Declare Independence From Your Clutter!

Are you spending the 4th of July weekend around the house? This could be the perfect long weekend to carve out some time to declutter. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Find that pile that's been bugging you, dig in to the hardest area when you're motivated.

• Set the timer and work without distraction for the entire time you've allowed.

• Have a plan for what you donate. Having someone or some cause to donate your unwanted items to will make you more likely to pass them along.

• Don't waste time moving things from one pile to the next. Put each item you plan to save in it's proper place as you go.

• Earn some cash. Sell your stuff on eBay Classifieds. It's an easy, local and safe way to turn your clutter into cash.

• Feel great at the end when you see how much progress you've made!

What's In Your Backpack?

Last night I went to see the movie "Up In The Air" where George Clooney plays traveling ax man Ryan Bingham. He is also a motivational speaker encouraging people to live stuff-free, relationship-free lives. It made me think about proposing the question he raises in his speech to you--what's in your backpack? Of course we learn through the film how empty his life really is without any attachments to anything or anyone, but what if we listen to his speech and think about our clutter. If we could visualize our backpacks with all the stuff that has accumulated and how heavy that backpack would be, maybe it would have an impact on how much we keep and enable us to eliminate some of the chaos!

How Bad Would it be to Give a Regift?

There has always been a curse associated with re-gifting. At Chaos To Order, we see clients who have shelves of lovely unused gifts causing clutter in their closets. Now is the time to really think about the use of these items. Is there someone on your list who would enjoy that candle you're allergic to? Take a good look at the unused gifts you have lying around causing clutter in your house. Next, look at your list and see if you can match anything up. Use the holiday season to gift away what you can, but don't cross the line and gift something that you don't consider worthwhile for the recipient. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you do decide to regift an item:

• Don't regift used or worn items.
• Do make sure it's something that you believe the receiver would enjoy and appreciate.
• Be honest. Consider letting the receiver know that it was a gift given to you and you are not going to use it.
  

Why not give the idea of proper re-gifting another chance. It can certainly help to clear the clutter!

Do Something Good With Your Clutter

My family recently had the privilege of having two boys from Lydia Home's Safe Families program stay with us. We became a part of the Safe Families network to help out children who's parents are not able to care for their kids for a period of time, it's a positive alternative to the state child welfare system. Sometimes parents find themselves in a temporary crisis and a Safe Family can step in so the parents don't have to worry about losing custody of the child. Two weeks ago, the CBS Evening News did a story on Safe Families, to view it, click here. As I learned more about the Safe Families program, I came across Lydia Home's Goods4Good program and have been very excited telling our Chaos To Order clients about it. After we finish clearing out your closet (which we are doing a lot of this time of the year) we take the clothes and donate them to Goods4Good. You get a tax deductible receipt, and they, in turn, sell the clothing online and the proceeds go to Lydia Home to help support programs like Safe Families. Everyone wins, you clear out your closet, someone finds a bargain online, and you impact the life of a child!

5 Steps to Efficiency

With the economy in a downward spiral, and at the urging of our new President, it's time for all of us to take responsibility and work towards being more efficient. At Chaos to Order we have spelled out 5 steps that can lead us to a more efficient and organized life.

1. Spend Wisely - Chaos to Order has developed a Home Efficiency Program (for more information call (847) 825-8400). It's guaranteed to help you cut costs on household expenses. There are so many ways to economize and now is the time to do it. Trim down on everything from storage locker space to cable bills, Chaos to Order has a step by step guide to help you get the best deal.

2. Cut The Clutter - When we were on The Oprah Winfrey Show with Suze Orman, she reinforced to us how much excess we all have. We helped weed out the home of her client, thus enabling them to be more efficient and streamlined. A good place to start: Arrange for a charitable donation to come once a month to pick up give-aways. Knowing you have a set date can motivate you to go through the house and regularly fill a bag for them. Bonus - you will get a tax deduction for getting rid of your clutter!

3. Create a Time Management System - Two items that are necessary in every household: calendar & filing system. Whatever type of calendar you use, make sure it's big enough for all tasks and appointments. A working filing system is the other absolute necessity. Have a place for everything, even if it's only temporary, and stop wasting time sifting through papers and mail.

4. Don't Overschedule - to avoid overscheduling, I suggest you actually schedule downtime. Our lives are moving at such a busy pace that unless we work to create time to balance out, we will continue to feel hurried and tired. Taking time out will actually make you more productive because you will be relaxed and focused.

5. Create Good Habits - I talk to clients who say that when our organizer arrives, they will finally start to get organized. I tell them not to wait, start right now creating good habits of putting away as you go. Chaos to Order is happy to help you get things organized, but to keep it organized is a constant process!