Major home clearing and organizing project

When a loved one passes away, their lifetime can be left in their home.

This is a case of extreme nature in this project.

Clearing this home took 3.5 days and the following supplies and resources:
- 2 professional organizers
- 400+ black bags
-  (3) 15 cubic yard dumpsters
- 3 pick-ups of donations by Goodwill of Northwest Ohio: 40, 50, 200 bags
- 80 lbs of new toiletries and unopened foil/baggies/plastic wrap donated to Cherry St Mission
- 3 bankers boxes of new office supplies, along with several plastic bins/drawer systems donated to local elementary school

To view all 24 before and after pictures please visit our Facebook page 

If you know of a loved one who needs help, please contact me and I will work to find a local organizer to help.

From Cluttered to Clean

It's a new year and time for a new you!

One of the best ways to begin becoming more organized is to let go of things.  Items that are no longer serving a positive function in your life should be sent on their way:  donate, recycle, sell or trash.  

Here's a fabulous little article from the Monroe News to give you a few little ideas to get started:

I truly believe that if you can live with less, you will have more time, energy and freedom to accomplish anything.

You can do it!  I believe in you.

What did you let go of from your home?

Surviving the Back to School Chaos with these organizing tips

Hooray!   Hooray! 
The kids are back in school.

 ... oh, man! Now we have to get up early, be on a schedule and eat dinner in shifts due to after school activities.  That's a end of summer bummer.

 Here are a few great tips the Rebecca Regnier and I chatted about on her weekly show Rebecca Regnier's Full Plate:
13abc.com: Breaking News, Weather and Sports
So, take a moment and think about your home and family.
What is working?
What can be working better?
Talk about these things and come up with a game plan that everyone can help maintain some sanity in your home during the school year.  Everyone in your home can help in some way.

Yes, my boys are living, breathing proof that your kids can do their own laundry.

What are your tricks to back to school?

It's Spring ... Time for your organizing plan

Your house is filled, stacked with stuff.
You'd like to smile, but it's kinda tough.

Finding the time to clear this mess,
is making you feel like you're in distress.

Have no fear, help is here.
My help for you is true and dear.

Let's break it down one box, one room.
Then you'll feel like you're starting to zoom!

OK....that's my attempt at rapping (I know don't give up my day job).

Welcome to Spring!!
You have been cooped up in your home for many months now and things aren't looking like you wish them to be. The overwhelming sense of hopelessness may be setting in. You have got to SNAP out of it!

Give this a shot:
Grab a pad of paper and your favorite writing instrument (mine is a bright red crayon because it's fun). Walk through each room and write down what you done. Any little thought that comes into your head ... write it down.

BEDROOM
-hang clothes
-dust
-remove kid toys
OFFICE
-clear desk
-shred old papers
-hang pictures

Now don't be alarmed if you end up with 3-4 pages of stuff. It's OK, really it's perfect. You now have a plan. It may be a lengthy one though you can't be successful until you have a plan.

Look through the list and decide which room to start. If you just don't know, choose your bedroom. Nothing beats a tidy bedroom to aid in a great night's sleep. Second biggest hurdle is accomplished: Deciding where to begin.

Pick an task and knock it off your list. Even cross it off as you go. This will feel like you are making progress. As you make progress, you gain a sense of accomplishment. Which in turn encourages you to continue the project toward completion.

Very important point: Do not look at the entire list and begin to think, "Oh I am never going to get this done." Stay positive in your thoughts and see the progress you are making.

Little by little your home will feel better and better

What's your favorite writing instrument?

Are you a Bag Lady?

Tax season is upon us and my positive thought for you is this means Spring is around the corner. (Yeah!) Now is the time to start gathering up all your paperwork and start planning to fill out your 1040's. The majority of us must file, so let's make it a happy experience.

Jill called me to help gather all of her paperwork together so she can get it to her accountant. Not too difficult of a task, though for Jill who is in her mid 70's and in a wheelchair this could become challenging. She had placed much of her mail in plastic grocery bags. There wasn't too much junk mail to sort through, but gathering all her medical bills and investement sheets took some time.

