Organizing On The Cheap

Holiday Organizing Part 1 – A Gift-Giving Game Plan

2011-11-25T12:01:00.000-05:00

Before you break out your credit card and start spending willy-nilly, create a “gift giving game plan”.

1. Establish a budget: You don’t want to be paying off this year’s holidays next December so set limits! I would leave a little room for entertainment costs such as Christmas dinner which can get pricey.

2. Make a list of gift recipients: I recommend starting those closest to you and work your way out. Jot down things you know they’d like and an estimate of cost.

With budget set and list in hand, try something new. Last year we agreed to give gifts that were “consumable”. In other words, we weren’t giving “stuff” that creates clutter; we chose things that the recipient could use up. For example, my parents both have Nooks so we bought them gift cards for e-books. I think those cards we tapped out inside 2 weeks.

Here are some “consumable” ideas

· Experiences/events - like movie/ concert /amusement park tickets

· Your time – offer neighbors/friends babysitting, pet-sitting or help with a household project

· Plants – I always give my neighbors poinsettias grown at the VA hospital greenhouse in Salem, VA

· Food - cookies, candy or Chex Mix or all of the above! Not a whiz in the kitchen? Visit a locally owned business and buy some goodies

· Gift cards

· Make a donation to a charity in their name

· Make gifts – flex your creativity muscles and give something truly personal

Manage your receipts. For store bought gifts, have a designated envelope, file folder or organizer for those receipts. I would suggest doing it by store or recipient to simplify locating when something needs to be returned.

And now for the greeting cards… Again I would make a list first. Once you have the list, assemble the addresses. Doing a photo based card? Order now and when they arrive, chip away at the list a little at a time over morning coffee or for 15 minutes before you go to bed. This is much better than a marathon card-writing session.

Want to do one better? Think e-cards instead! Not only do they eliminate the paper waste but saves you lots of money in postage alone! Here are some sites to try:

Wrap it up. I am not a strong gift-wrapper. As a result, I take advantage of stores that offer free gift wrapping and you should too. Not only does it save money on wrapping paper but saves you precious time during a frenetic holiday season.

For those gifts that still need to be wrapped, I recommend setting up a wrapping station somewhere in the house early on (think Black Friday) for everyone to use. It helps prevent the scramble when you need to get out the door with a gift. Have all of the supplies you’ll need ready to go: scissors, tape, paper, gift tags, tissue, gift bags, and a garbage can.

Need more help getting organized for the holidays? Contact me today annegarneau@freshstartprofessionalorganizing.com or 540-589-1779

Want to tackle clutter once and for all? I say start SMALL!

2011-10-28T09:00:00.002-04:00

More and more we are driven to distraction by all of things on our calendars. Often clients say they are constantly multitasking to get everything done before they collapse in the wee hours of the morning.

"Managing two mental tasks at once reduces the brainpower available for either task.”

The Awful Truth Behind Multi-tasking. NeuroImage 03/14/2003

We’ve forgotten the importance of focusing on one task at a time and taking it to completion. I recommend this approach when you’re ready to tackle an organizing project. Whether it’s an entire room or just a cluttered workspace - start small.

First things first, to “start” anything, like a project for work/school/volunteer opportunities you need to have an objective, goal or “finish line”. Just like setting the GPS in your car, you have to enter a destination for it to work. With no destination, it is easy to get derailed or prevent the project from ever getting started. And, just as important, make sure the goal is realistic.

Once you’ve established a goal (let’s say a more usable, efficient home office) determine what needs to happen to accomplish it and break it into small, manageable pieces.

Not convinced? Think about the following:

1. Small projects are more likely to be totally completed. The result is the sense success you need to continue and remain motivated to reach the finish line.

2. Working small, also prevents the chaos from tearing into a larger project and causing, what I call, “collateral damage”-meaning the mess spreads into other spaces as a result of cleaning out/sorting/purging.

3. Smaller project are less likely to lead to “burn-out”. Think about cleaning out loaded two car garage during a beautiful fall weekend. Not only do you lose valuable time with your family but also may be setting yourself up to fail. Given the size of the project, you may not complete it leaving you with a feeling of hopelessness and diminishing your motivation to take on anything else.

Okay, so what is a small project? I define it as a self-contained project that takes 30 minutes to 90 minutes to complete in its entirety and contributes to the larger goal. Here are some examples:

• Paper from one surface (kitchen table, countertop, desktop) that fits into a small box (about the size of four to five shoe boxes)

• A small closet: linen or entry hall that doesn’t contain any memory items

• A small box of kids artwork (again, about four to five shoe boxes)

Finally, the great thing about focusing on one smaller project at a time is that it doesn’t require setting aside a weekend to accomplish. Just a little time after the kids go to bed or on a Saturday morning before the busy weekend ensues will get you to your goal.

