Archive for September, 2009

Why Cardboard Boxes Are NOT A Good, Long-term Storage Solution.

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Cardboard boxes should only be used for very temporary storage, especially if they’re going to be kept in attics, basements, garages or commercial, off-site storage facilities. Aside from the fact that clear plastic boxes make it easier to see and find things – if cardboard gets wet, there’s the potential for mold to grow. In addition to damaging or ruining your possessions, mold can make you and your loved ones SICK. I can also tell you that mice and other little creatures are fond of eating and infesting cardboard boxes. So if the potential for mold or mildew doesn’t motivate you to get rid of your cardboard boxes, perhaps the thought of rodents and bugs will!

I recently worked with a client and her husband to empty out their off-site storage unit. They told me that the storage company had informed them several months before that there had been some minor flooding in the facility and theirs was one of the affected units. My clients didn’t do anything about it at the time and were understandably concerned about what they might find now. Despite the fact that we were all wearing gloves and protective masks, within 15 minutes my client started to feel sick. I surmised that she was probably having a reaction to the black mold we were finding on and in several of the cardboard boxes. She was having trouble breathing so I insisted that she leave the facility immediately and get some fresh air. Her husband went outside with her, where they wisely called her doctor and explained the situation. Her doctor advised her not to go anywhere near anything that had the mold on it. With some fresh air she started to feel better and waited in the van while her husband and I finished sorting through what to keep and what now had to be dumped because of the mold. Unfortunately, we had to toss many items that were simply not salvageable and could have made their young children and who knows who else sick if they had been brought back to their apartment. If those items had been properly stored, the mold infestation and destruction of so many of their possessions could all have been avoided. I sincerely hope that everyone will learn a lesson from this cautionary tale.

So, while cardboard boxes are great for moving or holding things for a short time, they’re not a good long term solution for safely keeping important items. Though I’m not a big advocate of off-site storage (unless it’s a temporary solution), if you need to use it, make sure to store items in plastic containers. If an item is worth having in your home or putting in storage, then treat it with respect and make sure that you protect it as much as possible from any kind of physical damage.

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Sometimes You Just Have To Trash It.

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

As a Professional Organizer, clients naturally turn to me to help them figure out what to do with all the stuff they’re ready to part with. One suggestion I make is to try to sell or give items away on craigslist or Freecycle. It’s often a fast, cost-free method to move things out of their home, but sometimes – even when it’s free! – there are no buyers or takers. What then?

The next step is to determine whether or not the items are suitable for donation. If not, I explain to clients that if they’ve made a good faith effort to find a new home for their clutter, but nobody seems to want it, it’s perfectly alright to toss it. If they seem to be leaning towards keeping an item(s) they were ready to let go of, I explain to them how doing that thwarts their goal of de-cluttering their space. Because most of my clients are in the greater NYC area – which usually means they live in apartment buildings – I have a great option to offer which often does the trick. I recommend that we neatly put items in the basement trash/recycling area of their building and hope that someone else will think they’re treasures and take them. I know from personal experience in my own and my friends’ apartment buildings how often that’s exactly what happens. One man’s trash really is another man’s treasure, at least in NYC! Of course, before leaving items, we always check to make sure that it’s alright with the super or porter of the building. If no one takes the items,  eventually the super or porter will toss them. Psychologically, it makes it easier for some clients to let go if they don’t actually have to do the tossing.

If a client insists on giving a charity clothing items that are not in good shape (we truly have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to charity and thrift shops in NYC), I ask them to think twice about that decision. Goodwill, for example, receives a billion pounds of clothing every year. Yes, I said billion with a “B”! Unfortunately, because well-meaning donors often aren’t discriminating enough about the condition of the clothing they donate, charities end up being able to use less than half of what they get and have to pay to dispose of the rest. Here’s a good rule of thumb to go by if you’re thinking about donating clothing: if you wouldn’t give it to a family member or a friend, it’s probably not good enough for a charity either. By being thoughtful and sensitive to a charity’s needs and not using them as a dumping ground or simply to get a tax deduction, you avoid creating a manpower and financial burden for them and perform a truly charitable act.

The bottom line is that sometimes you just have to trash items and that’s OK.

Posted in donate/charities/thriftshops, sell/giveaway/trash | Comments Off

You Might Have A Problem With Overspending And Overshopping If…

Monday, September 21st, 2009

We live in a consumer society and it’s all too easy to succumb to the temptations, but for some people it can be a truly serious, life-altering problem. If any of the following sounds like you, you may have a problem with overspending and overshopping:

•     You use shopping as “recreation” and “retail therapy” without a budget or limits on what you spend.
•     You have several items in your wardrobe that still have labels on them after a year.
•     You are afraid to look at your credit card bills and total up your credit card debt.
•     You’ve been borrowing from one credit line to pay back another.
•     You frequently pick up the check and/or buy things for people even though you can’t really afford it.
•     You have more supplies for your hobby (i.e. scrapbooking, fishing, etc.) than you will ever have time enough to use.
•     You hide your spending / purchases from people you live with.
•     You worry constantly about whether or not you can pay your bills.
•     You rarely, if ever walk into a store without buying several things you didn’t intend to buy.
•     When your spouse or partner disappoints you or hurts you, you get “revenge” by shopping or spending a lot of money.
•     You think about shopping and spending money even when you are not shopping.
•     You have tried to limit your shopping, but can’t.

