Archive for everything
Perfectly Savvy Finds
Posted by: | CommentsYour Savvy Find this week is a website packed with lots of fun ideas, inspiration and information. SkinnyScoop gives you a little of everything from last minute gifts for under $50 to heart hearty crock pot meals to the top 10 Christmas martinis (pomegranate lime anyone?). Register and follow lists you like and then receive updates, add your own suggestions, ask questions – there’s a little of everything for everyone. I’m addicted to all the lists - ENDLESS ideas. Click on over and have some fun.
http://www.skinnyscoop.com
The Empty Shelf
Posted by: | CommentsWould you like to know one of my simple little organizing secrets? An empty shelf. Yes, that’s right – an empty shelf. I call it my current projects shelf and I keep it in my linen closet. Right now the shelf is holding Christmas gifts and hostess gifts. Very soon the shelf will be empty again.
I use this shelf for current projects or things that need to get done but might take a little time. Examples would be artwork from the kids that needs to get processed, photos that I’m scanning, returns that I need to make, or items that need to be repaired. If the shelf is too full then I know I have too many projects going on and it is time to scale it back. If the shelf is empty then I smile. I also know that I can take on something new. The key is to not shove too many projects on the shelf – I want to be able to see everything that needs work. I also love having a place for my projects so I don’t have to move things around each time I have a new task. I have to admit I love the satisfaction of seeing an empty shelf from time to time.
Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via N’Krysta on Pinterest
5 Clever Ideas for Your Fridge
Posted by: | CommentsThe outside of the refrigerator can be a useful tool to help keep you and your kitchen organized. It can be frustrating when a fridge is cluttered with shopping lists, pictures, to do lists, coupons and other items. While it is fine to use your fridge for these purposes, the areas should be clearly defined so that everything you need is easy to find and the space does not look cluttered. I found a few ideas for how you can still use the front and sides of your fridge in a way that will keep the surface area from looking cluttered.
These clever and sleek holders from magnarack.com help make great use of the space
A sturdy and simple magnetic board like this one from Real Simple will keep your fridge looking clean and sharp
Simple clips with a distinct style to dress up the kitchen without looking cluttered
Source: remodelista.com via Kristin on Pinterest
And finally, for those that love to display their photos, here is a clean look that makes them all easy to see without looking cluttered
Perfectly Savvy Finds – Modular Hauler
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve featured the modular hauler before, but I’m using yet AGAIN on vacation and I’m still finding new ways to use it.
The Modular Hauler features separate zippered compartments to store…well.. anything and everything.
Our vacation this year was a road trip and I packed a compartment for each of my kids with their clothing and one for shoes and toys. We stayed at multiple locations, so upon arrival I gave them their cube and they unpacked. I could then use the emptied cube for grocery shopping, the beach, laundry, day trips and various other errands. They are incredibly versatile, durable and sturdy.
I’ve also used them to pack for air travel. Simply pack each cube and then toss in a duffel bag. At the end of your journey the clothing is already separated and easy to find.
We’ve had ours for about seven years and I can tell you that it has been worth the investment. I have not been paid a dime to write any of this – I just love the product. I’ve linked to it via the Container Store below, but you can also find it at a number of other places, including Amazon.com.
Packing for Vacation
Posted by: | CommentsI’m just a few days away from my summer vacation and I’m looking forward to the time away. This year we are going on an Alaskan Cruise. A cruise is the perfect getaway for any professional organizer. I should contact Princess Cruises and tell them to market to PO’s. Seriously. I can zone out for an entire week and not have to plan a thing.
Now to the point of my post – how to plan and pack. I’m a busy Mom and I never really have a solid block of time to really focus and pack. I need to handle large projects in small bursts of time. I have a little system that works nicely for trip planning, party planning or any other large project;
I like to use a program such as Excel, but you could also use Word or another application that you like.
Begin by entering line items of things that need to be purchased or completed. Examples;
Buy new jeans
Print boarding passes
Arrange for someone to water plants and pick-up mail
Clean out fridge
With a system like this in place, I don’t have the pressure of having to think of everything all at once. I can add things as I think of them, or email them to myself and add them when I have time. When using Excel it is easy to move the jobs around, group them or delete them as they are complete. You can also copy and paste the items you need to shop for and email them or put them in your calendar. The night before my trip I look down and see that everything is done.
Use a spreadsheet based system the next time you have a trip or a party to plan and let me know if the project is a little easier to tackle.
Motivation 2010 – Organizing Business or Household receipts
Posted by: | CommentsIt is tax season again and if you are one of the many cursing your lack of organization over the past year, then this is your post.
Here is a quick and easy process for organizing your receipts.
- Have two credit cards. Once for business and one for personal expenses.
- Carry an envelope or sleeve with you for collecting receipts (or use your wallet).
- When you arrive home or to the office, empty your envelope, wallet or sleeve of receipts and clip them to a clipboard by your desk. One clipboard for personal expenses and one clipboard for business expenses.
- When you receive your bank statement, match each receipt to the statement and then staple everything together and file.
Done.
At the end of the year if you need to produce a receipt for your expenses to your accountant, (or Uncle Sam) you’ll have them all filed by month.
Here are some important notes that are necessary to make this process successful;
- You must save your receipts and then frequently clip them to your clipboard.
- You’ll need to set aside time to reconcile your receipts to your statement.
- This process works best with a limited number of credit cards. I really believe that it is not necessary to have multiple cards. One for business and one for personal will work for most situations. It is less paperwork, fewer due dates, cleaner reconciliation.
I take one more step after this and send my reconciled paperwork to a scanning service. I then have everything in an electronic format with no excess papers.
Questions? Comments? Let’s get started!