Need help tackling a really chaotic space? Let me help you restore order and give you the tools to keep it that way for good. Call or email me today:

540-589-1779/annegarneau@freshstartprofessionalorganizing.com

HELP! I AM DROWNING IN KIDS’ ARTWORK!

2011-10-06T16:08:00.000-04:00

Written by Anne Garneau, Fresh Start Professional Organizing & Kelly Gunzenhauser, freelance writer

One of the most common requests I get as a professional organizer is, “What do I do with the artwork my kids bring home from school?” With so many kids in preschool these days, it can feel like your home is overrun with glittery, painted masterpieces. Art is a very important part of learning for children of all ages—especially if you have a little visual learner in the house. Here are some suggestions for making sure that it doesn’t end up in piles all over the house, waiting on a final decision to keep or toss it.

• First of all, as soon as art comes home, display it. This keeps it from piling up on the dining room table or your desk.

• Have a designated place to hang school art. An inexpensive system is to string a clothesline, ribbon or other string with clips across a wall or over an open window. Let the kids attach their own artwork leave it up for a week or until more comes home.

• For a more formal display, place kid art in a shadowbox frame that allows the art to be changed out frequently (and easily). Check out these two options:

http://www.amazon.com/Lil-DaVinci-Store-Display-Cabinet/dp/B000IF7JYC/ref=pd_sim_t_6

http://www.michaels.com/Instant-Shadowbox-with-Pins/fr0360,default,pd.html?start=1&cgid=products-framing-shadowboxes

• Make a fancy display frame by purchasing a large, empty frame at a thrift store. Spray paint it to your liking and hang on the wall. Use poster putty to attach the “weekly” masterpieces—there is no damage to the wall and the kids can replace the art themselves.

• Regardless of the type of display, have your child participate in putting it up and taking down older pieces. Letting them choose what to leave up and what to store or toss teaches them prioritizing and organization.

• If you are in charge of removing art, make a decision as you take it down—is it a masterpiece, or representative their development/personality, or something you will want to display for next year’s holiday? If the answer is no, recycle it.

• If recycling seems too harsh, give it another purpose using one of these great ideas by fellow professional organizer, Marilyn Bohn. Use as wrapping paper for a family gift, laminate to make placemats as a gift, or use it as stationary or homemade birthday cards for your child to personalize.

• To store the art you decide to keep, create an identity box for each child. Purchase a large, flat, plastic tub with lid that seals shut. Personalize it with your child’s name, then use an extra-large paper envelope labeled with the current school year to store the art. (If you like to feature previous years’ holiday artwork when setting up for Christmas/Easter/Halloween, laminate it before you store it, and use it as an ornament/door decoration.)

• If you prefer, here are two examples of expandable artwork files that would work as well:

http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Toys-Art-Expandable-File/dp/B000HV0XLS

http://www.amazon.com/Constructive-Playthings-My-Timeless-Treasures/dp/B0019HWV6E/ref=pd_sim_t_7

• Another less expensive idea and easier to store solution is to purchase an artist portfolio from an art supply store or on Amazon. Here is an example:

http://www.amazon.com/Portfolio-Storage-Display-Sleeves-Views/dp/B0000AE68P/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1289249851&sr=8-1

• Another fun, unique way to celebrate masterpieces is to make them into stickers. Check out: http://www.petitepicasso.com/customstickers.html

• On the same site you can make them into fancy folded cards/holiday cards: http://www.petitepicasso.com/customfoldedcards.html

• If you just don’t want to keep up with a lot of paper, use a digital camera to photograph pieces as they come in. You can even photograph your little artist holding the pictures! Burn the photos to disk at the end of the school year or post them on a sharing site so family and friends can view them.

By creating a designated display area away from the refrigerator door and a system for storing/sharing masterpieces, you can prevent your kids’ artwork from overrunning your home. More importantly, you are setting an example for your children. By watching and participating they will learn how to make decisions and keep an organized space.

Get Organized! It’s Back to School Time

2011-08-01T09:04:00.000-04:00

It isn’t too soon to be thinking about getting the kids –and yourself - ready for back to school. And I’m not talking about shopping for pencils, notebooks or backpacks. Take this opportunity to set up new systems to quell the morning chaos and set the tone for an organized and successful school year.

Prevent morning madness:

Try to do as much as possible the night before to prepare for the coming day. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Lay out your clothes and theirs. Take this one step further and use a hanging shelf with weekday labels and pick out clothes for the week on Sunday night.

• Get backpacks ready, and don’t forget signature-required items for school.

• Get your bag/briefcase ready

• Move/load car seats into correct vehicle

• Get breakfast ready. Cook bacon or hard boil eggs the night before - a big time saver!

• Run and empty the dishwasher so you can just drop dirty dishes in

• Pack lunches or have lunch bags and water bottles out

Rise and shine:

Getting kids back on the right sleep schedule can be nearly impossible the first couple of weeks. So start a “phase in” program. Several weeks before school begins, wake them up 10 minutes earlier than usual. The next week, make it 15 minutes earlier. And so on. By the time school begins, you’ll have reset their body clocks and won’t need to pry them out of bed with a crowbar.

