LEAN & GREEN

 

Just because you are getting rid of the clutter in your home, doesn’t mean you have to clutter up the environment. So be sure to stop by on Tuesdays for tips that offer a TRIPLE THREAT.

Save money. Save the environment. And put the clamp on clutter.

LEAN AND GREEN TIP #1

Instead of sending your old plastic ice cube trays to the landfill, recycle them as sorters for jewelry or small craft items.

Ice cube trays are just the right height to slip into a shallow drawer – and much less expensive than the dividers made specifically for this purpose.

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Monday’s Clutter Communiqué

 

Wondering what to do with your old computer equipment?

Recycle here: http://tinyurl.com/cuemss

UPDATE for my Omaha Clutter Buddies: Angels on Wheels, a ministry to the homeless in Omaha, also collects old computers & equipment. Contact them at donate@angelsonwheels.org.

 

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“RE-SEASON” YOUR CLOSET

How is it that we (women) often find ourselves with a closet full of clothes and NOTHING to wear?

A word advice. Don’t ask your husband or boyfriend this question. Men have trouble understanding a woman’s secret desire to put those little size rings in their closets like they have in department stores. Maybe something like – 8, 10, 12, “none of your business.” It would make it so much simpler to find those clothes we MIGHT fit into one of these days.

As your clutter coach, I have a better idea. First, spend an hour or two today replacing the winter clothes in your closet with spring duds. While you are at it, remove all clothes that…

• don’t fit or are not flattering;
• you don’t like or are uncomfortable;
• are stretched out, shrunken, faded or stained;
• you haven’t worn for a year; and
• need to repaired or dry cleaned.*

If you do this with detachment, you will have a closet full of clothes that you can wear. On the other hand, if your closet is empty - you have an excuse to go shopping.

I so love a happy ending. : )

*Put these items aside to make necessary repairs or drop off at the dry cleaners.

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TRUE CONFESSION FRIDAY

One of the first things we learn as a professional organizer is the importance of making lists. Unfortunately, I am soooo not a ‘list” type of girl. I had convinced myself that making lists takes away the “spontaneity” of life. The zest. The fun.

It’s also not fun to find that you’ve forgotten to buy eggs for the third time at the grocery store. Or toilet paper.

Just as our homes can easily become cluttered, so can our minds. And as we age, there’s much less room for clutter. We have enough trouble remembering our cell phone number.

So… I’ve made myself become a list person.  And one of my first lists was a magnetized pad on the refrigerator to jot down needed grocery items.

I love this list for many reasons. It’s cute. it’s funny. And it works.

My favorite list, however, is my ‘NOT to-do list.” More about that in an upcoming post.

Do you use lists? If so, what’s your favorite?

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COOL TOOL

 

Great tool to organize your junk drawer - http://tinyurl.com/dd8ndx.

MIDWEEK MOTIVATION

 

 

“Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget about everything except what you're going to do now - and do it.“

William Durant

CUT DOWN ON PAPER PILE-UP

An interesting statistic from the Consumer Research institute…

Americans throw away 44% of junk mail unopened yet still spend 8 months per lifetime opening bulk mail.

Surely you can find better things do do with those eight months, right?

So -- put a trash can and shredder near the door to eliminate junk mail before it comes into the house.

Even better – cut down on how much junk mail you receive by contacting Direct Mail Marketing Association Consumer Choice.

 

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UNCLUTTER YOUR SCHEDULE

There’s nothing that can lead to burnout faster than a packed schedule or to-do list.  This week – give yourself some space.

1. Look at your calendar.
2. Eliminate one activity. (Come on – you can do it!)
3. Enjoy the break.

You will be surprised how giving yourself a little margin will improve your outlook – and productivity.

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Sunday’s Clutter Communiqué

Having trouble getting family members to let go of their stuff? 

Place a box for charitable donations in a convenient place. Then ask each family member to bless others by contributing one useable item each week.

“One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” Proverbs 11:24

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Stash it? Trash it? Or CASH it?

Too much stuff? You’re not alone.

Our families are getting smaller – but the top reason people move into a larger home is so they’ll have more room for their stuff.

Combine that with another scary statistic… the average person spends 4 1/2 hours a week looking for stuff they can’t find.

Sigh.

I can think of many things I’d rather be doing this week than looking for a lost shoe.

So – if you are sick of the clutter but don’t know what to do with it – listen up. The next few weeks, I’ll provide some guidance.

CASH IT

Give the stuff you’re not using to a charitable organization and reap the rewards on April 15th.

Inventory your donation using It’s Deductible and you’ll be amazed what that bag of stuff gleaned from your closet is worth. And, never fear, the resale value of non-cash donations in It’s Deductible has the stamp of approval from the IRS.

The first year I used this tool, we were able to claim $5,124 in non-cash charitable contributions.  A lower tax bill – AND a clean closet.

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