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Terri Stephens, CPO, CRTS
Certified Professional Organizer®
Certified Relocation & Transition Specialist®
(770) 513-6585
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WHY HIRE A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER?
You can save money. You'll know what you already own, eliminating the need to buy duplicate items. A professional organizer can help you find the perfect organizing products for your space and lifestyle, so you stop wasting money on things you don't need or won't work.
You can become more productive and efficient. A professional organizer can create order and structure out of chaos. You'll receive systems that work for your dominant learning style, your lifestyle, your needs, your challenges, and your dreams.
You'll have a positive self-image and ditch the shame. Once your home or office is neat and tidy, you won't feel embarrassed to have guests visit. The guilt will fade away as you take pride in your surroundings.
You'll have a healthier environment. Physical and emotional clutter obscures your surroundings. An organized home and office is more easily cleaned. Lose the clutter and cut down on time spent moving piles of paper and stuff around.
Your stress level will decrease dramatically. When you can find what you need, are on top of your to-dos, and arrive on time, you'll feel calmer and have more peace of mind. No more feeling overwhelmed by life -- you'll be the one in control.
You'll discover more time for yourself. When you're organized, your days go as planned, and you get a lot more done. That leaves more time to indulge in a little "me time."
Your energy will shine. Clutter is a mask and a professional organizer can help you take off that mask. Once the clutter is removed, you can showcase your talents, skills, and personality and have the life you deserve. |
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I had the great fortune of being able to have Terri come to my house - which didn't feel like home because of all the clutter. At the end, I came out with order and a smile. Learning to be organized doesn't come naturally for me, but Terri made it fun and simple. I can even do it myself now! ~ C. Garrett, Clermont, GA
We both wanted to thank you so very, very much for all of your help and encouragement to my daughter in helping her get organized. Your efforts have really been beneficial to her and your ways of organizing her home have made a great impact. We are very grateful to you. We pray that your business will continue to bless other clients as it has us. You have truly made a difference. ~ C. Williams, Atlanta, GA | |
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April 2009
Real Order e-Newsletter
Simplifying Your Life & Going Green |
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Greetings!
It seems that everyone is jumping on the "green" bandwagon these days. Earth Day is April 22 so I thought this was the perfect time to share some green organizing tips. Even if you've never recycled a thing in your life and think this has nothing to do with you, think again. If we all begin to think about small ways we can save and conserve the world's resources, added together, it will make a huge difference over time - not only for us, but future generations. I must admit I was a bit slow to change some of my old ways to more "green" habits, but am glad I have. So don't delay, take action and adopt new habits that will ensure a brighter tomorrow for everyone.
Now for a little history about Earth Day. The story goes that Earth Day was conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson after a trip he took to Santa Barbara right after a horrific oil spill off our coast in 1969. Senator Nelson was so outraged by what he saw that he went back to Washington and passed a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate the earth. The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970 and over 20 million people participated that year. Earth Day is now observed each year on April 22 by more than 500 million people and national governments in 175 countries. |
DID YOU KNOW ...
"96 percent of adults surveyed said that good spring cleaning includes discarding or donating items they don't need."
Statistic from SDA 2008 Spring Cleaning Survey of 1,013 American adults, conducted by International Communications Research (ICR)
"Each year, we scrap 400 million units of electronics in the US."
Fact from International Association of Electronics Recyclers Industry Report
"In 2007, Americans generated about 254 million tons of trash and recycled and composted 85 million tons of this material, equivalent to a 33.4 percent recycling rate."
2007 EPA Recycling Facts 11/01/2008 |
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Reducing, Reusing, Recycling and Repurposing
Most of us know that the "Green" movement is all about reducing, reusing, recycling and repurposing. In short, it's simplifying what you have. It's about finding your stuff so you are not buying more of something you already own (and just can't find). When you simplify your life, you are freeing yourself from the burden of maintaining too much "stuff." The question you need to ask yourself is "Do I own this stuff or does it own me?"
Reducing is about having less to maintain and less to take up space in our homes. It's about refusing to bring new items into the house without removing something. You can't keep bringing in clothes, shoes, books, furniture, etc, without taking some of the old out. If this remains a "one-way street," you will soon find yourself overwhelmed with too much. Reducing is about weeding out the things you don't love so that you can find the things you do love and truly use.