Decide if your older children are ready to use an alarm clock. If so, start practicing this summer so that by the first day of school they can use it themselves.

Create a “command center”:

Calendar and paper management are large time siphons if you don't have a system to manage them. Create a command center in your home dedicated to managing daily activities, school papers and mail. It can be a desk; an entry hall table, or even a corner of the kitchen. Here are some key pieces that make up a successful command center:

• Wall calendar big enough to write in appointments or activities.

• Spiral notebook: Instead of using post-it notes and scraps of paper, write notes, phone messages and the like where they can’t get tossed by accident.

• Pens/pencils and a sharpener

• Letter opener

• Scissors

• Tape

• Bulletin board or magnetic surface: It’s great for party invitations and event flyers.

• Hooks or cubbies: Use for backpacks/shoes/sports bags.

• Paper shredder

• Place to charge phones

• Most important - A self contained system for managing paper

Manage the “white wave”

An old boss of mine coined this phrase and it is so true. A tremendous amount of paper comes into our homes every day. Whether its mail or school papers, you need to have a system to manage it or it will knock you over like a tidal wave.

My suggestion is to create a desktop file box or drawer called Action Items. This will be your go-to place for everything that needs to acted on or readily available on a daily basis. Here are some suggestions for folders:

• To Do

• To Pay

• To File

• Receipts

• Coupons

• School

• Activities

Keep in mind this list is for ideas. Perhaps having a folder for each child like “School – Child’s Name” or “Soccer” vs. “Activities” would serve you better. Create folder names that make sense to you and tweak the system until it works.

Final two cents:

Getting organized is a process, not a contest. Just like quitting smoking or losing weight, you have to change your behavior to be successful. So, instead of trying everything from the list above, select one or two items and focus on making them work for you. When you’ve tackled those, try a few more until your family is reaping the benefits of organization!

Retire Your Recipe Box - Create A Custom Cookbook

2011-07-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

Have a pile of loose recipes on your kitchen counter or a recipe box that’s overflowing? Clear the counter and make your own cookbook! Yet another easy project you can knock out while watching your favorite show or during nap time.

Create your cookbook:

1. Purchase/repurpose a three ring binder and tab dividers. It should have pockets in the front and back.

2. Get a package of sheet protectors. I recommend having at least 50 on hand.

3. Gather up all of your loose recipes and empty the recipe box

4. Sort the recipes:

a. Family favorites

b. Those you’d like to try but haven’t

5. Label the tab dividers into categories that make sense to you. For example, entrées or desserts.

6. Take the family favorites; sort them into those categories and put them into the sheet protectors

7. For the recipes that you haven’t tried, put these into the front and back pockets

8. When trying to decide what to make for dinner or a party, consult the pockets first.

9. After you try one, decide if it is “worthy” of being placed into your cookbook. Not so much? Toss it!

Other thoughts:

• I put little cheat sheets I find, like units of measure or ingredient substitutions. You could also include centerpiece ideas or pretty table settings.

• Keep extra sheet protectors in the back

• Done with a magazine that a friend would enjoy? Tear out or copy the recipes you’d like to try and give it away. My neighbor gives me her Southern Living magazines when she’s done with them-awesome!

• And what about those cookbooks that have only contain a couple of recipes you like? Copy the winners and re-gift or donate the book.

What I love about this project:

It encourages cooking meals at home which saves money on eating out and quells the clutter to boot!

Need more help? Contact me by phone at 540-589-1779 or by email at annegarneau@freshstartprofessionalorganizing.com

Love Your Linen Closet!

2011-07-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Here’s a project you can tackle in about an hour (and escape the summer heat): the linen closet. Everyone in your household utilizes this space at least once a day so items need to be easy to find and, more importantly, easy to put away.

Challenge 1: The shelves are too deep. The ideal depth for linen closet shelves is 12 to 16 inches. You know your shelves are too deep when you waste time searching for pillow cases or waste money buying additional shampoo, soap, etc. when you had plenty on hand.

What to do: If your shelves are made of wood resting on cleats attached to the wall; consider carefully removing the shelves and cutting them down. If your shelves are wire, head over to Lowes or Home Depot, they offer wire shelves at 16” depth.

Challenge 2: There’s just too much stuff. I often find linen closets stuffed to the max with an excess of linens, towels and toiletries. And, frequently, when we unload the contents, clients’ find there are things that don’t belong there in the first place.

What to do: Laura Wittmann, author of Clutter Rehab suggests paring down your stock to three towels and washcloths per person, two sets of sheets per bed, plus a nice set of guest towels. (I love this idea so much; I am instituting it at my house!)