"I think I've become a bag lady," Jill commented as we opened a drawer in her dresser filled with bags of paperwork. Well, at least none of the papers will be damaged, I assured her plus it made it easy to sort through the papers since they were grouped in months. There wasn't a bag for each month, rather 2-3 months in each bag.

In the end, we had all of her investment papers together, her medical expenses sorted and the housing receipts collected. Jill thanked me for helping her complete this task in just over one hour, which likely would have taken her a full day and exhausted her had she done this on her own. And, she would likely have bags of unneeded papers scattered about her room.

It's tax time. It is what it is.
Complaining about it isn't going to make it better.
And does complaining ever truly help any situation?

So, What's your positive thought about tax season?

I'm Lovin' this Project Organizer

Smead Manufacturing Company was founded in Hastings, Minnesota in 1906 and has been a woman owned business enterprise since 1955. (Girl Power!)

Recently they sent me a sample of their new "Project Organizer" to review and I gotta say I love it!


Sure it will get you organized and keep you focused on your projects. This organizing tool is pre-printed with templates for optimal organization. Keep track of your project's process, contacts and notes with 10 expanding pockets.
• Quick & easy pre-printed dividers to access project information, tasks, contacts and notes
• Reinforced Tabs
• 10% recycled content, 10% post-consumer material

But why do I love Smead's Project Organizer:
1. It feels durable. It is a paper product, but Smead did a great job making it strong. If it's intention is to be a used for a project, this needs to be able to withstand wear and tear.
2. The tabs are reinforced but also nice and wide, allowing you to clearly label each one should you choose making this item customizable.
3. Great pre-printed areas that will guide you to stay organized and avoiding lost phone numbers, missed deadlines with plenty of room to jot random important notes or changes involving your project.

Though I'm going to go a step further, because there is the potential for personal home use, too:
- You could use it in your kitchen to keep track of take-out menus, receipts from recently purchased items, bills to be paid or items to be filed. Instead of piles on your counter or papers covering your fridge, all those papers can be neatly organized in this expanding set of folders.
- Assign a row of folders (1-3, 4-6, 7-9) to keep track of your kids important school papers, schedules, sports, etc. No more wondering what hour your son has lunch or when the next random day of school the kids will have off.

... Get creative and see how you might be able to use this great item.  Just because it says "Project Organizer" doesn't mean that is its only possible use.

What project are you going to get organized?

Do You Seriously Dust Your Magazines?

Magazines.

Who knew these innocent little reads could cause such headaches as the pile up around you, if you do not keep them in control.

Here's a quick organizing video from Your Rocket Organizer to help encourage you to get your magazines purged and organized:

Organizing your old magazines: foxtoledo.com

Grab a brown paper grocery bag and start loading it up with your old magazines. Any magazine over 3 months has got to go. Most articles are available on-line if that is your justification for keeping it. If there is a layer of dust on them, it has got to go. (plus do you seriously want to dust a magazine?)

Please consider dropping off your magazines to a recycling center or check with you local school to see if they may need them for art projects.

Remember getting organized is an investment in yourself.

Enjoy the day!

What's your favorite magazine?

Time to Get Organized: Challenge #10

Saving one of the worst,
most dreaded organizing tasks out there
for the last of our organizing challenge series.

Though it must be done.

And, if you can come up with a system, you will save a TON of time.

Today's organizing project:
Your paper filing system

Sort & Purge those files
Reward: Tell the kids they can have cookies for breakfast
if they let you sleep in.

Organizing paper is very tedious and time consuming. It is likely that as you begin, every paper needs to be glanced at to figure out "why am I keeping this?" Once you get on a roll, hopefully the papers will begin to fly into the recycling bin or shredder.

Not sure what you need to keep? Check out this post:
"Do I Really Need My Last 5 Years of Electric Bills?"

If you're computer savy, toss the majority of manuals because they are available on-line. Think about your Federal and State tax line items, perhaps set up a folder for each one this year. Saving a big of time and effort rather than sorting a wad of receipts at the end of the year.

Think about how paper moves in and out of your home. Set up your filing system to work with it. For all the great filing systems out there, they will not work unless you use them.

What is the oldest manual you had filed away?

