Last week I addressed the issue of spousal clutter.  I explained the reasons why your spouse, partner or roomate might be causing clutter.

This week I would like to provide you with some routines you and your family can begin to implement to bust through that clutter.

• When you finish reading a magazine or newspaper, process the information and recycle the rest.  Did you find a great recipe in your favorite magazine, an article your spouse might enjoy or a coupon for your local store? Pull them out from the magazine or newspaper and immediately recycle the rest.  Stacks of magazines or newspapers cause clutter. 
• Leave enough room in your coat closet for coats, jackets, boots and accessories.  If your coat closet is too full, it's difficult to put things away and retrieve them easily.  Clear out the items that do not belong in the closet.  Create sufficient room for hangers, the floor and top shelf so that these items don't end up scatttered throughout your home.
• Keep flat surfaces clear.  Kitchen counters, bathroom counters, bureaus and tables are all culprits for clutter.  Having a home for paperwork is the key to success.  Create a system that works and you will avoid flat surface clutter.  
• Wash dishes right away.  Do not put dishes in the sink after using them.  Immediately handwash them and put them in a drain board or load them into the dishwasher.  It will take less time than you think to do this.  Otherwise, you end up creating a "project" and we just don't have the time for that!  Take the time to do this as you go and you will avoid sink clutter.
• Take five and grab ten.  It will only take you about five minutes to grab ten articles of clothing from your bedroom closet or drawers that you no longer want or wear and put them in a box for donation or in the trash if they are no longer useable.  This will free up space for the clothes you do want to keep.  This will avoid clothing clutter.

I hope you find these tips helpful.  Let me know which tips you plan to implement.  If you need assistance in setting up some systems in your home to make these areas clutter free, let me know.  I am here to help.

In the meantime, have a great week!

I cannot tell you how many times people say to me "My husband/wife/partner/roomate has so much clutter" or "They are such a slob" or "I think my spouse is a hoarder".  I hear the frustration in their voice and their struggle to understand.

I thought perhaps that I might be able to help you understand why.

The tendency to accumulate items on flat surfaces is, contrary to popular belief, not necessarily because of a psychological issue.

There are other possibilities:  

• Some people simply prefer the visual aesthetic of many items. (It gives them comfort.)
• Some people have a hard time remembering where things are so they find them more easily if they are out in the open.  (I believe that if something is put in a logical place, it can be found.) 
• Some people have positive memories associated with photos and knick-knacks.  (I believe that several items can evoke the same emotion or memory as a lot of items and therefore, you only need to keep out a few at a time.)
• Some people have issues with visual processing and literally don't see the items that others consider "clutter".  (My son is a perfect example of that!)
• Some people feel it is a waste of time to put things away when they're just going to use them again.  (i.e. Why make the bed every morning when you are only going to sleep in it again that night!)
• Some people say they don't care about how their space looks.  (I have to believe they also don't care about themselves either.)  
• Some people say they have other pressing problems and don't have the energy to put things away.  (This is common among people who are depressed.)  
• Some people say their schedules are so packed that they don't have time to put things away. (My theory has always been that if you put them away as you go, it will not be a project.  I believe you can find 10 minutes at the end of the day putting things away if you cannot find time throughout the day.)

You might personally be trying to overcome this tendency yourself or, perhaps, you are frustrated with your spouse or significant other.

If you can pinpoint the source of the clutter habits, I believe you can find a solution.  If you need assistance in determining why the clutter continues to exist, contact me.  I can help.

In the meantime, have a great week!  

Wow!  January was crazy busy for A Better Space.  So many people contacted me to help them get organized.  That is why I did not blog in almost a month!  I believe we can all find a little time in our day to get organized, right? 

If you need to get organized but can't seem to find the time, I have some suggestions for things you can do to at least get started.  They only require about 15 minutes a day!  I am sure you can carve out 15 minutes out of your day to get some organizing done. 

Here are a few suggestions:  

1.  Organize a 15 minute family pick-up.  Get everyone involved to go around the house and gather up items that do not belong in that particular room and put them away. (This can be done on a daily basis to keep the clutter under control.)

2.  Gather your remote controls for the television and gaming devices in your family room and put them into one basket.  If there are similar devices in other rooms, do the same thing.  

3.  Go through your sock drawer.  Gather those single socks, ones that are worn out or no longer worn. Old socks sometimes make great handheld dusters.  Only keep a few for this purpose, though.  The rest have to go!   Pair up the rest and put them away.