As far as the lotions and potions and other toiletries, I recommend having an inexpensive plastic bin (think Dollar Store) or basket labeled for each person. Their bin should contain extra items that are specific to them (i.e.: favorite hair product), but keep mind that they should be only things they really use. (Translation: Those bath beads you got as a gift three years ago need to be tossed!)And you don’t really need to have a year’s supply of anything-trust me. One to two months worth of any one thing should cut it.

If a bin per person doesn’t work for you, try categories instead like “dental care” or “hair care”. In our house we have a bin for “travel” which has been a huge help during packing. I find this method works well for creating shopping lists and prevents over-shopping. As part of your routine, after you’ve finished in the kitchen bring your list to the linen closet, look at the category bins and add anything that you’re running low on.

Good Luck & Happy Organizing!

Anne

Need hands on help? Let me help you restore order and give you the tools to stay organized for good.

Call or email me today: 540-589-1779/annegarneau@freshstartprofessionalorganizing.com

Summer Organizing Projects for the Whole Family

2011-07-13T08:00:00.003-04:00

We’ve all heard the expression “lazy days of summer”. Make this summer about more than sleeping in, lounging by the pool, and family vacations. This summer, get the whole family involved in digging out from under the clutter, making your house an organized, peaceful place!

You’re probably saying, “I can’t get my kids to do anything much during the summer. They certainly won’t enjoy this.” But they will, and you will too. Try one of these projects:

Finally create those photo albums or scrapbooks you’ve been talking about for years. On a rainy afternoon, pick a small box or digital folder of photos and get the kids involved in picking out the best shots. Pack them in an album and ditch the ones that aren’t worth keeping.

Make money and go see that summer blockbuster. Consignment shopping is hot, and consignment stores are always accepting new items. Recently, I took clothing to Plato’s Closet and once Upon a Child for a client’s daughters. Each child made over $25. What a motivator for purging unneeded clothes and toys!

Planning a family trip or stay-cation? Don’t wait until the last minute to think of activities. Create a folder specifically for the trip and tell everyone to tuck their ideas inside. A week before the big event, go through the folder after a family dinner and come up with a game plan. Not only will everyone have more fun, but you’re also demonstrating how being organized and planning ahead pays off.

Need more help? Let me help you restore order and give you the tools to stay organized for good.

Call or email me today: 540-589-1779/annegarneau@freshstartprofessionalorganizing.com

20 Minute Miracle

2011-07-09T16:10:00.000-04:00

Recently, I met with a busy mom about time management and her home office. She has a 5 year old and an 18 month old. She volunteers. She writes a magazine. She makes and sells candles. She runs a catering business. I am exhausted just writing about it!

While sharing her calendar woes, she said something brilliant, “I do everything in 20 minute increments.” She may struggle with managing her time and office clutter, but she definitely knows what works for mothers with young children!

Her office was really overwhelmed by piles of paper, supplies and other “stuff”. She admitted that she avoids using this space because of it. So I decided to capitalize on her work style and broke up the decluttering/organizing of this space into 20 minute mini-projects. I created an action plan with due dates for the mini-projects and planned to check in on her progress to keep her on task. We set a realistic goal to complete the entire room in one month. The month isn’t out but I know she will be successful because breaking up large tasks into bite size pieces; setting realistic goals and being held accountable really works.

Try this on a cluttered space in your home. A good candidate for most young families is the kitchen. Cabinets, drawers and countertops accumulate stuff quickly making meal prep frustrating. Set your oven timer for 20 minutes and tackle one cabinet (you will be amazed what you find lurking in the very back). Tomorrow, take 20 minutes while you have a load in the washer and do another one. Before you know it, you’ll actually be able to put the clean dishes away and find lids to all of your plastic containers! Have trouble staying on task? Find a friend or family member who wants to tackle a similar project and hold each other accountable.

Need help tackling a really chaotic space? Let me help you restore order and give you the tools to keep it that way for good. Contact me today: 540-589-1779
annegarneau@freshstartprofessionalorganizing.com

Contain Creatively!

2011-04-20T22:34:00.000-04:00

Being a professional organizer means I am constantly on the hunt for creative new ways to store my clients extra office supplies, kitchen stuff, crafting tools – the list goes on and on. And, sometimes, I want to offer them alternatives to plastic tubs, woven baskets or canvas cubes from a big retailer.

One of my favorite activities on a rainy weekend day is to visit some of the great antique stores in southwest/western Virginia. Last Saturday I was “browsing” my way through the Roanoke Antique Mall and was thrilled to see how many booths featured cool tins, jars and boxes in a multitude of sizes. Not only is there beauty in their imperfection and age but you are also recycling! (Get your recycling on - Earth Day is this Friday, April 22nd). So think about using something with history to store your vast and sundry goodies vs. buying new.

Take a look at all of the fun things I saw!

This would be great for scissors, pens, markers etc.

Have a lot of "active" files you need to access? This would be perfect.

Great for paper clips, tacks, buttons, beads - you name it!

What about all of those different scrapbooking scissors?

