tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-210256072011-07-29T05:31:58.979-04:00Easy tips to help you lead a more organized life.Tricianoreply@blogger.comBlogger2001100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-65099699674455927562007-06-02T11:20:00.000-04:002007-06-02T11:21:58.413-04:00

Probably one of the handiest contraptions to have near your desk is a shredder. When you get all of those credit card applications in the mail (or balance transfer checks), you can shred it right then and there and it's a done deal. For the seconds it takes to slip the paper in the shredder it is no longer on your desk moving place to place needing a home.Take care of it when you get it to save

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-42512058604880679862007-06-02T11:14:00.000-04:002007-06-02T11:19:55.043-04:00

I admit, I am still learning when it comes to being able to site for only a few minutes and get through my emails. I always thought because it took me a while to compose and email and to send a thoughtful reply.Well, it's more than that. It's about how I have my email organzied.One of the best tricks of the trade to use with an email program is to use their mail filtering option. You set

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-64533929838561583822007-05-31T08:59:00.000-04:002007-05-31T09:01:34.861-04:00

While business socializing, it is not uncommon for someone to pass out a business card when you meet them. A handy tip is to always have a small pencil handy (think of those ones at mini golf courses). After you say your goodbye to that person and they give you a business card, quickly go somewhere and jot down information about that person.When you send an email or give a call to that contact,

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-4018744943663274742007-05-31T08:56:00.000-04:002007-05-31T08:59:27.575-04:00

I know a gal who never writes anything down. She states matter of factly that her memory is golden and she always remembers everything she needs to do. True, because she said that sometimes I test her for fun. I thought for sure she would falter with at least one of my tests, but she hasn't.My friend is an exception. Most of us like our memory, but it isn't infallable. There is no shame in

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-66778667790736319672007-05-31T08:46:00.000-04:002007-05-31T08:51:34.494-04:00

While surfing the web, I end up bookmarking so many things. Before long, I would have bookmarks a mile long on my computer and I rarely ended up going back to the sites that I bookmarked. I couldn't find them easily!The best thing to do is to create folders within your bookmarks. The technique to do this will vary with the browser program you use, but just look under help to find out how to do

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-55852256134013327752007-05-31T08:43:00.000-04:002007-05-31T08:46:24.928-04:00

I've been known to purchase a few magazines in my time. I'd flip through them, then set them aside. Some time later, I'd go through and "really" read them. Once I did that, they ended up in a magazine rack and before I knew it, that magazine rack would be full to the top.I really don't like throwing away things like that. I know others can get enjoyment from them. Here's a few ideas I've

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-53504956123209828342007-05-27T10:46:00.000-04:002007-05-27T10:48:46.449-04:00

Sometimes, our eyes are so focused on the floor in rooms, we forget to look up at the ceiling. But always try to remember to look up there because there are things up there that need your attention as well.I've been in homes to view the organization that the owner has implemented. Everything looks great, until my eyes look to the ceiling. There are cobwebs in the corner and there is a thick

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-42217919913340579932007-05-27T10:43:00.000-04:002007-05-27T10:46:39.653-04:00

While full blown household organization can seem like a huge task, there are a few things that you can do that only take a few minutes to finish. Yet, their impact is HUGE.1.) Make your bed.2.) Hang all clothes.3.) Vaccuum.4.) Do dishes.5.) Clean off desk.That's it. 5 things to get started on that will make the difference between night and day in your home.

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-80624873971807379502007-05-27T10:35:00.001-04:002007-05-27T10:37:55.556-04:00

How many times have you taken 15 minutes to search for something that you needed at work? Chances are, you've done that quite a few times. If you had to look for that document for so long due to disorganization of your work area, just think of how much extra time you would have if you implemented some organization.Perhaps the organization involves better computer file management. It only takes

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-9301837457181989712007-05-27T10:31:00.000-04:002007-05-27T10:34:47.114-04:00

Some people say that getting organized means that you have to make the choice to be organized. I would argue that one who is not organized made the choice to not be organized. Organization doesn't have to be difficult and it doesn't have to cost a lot of money. At the core of it is finding a place for everything in your home. Those places make it easy to use the items when you need them and

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-54236227981344157412007-05-25T19:18:00.000-04:002007-05-25T19:09:30.437-04:00

Just like I do with my son, if I complete something I receive a reward. For the past few weeks, I have really wanted to reorganize my front porch. I organized it some time ago, but after living in our home for a while, I've thought of a better way to organize it.Undertaking a complete re-do of my porch is a big task. So, I decided to name a reward for myself if I finished it. What was it?It

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-82067461049870790612007-05-25T19:17:00.000-04:002007-05-25T19:08:55.812-04:00

Some organizing projects may not seem very labor intensive. Let's take filing paperwork for example. It's not physically difficult to do, but it does involve heavy use of your sight and your brain power. Don't forget to take a break. Let your eyes focus on things far away and maybe even stretch and take a brief walk. Revitalize your body and then go back to your project. You will find that

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-11763186632365065432007-05-25T19:03:00.000-04:002007-05-25T18:58:47.989-04:00

