children who depend on you for their livelihood.

You know you’ve hit a certain age when working out is no longer about vanity but about staying healthy. But if you think of it as your job as a parent to stay healthy, you’ll be “boogeying on down” at your great granddaughter’s wedding!

What other ways can help you get organized for the inevitable?

Note: Graphic courtesy of MS Office Online.

Get Organized: Save Time & Money with Econobusters

2009-08-06T09:00:00.007-04:00

Keeping the purse strings tight during the current state of the economy can be challenging, especially when you have a family to care for. Econobusters is a site whose mission is just that - to support and inspire homemakers by providing them with insightful, informative tips to stretch their dollar.

Molly Green is the chief homemaker at Econobusters, a cheerful, red-headed gal full of frugal ideas, do-it-yourself projects, and great time and money-saving hints for managing your home.

The blog features daily tips via Thrifty Thursdays, Freebie Fridays (a weekly list of free items, like a chance to own two of those snazzy ShamWow towels!), and Weekend Wonders.

The best part of this site is if you sign up for their weekly e-newsletter, A Minute With Molly, you’ll receive a free menu planning e-book, packed with money-saving ideas as well as meal planners, recipes, and cooking tips.

By following their step-by-step instructions, you can plan meals for your family for an entire month! Imagine the time you’ll save, not to mention the money savings from buying only what you really need. With these tools, planning out meals will be a cinch, helping you to get organized and stay organized!

Note: Graphic courtesy of Econobusters blog.

Get Organized: How Much of Your Time Are You Twittering Away?

2009-08-04T09:00:00.006-04:00

Ashton Kutcher has nearly 3 million followers on Twitter. Will Smith has over 4 million fans on Facebook. Celebrities have led the way in social media, but not everyone agrees that it’s the best way to spend your time.

On the Late Show with David Letterman, Dave called Kevin Spacey’s Twittering a “waste of time.” And poor Bill Gates recently admitted to dumping Facebook after failing to keep up with his 10,000 friend requests. In his words, it was “way too much trouble.”

In this age of ever-present social media, are we becoming a society of time-wasters?

It’s tricky enough to manage your time but throw in an addiction to social networking sites and you can find yourself creating a recipe for wasting the day away!

If you find you’re not as productive as you used to be, it might be time to make a change. And as they say, the first step is admitting you have a problem.

Do you know exactly how much time you spend on the internet? If you’d like to find out, Firefox has an add-on called Time Tracker that allows you to track exactly how much time you spend on the Internet each day. The add-on installs a small counter in the bottom corner of your screen (if it’s inactive for over 60 seconds, it will turn itself off until your itch to surf the web returns!).

If your eyes start twitching in disbelief after realizing how much time you spend a day online, it might be time to set some boundaries for yourself.

Try limiting yourself to just a few minutes a day, perhaps 10 minutes first thing in the morning and 10 minutes before you close down for the day. If that leaves you with withdrawal symptoms, start small and wean yourself slowly. You might be surprised at just how much time you get back in your day.

How would an extra hour a day help you to get organized?

Get Organized: S Is For Split Ring Key

2009-07-30T09:00:00.005-04:00

This post is part of the "Organizers A to Z" series. Cool organizers you could live without, but why would you want to?!

Is your key ring the size of a small baby's head? Keys for this, keys for that, keys for...I don't even know what?! Not to mention all the fun key chains that accessorize.

When you're a kid, and you get a hold of your first key, it's like -- "Wow, I've arrived! Mom and Dad are trusting me with THE key to the house." Or better yet: the key to your first car.

But as you get older, the novelty wears off and the number of keys multiply...until a key is just another key.

Well, it's time to revitalize your key collection, and that's where the Split Ring Key comes into the equation! It's a blank key, which can be cut at your local hardware store, paired with its own built-in key ring. Talk about streamlined!

I can think of many organizing uses for the Split Ring Key -- it's just such a great idea! Like,

- A back-to-school necessity: make a house key for your kid and hook it directly into his/her backpack so that it doesn't get lost.

- A runner's companion: Tie your house or car key to your shoelaces, and you don't have to worry about jangling down the road as you go.

I could go on. But for this price, it's definitely a "key" investment (I know, I know...that was a little over-the-top! Couldn't resist.) in your quest to downsize.

