Ask the Expert: GREAT ORGANIZING GIVE AWAY!

I was asked by a fabulous professional organizing colleague to participate in this one-of-a-kind event.

You can find  ebooks, tip sheets, audio programs, webinars, free consulting, chances to win memberships to programs, chances to win productivity software and even a chance to win an iPod!  There are items in three categories: Your Office, Your Time and Your Home.

Find out more here:

http://www.asktheexpertorganizers.com/

I created an MP3 file with tips on green organizing that you can also find here:

http://www.healingorganization.com/green-tips/

Enjoy!

Free Talk on Getting Organized for 2010! TONIGHT

Do you have credit card debt, but things around the home you never use? Have you actually redeemed any of your Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons? Do you and your significant other fight over clutter?

Start your year off right by getting organized. I will cover a variety of topics with an emphasis on green tips.

Tonight from 6:30–8

Calm & Sense
Street: 2603 Glenwood Avenue
City/Town: Raleigh, NC 27608

Ask the Expert: GREAT ORGANIZING GIVE AWAY!

I was asked by a fabulous professional organizing colleague to participate in this one-of-a-kind event.

You can find  ebooks, tip sheets, audio programs, webinars, free consulting, chances to win memberships to programs, chances to win productivity software and even a chance to win an iPod!  There are items in three categories: Your Office, Your Time and Your Home.

Find out more here:

http://www.asktheexpertorganizers.com/

I created an MP3 file with tips on green organizing that you can also find here:

http://www.healingorganization.com/green-tips/

Enjoy!

Two Easy-Peasy Green Organizing Tips

Getting organized and want to be green, but fear it is too hard? Here are two easy ways while getting organized that you can be eco-friendly!

Whatcha got already? Gather up your partially used shampoos, lotions, conditioners, etc. and use them. Or pack them in a make up bag to use on your next trips so you don’t take the hotel samples.  How many meals can you create with the food in your fridge, freezer, and pantry?

Create a “use it or lose it” basket. Don’t throw something away you don’t like.  Your friends, family and co-workers are excellent guinea pigs and will probably love what you don’t. Or have a party with friends and have a great big party swap!  Keep stuff near the door/in the car so you remember  to collect and distribute!

Want more time, joy & money with less stress?

GET ORGANIZED!

The average American has between $2,500 and 5 K worth of perfectly usable stuff they aren’t using while carrying 10K in credit card debt!

Over 85% of couples say they argue about clutter and disorganization!

When we don’t have bills and financial papers organized, bills can get lost, causing us to accrue late fees. Replacing lots items, and buying duplicates of those we didn’t realize we already had, can also carry a cost that adds up quickly.

Depression can cause clutter in your house and clutter in your house can cause depression.  It can be a vicious cycle that is hard to escape.

Being disorganized can also cause stress:

Having guests over becomes an embarrassment, or an event that takes all-day preparation.

Using your home for activities like scrapbooking or yoga becomes difficult or impossible without taking significant time to clear the space.

According to the principles of Feng Shui, clutter drains you of your positive energy. You can actually feel it.

A cluttered home, rather than a haven from stress, is a big stressor in itself, and intensifies the frustration and exhaustion that an already-stressed person.

If  it is too much to do on your own, consider hiring a professional organizer to help you!

Fourth R in Eco-organizing: Recycle!

When organizing, remember to recycle.  Often times, people are unaware of recycling guidelines, or whether something can be recycled at all.  Know your guidelines and local recycling centers.  Consider setting up a recycling center in your home or business to make it as easy as possible.

Encourage the legislature to pass laws.  There is a program that offers incentives to people who recycle in form of gift cards. www.recyclebank.com/

Remember, recycling includes donating items that you no longer love, need, or use often to those who could truly put those items to good use.  Adopt a charity, or even a particular family or consider giving them away on www.Freecycle.org.

Throwplace, “the internet’s landfill alternative”, allows you to donate goods that can be used by non-profits. Your non-profit can also sign up to get goods as well. Registration is free.

www.throwplace.com

For more resources check out my green respurces page:

http://www.healingorganization.com/green-resources/

3 of the 4 R’s in green organizing: Reduce, Reuse and Repurpose

Keep these R’s in mind when getting organized. This is a way you can easily be green and make a difference!

Reduce: Think before you buy. Think again. Do you really need that item? The less stuff you have, the less you have to organize. Have or give experiences (Trips, tickets, special events, cooking/sewing/craft lessons, etc.) instead of giving things.  One client  keeps a jar for when she doesn’t buy clothes or shoes.  When she accumulates a certain amount she treats herself to a day at the spa!

Reuse: It’s great if you recycle your boxes from the holidays, but even better if they can be reused: take them to a local moving company; to BJ’s or Sam’s; find out if a business or non profit is moving and give to them.

Repurpose: Figure out how to repurpose an item. Get creative.  Instead of buying a special plastic case for ornaments, I use a wine case with a divider to store them.

Do you have some mismatched dishes hanging around because you haven’t wanted to part with them? Use a pretty cup to hold your cotton balls or lay your make-up brushes on a plate on your vanity.  Those plastic containers for curtains also make great storage units.  They are clear and you can write with a sharpie on them. I use mine to store holiday lights and electrical cords.

Free Talk on Getting Organized for 2010! TONIGHT

Do you have credit card debt, but things around the home you never use? Have you actually redeemed any of your Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons? Do you and your significant other fight over clutter?

Start your year off right by getting organized. I will cover a variety of topics with an emphasis on green tips.

Registration:
http://organizefor2010.eventbrite.com/

Tonight from 7-8

Advanced Healthcare Soultions
Street: 8351 Standonshire Way # 101
City/Town: Raleigh, NC 27615

Too Much Holiday Wrapping Paper Leftover?

Of course, you can always use the paper next year, but if you are looking for some ways to be creative and help get organized here are some suggestions:

shred and use as packaging material;

wrap around recycled tin cans to store pens, pencils and scissors;

make a bookmark;

create decorative box labels and color code by subject;

use in a frame and hang it for a graphic touch;

protect your books;

construct napkin rings by cutting strips and wrapping around flatware for your next dinner party;

compose a card;

save it by ironing on low and rolling it back on the tube to reuse next year!

What other creative ideas do you have?  Remember to try and make being green fun.  Don’t think of it as a chore, but rather a way to be creativity and stretch your imagination while doing good for the planet.

Time to organize for the Holidays now!

The holidays are over, but if you want to get organized for 2010, consider a gift shelf. Of course, your gift shelf doesn’t have to be a box.  It can be a “gift closet” or “gift box”.  Rather than waiting until a gift-giving occasion arises and then going shopping, you shop all year long and keep the gifts in a designated place until the special occasions arrive.

This is a great place to keep what you want to re-gift (be sure to label who it came from so you don’t send it back to the person who gave it to you!)

It’s easy and allows you to spread out your time and money over the year while reducing your stress during the holidays.  The gift shelf allows you to take your time finding the right gift at the right price.  You can keep your gift shelf stocked and if a friend is having a bad day a quick trip to your closet will provide a nice pick me up.  Also, if you are ever caught off guard by someone you weren’t planning to give a gift to, you won’t be empty handed.

Be sure to keep track of your inventory and always be on the lookout for inexpensive items that would make good gifts.  Estate and yard sales, flea markets and swap meets are great places to look!

For green gift ideas, check out my site:

http://www.healingorganization.com/green-resources/