If I really need to get going on a project that involves digging into something (like a big pile of paperwork), I look to music to sometimes help me along. Personally, I like hard rock and the hard and faster beat it provides. It makes me feel like plowing through that paperwork as fast as I can. I also know a lot of lyrics so I can sing right along. It helps to bring some fun into a remedial

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-81945005554277893952007-05-25T19:01:00.000-04:002007-05-25T18:58:17.305-04:00

If you are facing many projects, handle the one you perceive as the worst first. Why? Because after you dig in and get it completed, the rest will feel like a piece of cake.I often use this tactic at work. I tackle the worst project first thing in the morning. I'm more productive in the morning and once I finish that project, the rest of the day seems to breeze right on by because the other

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-42240859275454348842007-05-24T11:45:00.000-04:002007-05-24T11:49:54.206-04:00

We often procrastinate on projects that will seem to take a long time. Long projects are not fun to get started because it feels like it will take forever to complete. The next time you have a big project in front of you, break it down into smaller segments. Then tackle the smaller segments one by one. By breaking the task down into smaller ones, they are less intimidating and will be harder

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-55154299802296372392007-05-24T11:44:00.000-04:002007-05-24T11:49:11.362-04:00

You may not think of a doctor's visit as being something that you can organize...but you can!How many times have you went to the doctors when you weren't feeling well, only to be asked questions that you couldn't answer on the paperwork. You get flustered and when it comes time to see the doctor you forget all of the questions that you want to ask him/her.Before you go to the doctor, make a

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-21677660120108369472007-05-24T11:41:00.000-04:002007-05-24T11:42:18.012-04:00

It can be hard to keep motivated to lead an organized life. Sometimes, life is coming fast at you and you just feel like throwing things all over the place. After all, you'll remember where it is...right?Here's a motivational tip #1 to help keep you organized. The next time you get the mail and plop it down without sorting through it and putting it in it's place, think about the time you could

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1138767154099411822007-05-24T11:40:00.000-04:002007-05-24T11:41:30.571-04:00

There comes a point where someone is being too organized. Too much time is consumed living up to the very strict organizing standards that have been set. If you think that is you, try to take a step back. We all should have organization, but there one can take it too far.Some warning signs include getting angry at others for moving things just a little bit, getting obsessive about checking and

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-56312304713277220682007-04-29T12:30:00.000-04:002007-04-29T12:29:39.928-04:00

Martha is someone that you can tell anything to. You go out shopping together and share secrets. Why not ask Martha to be your organizing buddy?You may not think of it, but your friends are a great resource for finding motivation to keep organized or to start an organization project. Martha can help you with a project, then you can turn around and help Marth when she needs it. When there are

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-65958787813858606822007-04-29T12:20:00.000-04:002007-04-29T12:27:33.770-04:00

Right after taking your sheet sheets out of the dryer or taking them off the clothesline, get in the habit of folding them right away. Take one of the pillowcases and place the folded sheet set right into there and then fold the rest of the pillowcase around it.If you have some ribbon, tie it around the sheet set. Now you have something that is neat and could sit on a shelf as decor instead of

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-68509106360347644312007-04-29T12:10:00.000-04:002007-04-29T12:08:11.678-04:00

Your mind is a very powerful tool that you have. The way you think about things can have an effect on getting things done. For example, if you think of something as a chore, it won't be very appealing to start working on. Rather, try to think of it as a stepping stone to a better life. Think about how many things that you can do once you have that task taken care of. Turn something negative

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-17527752210641836342007-04-29T12:00:00.000-04:002007-04-29T12:07:49.592-04:00

We all know of To-Do lists. What about lists of things that breaks down a To-Do list? Breaking down the original To-Do list can make it easy to identify smaller tasks that you can delegate to others. Since the lists are smaller, your significant other may be more wiling to help (hint, hint for those husbands out there). I know my husband groans when given a big list. A small list may get a

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-5500510721027288322007-04-29T11:05:00.000-04:002007-04-29T11:06:15.508-04:00

I use garbage bag ties for many things around the home. They are basically the thing I grab whenever I need to secure or close something although I never use them to tie garbage bags.I keep all of them in a little plastic container with a snap tight lid. They are placed in the kitchen drawer with my garbage bags are kept so they are always easy to find. I have used a baggie in the past to

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-68058943955658063212007-04-29T11:03:00.000-04:002007-04-29T11:05:20.254-04:00

One of the neater things to arrive on the organizing scene lately are those bags that you place clothes and/or blankets in and then attach to your vaccuum. The vaccuum sucks out all of the air so then the clothes in the bag are compressed tightly together and take up less room to store.I love using these for seasonal clothes. What used to take up a lot of room only takes up a fraction now. The

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-66577662063992664782007-04-29T10:59:00.000-04:002007-04-29T10:58:49.414-04:00

I like to pay bills once every two weeks. I sit down, write all of my checks and then start the task of addressing all of the envelopes and adding stamps. It can take a while to do all of the addressing, so something that you can do to help save time is to print address labels on your computer. You can buy labels in bulk from an office supply store and then print out return address labels and