How much? $7 for a pack of 2

Where? Buy online at Amron Experimental

Why? All the cool cats have one. Don't be left out!

How would you use the Split Ring Key to help you get organized?

Get Organized: For the Love of Tech

2009-07-28T09:00:00.005-04:00

Living in South Korea, I don't have a clothes dryer. I end up doing laundry pretty much every day because I don't have the space to hang-dry a week's worth of clothes and linens at once.

And since I don't like doing laundry...man, does it ever get old! It takes 2x as much energy and time to get everything washed up and put up.

My problem is -- I'm spoiled! I'm used to washing and drying clothes the modern way. And, frankly, I happen to like the appliances that do all the work for me! They allow me to spend my time doing other things that are more fun.

As I was folding shirts yesterday, I thought about my parent's generation (and before) and how they weren't able to be lazy about much. There weren't a lot of technological short-cuts "back in the day."

The whole ordeal has given me a better appreciation for the advancements that help us everyday to streamline and better our lives. (Who knew laundry could help someone wax philosophical?! It's official: I'm a true geek.)

What about you? What gift of technology helps you get organized?

Get Organized: How De-cluttering Instantly Lifts Your Mood

2009-07-23T09:00:00.002-04:00

Piles of clutter in your life can bring on the nerves!

Or so says Elaine Aron, PhD, and author of The Highly Sensitive Person. She explains that “clutter is a reminder of things that should be getting done but aren’t. It can make you feel like a failure."

However, a little clutter here or there isn't likely to cause a lot of anxiety. “It’s when every bit of space is messy that it’s most disturbing,” Aron continues.

What's the remedy?

If you need a quick boost and don't have time to get into a serious organizing session, then just do a few small things: straighten up paper piles, pick up the floor, put dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

“Just the illusion of order is enough to ease the mind,” Aron says.

I tend to agree, just as long as you're not using a quick tidy up as a band-aid to fix a bigger problem.

What do you think? When you get organized, do you feel uplifted?

For more ways to boost your mood, see 2 Minutes to a Happier You.

Note: Information courtesy of Elaine Aron, PhD, via Prevention.com.

Get Organized: You Stuck It WHERE? Contest

2009-07-21T09:00:00.004-04:00

Do Post-its help you get organized? Then turn your love of stickies into some cold, hard cash!

3M is daring you to share your wildest Post-it moments during their "You Stuck It WHERE?" contest. Grand prize takes away 10 G's...not bad for a little ol' note pad!

See official contest guidelines here: http://www.3m.com/us/office/postit/notes/channelguide.pdf

Get Organized: So What Ever Happened to That Resolution?

2009-07-16T09:00:00.011-04:00

It's been over 6 months since January and New Years Resolutions. Can you believe it? Time has flown by!

Did you make a resolution to get organized? How's it going?

If you're still on track — great! Keep up the good work. I bet you're lovin' how balanced you feel!

If you've "fallen off the wagon," don't beat yourself up over it. Leave the past in the past and renew your vow to get organized once and for all. Starting TODAY!

Here are just a few high-powered posts that you can reference, whether you're reworking your organizing goals completely or just need a little "tidy" inspiration...

11 Considerations When Purging Clutter

Setting Guidelines to Get Organized

70+ Free Printable Labels to Help You Get Organized

25 To Do's You Can Accomplish While Watching TV

6 Hot Websites to Help You Get Organized

Get Organized: R Is For Reusable Fresh Snack Pack

2009-07-14T09:00:00.003-04:00

This post is part of the "Organizers A to Z" series. Cool organizers you could live without, but why would you want to?!

What would a lunch be without little baggies? It would be hard to keep all the sammies and chips organized without them!

But maybe a better question would be - what would the Earth be without little baggies?

Hmmm...a lot less trashy! Just think of all the Ziplocs, Hefties, and Prestos that get tossed everyday after lunchtime.

Well, there's a little-known product that's creeping into the marketplace that will change all that: The Reusable Fresh Snack Pack.

The Fresh Snack Pack is made of durable, kid-tested plastic. Plus, it's completely washable. As their website explains: "We love the convenience of plastic...but we hate the waste."

Take that little baggies! Now our on-the-go meals can be yummy and earth-friendly.

How much? $4.50 - 5.50 each

Where? Buy online at Fresh Snack Pack

Why? It's a simple solution that helps you get organized and helps the Earth stay clean.

