Most recently, over the holiday season, Target Stores reported that their security had been breached and it affected over 40 million people.  

Between November 27 and December 15, 2013, the unauthorized access took place in the U.S. Target Stores.  

Identity theft is a serious crime that occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes.  It can cost you time and money, destroy your credit and ruin your good name.

There are steps you can take to deter theives bu safeguarding your information:

Shred It- Anything that contains your personal information, especially financial documents, should be shredded when discarding them.

Keep Your Personal Information In A Secure Place - Use a fireproof/water proof security lock box or safe to protect your information from theft.  If you have roommates, employ outside help  or have work done in your home, this is especially important.  This includes passports, social security cards, passwords and bank/credit card information.

Don't Use Obvious Passwords - When online, don' use your birthdate, your mother's maiden name or the last four digits of your social security number as a password.  These are too obvious to identity thieves.    

Don't Give Out Personal Information - When on the phone, on the internet or corresponding by mail, do not give out personal information to anyone you do not know.  Know who you are dealing with.

Protect Your Social Security Number -  Don't carry your social security card in your wallet or write your social security number on a check.  Give it out only if necessary.  Ask to use another form of identification instead if possible.

Check Your Credit Report - They contain information about you, including what accounts you have and your bill paying history.  You are entitled to a free report each year from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, if you ask for it.  I suggest spreading the requests out throughout the year, instead of asking for all three reports at the same time.  Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com  to order your free credit reports each year. 

It is important that you check your bank statements, credit card statements and billing statements each and every time you receive them to identify any charges you did not make so you can rectify them quickly.

Be careful!  Identify theft is on the rise and you need more diligent than ever when it comes to protecting yourself.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and safe New Year!      

With New Year's Eve right around the corner, today might be a good time to organize your liquor cabinet if you are preparing to have a celebration at your home.

Just like a food pantry or coat closet, most liquor cabinets grow clutter with more items going in them and less coming out.  Without noticing, you can have three bottles of Vodka, five bottles of Gin, various liquors you purchased but never use, not to mention the various shakers, glassware and other accessories.

In order to get started, simply empty out the entire cabinet and set the items on your dining room table.  Group like-items together.  Vodka with vodka, gin with gin, flavored liquors with flavored liquors, shakers and other accessories together, etc.

Now, evaluate what you have.  You just might not need five bottles of rum or four wine bottle openers.  Look for expired or excessive items.  Yes, some items can expire.

For example, vermouth is made with wine so after a few months of it being open in your cabinet, it will start to taste "off".  It's not necessarily bad for you but the flavor won't be so good.

Bailey's Irish Creme can actually curdle and some sweet liquors will fade.

Pour the old liquor that is past it's prime down the drain.  You can list extra accessories on Freecycle or Craig's List.  If you simply have more than you want to keep, contact your friends to see if they will take some of it off your hands.  I have done this in the past with friends and they appreciate the gesture.

You can always throw that New Year's Eve party to get rid of the extra!

When putting bottles back in your liquor cabinet, keep these tips in mind:  Keep open bottles sealed tightly, avoid exposure to extreme heat or cold, keep your liquor cabinet away from exterior walls and avoid bright or direct light.

Once the items you are keeping have been sorted on your dining room table, return them to the cabinet the same way.  Put shorter bottles in front and taller bottles in the back so you can always see what you are storing.

As the year wind downs, and a new year begins, I raise my virtual wine glass and wish you happiness, health and prosperity in 2014!

You might have seen this if you have been on Facebook lately.

The holiday season can be very stressful and fill our heads with clutter. 

How can we reduce the clutter in our heads?

Allow others to be responsible for themselves.  You do not have to control everyone and everything.  This is very common for women to nurture and feel responsible for all of their family members.  I hear it over and over again from my female clients.  They are overwhelmed with trying to do everything for everyone.  Relax!  Let others do things for themselves.  This brings me to the second point...

Being a perfectionist is very stressful.  It doesn't have to be perfect in order to get done.  Getting the job done is more important than how we get the job done!  Doing your best is good enough.  Being the best does not mean being perfect.  Next...