If your clutter issues stem chiefly from shopping, here are a few helpful tips to change that reality so you can conquer your clutter once and for all.


1.     Be aware of how you feel. If you use shopping, and specifically BUYING to alter your mood, notice it! If buying something new gives you an emotional high that temporarily takes you away from your troubles, makes you feel safe, worthy, loved, or gives you some other rush, it’s important to be aware of it. Once you’re aware of why you’re buying, you can take other steps to make yourself feel better besides buying. I would recommend a few sessions with a counselor, a hypnotist, or therapist to get to the root of your buying.

2.     Imagine yourself at home. When you’re OUT of your cluttered home and inside the gorgeous four walls of Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrel, it’s easy to forget how stressed your home makes you. Again, that’s the idea. They WANT you to forget about your house and just open your wallet. And listen, when you really need something, great. Go buy it! But before you do, vividly imagine yourself back at your house with your new “thing”. Where in your already cluttered home will your new thing live? Who will clean it? How much space will it consume? What will it give you back? How long will it be valuable? Asking yourself these questions will help you make better buying decisions.

3.     Calculate the TIME cost. If money isn’t a motivator for you, and unnecessary spending doesn’t inspire you to reduce your shopping, think of how much TIME your new “thing” will cost you. Let’s say you make $20 per hour, and your new “thing” costs $100. In time currency, your new thing will cost you FIVE HOURS of your life. Thinking of new purchases in this way will help you decide if you REALLY need it or if you just want it to make yourself feel better.

The next time you’re out shopping, try these simple tips and see if it doesn’t help shift your shopping mindset so you can make better, more powerful choices and reduce the clutter in your life.

Posted in money savers, simplicity + consumerism, time management | Comments Off

The Secrets Of Successful People…

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Successful people know that in order to get ahead, they need to plan, set priorities and follow through consistently. In the process, they develop systems and procedures for everything in their life that work in sync with and support their own natural preferences. They realize how important it is to be true to their own style – whatever that is – despite what others may say or think. That’s the first secret of successful people. Their second secret is that they maintain their systems and procedures daily and are always on the lookout for ways to do things smarter, faster and better. Their third secret is that they don’t try to be perfectly organized. They recognize that it’s simply not an attainable or desirable goal. The goal is to be organized sufficiently to keep making forward progress, but also have time to enjoy themselves, their loved ones and the activities that are meaningful in their lives. And what do they get for all of this? They get the gifts of peace of mind and extra time. Need I say more? Isn’t it time you got organized?

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How To Get Your Kids Out The Door And To School On Time.

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

It’s the middle of September and your kids are probably back at school by now. If you’re finding that getting them out the door on time in the morning is difficult, WebMD has an instructive video about helping them get to where they need to be on time.

Posted in kids, time management | 2 Comments »

Shining The Spotlight On America’s Penchant For Excess.

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

This past weekend, The New York Times ran an interesting article on how the downturn in the economy is affecting the self-storage industry. Not surprisingly, it confirms what I and my fellow organizers already know: the vast majority of storage units contain mostly clutter.

Since the start of the recession, occupancies at storage facilities nationwide are down 2-3%. While not a big drop, apparently it has shaken an industry that has always thought of itself as recession-resistant, if not recession-proof.

Here are some quotes from the article:

“After a monumental building boom, the United States now has 2.3 billion square feet of self-storage space. (The Self Storage Association notes that, with more than seven square feet for every man, woman and child, it’s now “physically possible that every American could stand — all at the same time — under the total canopy of self-storage roofing.”)”

“A Self Storage Association study showed that, by 2007, the once-quintessential client — the family in the middle of a move, using storage to solve a short-term, logistical problem — had lost its majority. Fifty percent of renters were now simply storing what wouldn’t fit in their homes — even though the size of the average American house had almost doubled in the previous 50 years, to 2,300 square feet.”

“Human laziness has always been a big friend of self-storage operators,” Derek Naylor, president of the consultant group Storage Marketing Solutions, told me. “Because once they’re in, nobody likes to spend all day moving their stuff out of storage. As long as they can afford it, and feel psychologically that they can afford it, they’ll leave that stuff in there forever.”

