Organizing Habits That Can Make a Big Difference

Do you wonder if it is ever possible to get organized and stay organized? Believe it or not, it is possible. It really is as simple as forming and keeping good habits. Once these simple habits are part of your daily routine, it will be much easier to get organized and stay organized. It only takes 21 days to form a new habit. Join along as we being forming habits that can make a big difference.

1. Get rid of the evidence. The easiest habit to form is one that will make a very big difference: getting rid of the evidence. For example, let's say you've just made yourself a sandwich. Simply put everything away that you used to make your sandwich. Get the bread back to the breadbox, perishables back to the fridge, flatware to the dishwasher, and so on. When you have finished eating your sandwich, bring your plate to dishwasher and napkin to the trash (or washer if you use cloth). No evidence remains that you had a sandwich. This practice will help eliminate a lot of messes around the house!

2. Pick It Up And Put It Away. Don't sit something down to deal with later. Later usually doesn't show up very soon. When you have something in your hands, go ahead and deal with it then and there. Put it where it belongs. In truth, it may be simpler at the moment to set something down and deal with it later. Get in the habit now of picking it up (whatever it may be) and putting it away the second you're done with it.

3. Nightly Pickup. Let's face it. After working a full day, coming home and cleaning the whole house just isn't the most attractive option we can come up with. However, we can do something that will make a big difference. Get in the habit of spending 15 minutes before bed each night picking up and straightening up. It will make a huge difference in your outlook in the morning when you don't have a mess staring you in the face. If you do this every night, even your weekly cleaning activities will be less demanding, because you haven't left a weeks worth of messes to deal with on the weekend.

4. Involve The Family. The reality is that every member of the family plays an important role in maintaining an organized home. Hold a family meeting to decide as a family which chores will be done by each family member. If the members of your family have a say in chore division, they are much more likely to take ownership and do a good job, especially if they know going in that the division of chores can be re-negotiated at future family meetings. Make it a habit to hold a weekly family meeting. They're a great habit to get into, ensure communication, and can make a big difference.

5. One In One Out. Have you finally gotten to the point of being decluttered and having what you love and use organized? The easiest way to keep the level of stuff you have to maintain minimal is to make sure that for every one thing you bring into your home, one thing goes out--either to donations, trash or recycle. By getting into this habit, and faithfully following through on it, you are much less likely to be overwhelmed by the level of stuff in the future.

6. Medications and Supplement Inventory: Keep a list of all medications and supplements that each member of your family is taking, including over-the-counter medications and supplements. Keeping track of these in a spreadsheet on the computer is an easy way to keep it updated. Once you have this list compiled, make sure that your doctor and pharmacist each get a copy of the list. Keep it updated so that they always have the most current listing. This will help your doctor and your pharmacist be aware of any possible drug interactions, keeping you safer.

7. First Aid Kits. Do you have easily accessible first aid kits, or do you scramble to find even a simple band aid? First aid kits are inexpensive, well-stocked and available at drug stores, warehouse stores, and department stores. Buy one for your home, one for each of your vehicles and keep a purse-sized one in your purse or briefcase for easy access. You will be prepared for almost any emergency.

8. Accurate Record Keeping. We've all faced different times when we've scrambled to find all of the paperwork we might need for something, whether it's disputing a refused claim with our health insurance, providing insurance copies, and even the dreaded tax audit. By keeping accurate and detailed records you will confidently be able to provide what is needed, no matter the situation. For your own peace of mind it pays to get into the habit of keeping accurate and detailed records.

9. Regular Family Fire Drills. Does your family have an escape plan that everyone knows in case of an emergency? It could be the one thing that makes the biggest difference to our family's safety. Make an escape plan that everyone in your family can understand, even the youngest member of your family who can understand pictures. But don't stop with just having a plan. Hold regular fire drills to make certain that everyone knows exactly what to do in case of a real emergency.