There is no crime in asking for help when you need it.  We are not expected to be good at everything.  You are good at what you do and others are good at what they do.  If you have an electrical problem, you might need an electrician.  If you need to paint your house, you might need a painter.  If you need to eliminate your clutter and are feeling overwhelmed, you might need the help of a professional organizer.  You get the idea.  We are all here to help each other.

Most importantly, and especially during this holiday season, focus on what's important and let the rest take care of itself.  It's time to get done what we can, delegate to others and let the rest go so that we can enjoy this wonderful holiday season with friends and family.

If, by any chance, you are feeling overwhelmed with your clutter and need some help, don't hesitate to contact me.  I am here to help.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014!

As a professional organizer, I hear this a lot - "Just In Case".  It relates to the fear of letting go of something.  Many people hold on to items for that reason.  "What if I need it someday?  I don't want to have to purchase another.  There's nothing wrong with it!"  Do you ever find yourself saying any of these?  Let's be reasonable.  We cannot hold onto everything we have "just in case".  Letting go can be so freeing, especially when it comes to socks.  What do I mean by that?

The curious thing about socks is that they often lose their mates and become a source of clutter. They can end up under your bed and in between the sofa cushions. They are also often relegated to the dark recesses of shopping bags, trash bags or baskets in the closet or laundry room.  “I’ll keep this sock, just in case its mate turns up.” 

Does that sound familiar? When we misplace an item from a matching set, we tend to hang on to them for a while, especially when the items cannot be used without each other (such as a gadget and its power cord). We probably keep lonely socks because we still see some value in them, even though they are now orphaned and we may not want them anymore.

Fortunately, there are uncluttered alternatives to keeping mateless socks:

1. Wear them! This may not seem as obvious (or maybe it’s so obvious that it’s often overlooked), but you can still wear them. You can make a pair using another lonely sock and wear them around the house.  I won't tell!  I promise!
2. Use them as padding in your packages. Clean socks can be used inside packages to protect the items that you’re mailing. This is a good way to keep the contents of your package safe, but you should let the recipient know that the socks can be discarded!
3. Use them to protect holiday decorations. You can store some of your holiday decorations (like ornaments) inside the socks before packing them away.
4. Dust with them. You can add mateless socks to your cleaning supplies. Just be sure to keep a specific number of sock dusters so that you don’t end up cramming more and more of them in with your supplies.
5. Use them in craft projects. This is perhaps the most fun way to repurpose socks (especially for children). From sock puppets to doll accessories, get creative and make something new. Looking for inspiration? Check out the book The Lonely Sock Club: One Sock, Tons of Cool Projects!.
6. Make a pet toy. If you have pets, you can make a cool tug-of-war toy for them.  If you have a cat, you can stuff a little cat nip inside it, close it up, and watch your cat go nuts. You may also want to check with your local animal shelter to find out if they have a need for them.

The next time you end up with orphaned socks, be sure that they don’t overstay their welcome and turn into another source of clutter. You can use one of the suggestions above to bring new life into them, but remember that it is okay to let them go if you have no use for them and do yourself a favor, limit the amount you keep.

For more information on this topic, check out a previous blog I wrote called i_have_formed_a_new_support_group .

If you are overwhelmed with your clutter and need some assistance, don't hesitate to contact me.  I am here to help.  Know someone who can use my services, consider purchasing a Gift Certificate for A Better Space.  Simply call my office or send me email me for more details.

Happy sock sorting!

Now that Halloween has come and gone, we are gearing up for the official holiday season which begins next Thursday with Thanksgiving (and Chanukah).  After Thanksgiving, we only have twenty-seven (yes, 27) days until Christmas.

Are you ready for the holidays?

This time of year I get so many inquiries about how to transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas in an organized way.

Recently, I was asked how to combine Fall clean up with holiday prep.  

The answer is all of these questions is to create a plan.  As with any other type of organizing project, you need to start at the beginning and systematically work through the process.

Here are some ideas:

1.  Create a holiday notebook.  You can use a paper version (such as a binder), an app on your Smart Phone, a bulletin board or any other method that works best for you.  Do the "brain dump" and jot down all of your thoughts about the things you need to do to get the job done.  This will take the "remembering" out of "remembering" and immediately reduce your stress by providing you with a sense of control and a plan.

