In my line of work I meet so many wonderful people. Whether through working, speaking, teaching, or casual contact in my daily life; almost all of them have a burning question to ask me about getting organized. Two questions turn up far more often than any others. One being whether or not I have ever worked with a real hoarder (the answer is yes) and the second being how to get your family on board when trying to get better organized. This answer is not quite so simple.
One very important thing to keep in mind is that regardless of how many family members you may have in your home with you, it is their home too. Although much research has been conducted on the overall benefits of living in an organized environment, some people just aren’t interested. Should you happen to be married to one of these, hope is not lost but it will be a challenge, for sure.
When asked this question, I always tell people to never underestimate the power of compromise. If you share a space with someone and as difficult as it may be to imagine, there are things you do that bothers them as well. These things are your bargaining tools. Quid pro quo…I will put away your laundry if you will make the bed before you leave the house. I won’t throw away your magazines if you stack them neatly in a designated place.
This process can work beautifully yet it must be handled delicately. Take one thing at a time. When one area has been successfully negotiated and implemented, begin another. For a safe, long-term fix, I would recommend one change every three weeks to a month. It is also important to note, that your spouse should have a designated area within the home where he or she can be themselves without having to adhere to strict organizational guidelines. A man-cave or a scrapbook room are perfect examples.
Children are another, much simpler story…clear instructions, rewards, and consequences. Take care to clearly communicate what you expect then establish rewards for meeting or (hopefully) exceeding those expectations and consequences when not given a genuine effort. If the effort is there, provide additional, patient training. Children of all ages love to learn and as their parent you are their most important teacher. All children can be organized provided they are taught and supported by an organized, loving parent.
Have a neat day!
Jennifer Snyder
Neat as a Pin Organizing Experts
Facebook: Neat as a Pin Organizing Experts
I recently read a fascinating article in Real Simple magazine regarding Women & Time. Probably the most fascinating aspect is a phenomenon called Gatekeeping. In short, Gatekeeping is when we have avenues in which we could delegate tasks but choose not to do so as then we would relinquish control.
Control is a big word and one few take lightly. When it comes to our homes, we (speaking to women here) are the master of our domain. I can’t tell you how many husbands or sons will purchase gift certificates for me to help their wives or mothers get more organized, only to never hear from them. If the woman takes the initiative, the husbands are typically onboard 100% until we discuss their “man cave”. My point is, we want to be in control of our space, yet we also want more time to do things we enjoy.
So how do we achieve that? I would recommend seriously considering your priorities. When it comes to your home, is a clean toilet more important to you than pressed curtains? Is putting away dishes properly more important than a few extra minutes of play time when bathing small children? Make a list of all of your tasks then go back through them and prioritize them with 1 being the most important and the last number (coinciding with the number of items on the list) being least important to you.
Take that last, least important item, and delegate it to someone else and see what happens. Just as an example, lets hypothesize that making beds is lowest on your list. If your home is like mine, no one else can make a bed just quite right. The pillows aren’t lined up right or the sheets hang out from under the duvet. Take the time to truly show the recipient of this task how it should be done and let them do it. Giving constructive criticism at first then backing off. Even if they aren’t done exactly to your specifications, it is easier to go back and fix it than do the whole thing.
Once that last item is ok, move onto another one, before long you will, hopefully, be a master delegator. Don’t think your family can do it? Guess again. Don’t underestimate them before giving them the opportunity after adequate training. “Adequate” being the most important aspect. If my family of 3 boys can do it, so can yours!
Being a Professional Organizer, I am always trying to recognize events in my life that help me to identify with my clients. My house isn’t perfect…and neither am I. My most recent event occurred at the Laundromat – of all places. Let me tell you my story.
I haven’t set foot in a Laundromat in more than a decade. When my dryer broke a few months back I thought we would use it as an opportunity to move forward in being earth conscious and use a clothes line. Noble as this idea may have been, line drying all of the clothes for a family of five during the rainy season isn’t quite the start I was anticipating. When my most precious friend told me she goes to the “mat”, I thought it might be fun to go to together. This would give me time with my friend and get my family off my back about needing clean underwear. Boy was I in for a surprise.
