Be creative with gift tags...

As I was wrapping up holiday gifts this year, it occurred to me of how I could use that pile of "old" holiday cards. Do you have a pile of cards that are just sitting around? If so, why not cut the covers off and use them to make a decorative gift tag. The way I see it, you win in more ways than one...you de-clutter by recycling your old card and create a special gift tag for that snazzy gift you picked out!

Decorations in disarray?

As we trim the Christmas tree and adorn our homes with festive decorations, are you finding your "decorations in disarray"? If so, why not try something new this year. When you go to pull out your holiday items, take a quick inventory of your decorations. Grab a sheet of paper and make a list of the boxes & the contents in each box. While you're at it, make sure you are packing up your precious heirlooms in water resistant containers, so they will be protected over the years. I recommend using a clear storage container(s), so that you can visually see the contents. You can then take a sticky label and list out the contents. Your list inventory will serve as a "roadmap" to what decorations you have and where they are located. For example, one label might read:

Box 1: Living Room Decorations
--Angel music box
--Candles
--Christmas book
--Garlands

You may find that having this inventory "system" in place, will help in the long run...as it will save you time and hassle when you go to decorate because everything will be accounted for and in one place. You may also consult your inventory list for easy pack-up and storage until the next holiday season.

Season's Greetings

Holiday Returns Got you down...

As we get into the swing of the holidays (a.k.a. holidaze), it can become quite overwhelming with all the shopping and hussle & bussle the season brings. Today's focus is on "holiday returns". While it is still early and Christmas is 3 weeks away, you can create a system today for your holiday receipts, so that when it's time for the inevitable return, you can go to 1 place and find it. I recommend creating a holiday receipt envelope. You may choose to clip it up to your refrigerator or store it with your other receipts (perhaps within your "bill" folder, see blog from last month for more details). Or, another option, is to give your gift recipient a gift receipt (you just need to ask the cashier at the checkout) so that they can exchange their gift on their own time. However you choose to do it, I hope you'll enjoy a stress-free holiday!

Sending holiday cards & letters, here's quick tip...

It's that time of year again, for sending out holidays cards and letters to friends and family. I'm currently in the process of editing my address list with change of address information and some new additions. One tip that has worked well for me is to set-up an excel spreadsheet with the following fields: Mailing Name, Salutation (if you're sending letters), address 1, address 2 and City, ST Zip (as one field). You can make edits to your mailing list throughout the year (as you learn of changes) and/or send out an email blast to any friends you know moved to acquire their new address information. That way, when you go to merge your letter and/or address labels, you can do this in about 5 minutes and it will cut down on wasted time & energy in the long run. Tis the season to send greetings...

Stationery and Cards in disarray?

Does this ever happen to you? You have a b-day, anniversary, special occasion coming up and you need a card. You know you bought the card, but now you can't locate it. Agh, that's so frustrating, isn't it? One tip that has helped me over the years is to organize my stationery and cards into a file box/folder. You can either place tabs (e.g. birthday, anniversary, thank you, sympathy, holiday, etc) within the box and/or create a folder for each event. That way, when you go to write your letter or send that card, you can go to one source and find it!

Creating a home at the office

Today, I relocated from a large office space (6 file drawers and 5" of space on either side of me) into a new cubicle with 3 small drawers and no extra arm room. One thing that helped me to brighten up my space was to hang my calendar and place a few pictures on my desk. I arranged the other office materials so that I could have easy access to all of my stuff. While this isn't an ideal situation, I have managed to create a "home" in my new office space. Send me your creative ideas...

Get a handle on the holidays...

If you're like me, you've probably been receiving all kinds of holiday coupons, offers and communications on sales via snail mail and email. One tip that has helped me is to organize my coupons, is to place them into an envelope that I carry with me throughout the holiday season. When you're out and about, you can think through which stores you want to go to and then pull out the coupon as needed. This will cut down on trying to remember where you put the coupon and save you time & energy so that you can enjoy all the joys the holiday season brings! Happy Shopping!

Experiencing the tupperware tumble? Here's a solution...

I hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving and have recovered from all the turkey and fixings! Now that the festivites are behind us, it's time to tackle the "tupperware tumble" taking up usabe space in your cabinet. Here's a solution to cut down on the clutter in your cabinets. Take out all the tupperware bottoms & tops and match them up. Whatever is left without a "home", toss out. You will cut down on time and energy by storing them back in your cabinets as one unit. If you have trouble tossing out the tops, you can use them to put under house plants and/or a art project for kids. Grab some non-acrilic pants and let you child paint on the top. Once it dries, they will have a handmade frisbee to play with.