2. Divide and conquer.  Take your list and create various categories with deadlines.  What type of things do you need to accomplish?  When do you need to get them accomplished by?  Here are some suggestions:  

Cleaning the Home, Decorating the Home (inside and out), Sending Out Holiday Cards, Gift Giving Ideas, Gifts Purchased, Supplies For Wrapping Presents, Preparing A Menu, Guest Lists for Holiday Parties, Budget/Expenses, etc.

3. Create a holiday calendar.  Devote a calendar to holiday activities and tasks.  Indicate the deadlines you have established for getting things done.  Assign a different color to each member of the family so that nothing is missed.  This can include chores for the kids to accomplish and invitations for parties.  Don't forget to include gift giving to teachers, the mailman and other service providers in your life.  What good is purchasing a gift for them if you forget to give it to them?

4. Choose a select few.  You cannot accomplish everything at one time.  Do yourself a favor and prioritize what needs to be done sooner as opposed to later.  Select a few items at a time and focus just on them before moving onto something else.  Obviously, it makes sense to clean the home before you decorate it, so don't worry about decorating until the home is clean.  Each day that you do this, you will be able to check things off your "To Do" list and move forward.  

5.  Work with a deadline in mind.  Even though you want to start at the beginning of a project, it is best to be aware of your deadline so you can plan backwards.  What I mean by that is, for example, if you are having a holiday party at your home on December 21st, you want to make sure that your To Do list for that project is completed by that date.  Determining how long something will take will enable you to provide sufficient time to get it done and, therefore, everything will be done on time. 

6.  Ask for assistance.  Are you getting bogged down with the details and don't know where to begin?  As a professional organizer, I can help you to create some time management tools you can use to supplement these suggestions so that you can enjoy the holidays with less stress.  (Feel free to contact me.) 

In the coming weeks, I will be providing more tips on how to get and stay organized through the holiday season.

In the meantime, I am sending you best wishes for a happy and ORGANIZED Thanksgiving holiday.

I have found over the many years of being a professional organizer, that some people are not sure if they are in need of help from a professional organizer. 

Is it possible that you are not sure either?  If so, you should consider these questions:  

Do you need help creating an area in you home that could function more efficiently?

You might need some space planning ideas.

Do you have a room that you avoid entering in your home because of the clutter?

You might need a place to start and in need of direction.

Do you and your family have difficulty getting out the door in the morning?

You might need some time management training.

Do you feel like you have too much paper and it's all over the house? 

You might need a customized paper management system created to meet your specific need.

Are you having trouble locating information in your home office?

You might need a better filing system installed.

Are you so deep in “stuff” that you can’t find any room to store more?

You might need to find a new balance in your home for the things you are keeping. 

Are you paying more in storage fees than the items are worth?

You might want to consider downsizing. 

Are you simply overwhelmed and do not know where to start?

You might need a plan in order to move forward and get "unstuck".

If you answered “yes” to even one of these questions, you may need to hire a Professional Organizer.

I would love to see you maximize the potential of your living space and make sure you are using it, not wasting it. 

I am here to help you in all aspects of organizing when it comes to your home and your time management.  Simply contact me and we can talk about your specific needs.

In the meantime, I wish you an organized day!

Most of us have a desire to maintain organization in our homes.  We strive to keep our homes de-cluttered and organized on a regular basis.  Sometimes that is easier said than done.

Life gets busy.  Items enter the home and don't get put where they belong.  So, how, you ask, can I keep clutter in my home under control.  The answer is having habits and routines that you follow consistently.  Here are a few:

1.  Make it easy.  Complex routines that require more than three steps can be difficult to maintain.  Create simple routines that are easy for you to manage.  Be sure the system works for your current lifestyle.  Sometimes it takes some trial and error to find the right solution.  Some examples are to get up 30 minutes earlier to allow time to get things done; keep a donation box inside your closet, sort your mail on a daily basis.   These are easy but productive ways to stay uncluttered.

2.  Do it regularly.  To maintain a clutter-free environment in your home, it requires an ongoing process.  This is not "one and done".  Add some time to your calendar on a regular basis for a specific amount of time (for example 30 minutes a day and 60 minutes on the weekend) to go through your home and put things away.