10. Keep a Tool Box Handy: Keep a toolbox in a place where everyone knows not only where to go to get a tool, but where to go to put it back when they are finished with it. By keeping a toolbox handy, you'll have the correct tool for the job. After all, it's much easier to pound a nail with a hammer than a shoe, or screw in a screw with a screwdriver rather than a butter knife. Just get into the habit of putting the tools back in the tool box as soon as you finish with them.

organizedhomenow.com

A Guide to Escaping Materialism and Finding Happiness

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city. - George Burns
Every Thursday is Happiness Day on Zen Habits.(zenhabits.net)

( Helens NOTE> I couldn't agree more...i try hard to practice what you will read in here..i fall and then get up and fall and get up again...now I only shop for needs and when necessary at least 80% of the time ...the remaining as somewhat silly little thing but can make sense somehow like lottery tickets, skin care products and herbal supplements)

Money can’t buy you love. It can’t buy you happiness either.
Today’s materialistic world often urges us to buy the coolest gadgets, the trendiest clothes, bigger and better things, but research shows that possessions and purchases don’t buy us happiness. According to an article on CNN:
By and large, money buys happiness only for those who lack the basic needs. Once you pass an income of $50,000, more money doesn’t buy much more happiness, [according to a happiness studies].
So while we are being pushed towards materialism, it’s for monetary gain by corporations, not for our own happiness. Unfortunately, it’s hard to escape the trap of materialism, and find happiness in other ways than buying stuff online or finding joy in the mall.
But it’s possible. Here’s a guide to finding a materialism-free life and discovering true happiness.
Escaping MaterialismAll around us, there are messages telling us to buy stuff. On the Internet (blogs included), we see continuous advertising trying to get us to purchase a product or service. It’s the main reason for television, and movies are continually made with products placed throughout, so that we aren’t always sure what is advertising and what was put in there by the director.
Flip on the radio or open up a newspaper or magazine, and you’re bombarded my more advertising. Go to a shopping center/mall, and the urge to buy comes from every direction.
This message to continually buy, buy, buy … and that it will somehow make us happpier … is drilled into our heads from the days of Happy Meals and cartoons until the day we die. It’s inescapable.
Well, almost. You could go and live in a cabin in the woods (and that actually sounds nice), or you could still live in our modern society, but find ways to escape materialism.
Here are some suggestions:
Limit television. Do you really enjoy watching TV for hours? Think about which shows you really, really love, and only watch during that time. When the commercials come on, go do something else. Or use Tivo to watch TV. You can even give up cable TV entirely, if you’re brave — I have, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.
Eschew the news. Journalists will never tell you this, but if they’re completely honest, they’ll confess that the most important part of any news company, from TV or radio news to Internet or print new, is the advertising division. It’s the division that pays the paychecks of the rest of the company. The news is important in driving traffic to the advertising. So when you’re watching or reading news, you’re really being sucked in to advertising. Try this instead: boycott the news for a week. I’ve done it for about two years, and it hasn’t hurt me a bit. In fact, it’s helped me a lot.
Limit Internet reading. I’m not saying you should cancel your cable Internet subscription or anything. I love reading blogs. But find just those that you truly love reading, that give you the most value, and limit your reading to those. And just do it once a day, for 30 minutes or so. If you can do that, you’ve gone a long way towards tearing yourself away from advertising.
Give up magazines for books. Magazines are also designed with advertising in mind. And they rarely give you much value. Try reading an ad-free book instead. It’s a much better use of your time.
Don’t go to the mall or Walmart. The only purpose of these places is for you to spend money. If you just want a place to spend your Saturday afternoon, find a place where you don’t need to spend money to have fun — a park or a beach, for example. If you need to buy something, go to a single store (not the mall) and go in and get what you need. Don’t browse and walk around looking at stuff. You’ll get sucked in.
Monitor your urges. When you’re online, or watching TV, or at a store, keep track of the number of times you want to buy something. Keep a little notebook or index card, and just put tally marks. Once you become more aware of your urges to buy things, you can start to control them. If you could control them, limiting your consumption of media (see above tips) isn’t really necessary — although I would argue that it still gives you a better quality of life.
Use a 30-day list. If you still really want to buy something, put it on a list, and write down the date you added the item to the list. Now tell yourself you cannot buy that item for 30 days. It might be difficult, but you can do it. When the 30 days have passed, if you still want it, then buy it. But you can’t buy anything (besides essentials like groceries) without putting it on the list for 30 days first. Many times, our urges to buy something will pass during this waiting period.
Declutter. I find it pretty amazing to see all the crap I buy over a period of years, when I go through my closets and other possessions and start getting rid of stuff I don’t use or want anymore. It’s a gratifying process, and at the same time, it makes me realize how useless all our consumer shopping is. I don’t need any of the stuff! When you do this, you may be less likely to buy more stuff. Especially if you enjoy the decluttered look of your house as much as I do.
Find other forms of entertainment. There are other things to do besides watch TV or movies or read magazines or newspapers or the Internet. Try playing sports or exercising, or playing board games or creating art or writing or reading a book. Try doing fun things with your kids or visiting relatives and other loved ones. Try volunteering with a charity. I’m sure you could come up with 100 free or cheap things to do.
Buy used. When you get the urge to buy something, and you’re convinced that it’s needed, try finding it used instead of new. Look in thrift shops or garage sales or flea markets or similar places.
A True Path to HappinessSo, if you’re able to escape materialism, how can you find true happiness? There are many ways, and each of us is different, but here are some things I suggest trying:
Grateful list. Make a list of things about which you’re grateful in your life. Give thanks for them daily.
Think positive. Try eliminating negative thinking from your life, and thinking positive instead.
Small pleasures. Make a list of small things that give you great pleasure. Sprinkle them throughout your day. Notice other small pleasures as you go through your day.
Kindness. Practice random acts of kindness and compassion. Do it anonymously. Help those in need. Volunteer. Make someone smile.
Love. Make an intimate connection with your loved ones. Develop your friendships. Spend time with them, converse, understand them, make them happy.
Health. Exercise and eat healthy — it sounds trite, but it can bring great happiness to your life.
Meaning. It’s often useful to find meaning, either through a church or spiritual way, or through those we love in life or through the things we’re passionate about. Give yourself a purpose.
Flow. Eliminate distractions, and really pour yourself into whatever you’re doing. If it’s writing an article, like this one, really put yourself into it, until you forget the outside world.
Know yourself. Become attuned to what brings you happiness. Study yourself. Learn about what you love, and about your ability to love. Increase your capacity for compassion.
What brings you happiness? How do you feel about materialism, and is it worth trying to escape it? Let us know in the comments.
See also:
A Guide to Cultivating Compassion in Your Life, with 7 Practices
10 Benefits of Rising Early, and How to Do It
12 Ways to Decompress after High Stress
The Three Secrets to Happiness
Are Your Days Crazy? Take Control
Edit Your Life Part 1: Commitments
Edit Your Life Part 2: Your Rooms
Develop Clean House Habits One at a Time
How NOT To Multi-task: Work Simpler and Saner
Slow Down to Enjoy Life
Zen Mind: How to Declutter