Do you use any eco-organizing products when packing your lunch?

Get Organized: What Your To-Do List Says About You

2009-07-09T09:00:00.002-04:00

What does your to-do list tell the world about you and your organizing style?

A lot, says Sam Gosling, PhD, and author of Snoop: What Your Stuff Says about You.

- If your notes are scratched on random receipts (or on your hand, like my hubby does) or shoved into a junk drawer...

Then you're likely a creative spirit who "doesn't want to be ruled by your to-dos."

- If you prefer sticky notes...

Then you are flexible and take things in stride.

But BEWARE: stickies scattered everywhere may indicate that disorganization rules your life, which has allowed your list to "grow without bounds and overwhelm you."

- If you're a techie, uploading your must-dos to the latest gadget...

Then you are "highly organized."

Do you use lists to help you get organized? Then what does your list say about you?

Note: Information courtesy of Sam Gosling, PhD, via Prevention magazine.

Get Organized: Closet Sweet Closet

2009-07-07T09:00:00.006-04:00

Can you imagine living out of a closet?

Sergio Santos of Delray Beach, Florida, is not just imagining it - he's living it! He fits everything he owns into a 5.5 ft x 14 ft closet.

Now, that's some serious downsizing!

In addition to saving money (his rent is $150/month), Sergio says that having such a small pad helps recycling efforts and optimizes his time.

I think he's on to something - can you imagine how little time it would take to tidy up 77 sq feet of space? It seems like it would be so easy to get organized and stay that way with such a small place!

Sergio is just one of many supporting the Small House Movement, trading in the consumerist lifestyle for a minimalist one.

Could you do it? And if you left your current home to live in a closet and you could only take a handful of items with you, what would they be?

Get Organized: Win Free Stuff From Stacks & Stacks

2009-07-02T09:00:00.003-04:00

Clutter Control Freak blog, associated with top internet retailer Stacks & Stacks, is known for dishing out clutter hacks you can live with. They also know how to throw a good contest!

This time, they're giving away several amazing prizes to help you get organized...

- Digital Velocity Iron from Reliable
- Stainless Steel Bowl by Blomus
- Lined Storage Basket from Ameriwood Industries,
- Set of Three Travel Tie Holders from Richards Homewares
- Set of nine metal Flower Magnets from Design Ideas

Entry is super easy - just leave a comment here about your best "re-purposed product" storage solution. That's it!

Hurry! This contest ends on Friday, 10 July.

Get Organized: Preparing for Emergencies

2009-06-30T09:00:00.005-04:00

When little boys around America join the Boy Scouts, one of the first things they learn is the Scout motto -

Be prepared.

But what has a boy to be prepared for, other than sword fighting with friends, playing video games, and pestering their sisters?

Funny you should wonder this, in fact, as someone asked Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, that very question: "Be prepared for what?"

"Why, for any old thing," Baden-Powell replied.

Wise advise for kids and adults alike!

Real Simple magazine helps women everywhere live like a Scout through their feature "How to Prepare for an Emergency." From power outages to house fires, their guide offers lots of tips to be ready for any circumstance!

My favorite suggestion -

"Do a disaster dry run. One weekend night, unplug the phone, turn off the lights, don’t use any faucets or the stove, and see how well packed [your emergency kit is]."

Keith Robertory, an emergency-preparedness expert with the Red Cross, explains why this is so important: "You’ll discover little things, like you packed C batteries when you needed D’s for the flashlight, or you could have used a deck of cards for entertainment."

This kind of test will help you update your emergency kit so that you and your family are ready to face unthinkable circumstances with the best supplies available.

How do you get organized for potential catastrophes?

National Magazine Seeks Tips from Real Women on How to Get Organized

2009-06-25T09:30:00.003-04:00

Do you have a special organizing tip that helps you get organized and stay organized?

If you have something - a routine, a hint, a method for keeping your home neat and tidy - a national women's magazine wants to know! They are looking for fresh ideas from real women around the country.

Send your submissions to Leslie Pepper at LeslieLido@gmail.com by Friday, July 3rd. (BTW, pro organizers can submit as well, but keep in mind that only your name, city, and state will be included in the article, not your business name or website.)

Once your organizing tip is approved, you'll find out what magazine it is! And it's big...

Don't forget to share your ideas here! We'd love to know the scoop...

