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Terri Cox, Owner
Oganized By Terri
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Newsletter Tips & Information |
Greetings!
It has been a year since you may have recieved a newsletter from me, and I hope this finds you doing well and gearing up for a wonderful holiday season.
The lapse comes from a year of many changes, some due to loss of a loved one, this December 6th marks a year ago that a wonderful man, my father has been gone. Many other changes, good ones, a sons' marriage to his youth sweetheart and the birth of my third beautiful grandaughter. I am blessed with precious family and friends and clients that give me so much to be thankful for and motivated by a purpose driven life!
In October, I joined the Living Well Dallas Team as 'The Clutter Consultant.' Working with a excellent team of specialists that share a holistic approach to wellness. I still own Organized By Terri and maintain my business/clients, and organize for the clients of LWD, too.
This year we are all looking for ways to making this family oriented holiday to be stress -less if not stress free. It is possible to find peace and enjoy the holidays, and with these helpful tips to make them brighter. So be sure to check out the links for working moms, kids and seniors. We hope our suggestions will encourage you to prioritize and plan ahead for the festivities. If you need help in that preparation, give us a call and take advantage of our seasonal organizing specials!
Happy Holidays!
Blessings,
Terri
"Jesus is the reason for the season!"
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| Reducing Holiday Stress
by Keeping Organized
 Sticking to your budget-Keep your Money:
During this time of year it is easy to overspend and rack up debt which can create a lot of stress when the bills arrive in the New Year. We want to encourage you to avoid this stress altogether by keeping yourself to a budget. It is a challenge in itself with so many choices to purchase and every ad is pointing towards spending and pulling on your emotional strings. Items this year are being marked down early due to an overall economy crunch. So what you do in preparation before the shopping trip(s) is essential. So let's start with what we call is the "NEEDS" based list verses the "WANT" base list. This is a great place to start when planning a personal list, but when it comes to the holiday wish list, it can get a little more challenging. Here are a few ideas to help:
* Start with a monetary amount that would be the most you will budget to spend that is in your account and not in credit land. Don't allow yourself to go over this amount which can be easy to do if you are using debit or credit cards. I would encourage Grandma's method of the envelope system with each family member written on the outside; when it is spent your shopping for that person is done. * After you have decided on an amount then write down each family member, friends and colleagues name and any other people that are on your list. Focus on each person and their need/want categories. Then return to your budgeted amount for each of them and make your old school envelope to dedicate their cash amount to them. * Now that you have the people and the amount make your final list to go shopping. To save time, also try to assign geographical order in your errand running to save time and money. * Do your research by scour the newspaper advertisements for sale items, finding the best value for your selected items. This preparation measures, allows you to be methodical in your process, and helps to keep you from making emotional choices in the stores. Also, try stores like Ross, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, who end up getting excess items but you get a great price! * A book I recommend for other useful tips to saving on the necessities of life is 'Shop, Save and Share' by Ellie Kay. Another place to go is Dave Ramsey www.daveramsey.com for ideas on budgeting. They have great forms to use. Tips courtesy of Jenny Bair & Terri Cox-Living Well Dallas |
 Green Holiday Tips
In a time when we are all looking to conserve, the old adage 'use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without,' echo an image of not only the times economy but also ecology that concerns us all!
1)Carry reusable bags with you. Shopping online will help you save time and fuel resources. Additional specials may be available online saving you money.
2)Buy cards from recycled paper. www.papersource.com is a great resource for this and other paper items. Then remember to recycle.
3)Old and new containers such as baskets can be used to wrap gifts, add a simple touch of tissue and ribbon.
4)For all the gifts that need batteries, buy and reuse rechargeable batteries and a battery charger.
5)Buy a rooted Christmas tree and plant after the holidays. Donate to a local park or school.
6)After the holidays take your tree to a local tree recycle center. To find one near you visit: www.christmastree.org and enter your zip code.
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 Making Time for Self-Care
This essential for surviving the holidays and any day of the year really. The long lists of to-do's have started and all of the invitations for great events have started. In the midst of that overwhelming feeling, sit back and remember you can say NO to certain events and not attend every single one. So creating a criteria for saying yes and saying no is essential to not getting burned out. You can start with how many nights being away feels OK? For some only 3 nights. So if you can, find a gage that will make responding to each event more of a joy than drugery.
* It is so very important to keep your regular exercise routine during the holidays since it will help you to keep the stress release factor and gives you time to be by yourself to process, to relax, and helps with burning off those extra calories, too.
* Getting enough sleep is another health tip to be taken seriously. remember that during sleep is the only time that your body can repair itself. So we encourage at least an extra 30 minutes to an hour if your are getting less that 8 hours of sleep at night.
* Try to as much as possible to stick to your eating plan that you normally eat during the holiday season. Remember that you can sample so that you don't have to have the whole item. This is a good rule to reduce the calories. Moderation. If you have a social to attend be sure to take a dish to any event that you can eat or eat before you go, then you will be less likely to cheat.
* Don't forget to laugh out loud. Laughter really is the best medicine and it reduces the stress hormones in our system. Start to see the funny side of life, go to comedy shows, watch funny movies or TV shows. These will help to boost your immune system and make you feel better every day.
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 Make a List
Okay it is inevitable that I would make this suggestion. Making a list will help keep you on track of the important 'to do's' for the season.
First divide a piece of paper in two columns. List the things you must do for the holidays in the first column(gift shopping, planning for travel, ect.) and the things you would like to do in the second column (such as special holiday baking or helping those in need).
If the items in the first column outnumber the items in the second, then it's time to reprioritize. Start eliminating some of the tasks you feel are least important to make room for the ones that will be more enjoyable for you and your family.
Helping those in need:
About the Salvation Army Every day of the year, The Salvation Army offers help and hope to thousands of people. From the victims of disaster, addiction and homelessness to youth, families and senior citizens. The Salvation Army Website Make a Contribution:
http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/goto/TerriCox My Red Kettle | |
 Holiday Organizing Packages/Gift Certificates
Treat yourself or someone you know that would appreciate the expertise and help of an professional to get organized in their space.
*Residential Organizing
*Space Planning
*Home Office/Paper Management
*Small Business Office
*Closets & Storage
*Pantries & Kitchens
*Photos & Memorabilia
*Downsizing
*Time Management
Gift Certificates Available
Visa/MC/American Express
Learn More:
Call 903-819-0368 or 972-821-7737
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This month Organized By Terri will be launching a new website. So when you come by for a visit and we're not up, call us anyway! Now with two numbers to call 903-819-0368 and 972-821-7737 with your needs/questions. Serving Texas & Oklahoma.
Coming Next month:
GO Month-Get Organizned in the New Year 2009!
Organized By Terri is a facilitator for:
Member Golden Circle
Member NAPO National & NAPO D/FW
Have a wonderful holiday season! Sincerely,
Terri Cox
Organized By Terri |
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Organizing for the Holidays