Time to Get Organized: Challenge #5

Magazines.
Who knew these innocent little reads could cause such headaches as the pile up around you, if you do not keep them in control.

Today's organizing project:
Your Magazines.

Clear out your magazines.
Reward: When taking a shower, linger for
an extra couple minutes with your eyes closed.

Grab a brown paper grocery bag and start loading it up with your old magazines. Any magazine over 3 months has got to go. Most articles are available on-line if that is your justification for keeping it. If there is a layer of dust on them, it has got to go. (plus do you seriously want to dust a magazine?)

Please consider dropping off your magazines to a recycling center or check with you local school to see if they may need them for art projects.

The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) has deemed January as National Get Organized Month. Michigan Governer, Jennifer Granholm recently signed a proclamation in support of being more organized in 2010.

Remember getting organized is an investment in yourself.

Enjoy the day!

What's your favorite magazine?

Send in the Organizing Cavalry

One of our biggest battle as professional organizers is not stacks of papers, piles of toys, jammed closets with clothing, wall of boxes in the basement or linen closets tumbling with sheets. That's just stuff.

Husbands.
[disclaimer: True, there are many great, wonderful, supportive, loving, dudes out there]
You are embarrassed and frustrated with your home and know that help is out there. And you need and want it. At a moment, you take a giant step to contact a professional organizer.

After chatting with your professional organizer, you have a sense that the Cavalry is on its way.

Hope and relief that soon your home will feel special.

[enter your husband] He says, "No, to the project."

- If it is a money issue, completely understandable. You definitely should not overextend yourself when it comes to cash. Use the internet to find free tips.

- If it is a control issue, that is something for you to seek help.
(Been there, done that myself. Be strong)

- Perhaps your husband is embarrassed himself for the appearance of your home. Find a quiet moment to talk together about how you will both feel better with completing your organizing project.

Professional organizers are not judgemental. Our purpose is to help you love your home. We will take the time to discuss each of your goals and expectations. Getting your husband to understand the project may be all that is needed to get the supportive green light.

If all else fails, ask for an organizing project for your next holiday gift, birthday present or other special occasion. Most professional organizers offer gift certificates.

When there is a will, there is a way. And when your husband sees how great your home can be, perhaps he'll want to get his stuff organized, too!

What battle are you winning?

Organizing Chaos ... Oh, Yeah Baby!!

"Clouds are not spheres, mountains are not cones, coastlines are not circles, and bark is not smooth, nor does lightning travel in a straight line ... Nature exhibits not simply a higher degree but an altogether different level of complexity". Benoit Mandelbrot

The Mandelbrot Set is infinitely complex though generated from a simple equation involving complex numbers.
(OK, how many are completely lost? Please bear with this Rocket Scientist)

Fractal geometry = rough, fragmented, complex geometric shapes
Complex numbers = meet me at Panera's and I'll explain
Simple equation = Z = Z^2 + C (This explanation may require beers)

ANYWAY....What does this have to do with getting organized?!?

If you look around you there may appear to be chaos, where likely there is order. When working with clients, I notice that usually they know where things are. They have a system or method to their madness. It is when control is lost, their feelings begin to turn negative toward themselves, then I am asked to step in and help.

Chaos exists in Nature and Math, which gives us clouds, lighting bolts and really cool images. These are all beautiful results from chaos.
Chaos is good. Really GOOD!

Without chaos, life would be boring.

Look around you at the chaos in your life. Is there order to it?
Appreciate the beauty of chaos and have fun.
If you are struggling, then get a grip, take charge
and bring in some order.

Give us an example of good chaos.

Smiling and Organizing Papers

What a fun day today!! I helped an older woman, "Cathy", sort out and organize some of her papers and boxes she has accumulated in her lifetime. Our goal was to make space in her living area to invite friends to her home. We did not get a before shot because she was so excited to get started, we just forgot. There were boxes and papers all over her sofa, as they were two weeks ago at the inital consult.

When I left the sofa was cleared off and ready for her friends to visit. She ended up with a partially filled box of important personal documents and memorabilia. I took away one large bag to the dumpster and one box of documents to be shredded.

