1. Do you frequently find yourself going through stacks of paper to find things?
2. Would you be prepared if the IRS said it was going to audit you?
3. Do you keep files that are easily accessible?
4. Are you an easy target for identity theft?
5. Can you park your car in your garage without damaging it?
6. Do you frequently pay a late fee on your bills?
7.  Are you always running around last minute trying to find your keys, wallet or sunglasses before you have to be somewhere?
8. Is your dining table cleared off enough to serve dinner on it?
9. Do you find yourself purchasing items that you know you already have somewhere, but just can’t find for all of the clutter?
   

So, did you just discover that you are not Martha Stewart? Well, if that’s a goal you have, we can help you achieve that, too!  Below are some helpful tips (scratching the surface) in response to the above questions.

Helpful Hints to Becoming Organized

Questions 1-3
Do you ever think that papers in your home or office seem to multiply like rabbits? Junk mail—just throw it away when you put your hand on it (from mailbox to trashcan).  Bills—sort them into appropriate categories and dates for when they need to be paid next to your checkbook and stamps so they are ready to go.  All other papers should be filed into a system that is easy for you to locate at a moments notice.  Don’t like to file everyday?  Place the papers by category near the file box or cabinet and file away every other day or once a week. Keeping an index of your files is very helpful; just print out all of your files and a brief description of what goes into it and keep it on or in the front of your filing cabinet.

Question 4
There are easy ways of keeping your identity to yourself.  As your trashcan is public domain, the easiest way to keep your information from being stolen is by purchasing a paper shredder.  Any paper that you are no longer keeping that has personal information on it such as your Soc. Sec. number, bank statements, passwords, etc. can and should be shredded.  And be alert that you only use secured websites and do not keep your credit card and other personal information stored on your computer.

Question 5
It seems garages have become on-site storage for everything that doesn’t have a specific “place” in the home.  With this in mind, with the help of a professional organizer you can have the garage of your dreams… a home for your car!  What a concept!  If you’d rather park your car on the street, you can also turn your garage into multipurpose zones.

Question 6
Nobody likes to pay late fees.  Keep track of the due dates by marking them in on a calendar next to your bills to be paid.  If you have a calendar on your computer, mark the dates with an alarm set to notify you the day before they need to be mailed.  You can also pay many of your bills online through automatic payment tied to your credit card.  This is a convenient way to avoid late fees.

Question 7
Being organized is about having good habits established.  If you keep these three important things in the same spot every time they are not in use, you will always know where they are and will not waste energy or time frantically searching for them.  The more convenient the location of these important items, the better.

Question 8
If the things that you tend to keep for convenience sake on your dining table don’t have an “home” somewhere else they will always end up on your dining table until it all eventually ends up lining the hallways, filling up all of the closets, garage, attic, back deck, etc.  It all starts with “choices” and intentions.  You start one pile and those piles multiply if you make the choice not to “deal with it” right then.  Organizational coaching teaches you how to overcome these obstacles and to find the rewards in organizing your home and lifestyle. 

However, if you don’t use your dining table, convert it to what you find yourself using that space for the most.  Are you an artist and have room to eat in your kitchen and like the light in the “dining” room, simply repurpose the space for an art studio.  We can even help you design it!

Question 9
Being disorganized is usually associated with the feelings of being stressed, overwhelmed, etc.  But, so often there is a financial cost to being disorganized, as well.  It cost money to replace things that are hidden somewhere and the time is not there to search for it.  It is faster to repurchase it.  Being organized not only gives you peace of mind and MORE TIME, it is even financially sound!  Hiring a professional organizer is a sound investment of energy, time and financial resources.