First, I had a car load of laundry. Now, I drive an SUV. I am talking the entire cargo area, back seat and passenger seat…FULL. The good news is it only took me two hours to wash every stitch in my whole house. It was hard work! I sweat more than during a workout but had such a great feeling of accomplishment. The crowning moment was when I got home with my 20 or so baskets of folded clothes that were already sorted by room where they were destined.
It was my precious friend that pointed out the connection to my organizing clients. So many times my clients are indeed organized individuals who become the victims of circumstance. Things happen…an illness, a new baby, a death…that prevents them from staying on top of things. That is where an Organizer comes in. Just as the Mat was hard work and pretty expensive; it was worth it to have an, albeit small, window with no worries about laundry. The satisfaction of feeling a sense of completion made it all worth it.
Sometimes even the most organized of people need help getting over the hump…and I am not talking about Wednesday! Now, how do you stay on top of laundry for a family of five (or three, or ten)? One load each day, every day, no matter what!
Are you making the most of your time or are you a daily “fire fighter”, running around putting out “fires” all day? It is one thing to understand the principles of time management yet task management seems to be elusive to many. We all have the promotional notepads with the To Do list boxes already printed on them, but do they really help? Maybe if you are going to the grocery store.
The best way to manage your tasks is to first understand how you think. If you forget anything that you can’t see, a notepad isn’t likely to work. For these thinkers, I recommend the Sticky Method. With this type of task management, you write your tasks on 3×3 sticky notes. You place the sticky notes on a large dry erase board mounted to the wall. The board should be divided into realistic time frames (i.e. Today, Tomorrow, Next Week, etc). Place the sticky notes into the appropriate category. Move them around as necessary. Take it one step further by color coding your papers.
Here is an example: today you have an appointment to take your children to the dentist but the office calls to tell you the doctor is out sick today. You will take the dentist paper and move it to the coordinating day of the rescheduled appointment. When you are away from your office, take the sticky notes with you. These can easily be placed into a pocket calendar or a day planner.
How you manage your tasks isn’t nearly as important as the fact that you do it. Your system doesn’t have to look like your neighbors, and if you read about one in a book and it doesn’t work, it’s ok. Take a system that sounds good then make modifications where necessary to make it your own. You are the only you in the world, only you know what will work for you!
Have a Neat day!
Jennifer Snyder
Owner & Organizer
Neat as a Pin! Organizing Experts
(254) 715-3888
www.neatasapin.net
In my classes I teach people how to keep computer files organized but what I am talking about today, is all of the little items that we are instructed to keep that comes with new electronics purchases. Rare is the home I visit that does not have a closet totally devoted to empty computer and electronics boxes – once even having a client rent a storage unit to store the TV box just in case she needed it.
We are given information from a variety of sources (add me to the list) of what to keep and what to save. Most of which, is intended to make life easier for the entity providing the information. Consider this, if it is clearly written on each side of a computer box to Save This Box! You think you need to save it. By saving the box, you are making any returns easier (and cheaper) for the manufacturer. Save your boxes between fourteen and thirty days. After that, any malfunction issues will have presented themselves. After that time, a local repairman would most likely be consulted anyway.
Once you are ready to dispose of the actual box, cut off the serial number sticker and any manufacturer contact information. These should be stored with the owner’s manual and warranty information. This can be by either stapling or placing together in a sheet protector or Ziploc bag. If you use the Ziploc bag, you can place the wires in there as well, just be sure to use a labeler to label the bag and the contents. Make sure that chargers that are used regularly are left out in a place where they can be charged in the same place every day.
Parts and pieces for items that would be seldom used should be stored away but properly labeled. Again, a Ziploc bag or even square Gladware boxes are ideal. I prefer the Gladware boxes because they can easily be stacked on a shelf. If the labels are on the sides, then you know exactly which box contains the spare parts to your dishwasher.
Before trying to take control over you wires and electronics accessories, go through them and identify the parent part…then label them. Any for which you are unsure, place in a separate container. Keep the container for six months and if you haven’t tried to locate one of those cords, discard the entire thing. Replacing a lost cord cost far less than the emotional cost of worrying about what to do with them.