Now, I mentioned lifetime earlier because Cathy had saved her father's paperwork from 1953! Interesting to see all these old documents, however no need to keep these records.

I enjoyed today because I love helping people, especially the elderly. Cathy told me some great stories about some of the items we sorted through. She began to get excited as progess was being made in finding her sofa again. When I finished, she was truly pleased with my help and I felt great knowing I did a good job.

You know, sometimes you come across someone who just makes you smile. I am quite thankful for meeting Cathy.

What did you do for a client that made you feel wonderful?

Seriously?! Another School Form To Be Signed. When Will This End?

How's it going?
School has been in session for about a month for everyone, except us Michiganders. Woo Hoo, finally a full week of school for our kids!

Your family should be getting back into a routine.
If not, there is likely a bit of stress in your home due to the school papers stacked up everywhere, frantically making lunches/snacks in the morning and, oh yeah, you still have to get ready for work on-time.

If you find yourself feeling under pressure, take a moment and get a grip of what's happening.
(and sing along with Queen and David Bowie)

1. Last Year vs. This Year - Think about and WRITE DOWN the pros and cons of what is going on in your home. From this list, you will be able to see areas you need to change. Writing notes down is far better than letting your thoughts clutter your head and it will be easier to see where you can make changes.

Once you've gathered your thoughts, get the family involved to come up with a plan that will work for everyone. Because if you involve people in decision making, they have a better chance of following up on actions.

2. School papers - A method to the madness of school papers coming home is a MUST! Create a spot for all the papers to be that you need to look at (preferably near the trash).


If you don't need to respond, trash it.
If it's a calendar item, get it on the calendar and trash it.
If it's a field trip, sign the permission slip and write the $5 check and trash it.
If it's the amazing handwriting sheet or math test, acknowledge the wonderful work and, yes, trash it.

Getting through the daily barrage of school papers is a success story in itself.

3. Homework - Kids need a consistent spot to get their work done. No TV/Games/iPod/phones allowed (you gotta be tough). The sooner you instill the importance of being responsible, the better for them. Some kids work best at homework right away after school. Other's need a bit of a break, then hit the books.

4. The Night Before - Preparing at night might be the last thing you want to do, though think about how well you will sleep knowing you are ready for the morning. It's your kids bags, have them make sure all is packed and signed before bed. If they forget their library book one or two time, perhaps they will start to remember. Don't bail them out! Let them learn. Get lunches ready and set in the frig. You could even go as far as setting the table for breakfast.

Getting a household to run smoothly is a constant work in progress. Like anything, little changes add up to success. Be patient. You are doing a great job.

What's your favorite school subject?

Organizing Product Not So Smart With Me

If you are someone who LOVES stacks of paper all over your desk or countertop, perhaps the PileSmart products from Pendaflex are for you.

I am not a paper piling kinda a person. Yeah, I will admit to papers on my desk, but no piles.

When working with clients I encourage them to remember:

Horizontal = Hidden
Vertical = Visable

The PileSmart Organizer Tray system will work great for you if you are a paper stacker. Nice clear, angled acrylic tray to keep your pile neat. Six colorful, thick plastic dividers with label areas on 2 sides which are erasable. If you are going to stack papers, this system will help keep your pile neat and tidy. The plastic dividers will help in keeping sorted piles separated, but I'm just not getting a warm fuzzy by stacking stuff. Hey, if you are a passionate paper pile person, then for about $20 give the PileSmart Organizer Tray system a shot.

Now, the Pendaflex PileSmart View Folders are getting closer to my organizing performance and love. These clear poly folders include write-on labeling tabs. The claim that the textured surface will prevent piles from slipping is a bit weak. The folders do holds up to 75 sheets of letter size paper and fit into hanging folders (YEAH!! For vertical filing). For about $10, these folders will do the trick in keeping your papers in order and protect them from any liquid spillage that is bound to occur at some point.

