Got Keys?

Always loosing your keys?  I often work with clients to set up a landing pad – a place where they ALWAYS put their keys, phone, and other important items.

But keys can get misplaced. If losing your keys drives you crazy, here are some creative ways to remember your keys:

• Doormat
• Door knob reminder  “The Doorganizer”
• Use technology, the Tile App

Or get rid of the house keys all together: One of my clients installed a keypad number lock on all her doors, instead of a traditional key lock, because she always was losing her keys!  The other members of her family had the same issue and they happily agreed to get a keypad lock. I think this is a clever solution to an annoying problem.

Favorite Container #8: Desktop File

This month, August, I’m back to thinking about papers as the start of school approaches. I’ve been filling out school-related forms, signing my daughter up for after-school activities, and receiving lots of information from her new teams and groups.

My all-time favorite container for organizing papers and projects is a desktop file box. Here are the details:

What:  A box that is designed to hold hanging folders and files, and can sit on your desk or kitchen counter.

When to use it: Use this kind of box for your key files – files that you need to see all the time, and for current projects. My desktop file box always has these folders in it:

• Camp Ideas (for my daughter)
• Activities (for my daughter – things she may want to try)
• To Buy
• Family Meeting (any papers that my husband and I need to discuss)
• Current Projects – Home (colors for a bedroom, estimates from the painter) Current Projects – Work

How to use it: Create hanging file folders for the key papers you tend to hold on to – not for every one, but what are the general categories of papers that end up on your counter or desk? Once you have the categories set, you can use individual manila file folders to separate papers inside the hanging folder if needed. Note: The categories may change over time as you see what kinds of papers you have, so don’t be afraid to change the folders.  No system is perfect at the beginning – you need to live with it and use it for a while to see what works.

Why to use it: A desktop file box helps move your papers from piles to vertical files, making them much easier to see! When you can see your papers, you can actually take them out and use them…and have a place to put them away.

Where to purchase: Basic desktop file boxes can be found at Staples and Office Max. Look on Amazon.com and The Container Store for file boxes in fun designs and natural materials.

See how a client set up her own Desktop File box in this blog post. For an idea on how to organize your financial papers, check out this recent Favorite Container post.

Favorite Container #6: Accordion File for Financial Papers

My favorite container for this month is the good old accordion file. It’s my go-to system for organizing our bills and financial information for the year.

At the start of each year I get a large size (20+ pockets) accordion file from the office supply store. I label each section for the key financial paperwork that we keep during the year - credit card statements, mortgage statements, investment statements, receipts for the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, taxes, etc.

When the paper comes in it has a place to go! It’s so easy to open the file to the right section and drop in the paper. No file cabinet needed!

The accordion file is kept in a lidded basket under a desk in my front hall, right where I open mail and need to file papers. This is key to your paper management system – keep your files close by. No one even knows all our papers are stored inside!

By keeping the file by the year, it is super easy to find what we need at tax time…and to know what papers can be shredded. After 7 years, the papers come out and get destroyed, and we can re-use the accordion file again.

I’ve helped many clients get control of their papers with this simple system. If you need help, contact me today and we’ll find a system that works for you.

Organizing from a Child’s Perspective

This week I helped a mom of two – with twins on the way – get through a few organizing projects. One of the goals was to organize items in a way that her children could access them on their own, because this mom is going to be busy when her new babies arrive!

One of the projects we tackled in the kitchen was to sort and organize the kids plastic plates, bowls, cups and utensils. They had been stashed in a few spots in the kitchen, so we gathered them up, sorted through to keep the best, and then relocated everything to a new home. We were able to claim a whole drawer that was now the designated “kids drawer.” Everything they’d need for meals was in there, and they could easily reach it. This client reported that her kids loved that they had their own space in the kitchen.

The other project was to get a closet filled with games, craft supplies and other items in better order. It was pretty well sorted and organized, but we brainstormed how to make it work even better. With the addition of the clear plastic drawers, the arts and crafts items now each had a storage spot – all labeled.  Many of the supplies had been stored in stacked plastic bins which is OK, but the drawers brought the items down to where the kids could easily see and access what they’d need.

Just a few changes should have a big impact on this family.