Old suitcases are just fantastic! Not only do they look great stacked for a fun decorative element, but would also work great for scrapbooking papers, gift bags or even storing children's artwork.

By the way, this green biscuit tin is actually from my desk at Fresh Start headquarters (my house). I got it for $3 at an antique shop in Lynchburg. It holds all of my pens and Sharpies and is just as cute as it can be!

Need more than just storage suggestions? Contact me today: 540-589-1779/ annegarneau@freshstartprofessionalorganizing.com

Conquering Your Closet Woes before Spring Clothes

2011-01-31T18:39:00.001-05:00

Though we are still in the throes of winter, spring will soon be upon us and that means changing out your winter garb and gear spring clothes. Before the big change-out takes place think about your closet space. Is it working for you? Or are clothes getting wrinkled and/or end up on the floor ? Are you constantly missing one shoe?

Maybe it’s time to make some changes.

Don’t worry I’m not going to suggest using some expensive custom closet company. After all, this is Organizing on the Cheap! If you have a Home Depot, Lowes or Target nearby you’ll have access to everything you need.

There are two product lines I recommend: Rubbermaid® and Closetmaid ® both have design tools, though Rubbermaid’s is really easy to use. Closetmaid’s is challenging but you can also have them design it for just $5! The best part is that when the design is completed you will have a parts list and design plan to follow.

If you are handy and have the time to purchase and install the components of your new closet, have at it and congrats for saving big money. But for those of us, who live really hectic lives, consider using a handyman. Think about it, you have the plan and a parts list why not have someone execute the project quickly and correctly? After all saving time is saving money!

And here’s where I do a shameless plug for my friend Wes Smith of Quality Handyman Services who services the greater Roanoke area. If you live locally and need a handyman, I highly recommend him. I have worked with him on my clients’ projects-he does great work at a reasonable price. And, if you contact him after reading this blog, he’ll offer you $30 off a job of $300 or more (not including materials)!

Either way you decide to go, consider painting the inside of your closet white while you’re at it. You may ask, why? Because over time the walls of your closet collect odors and painting neutralizes those odors. Plus white makes the inside of your closet look fresh and new!

Need help with your closet or other spaces in your home? Contact me by phone at 540-589-1779 or email at annegarneau@freshstartprofessionalorganizing.com.

UN-Decorating

2010-12-30T11:08:00.003-05:00

You spent tons of time finding homes for all of those cherished family mementos and covered every horizontal and vertical surface with ribbon, lights, candles or garland. But now you have to take it all down and put it away and that’s just not as fun. And why would it be, when most people shove stuff in boxes, knowing ahead of time how hard it will be to find stuff next year? Are your decorations being contained in beat-up, cardboard boxes taped shut and stacked on top of one another? Are lights and garlands always tangled when you get them out? As long as you have to take it down anyway, why not take this opportunity to organize your holiday decorations for next year’s festivities?

Things to consider when “un-decorating”:

1. Do you have one designated area for holiday decorations? Was that area easy to access this year?

Most people scatter decorations in the attic, basement, and closets-wherever it will all fit. If you don’t have a single location designated for holiday decorations, I suggest figuring out a way to create one. Do not utilize this area for any other items besides holiday decorations. Consolidate all of your decorations to this one area and you’ll find the unpacking process next year to be a snap.

As you choose your area, consider the climate issues you might encounter. For example, basements can be damp and some can experience water intrusion so decorations should be up off of the floor, especially if you use cardboard storage boxes.

Once you have your spot picked out, what do you need to add to make sure it can accommodate your decorations? For example, if you clear out a corner of the basement and add inexpensive shelving, make sure the shelving you select can handle the weight and size of the items you intend on storing and that it takes advantage of the ceiling height. Be careful to keep smaller, lighter items on the top shelves and heavier on the bottom. Consider installing hooks on available walls as well.

2. Next, answer this: how do you need to store hard-to-store items? What I’ve noticed is that people are always tempted to buy another large plastic bin for storage and just end up shoving the items inside. Before you head out to purchase yet another storage bin, take a moment and think about the items you’re storing.

Lights & garlands: The simplest (and cheapest) solution to prevent the tangled mess is cable ties. These can be purchased at Lowe’s, Home Depot or Walmart. Wind up your lights like you would an extension cord or rope and use the cable ties to hold them in place. Then you can put all of your lights in one container without fear of tangling. Next year, simply cut the cable ties and unwind your lights! Keep a container of ties in the same bin as the lights so they are handy when packing everything back up.

Ornaments: These can be very fragile or in awkward shapes so consider investing in plastic or heavy duty cardboard containers with dividers designed for this purpose. These are carried in some home improvement stores but you will also find them online at Organized A to Z , Organize It, The Container Store, or Organize.com.

Wreaths: Again there are products designed for specifically for storing wreaths and are worth the investment if you own artificial wreaths that are used year after year. *Check out the same sites listed under ornaments.