Finally, we come to the PileSmart Binder Clips. These babies are brightly colored and designed to clip up to 100 sheets of paper together. The built-in write and erase labels are visible even when documents are stacked in piles, which will save you time when you're trying to figure out what is in the stacks. Too bad Pendaflex put their brand name on one side of the writing tab, it would be nice to have the option to label either side of the tab. Since you could then hang (yeah, vertically) the clipped stacks of papers on a hook to display for easy use. Bottomline, I do like the PileSmart Binder Clips and for about $4 for a pack of 6, they are an inexpensive tool in helping organize your papers.

It needs to be noted that being a professional organizer, Pendaflex sent me these new products to review in exchange for a $20 gift card. My thoughts are completely my own. I'd like to say I love this new product, but overall it misses my style of organizing.

What organizing product do you find misses the mark?

How do you organize your writing, and when do you know it's time to get rid of a ..."but it's a beautiful piece"

There is so much personal value placed on items that you have touched. Especially those that come from your heart and soul. Though if those same items are beginning to weigh on you, then it is time for a change.

Go slow.
You may reduce in stages taking a large amount and letting go of 1 for every 3, then repeat again 1 for 2.

Without knowing many factors in your question, I would say pick up two pieces. One in each hand. Which one feels better? Say goodbye to the other. It is tough. Though you will feel a huge weight lifted from you.

Good luck!
I believe you can do this.

Ask me anything

All Your Organizing Questions Answered Here!

"Ask an Organizer" is one of the most attended sessions at the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)conference sessions. Yours truly was honored to be one of the 5 awesome women to share our wisdom to our fellow professional organizers. The questions asked were wonderful and shared a great deal of insight into client and business situations.

... which got me thinking ...

What questions YOU may have out there in blog world about organizing, downsizing, sorting, purging, filing, donations, moving, labeling, tossing, keeping, deciding and eating (well not really eating, though I can give my opinion)?

Lately it seems many questions and comments are being left at the Facebook Fanpage of Organized Solutions, which is great. You are invited to join, if you wish. Ask your questions here, there or send me an email. I will answer all your questions ... and I promise to be creative on the ones I have no idea.

So ...

What's your organizing question?

You're Awesome. Wanna Go Bowling in Canada?

We all have these ho-hum, woe is me kinda days. Getting motivated to get work done and putting on a happy face is such a struggle. Perhaps you need a reminder of how great you really are.

When working with people organizing their home office, I always make sure we have a Feel Good folder. Everyone absolutely needs to have some form of this in their life.

In your Feel Good folder, you'll have a small collection of notes, cards and such that remind you how great you are. This folder is great on those ho-hum days, and even essential, on those days when you feel you've been run over by a freight train left on the tracks to rot.

When you feel the need for a little pick me up, open up your folder and look at the sweetest little note from your son, a birthday card that just made you laugh out loud, a note from a friend telling you how proud she is of you or a thank you from a friend who you helped install a hardwood floor.

After a trip down "Hot damn I am pretty awesome" lane, you will begin to feel much better about the world around you. Slip your Feel Good folder back into your cabinet knowing that you've got a boost of your greatness waiting for you in a moment's notice.

What's in your Feel Good folder?

The Organizing Shuffle

You split the cards into two piles,
turn them toward each other,
Lift up the inside edges,
apply a little pressure,
and ... Viola! 2 stacks shuffle into one.

Yeah!

... Well, have you ever organized your area by grouping smaller piles into bigger piles?

Hate to say it, but you're doing the Organizing Shuffle.
(for some reason right now I hear the "Do the Hustle" softly in the background)

OK, the Organizing Shuffle also includes:
-Moving items from one room to another, to sort later.
-Clearing off an area, only to place everything back.
-Picking up the same item more than twice, setting it back down because you don't know what to do with it. (likely to only be picked up again very soon)

How do you combat the choregraphed movement of your stuff?
STOP IT

You've decided you want to get organized, Right?

The hard truth:
You are going to have to part with some stuff.
I'm not saying this is an easy task. Though I've seen the benefits in people's lives by letting go of a few items.

Remember, 80% of the clutter in most homes is a result of disorganization, not lack of space.

Start with a small project. Maybe you can only let go of 1-2 items the first time. That's better than nothing, right? Next project consider letting go of 4-6 items ... heck, maybe a whole box of stuff.

You'll begin to feel lighter, air will breathe easier into your lungs and looking around you'll be proud of your organizing project. Maybe ready to tackle another room.

