Organizing Checklist for May

Flowers are blooming, birdsare nesting and most of the pollen is gone. Now is the time to take care of those things we put off during the winter.


Clean and organize the garage. During the winter it often becomes a temporary dumping ground for items. Plan ahead so you can make room for the car if you have not already done this. Your automobile is probably the second most expensive investment you have made so take care of it. Take advantage of shelving and hooks that will allow you to organize your items off the floor.

Make a final check of clothing to be sure the heavier items are moved so there is room for the lighter weight summer clothing to be convenient.

Have a yard sale before the weather gets too hot to stay outside all day. Now is the time to unload all the things you removed during the past few months.

Plant flowers or hang flowering baskets. I vote for perennials although many do not continue to bloom through the summer months. Since they will come back each year, it saves time and money.

Update garden accessories. Remove rusted, broken or stained plant containers, stepping stones and other garden fixtures. Add outdoor furniture and children’s outside toys to the checklist.

Change the a/c filter and have a routine inspection of all its components before the scorching days of summer arrive. Clean ceiling fan blades and give other fans an inspection.

Clean the carpets and floors. They were used and abused all winter and deserve a thorough cleaning. If piles of clutter or stacks of items are on them, consider moving the items to shelving, cabinets or tables. Floors are easier to keep clean when only furniture is on them.

 

Organizing Checklist for April

With warmer weather definitely replacing colder days, it is time to finish up all indoor activities so there will be nothing keeping us from enjoying the outdoors.
• Organize your wardrobe so spring and summer clothing is more convenient to reach and use. The back of the closet, a spare closet, attics, basements, garages or under the bed are all options for temporary storage. As you do this, check clothing for repairs or necessary cleaning. Move out all the items that are no longer useful to you. If you are unsure of moving it on, pack it in a dated, labeled container and if you need it in the next year, you will know where it is. If you don’t use it in a year, move the contents of the container to a higher use or purpose by donating or selling them.
• As you change over the clothing for children, pack the too small clothing in containers that label the sex, size and season of the items in it. It will be easy to identify for a younger sibling later on or for a family member or friend who can use them.
• Organize the foyer or coat closet in the same way as your wardrobe. Lighter jackets should replace the heavier coats. Be sure the coats are cleaned and ready for use next fall.

• Replace heavier bedding with lighter weight items. Some quilts or comforters need only to be put through the “air” cycle on the dryer to remove dust. This is a good time to organize the linen closet and move out the towels, sheets and blankets that you no longer use.
• Set the crock pot aside and get the outdoor grill ready for use. Pull out your favorite grilling recipes and your favorite grilling utensils and put them in a convenient location.

• When the heavier pollen season has ended, clean the windows so you can enjoy the beauty of the spring flowers and birds as they arrive.

Organizing Checklist for March

Spring arrives this month, at least on the calendar. For those living in 4 season zones, it may be too cold to think about outdoor activities, but when the warm weather does arrive you want to be ready.
• This is the time to get indoor tasks finished so you can enjoy the outdoors as soon as the warm weather is here. Whatever the project, do not let it drag on or remain unfinished until next winter.  You may want and wait on cleaning windows until after the spring pollen has subsided.
• Review the attic space and determine if any items can be removed to sell, donate or pass on to family or friends. The rush to clean up after the holidays is usually not a good time to purge that space but you should do it before the summer sun makes it impossible.
It is best to store items in air tight containers in order to discourage pests from getting into them. Do not store photographs, candles and some plastic items as the attic heat will ruin them
• Clean out the garage. Hopefully you have made room for probably your most expensive investment other than your children or house—the automobile. If not, consider a renovation that includes space to park it there.

Create zones for the items you store in the garage and keep as many off the floor as you can. Separate sporting equipment, gardening items, cleaning supplies, tools and other hobby equipment.
• Get your summer furniture clean and ready to use. As soon as warm weather arrives, you want to be able to enjoy it. If you do not have a covered deck or porch, cover it after cleaning in the event an early spring storm should arrive.
• This is a good time to consider the possibility of having a yard or tag sale. It is never too early to plan and prepare for one. As you clean these areas and move out winter items later on, you have the opportunity to sort and price items that would be good to sell. Any items that remain after the sale can be donated to a local charity or thrift store.
• As the the month comes to an end and days are longer and warmer, remove the heaviest clothing, bedding, etc. for summer storage. This may mean to the back of the closet, to another closet or storage area, or out of the house permanently. If they will be part of a future yard sale, store them in the area set aside for that.

Organizing Tips for February

After the holiday clean up is past, it is time to look forward to the new year.  Here are some tips for this month.

