Garage sales can be an amazing way to shed items that you no longer need while bringing some monetary value back to you. First you need to start with de-cluttering your home, to create your inventory of valuable items that are in good condition and should not be recycled/trashed. Once you've decided what you're selling, you can dive in with my tips (and supply list!) to make your garage sale smooth and a success!
Most people who desperately want to get organized are held back by hidden obstacles they don’t understand. Too often, people are convinced that their clutter is the result of their own sloppiness, laziness, or incompetence. Not true! Thinking that way inaccurately puts the blame and shame on you- and prevents you from finding the right solution...
I am about to move, and it’s been an emotional journey. I love the apartment I am leaving. It’s the first place I ever bought. I purchased it when I became an empty-nester, as a platform for the next chapter of my life. My goal was to expand my social life, enrich my work-life balance, and give more space to romance than I had as a single parent.
As an organizer, I’m in the business of helping people organize their spaces and lives, which often get filled with things they don't use. Because of that, I am particularly aware of excess and clever marketing traps. Some might even say that I am on a constant plight to ensure there is no unnecessary clutter in my life, nor anybody else's.
Garages are notorious dumping grounds for things you used to use, thought you might use, or didn’t know where to put. It's an everyday eyesore, the door you slide past while giving friends the grand tour of your home: “Ohhh, that’s just the garage.” The financial implications of the wasted space and money spent on dormant objects, amount to a crying shame.
When it comes to making time to get organized, let’s face it, it can be hard to get motivated. As much as we crave order, there always seem to be much more valuable uses of our time. Digging through piles, closets and shelves filled with old stuff you haven’t looked at (or used) in years takes time, energy and focus.
You know what’s great about summer? Time. The days stretch, the kids don’t have homework, and the sun stays out till 9:00pm. We’re more relaxed, have more energy and more time to spare.
This summer think about using the extra time on your hands to finally declutter — to rid yourself of all the stuff weighing you down, getting in your way, and stealing your energy. Tackle just one category at a time- papers, email, supplies, books and digital files, and don’t feel obliged to do everything. Decluttering even ONE category of items will pay huge dividends is freed up space, time and energy.
First, define your treasures. Before getting rid of anything, consider your work goals and roles to assess what items will help you and those that won’t. When facingintimidating piles and drawers., ask yourself—if all this were gone tomorrow, what would I miss? Write down the list that comes to mind (e.g. original signed contracts, key contact info, handwritten notes) on a big sticky note, and post that on the wall of the area you are about to declutter. This will guide you in separating treasure from trash.
Create a No-Brainer Toss List. Minimize the number of decisions you have to make by creating guidelines for stuff you don’t have to think twice before shedding. Immediately chuck old manuals & reports that have since been updated, documents that someone else has the original of, and you can replace if necessary, printouts from the web, out of date information, duplicates, etc.
Check retention guidelines. Going through your legal files? Call your lawyer. Old payroll? Ring the accountant. Remember that 80% of what we file we never look at again. So be sure that it’s necessary for you to keep anything and everything that will take up valuable space in your file drawer. Don’t save things you “might” need someday if they are easily replaced.
Aim for a radical release. Once you’ve separated the treasures from trash…get the trash OUT. If you have objects to donate, arrange delivery to a charity. If you have large volumes of papers to shred, don’t let them sit around for months cluttering up your space (and messing with your mental clarity). You should be able to measure the space gained in pounds (removed 100 pounds of excess supplies from the storage closet)—or inches (removed 50 inches of files…).
The ultimate payoff? Clarity, “lightness of being,” and an energized space that brings out your most authentic, engaged, professional self.
The end of summer and the month of September mean one thing for parents and kids: back to school time! With new books, new clothes, and new homework every day, the beginning of the school year can be chaotic--but it doesn't have to be! Here are a few ways to keep your entry way clean and clear during the busy start of school season.
Instant Mud Room
Create an instant mudroom with a front hall organizer to keep everything tidy. Keep incoming and outgoing items like supplies, books, and papers stored in bins with labels for easy access.
Wall Mounted Containers
For all the little things, explore the possibilities of a wall mount with magnetic hanging containers. Perfect for keys, school forms, mail--anything important that might get lost in the shuffle. As your needs change, you can switch out components to accommodate your most active types of items.
Coat Hooks
To add some creative flair to your front hall while keeping coats organized, consider adding decorative wall hooks--instantly functional art!
Summer is here and the livin’ is easy! Whether you are a lakeside lounger, poolside recliner, an outdoor adventurist, or a grilling guru, summer activities can be accompanied by a lot of stuff and can leave your best laid organizational plans in a pile of clutter. Here are some ways to keep clutter by the wayside while you get your summer on.
Bike Storage
Keeping bikes up and off the floor make them easy to take out and put away, and keep your space neat. If you have a garage, try hanging bike storage. City dwellers can use a stylish hanging wall mount like this one.
Messy Clothes
Muddy or wet clothes contained right away upon entering your home by creating a receiving station by the front door, in the mudroom or in the garage. Store plastic bags on a paper towel holder to quickly bag up the mess, keep some wet wipes and a towel nearby. Use a wet shoe rack to avoid tracking or dripping, or if you are feeling crafty, make your own!
Barbecuing
Barbecuing doesn’t have to be a full weekend production. Prep your food by marinating meat and cutting vegetables over the weekend so that you can enjoy the grill even on a weeknight. A handy tool like this prep station will keep you organized while cooking, and make clean up a breeze.