Wrapping paper and bows: There are a lot of storage options for these items as well, but I would caution against the standing bins. Typically, they are not large enough to accommodate extra long rolls of paper or the bows. Consider flat boxes or containers instead that can stack on top of a larger bin. More importantly, purchase and keep only enough paper to support that year’s gifts. Don’t stockpile wrapping paper unless it is a solid color and can be used for more than just the holidays (which is a great idea and can save you money).

3. Do you just have too much? Less really IS more. Will reducing the number of decorations you display by affect your enjoyment of the holiday itself? Of course not. So why not take the opportunity presented by this un-decorating event to hone down the collection by 25%? Ask yourself the following questions before just packing an item away:

Do you love it or is it a family heirloom?
Is this item broken or not working?
How many of this item do you have? Do you really need that many?

4. The temptation of the “after Christmas sale”. Do you really need 25 more gold balls? Lots of people are tempted to purchase holiday decorations or wrapping paper on clearance after the holidays. Resist the temptation unless you are REPLACING something that was damaged or broken that you really need. DO NOT just add more “stuff” to your already unwieldy collection. Use the money you save for a family movie night!

5. Finally, let’s face it: un-decorating is a little sad. Make it a treat for yourself. Put on a favorite movie or stock your IPod with upbeat music. Plan to pick up takeout as a reward for getting your new year started out on the right foot. And, don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for the great organizing job you did. Next year, decorating will be a piece of cake (or fruitcake).

Need more help than un-decorating after the holidays? Want to get 2011 off to an organized start? Contact me by phone at 540-589-1779 or email. You can also visit my website to learn more about my services.

Get Organized for the Holidays and Save Money

2010-11-18T00:20:00.000-05:00

I was standing in line at a women’s clothing store two days ago waiting to checkout. There was a woman in front of me in line who seemed to be holding up the works. Normally, I wouldn’t mind but she only had a few items. So what was taking so long? I leaned my head a little and discovered the holdup-she had coupons, at least 3, could have been more. Suddenly, I wasn’t testy anymore. I was jealous! She saved a bundle buying holiday gifts by being organized!

As I’ve identified in a previous post, coupons will save you a ton of money. My fellow shopper realized the same, saved up her “City Cash” coupons from New York and Co. and put them to good use for holiday shopping. And, she shopped during the week at dinner time, time-thrifty as well.

I would definitely recommend following the lead of this shopper. And here are some other thoughts:

1. Create your list of gift recipients and what you intend on purchasing for each on an envelope.

2. Put coupons for the stores where you plan to buy those gifts in the envelope.

3. Select a date and time when you’re going shopping. Keeping in mind that dinner time during the week is optimal. (Bring a coupon for a nearby restaurant if you won’t be up to cooking afterward)

Another way to save even more money, more time, and more of your sanity is to shop online. When you shop online you save gas, time, and hassles. You can do it anytime. And now you can make money with rebate sites like http://www.ebates.com/. There are others out there, like http://www.extrabux.com/ and http://www.mrrebates.com/ I just haven’t used them yet.

I signed up for Ebates.com after seeing one of their TV commercials. Sign up is free and takes about one minute. Then, because I had to buy something anyway, I found Home Depot on the list and ordered what I needed. I think HD also had a free shipping offer going as well-an added bonus. Two weeks later I got a check for about $8.

Think if you bought all of your holiday gifts online-you’d have a nice check after the holidays!

If your budget is smaller and you have the skills, why not bake for some of the people on your list? Two years ago, I received a big plate of cookies from friends. I love good cookies of any kind, but what I really loved about these was that their children had participated in the baking. Those little misshapen, goofy-looking treats were fantastic! Have to give my friends snaps-they saved money and came up with a great holiday activity for their kids at the same time. Another way of looking at it-consumable gifts like cookies, fruit or specialty coffees don’t take up space or create clutter. And, if you really plan who you’re baking for; how much each of those people will receive; and use food coupons you will save money.

Another way to make the holiday special if you don’t have money to spend on gifts is to pass on a legacy item. For example, do you have a special tree ornament that you’d like a child or grandchild to have for their tree? Wrap it up and pass it on. Include a special card that speaks to the history of the item and why it’s important to you. The organizational twist here is that you’re reducing the amount of stuff in your home in addition to saving money on purchasing a gift.

One last idea -consider curtailing your holiday card list to save on cards and postage. Take the remaining list and have your children create holiday cards for those individuals. This is another holiday activity that gives your kids’ inner artist the chance to shine and saves your money to boot. You might also consider using www.123greetings.com, www.bluemountain.com, www.egreetings.com or another online card site to sending holiday greetings digitally and save money on postage.

Happy (early) Thanksgiving!

Anne

Need help once the holidays are over? Want to start 2011 organized? Contact me by phone at 540-589-1779 or by email at annegarneau@freshstartprofessionalorganizing.com

Get Organized and Save Some Green!