Remember to give thanks...

Tis the season to give thanks! As we get ready for the holiday hussle & bussle, remember to give thanks to those family and friends in your life who have been good to you. As you sort through piles of mail and file away billing statements, take a minute to write a thank you card to someone special. You will find that expressing your gratitude to another person will lift your spirits! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family...may it be a blessed one!

Oops, I forgot something...

This morning, I forgot a very important item, my wallet! As soon as I discovered this, I thought of a quick checklist to post near my door to prevent this from happening in the future. The list includes: do I have my keys, wallet, metrocard, important documents, etc...

If you live in a Metropolitan Area and drive a car, you may want to add, do I need to move my car today for opposite street parking?

Please feel free to add on your own "reminders" to this list as well...

Bill almost due, here's a solution...

Does this scenario sound familiar? You know you have a bill that needs to be paid, but you can't find it amongst the stack of papers on your desk.

One simple solution is to create a "bills" folder. In the folder, include the following:

-- All bill statements for the month: you may choose to include a sheet that says - vendor - amount - due date

-- 2 envelopes: (1) Debit receipts (2) Credit Card receipts

If you have multiple credit/store cards, you may choose to create an envelope for each vendor.

Once you have this system in place, you will put your bills into the folder as they come in, so that when you're ready to pay them, you can go to 1 place and have everything all together.

Two other tips are to keep your postage and address labels in the folder. If you can discipline yourself to set-up and implement this system, you will find that paying bills is alot less stressful and you can get on to better things!

Save space, marry...

Do you have multiple shampoo, conditioner and/or lotion bottles stored in your cabinets creating clutter and taking up good "real estate"? If so, you might want to consider "marrying" these bottles. Just tip the tops of both bottles (the bottle with less content on top) and marry them! You will save on space, make room for other items in your cabinets & closets and be clutter free!

Save a buck...

It's that time of year again....time for holiday shopping and dining out! If you're like me, saving a little money during time busy time is key. Some suggestions are to search for promotion codes online. A lot of companies are offering promo codes to drum up more holiday business. If you shop around, you can find up to 30% off discounts. Also, many stores are sending out their holiday catalogs offering free shipping and handling, as well as buy one, get the second one free! Some sites that have been particularly good are:

Promotional Codes: http://www.promotionalcodes.com/

Restaurant deals: http://www.groupon.com/new-york/subscribe?utm_source=Adwords&utm_medium=NYC&utm_campaign=Search&gclid=CJ-AptyJnZ4CFY915QodbDWbpA

Please feel free to respond back with other great sites to save a buck or two...

Happy Holidays...

Misplaced your keys, here's a quick solution...

I've often heard complaints from people that they misplaced their keys. Whether you're at home or in your workplace, you can discipline (don't be afraid of this word, it's not a bad word!) yourself to always be able to locate your keys. One tip for the home is, find a common area (e.g. hook near the door, bowl, countertop) where you can create a "home" for your keys. You will place your keys there each and every time you are not using them and you'll be amazed to see that they will "live" there until you need them again. It will encourage you and cut down on unnecessary stress. If you tend to misplace your work keys, go out and buy one of those large key-rings, like the ones you see at restaurants and gas stations. The key-ring will serve as a visual reminder to you. Also, in case you do leave it behind, you can put your name and office address on the back so it can be returned to you. So...be encouraged as you begin to develop this discipline into your daily routine. Got keys?

Mail piling up, here's a quick tip...

Often times I hear from people that they can't seem to get their mail under control. One tip that works well for me is to tackle the mail on a daily basis. When you come into your home and/or office, go through the mail and place it into 3 piles: (1) Keep - take action (2) Throw away or recycle and (3) File away. You may find it helpful to stand over your recycling bag/shredder so you can take care of it on the spot! Practicing this daily habit will cut down on aggravation and help to keep your mail clutter down to a minimum.

Got Clutter? I can help!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be clutter free? To walk into your workplace and see your desk neat & organized? If you're tired of moving papers from one side to the other and want the freedom without all the hassle, let me create a system that is customized and tailored to you. I will work with you to understand your needs so that your new system will raise your level of productivity and give you a new found confidence to face the day! If you're interested in learning more, please email me at cluttergal@hotmail.com.