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Organizing for Baby

Volume 6   Number 6 June 2009
Kijiji.com Survey Finds New Parents Spend Over $2,500 on Baby Items
Welcoming a new child into the family is a joyous occasion for all - however the additional expense associated with a new bundle of joy can also be a big worry for some parents.  According to a recent survey by Kijiji.com, a free, local, family-friendly classifieds Web site, the average American parents spent $2,577 on baby-related items when their child was born. Since the summer months are most common for new arrivals, many expectant parents are now looking to purchase their baby-related items, and find the space in their homes to store them.  In today's economy, parents have more incentive than ever to find cost-effective ways to "nest."  
 
Parents are also looking for ways to make room in their home for their new addition.  Nearly four in five parents (77%) said that after their child was born, their baby accumulated more stuff in a year than they themselves accumulated in five!  In fact, nearly half of parents (44%) have converted an entire room in their house or their garage to store baby items!
 
In this economy, it's more difficult for new families to take the step of upgrading to a larger living space. Instead, expectant parents can use Kijiji to sell their old unwanted items and make way for baby.  In fact, a 2008 study from Kijiji found that the average household has 35 unused items with a resale value of $680! The extra cash would come in handy to purchase all those baby-related items. 
                                                      
Kijiji is also a great place to buy gently-used baby items, like cribs, strollers and changing tables, at much lower prices than you'd find at retail stores, and provides an ideal solution for selling larger household items.  The site is localized in over 220 cities, so expectant parents don't have to worry about shipping, and, unlike other resale sites, it's 100% free, so all of the proceeds can be used to prepare for their bundle of joy. 
 
Many parents don't realize that the items their child no longer uses can easily make them some much-needed cash! Only 7% of parents said they resell baby items once their child has outgrown them, which means a whopping 93% of parents are missing out on potential cash.  Although pricing depends on factors like brand name, original price and condition, the average crib has a resale value of $37 and the average stroller sells for around $30, according to Intuit's ItsDeductible software. Kijiji.com is a safe and effective local classifieds site that can help parents sell these items and more, while connecting with other local parents in their communities. 
 

Do you need a organizing help from Get It Together LA! to prepare for your newborn?  Call 323-525-0678
Product to Help You See Time
Time is always essential to staying organized.  Do you find it is difficult to see time as it passes each our?  Are you constantly running in circles to meet deadlines?
 
Visit TimeTimer.com and check out their products available to acutally show time as it passes.  This is esspecially helpful for those with ADD.
 
Let us know what you think. 
Green Closets Available from Get It Together LA!
 
Environmentally friendly materials are now available for your Get It Together LA! storage system for closets, garages, and home offices.  Recognizing the demand from consumers for "green-build products" we are offering the SkyBlend™ line from Roseburg.  The line is SCS and EPP certified 100% pre-consumer recycled week fiber particleboard that has no Urea Formaldehyde added during the manufacturing process.  Third party testing verifies SkyBlend™ formaldehyde emissions (.00-.01 ppm) are no greater than levels occurring in outdoor ambient air conditions according to the manufacturer.

Roseburg is North America's largest, fully integrated manufacturer of melamine and specialty panels with lands and facilites in California, Georgia, Mississippi, Oregon and South Carolina.  Ask for "green" when you build your next closet.

Green Tip:  Remember to return your hangers to the dry cleaner for reuse.  Ask for your clean clothes to be placed in reuseable bags from your dry cleaner and cut out the plastic.


For a beautiful new closet with environmently friendly construction call Chris at 323-525-0678.
Make Deep Cabinets Accessible with Roll-out Wood Drawer Boxes 
Let us replace your crowded shelves with convenient roll-out drawer boxes in your pantry and kitchen.   Our new line of custom made, all wood, roll-out drawers are perfect for deep cabinets.  Pots and pans will come to you instead of having to move everything in your cabinet.  These are perfect for pantries and other storage throughout your home.
 