2010-11-03T12:31:00.000-04:00

According to a study done by Inmar, Inc. coupon use increased 27% from 2008 to 2009. In 2009, 3.3 billion coupons were redeemed – the largest usage since 1988.

In this tough economy individuals and families have turned to coupons to save money on everything from groceries to entertainment. Whether you print them off from one of the multitude of online coupon sites popping up daily or clip them from the Sunday paper circulars you need to keep them organized and handy to redeem them and save money.

The easiest solution is a coupon organizer. They are sold EVERYWHERE these days-dollar stores (always my recommendation), grocery stores, and online. Here are some things I recommend when deciding on what to buy:

Will it fit into my handbag or coat pocket so I can carry it with me regardless of where I’m shopping? This is really important. If it is cumbersome, you won’t keep it with you causing you to miss out on savings even on a quick trip to the grocery store.

Can I customize it? I recommend you buy something that allows you to create the labels or has all of the categories you need. You could organize it by aisle at your regular grocery store to save yourself even more time.

Can I use it to stash gift cards? If you have an organizer that is portable and easy to use, why not tuck these into the back? If you have them on hand all of the time, you won’t miss out on opportunities to redeem them like so many people do. I read a statistic online that said almost 10% of all gift cards go unredeemed!

Have one already but not using it? If keeping it in your handbag or coat pocket isn’t possible, keep it in the same place in your car at all times. I have mine in the driver door pocket. That way if I make an unscheduled stop somewhere, it is still handy. (Just like those cloth shopping bags-if they are in the car I will remember to use them)

Committing yourself to using coupons wherever possible requires a small behavioral change. And it doesn’t have to be a big shift. Making a small change and building on those changes over time is better than trying to make a giant one that you won’t stick with. It’s just like losing weight. If you eat a little less at meals you’ll drop a few pounds a little at a time. And once your drop a few pounds, maybe you’ll take a walk three times a week.

This week, make a commitment to clip coupons from the Sunday paper (15 minutes), put them in the appropriate category in your organizer (5 minutes) and tuck the organizer in your handbag or walk them out to the car. Simple. Now you’re on the road to saving money.

Need more than just coupon coaching? Let me give you the Fresh Start you need to conquer clutter and live an organized life. Call today 540-589-1779.

Thanks for reading!
Anne

Medical Recordkeeping

2010-09-17T18:14:00.000-04:00

This is a bit different from my normal topic, but really valuable information....

A new client emailed me today with a question regarding medical records. She wasn't sure what to keep and what to toss. So, I put my researching hat on and came up with the following outline.

A Consensus on Medical Records/Recordkeeping:

I researched this topic online and summarized because there seems to be a consensus on recordkeeping*.

It is really important to keep medical records on yourself, your spouse, children and anyone else you care for, such as an aging parent. Emergencies happen whether we’re prepared or not. It’s better to be prepared.

Keep in mind, this is a work in progress and will take time to build!

There are two sections to this document: 1. Medical history and 2. Medical recordkeeping

1. Medical History

a. Create a binder or something similar for each family member or just keep one binder and assign each family member their own tab

b. Here are recommended sections to have for each family member:

i. Emergency Contact: In the very front of the binder, have the name of an emergency contact. You can have several, but make sure you have at least one person who lives close by.

ii. Medications: Have a chart printed out with several extra sheets so medications can be written in as prescribed. Include columns for the medication's actual name, trade name, indication, dose, frequency, when prescribed, who prescribed it, day the patient started taking it, day the patient stopped taking it

iii. Allergies and Urgent Conditions:
1. Especially in the case where an individual is allergic to medications, bee stings, and certain foods
2. If you or your family member has a seizure disorder or something similar make sure it is noted
3. In both cases, you may want to document the date of the last reaction or seizure

iv. Physicians, therapists, dentists, labs: Again the chart format with several extra sheets so additional names can be written in as needed. Include columns for person's name type of physician or therapist, name of their practice, office address, office phone number, emergency phone number, and anything else helpful to know for their office like nurse she usually deals with or the financial person

v. Lab results: Most recent information on top.

vi. Office visit/evaluation and hospitalization documentation: Most recent information on top. Chart style will work here too, date of visit/procedure/admittance to hospital

vii. Immunization records : Especially important for children, start the day they are born

2. Medical Recordkeeping

a. Expenses: If you are able to claim medical expenses on your tax return, it is recommended that you keep the records for seven (7) years from the end of the year in which they are claimed.

b. In General: This includes your premium statements, doctor bills, hospital bills, etc. The general rule here is five (5) years from the date of the service rendered.

c. Explanation of Benefits: Hang on to these forms at least until you are sure that a particular medical bill has been paid in full from all sources (e.g., a combination of Medicare and supplemental insurance or primary and secondary health insurance policies).

i.. This may require confirmation from the original medical provider with a statement showing a zero balance.

