Do you have a ton of paper staring at you in your office or on your kitchen counter? Most of the time this is a big complaint.

Are some of those papers your monthly bills?

Many of us have files we’ve labeled “Telephone”, “Utilities”, “Water/Garbage”, “Cell Phone”,  ”Credit Cars”… Sound familiar? We’ve set up these folders because that’s how our parents used to do it. So when we moved out of their home we did the same thing. Only, we hate to file them. Do you really need to keep those bills?

Probably not. While what I am going to say may make you feel a bit queasy or uncomfortable, I say it to help you eliminate the paper monster in your life.  No, I am not recommending that everyone go paperless, don’t worry.  I am recommending, however, that you embrace technology. Create passwords to your utilities, phone, and credit card accounts so you can access your information online at any time. Get comfortable with their websites so you begin to use this valuable resource.  You can look up past bills, see recent statements at the touch of a button. If you are reading this blog then you have access to the internet so use it and eliminate the need to keep all those paper bills.

It’s okay if you still want to get your paper statement (or your can request that they be sent to your email in box).  The point here is that you don’t need to file or keep those bills. After you pay a bill, shred it. The information’s still there online any time you need it.

So get comfortable and let go (if you haven’t already) – I double dare ya!

Receipts seem to really confuse some people.  I have seen clients hold onto YEARS of receipts.  They are in ziplock™ bags, crammed into junk drawers, stacked and sliding off counter tops, and forced into bulging file folders.  They come into the home every day but never leave!

There are really only 3 kinds of receipts:

• Weekly
• Big Ticket Items
• Gifts

Weekly receipts come from the grocery store, doctor visits, medication, clothing purchases, and other such purchases made needed for your home and car maintenance.  Big ticket receipts are for large purchases like a washer and dryer, new roof, computers, TV’s… you get the idea. And gift receipts are for – you guessed it – gifts purchased.

Do you need to hang on to each and every receipt?  The short answer is “no”.  The long answer is “it depends”. And that’s where folks get stuck – it depends.  Once they are stuck, no decision is made and hence years’ worth of receipts clutter their life.

At my Declutter Your Life groups (in Sacramento and Chico, CA), this was a hot topic so I created this flow chart to help with the decision making.

The bottom line here is that receipts will hang around forever until you make a decision. The chart reflects what to do with a receipt if you are at home or out and about. The basic premise is this:

1. Set up an in-box to collect receipts.
2. Have a folder or envelope to save questionable receipts for 6 months; purging on at the beginning of each new month.
3. And for the large purchases, keep the receipts with the product manuals.

So take control and start making decisions about those receipts!

I know… most of us hate to file. That’s one reason so many of us are battling with paper in our homes and offices. Most file cabinets are relegated to the back of closets, under the stairs or out in the garage. Some file cabinets are so full they can’t be opened, while others date back to the time of the dinosaurs and need excavation! You might even experience a genuine filing phobia every time you open a file drawer.  It’s difficult to find things when you need them and then you have no idea where to put new papers to be filed.

The first step to overcome your phobia is to re-work your filing system by understanding the types of files and how they are used.  Here’s a chart of the 3 types of files for any home or office.

Now that you have read about these 3 file type, it’s time to take the steps needed to get your file cabinet organized. What I’m about to say is not rocket science or some new age technique…

Use the K.I.S.S. method – Keep it Super Simple!

K eep the 3 types of files separate

I s it worth keeping?  Ask yourself the trigger questions and purge, purge, purge as much as possible  

S implified your categories   Re-think how you have your files labeled; using broad categories will make things easier to find and put away!

S chedule regular maintenance   This is imperative. If you’re not willing to do this step, then all the other steps won’t work! Set up yearly dates to purge files, toss papers, move files from reference to archive, and to re-evaluate your current systems.

Here are a few trigger questions to ask yourself as you sort through and purge your file cabinet.

• Is this information useful?
• Can I get this information again?
• Is this information on the internet?
• Is this information needed for tax or legal reasons?
• What’s the worst thing that would happen if I threw this away?

While there are many ways to organize, I have found that my clients who feel disorganized handle their “stuff” in one of three ways.  These are names for the kinds of disorganization that I often encounter.