Get Organized: A Can't-Miss Tip for Air Travel

2009-06-25T09:00:00.008-04:00

If you travel a lot, or even just a little, you understand what a pain airport security can be!

Especially if you're a chick. You want me to fit all my liquids and lotions into that little bag?

My good friend Skipper recently facebooked about this very thing and how she found a great solution.

Midwest Bottles offers small, travel-size containers at a fraction of the cost you would see in stores. According to their website, all items are discounted at least 25% or more everyday.

Skipper, always one to tell it like it is, hit the nail on the head when she said -

"I found Midwest Bottle company who sells little plastic bottles in all kinds of sizes for dirt cheap. The heck with those websites selling 4 bottles for $25. Puleez. I bought 8 bottles for $2.50 and got to pick out cute colors..."

Puleez is right!

How do you get organized for travel?

Get Organized: Coupious Gives Us Coupons Without All That Clipping Nonsense

2009-06-23T09:00:00.006-04:00

You're at the checkout counter, you reach for your 10% off coupon, and - it's not there! ARGH!!!!! No way are you dropping everything you just scooped up in the store to drive all the way back home.

At this point, not only have you lost the $15 bucks you would have saved, you've lost your temper...at yourself. If only I would have been organized enough to not forget!

Fortunately, there's an up-and-coming cell phone app that will keep you on top of your coupon game. It's a *free* service called Coupious, and it brings the coupons right to you, wherever you and your mobile might be.

According to the Coupious website:

"Coupious is a simple application that enables you to get coupons and discounts for businesses in your area right on your phone. You run the app, pick a coupon, and when you're ready to check out, simply hold up your phone to show the cashier the offer code. That's it! Saving money has never been easier."

Sweet! Total score for lazy coupon clippers everywhere...

Currently, Coupious is available on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android platforms, but there are plans to add BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Palm systems later in 2009.

Also important to note - Coupious is only up and running near Purdue University in Indiana. At least, until all the systems kinks are ironed out. But rest assured, it'll be coming to a cell phone near you...so be on the look out!

If you could, would you use Coupious?

Get Organized: Something Every Woman Should Try to Do During Her Lifetime

2009-06-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

I was browsing through the June issue of Ali Magazine, when I flipped the page and saw "20 Things Every Woman Should Try to Do During Her Lifetime" pop out at me. I was immediately intrigued -- I love reading stuff that challenges you to think and do out-of-the-box.

And to my pleasant surprise, organizing made the list at #19!

According the the author,

"On October 10 of every year, make a vow to fill up 10 trash bags full of things in and around your home that are simply taking up space! De-clutter the environmental chaos of your life that takes up room and decide to let it go...throw away, donate, or give away the items to people...who may find them as appealing as you once did!"

(That's easy to remember, too - 10 bags on the 10th day of the 10th month.)

When you think about it, it makes sense that organizing would be included in such a list. Because when you get organized, it gives you this indescribable feeling. You're finally free! You're no longer tied to the chaos, and it's no longer tied to you.

And while it may not be bungee jumping or walking on fire, it's an equally important high...one that will impact your life forever -- in a really good way.

So tell me, how does organization enrich your life?

Get Organized: Q Is for Quasi Modo's Componibili

2009-06-16T09:00:00.008-04:00

This post is part of the "Organizers A to Z" series. Cool organizers you could live without, but why would you want to?!

Everybody's got 'em! Doodads. Gizmos. Thingys and thing-a-ma-jigs. All those little items here and there that need a "home," but somehow, day after day, continue to be homeless.

Many catch-all organizers are pretty standard and, well, pretty boring.

That's why Quasi Modo's Componibili grabbed my attention. It's got a great design, and it's stackable, which is always a huge plus!

The only downside is that, because it's designer-made, it comes with a heftier price tag. But that being said, if you've got a little extra spending cash and you love the design, why not splurge?! I have discovered that if an organizer inspires you, then you're more likely to use it.

How much? $200 range

Where? Buy at Quasi Modo

Why? Because if this little Italian export is anything like other Italian exports (FOOD! PURSES! SHOES! MEN!) - then it's bound to be good.

How do you store your little stuff?

Get Organized: Woman Mistakenly Trashes $1M Mattress

2009-06-11T09:00:00.013-04:00

We all have those flashbacks that make us think: I'm so stupid! Why did I do that?!