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-53138919249760588912007-04-29T10:58:00.000-04:002007-04-29T10:58:30.473-04:00

It's a little early for Christmas, but I thought I'd give this tip right now while I was thinking of it.I live far from my friends and relatives so I like to give them a little update on our lives when we send out Christmas cards. I went online and found a template for a newsletter for Microsoft Word. I then added little articles about our life and what everyone was up to. Relatives loved it,

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-29425933123111937622007-04-29T10:40:00.000-04:002007-04-29T10:52:49.914-04:00

I used to have a calendar in my purse, a calendar on the wall at home and a calendar on my computer. I did away with that and now we only use one central calendar on the wall. When multiple calendars are used, you are more likely to miss an appointment because you may not look at the "correct" calendar. You can try to reconcile all of the calendars every few days to make sure they all have the

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1139582262138305922007-04-29T10:30:00.000-04:002007-04-29T10:50:46.550-04:00

A great way to show professionalism and have items to wear for your business is to create your own "uniform" or have items created that include your logo (e.g. hats, bags, aprons, coats, etc). For my budding business, I wanted a shirt with my log on it and did some shopping around locally. Most places charged a large amount to set up the embroidery for my logo. Then, the product was also

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-36400026474393247302007-04-28T22:32:00.000-04:002007-04-28T22:39:44.157-04:00

While working, if you are concentrating on a project and the phone rings, let it go to voicemail. Distractions are the leading cause of inefficient time management because your train of thought is broken and it's hard to go back to something after being interrupted.Technology is very advanced today compared to way back when. I remember a time when a phone call during dinner time was very rare

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-68329435444510606382007-04-27T21:25:00.000-04:002007-04-27T21:27:40.760-04:00

If you find that you are always running around and never seem to have time for yourself, it might be because you have a hard time saying "No." If you are a parent, it is easy to be pulled a million ways by your family, the school, afterschool activities, etc. Sometimes, you have to put your foot down.If you can't supervise a dance this time around, just say "No, perhaps I can do the next one."

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-65253833291857202602007-04-27T21:20:00.000-04:002007-04-27T21:23:08.441-04:00

Next time you have something in your hands, think about if you will ever use that item again. If you can't think of a way that you would use that item, consider getting rid of it. You can throw it away, give it away or maybe even sell it. Because you couldn't think of a way you might use it...chances are good that you won't.Reducing clutter sometimes means letting go of pack rat tendencies. I

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-26326293016210082412007-04-27T07:36:00.000-04:002007-04-27T07:38:01.786-04:00

With the onset of TiVo and other technologies that make it wasy to record your favorite shows to watch at another time, it should be easier to plan your schedule. Now, instead of needing to watch your show on a Wednesday, you can record it and watch it on Saturday. It gives you a lot more freedom to do the things that you would like to do.It may be expensive now, but given time TiVo will

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-74476827609834005152007-04-27T07:33:00.000-04:002007-04-27T07:36:02.050-04:00

If you have things that are in decent shape, you no longer need them, and you don't feel like trying to sell it...try Freecycle.org. On Freecycle, you can list things to give away to someone for free or you can claim things that others are giving away. It's a great way to keep things out of landfills and to help each other with generousity. I haven't had any problem giving away things on there

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-82648248346281605652007-04-26T08:55:00.000-04:002007-04-26T08:57:15.487-04:00

There is no rule that you must use an expensive CD case to hold your music collection. You can be as creative as you'd like with your organizing as long as you've achieved organization.For instance, a larger basket can hold CDs in their cases and placed on a shelf below your stereo. There's no need for buying furniture that specifically holds your collection (unless you really want to). The

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-27904836749513826082007-04-26T08:52:00.000-04:002007-04-26T08:55:03.828-04:00

Sometimes, the words "neat" and "organized" are used interchangeably. In fact, they are two very different words.You can have piles upon piles of papers on your desk in a "neat" manner. However, they are not organized. They are not put away in designated spots. If you did that, then they would be "organized." I used to be a "neat" person and had piles of things around the home. They didn't

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-67592686396709805672007-04-25T14:02:00.000-04:002007-04-25T14:04:11.015-04:00

If your spouse is not an organized person, you really have to have a heart to heart talk and start working together. Show and tell your partner how much time you would have for other things if you aren't spending time looking for things. Explain that you are not trying to have control over everyone in the house, just the clutter. You would like a more efficient home.Start the dialogue because

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1576477484386689292007-04-25T13:59:00.000-04:002007-04-25T14:02:17.923-04:00

When you are organizing, it doesn't help if you are organizing things and then the kids are right behind you making things messy again. If that happens to you, try to incorporate some rewards that you can give the kids for helping you to organize.Perhaps it's making their favorite meal after a day of organizing or it's going to the park. Reward them with something they enjoy and is fun and they

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-85536608840218189852007-04-20T21:00:00.000-04:002007-04-20T21:03:47.036-04:00