4.  Match your plastic containers with their lids.  Go into your kitchen and gather all of your plastic containers and plastic lids.  Put the lids on the containers and get rid of the ones that don't have a matching lid.  Reduce the amount that you have if you have too many. With the lids in place, you will never have to find a matching lid again.  

5.  Do a clothing toss.  Go through your closet and quickly eliminate those items you no longer like, you never wear or no longer fit.  Donate the items that are still in good condition.  

6.  Do a medicine cabinet review.  Eliminate old or expired medications.  Only keep the items you still use.  Old medications can be returned to your pharmacist to recycle. 

7.  Organize your bathroom towels.  Go through the linen closet and get rid of the old and worn out towels you no longer use.  Only keep enough on hand for one week's use.  Too many towels means too much clutter.  

8.  Check the back of the fridge.  You probably have items that have gotten pushed to the back of the refrigerator and are no longer useable.  Get rid of them and then organize like items together in the fridge so you can easily find what you need when you need it.  Keep leftovers at the front so they get used up first.  

There are many other ways to get organized in just 15 minutes.  What will you do to get your home organized with just 15 minutes a day?  I would love to hear your ideas and we can share them with others.

In the meantime, have a great week!  

Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a fan of the winter months.  The snow can be pretty but I do not like cold weather.

However, there is a reason for me to love the month of January.  It's National Get Organized Month!  What better month is there for a professional organizer like myself.

I don't know about you but I do like to start off the New Year with a new start.  I have been diligently working in my own home to rid it of clutter.  Understand that it is not out of hand but there are still things that need to be gone through and eliminated.

I started the month by working in my clothes closet in my master bedroom.  I have a nice size walk-in closet and it is easy to fill it with clothes, shoes and accessories.  As busy as I can get with my business, I tend to not review my wardrobe as often as I should.  I do go through and eliminate items as I put them on and find that I don't want them anymore, but this time was different.  I took the time to actually try on pants, jackets, dresses, skirts and tops.  I was amazed at what I found; namely, two and a half trash bags of clothes that no longer fit or that I liked.  Wow, I could not believe that I have held onto that many articles of clothing that no longer serve me. 

Granted, I put on some weight over the Summer and it is likely I will not return back to the weight that will allow me to get back in these clothes again.  What can I say, I am getting older and my body type has changed.  Moving on... I am realistic enough to know that holding onto these clothes is not in my best interest.  I do not live with "Someday Syndrome".  

As I continue to work through my home to eliminate the excess, I am feeling the difference.  My home actually feels lighter and more spaceous.  It brings a sense of calm.  

So let me ask you.  What are you doing to lighten the load in your house during this year's  National Get Organized Month?

If you need any assistance in doing so, let me know.  I can help.  In the meantime, have a great week! 

One of my goals for the New Year was to go through my wardrobe and weed out what no longer fits or I no longer like.  Happens to all of us!

I am fortunate to have lots of closet space in my home, but the down side of that can be that I fill it.  My wardrobe has become quite extensive as a result.  I had room for everything but I decided it was just too much.

Little did I know, that when I went through my walk-in closet and guest room closet, that I would be eliminating as much as I did.  (I didn't even get to the shoes or my dressers yet!)

I decided to view my wardrobe as if I was shopping.  I would try on clothes and look in the mirror.  I asked myself several questions:  

"Do I still like this item?"

"Do I like the way it looks on me?" And most importantly,

"If I were to try this on in a store, would I buy it?" 

If the answer to any of these questions was "No", it was removed from the wardrobe.

I had suits, pants, tops, dresses, skirts and jackets that I swore still fit me.  However, when I went to try them on, I found out differently.  Some classic suits had been in my wardrobe for years.  I discovered I had tops, pants and skirts that were no longer comfortable.  Admittedly, I have put on some weight so those clothes no longer fit.  It was now time to get rid of them.  Realisticall, I will never be a Size 0 or Size 2 again.   

Using the last question I think is the most important and easiest to detemine whether to keep something in your wardrobe.  This can apply to everything you wear - jewelry, purses, belts, scarves, etc.  I believe it eliminates the "Someday Syndrome" or the "Maybe" syndrome.  It helps you to be more definitive about your decisions. 

