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Terri Stephens, CPO, CRTS

Certified Professional Organizer�
Certified Relocation & Transition Specialist�

2011

CONSUMER'S CHOICE AWARD WINNER

 

(678) 513-6585

 [email protected]m

TheRealOrder.com

 
IN THIS ISSUE
Ways We Can Help
Elder Care: The Four Box Approach
Senior Move Resources
Preparing a Roadside Emergency Kit

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WAYS WE CAN HELP

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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February 2014

Greetings!    

 

In light of our recent bout with winter weather, you may be looking forward to warmer days. I know I am. And warmer days mean spring cleaning, organization, and possibly moving! 

 

If you have an elderly loved one who's considering a move this spring, it's smart to do a bit of research to get prepared for taking on such a large task. This month's newsletter will share some of my favorite elder move resources and tips to making this transition as smooth as possible for you and your family.

 

Speaking of warmer days and senior moves, I'm lucky enough to be on my way to San Diego for the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) Great Ideas Conference at the end of this month! In addition to soaking up a bit of sun, I'm really looking forward to getting inspired, connecting with colleagues, and learning new ways to enhance our senior move services.

 

I hope the information shared in this month's newsletter proves most helpful, and gets you started on the right track when planning and/or assisting your elder loved one with an upcoming move. If you'd like some specialized help with your senior's move, please contact the Real Order team today!

 

Best wishes,  

Terri Signature   

  

 

 

Terri Stephens, CPO, CRTS

Real Order Professional Organizing, LLC
(678) 513-6585

The Four Box Approach to Helping Elderly Loved Ones

Recently, Forbes published an article sharing a smart, four box, approach to estate planning. In addition to offering suggestions on how to approach this subject with the seniors in your life, this piece outlines a simple way to deal with all of the items your loved ones live with. Knowing which pieces they're emotionally attached to, which are worth passing down, and which ones should be donated will make any elder move much simpler when the time comes to help them transition to a new location.

 

The 4 Boxes Inventory System

Place four boxes in the room you're currently working in. The boxes should be marked:

  1. "Keep Until I Die" - Items with sentimental value should be placed here.
  2. "Appraise and Sell" - For valuable items that are no longer needed/wanted.
  3. "Keep with Me" - Unsentimental items that are needed for the time being. 
  4. "Garage Sale/Donate" - For all other unwanted items.

For larger items, that won't fit into the boxes, label them on the underside/back with their "4 Box" designation.

 

If possible, consider starting this exercise with the senior(s) in your life as soon as possible, and work through each room little by little, so this won't be such a large task for you to tackle at one time. By taking on this job now, during the cold winter months, you'll be ready to organize and downsize, as necessary, just in time for the big move this spring!

Senior Move Resources

Helping an elderly loved one with a move can be an overwhelmingly cumbersome task. Not only does it take a lot of time, preparation, and organization, you'll also require the help of others along the way.  

 

In addition to utilizing the services of your local Senior Move Management specialists, there's a plethora of information and helpful tips available online to make the move as easy as possible. To help you, our Atlanta Senior Move Manager has composed a list of valuable resources to take advantage of during this transitional time:

  • National Association of Realtors - Senior Real Estate Specialist - Realtors with this designation are specially qualified to address the real estate needs of those age 50+.
  • New lifestyles - Online Resource for Senior Living and Care directories
  • A Place for Mom - Talk to a Senior Living Advisor at no cost
  • Assisted Choice - Senior Housing and Family Advisory Services (Atlanta Based)
  • "Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate" - Workbook assists the elder/family members decide who gets non-titled personal property, which can often be the cause of much hard feelings within the family if not handled properly.

For seniors who plan to move into a senior community, no matter their level of care, the above resources for senior living can be of much assistance. 

Preparing Your Car for Roadside Emergencies

In light of the debilitating winter weather we recently experienced, and all of the roadside emergencies that went along with it, we here at Real Order, thought it would be smart to compile a list of items to keep in an emergency kit in your car.

If you were one of the unfortunate commuters stranded roadside, there'll probably be a number of items you wish you'd had with you throughout your time spent stranded along the roads and interstates of the greater Atlanta area. Next time you're caught off-guard in such a situation, be ready for it by preparing your car for roadside emergencies. 

Create an emergency kit with all of the essentials for your family. A few of the top items to include are:
  • Cell phone with car charger 
  • Jumper cables
  • Flashlight with spare batteries
  • Small toolkit
  • First aid kit
  • Spare tire kit
  • Bottles of water
  • Extra medication
For the full list of items to include in your emergency kit, click here. We hope this list encourages you to create a custom emergency kit for your family right away. It's better to spend a bit of time, and a few resources, prepping for an emergency than wishing you did when you're in the midst of one!

 

 

"Fail to plan or plan to fail."

 

REFER A FRIEND & DINE OUT ON US 

DiningMost 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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