If you have a space-challenged laundry room, don't forget to look up. Use the space above your head to your advantage. Perhaps install a retractable clothesline so you can hang things to dry or to hang things when you are done with them. Even a wooden dowel hung between two walls will work in tight places.The key is to utlize the space you have to the best of your ability. Making the most of

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-78372590252263104702007-04-20T20:51:00.000-04:002007-04-20T21:00:01.954-04:00

How long has it been since you went through your pantry? If you are like most people, it has probably been a while. Some even fear going through their pantry because you never know what you are going to find. But you should do it at least with the seasons.First step is to go thorugh and discard the obviously expired foods. Then, remove the foods that you may have purchased that you no longer

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-10519349085482687112007-04-19T23:27:00.000-04:002007-04-19T23:29:19.576-04:00

You are sitting there on the couch after a long hard day at work and you see a pile of papers on your desk. It bothers you to see it there, but you don't feel motivated to do anything about it.Here's a trick. Tell yourself you will work on it for 5 minutes. Only 5 little minutes. That doesn't seem to bad. Get off the couch and do it for 5 minutes. That's it. Unless, of course, now that you

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-62158190971711238002007-04-19T23:25:00.000-04:002007-04-19T23:27:01.721-04:00

If you are finding that your checkbook seems to be running very tight, try this:Keep track of all of your spending for at least a week, but ideally a month. If you don't have a computer program that can track it, then merely write down each time you spend money in a notebook or even make a list in excel. Also write down a general category the spending was for (gas, rent, utilities,

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-13954387428091550952007-04-19T23:12:00.000-04:002007-04-19T23:15:19.517-04:00

You may already budget your money, but do you budget your time? If you start budgeting your time, you may find out that you have more time to do other things in your life that you would like to do.Start by listing down the things that you do on a daily basis. Then things that you do every few days, weekly and monthly. Try to think of everything, even prep time before work. Get all that

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-12205118750754602342007-04-19T23:10:00.000-04:002007-04-19T23:11:44.151-04:00

When you get your mail, if you set aside some catalogs and mailings thinking that you will look at them later, chances are that you won't. Seriously consider throwing them away when you first get them. Reduce clutter even before it gets a chance to accumulate. Now, if you don't think you'll ever want the catalog again, try to call the company to have them take you off their subscription list.

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-27837406961538758052007-04-17T21:23:00.000-04:002007-04-17T21:15:23.824-04:00

Laundry racks can come in handy if you don't have a closet or if you need a mobile storage area for clothes. I have had a few different kinds throughout the years and here are a few tips:1.) Do not buy the cheapest racks. Walmart may be great for some things, but NOT for laundry racks. Every one of them that I have purchased have broken within 4 months. 2.) Buy a rack that utilizes a shelf

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-77838627939592101572007-04-17T21:16:00.000-04:002007-04-17T21:20:20.455-04:00

If you have been collecting organizing containers for a while, chances are good that perhaps you now have too many. If that happens to you, here are two places to contact to see if they would like some of your containers:1.) Schools, especially those with younger children. Children always need containers for painting, making things or for general playing. My son's school loves to receive

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-66240976104189715152007-04-16T21:35:00.000-04:002007-04-16T21:37:58.224-04:00

Some disorganization in a household is due to the fact that everyone doesn't know their particular "job" to get done. A way to keep everyone straight and to help remind them of chores is to post a message board. Each person in the house has a heading with their name on it and then their "chores" underneath their name. Using something that can easily be modified will make it easy to switch

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-81993128829498290942007-04-16T21:29:00.000-04:002007-04-16T22:24:02.073-04:00

Probably one of the greatest organizing things invented (okay, not the greatest, but it's pretty cool) is the under bed storage boxes. Instead of the area under your bed being a breeding area for dust bunnies, you can use it to store things!The best items to store under the bed are things that you use on a basis less than monthly. Daily will be too cumbersome to have to go under the bed for

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-44744442504311867662007-04-16T21:17:00.000-04:002007-04-16T21:21:33.058-04:00

It's hard to think of the possibility of a fire in the home. Such a disaster can leave your life in shambles but something as simple as a fire proof safe can help you piece back together your life. For under $100, you can have a little piece of mind that your most precious memories can be safe.I use my safe to store things that are irreplacable. I have a few pictures in there as well as some

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-42819671772922031162007-04-16T20:45:00.000-04:002007-04-16T20:49:51.846-04:00

Probably the best place for important documents is in a safe deposit box at the bank. Sometimes, the bigger boxes are all taken and all that is left is the thinner boxes that are long. Given the smaller space, how can everything that you have fit in there?If possible, scan some documents to digitize them and then save the documents to a zip drive (or USB drive). These small storage devices can

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-65551210018312683482007-04-16T20:36:00.000-04:002007-04-16T20:39:58.566-04:00

My son has tons of VCR tapes with his favorite shows. Even though we have a cabinet for them, they end up all over the place thanks to my son pulling them out to "play" with. Getting him to pick them up after a day of playing with them was like pulling teeth.To make it more of a game for him, I bought stickers with his favorite characters on them (4 different sets). I time him to see how fast