ii. After your bill is paid in full, you might want to keep EOBs in an inactive storage file for up to three to five years longer "just in case." It is not uncommon for some medical providers to send bills long after a medical service has been provided. Having EOBs on file can help document the status of previous medical claims.

iii. If treatment is still in progress/not completely paid/not otherwise resolved keep them until the treatment is completed, payment is complete and all coverage and payment issues are resolved to your satisfaction.

iv. IMPORTANT: Look at EOB’s and medical bills when they come in!

a. Match up the bill from your provider (doctor) and the EOB. You might be getting overbilled for services.

b. Know what your co-pay is for certain services or if you are responsible for a percentage of the “allowed amount” for that service. Not sure? Contact your insurance company.

c. What is an “allowed amount”?

i. Doctors have to sign a contract with insurance companies to be in their network.

ii. Each insurance company has a list of the amount they will pay for each service/procedure. This contracted amount for a procedure is called the “allowed amount”.

iii. Doctors must “write off” any amount they charge over the “allowed amount” and they cannot bill you for the amount they had to "write off"

d. Medical fraud – Check to make sure that the office visit/procedure is yours. There have been cases where insurance information was stolen for the purpose of having medical procedures.

*These are recommendations based on searching on the above topics on the web. I am not a medical records or billing expert. If you have additional questions regarding the above content, I would recommend contacting your attorney, accountant or other pertinent representative.

Thanks for reading!

Is paper taking over your home or office? Let me help you put paper in its place.
Anne Garneau/Fresh Start Professional Organizing
540-589-1779.

A diamond in the rough, but worth the trip

2010-09-14T13:07:00.000-04:00

I am constantly on the search for inexpensive and creative storage solutions for my clients and fun projects to improve my own home. Add another local business to my list – Rick’s Wheels & Tires. I know you are probably scratching your head wondering what I could possibly find at a tire store, but they have a ton more to offer than just tires.

Believe it or not - they have tons of salvage furniture on the cheap! And it’s not just the main floor. If you are a bit more courageous go downstairs and look around. You have to have some vision but I found a $12 heavy metal shelf that would make a great outdoor console table for parties with the addition of some elbow grease and casters. It could also be used in a basement with some plastic bins to store tools or supplies.

Rick’s is located at 2411 Williamson Road, Roanoke, VA and their phone number is (540) 362-3636

Nothing's cheaper than FREE!

2010-09-08T19:29:00.000-04:00

Just a couple of quick ideas from working with a client (and friend) last week that I thought would be fun to share and might get your creative-organizing juices flowing!

The first came out of wanting to find a way to contain items at her front doorway-the busiest piece of real estate in any home. Every home should have a piece of furniture or landing pad for keys and incoming/outgoing mail.

There was a TINY table sitting inside the front door. While very pretty and an antique, it barely held the mail let alone all of the other items the client liked to have handy when she (and three other family members) was leaving/entering her home. Given its location right inside the front door, it had to be more functional given all of the purpose it had to serve.

So, as always, instead of purchasing something we
re-purposed a newly emptied bookshelf from her office/craft room that was en route downstairs for possible use in her childrens' playroom. As you can see, it now holds incoming/outgoing mail, keys, dog leashes/grooming supplies, and items that need to be transported to school or elsewhere.

We also re-purposed a basket for dog leashes/grooming supplies. It previously held scarves and gloves in the entry hall closet but was difficult to access.

Finally, to contain the newly homeless scarves and gloves, we re-purposed a cloth wine tote sitting unused in that same closet. Just rolled them up and stuffed them in! Now they are hanging on a hook in the entry hallway vs. sitting on the top shelf of a crowded closet for easier access.

Both projects were FREE! Can’t get much cheaper than that!

Buried by tons of clutter? I'd be happy to help you dig out! Contact me by phone at

540-589-1779 or by email at annegarneau@freshstartprofessionalorganizing.com

Put your space to work for you, faster!

2010-07-28T15:57:00.001-04:00

Often when I meet with new clients for the first time and assess their space a big part of the problem is an inefficient layout for the purpose the room needs to serve. Creating a space plan for a challenged space is a part of the service I provide my clients, but I just found a resource that you can try at home for FREE!

You will need to sign up for the Better Homes and Gardens website to utilize this tool but its worthwhile because they have a lot of great decorating and storage tips as well.

Keep in mind that you may have a furniture piece in the room that would serve you better in another location or vice versa. Shop around your house, you'll be surprised what you find.

For example, I needed a desk that would fit into our upstairs den (now Fresh Start headquarters) but didn't want to spend the money on a new one and it needed to be rather slim to fit in the space. Low and behold, I had a console table in another room not being utilized to its full potential. To make sure it would work, I create a space plan using the table and other furniture pieces in the room and, ta-da, I had a better place to work and the room still serves its other functions (watching HGTV and Lifetime while my husband hogs the big TV).

Need more than just a space plan? Contact me by email at annegarneau@freshstartprofessionalorganizing.com.