An Israeli woman had one of those very moments this week, when she realized she had junked a mattress stuffed full of US dollar bills and Israeli shekels -- over $1 MILLION total!

MSNBC reports that "she bought her elderly mother a new mattress as a surprise on Monday and threw out the old one, only to discover that her mother had hidden her life savings inside. When she went to look for the mattress it had already been taken by garbage men...Subsequent searches at three different landfill sites turned up nothing."

Talk about a good deed gone awry! Who knows if the cash will ever be recovered, although I certainly hope it will be.

One thing's for sure: we can all stand to learn from this unexpected, unintentional, and expensive mistake. When you're weeding through belongings to donate or trash...

(1) Check the value of a potential "to toss" item, even if you don't think it can possibly be worth anything at all.

You just NEVER know its true value...

(2) Check thoroughly inside the item, in both places meant for storage (like pockets and drawers) and in places not intended for storage (like behind picture frames and inside mattresses).

You just NEVER know what's lurking...

Have you ever mistakenly tossed a treasure?

Get Organized: An Easy Way to Recycle Beauty Products

2009-06-09T09:00:00.001-04:00

Are you really going to use that lotion that you got at the office gift-swap party 2 Christmases ago? Ummm...no.

Chances are, you've got some beauty products that are -- but really shouldn't be -- taking up some valuable real estate in your bathroom.

This week, I encourage you to go through your bathroom storage, tossing anything you no longer need, want, or use.

But don't just put the bottles and boxes into the trash! Opt to be environmentally responsible.

According to a 2008 survey by O.B. Tampons, "Women confess to having about on average 12 products in their vanities...With 112,804,773 women over 20 living in the U.S., that’s a lot of packaging! Unfortunately, according to the EPA, approximately 1/3 of landfill waste is made up of this type of packaging."

If you'd like to help improve the statistics, here's a quick and easy way to recycle your old beauty products and reduce your overall waste footprint:

Take your trash stash of old bottles, jars, and tubes to any of the 550 Origin stores or department store counters.

As part of the "Return to Origins" recycling program, Origins will accept beauty products from any brand, ultimately converting donations into energy or recycled packaging.

What's your secret to recycling beauty products or toiletries?

Get Organized: Taking the Errr! Out of Online Shopping

2009-06-04T09:00:00.006-04:00

Alright, all you online shop-a-holics, have I got a cool new gadget for you!

I myself love to shop over the internet, but I hate, hate, hate the checkout process. Having to type in my credit card information - it's just SO tedious!

But there's a solution that's fast, easy, and safe. It's called SmartSwipe, and it may just become your new best friend.

I think the picture pretty much says it all! But for those of you who are curious to know details, there's more.

According to SmartSwipe's homepage, "SmartSwipe is the world’s first truly secure personal credit card reader...you can swipe your credit card at your home or office computer just like you would in a store."

You might be thinking: Sounds good, but how secure is secure?

In an feature called 10 Cool New Mobile Gadgets, PC World highlighted SmartSwipe's safety and versatility:

"The next time you buy something online with your credit card number, don't type it, swipe it. NetSecure's desktop device lets you shop online while bypassing keyloggers or other malware that could sneak onto your PC. Just download the the SmartSwipe software, plug the mouse-size card reader into a USB port, click the SmartSwipe button inside Internet Explorer when you're ready to make a purchase, and swipe your plastic. SmartSwipe uses Dynamic SSL to encrypt your card data before it reaches your PC, and then inserts the information into the proper fields in the site's shopping cart. SmartSwipe works with thousands of e-tailers from Amazon to Zappos, and functions in Internet Explorer 6 or 7; support for IE8 and Firefox is in the works."

And online shoppers around the world say: WOOHOO!

Would you use a SmartSwipe to streamline your checkout experience?

Note: Graphic courtesy of SmartSwipe.com

Get Organized: Martha Stewart's Guide to an Organized Summer

2009-06-02T09:00:00.004-04:00

We've talked about how we shouldn't compare ourselves to Martha before. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't learn some good organizing tips from her!

MSN recently showcased "Summer Organizing Tips" from Martha Stewart mag that'll help you have an organized...

- Garage
- Picnic
- Car trip
- Beach trip
- Garden
- Carry-all
- Chore list
- To do list
- And more!