Three Tips for an Organized Trip

Travel season is here! This week I helped two different clients get ready for upcoming summer trips. One client was preparing for a two-week special family trip to Europe, while the other client – who was retired – was getting ready to spend the summer at her vacation home.

Whether your vacation is a weekend, two weeks, or all summer, here are three tips to have a more organized trip:

• Gather and stage your travel stuff.  One client used her guest room as a place to put everything she was collecting for her trip. This is a great idea if you have the space! For the other client, just getting a large shopping bag and labeling it “Bring With Me” gave her a place to drop in everything she found to take to her summer home.
• Create and use lists for the routine tasks.  One client had a packing list (extra points to her) which we found and she started to use. We also brainstormed a list of things she needed to do prior to leaving (get dog sitter, neighbor to water plants, cancel mail, etc.). This would also be an important list to have.  For my client who goes to her summer vacation home each year, she could have a checklist of things to do before she left and to open her vacation home.
• Deal with the important documents. Make sure you know where your passports are and leave copies at home. Keep copies of credit cards at home too, just in case they are lost or stolen while you are away. Be sure someone at home knows where to find these documents. Don’t forget to tell the credit card companies that you are travelling, and if you are going to be a way for an extended time be sure your bills are paid.

Now you are ready to relax and enjoy your vacation!

What’s your best travel organizing tip?

Organizing a Kid’s Craft Space

Last weekend I worked with one of my toughest customers: my daughter! Believe me, I understand how hard it can be to get other family members to organize their stuff.

We tackled her most challenging area: her craft space.

My daughter is fortunate that she has a little room just for her crafts - with nearly 8 feet of table top space.  When she outgrew her little kid table and chairs we took a trip to IKEA and got her two desks tops and a drawer unit. I thought that would be plenty of room for her to work and still have projects in process. But for the past few months things have just piled up, piled up, and piled up. 

After asking her to “clean up” her craft space for several weeks to no avail, I just pulled the curtains across so I wouldn’t have to look at the clutter (no door in this space). My daughter wondered why the curtains were closed and I told her.

She finally said to me, “Mom, I want your help.” I decided to treat her as one of my clients and get to work.

• Gather supplies. We got her trash can and recycle bin out, and I dove in.
• Sort and weed. I held up item after item and asked, “Do you need this? Do you want this? Where does it go?”
• Give everything a home. We repurposed some glass jars and other bins, to keep the things she used most right at her fingertips. 
• Label. We put “like with like” and then labeled the drawers. (My daughter loves using my label maker.)

My daughter got excited when she found things she had been missing, and was also ready to let go of some half-done projects.

A week in and she has been creating a lot more projects—and keeping the space clean!  

Favorite Container #3: Small Boxes for My Desk Drawer

This month my favorite containers are a set of small boxes (sold individually) from Martha Stewart for Staples.

These small boxes solved a big problem: a jumble of junk in my desk drawer.  (Sound familiar??) I have a beautiful home-made desk with a shallow drawer. Typical drawer organizers were too tall, but then I found these boxes and they fit perfectly.

First I bought one box to see if it would fit, and it did! Then I bought some more for the desk, then for the kitchen, then for my daughter’s desk.

I also like that these boxes are wider than cutlery-type holders and other drawer organizers. They can easily hold a certain type of item all together…but they aren’t too big that items get lost.

Watch the video of how I use these boxes at a client’s home from This Mom Needs Help! TV show. 

Time Again for Taxes

For the past month I have been helping many of my clients get organized for their tax prep. We’ve found misplaced checkbooks, checked and cross-checked lists of charitable donations, organized bank statements, and made sure they had all the necessary documents.

If you haven’t started now is the time! IF you need help getting started, here are a few tips:

• Keep It Super Simple
• Get an Organizing Buddy

As I helped my clients with their tax prep I kept thinking that I had to get a start on my own. My goal was to have all my tax info to the accountant by the end of February (this week!). Finally after working on taxes this weekend, I think we are on track to get them done.

Next on the agenda, summer trip and camp planning!

December Donations

When sorting papers or dealing with mail, my clients often put aside requests from non-profit organizations, arts groups, and schools to make an “end of the year gift.”  The folder or pile grows and grows.