On a personal note this is the same/similar as I have previously written on this blog( Escape from Affluenza).

10 Ideas For Using Your Space Effectively

Feel like you're running out of space for all your stuff? Here are 10 simple ideas for using your space more effectively.

1. INSUFFICIENT OR INEFFECTIVE. Do you have insufficient storage space or ineffective storage space? There's a big different. Insufficient storage space means you don't have enough space for your things. Ineffective space means you have enough space for your things, but you're not making the best use of that space. Most closets and cabinets have the volume to hold twice as much as they are usually constructed for. And you probably have quite a few nooks and crannies for storage that you haven't even thought of. Of course, it's important to make sure you don't have things you don't like, are outdated, etc., but it is also important to have effective storage space for the things you do like and enjoy.

2. ADD-A-ROD. Looking for extra storage space in your closet. If you have the type of closet with two+ walls for hanging clothes, on one wall hang a rod at head height for long clothing (dresses, pants, etc.). On the other wall, hang two rods--one above the other--for shorter clothing (shirts, skirts, blazers, etc.) In other words, you're not restricted to only one clothing rod.

3. INSTALL SHELVES. Most shelves can be moved up-a-notch or down-a-notch. If you have three inches of space above your linens, you may consider adjusting the shelf so the shelf below it has more space. Or, perhaps you can add another shelf in between. Plastic, multiple level shelves are wonderful for kitchen cabinets. And corner shelves are great for picture frames, knick knacks and other small treasures.

