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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…