So the next time you are going through your closets and your drawers, pretend you are shopping and ask yourself "If I were to try this on in a store, would I buy it?"  If not, either throw it away or, better yet, donate the clothing to your local non-profit such as Goodwill.  Others will appreciate your contribution and it can be a tax deduction.

If you have difficulty weeding through your wardrobe, contact me.  I can help.  Remember, less is more! 

In the meantime, have a great day!  

Happy New Year Everyone!  OMG - Where did the year go?  I don't know about you but I had a crazy busy year and it just flew by.  I was so busy in December that I did not post more than one blog (Sorry about that!), but I am back in 2013 to again blog on a regular basis to keep you on track for getting and staying organized. 

I am working diligently on my health and well being.  I am drinking lots of water, eating three meals a day and eating more fruits and vegetables, leaving less room for junk food and taking a walk every afternoon. 

I think at the end of the year I fell off the cliff a bit and now getting myself back on track. 

One goal that many set for the New Year is to be more aware of their finances.  With the "fiscal cliff" not being resolved in time for the New Year, I think it is more important than ever for all of us to track our expenses.

Although we will be putting out more for taxes (and milk!) and perhaps losing some benefits, I truly believe we can make a budget that works for us.  

Looking carefully at your expenses and seeing where you can make better choices is key.  Taking a look at your priorities and the long term benefits of your financial decisions is vital.  Investing in hiring a professional organizer is a good example.

Since becoming a professional organizer over 8 years ago, I have worked with clients time and time again to help them create a household budget based on their income and help them create a plan to get out of debt if need be.  Talk about long term effects! 

My personal circumstances have changed over the years, but one thing stayed the same - I use a budget to keep track of my income and expenses.  For the past 15 years, I am proud to say that I have been completely debt free.  I do have a mortgage and a car payment each month but if I put anything on a credit card, it is paid by the end of the month.  No interest fees for me!

Although this Country has fallen off the "Fiscal Cliff", we can make strides to not do the same thing personally.  Creating a budget and knowing what is coming in and what is going out will avoid our own "cliff".

Setting manageable goals and sticking with them, whether it is financial or otherwise is important.

If you need assistance in creating a budget, I recommend that you check out my "U Can Do It Budgeting System" at my ABS Store.  This system can be downloaded immediately and you can begin to create your very own budget for the New Year!  

Need assistance with budgeting or any other type of organization to get your New Year off to a great start?  Contact me.  I am here to help.    

With the holiday season in fulll swing and the New Year right around the corner, many people begin to evaluate the past year and start thinking about the future.  People think about what they had intended to accomplish in the past year and note the things that just did not get done.  Then, they begin to look towards the New Year as a time to reset some goals and plan for the future.  

It's a time for reflection and planning.  

For me, I love the prospect of a New Year.  It gives me the opportunity to take a look at what I accomplished (or did not accomplish) in the past year, both personally and professionally.  It gives me a chance to re-evaluate my priorities.  Are there things I wanted to get done but did not?  Are the things I intended to do this past year still important? 

The New Year gives me a chance to plan for the coming year.  What do I want to accomplish THIS year? 

I have always been an advocate of writing things down.  At this time, especially, I find this true.  I like to take some time and make a comprehensive list of projects and "To Do's". 

That comprehensive list then gets planned out over the coming year.  I pick my priorities, one by one, and work on them.  When something is completed, I select another.

You might have set some goals last year and found you did not complete them as planned.  Why not start fresh? 

Do you need to do some home improvement projects?  Do you want to lose weight and be healthier?  Do you want to get your finances in order or get out of debt?  Do you want to improve a relationship with a friend or family member?  The choices are endless.

Do yourself a favor.  Take some time in the next week or so and reflect on where you have been and where you want to go in your life.  Start planning now for the New Year by setting some goals and create a list of the things you want to accomplish.

If getting organized is on your list, seek out the assistance of a professional organizer who can help you to set those goals and get them accomplished. 

Enjoy this holiday season and the opportunity for a fresh start in 2013!

The holiday season is officially upon us as of Thanksgiving.  The holidays tend to center around the kitchen and one important aspect of the kitchen is the pantry.

This past weekend, I worked with a client to organize her pantry.  She loves to cook and a key aspect of that is being able to go to her pantry and quickly retrieve what she needs.  She was, however, having difficulty doing so because she was not sure what was in the pantry and where things were stored.  She did not have a system.

