Get Your Mind Out of the Clutter News and Tips to Organize Your Life Organizing Tips For July Garage Organization Ask Pierrette Be A Leader on Changes in Your Home Donation Decisions 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 July 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 GARAGE-FRIENDLY Grin: You Finally Will Know Where Everything Is Garage organizing can be overwhelming. As I prepare to sell my house, I have thought about what belongs there - or maybe belongs nowhere in my house. If tackling this alone, decide first if you are going to organize all of it or work in stages as your energy and time allow. OK, it is time to have lots of energy. Empty the entire garage. Sort everything into four areas: trash, recycle, give away or store in a more logical part of the house, return to the garage. If you have unneeded duplicates of anything, give them away or sell them. Get the trash, recycling and giveaway items carried away quickly. Using any existing storage containers and wall hooks, keep small yard tools in one container or area, hang or store large yard tools together, hang bikes from the ceiling or wall, keep any chemicals safely together in a container or on a shelf. Seasonal items may be stored up high on a garage shelf or perhaps in an attic. Your new system likely can be improved by a trip to a hardware or storage container store to get more wall hooks and/or plastic tubs. In the end, make sure all family members know the new system and get their promise to preserve the order. ASK PIERRETTE: Plan + List = Happy Vacation Question: We are planning our summer vacation and I'm stressed out for something that should be enjoyable and relaxing. Whenever I travel I always forget to bring something. How can I be better prepared? Pierrette: Create a laminated checklist. You can use a dry erase marker to check off items as they are packed. Then wipe it clean for your next trip. Or compose two or more types of trip lists which you store on your computer and adapt before or after each trip. Use a computer checklist or printout to mark off packed items. Ideally, start using packed toiletries the week before your trip so you learn early if you need to buy something. Early planning avoids last-minute stress. Send Pierrette your questions for answering in future newsletters. TAKE CHARGE Be the Leader on Changes in Home Routines The first week of this month is designated as Take Charge of Change Week because ... somebody in each home needs to lead the way. First, set some goals in writing on what accomplishments you want. There is always something around the home that is not being handled smoothly enough, so plan a way to do it better. Divide your list into necessities and maybes. Then prioritize. What is the most important? What simply would be "nice to do" if you have time? Start with the high priority items and break the task into small steps. Set a realistic completion date. Check off steps as they are completed. For example, the more people you have in one house the more complicated meal planning gets. So, make a list of meals that are both nutritious and that most in the house like. Plan meals for the entire week, keeping in mind that you could cook enough chicken or other main dish that could be served over two meals - the second time the chicken could be served in chunks atop a salad. If you believe rightly that more than one person should be helping with cooking and cleaning up, assign family members alternating responsibilities for the week's meals. DONATION DECISIONS Target Items and Quickly Get Them Out First decide what kinds of items you want to donate. Different places vary in what they will accept. Some even do free pick-ups at your home for furniture and clothing, for example. Clothing in poor condition is not welcomed at places like Goodwill, which want items they can sell in their retail stores. But a growing number of counties accept any clothing for recycling. Call your county's recycling office or check their Web site for drop-off locations. Remember, just because you no longer want something, it can be very useful for someone else. You can help others while reducing your clutter and still get a tax deduction. Also, keep a notepad and pen nearby and write down every item as you put it into a donation bag or box. Ideally you would immediately write an estimate of the fair value for each item while the item is fresh in your mind. Here's a list of organizations that will give your castoffs a second and useful life. 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!