Tips & Tricks: Clutter Enemy #2

September 2015 – Quote of the Month

Most of us know that starting is the hardest part. One of my favorite movies, “What About Bob?” introduces us to the concept of baby-stepping. Baby-stepping is the antidote to avoiding the things we don’t want to do. Baby-step your way through the pile of papers on your desk by handling one paper at a time. Baby-step your way through the returns you need to make by returning just one item today. If your kitchen is a disaster, start with the dishes in the sink. Whatever you are avoiding, identify the ‘next step’ that you can do today to get you a little bit closer. Once you begin, you will be amazed at the energy you’ll generate.

A special WELCOME to our new subscribers. We are happy

to have you with us and hope you enjoy this month’s issue.

Weekend Dumpster Diving

Recycling Adventures

Meet Howard

My husband offered to accompany me to drop off the bags of paper recycling that were in my car after organizing a client’s home office. Sometimes I fill plastic trash bags with paper and then carefully dump the paper into the recycling bin. “We” accidentally dropped the plastic bag into the bin….my fearless husband climbed into the dumpster to retrieve the plastic bag. What a guy – going to any lengths to save the environment AND assist Aim 4 Order when needed!

Clutter Enemy #2 – MAIL

Mail is the gift that keeps on giving. Blink your eyes or skip a day or two and mail seems to multiply rapidly. It’s downright scary. Many people fall into the habit of tossing old mail into bags and boxes to ‘deal with later’ but later never comes. Sometimes the bags and boxes get buried and are discovered years later.

Here are some tried and true tips to lessen the burden of mail.

Go to your bank’s website and sign up for on line only statements. If you can take it a step further and request on line statements for your investment accounts, you’ll be decreasing your mail significantly each day.
Go to your other accounts (gas & electric, cell phone, internet, insurance and ask for on line statements. Even if you don’t ‘trust’ the internet, you can still get on line statements and do your bill paying by mail (if you must!).
Have a mail station in the kitchen or wherever your mail seems to land. Have a desktop filing box that has files for major categories in your daily life. Bills can get clipped to the front of the box. If you want to see a picture of an active file, click here.
Have a bag or container handy so you can recycle or shred immediately.
Take the mail where it needs to go each day so it doesn’t have a chance to accumulate.
Check out 41 Pounds, a non profit that boasts you can reclaim your mailbox for just $35 a year or Catalog Choice who can also stop unwanted mail.

All together now – Baby-step your way to eradicating mail build up!

Decluttering the Kitchen to Feed the Hungry – a win/win!

Green Tip of the Month

September is Hunger Action Month

This month, Maryland State Police Barracks, in partnership with the Maryland Food Bank, are collecting non-perishable foods. Take a peek in your cabinets and see what foods you aren’t eating and please donate them to those who need it. Remember to check expiration dates because only unexpired foods will be accepted.

The bins are located in the lobby so you can drop off 24/7.

“Helping Baby Boomers and their Parents Lighten their Loads.”

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in your home, contact me. Together, we can transform your home into a happy, tidy place where you can feel at peace. We can also get you ready for your next move more enjoyably, faster and easier!