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1146348673065210422007-04-16T20:26:00.000-04:002007-04-16T20:36:52.043-04:00

Our medicine cabinet for the longest time was a mess. We didn't put any medicine in there, but every grooming item you can think of found a home there. Before long, it was full of things that we didn't use daily and there was no organization whatsoever.If that sounds like your medicine cabinet, here's a few things you can do to help organize.1.) Buy some thin and long organizing baskets. They

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-66785666008901222702007-04-16T20:12:00.000-04:002007-04-16T20:17:26.963-04:00

This may not be directly an organizing tip, but it's something I wish I had known about after we put in new linoleum tile on our kitchen floor. My son decided to drag a kitchen chair across the floor while the cat was sitting on it. The weight of the cat was enough to cause scratches on the floor from the floor legs.To battle things like that, you can purchase little feet that you put on the

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-67193205544416846282007-04-16T20:09:00.000-04:002007-04-16T20:12:43.282-04:00

I love to save plastic bags from the grocery store. They come in handy for many things around the house. A few ideas are for garbage, taking back cans to the grocery store, keeping things dry, etc. But besides buying an expensive plastic bag holder, is there another way to keep them stored and neat and out of the way?There is!Next time you finish a box of tissues, use the old box to hold your

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-82623023777600576752007-02-05T23:58:00.000-05:002007-02-06T00:00:00.149-05:00

I am a big proponent of shredding financial documents before throwing them out. Things like credit card applications, old checks, etc. I've noticed that you can get shredders for as little as $10. If you keep an eye out, sometimes you can get one for even less than that if a rebate is available.There's no excuse to not get a shredder. They don't take much time to use, and you can keep your

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-48694509352042021152007-02-05T23:55:00.000-05:002007-02-05T23:57:41.201-05:00

I bought a calendar last year that I really loved. It had pockets at the bottom of each month that were perfect for storing things that I often needed to be reminded about (aka bills!). I searched the store, and I couldn't find another one like it for 2007.I did the next best thing...I bought a 2007 calendar in similar size and placed the old calendar behind it. Since calendars aren't handled

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1170624553563607562007-02-04T16:26:00.000-05:002007-02-04T16:29:13.563-05:00

I've said a few times before that everyone organizes things a little differently. Our brains work differently, so sometimes certain ways of organizing will not work for everyone. The same goes for children. Perhaps they would like all of the things together of a certain color. Or, they want toys grouped together by whether they have wheels or not. Whatever their preference, that's

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1170624386144654912007-02-04T16:24:00.000-05:002007-02-04T16:26:26.156-05:00

Plastic bags from the grocery store are a shame to throw away. They can be used for so many things and can be reused over and over again. I use them for packing packages and garbage bags, just to name a few.However, they can be cumbersome to store. If you need a cheap and easy organizer for your bags, use an old paper towel roll. Stuff your plastic bags in there one at a time and you'll have

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1170031664899964132007-01-28T19:45:00.000-05:002007-01-28T19:47:44.900-05:00

I have many keys in my home that I'm not sure what they are for. I keep them, because, well...you never know! LOL. Instead of sitting in junk drawer, I have them prominently displayed in my home.Using a little shelf/hanging rack combination, I have placed the keys on rings and hung them on the rack. I tried to equally distribute the keys and arrange them for color. Now I have them organized

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1170031519340835922007-01-28T19:41:00.000-05:002007-01-28T19:45:30.406-05:00

Here are some organizing quotes that I thought you may enjoy..."However well organized the foundations of life may be, life must always be full of risks."- Havelock Ellis"We adore chaos because we love to produce order."- M. C. Escher“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.”- A. A. Milne“For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1169815259188639192007-01-26T07:38:00.000-05:002007-01-26T07:40:59.190-05:00

Quick Tip: I love little organizers...from plastic baskets to little plastic drawers. I have shopped around for the best prices, and I always end up at one spot....a dollar store.I've compared quality, and the dollar store items and the department store items are about the same quality. Yet, the price is often dollars cheaper at the dollar store. On your next rainy day, go to the dollar store

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1169815129825637272007-01-26T07:36:00.000-05:002007-01-26T07:38:49.826-05:00

I love to play music, and as a result I had loose sheet music everywhere. I needed to do something to tame the pile of music and keep it safe from harm (aka children :)).What I did is purchase a 3 ring binder from the store, one that was a little larger than letter size (you can usually find those at office supply stores). I took a 3 hold puncher and punched into my sheet music. Now, everyone

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1169814662939557152007-01-26T07:28:00.000-05:002007-01-26T07:31:02.940-05:00

If you have an area in your home that needs more light (if it has more light, it's less likely to harbor clutter ;)), take a visit to your local hardware store for a few options.There are flourescent lights that you can screw into the wall. You will need a plug for those to work. Or, you can get those circular push lights. Those are nice for closets. But, if you need something cordless yet

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1169814499203902752007-01-26T07:25:00.000-05:002007-01-26T07:28:19.223-05:00