• After gathering tax related papers, store necessary papers from last year and remove all of previous years that have been updated.
• Create a filing system that is easy to use and keep updated.

• Update the home inventory. Take pictures, a video or checklist of everything in your home.

• Update the yearly budget.

• Make the most of indoor time by finishing up indoor decorating projects.

• Remove never or rarely used kitchen utensils and equipment.

• Clear the bookshelves of fiction you have already read and reference books. It is unlikely you will reread fiction and reference books become outdated quickly. Use the Internet to keep up to date on those topics.

• Cull the cookbook collection and consider online sites for new recipe ideas.

• Begin planning for early spring activities. Buy seeds, sharpen garden and lawn tools.

• Make preliminary plans for spring or summer vacations. Early reservations are usually less expensive. Insure all travel tickets.

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.

Organizing Tips for December

This month is packed with lots of activities and last minute things to do. Having a good checklist will help keep you on track.

1. Mail out of town packages as soon as possible. There are some deadlines for overseas mailings.

2. Finish that Christmas newsletter and get those cards in the mail. Be sure you have kept a master list so changes in addresses, etc. can be made. Purchase "Forever" stamps rather than Christmas stamps. They can be used even when postage goes up.

3. You should have already sent out invitations to holiday activites you plan to host. If not, the sooner the better. As responses come in, update your list of the number you are serving.

4. Watch sales for last minute gifts, decorations, etc. that you need. Most online purchases will give free shipping but be sure they will be delivered in time. Be sure to keep all receipts in a special place for easy access if needed.

5. Make a grocery list of what you will need for your holiday events or feast. Purchase items when they are on sale. Keep the list, recipes and menu close at hand.

6. Begin decorating as soon as convenient. The best time is when you have help. Make the most of what you have. Basic wreaths that can have the bows changed with the seasons never need storage. Adding holiday bows or greenery to other permanent accessories such as candles can make them festive. Avoid purchasing items specific only to this holiday as they require storage space the remainder of the year.

7. Wrap packages as soon as you have them. If you decide to set aside a specific time, be sure you don't forget where they are hidden. Keep wrapping papers to a minimum. One or two plain colors and colorful bows are best. Children can decorate brown paper or white papers with colorful markers, stamps, etc. if you want them more festive.

8. Begin traditions with your family if you have not already begun them. For young children, simple activities such as baking cookies or decorating packages are best. Older children can help with community or church events. The family can purchase gifts for an "Angel Tree", read the Christmas story together, watch a favorite Christmas movie, etc.

9. Make a detailed schedule of what needs to be done before the big event. Work backwards in hourly increments on the big day and daily for a few days before.

10. Take pictures of family and friends and the decorations you chose as a keepsake and reminder for next year.

11. Be flexible on the big day and welcome any help offered. Don't sweat the small stuff and keep the mood light and festive.

12. Avoid the after Christmas sale unless you absolutely need the items. Avoid the long lines, parking problems and traffic jams. Items that need to be returned can usually wait for a few days.

13. Keep a journal of what worked and what didn't, the gifts you gave and any changes you would make in the future. Keep a list of clutter free gifts you can give next year. Keep a folder on paper or the computer of all the lists, ideas, recipes, pictures, evaluations,etc. related to the holiday.

14. As you take down the decorations, consider purging what you can. Eliminate as much permanent storage as possible. Try to maintain only those things with special significance or cannot be replaced.

15. Set a family goal to make the holidays even more meaningful next year. Adopt a charity, volunteer in the community, participate in your church holiday program, etc. Write down your decision and make plans for it next year.

November Organizing Tips

The holiday season has arrived and it is time to get busy.  Here are the organizing items that should be done in November.
1.  Purchase and address holiday cards now.  They should be ready to mail by the end of the month.
2.  Review or create the gift list so you can take advantage of sales on those items.  Look for free shipping offers if ordering online.  This method also saves time and money in the long run.
3.  Mail out of town packages by the end of the month.  Overseas packages may have earlier deadlines.
4.  Send out invitations for Thanksgiving Dinner as soon as possible.  Create a menu, grocery list and time schedule for that meal.  If you are not inviting guests, create those for yourself.
5.  Save lists, names, addresses, gifts, menus, grocery lists and any other related items in folders for reference next year.  Make notes as detailed as possible to save time in the future.  These can be saved as documents in folders on your computer or as paper files in folders by categories in your file box or cabinet.
6.  Avoid the Black Friday and after Thanksgiving sales unless you vow to stick to your gift list.  Otherwise clutter may become a holiday issue you do not need.