Have a Neat day!
Jennifer Snyder
Neat as a Pin Organizing Experts
www.neatasapin.net
We all know how important it is to read to children. I’m sure most of you read to your children often. It’s much easier to read at bedtime when those little tornados are tired. And sometimes getting a toddler to slow down during daylight can be almost impossible. Giving your toddler the skills to take a reading break during daylight hours is not only good for them; it can be a lifesaver for you. Many of the strategies I use in the classroom can be incorporated at home and make story time more fun for everyone.
Short and sweet: The attention span of a toddler is short and so is your window of opportunity. Little Miss Antsy Pants can’t be expected to sit forever. Toddlers like simple. Look for books that don’t have a lot of words but do have a lot of pictures. They gravitate toward books with great illustrations. And be sure to stick with age appropriate subject matter.
Song and Rhyme: Try singing the story to a simple well known tune. For instance, singing Brown Bear, Brown Bear to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Nothing captures their attention quicker than a catchy melody. Read simple books that are songs. The Wheels on the Bus or If You’re Happy and You Know It are just two examples that are classroom favorites. Children enjoy stories that rhyme. Books like Jamberry or The Barnyard Dance are fun to repeat and easy to memorize. Most tots feel a sense of accomplishment when they can “read” along from memory.
Tools: Finger puppets, felt boards and toys are all tools teachers use to help tell a story. Animated facial expressions and character voices are surprisingly helpful. It’s tough competing with the likes of Elmo and iPad. Coming up with a creative way to tell a story can save the day. I have a stash of puppets and toys that go with the stories I read. These “friends” come out of my special bag or pocket of my apron only at story time. Reading capes, magic story wands, silly hats or giant reading glasses make the transition from playtime to story time a breeze.
Location, Location, Location: Create a change of scenery and read somewhere new. For instance, drape a blanket over a couple of chairs and read a short story by flashlight in your “fort”. Go on a treasure hunt following clues that lead you to a “treasure book”. Following animal tracks to a book like Going on a Bear Hunt becomes an adventure. Changing the venue for story time magically increases the attention span of a toddler.
Library time: At nursery school we have a routine which includes circle time, snack time and library time. Part of circle time is set aside for a book read to the entire group. Library time is for children to read by themselves. Children like routine and knowing what to expect. It’s helpful to have some kind of routine at home and incorporating a “Library Time” can be especially helpful for moms who need a little quiet time.
Repetition works: So you’ve read Dr. Seuss a million times? Good. Children find comfort in repetition. They want to know the story inside and out. Repetition and the comfort it provides spurs the confidence of little readers. Once Little Miss Antsy Pants feels like she knows the story she just might snuggle up and take turns reading the book with you (she reads a line, you read a line). When you read this way you easily reinforce positive skills like taking turns, sharing, patience and confidence. Once she is comfortable with the story she progresses to independence and you will hear a little voice say, “I do it by myself”. She will want to hold the book, turn the pages and read out loud to you.
Reap the benefits: Reading aloud to your children increases their vocabulary and exposes them to learning in a fun creative way. You will be developing skills like relaxing, sitting, listening, storytelling, memory, communicating and thinking. Reading benefits language and enunciation skills. Children need to hear and practice words and sounds. Ask questions and have a conversation with your toddler about what you’ve read. You will be delighted by what they’ve learned and amazed at the information a toddler can retain. Kids are smart! Watching them read to stuffed animals or toys while pretending to be Mommy or Daddy is quite entertaining. My students like to role play and take turns being the teacher. The other day one of my more animated students parroted “Tap, tap, tap, clap, clap, clap, fold your hands and put them in your lap” (which is what we say at circle time to get ready for the story). “Now eyes on me” she added with hand gestures and voice inflection.
There have been numerous studies on the benefits of parents reading to children. It comes as no surprise children who are read to at home have a greater advantage in school and life. The bottom line is that you want to introduce reading to children at an early age so that they can develop a lifelong love of reading. It not only creates a great foundation for learning, it helps you create a strong parent/child bond. Reading is fun and special quality time with your little one is priceless. Your child will always have fond memories of “story time with Mommy or Daddy” and so will you.