This next idea is a quick and easy way to organize your photos so it seems like a scrapbook, but isn't.Gather the photos you have around a certain theme (like a party). Get your scissors and one of those magnetic photo albumns. Cut the pictures to your liking to take out unnecessary background and then place on the sheet sporadically. Maybe even take some of the background and use it around

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1169783732557924672007-01-25T22:53:00.000-05:002007-01-25T22:55:32.556-05:00

When you save something on your computer, do you have a home for it that you save a file to right away? Or is your desktop cluttered and once you can't stand it anymore you file things?I probably don't have to mention that things on the desktop are more likely to be accidentially erased. Saving files to the desktop is not a good idea. Get yourself in the habit of at least saving things in your

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1169783569418187872007-01-25T22:49:00.000-05:002007-01-25T22:52:49.443-05:00

Artificial Trees usually come in a cardboard box. If you are like me, you basically wreck the box when you open it. So what do you do with your tree after you take it down?Depending on your type of tree, if it breaks down into at least 2 parts (for a 6-7 foot tree), there are plastic containers that you can buy at Walmart or even at your local "Dollar" store. You can have one for the base, top

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1166245123640206722006-12-16T00:32:00.000-05:002006-12-16T00:33:50.526-05:00

Stress is something that we all have, but I think we are all trying to get rid of it. For me, just some sort of physical release really helps. Sometimes it's going for a walk or maybe even screaming. Stress isn't very healthy when it's bottled up.Another idea, that I haven't tried but it sounds interesting, is cardio boxing. There will be an initial investment to purchase some Boxing

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1166246567779309282006-12-16T00:20:00.000-05:002006-12-16T00:22:47.780-05:00

I may be a little weird, but the first thing I do in the morning (besides using the rest room) is check my calendar. That habit that I have developed has kept our lives in line. By taking a peek at my schedule, I can think about it while finishing the rest of my morning grooming tasks. Then, when I'm ready to officially start my day I am ready, and my mind is ready to tackle the day. If that

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1166246391963804222006-12-16T00:01:00.000-05:002006-12-16T00:19:51.976-05:00

...everyone should have an emergency kit for their car. An emergency can happy anytime and you should be prepared.Besides basic first aid essentials (and a good idea is to make it a habit to always check your kit for expiration dates at each oil change), you will also want emergency space blankets (one for each occupant) as well as a few pack heat items (found in the sporting goods section of

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1166189197078278732006-12-15T08:24:00.000-05:002006-12-15T08:26:37.080-05:00

I love using color to organize. I've metioned it a few times on here. If you use Outlook and don't use the flag feature for another use, you can use it to organize your inbox!I give emails that are super-important a red color. I know those need to be taken care of ASAP. Yellow goes to ones that can wait a few days. Then, I have green for ones that are not important but I would like to read (

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1166189029113037422006-12-15T08:21:00.000-05:002006-12-15T08:23:49.113-05:00

In my family, there are about 3 pairs of shoes for each of us. We wear a pair depending on the weather for a particular day, so it's handy to have all pairs in our porch. But that can take up a bit of room.What I did was purchase a shelf from a garage sale. Instead of books, I put the shoes on there. It keeps them nice and neat and everyone has their own shelf. No more shoes laying on the

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1166188627730265392006-12-15T08:14:00.000-05:002006-12-15T08:17:07.730-05:00

If you have children, a car is often a messy place. They get toys and they end up on the floor. They eat and something drops on the floor and you do not "discover" it till months afterwards.A way I try to keep order in the car is to take a few minutes every time I wash it to pull up next to one of the garbages. Everyone with me starts grabbing things and throwing away the trash. In my trunk, I

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1166188475380270252006-12-15T08:12:00.000-05:002006-12-15T08:14:35.393-05:00

You know the type of person...they have piles all over and they know where everything is. I know this type of person well, because I was one of them.But for each time I knew where something was, I still had to go through my pile to find what I was looking for. Each search could easily take 5 minutes. Instead of taking 15 minutes to file everything in my pile, I was easily taking 5 minutes to

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1166187371586233082006-12-15T07:54:00.000-05:002006-12-15T07:56:11.586-05:00

This time of year brings out calendars in all shapes and sizes. The best one I have found so far that can help keep you organized actually has a pocket at the bottom of each month.When you get your mail, you can put important papers in that pocket. I know I look at my calendar daily, so now I have a constant reminder that bills may need to be paid and mailed or perhaps I need to just sign

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1166187232971121492006-12-15T07:51:00.000-05:002006-12-15T07:53:52.973-05:00

Probably one of the hardest things to overcome when tackling a new organizing task is the mental aspect. It's hard to dig into a project and get things done. It takes motivation and determination to start it. It's usually not so bad once you are in it, but just starting is the hard part.Before you start a task, and if you find yourself "dragging your legs", sit down and visualize what you need

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1166157410956865942006-12-14T23:33:00.000-05:002006-12-14T23:36:50.956-05:00

I love finding a deal at the store. Some of the best deals can be had when a product has a coupon on it and it's on sale. Recently I found some deli thin meats on sale for $2.50 and then there was a $1.00 off coupon on it. So, my purchase was for $1.50. To make the deal even sweeter, the meat comes in Glad containers! I love Glad containers for storing food, and the meat containers do not

