Get Your Mind Out of the Clutter News and Tips to Organize Your Life Organizing Tips For August Simpler Sliving Ask Pierrette Tips Column Back To School Paper vs Electronic Planners Links to Our Website Our Services Project Photos Recycling Options More About Us Archive of Past Newsletters Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter Share our Newsletter August 2009 Each month in this newsletter I share organizing tips to use in your home. Try some projects alone or ask for help from our friendly professional staff. We have great ideas for improving the use of all sizes of spaces. Cheers! Pierrette Ashcroft SIMPLER LIVING May Be Time to Downsize Your Commitments It is easy to let our calendars get overscheduled, so here is some help to reduce your commitments.   Which is fitting since this first week of August is dubbed Simplify Your Life Week. Pick one category, improve your approach and then practice your new skills for a month to create a new habit.   For example, look at your list of monthly commitments.  Stop ones that you don't enjoy and get little benefit from.   Try to find at least two tasks on your periodic To-Do List that you can delegate to someone or hire someone to complete. Or automate a task, such as auto-debits for bills. This introspection should be done on a regular basis, such as the first of each week of schedule review.   Also, some people buy things they really do not need, then waste time returning them or let unwanted purchases pile up around the house. So, here's a plan for buying less:   Next time you are tempted to buy a non-necessity, do not buy it but write your wish on your calendar for re-consideration a month later. Your whim for certain clothes, a new table lamp or whatever may disappear during those four weeks. This also is helpful for months when it is hard to stay within your household's budget. ASK PIERRETTE: Too Many Books, No More Shelf Space Question: I love to read and I have run out of room to store new books that I buy. Do you have a suggestion? Pierrette: Besides using your public library's collection, you also could join a free online book club and swap your already read books for new titles.   How it works: You register as a member of the site and list good-condition books that you are willing to give away. Someone requests one of your books, you mail it to them at your expense and you earn a credit for a free book. Then you can choose and order a book shipped at its owner's expense. If you like this system, use it and enjoy! Send Pierrette your questions for answering in future newsletters. A+ PLANNING Easing Into The Upcoming School Year School managers give students lots of paper, so create a binder with tabs for key educators' phone/email data, school forms, after-school activities, bus/carpool schedule, lunch menus. Start a master calendar color-coded for each child. School clothes: inventory the child's closet and drawers and create a Needs List before shopping with them. When possible, buy the same brand/color of socks for each child (such as all white and all black), particularly for boys. It speeds up the laundry and sorting process.   For each child, buy a hanging bag with 5 compartments that hooks to a closet rod to store an outfit for each school day. Then each morning your child simply grabs the daily outfit stored in a compartment. School supplies:  Check what you have on hand, what your child found useful in the past and learn what the school or teacher recommends. To save time, order online and have it delivered. For those without school-age children, try to avoid office   supply stores during August. The lines can be very long. Put your child's name on nearly everything: backpacks, lunch boxes, books, key supplies, shoes, coats, etc. Landing Zone: Create an area at home where the kids know to leave school handouts, such as Notices and Permission Slips. SMART PLANNERS You Be The Judge: Paper vs. Electronic Electronic planners can be powerful tools that hold a lot of information. Unless you are very comfortable and proficient with all the functions of a PDA or smart phone, I think you will be more productive with a paper planner.   If you find electronic planners too challenging, you will spend more time learning how to use it rather than entering your appointments, to-do list and other important information. If you choose the electronic version, it is very important that you sync with your computer regularly. Don't know what that means? Another reason to go the paper route. Paper planners come in a variety of styles and size. Select one that you easily can carry with you. Establish a routine of entering important information on the page.   Don't fall into the habit of stuffing in bits of paper and sticky notes with a phone number or appointment. Take a few minutes at the beginning of each day to review what you need to accomplish. Gift Certificates Available Are you trying to shop for that hard-to-find recipient? Or do you need a gift for a new mom, a housewarming gift or have anyone on your list who could use an extra set of hands? What would be more appreciated than a gift certificate for help from a professional organizer? You decide the dollar amount and the recipient can decide the services that they want. A gift for others... peace of mind Pierrette Ashcroft, founder of getOrganizedDC, has more than 20 years of business experience organizing events and providing innovative solutions in homes and offices. In 2007 she was in the first group to receive credentials as a Certified Professional Organizer, CPOÆ, earning her a top distinction in the organizing industry. She continues her education and training and in 2009 became a Certified Relocation and Transition Specialist (CRTS™). As a senior move manager she takes the worry and work out of the moving process by helping seniors and their families with their needs for a seamless and successful transition. In 2009 she also completed training to become a certified home stager. She can help you prepare your home for sale and use her design skills to create a beautifully organized new home.   To learn more, call or write for a free telephone consultation at: 202-537-9705 or pierrette@getorganizeddc.com. Or visit our Web site.   The hardest part of organizing is developing an attractive plan. We are happy to help you with challenges large or small. Expect efficient and reliable service from our staff, who promise to keep your personal information confidential. Read what our clients are saying about us.   Enjoy your organizing projects!