Reusing refers to passing on unused items to people who can really use them. Most things that we keep stored for use "someday," never get used. Don't fall into this trap. Instead, get in the habit of passing along things that someone else would put put to better and more frequent use.
Recycling is the most commonly recognized part of the "Green" movement. Separate out recyclable items from trash. Donate unwanted items like clothing, furniture and old electronic items to appropriate collection sites.
Repurposing is rethinking how you might use a particular item. For example, if you never use your formal dining room table for eating, consider using it as a desk or place for the kids to do homework.
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"Green" Organizing and Cleaning Tips
· Choose quality items over quantity - items last longer and are less likely to break down. Remember the old saying "less is more" - less stuff to maintain means you have more time to live.
· Save trees by switching to e-statements and online bill-paying instead of paper. Rather than buying another file cabinet, try to reduce the amount of paper that you keep.
· Remove your name from junk mail lists at http://opt-out.cdt.org.
· Reduce mailbox clutter, save money and natural resources - opt out of catalogs at www.catalogchoice.com.
· Give gifts that are experiences rather than things - a movie, a dinner out, a day at the zoo, or even cleaning out a closet together!
· Bring your own reusable tote bag or carry your purchases without a bag. If you use plastic bags, be sure to return them to the grocery store for recycling. Don't forget to recycle the plastic wrap around paper towels and toilet paper at the same time.
· Purchase recycled file folders and copy paper, available from office supply stores.
· Buy eco-friendly products that are non-toxic to you and the earth. Look for sustainable products like bamboo, cotton or corn, which can be replenished at the same rate that they are consumed. www.letsgogreen.biz.
· Use reusable microfiber cloths for cleaning rather than paper towels. They work well for dusting, glass surfaces and stainless steel. |
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Eco-Friendly Ways to Help the Earth (and You)
People everywhere are helping others and lightening the load by giving away things they no longer need through FreeCycle.org. This means fewer things are filling up the landfills on our planet. It's simple to sign up and post items you want to get rid of or search for things you need.
The week of April 6-12, 2009, Americans can participate in National Cell Phone Recycling Week by donating or recycling unwanted cell phones, PDAs and accessories. Companies supporting this nationwide effort include AT&T, Samsung, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless - they're offering in-store promotions, contests and giveaways while providing recycling opportunities to consumers.
Bring your old lead-acid batteries to the AAA Great Battery Roundup. Roundups are held annually in the U.S. to commemorate Earth Day. Ask your local AAA office for details. http://tiny.cc/eHsIdDon't throw spiral florescent bulbs in the trash as they contain toxic mercury. Home Depot will take back old compact florescent bulbs in its stores and has created the most widespread recycling program for the bulbs. http://tiny.cc/fj9RCYour old TV set contains up to 8 lbs. of lead and many municipalities have banned TVs from landfills. Some retailers and manufacturers, like Best Buy and Sony, offer recycling programs. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency's list of participating e-cycling companies to find out what's available in your area. http://tiny.cc/QNYvnLearn more about recycling and reusing computers, cell phones and other electronic waste by listening to eCycling podcasts, sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency. http://tiny.cc/XgV5JEven movers are getting into the act. GreenMoversUSA is a national network of moving companies who are taking steps to reduce waste, pollution and their carbon emission. So the next time you move, consider hooking up with an environmentally-friendly moving company. | |
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I hope this has given you some ideas and motivation on how compatible being organized and going green really are. Feel free to send me any other helpful tips you have - who knows, you might see them in a future newsletter!
P.S. Please think about the environment before you print this email!
Sincerely,
Terri Stephens, CPO, CRTS
Real Order Professional Organizing
(678) 513-6385
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| Save 15% |
MOTHERS DAY SPECIAL!!
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| Don't forget Mom ... Gift certificates are the great way to surprise loved ones and show them you really care! There are many occasions when the help of a professional organizer would be appreciated to ease life's demands. This is a unique, clutter-free gift that will be long remembered.
Offer Expires: May 8, 2009 |
| $25
giftcard |
REFER A FRIEND AND DINE OUT ON US
Most of us recommend restaurants, movies or mechanics to our family and friends. When you recommend Real Order for professional organizing, we want to thank you with a $25 gift card to Red Lobster or Olive Garden - it's your choice. A minimum of four hours of organizing services must be purchased to qualify. To redeem your gift card, simply notify us of the family or friend you are referring to us. Bon appetit!
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