4. USE STORAGE UNITS. Storage units, which can be picked up from housewares or hardware stores, are great space savers. Your spices can be removed from drawers and placed on a spice rack. There are racks for canned goods that, when a can is taken from it, the next can in line rolls forward. Some of these hold over 40 cans! Ice cube trays are inexpensive storage containers for smaller items such as earrings. There are coffee tables on the market with storage space hidden inside. Under bed containers are perfect for storing quilts and linens. Be creative and make use of these great tools!

5. DON'T FORGET ABOUT WALL SPACE. Look around and you're sure to find quite a bit of empty wall space. There are many uses for this new-found space. Pots and pans can be taken out of cabinets and hung on walls. Tools can be placed on pegboards. Shelves can be installed for picture frames and knick knacks. Many stores now carry corner shelves that can be installed in a snap.

6. PUT FREQUENTLY USED ITEMS WITHIN ARMS REACH. Whenever possible, store regularly used items where you use them most. Recently, my husband created a toilet paper holder on the back of our bathroom cabinet door, with a small dowel, 2 nails and 2 loops of rope. It holds three rolls of toilet paper, and it's right near the area it's needed most. You shouldn't have to walk from one room to another to retrieve items you use every day. Store linens in the bedroom. Store videos near the television. If you use the scissors in the office area and in the sewing room, have two pairs of scissors, one in each room.

7. ADD-A-DRAWER OR SLIDING SHELF. Many hardware and housewares stores carry drawers that can be installed underneath a cabinet. These are great if you have a home with limited drawer space. In addition, you can also install shelves under cabinets that slide out when you need them, and slide back in when you're finished with them.

8. KEEP YOUR DESK CLEAR. A clear desk is directly related to your productivity. You will get more done, if you're not constantly under a pile of papers and files. A sturdy, full-suspension filing cabinet is a must for any home or office. Portable file boxes that hold hanging file folders also come in handy. There are plenty of storage choices for CD-roms and diskettes. Desk supplies belong in an on-the-desk caddy or in trays inside your desk.

9. REARRANGE. Everyone is different, and has different needs. Make your home or office work for you. One woman I know told me she never uses her dining room, not even when she has company over. And she had no intention of ever using it since her kitchen was big and elegant enough. She also said she hated her dark basement office. So, I suggested she rearrange a bit, and turn her dining room into her office. And that is exactly what she did. So think about your surroundings and make them work for you, even if they seem a little out of the ordinary.

10. ROTATE. You may have many items you love in your home or office, but not enough space. Rotate them. In other words, keep some things in storage for a month or two and display some of your things. Then, once that time is up, make the switch. The items on display go into storage; the items in storage go on display. What a neat idea!

From the pages of getorganizednow.com

Eddos 15th Birthday

Make Grocery Shopping an Organized Adventure

Here are a few suggestions to try and make shopping an, organized (and as fast as the line will move) fun adventure from the pages of getorganizednow.com

1. Get it on paper. As you use up the last of any item, write it down on a designated list under the name of the store where you would purchase the item. This will help you find what you need right away. Have this list handy so your family can add to it as the need presents itself.

2. Avoid making two trips. If at all possible, try and do most of your errands the same day you do your grocery shopping. Make sure you take that list along with you, so you can go on the errand run without forgetting anything.

3. Be prepared. When it is time to shop for your groceries, try and limit it to one day a week. Gather up the lists and any coupons you can use. Have a designated plastic folder or envelope to hold them all, and have it with you at all times. If you should unexpectedly stop at that particular store, you can use the coupon for the items you need.

4. Plan your route. Knowing where you're going, especially when you plan to make several stops, can save you both time and money with the high cost of fuel.

5. Map it out. Make up a list of the aisles in the store, and the grocery items in each. You'll be able to easily pick up the items on your shopping list aisle by aisle, instead of in a random, disorganized fashion. This will help you get in and out of the store in no time.