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1166157218424804902006-12-14T23:31:00.000-05:002006-12-14T23:33:38.446-05:00

Since Christmas is right around the corner (time is going fast, isn't it?), here is a handy use for those used cardboard rolls from your paper towel. Use them to wrap your christmas lights around when it comes time to take the lights off of your tree. They will keep your lights tangle-free and can your lights can be easily unwrapped for tree decoration next year!You don't have to stop at the

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1164804609629228192006-11-29T13:54:00.000-05:002006-11-29T13:54:20.570-05:00

Bob the Builder is actually helping children learn about organizing. Mainly, time management. If you watch closely on the show, Bob utilizes the strengths of each of his crew, and has them perform certain jobs. He also will delegate tasks to each of them as needed. Really, Bob is a master of time and resource management.I've always enjoyed Bob, but I have a little more respect for him now

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1164804755463852702006-11-29T13:49:00.000-05:002006-11-29T13:53:27.566-05:00

If you have more than one checking account, it may be hard to keep everything straight - especially if you use a few of them a lot (such as business and personal checks). One way to help is to assign a color to each account. Make sure you get checks in that color as well as have colored files that match. Let's say that blue is personal, green is checking. Before you know it...the color of

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1164826338184938122006-11-29T12:49:00.000-05:002006-11-29T13:52:18.433-05:00

One of the most stressful events that we can go through is the task of purchasing a new home. With all of the choices, we need some sort of help to sift through all of the homes. This is where knowledgeable realtors come in handy.If you are looking for a home near Chicago, NewCastle Realty Group may have a Chicago Realtor that is right for you. They cover the city of Chicago as well as over

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1164804494565512442006-11-29T07:46:00.000-05:002006-11-29T07:48:14.566-05:00

How many times have you been talking to someone and then find out it's so and so's birthday? Perhaps you want to send a card, but don't have enough time to get to the store to get one. What you can do is have a collection of cards at home, neatly organized in your desk. They are ready to just sign, address and mail out to the recipient. Buying the cards all at once will really help save time.

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1164804362157679012006-11-29T07:43:00.000-05:002006-11-29T07:46:02.176-05:00

Within your file cabinet, you can create "sub-files" to help you keep even more organized.Use some of the green hanging folders for files such as your banking info. Then, within the green folder use smaller manilla filing folders for each account that you have.Grouping your files like that can help with the organization and help you to find those files when you need them ;)

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163631984444784762006-11-15T18:04:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:06:24.446-05:00

If you are having a hard time keeping motivated to organize your home, enlist the help of a friend or family member. They can act as your "organizing buddy." You can take turns helping each other, and with twice the power you will have more energy to get your organizing tasks completed.Another great idea is to enlist little "organizing buddies" (a.k.a. your children or nieces and nephews).

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163631757440146542006-11-15T17:57:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:02:37.470-05:00

If you love to use file folders, but don't really care for filing cabinets, perhaps you would be interested in using galvanized metal boxes. These boxes come in varying sizes, including ones that will fit files. They have wheels on the bottom so they can be easily wheeled around. When not in use, you can cover them with a nice piece of cloth and it serves as decoration in your home.Another

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163394944882134362006-11-13T00:12:00.000-05:002006-11-13T00:15:44.883-05:00

I have boxes and boxes of photos that are just waiting for a home. They sit and you can sift through them to look at them, but it would be nice to have some organization to them.Photo albums can work great, but once the photos are on the page, it's not easy to move things around in case you decide to change something. That's why I like to use the computer!I scan in my photos now, right after I

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163394694907078032006-11-13T00:09:00.000-05:002006-11-13T00:11:34.926-05:00

Looking for a way to help clear up the paper trail clutter and to simplify your life? Perhaps using your bank's online bill paying feature (if available) is something of interest to you.For most banks, you would go in online and tell the bank what bill you would like to pay. Normally, once you enter in the payment info once, it stays in the system. So, it can take a few minutes to set

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163386370874677282006-11-12T21:44:00.000-05:002006-11-12T21:52:50.873-05:00

Interruptions are sometimes a person's worst friend when it comes to try to planning out your day and making the most of your time. It is often said that for each minute interruption, it takes five minutes to get back focused with what you were doing before the interruption.To help avoid interruptions, turn off your ringer and let the answering machine get calls during times when you should not

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163385836575700402006-11-12T21:27:00.000-05:002006-11-12T21:43:56.616-05:00

It will be good for your budget and great for your time management if you sit down and create your grocery list before you go to the store. When making your list (which can just be a list on a piece of paper), go to each space where you store food in your home and take an inventory of sorts. Whatever you need, mark down on your list. Do the same for the fridge.Then, sit down and think about

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163372424411902512006-11-12T17:55:00.000-05:002006-11-12T18:00:24.426-05:00