Contact Get It Together LA! for a quote for your kitchen.  Call 323-525-0678 today.
Become a Fan of Get It Together LA!
Last issue we discussed social networking and Facebook in particular.  If you are a fan of organizing and Get It Together LA! click here and join our fan page.  You will have instant updates on new products and services to make your life easy. 
About Get It Together LA!
headshop casualGet It Together LA! is a professional organizing firm providing hands-on solutions for challenging projects. Do you feel that clutter is inhibiting your goals?  Are you stressed by your cluttered garage, office or workspace?  Email or call Get It Together LA! at 323-525-0678 and schedule an assessment. If your group or organization needs a polished organizing professional to help its members tap into their potential, lower stress, and improve peace of mind, call Chris McKenry at Get It Together LA! today.
    Chris McKenry:
National Association of Professional Organizers, Board of Directors
Past President, National Association of Professional Organizers, Los Angeles Chapter
Member, West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
    Recipient of:
2008 Shinning Star Award, NAPO National Conference
2008 Ambassador of the Year, West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce 
2007 Raising the Bar Award, NAPO-LA
2005 Leading Edge Award, NAPO-LA
In This Issue
New Parent Spending
Product to Help See Time
Green Closets
Social Networking
Kijiji.com and Get It Together LA!
Home Inventory Services
Kijiji and Get It Together LA! Partner for "Baby on Board" Campaign
 
Kijiji, a free family-friendly local classifieds site, is dedicated to helping expectant parents prepare for a new baby by providing tips on how parents can make room for the arrival by selling unused items locally at LosAngeles.Kijiji.com.
Kijiji has partnered with Chris McKenry from
Get It Together LA! to help educate parents on the best ways to maximize space they to make room for a baby.

Expectant parents can visit LosAngeles.Kijiji.com for tips from Chris McKenry on making room for a new baby.
Parents can also use Kijiji to sell baby items when the child grows out of them and connect with other local parents.
Kijiji (www.kijiji.com), which means "village" in Swahili, is a free, local classifieds website that makes it easy to buy or sell everything from clothes to cars, find a job, adopt a pet, rent an apartment, and do so much more right in your own neighborhood.
 
Kijiji is suitable for children to view because the site does not have a "personals category," so parents can work together as a family with children to search for gently used toys.


Links to keep you organized:
Get It Together LA! 
Clutter Control
 
Donation Directory
Out of the Closet
800-558-8220
benefits AIDS Healthcare Foundation

National Council of Jewish Women
800-400-6259
benefits women's services organization

Goodwill Industries
323-223-1211
benefits people with disabilities or vocational disadvantages

Salvation Army
800-728-7825
benefits adult rehabilitation
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Home Inventory Services
to Protect Your Investments 
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Get It Together LA! now offers the option of two programs for documenting the value of your home.
 
Estate Documentation Program is a comprehensive service where our staff comes to your property and photographs your furnishing, art, collections, antiques.  The cost is provided by the client or we can recommend an appraiser to give the current market value to your contents.  The client is provided with a pdf and printed document listing the total cost of your assets should a loss occur.
 
The Family DIY Documentation Program is for the family that wants to be protected by an inventory without the expense of hiring our full service inventory division.  For a minimal cost you will be provided with a program for your computer and will receive four (4) hours of training to get you started.  This program is easy to use you just need a digital camera and some time.
 
Call today for more information on these valuable services.
 

Office Systems

designed by Chris McKenry
  
 
-Shelf Units
-Desks
-Space Planning
 
Custom designs for organized results in your home and office.
 
Green Products NOW AVAILABLE
 



Get It Together LA!
Style and function...quality construction are all included in a Chris McKenry design project. After years of organizing the finest homes in Los Angeles, we know how to make spaces work for you to enjoy.

Laundry Rooms
Garages
Closets
Silver Closets
Butler Pantries


Call 323-525-0678 today.  

Finalist Best Closet Design Firm - 2009 Los Angeles Organizing Awards

 
What if the worst happened?
 
Filing an insurance claim can be costly without accurate information.  Don't rely on memory.
 
A Get It Together LA!
Home Inventory Manual
will provide a photographic record and information necessary to help with the stress of the event.  It may also assist in determining if your household contents are underinsured.
 
To protect your assets call 323-525-0678 for more information.