|
SEND IN THE MAUREEN C.O.R.P.S.
Clean, Organize, Repair, Paint and Stage!
|
|
Issue No. 6
| Friday, September 10th, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
Fall is such a wonderful time! Over the years I've noticed a natural tendency: Spring is the time to expand; Autumn is the time to contract.
Is down-sizing on your list of things to do this season? Some of my professional organizer peers refer to the process as 'right-sizing' because it's not merely about having 'less' stuff; it's about having just the right amount for your family and household's size and lifestyle.
I'm aware of another noticeable pattern: we spend the first half of our lives collecting and amassing quantities of things, but we end up spending the last half trying to divest ourselves of the same items. What a lot of work on both ends!
If you're ready to let go of some of your excess, this issue is all about how to prepare for the release and where to take things once you've decided they've got to go. Get your pens and pads handy for this resource-packed newsletter!
|
|
|
Less is more!
|  Here's an assortment of approaches to systematic reduction: - Set a bag or box in the entry and/or in each person's closet to be able to toss in an unwanted item whenever you think of it.
- Schedule a 'once a month purge' session; the whole family can be involved.
- Adopt the 'one new in; one old out' principle: whenever you buy something new (or even something used) you make a point to let go of a different item. This works especially well when you have cramped quarters.
- A serious minimalist lives by 'minimum/maximum guidelines': for those of you who like to make lists, here's an opportunity for you to write out how many (of any given category) you'll allow yourself, e.g., 5 sleeveless tops, 5 short sleeve, 5 long sleeve, 7 shorts, 5 jeans, 7 dress pants, 3 jackets per season, no more than 10 pairs of shoes total and so on.
However you decide to tackle the problem, it is well worth your effort. Don't give up! Even if you only make one trip per season to donate items, they'll no longer be competing for your limited space. |
Where oh where should my donations go?
(If you have additional resources to share with readers, please let me know! Look for subsequent newsletters that highlight some 'unusual' donation sites! FYI: Did you know you could take your unfinished weaving projects to the MN Weaver's Guild? Who knew?)
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org or 1-800-227-2345 Value Village Thrift Stores & Pickup Service www.arcsvaluevillage.org or 612-866-8820 Courage Center www.couragepickup.org or 952-881-1100 Epilepsy Foundation www.efmn.org or 651-287-2300 Salvation Army www.thesalvationarmy.com or 612-332-5855 Vietnam Veterans of America
www.vvapickup.org or 651-778-8387
Charities Review Council of Minnesota
www.smartgivers.org (Rates various charities) www.GoodwillEasterseals.org offers these tips about donating:
- When in doubt, throw it out! (if you wouldn't wear it, it probably won't sell either)
- If it isn't sale-able, please dispose of it properly. (don't contribute to their trash bill)
- Check with donation site to ensure that item meets safety standards. (no hazardous waste!)
- Your donation is tax deductible! (Be sure to get a receipt.)
In closing, remember that being organized is just another way of being prepared. With simple and sustainable systems in place, you can prepare your home for guests, prepare your office for productivity, prepare your life for fun and relaxation! But don't forget to...
Keep It Simple Sweetheart!
Simply,
Maureen Heinen
Send In Maureen, LLC
"Due to a typing error, the U.S. sends in the Maureens." W. Pauluk |
FYI: Please bear with me as I adjust my policies to those of my industry peers...
- As of January 1st, 2011, the hourly rate for services will be $50 for new, as well as returning clients.
- A nominal mileage fee will be charged for travel outside of the service coverage area (visit www.sendinmaureen.com for more info).
- Each cleaning or organizing session will have a 3 hour minimum, 5 hour maximum.
- All outstanding gift, silent auction and other donation certificates will expire on December 31st, 2010. Subsequent certificates will have the duration of one year.
- At this time there will be no modifications to the 'no charge/no obligation' initial consultation. (YAY!)
- Coupons (see below) will be posted in newsletters. There will also be a limited number of 'reduced fee' scholarships awarded each quarter. Please contact Maureen for more information.
Thank you for understanding the need for and timeliness of these changes. As always, I appreciate your candid comments and suggestions. -Maureen
|
|
|
Here's a little something to thank you for reading my newsletter. Clip and enjoy! |
|
|
|
|
| Save 25% |
Schedule 4 hours of organizing and only pay for three!
Use this discount for yourself or pass it along to friends.
For more info about what Send In Maureen can do for you visit:
651-233-7717
| | Offer Expires: end of December 2010 |
|
|