Well, the end of the year is around the corner!  Now is the time to pull out that folder or get to that pile of requests, and make your decisions.

Here’s what to do:

• Find your folder or stack of donation requests.
• Grab your checkbook, or your laptop if you pay online.
• Sort requests by organization/group, and throw out multiple requests from the same place.
• If you write checks, keep a list with the organization’s name and the amount you gave this year.  Use this list to be sure you get all the acknowledgement letters.
• If you pay online, you should receive an email confirmation. Set up a file in your email program and file all the confirmation emails here.

With a few simple steps you’ll make your donations and be ready for tax time.

Organizing Your Household, circa 1910

While my husband was in bed with a cold and my daughter fast asleep, I spent the evenings of a recent weekend watching Downton Abbey late into the night. Yes, I know I’m late to the game. I started watching season 1 of the series and was hooked immediately.

What does Downton Abbey have to do with organizing? In such a vast estate as Lord Grantham’s (OK, he lives in a castle), there has to be a large ensemble of household staff to keep everything in order.

How does the staff remember what they need to buy to keep the household running smoothly? In an episode near the end of season one, I saw a vintage organizing tool. In one of the scenes in the kitchen I noticed something intriguing hanging on the wall behind the cook. It passed out of sight quickly but I re-wound and paused it. It was what I thought I had glimpsed: a Household Wants Indicator.

The Household Wants Indicator is a metal board with a pre-written list of items in alphabetical order: from almonds and ammonia, to vinegar and wines. There are metal flags next to each item that you’d flip over as a reminder to purchase the item. The tag is red on the flipped side so it stands out in the list. It’s the original automated checklist!

And while searching online for photos of a Household Wants Indicator, of course I happened upon this app for the iPad.  I might just have to toss my pre-printed paper grocery list for this cool one.

A+ Homework Helpers

Try these tips to set up an effective homework spot for your child:

• Clear the desk clutter. Does your child have a clear space to spread out and work? Remove anything that has piled up on the desk but isn't related to homework.
• Have the most-used supplies (pens, pencils, stapler, notepad) out on the desk and ready to go.
• Make sure your child's desk has drawers or another spot to keep the less-used school/craft supplies.
• If your child prefers to work at the kitchen, stash supplies in a cabinet or basket.
• Have good lighting for the workspace.
• If your child likes to work on the bed, get a lap desk.
• Provide a place for the papers. No matter where your child likes to work - desk, bed, or kitchen counter - be sure they have a place to store their school papers. A desktop file works great - label a folder for each class.

This article originally appeared in The Neat Sheet September/October 2012

Favorite Finds Part 1: Products for Paper Piles

Here are my favorite finds from the National Association of Professional Organizers Conference for dealing with paper:

WallMates – From At-A-Glance®, these self-adhesive dry erase surfaces turn any wall or flat surface into an area for your to do list, goals, or whatever you need to jot down. WallMates are repositionable, don’t damage your walls (or office furniture) and come blank or with a monthly calendar outline. Thinking beyond the office, this could be a great place for important notes in a kitchen or mudroom.

Bring some more organization to your projects or paper piles with the Stackit™ organizers from Smead . These folders hold papers vertically, with three tabbed sections and a flap.

If you are ready to go paperless, check out the NeatDesk® Scanner from NeatReceipts®. This scanner has separate slots for scanning business cards, receipts, and regular 8x11 documents…all at the same time! And the software knows to put business card information into contacts (synchs with Outlook for example), receipts into one folder, and documents into a third folder.

Taxes: One Month to Go

Today is March 15th, one month before the federal income tax day of April 15th. Are your taxes done? If not, have you carved out some time to do them or get your papers together for the accountant? Take out your calendar and schedule some time right now.

After helping numerous clients over the past six weeks get their papers in order for taxes, I finally got mine done this week. I feel so much better because that task is off my To-Do list, and now I can relax and enjoy the National Association of Professional Organizers Conference next week in Baltimore!

Here is my post from a few years ago about getting organized for taxes. If you have any great tips to share, please post or email me!

Fun Files at Your Fingertips

I love to use a desktop file holder for key files and action items because it keeps critical information at your fingertips. Why not use a file container that you like to look at?

