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"Picture Yourself Organized!"
Organizing Tips by Shelly Fletcher |
 Issue: #49 |
May 2012 | |
| GET ORGANIZED NOW! | 
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Hello
 | | BEFORE kitchen remodel |
Our April trip to Mendocino was wonderful and I've come back ready to tackle a huge home decorating project. This will equate to getting ready for a move so I've shared some packing tips below. I started out by creating a "before" album through the Snapfish online photo program. This has been a useful tool to take with me when I shop for decor or colors.
Wishing you well organized spaces,
Shelly
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GETTING ORGANIZED in 2012 | | |
May - Moving Outdoors
Trust me on this one, take the time now to inventory, repair or replace items as you get ready for the change of seasons. You'll thank me next year!
1. Take inventory of outdoor sheds and storage areas
- When the weather starts to turn nice, take an inventory of your outdoor storage areas. Make a list of things that need to be repaired or replaced.
- Check for insect or rodent damage and take appropriate corrective action before things get worse.
- If you have too much stuff to even open the door of your storage area, resolve to purge items you no longer use or need. Give them away or sell them. Set a time to do this when the weather is nice.
2. Inventory your recreation gear
- Apply the same inventory, repair, replace or purge strategy to your recreational gear.
- Pull everything outside, sort by function, purge out unnecessary or damaged equipment, and put in appropriate-sized labeled containers for easy access later.
3. Organize your travel plans
- If you like to travel, start a packing list for your travels. This is easiest to do when created on a computer. Use three columns: What the item is (be specific); whom the item is for (i.e. you, spouse, kids, pet); and why you pack it (i.e. beach, air travel, car trips). You can then sort the items by person so they can pack their own bag, or by trip type such as things you only take to the beach. Print out a copy prior to packing. Line through the items you do not need to include and check off the ones you pack. Give the list to others as a guide to packing their own travel bags.
- Create a travel folder for each trip. Label the folder by destination and date. The folder should contain any hotel, air, rental information, destination information, tickets, notes, etc.
- At the end of travel add any comments or thoughts about the trip and keep the folder for future reference. File by region, purpose, or alphabetically.
- Update your packing list after each trip.
Click here to see my travel tips and packing list!
If you need help getting starting with any of these tasks, contact me.
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Good Things to Know | |
The secret of using an online photo, invitation, business paper service
One of the secrets I've discovered while using many of these online photo or paper card/invitation services is that once you've ordered something, you get discounted coupons for future orders. Make your first purchase at a minimum quantity then use the discount received with your order to re-order at considerable savings.
 Some tips for packing for a move, remodel, or storage
After last month's newsletter I had a request to assist a reader with organizing for a home remodel. The rules are basically the same for a move, remodel, or packing up for storage. Here are some guidelines:
- Sort the stuff by room or by similar contents such as clothes or linens. (You decide which is more logical)
- Put into small-medium containers (clear plastic with flat lids is preferable--not the split/flip open lids). However, keep the boxes small enough to handle and stack 3-4 high.
- Designate a number, or letter number combo, for each box as you go. In one move I used a letter that designated the room (LR-living room, BR1-front bedroom, LN-linen closet, etc.), then I sequentially number the boxes within that room (LR-1, LR-2, LR-3.) Use whatever makes most sense to you for finding things later on.
- Using a lined notebook, or laptop with a sortable spreadsheet program, write down the box number, room name, and general contents. See me samples below.
- You want to be more specific with the content list if there are different item types within the same box, otherwise "linens" is fine.
- If using a spreadsheet, sort the boxes by number and by room. This way you can either find the right box by content, or figure out what's in a box without opening it.
- Write the box number IN LARGE PRINT on the box sides (at least two sides), or tape a large label to the inside of a clear box facing out. Do not label the top of the box. If you want to go one step further, use different colored labels, tape, dots, or pens for room types (blue=bedroom, yellow=family room, etc). This helps you find a box later on, and helps with storing "like" boxes" together .
- At this point you can store your boxes as space allows. If the boxes will be stored in various locations, note the box storage location on your spreadsheet.
- When you are looking for an item, refer to your spreadsheet first.
- If you consolidate boxes later on, or move them to a new storage location, note that on your spreadsheet. Your index is your guide.
Sample index for storage boxes
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BOX |
ROOM |
CONTENTS | |
K-1 |
Kitchen |
Large water cups, coffee thermos, coffee travel mugs | |
K-2 |
Kitchen |
Coffee bean grinder, smoothie maker, syrup pitcher, oatmeal cooker | |
K-3 |
Kitchen |
Home files, DMV records, dog files | |
K-4 |
Kitchen |
Bill pay files |
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Sharing ideas and creating solutions for you,
Shelly Fletcher
Organizing Specialist
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