Your Life. Organized.

Simplicity News June 2007

 

A new subscriber named Suzanne from Panama City, Florida wrote and asked about keeping sports equipment. This is a challenge, particularly if you have kids, which Suzanne does.

My best recommendations would be multi-faceted. You didn't say how old your kids are, but if they're older than two, you're golden. Kids older than two can certainly be taught simple routines, and if there's one thing that being organized requires, it's consistent routines. Keeping the car organized is a team effort between all family members, so first, it's important to think about your family's lifestyle and natural tendencies. If your husband's and kids' sports stuff is what's making you nutty, pay attention to how they use the items, and how frequently.

For example, if the sports equipment items are being left all over the garage floor, take a look at which ones they are. Are they used more frequently than the rest? If so, they should be stored in the most convenient spot. Rubbermaid has a neat system called the FastTrack System. It's a set of rails you mount to your wall and from there, you just snap on various accessories based on the type of item you want to store. For sports equipment, check out this cool vertical ball rack, or how about these mesh baskets for gloves, helmets and other small accessories? Other options for storing sporting equipment with the FastTrack System are bike hooks, a multipurpose hook for hockey sticks or tennis racquets, shelves with hooks or plain solid shelves for general storage.

Another option for keeping sports equipment at bay in the garage is the Elfa shelving system by The Container Store. This is one of my favorite product lines because of its versatility and value. You can see their many garage combinations here. Suzanne, I hope this helps!

Simplicity News May 2007

An HGTV Web Forum Reader Asked...

As you know, I've been chosen to host the online version of the HGTV Spring Get Organized Challenge! This means I'll be answering reader's questions on the HGTV web forum. It's been in full swing for six weeks so far and it's been really fun!

An HGTV web forum reader named Oklahoma Guy logged onto the forum and asked,

"Monica, it's funny you just got back from OSU because I'm living in Oklahoma now, about 2.5 hours from Stillwater. Anyway, recently I had my bathroom redone due to a leak that resulted in a mold problem. I paid $4500 for the repairs and total renovation. Now I am inspired to fix up every room in my house one step at a time. I want to do my bedroom next but my wife and I are clutter bugs.

We clean up and then we mess things up, and we say we're going to fix it. Then it stays messy for weeks at  time. We need help getting organized and making our bedroom more sensual and sexy. Also, we just had a baby who is now two months old so we have a bassinet/plapen in our room where the baby sleeps at night. She doesn't like her crib, and there is a bunch of baby clothes in there anyway... We need help in small town Oklahoma!"  

Here is my answer...

Simplicity News March 2007

A reader named Julie wrote and asked, "How can I organize around different personalities in my home? I know everyone isn't like me, nor can I expect them to be. I just want to blend our personalities for a more efficiently run home!" Julie, this is a very common question and unfortunately, there's no single right answer. But there is one thing that I will say works almost 100% of the time... 

Yeah, I'm the Tax Maaaaaaan

The Beatles wrote all about it in 1966 and it's still true today. January 31st has come and gone and in case you didn't know, that's the deadline for employers to have sent out W-2 forms to employees. It's also the signal for tax accountants all over the country to begin hunkering down, stocking up on Power Bars, and getting ready for their busiest time of year. Yes, I mean TAX TIME! Getting a root canal...

Simplicity News January 2007

Happy New Year to all my readers!!

Gwen from Bremerton, Washington wrote me and wants to know "how do I label boxes for storage and then keep track of them. For example, which box has the Christmas decorations and where in the attic did I put it??"

Gwen, thanks for your question. This is a common problem for a lot of folks, but the solutions are actually simple. Like most anything in your life that you've set out to organize, it involves thinking ahead. I believe that's half the battle but the trouble is, it's the half that most people aren't willing to do. When you think ahead, the solutions begin to reveal themselves. For example, when you move into a new house and set up your kitchen, you might just choose a random cabinet for your pots and pans. But if you take a few extra seconds to think ahead and ask yourself, "What are these items used for?" that will tell you where they should live. It's simple; cooking items should live near the stove.

So using the same concept, think about your storage system before you create it, and the answers will reveal themselves to you. If the challenge is remembering what's inside each box and then remembering where each box is, address each problem separately. Every time you pack something away, just create...

Simplicity News December 2006

Ann Wolfe, of Marlboro, Massachusetts, wrote me the following email:

I want to know about organizing just about anything when you live in an apartment and have limited storage and cannot change the shapes of closets. Especially the bathroom closet.

Ann, this is such a common problem for apartment-dwellers. You can't really make permanent changes because you're renting, but the space just isn't working for you, dang it! When organizing your space -- any space -- your first step is always to evaluate what you own and be sure everything you're allowing to share your space is also giving you value. If not, get rid of it.

The second part of organizing your space involves...

Simplicity News Thanksgiving 2006

I bet you're here looking for December's newsletter article aren't you? Oops! Sorry about that! I coded my link wrong and it brought you here. Try this one instead! (and Happy Holidays!) ~Monica

Dan Banta of Grand Haven, Michigan wants ideas for keeping family life organized and simple. Oh, Dan, don't we all? 

Most of keeping family life organized involves the choices you make and the boundaries you establish as a spouse and parent. Staying organized at home is a multi-faceted challenge; it requires control of the physical space and contents, control of time, and clear behavior expectations and boundaries. And yes, the truth is that it's not always easy. But it is always worth it.

When organizing your space, your first step is to...

Simplicity News October 2006

October's Simplicity News...

 

Simplicity News September 2006

"Organization Nation" Radio Show Going Strong!

I am pleased to report that my weekly radio show, Organization Nation is a month old, it's going strong and I just LOVE doing it! Topics I've covered so far are garage organizing, closet organizing, clothing consignment, overcoming procrastination, and organizing for college-bound freshmen. Plus, I have guest experts nearly every week, so be sure to tune in for great ideas, inspiration and tips! And, if YOU have an idea for a radio show topic, I'd love to hear it!  Be sure to tune in today and every Tuesday to learn more and call or email with your questions!

This month's show topics include organizing your wardrobe and personal image, organizing for a home remodeling project, organizing your work day, and getting your important life papers organized.

You Asked...

Each month, readers write asking questions about how to organize various areas of their lives. This month's question comes from an unidentified subscriber in Cranston, Rhode Island. She writes, "I tend to keep things I might use. My mother in-law & father in-law died how do I get rid of their stuff without feeling bad?"

Letting go of items that belonged to deceased loved ones can be tough, I know. It's something that almost everyone faces at one point or another in life, so your question applies to many readers. Having lost my own mother just over two years ago, I can relate to what you're feeling. The first thing to do is...

Radio Show Begins Tomorrow (August 1)

I am very happy to announce that I will be hosting a new weekly radio show, called Organization Nation, beginning Tuesday August 1, 2006. Join me on the web at Radio Sandy Springs every Tuesday at noon Eastern Time. I'll be on the air, helping you to...