A client did just that, inspired by the January project in the 12 Months of Organizing2012 Desk Calendar Creative Storage Solutions.

She was so excited to show me her work, and I’m happy to share her example! This cheery file bin now sits in the corner of her living room, near her computer.

If you’d like to get some organizing inspiration, 2012 Desk Calendars are now 50% off!

Organize Your Office March 8th

National Organize Your Office Day is March 8th!

No, I didn't make this up. I just learned that this "holiday" happens every March.

So plan some time this Thursday to give your office a little TLC.

Whether you have 15 minutes or 2 hours, take some action. You’ll feel better, I promise!

• Clear your desk surface: file papers, get rid of what doesn't belong, keep only what you use every day out
• File or recycle any papers on the floors
• Set up an action folder for key projects
• Purge your file cabinet
• Control your cords and cables

For more office and paper organizing ideas ideas, read these blog posts:

• Martha Stewart at Staples
• Desktop File System
• Magazine Mania
• Organizing for Emergencies
• Preparing for Taxes

It just happens that I'm teaching my Papers, Piles & Projects class on National Organize Your Office Day. Still time to register for the class!

Product Review: Martha Stewart Office at Staples

While making a quick trip to Staples yesterday to pick up a few supplies for clients, I was pleasantly surprised to find a fun line of organizing products from Martha Stewart. There were journals, labels, binders, desktop accessories and file folders.

My favorites:

• I liked the desk top organizers and accessories. I ended up picking up a few open boxes to bring some organization to my desk drawer – all other desk organizers were too tall to fit my drawer, but not these!
• I love labels and there were all kinds for the kitchen, including larger white board and chalk board labels! I chose a small package of round removable labels. They were made for spice containers, but apparently are dishwasher and freezer safe…so I may use them for my daughter’s containers and water bottles for school.
• Some vertical file folders also caught my eye. Made to go into a magazine file, the folders had tabs at the top. I have a few clients that like to file in a magazine file and these might help bring a bit more order to their papers.

No compensation was received for this post.

Thank You: Help with a Taxing To Do

This week I had a client email me another thank you for helping her find the documents she needed for her taxes. With just a little organizing support she got a huge task done and off her mind!

Yes, it’s almost tax time! Here’s my previous post about how you can get organized before April 15th.

Rein in The Recipes

If you have one of our 12 Months of Organizing calendars, you know that this month the tip is for recipe organization. Given that my kitchen is under construction and my house is in a state of chaos, I decided to gain control over one small area that had been bothering me: my recipes.

Favorite recipes used to be easily contained in the small accordion file my mom gave me for my wedding engagement, but the file was bursting at the seams. I also started to wedge recipes I had printed or pulled from magazines between the cookbooks on my shelf. It was turning into a jumble of papers. And then I had an old-fashioned recipe card file that was stuffed too.

I emptied the accordion file and the recipe card box, and pulled out all the loose recipes. Now what to do? Sort! I spread the recipes all over the floor and started to group them into categories.

Next, I purged recipes that I had in duplicate or that I knew I’d never make. I also found a ton of delicious recipes I had completely forgotten about.

Now for the fun part: I put all the recipes to keep in a binder! Actually, two binders. I had this solution in mind and was ready with tabs and hundreds of plastic sleeves. The plastic sleeves work for small recipe cards and full size printed pages.

The result? Recipes are sorted by categories, and all easily visible in the sleeves. I can also pull out the sleeves for cooking and the recipes won’t get dirty or damp.

Can’t wait to cook again!

Martha Stewart Living Radio Interview

I was thrilled to be interviewed on the MSLR show, "Living Today." Host Ryan Brockington and I discussed our favorite ways to get ready for summer, shared our love of lists, and I answered questions from callers. It was very fun!

Listen to the interview (about 30 minutes).

Kids Artwork: From Piles to Posters

Ah, the piles of masterpieces that your child creates! Now give them a proper display with new posters from Juxio.

Simply take photos of your child’s creations and upload them to Juxio. Then arrange in a template, and print or share. What could be easier!

Thanks to Gabby from Claiming Space for finding this new resource.