Listed below are some favorite books we’ve read in my classroom this month. Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea, by Jan Peck, illustrated by Valeria Petrone The Pout Pout Fish, by Deborah Diesen, pictures by Dan Hanna Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins Into the A, B, Sea, by Deborah Lee Rose, pictures by Steve Jenkins Do Whales Have Wings? by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Sandra D’ Antonio
*****
Rebecca Douglas works as a nursery school teacher, freelance writer and blogger Twos2Teens@blogspot.com. She has a B.S. in Advertising/Public Relations from the School of Journalism at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Rebecca lives with her husband and three children in Minnesota.
Whether you’re a parent planning for a child’s education or a small business owner poised for growth, one thing’s for certain — there’s not much you can control about the future. And when you add the backdrop of a turbulent economy, it may be difficult to even think about making long-term plans for yourself, your family or your loved ones.
But one key to moving forward may be securing a level of financial protection against life’s uncertainties for however long you need it. Term life insurance can help provide that protection.
As many parents are juggling multiple obligations including mortgages, auto loans and educational expenses, the prospect of leaving loved ones burdened with those responsibilities can be particularly overwhelming. All these concerns can be addressed in ways tailored to what you and your family can afford. Term life insurance provides coverage at a level you choose, for a period of time you designate. For young families or single parents, term policies are an accessible path to security. And, as your financial circumstances change in the future, a term policy can be easily upgraded to permanent insurance to cover your long-term goals and dreams.
Let’s face it. You can’t be prepared for everything. But a term insurance policy might help you plan for more than you realize.
For additional information on the information or topic(s) discussed, please contact
Keith Reed at 254-537-3220.
Keith Reed, New York Life Insurance Company
254-537-3220
115 Burnet Court
Woodway, TX 76712
kdreed@nyl.com
Guilt is defined “remorse caused by feeling responsible for some offense”. We all have it and especially when it comes to our clutter. Mental health professionals would agree that guilt can weigh us down and bring with it some less than ideal side effects. Imagine ridding yourself of not only the clutter in your space but also of the guilt associated with it! To do that, we must first understand it.
We experience guilt clutter when we pay a lot of money for something we never use. Usually big ticket purchases seem like a good idea at the time but end up unused and relegated to some corner. A very good example of this is a treadmill. It is possible to spend several hundred to several thousand dollars on a treadmill. So you make the investment in, assuming, your health but fail to use it. This creates guilt not only that you aren’t exercising but that you also made such a large, wasted, investment. You keep it because you either intend to use it someday or simply paid so much money for it you believe you won’t be able to recoup any of it. All of these feelings drain your emotional energy and take away from your enjoyment of life.
If I were standing there with you looking at this treadmill, I would ask you “what keeps you from using it?” and “what is the worst thing that could happen if it were to go away?” The bottom line is if you don’t use it because you would prefer to walk outside in the fresh air then let it go! If the worst thing that could happen is you are out a few hundred dollars then let it go. Sell it on Craig’s list or contact a local auction company to take it off your hands for you. Either way, you will be happier in the long run.
Another very real form of guilt clutter is the gifts we receive. We all get them…gifts for which we appreciate the thought but would never use in a million years. A very good example comes to mind from a client a few years ago. She had two (very ugly, I might add) martini glasses. She had already mentioned that she doesn’t drink alcohol yet keeps these two glasses. She said they were a gift from a friend and wanted to have them in case she came over one day. I told her “things break”. She laughed but understood.
The reality is even if the friend did come over, it is unlikely they would drink iced tea out of the martini glasses. There is no reason for her to keep them. I do, however, recommend re-gifting when possible just be smart about it. The best thing to do though is to tell the generous gift-giver that although you love the thought, you would rather get her money’s worth by exchanging it for something you would actually use. They might be a little stung at first but in the end will most likely be grateful that their money wasn’t wasted. Honesty is always the very best policy.
Guilt happens to all of us and the way to overcome it is to recognize it. Once you do, consider the steps to remove those feelings and feel better about your belongings and your space.