3.  Do what's right for you.  Be sure to incorporate the right strategies and tools that work for you.  Don't do something just because it's popular.  Use techniques that suit your personality.  For example, you can use a notebook or perhaps a digital option to remind you to get things done.  There is no right or wrong solution.  The best solution is the one that works best for you! 

4.  Put it away not down.  It is best to touch something once instead of over and over again.  Put things away the first time instead of just laying them down.  This will avoid you having to take additional time to put it away later.  This will avoid clutter piling up and you will always know where to find something without having to search for it.  

5.  A place for everything and everything in it's place.  I grew up hearing my grandmother saying this all the time.  Be sure to have a home for everything.  It is much easier to put things away when you have a place to store them. Put items where you tend to use them. 

6.  Be selective when making purchases.  I always teach my client to purchase with intent.  Purchases made without much thought have a greater chance of not being used.  Attempt to plan out your purchases before you go to the store or order on line.  (This applies to groceries, clothing, toys, etc.)  Think about where you are going to put the item when you get home. (Other than the kitchen table.)  If you are purchasing a piece of art work for your walls, do you have room on a wall to hang it?  Do you already have 8 pair of black pants?  Chances are you don't need another pair.  The fewer things you have, the less you have to maintain and store!

These habits can sometimes be overwhelming until you can find balance in your home.  If you are having some difficulty with this aspect of organizing, contact me at audreycupo@4abetterspace.com.  I am here to help.  

Until next time, happy organizing!    

Is your house haunted by clutter?  Is there clutter in your basement, attic or garage?  Is it hiding in a closet, under your kitchen sink or under your bed?  Is it lurking in your filing cabinet or desk drawer?  Are you afraid to tackle your clutter?  

When you can close a door or drawer to hide whatever is inside, it's easy to ignore it.  Even though these areas might not be a distraction to you on a daily basis, it does create stress and anxiety each time you access that area or whenever you think about these spaces.  That's a scary thought!  

Unlike clutter that is in plain sight, clutter that is hidden away can lead to bug or rodent infestation, increased levels of dust and dirt and prevent you from discovering leaks, cracks or other major structural issues.  The inability to view your home's hidden spaces can cost you a lot over the long term - both financially and emotionally.

Flat surfaces are an ideal location to bring those hidden items out into the light of day.  Anything from a dining room table to a driveway works well.  This will enable you to determine what can be thrown away, recycled or donated to charity.  The rest can be returned to its original location if it still makes sense for them to be there.  However, before doing so, take a few minutes to clean the area of dirt and perhaps cobwebs, and note any repairs that need to be made.  

If the contents are being stored in a small dark area, consider installing a battery operated light.  (I installed a push button light in a lower cabinet in my kitchen next to my stove where the access is not in the center of the cabinet to provide better lighting.)  

The basement, attic, garage, closet and other enclosed areas are NOT dumping grounds for your possessions.  Be sure to replace cardboard boxes with plastic containers to avoid bugs, rodents and perhaps water if it leaks into the space.  Be sure to label the containers clearly so you will know what they contain without having to open them. 

Ultimately, the less you have stored away, the better.  This will prevent your home from being haunted by clutter this Halloween!

If you want more information on how you can get help to eliminate your clutter that is haunting your home, contact me.  I am glad to help.   

The holidays will be here before you know it and you will be shopping in the malls and in the local stores.  Now is a great time to organize your wallet so that using it will be easier. 

You probably use your wallet on a regular basis.  (I know I do!)  When was the last time you cleaned it out?  Are you able to find what you need when you need it?  How long does it take you to find that credit card you want to use or a store reward/loyalty card?  Is your wallet bursting at the seams with receipts and information?  Do you need to hold it together with a rubber band?  (Yes, I've seen this!)

Here are five simple steps to organize your wallet:

1.  Purge your receipts.  I recommend that you do this daily to keep it all under control.  Log the debit expenses into your checking account ledger and put your credit card receipts in an envelope until the bill arrives.  Hold cash receipts for no more than 30 days following a purchase in case you need to return something. 

2.  Use digital coupons.  If you carry store loyalty cards or paper coupons in your wallet, they could be taking up too much space in your wallet.  Try using digital coupons or a smart phone app instead.  Try Passbook for iPhone.  They attach your phone and loyalty number so you don't need those cards anymore.  (This might free up your keychain as well!)