What disco tune is shaking your booty?

Time To Get Organized: Challenge #10

Saving one of the worst,
most dreaded organizing tasks out there
for the last of our organizing challenge series.

Though it must be done.

And, if you can come up with a system, you will save a TON of time.

Today's organizing project:
Your paper filing system

Sort & Purge those files

Reward: Tell the kids they can have cookies for breakfast
if they let you sleep in.

Organizing paper is very tedious and time consuming. It is likely that as you begin, every paper needs to be glanced at to figure out "why am I keeping this?" Once you get on a roll, hopefully the papers will begin to fly into the recycling bin or shredder.

Not sure what you need to keep? Check out this post from last year:
"Do I Really Need My Last 5 Years of Electric Bills?"

If you're computer savy, toss the majority of manuals because they are available on-line. Think about your Federal and State tax line items, perhaps set up a folder for each one this year. Saving a big of time and effort rather than sorting a wad of receipts at the end of the year.

Think about how paper moves in and out of your home. Set up your filing system to work with it. For all the great filing systems out there, they will not work unless you use them.

Here's a list of our 2010 organizing challenges:
#1 Organizing Your Inbox
#2 Organizing Your Medicine Cabinet
#3 Organizing Your Pantry
#4 Organizing Your Work Area
#5 Organizing Your Magazines
#6 Organizing Your Car
#7 Organizing Scavenger Hunt
#8 Organizing Your Linen Closet
#9 Organizing Your Sock Drawer

My hope was to give you a starting point to becoming more organized in the new year. Perhaps from time to time I will add a little challenge here and there to keep you on track. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

What is the oldest manual you had filed away?

Do I Really Need My Last 5 Years of Electric Bills?

Oh, it's that time of year to begin sorting through all your files to find the info for your tax returns. After doing some research, here are some suggestions on what to keep and how long:

Taxes, 7 years
The IRS has 3 years from your filing date to audit your return if it suspects good faith errors. The 3 year deadline also applies if you discover a mistake in your return and decide to file an amended return to claim a refund. The IRS has 6 years to challenge your return if it thinks you underreported your gross income by 25% or more. There is no time limit if you failed to file your return or filed a fraudulent return.
- Items to retain: Tax returns and forms, records for all tax deductions

IRA contributions, Permanently
If you made a nondeductible contribution to an IRA, keep the records indefinitely to prove that you already paid tax on this money when the time comes to withdraw.
- Item to retain: Investment statement

Retirement/savings plan statements, 1 year to permanently
Many people view their statements online which is great, less shredding at the end of the year. You only need your annual summary for your records. Keep these until you close the account or retire.
- Item to retain: annual account summaries

Bank records, 1 year to permanently
Keep only those related to taxes, business expenses, home improvement and mortgage payments. With online banking bill pay, use your monthly bank statments.
- Items to retain: monthly bank statements and check records

Brokerage statements, Until you sell the securities
You need the purchase/sales slips from your investments to show capital gains or losses.
- Items to retain: Purchase and sales records

Bills, 1 year to permanently
Once your utility bill is paid, you no longer need the bill. Unless you claim it on your taxes, then you keep it with your Tax files. For large purchase items (appliances, cars, furniture, computers, jewelry, etc), you need to keep for proof of purchase in event of loss or damage for insurance.
- Items to retain: Purchase receipts, bills for tax purpose

Credit cards, 45 days to 7 years
Keep your receipts until your monthly statement and everything matched up (and you have decided you are not going to return the item). If there are tax deductions, then keep statements/receipts for 7 years.
- Items to retain: receipts and statements for tax purposes

Paycheck stubs, 1 year
If your annual W-2 matches your information, then shred your stubs. If the numbers do not add up, then request a corrected form called a W-2c.
-Items to retain: Annual W-2

Home records, 6 years to permanently
Keep all records documenting the purchase price and costs for home improvements. Along with records of expenses in selling and buying your property. These items are added to the original purchase price, increasing your profit. When you sell your home, you can lower your capital gains tax with these records.
-Items to retain: Home purchase and improvement records

What's the oldest paper in your files?