You’ve just lost your parent, and it’s a difficult, stressful time. You’re grieving, yet there’s so much to do: funeral arrangements to make, family to care for. And as painful as it may seem, there is also urgent business concerning your finances. Here’s a checklist, by no means complete, to help you get started:
• Contact your loved one’s places of employment. Find out whether he or she was covered by employee group insurance. You should also ask about any pension benefits, accrued vacation or sick pay, and credit union accounts.
• Contact any unions and service or professional organizations your loved one belonged to. You might be eligible for benefits through these groups.
• Gather your loved one’s bills. Some loans and service contracts are covered by credit life insurance that pays off the balance in the event of a customer’s death.
Security for Your Future
If you’ve been left a significant inheritance, you face further decisions for the long term. Some people choose to use a small part of the money to pay debts, or buy something they might not otherwise be able to afford.
Keep in mind, though, that your loved one probably intended to provide security for your future as well. After your loss, other family members may be even more dependent on you. You may decide to use your inheritance to provide security for them, just as it was provided for you.
Life insurance can play an important role. A single premium policy can guarantee* your children a financial legacy that’s generally free from federal income tax. Life insurance can also offer living benefits, like the option of borrowing against a policy’s value.**
Life can change swiftly and unpredictably, so it’s always wise to have your affairs in order. The best time to make arrangements for tomorrow is today.
For additional information on the information or topic(s) discussed, please contact Keith Reed at 254-537-3220.
Keith Reed, Agent
New York Life Insurance Company
254-537-3220
115 Burnet Court
Woodway, TX 76712
kdreed@nyl.com
* Guarantees backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuer.
** A policy’s cash value may be accessed via policy loans and/or partial surrenders. Policy loans accrue interest at the current rate. Loans and partial surrenders reduce the death benefit and cash value. Policy loans and withdrawals may be subject to regular income tax and may carry a 10% IRS penalty tax if the policyowner is not yet 59½.
Medications opened in 1996 and not used since…strawberry syrup from 1989…napkins from your daughter’s first birthday and she is now married with children… Our pantries are places we frequent yet seldom think about unless we can’t find something.
Pantries were originally built in a cold North corner of a home for storage of food. Butler’s panties were entirely different and meant for storage of china and serving ware. There was a time when pantries weren’t even built into homes but are making a welcome comeback. Perhaps it was the generation skip that has caused the pantry to become such problem area. As children we had very small pantries, if any, and now they are large enough to be a room in and of themselves.
I have seen pantries filled with so many irrelevant items there wasn’t any room for the food. Such items include florist vases, gift wrap, filing cabinets, even an assortment of handbags. In taking back control of our pantry we must first identify how we intend to use it. Hopefully food storage tops the list but that is entirely up to you.
When you decide to work on your pantry, set aside several hours to do it properly. Take everything out – and I mean EVERYTHING! As you are removing items, check them for expiration dates. If it doesn’t have one, assume that it is expired and toss it out. This is an integral part of the process at it will decrease the volume of items returning to your pantry exponentially.
Once the space is empty, go ahead and clean. Remove the dried honey then put down fresh shelf liners. With the space fresh and clean, think about what you use most. Do you have children that need access to snacks? Make sure that the items you use the most are in the most logical/accessible place. If there are very shallow shelves, dedicate that space to items such as boxes of drink mixes/teas or condiments like ketchup and relish.
Most pantries can be divided into the following categories:
Notice spices are not listed. Spices should be stored within reach of your cooking space. If at all possible, these should not be stored in your pantry.
Replace the items into your pantry. Only use the floor for items that are not consumed. If the floor must be used, place items such as sodas, water, reusable shopping bags, disposable dinnerware or serving dishes still in the original packaging.
A few more tips for keeping your pantry in line:
Always remove unnecessary packaging. If you buy a variety pack of cereal, take them out of the shrink wrap before placing on the appropriate shelf.
Items packaged in bags are inevitable, however, if you store them with the unopened end out, it makes for a much cleaner appearance.
When making your shopping list, go through the pantry and remove anything outdated or empty. This quick pass over will decrease the need for another several hour block
anytime soon.
Your pantry is an important area of your home because most, if not all, of your family’s meals originate there. You want it to be clean and easy to use.