3.  Determine your "Must Haves".   Everyone has difference needs and routines.  There is not one way to organize your wallet.  Whatever works best for you is the right way.  However, that does not mean it should be stuffed or stretched beyond its limit.  Take a few moments to figure out what you really need to have in your wallet on a regular basis.  Consider how many credit cards you need to carry with you at all times.  Do not carry your social security card in your wallet!  For me, I keep it simple:  debit card, major credit card, wholesale store membership card, drivers license, health insurance card, AAA membership card, some business cards, and a small amount of cash.  The rest of my credit cards are kept in a separate wallet that I use when I am going shopping at a particular store.  (I plan ahead for any excursions to the store.)  

4.  Decide whether your current wallet fits your needs.  There are many types of wallets to choose from.  Find one that comfortably fits what you need.  Sometimes a wallet can be too big for your needs and you can downsize.  Sometimes you need a longer one to fit your contents.  (Remember to make a copy of your credit cards and keep them in a safe place in case your wallet gets stolen.)

5.  Have a spot for emergency money.  Keep a small sum of money in case of emergency in your wallet.  Sometimes you find that a store only takes cash (my local produce store is a good example) or you find that your credit card is not working.  Fold up some cash and keep it separate for use in an emergency only. 

What do you have in your wallet that can be removed?  

If you find that you are overwhelmed with your clutter and need help getting and staying organized, contact me.  I am here to help!

In the meantime, Happy Organizing!  

Are you struggling with debt?  Are you fed up and ready to do something about it?  Is your debt weighing you down?  Perhaps its time to go on a debt diet.

If you are seriously ready to gain control of your finances, I have some ways to help.

1.  Figure out your total debt.  Do you have any idea how much you owe?  Do you know what the current interest rate is on each of your credit cards?  Are you able to figure out how long it is going to take you to pay off your debt?  Collect all of your monthly statements and make a list.  When you have a clear picture of your financial obligations, you will be able to make better decisions about how to manage it.

2.  Stop spending.  You need to start by figuring out where the money is coming in from and then where it is going.  Most people discover that they are spending more than they are making.  Figure out what things you could easily do without and stop spending money on them. 

3.  Prioritize your debt.  There is a difference between secured and unsecured debt.  Secured debt has an underlying asset, such as your home or car that can be repossessed if you don't make payments.  Unsecured debt does not have assets backing them up.  The worst that can happen is that your credit score drops.  Make sure to pay on the secured debt first.  Be sure to pay your taxes to keep Uncle Sam happy.  Then, pay those credit cards with a focus on those with the highest interest rates.  Try to pay more than the minimal balance.   

4.  Repay your debt.   First you want to reduce your interest rates.  Start by learning your credit score by getting a copy of your credit report.  You are entitled to a free report once a year from the various reporting agencies.  What is your FICO score?  If it is not above 720 (a perfect score is 850), work to raise it by paying all of your bills on time and not applying for any new cards.  Every time your apply for a new credit card, your FICO score goes down.  Every time you make a late payment your FICO score goes down.  Every time you cancel a credit card, your FICO score goes down.  Take steps to avoid doing these.  With a higher score you can contact a Customer Service supervisor and attempt to get a better rate.  You could refinance a car loan for a lower rate.  Consolidate student loans, refinance your mortgage. Then, put as much money as you can toward paying off those bills. 

4.  Create a monthly plan.  Attempt to spend no more than 35% on housing expenses (including taxes, insurance, upkeep and your mortgage).  Attempt to spend no more than 15% on transportation (including gas, insurance, car payments).  Put 10% of your income away for savings.  Put 15% towards repayment of debt including credit cards and 25% on other aspects of your life. 

5.  Earn more money and make hard choices.  Ask for a raise.  Sell some valuable items.  If you are unable to do so, you might need to sell your car or look for a less expensive place to live. 

Do you need to go on a debt diet?  You might want to start with my U CAN DO IT BUDGETING SYSTEM.  It is an easy 6-step process to figure out what is coming in, what is going out and where it is going.  Simply visit my ABS Store right here on my website.  You can download it immediately and begin your debt diet today!

In the meantime, happy organizing!