If you rent self-storage space, I dare you to multiply what your storage space costs by the number of months you’ve been renting it. Okay, now that you’ve picked yourself up off of the floor, do you even remember what you have in storage? Think about what you could have done with that money instead of lining the pockets of the storage industry with it.

I urge you to read the entire article. It’s fascinating and may provide just the inspiration you need to go clean out your storage space! Hire an organizer to help, if you need, too, but get it done!

Posted in clutter, money savers, simplicity + consumerism, storage | Comments Off

Do You Suffer From “Excessive Office Inventory” Syndrome?

Thursday, September 10th, 2009
Working with three different clients last week, I was reminded once again how many pen, pencil, 3-ring binder, copy paper, file folder, rubber band, paper clip, envelope, scotch tape, staple remover, lined pad, post-it-note, etc. hoarders there are out there! If your stash of office supplies could give Staples a run for its money, but you can’t find what you need when you need it, it’s time to get organized so you know exactly what you have and where it’s located.

Unnecessary expenditures related to disorganization – like buying duplicates of misplaced items or items you already own! – can cost as much as 15% to 20% of your annual budget. In these tight economic times, that can really pinch. So, get your office supplies organized and check your stock levels before you hit the stores! You’ll have more money in your pocket and less clutter in your office if you do.

Posted in money savers, offices | Comments Off

Rock-A-Bye Baby – And More – With The 5-In-1 Rain Or Shine Blanket

Sunday, September 6th, 2009

The simple yet effective design of Rain or Shine Kids 5-in-1 protective blankets allows parents to use them seamlessly for 5 major everyday functions. The grosgrain ribbon ties, soft fabrics and water resistant backing work together to protect and attach to the stroller, baby carrier, infant car seat, use as a nursing cover and an outdoor play mat/changing pad. The blankets that work like a cozy piece of gear, a perfect gift for the new family on the go.

The 5-in-1 all weather WooBee protective blankets function like your favorite piece of baby gear. The unique combination of water resistant backing, super soft front fabrics and sewn on ribbon ties allows parents to utilize their all weather WooBee for 5 every day uses : attaches to the stroller, secures to a carrier, tie to infant car seat, tie around to use as a nursing cover, and use as an outside play mat/changing pad.

Classic series
Thick plush fabrics in baby soft pink, sky, lilac and cream with a classic chocolate water resistant backing.
Urban series
These blankets grey and black nylon backing match many of today’s most popular baby gear. Choose from fluffy plush fabrics in soft baby colors or the smooth soft velvet material in brighter shades.
Brilliant series
These vibrant color combinations look amazing on children, in our beautiful smooth velvet material that is very hard to stain, and they stay bright wash after wash.

Print series
These fun, funky and cool prints are a favorite of parents and children. The ranch, camo and leopard prints make rockstars and cowhands out of your favorite baby. This fabric is virtually impossible to stain and super smooth to the touch.

Posted in kids, money savers, products/resources | Comments Off

September Is National Preparedness Month. How Ready For An Emergency Are You?

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

Now in its sixth year, National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort sponsored by the Ready Campaign to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. Are you ready? If not, I urge you to visit their website for more about how preparedness goes beyond fire alarms, smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks and extra food in the pantry.


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Save Steps And Achieve Organizing Success!

Friday, September 4th, 2009
Taking the fewest number of steps possible to accomplish a task is the key to organizing success. For example, if you’ve got a home office and it’s not well-organized, your efficiency and productivity are likely to suffer. If you have to go across the room to file a piece of paper because that’s where the file cabinet is, I can tell you that nine times out of ten, it probably won’t happen. As a result, papers will sit around on your desk just getting lost in the shuffle and you won’t be able to find them the next time you need them. Definitely not an optimal solution for creating a workspace that supports you.

It’s basic human nature that if something is perceived to take too much work or time or is inconvenient to do; that something probably won’t get done or will fall to the bottom of your list of things to do. In the case of filing papers in a home office, the “save steps and achieve organizing success solution“ is to move your file cabinet near your desk – or otherwise rearrange your space – so you don’t even have to get out of your chair to file your papers!

- Have an old file cabinet whose drawers are hard to open or don’t slide out all the way, making it hard to reach the back of it? The “save steps and achieve organizing success solution” is to get a new, full extension file cabinet with drawers that glide out easily and completely for total access.

- Papers piling up because you’ve run out of filing supplies? The “save steps and achieve organizing success solution” is to make sure that you always keep some surplus on hand.

- Like to write with a sharp pencil? The “save steps and achieve organizing success solution“ is to keep a pencil sharpener in, on or near your desk and a wastebasket close by to dump the shavings in when the sharpener gets full!

You get the idea.

Think about what can you do to save steps and achieve organizing success in your own life. If you’re having trouble reaching your goals, please let us know. We’d love to help!

Posted in step savers | 2 Comments »