Posts by Jill Annis | Simply Organized
Your children are watching
RANSACKED, or at least turned upside down….that’s what I thought when I looked into our teenage daughter’s bedroom. My solution……..keep her door closed. I’m a PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER who helps clients declutter their homes. I know, it doesn’t make any sense. We wanted to give her some autonomy with her space. Here’s what I could control.…
Read MoreUse this checklist before you leave home on vacation
Vacations are much anticipated and often necessary to recharge and reboot. It can be stressful to prepare to leave, especially for adults with homes. There’s a lot to remember to do in order to ensure your home is ready to be unoccupied, yet appear occupied for a time period. Remove some of the pre-vacation stress…
Read MoreHow to declutter and decide to let go with confidence
Decisions are easy……said no one! As you declutter and downsize, you’ll be faced with lots of decisions. I’ve created a list for you to refer to when you’re undecided or you feel stuck. Use this list to guide you and help you let go of your excess things. Toss, recycle, donate or sell the item…
Read MoreSimple tips to declutter your overflowing email inbox
It’s not uncommon to have hundreds or even thousands of emails waiting for attention or action. My inbox comfort level tends to be about 15 emails. If you’re overwhelmed by hundreds or thousands of emails, use these simple strategies that I’ve found effective. Delete, delete, delete! Get rid of anything you don’t need. I check…
Read MoreHow to have an organized and clutter-free kitchen
Contrary to what you might think, your kitchen can be organized even though it’s a high traffic area and a drop zone. Clear countertops and tidy storage spaces might be a task you’ve put off and it will take an effort to maintain but it’s worth it. I find cooking is a bit more tolerable when…
Read MoreIdeas for organizing and storing artwork created by your children
What in the world do you do with the special art your children created? It piles up quickly, especially during their pre-school and elementary years. I’d like to offer you some options for saving artwork created by your kids or grandkids. First, be extremely selective by saving only the cream of the crop. Ask yourself, are all…
Read More3 vital organized habits you need to adopt to live a more organized life
Uncover the organized person within you. Believe it or not, we are all capable of living a more organized life. I’m going to reveal three vital organizing practices I teach my clients that may encourage you to embrace better habits. 1. Edit your possessions until they fit their intended space. When everything fits into your available…
Read MoreYou won’t believe what turns up while decluttering with clients
Has clutter concealed money in your home? You’ll find out once you start sorting through your papers, boxes, and piles. My clients have discovered thousands of dollars hidden among clutter in their homes. People are thrilled when we find sizable checks they thought were lost forever. We’ve also found loose change and bills. We once…
Read MorePractical tips for organizing your home maintenance records
If you own a home, you know that a home requires care and upkeep in the form of repairs, renovations and regular maintenance. There are systems you can put in place to organize home maintenance paperwork including receipts, service providers and projects. Your first consideration when organizing home maintenance items is to decide whether you…
Read MoreInstant decluttering tips for a cleaner home
This is the last my series of tips to help you start eliminating clutter and take you from overwhelmed to organized. Apply the “one-in, one-out” rule to your home. For every item you bring in, one should be donated or discarded. This may need to be modified to one-in, 10-out until your home feels comfortable. Give…
Read More7 winning organizing strategies
This week I’m sharing more of my top strategies to help you go from overwhelmed to organized. 1. Use containers while de-cluttering instead of creating piles. You’ll need these clearly labeled containers next to the area you are de-cluttering: donate, sell, trash, recycle, items to keep but go elsewhere and shred. 2. Find a home for…
Read More5 ways to start organizing when you’re overwhelmed
It’s not uncommon to dread the organizing process and feel paralyzed. I’m sharing my best tips to help you go from overwhelmed to organized in the next 3 blog posts. Start small. Choose a very tiny area to start, like one drawer, or commit to organizing for a short amount of time (15 minutes every week).…
Read MoreUnique holiday gift ideas for every person on your list
With gift-giving season upon us, you might like these nifty options that won’t add clutter to the recipient’s life. Requests: Ensure your gift will be put to use and enjoyed by asking the recipient for their wish list. If you don’t want to spill the beans and ask them directly for ideas, enlist the help of…
Read MoreWhat you definitely need to do before buying bulk quantities
Before you buy an enormous package of toilet paper or a colossal container of berries from your local warehouse club store consider these factors. Do you have room in your home to store your bulk purchases, including the frozen and refrigerated items? Carefully ponder where you will put each and every item you place in…
Read MoreA calm holiday season: Yes, it is possible!
