http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogList.asp?sort=organizer&schedule=121 The only way I know to describe this blog is to say "Get real, folks!" There are so many of us who are deluded by the idea that we can have it all, do it all, be everything to everyone, and not have a nervous breakdown in the process. Well, I'm here to slap you around a bit and remind you about how things really work -- one week at a time! This blog is dedicated to addressing the many ways that we complicate our own lives, and steps we can take to make things a bit easier. It's not meant to be an indictment or an accusation -- because I used to be right there with you! But as a Professional Organizer and full-time RVer, I've dedicated my life to radically simplifying -- clearing out the clutter, cutting back on the obligations, reducing my need for material possessions (and subsequently my footprint on this earth), and making space and time in my life for my true priorities. If I can do it, so can you... Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:45:05 EST en-us http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3531 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3531 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST It's incredibly difficult for folks to admit that they can't do everything themselves. Well, guess what -- you can't! And I don't know that you'd want to, even if you had the time. Some activities are unpleasant, outside your range of expertise, or just not what you want to spend your time on. There's nothing wrong with bowing out, as long as you can find someone else to take care of it. Knowing What's Really Important We often focus too much on the daily grind ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3530 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3530 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST When I sit down with a client to work on prioritizing and delegating, the biggest challenge is always deciding what kinds of activities and responsibilities to give up. Quite often, we get so entrenched in what we think we "should" be doing, that we forget to pay attention to what we "enjoy" doing. The Biggest Bang For Your Buck Have you ever caught yourself spending a lot of time on a very low-payoff activity? Low-payoff doesn't mean worthless. This task might actually need to be ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3529 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3529 Tue, 3 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST Simplifying your life is all about prioritizing -- determining which activities are worth doing yourself, and which are better left undone or delegated to someone else. The first step toward making this determination is knowing how much your time is worth -- then you can decide when to invest this precious and limited resource, as well as when to save up for something you want even more. Learning How To Quantify When you were a kid, you probably didn't think much about what it took to ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3528 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3528 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST I was helping a client clean out the other day and came across a bunch of books by Erma Bombeck -- I hadn't seen these in years! My mother used to love Auntie Erma's sense of humor, skewering suburban life in a way that someone mired in housework and child-rearing could. But Ms. Bombeck also tried to help her readers live life in the moment -- to worry less about appearances and really enjoy each moment for what it is. Eat Less Cottage Cheese And More Ice Cream In 1979, someone ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3527 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3527 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST A friend of mine had a major epiphany this weekend while I was talking with her on the phone. She's an accountant, and was complaining about a client who drives her up the wall. As she outlined all her grievances and complaints, she came to a realization that she didn't have to keep putting up with his nonsense. I wanted to share this with you, because you might see some similarities to a situation in your life. Why Didn't I Think Of That Sooner? This guy is always late ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3526 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3526 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST We all experience stress at work -- but there is no reason to let it take control of your life or your job. No matter what the cause, there are some fairly simple and universally effective steps you can take to alleviate stress and regain your sense of balance. When you're feeling overwhelmed, give these a try. The Mind-Body Connection At any point during the day when you feel overwhelmed, the quickest remedy is a good deep breath. When you're stressed, you breathe much more ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3525 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3525 Tue, 6 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST So many times, we ignore situations that stress us out until it's too late. This is especially true at work where we feel less in control of the circumstances that surround us. We let the annoyances and tolerations pile up as we never would in personal relationships -- often to the point that they negatively affect our productivity or our health. But now it's time to reclaim control over your work life! Recognize The Warning Signs The first step to cutting stress off at the pass ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3524 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3524 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST Feeling overloaded at work is never a good thing -- but it's doubly frustrating when you don't even know what's causing the stress. Something's just not right, but you can't quite pinpoint the problem. I'll give you a hint -- the number one reason for work-related stress is an inability to draw healthy boundaries. This can show up in a variety of ways -- look at your work day and see if any of these situations feel a little too familiar. Constant Interruptions Do ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3523 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3523 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST An organizer friend of mine recently posted a quote by Nate Berkus (you may know him better as Oprah's "style guy") that started a lengthy conversation about hoarding. Since this seems to be such a popular topic with the media, a growing problem for my clients, and relevant to the whole "cleaning out" theme -- I wanted to share some of those thoughts with you. A