Here's a few quotes on organizing that I found that I think you will enjoy:"Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up."- A. A. Milne"In plain words, Chaos was the law of nature Order was the dream of man."- Henry Adams"It is best to do things systematically, since we are only human, and disorder is our worst enemy."- Hesiod“For every minute

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163341254168809512006-11-12T09:18:00.000-05:002006-11-12T09:20:54.183-05:00

If you eat yogurt, and the containers are the ones with lids, then you can wash those when finished an use them for children's organizers! I'm all about reusing things, as you can probably tell ;)Some of the uses that come to mind are to store jewelery beads, scrapbooking type items, game pieces, etc. Use your imagination. Basically, anything that has little pieces could be stored in a yogurt

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163308526915956062006-11-12T00:00:00.000-05:002006-11-12T00:15:26.930-05:00

Permanent markers are one of the greatest tools out there. 1.) You can keep frozen goods organized in your freezer by making sure to write the date frozen and what it is.2.) You can write on bins if you don't have a label-maker.3.) You can write on bigger folders to keep them organized on your shelves.4.) You can label plastic cups in your cabinet for all of the little ones in your house.5.) If

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163307606484157732006-11-11T23:57:00.000-05:002006-11-12T00:00:06.486-05:00

The holidays are soon upon us, and while it is great to visit with family and friends, it can be a super-stressful time in our lives. Especially if you are the host.One of the biggest things you can do to help ease the stress is to make a game plan. Figure out how many people will be there and start planning. From the food you will need to the seats and settings at the table. You will find

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163307097385222192006-11-11T23:49:00.000-05:002006-11-11T23:51:37.386-05:00

If you are on the computer a lot for certain hours of the day, there is a neat feature in Microsoft Outlook called Tasks. What you can to is set up little reminders for yourself. During the time that you choose to be reminder, a little reminder window will pop up on your screen (and make a sound) letting you know that something is coming up.I'm often on the computer while my son is at school,

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163306945142542952006-11-11T23:44:00.000-05:002006-11-11T23:49:05.170-05:00

I've seen people go back and forth on whether more shelves in an area can help keep you more organized. My stance? I say they can help IF you then use organizers on the shelves.Shelves are great to provide more storage area, but if they just become a drop-off area for things that don't have a home then they really aren't doing their purpose. The shelves themselves should be the final home for

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163283152052185882006-11-11T17:06:00.000-05:002006-11-11T17:12:32.053-05:00

Crash...crash..crash. If you've seen Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, you know what I'm talking about. There's a bit of damage in that movie. But if you are curious as to exactly how much damage is there, the HD DVD of the movie has an option to diplay a little tally on the screen. Fender: $618....roof repair: $209...etc. The reason this is possible is because Universal Studios Home

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163282801839693752006-11-11T17:00:00.000-05:002006-11-11T17:06:41.840-05:00

There are so many organizers for children's toys that when you go shopping for them it can make your head spin. There are toy chests, there are toy bins, there are pop up bins. The choices are endless.The thing I suggest is to take your child with you and help you with the decision. As an active participant, they will be more excited once the organizer gets home and they will more likely to

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163282407966329262006-11-11T16:57:00.000-05:002006-11-11T17:00:07.990-05:00

One of the things that I love to use for organize drawers or spaces are those plastic baskets. They come in many different shapes and sizes and can work wonders to help keep you organized.You can often find them in the dollar store for a cheaper price than in a department store. In my experience, they are exactly the same quality and both will do just great for helping you organize. Sadly,

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163257876090089812006-11-11T10:08:00.000-05:002006-11-11T10:11:16.090-05:00

Go to your local dollar store and purchase one of those small notebooks that can fit in your pocket. Then purchase a few strips of velcro. Place the velcro on the front page of the notebook and then place some on a pen. Stick the pen on the notebook and keep it in your glovebox.Now you have a neat organized way to keep track of things that are car-related. Such as mileage counts, servicing,

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163257696433076672006-11-11T10:05:00.000-05:002006-11-11T10:08:16.453-05:00

Smaller closets in older homes often do not have lights in them. If that sounds like your home, there are lights that you can buy often referred to as click lights or tap lights. They are run by a few AA batteries, and are circular in shape. To activate them, all you have to do is click on the big button. I have one on each side of my small closet and they work great! The only real trick is

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163200681324227462006-11-10T18:13:00.000-05:002006-11-10T18:18:01.326-05:00

Clutter lurks all around a home. I swear that it waits until your head is turned an magically appears all over the place (well, probably with the help of some children LOL). But clutter doesn't have to take over. There are some things that you can do to help battle it.1.) Put things away right away. So, all those groceries you brought home from the store need to be put away right away. All

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025607.post-1163200384117832192006-11-10T18:08:00.000-05:002006-11-10T18:13:04.116-05:00

Remember when you were a kid and making a decision was as simple as playing Eenie...Meenie...Minee...Moe? I sure do. Sometimes I wish as an adult I could go back to that way of decision making, but of course we can't (except for a few rare occasions ;)).Instead, we need to make decisions another way, and you can use organizing to help you make decisions!One of the things you can do when faced

Tricianoreply@blogger.com0