We emptied out the entire pantry and looked at everything.  We eliminated the excess and then grouped like items together according to her own personal preference. 

Containers had been purchased ahead of time when we first evaluated the space to help containerize certain items.  Then, it was just a matter of figuring out what items belonged where.  She already had a hanging rack on the inside of the pantry door.  We repurposed it so that items being stored on the door were the items she most frequently accessed.  We utilized her various shelves to store like items together.

After the process was complete and the layout met my client's needs, we noticed that certain items were missing.  She now knew she needed to go shopping for pasta, tomato sauce, cereal and crackers.  We had left space for those items to be incorporated. 

To make sure you have the staples needed in your pantry, I am providing a list of items that I recommend:  (Your items might differ slightly)

Olive Oil, Vegetable Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Red Wine Vinegar, Salt, Pepper, Spices,  Red Cooking Wine, White Cooking Wine, Chicken Broth;

Canned Tuna, Tomato Paste, Jarred Marinara and/or Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, Rice, Pasta, Beans, Cereal, Crackers,

All-purpose Flour, Sugar, Oats, Bread Crumbs, Condiments, Salad Dressings.

Again, your items might differ but you can use this as a basis to get started.

So, now that you have an idea as to how I helped my client organize her pantry, you don't need to ponder your pantry anymore.  If, however, you need further assistance, don't hesitate to contact me. 

In the meantime, have a great week!   

Next week is Thanksgiving and the official start of the holiday shopping season.

Do you want your younger children to understand more about uncluttering and organizing?

I have gathered some suggestions for gifts you can give them that they might enjoy with an underlying theme on uncluttering and organizing:

1. Room Enough for Daisy by Debbie Waldman. Little Daisy has so many toys, she wishes for a larger bedroom to accommodate them all. Eventually, her mom convinces her to donate some items to a rummage sale. Cindy Revell’s illustrations are really cute.
2. Too Many Toys by David Shannon. David’s books are fantastic, starting with the hilariously relatable “No, David!” Too Many Toys has a similar theme to Room Enough for Daisy, in that David is required to thin his massive collection of toys. It’s a fun story that kids think is funny and adults find useful.  
3. Mr. Messy, part of the Mr./Mrs. series by Roger Hargreaves, is an untidy fellow until he meets Mr. Neat and Mr. Tidy.
4. More by I. C. Springman is about a hoarding magpie whose friends teach him the value of “enough.” Again, the illustrations are great and the minimal text is great for new readers.

Do you have any suggestions that you would like to share that go with this theme of child organization tools?  Please share by commenting.

If you need assistance in getting the toys and clothing organized for the holidays, don't hesitate to contact me.  I am here to help.

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Two days ago, the eastern portion of the United States experienced Hurricane Sandy first hand.  The devastation is still mind boggling.  Some sustained no damage to their homes. (I am one of them.)  Some sustained minor damage and some sustained tremendous damage.  Many are dealing with flooding in their homes and more are dealing with the loss of power. 

When these natural disasters occur, I can't help but think about how being prepared can go a long way in making it easier to deal with the outcome.

I envision homes where clutter is everywhere, things are difficult to locate and when disaster strikes, there is chaos. Imagine having everything laying around in no particular place and having to find things quickly.  It's next to impossible.  Something as simple as your keys being misplaced can cause a lot of stress in this type of situation.

Things like food, clothing, medications, bedding, pet supplies, cell phone chargers, insurance policies and other important paperwork, etc. need to be easily located and gathered.  Simple things such as batteries, flashlights, battery operated radios, non-perishable food, water and blankets are all needed when the power goes out. Sometimes, an evacuation plan is needed. 

However, I also envision an organized home.  An emergency preparedness plan is in place, essential items are gathered or easily accessible.  There is no clutter to contend with and life is that much less stressful. 

Clutter and disorganization are very stressful in our normal day to day lives.  However, when we are suddenly dealing with a situation such as Hurricane Sandy, clutter is even more stressful.  

Are you prepared for when disaster hits?  Is your home clutter free and items are easy to locate?  If not, you might want to re-evaluate your situation and think about how getting organized can go a long way in dealing with these types of situations.

If you need assistance in eliminating the clutter in your home and in your life, remember that you can have A Better Space.  I am just a phone call away and I am here to help.

For those of you contending with the after effects of Hurricane Sandy, please know you are in my thoughts.  Be safe.