The holiday season is approaching. Here are five things to do now to prepare for the holidays to avoid feeling frantic. Plan: It’s a busy time of year between traveling, work parties, school events, social activities, guests and all the other events that happen during the holidays. Schedule these activities in your calendar so you don’t…
Read MoreHow to banish bathroom clutter
These common organizing mistakes make it more difficult to banish bathroom clutter. Buying too many health and beauty supplies in advance or making duplicate purchases. I know it’s hard to resist a sale or a lotion with an appealing aroma. You’ve probably found yourself testing new products and before you knew it they were in your…
Read MoreHow to transition you clothing closet for fall
Fall is here. Is your wardrobe ready for the changing weather? If the answer is no, use these handy tips to help you transition your closet into fall. Make sure you check your winter wardrobe before cold weather sets in. Try everything on, especially the pieces you have doubts about. Do all your pieces fit? Will…
Read MoreHow to downsize and declutter without being ruthless
As a professional organizer, I’ve often used the expression “be ruthless.” My clients and those who follow me are urged to be ruthless while decluttering and making decisions about stuff. After discovering the true definition of ruthless is uncaring, cruel, and cold-blooded, I’m now hesitant to use it. Let’s focus on a kinder expression while…
Read MoreChoosing the right hangers for an organized closet
Wire hangers aren’t your only options for keeping your clothing clean, wrinkle-free and off the floor. Let’s go over the different hanger options and their functions. Wire hangers, in my opinion, have one function, transporting clothing from the dry cleaner to your home. After the items are home, switch to another type of hanger if…
Read MoreWhat to do if your refrigerator is a kitchen eyesore
The refrigerator, a container for perishable food, needs organizing like any other area of your home. There are some common mistakes we make with our refrigerators that often create waste and turn it into a kitchen eyesore. Keeping things for too long. Perishable items have a shorter lifespan than pantry items. Before heading to the grocery…
Read MoreHow to keep cool about back to school AND save money
Depending on how you’re summer has been going, you’re either excited or sad about this whole back to school thing. Here are some tips to reduce a bit of the stress associated with this time of year and make this time of year kinder to your budget. Schedule a doctor’s appointment. Most sports require a yearly physical…
Read MoreHow to stay organized on a family road trip
Are you planning a summer road trip? Here are some ways you can make a family road trip more enjoyable, and less crazy. Thoroughly declutter your vehicle before packing for the trip. Remove unnecessary items, i.e. trash, mail, work stuff, sports gear and stray clothing. Have your car serviced a few weeks before your trip. Better…
Read MoreTips for moving your college student with ease
Do you or will you have multiple children in college? Besides the obvious financial expenses, you’ve probably spent time and energy helping them move several times a year. Our daughter’s moves went smoothly, thanks to my husband’s extraordinary packing skills. Although she would deny this, our daughter took pretty much everything she owned to college. It…
Read MoreHow to organize kid’s hobby and craft supplies
Got kids? If so, you no doubt also have the stuff needed for their hobbies and activities — musical instruments, sports equipment, dancewear, and art supplies — scattered throughout your home. Organize it all with these tips. Get the kids to help you round up the stuff and then categorize it by activity. If that’s…
Read MoreSmart packing tips for your next road trip
My husband and I enjoyed taking road trips to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, the Tetons and to Yosemite prior to having our daughter. She then joined us as we traveled to Maine, North Carolina and Yellowstone/Tetons. We love seeing the U.S. from the road. The trips have been more relaxing when we brought along the following items. Food…
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