6. Get help from the teens. When you are shopping with older children, divide up the list and have them pick up items from the other aisles. If at all possible, leave the little ones at home. They almost always add to impulse shopping. Plus your focus then needs to be divided between the grocery shopping and making sure the kids aren't pulling things off the shelves, or putting items you don't wish to purchase in your cart.

7. Keep 'em cool. Keep a bag or cooler in the trunk that can hold your perishable items. This will ensure no melted and leaky ice cream packages. Generally shop for groceries last when doing the errands--this way the frozen things won't have a chance to melt.

8. Instruct the Baggers. Request that the Bagger pack all perishables together in the bags so you can grab them first when you return home. This also gives you the option of leaving the non-perishables to unpack at your leisure.

9. Think about your calendar. Look over your schedule for the upcoming week to see if there is something unusual you will be using in a recipe, or an event that may be coming up for which you need to purchase a card or gift. Put that on your list also.

10. Carry the recipes with you. Carry your family's favorite recipes with you on little index cards that have the ingredients listed. You can see what is needed on the recipe card and get the items you don't already have. Saves unnecessary stops at the grocery store during the week for that one forgotten item!

11. Do a bit of prep work. When you get home and unpack your groceries, do some preliminary meal preparation. Cook meat and then package it into meal sized dinners. Wash all your fruit and veggies. Cut the veggies so you can just put them into the dishes you plan on making. This can be a real time saver for your meal preparation.

12. Double up. Plan on cooking a double recipe for some meals. Eat one and freeze the other for a busy weeknight dinner.

13. Create a meal plan. By having a meal plan for the week, along with the items needed list, you should have a quick and easy shopping adventure each and every week.

14. Think outside the box. There is also another solution for grocery shopping. There are various agencies and many supermarkets that can do it for you. If there is just not enough time in your busy schedule, using that service once in awhile, or all the time if you budget permits, might help you get caught up with your To Do list.



For more of the organization and cleaning tips visit

http://organizedhome.com/

http://www.getorganizednow.com/

"BEFORE YOU BUY" checklist( and my Own Philosophy on buying stuff...

Before you buy, always ask yourself.

1. Do I really need it? If not, Do I really love it?
2. Is it worth the time and money to dust,store,clean, otherwise maintain?
3. How many hours will I have to work to pay for it?
4. Could I borrow it from the library,friend or anywhere else?
5. Is there anything I already own I could possibly use instead?
6. Are the resources that went into it renewable?
7. Is the product socially and environmentally friendly? ( not made with child labor, or from virgin timber)
8. Can I recycle it when I'm through with it? Or will it help clog a landfill?

_____________________
I have this printed out and on my wall since 2001 from ESCAPE from AFFLUENZA (PBS.org)


I have created some more thought for my own reminder

Before I Buy it List

1. Do I need it now?
i.e. I have waited for my kids to grow up before we bought a new couch. That's about 3 yrs ago. They are now 14 and 13. I bought second hand twice before and it served as well for the price I bought them and given it to some friends.


2. Is it on sale or reasonably priced and how long can I use it for that price?
1.e. If it's a beautiful long dress for $100 and i will use it only once or twice then I am not buying it. If it is something i can wear for an equivalent of $1 a day then it is worth it...which means i have to be able to wear it at at least 100 days. That goes to my other items at home.The couch which we bought for $1,500 will last me about 5 yrs and that is 365 x5 which is $1,825, then it's paid for it. It is now on it's third year and that includes the furniture protection plan for 5 yrs.

3. Can I really afford to pay for it in cash?
or maybe installments without interest will be the great. It is same as cash.

4. Do I really love it and can live with it?
It has to appeal aesthetically to me and fit my taste and/or surrounding...or I can wait more.

5. Is it easy to maintain and recyclable?
No dry cleanings and chemicals for me to maintain it's beautiful look. If I can donate it and or repair it or re purpose it then it's a go.

6. If I can have it free...it's better.

Quiz: What’s Your Spending Style? My result: Sensible Spender Congrats! You’ve got your priorities straight when it comes to your finances. You’re diligent about saving money, but you also know that it’s okay to splurge a little every now and then. Check out Getting Savvy About Saving for more tips on maintaining a bright financial future.

Take this quiz!