ORGANIZINGTIPS.MCGUIRESORGANIZINGSERVICES.COM

July 2009

2009-07-01T20:16:00Z

Heading off to college in the fall? Now is the time to start making a list of all the things you will need to bring with you. There are lots of sites to help you know what to pack, so I thought I would give you some tips on how to pack! As many items that can serve double duty the better. For example, you will need to bring towels. Instead of packing them, use them as packing material to wrap around your breakables. Any picture frames or jewelry or glassware can be protected in this way. Or your laundry hamper, even if it is a pop-up can be used to pack your clean clothes in. A milk crate container that you bring things from home in can be turned upside down as a bedside table. Or turned on its side in the closet to keep T-shirts or sweaters organized. Since most dorms, and some apartments as well, frown on holes in the wall, use over-the-door storage as much as possible. These simply hook over the door. www.containerstore.com has some great ideas and products. And remember, even if an item is advertised for a kitchen pantry, the same product could be used in the bathroom to hold all toiletries.

Are you an adult going back to college? This is exciting! I did this myself some years ago. There are going to be more time management issues for you, especially if you have kids. If you can, carve out a quiet space in your home/garage/basement to study. Communicate to everyone in your life that this will need to be your time to concentrate. If this is not possible, get familiar with your college's library and computer lab. Certain colleges also have a lounge in your department specific to your major. These will be your places to study. Make time every day for your family, especially if you have children, and you must continue working. These are the precious years, remember to hug and kiss and laugh! Learn to grab study time when you can. Your lunch hour will become your lunch/study hour. Or do all of your errands during that time. If your kids have practice, bring your books! Remember that this much business is only for a season. Write out what your goal is and why you chose higher education to fulfill it. Post it up in your study area. This will help you get through any rough times.

Be Organized, Be Happy!
Kay

June 2009

2009-06-01T20:30:00Z

For the kids: School will soon be out! Time for summer fun! With Mom or Dad's permission, choose your favorite artwork, your best spelling tests, your best work in Math, etc. Put this in a box with your name and grade level on it, then decorate the box with stickers and markers. Recycle all of the other papers.

Mom or Dad: Predetermine a number of papers from each subject that your child can keep. If they keep everything that they ever bring home, you will have MOUNTAINS of paper to go through later. Very often I see people who have kept everything that their child has ever done. When the child becomes an adult, they (and the adult child) are overwhelmed going through it. If the goal is to remember childhood, then a little bit of memorabilia goes a long way!

Be Organized, Be Happy!

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May 2009

2009-05-01T20:16:00Z

It's May, and summer is quickly upon us! Get yourself organized now for summer fun! What are your favorite summer activities? Do you or the kids love to swim? Pack a bag now full of sunscreen, beach towels, water wings, goggles, and swim suits. Then when the first beautiful day hits you are ready to go!

Maybe you love fishing. Wade through the garage now to find your fishing poles. Clean out your tackle box. Make sure your fishing license is renewed and your hooks are on the lines. Now you are ready to go and relax! Why waste the first beautiful day trying to find everything?

Be Organized, Be Happy!

April 2009

2009-04-01T20:22:00Z

Is a move in your near future? I have moved many times. Sometimes I have a week-end to move. Sometimes I have two weeks. Whatever your time frame is, think forward (to your new place) and backward (once I am there, what do I need immediately?) When you pack a box, seal it, label it and don't reopen it! My rule of thumb is; The only box that can be left open is the one that goes with me in my car. This contains all the items that we will be using when we get to the new house: Pizza cutter, paper plates, plastic silverware, cups, toilet paper, all important documents that cannot be lost in the move. If the kids will be in school, have all of that paperwork. Have everything that you need for your job. Pack two to three outfits for everybody and all toiletries. That way if there are any delays, you are still set.

Have you ever heard anyone say, "we are still in boxes and we have lived here for 3 years?" Or, "we have never been able to park in the garage?" This is your house, your garage, you choose what you want to keep. Just because something is nice or it was a gift, doesn't mean that you have to keep it indefinitely!!! Now is the time to scale back. Think about the size of rooms you have, garage you have. What do you want it to look like? What do you want to do in each room? You can have control of your house, you live there! If you want your formal dining room to be a huge hobby room, go for it! Do you want your garage to house your car or be turned into a rec room for the teenagers? Go for it!!! Your house is your castle! (The only time that this wouldn't apply is if you are selling your house. Not everyone can visualize your hobby room back into the formal dining room. You might have to show them!)

As you are paying your last monthly bills, keep a notebook handy to jot down the name, phone, address, and your account number of each company (Water, sewer, garbage, electricity, etc.) It is always a good idea to write down the name of the person helping you from that company as well. If there are any discrepancies later, you will have documentation in hand.

Be Organized, Be Happy!