Organizing Tips for September

With Labor Day we usually see the pool closings, the end of family vacations, less daylight after work and goodbye to summer fun. Begin the fall and holiday season with some good organizing strategies.

• Coordinate fall activities on your calendar. Consider state fairs, apple and pumpkin picking, fall festivals, new community classes, etc. Send out “Save the Date” for any holiday activities you are hosting.
• Clean out the old sunscreens, summer make up and lotions.
• Purchase cold and flu preventatives, remedies and medications now. They will be harder fot find with the onset of flu season.
• Cull the magazines, save only needed articles and recycle the remainder. If you must purchase holiday magazines, be selective and recycle after reading.
• Donate summer gadgets you did not use this year. If you ever need them again, you can get them at that time. Don’t let them take up valuable storage and work spaces.
• Begin kitchen organizing and planning for the holidays. Uncover holiday baking items so you do not purchase duplicates this fall. Make a list of items and supplies you may need.
• If you plan to make holiday gifts, plan and start now or you may not have them ready in time.
• Your best choice for 2011 calendars and planners will be available beginning this month. If you are particular in style, theme, or colors, keep your eyes open for good selections.
• Take advantage of paper, office and stationery sales of items left over from the Back to School supplies. These will often be found in the clearance isles and bins.

 

Organizing Tips for January

A new year and decade has come with lots of challenges.  You probably have lots of ideas and goals swimming around in your head.  Here are some tips to get them organized.

• Take time to write down the things you would like to do this year and then break those down by months.  You have a better chance of them getting done that way.
• After the holiday clean up, you will probably find lots of things that were misplaced in the busyness of the holidays.  Take time to put those items back where they belong.
• Get rid of all the trash and recycle items that accumulated during the holidays.  Remove the catalogues and sales flyers that were in abundance.
• Pick out a calendar, planner or time organizational tool that you like and commit to using it.
• Make paper management a top priority this month.  Clean out your files, prepare your papers for tax filing time, set up an incoming paper sorting system and update your reference files.  This could take the entire month if done properly.
• Learn to use the slow cooker if you haven't already.  It will cook your food while you get the other items done.
• Update the chore chart so that everyone in the house takes part in its management.
• Pick an indoor maintenance or decorating project.  Do it while the weather prohibits outdoor activities.
• Try one new recipe each week to prevent the Winter blues.
• Clean, add or replace light bulbs to make the shortened days seem longer and the evenings brighter.
• Invest in yourself by taking a class, reading a book or learning a new skill.

There are chapters devoted to paper management and organizing time in my book.  If you need more ideas or detailed information on how to get started with simple and easy strategies, you can order it from Amazon.com or my website through PayPal.  I would be happy to answer any questions, and read your ideas or comments.