Not-So-Fine Line This is what Nate had to say -- "Here's the difference between a collector, which I consider ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3522 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3522 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST Does the idea of setting up your wares in the front yard and spending a weekend selling unwanted items make you break out in cold sweats? Garage sales don't have to be so painful -- not if you plan ahead from the very beginning. Here are some quick tips for making your sale both fun and profitable. Advertising Your Sale Many people don't realize that you can't just put a pile of junk in your yard, slap up a bunch of signs, and hold a yard ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3521 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3521 Tue, 8 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST When you start organizing, the first step is often cleaning out -- but this process doesn't have to create bags of trash for the landfill, if you take the time to make sure than anything usable goes to a better home. Donating Household Items Nearly anything you clean out of your home can be donated to a local thrift store. It's okay if items are worn (people know they are used when they buy them), but make sure they are clean and functional -- don't just ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3520 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3520 Tue, 1 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST Cleaning out can seem overwhelming -- especially if it's been a while since you've done it. But following this very simple process will help you sort and separate your belongings into manageable piles! When you begin clearing an area, you should have three large boxes close at hand. One box is labeled "Keep" -- one is labeled "Get Rid Of" -- and the third is labeled "Not Sure." The Keepers The first step toward cleaning out the clutter is recognizing that not everything is a ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3519 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3519 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST Some people have an awfully hard time letting something go on the first go-round. They vacillate, back and forth, trying to decide if they will regret the decision. So I want to talk to you a bit about "waffling" as you are trying to clean out unnecessary clutter. A Bad Case Of Indecision You know what "waffling" is. It begins when you decide to get rid of that old waffle iron you never use. As you put it in the donation bag, you think to yourself, "But what if someone wants waffles?" ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3518 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3518 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST At this point, you have probably run across some belongings that don't exactly serve a practical purpose in your life. Of course, some items simply cannot be judged according to their function alone. Certain objects, such as artwork or collectibles, are kept because they are aesthetically pleasing. Others are treasured for their sentimental value. What do to? Quit With The Excuses Already! It's fine to keep things that you don't use everyday -- I don't believe in ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3517 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3517 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST Cleaning out your junk can be incredibly freeing -- but where do you start? There's so much to do!! Before we talk in detail about "de-cluttering," let's take a minute to look at the bigger picture. Here are a few rules of thumb to follow when you begin cleaning out -- either at home or at the office. Have A Plan Of Attack Begin working in the area that is the biggest thorn in your side -- the part of your home or office that causes you the most agony. Even if every area of your ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3516 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3516 Tue, 4 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST Let's face it, we love our stuff! We are a society of consumers. That's one of the benefits of living in a prosperous capitalistic country -- we have a lot of disposable income and a wide variety of ways in which to spend it. Americans, in particular, shell out a tremendous amount of money each year for leisure consumable goods -- purchases above and beyond those required to meet our basic needs for shelter, food, clothing, and transportation. Why Do You Buy What You Buy? ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3423 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3423 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST Sometimes, life can creep in on you from all sides -- and before you know it, you're knee-deep in clutter, behind on everything, and feeling so overwhelmed that you don't know what to do! The trick is to recognize the "danger signs" before everything spins completely out of control. So how do you know if you need to clean out? Here's a sure-fire ten-step way to spot (and deal with!) all kinds of clutter in your life. You Have To Move A Pile Off A Chair So Someone ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3422 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3422 Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST Last week, I shared some tips for saving money while raising kids -- here are a few more suggestions: ask for free tutoring (if your kids are struggling with their studies, you might pay $20 an hour for a private tutor -- but many districts offer free afterschool tutoring sessions with teachers, all you have to do is ask -- also check with your public library or community center for both in-person and online tutoring programs for kids who live in the surrounding ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3421 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3421 Tue, 6 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST Last week, I shared some tips for saving money while raising kids -- here are a few more suggestions: question the supply lists (teachers these days often give parents ridiculously long lists of "required supplies" for class -- many of these ask families to provide basic essentials like kleenex and paper towels and hand sanitizer -- pretty soon, they'll be asking children to bring their own TP to school! -- some suggest that kids need items like dry erase boards and ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3420 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3420 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST Next to buying a house or a car, having kids is the biggest money drainer that most people will experience in their lives. Children these days are expensive -- in addition to the basic costs of clothing and feeding them, you've got summer camps, private schools, piano lessons, video game systems, and birthday parties to think about, as well. Or do you? Perhaps the key to making child-rearing more affordable is tempering expectations -- both yours and your child's. ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3419 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3419 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST Last week, I talked about some tips for reducing your technology expenses -- here are a few more suggestions: avoid contracts whenever you can (you've got to both love and hate free market enterprise -- whatever one company is doing is what they all do -- and for a while there, you couldn't get a cell phone account or internet service or cable without committing to a contract and facing a substantial cancellation fee if you changed services before the expiration date -- ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3418 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3418 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST Talking about technology and frugality often brings up a bit of a catch-22. Technological advances can make certain items less expensive (like downloading movies instead of going to a theater) -- however, it's also very easy to spend more on your gizmos and gadgets than is really necessary, if you're not careful. A Vicious Cycle Technology can either be your budget's best friend or its worst enemy -- it all depends on how you use it. For example, the fact that I ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3417 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3417 Tue, 9 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST Healthcare costs in this country have gone through the roof, and many people feel as if they just can't afford to take good care of themselves anymore. But saving money on health costs does not mean skipping doctor visits or avoiding necessary treatments -- living simply and frugally is about developing affordable and healthy habits that keep you from needing expensive medical attention. An Ounce Of Prevention Ours is the only industrialized nation that does not provide ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3416 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3416 Tue, 2 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST Folks are spending a fortune on gym memberships, organic specialty foods, and home workout equipment. But being healthy does not have to break your budget -- it's more about the choices you make than what you buy. An Ounce Of Prevention It goes without saying that the best way to save money on healthcare is to simply avoid purchasing it -- a well-functioning body doesn't require expensive prescriptions or costly procedures to keep it going. And so much of our health is ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3415 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3415 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST Matt and I don't spend a lot of money on "stuff" (there's just no room for conspicuous consumption when you live in a 29-foot Airstream!) But we do enjoy having lots of "experiences" -- so we have to work hard to keep our entertainment and travel budget under control. Fortunately, I've figured out how to keep on enjoying all the culture and food and amusement our society has to offer without going broke! Having Fun On The Cheap If you think that enjoying life has to ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3414 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3414 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST The one good thing about a down economy is that you can find lots of bargains on just about everything you need (or want) to buy in life -- groceries, household supplies, clothes, sporting goods, cars, appliances, multimedia, even entertainment and restaurant meals. And you don't even have to spend hours clipping scraps out of the local paper to save -- thanks to the internet, there is no good reason to pay retail for ANYTHING anymore! Pinch That Penny Until It Screams I ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3413 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3413 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST It might seem obvious that sound money management should be on your list of concerns when trying to life frugally. And of course you want to put money away for the future, as you look forward to the day when you no longer have to work -- but sometimes our focus with regard to this issue is a tad misguided. Plugging The Money Leaks Long-term investment and retirement strategies are an important component of financial freedom -- but even more crucial is an everyday awareness of ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3412 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3412 Tue, 5 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST With gas prices hovering at more than $3 per gallon, it makes sense to try and reduce your transportation expenses -- but how to do it? Unlike cable TV or Starbucks or eating out (which are obvious luxuries that could easily be cut from the budget), you need your car! After all, you have to get back and forth to work, the grocery store, and your kid's soccer practices. Things were so much easier before we became dependent on the automobile. The Road Less Expensive Folks used ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3411 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3411 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST I have been reading stories all over the internet about how house sizes are shrinking -- folks are (finally) realizing what an economic burden and a maintenance nightmare the "McMansion" is, and are shifting to smaller and more manageable living environments. Matt and I moved from a 2-story house to a 29-foot Airstream so we could live more affordably while traveling the country -- but you don't have to hit the road to reduce your housing costs! A House That Costs Less ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3410 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3410 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST Aside from housing and transportation, one of the biggest expenses we face in modern society is keeping fed. HighBeam Research claims that the average American spends nearly $4,000 per person per year these days on food and drink -- that includes bulk groceries, convenience foods, restaurant and fast food meals, alcohol, snacks from the vending machine, and even your morning Starbucks. There's no reason that eating has to cost that much! Eating Habits That Cost Less ...