My fave suggestion from the feature is the canvas carry-all tote -- it looks so cute and simple to make! According to the website, the "three-pocket pouch can easily be fashioned from a carpenter's canvas nail apron (available at hardware stores)."

How do you get organized for summertime?

Get Organized: Downsizing Your Book Collection

2009-05-28T09:00:00.008-04:00

If you love to read, I bet you've got a pretty nice stockpile of books. I'll go even further and say that I bet you only read 2-5 of those books on a regular basis, and the rest are just "dust collectors."

Am I right or am I right? :)

I just came across a wonderful charity that can help you downsize your library, opening up a little more space for something else! It's called Books for Soldiers.

Books for Soldiers connects those who have books to spare with deployed military troops in need of a little entertainment.

Having been in the military myself, I know firsthand that when deployed soldiers have free time, there's likely no internet, no TV, no phone. In other words, there's...

(1) nothing really to do, or

(2) if there happens to be "stuff to do and see" off-base, they may not be able to participate due to certain rules and regs or safety issues.

Books are a great way to help the guys and gals, who protect our freedom and our country, to pass the time. In addition, it's always nice to get mail when they're away from home, even if it's from total strangers.

The Books for Soldiers website explains, "After [the first Gulf War], we received many thank-you notes from soldiers who got one of our books. Unless it was time for them to fly back home, mail-call days were one of the most anticipated events of deployment."

The site goes on to say that "Regardless of why the military is deployed, the men and women of our armed services are there for us. They deserve our support and if we can make their deployment easier, then all the better."

So true!

For more information on this charity, see BooksForSoldiers.com - and btw, if you type it into your browser, there's no www with that!

Get Organized: P Is For PurseKeeper

2009-05-26T09:00:00.012-04:00

This post is part of the "Organizers A to Z" series. Cool organizers you could live without, but why would you want to?!

Dust. Lint. Pet hair. Scratches. Dents. Spills. What do all these things have in common? They're enemies of your handbag!

Whether you have a teeny-tiny purse collection or one that would put Victoria Beckham's to shame, you need to have a good storage system in place to not only protect your purses from the elements but also to give you quick and easy access to each.

Until recently, most handbag containerizing was either...

(1) in cloth bags, which protect from dust but do nothing to protect the shape of the bag itself, or

(2) in boxes, which do a great job of safeguarding bags but have the tendency to take up a lot of space in your closet, epecially if you have tons of purses.

Enter the PurseKeeper! The PurseKeeper, designed by professional organizer Lisa Jacobs, is the all-around winner for purse storage in my book! Here's why:

- It protects. Tuck your purse away in the clear vinyl bag, so that it's shielded from the outside world.

- It supports. Each PurseKeeper comes equipped with an adjustable "stuffer" that you can place inside your purse so that it keeps its original shape.

- It gives you options. There are 3 sizes of PurseKeepers, so you can find the perfect fit for your bag.

- It's versatile. Use it to hold other accessories like scarves and belts, not just a handbag.

- It's see-through. Spot which purse you need in seconds.

- It's not intrusive. Unlike its boxy counterparts, a PurseKeeper takes up about the same amount of space as your handbag.

Seriously - what's not to love about it?!

How much? $14.99 - 29.99, depending on the size

Where? Buy online at Bed Bath and Beyond (they are available in some local BB & B stores as well)

Why? It's organizing outside-of-the-box!

How do you store your purses?

Get Organized: Man Calls 911 Over Messy Room

2009-05-20T09:00:00.004-04:00

Kids often have mixed reactions when told to tidy up their room. One particular kid (Does a 28-year old man who still lives under his parents' roof qualify as such?) had a severely adverse reaction - he threw a plate of food across the kitchen table at his father.

In cases such as these, it's also true that parents have mixed reactions to their kids' reactions. At this point, the dad had had enough! He called 911.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to fight night...

In this corner we have: Bratty 28-year old

And in this corner we have: At his wits' end father

Yikes!

Not to worry though. In the end, the dad declined to press charges so as not to harm his son's political ambitions. And the son thanked his parents for letting him live in the house rent-free and promised to keep his room neat as a pin from now on.

Awww...don't you just love happy endings?!

Do you ever feel like calling 911 on your messy kids?

Looking for more? See: Ohio man calls 911 about son's messy room

Get Organized: Is a To-Do List...Sexy?

2009-05-18T09:00:00.001-04:00

Apparently so. It was included as 1 of "The 10 Seduction Tools Every Woman Needs" by Glamour.com.

Specifically, it was grouped into:

A busy life full of friends, work, to-dos, ta-das...

So it's not a singular shout-out to the to-do list, but in a world where being balanced and organized is often associated with being boring, we'll take it!

What do you think -- do to-dos spice up your personality?

See more: The 10 Seduction Tools Every Woman Needs

A Get Organized Funny: The Perfect Country & Western Song

2009-05-15T09:00:00.002-04:00

Or in other words:

The Top 10 Unorganized Things Your Momma Would NEVER Want You To Do...

10. Leave piles of laundry on your bedroom floor.

9. Avoid taking Fluffy for a walk because you can't find her leash.

8. Forget to buy your favorite snack at the store because you didn't make a grocery list.

7. Miss your favorite band's concert because you didn't budget wisely and couldn't afford to go.

6. Be late for work because you misplaced your keys.

5. Get a ticket from the cops because you were driving with expired tags.

4. Disappoint your boss because you couldn't find last month's TPS Report.

3. Miss your cousin's destination wedding in Paris because you lost your passport.

2. Accidentally toss your college transcripts that proved you did get one "A" in your life, even if it was just aerobics...

1. Misplace your naked baby photos!

Do you have disorganized tendencies that your friends and fam hate about you?

Note: Graphic courtesy of MS Office Online.

Get Organized: How To Remedy Gift-Giving Frustrations

2009-05-13T09:00:00.011-04:00

Sometimes it's hard enough to remember what you ate for dinner yesterday, let alone remember what to buy grandma for her big 7-0.

To keep my gift-giving in order, I use a system that's worked well for me for several years now. So what's my secret? It includes a handful of Post-its and a pen.

Here are the details...

For close family and friends, keep a running list all year-round of potential gifts.

To do this:

- Invest in some large Post-it Notes (with lines).

- Remove as many note pages as needed to correspond with the number of people you want to include. Keep all the notes stuck together, as if they had never been removed from the original stack.

- On the very top of each Post-it, place a person's name from your list.

- Put the grouping of Post-its in the back of your planner or calendar.

- Each time you think about a gift for one of the people included, write it down under their name. Or if you hear one of them state that he/she really wishes they had this or that, jot it down.

When Christmas or a birthday rolls around, you'll never have to wonder about what to buy whom again. Not to mention how thoughtful you will seem!!! :)

Do you have any gift-giving strategies?

Do Guys Rely On Gals To Help Them Get Organized?

2009-05-11T09:00:00.009-04:00

Most guys are closet slobs. Sure, there are dudes out there who know how to keep things neat and tidy, but they are few and far between!

It seems that when growing up, there's mom to keep 'em in line.

Vince Vaughn recalled how his mother used to straighten up after him. "[My mom] was big on cleaning stuff...when I got my first place I had pizza boxes and Coca-Cola bottles all over the place. I was like, 'Wow, this is weird because usually I put this down and tomorrow it's gone...'"

Then it seems that when they're all grown-up and find themselves in a relationship or married, men tend to rely on their better half to pick up where their moms left off.

Ikea announced in their “You Can’t Be Too Organized” survey that married men are 4x more likely to leave their pajamas on the floor in the morning compared to single men.

Could it be that your man doesn't pick up those PJs because he knows you will?

Hmmm...

Brian, a 24-year old, proved this point perfectly in Glamour Mag's recent feature "8 Things Guys Say They Hate About Women but Secretly Love."

He opined, “I would be bummed if my girlfriend stopped planning out our evenings several days in advance. It makes it easy for me because I don’t have to plan anything, but it is annoying sometimes how organized a person can be.”

2 phrases stick out here: "easy for me" and "I don't have to."

Call it stereotyping, call it crazy, call it what you will. But when given the choice - her or me - when it comes to organizing, males are likely to take the easy way out.

Who helps you get organized?

Looking for more? See: 8 Things Guys Say They Hate About Women but Secretly Love, Organizing Surveys

A Get Organized Funny: What's In Your Fridge?

2009-05-08T09:00:00.004-04:00

This video from IKEA (only the greatest store EVER!) demonstrates the importance of detailed labels and thorough lists when it comes to safeguarding your stuff.

You see, when you get organized, you hold more power than you realize...

Do you have any organizing tricks up your sleeve?