The Pilot

This person loves to “pile it” (that’s why I call them a pilot). In their home or office you will find things stacked vertically. It may be papers, books, or clothes; they may be stacked neatly or haphazardly but they are piles nonetheless. These pilots will often say that they know exactly where everything is and they’re right… it’s in a pile!  How are they comfortable organizing this way? Are they really comfortable organizing this way? The answer is yes.  In Lanna Nakone’ s book, Organizing for your Brain Type, she states that this type of person should embrace their stacking preference but limit the number of piles, save less stuff to begin with, and use clear containers.

The Flight Attendant

Visualize the flight attendant on a plane – you walk onto a plane, they have everything neat as a pin and are smiling brightly. But they have a secret place, a closet of sorts. There, all of the tools for their job are hidden away – the beverage cart, coffee carafes, garbage bins, magazines, coats, and who knows what else.  A person who organizes like a flight attendant has a neat and orderly appearance on the outside but don’t dare look in their closets, laundry room or desk drawers! In fact, many of us have been quasi flight attendants in our lives – company rings the doorbell and with one swoosh we clear the papers off the kitchen counter into a bag and throw it in the pantry. Many people become flight attendants in their attempts to organize because they never get around to actually organizing and use closets, boxes or any close-able area to stash things when they want a sense of [eace in their environment.

Crop Duster

This person has it all spread out.  Just like a little crop duster, making sure to cover every nook and cranny. Every horizontal surface is covered with dishes, papers, projects, etc.  When the crop duster person begins to think about getting organized, they are instantly overwhelmed because they do not know where to start. They are paralyzed and cannot take action. Barbara Hemphill, author of Taming the Paper Tiger at Home, says that clutter is postponed decisions.  This person just cannot make a decision about what to do with the “stuff”.

This month is National Get Organized Month. Every January the National Association of Professional Organizers and it’s member chapters endeavor to publicize the benefits of organization and the services that are provided by our industry. There are many areas of specialty within the Professional Organizer industry – from home staging to business productivity to move managers. There are specialized training courses for many different populations - seniors, hoarders, people with disabilities, and children.  Getting organized helps people with time management, productivity, family management, and relieves stress and anxiety. Here are some of the reasons why professional organizers are hired and which areas are most often organized. This information is found on the National Association of Professional Organizers website, www.napo.net:
Top reasons professional organizers are hired

1. Too much clutter
2. General disorganization
3. Difficulty determining what to keep and/or discard
4. Difficulty finding things
5. Selling a home or moving

Top areas in a home where organizing services are most often requested

1. Home Office or Den
2. Kitchen
3. Closet
4. Master Bedroom
5. Garage/Attic/Basement

I’m not a huge fan of making resolutions anymore; most people do not take resolutions made on New Year’s Day very seriously.  However, if you are ready to take the first steps to getting organized this year, then download my ebook, Project Simplify. It includes monthly goal sheets to help you plan the first steps to getting your organizing projects done.

Receive your free gift today!  Just go to the top right of this page and submit your name and email.  Then check your email!  You will have the link for your free download!   It’s my gift to you this month as you begin to get organized!

 Linking to:

I was interviewed by the House Whisperer at KHSL and this segment aired today! It’s all about being organized and staying organized.  

Check out the video where I talk about computer (laptop) organization as well as how to organize your coupons.  Plus lots more!

These are just some of the cool products I carry with Clever Container.  On January 1st, more than 20 new products will be released so check that website again soon!

5 Tips for a More Organized Year:

• Create a written plan for each area you want to organize

• Use ONE calendar

• Make a weekly appointment with yourself to plan the upcoming weeks

• Spend 15 minutes a day putting things away around the house/office

• Review tomorrow the night before

I was talking with a client the other day.  She was having a hard time keeping up with the organization systems we had put in place.  I asked if she had actually used the systems and if they were working for her.  She said they were.  We talked some more about her obstacles- what was preventing her from successfully maintaining her system?  It was then that I told her she had clutter of a different type – Time Clutter.

Time Clutter can be the reason a person…..

- is always arriving late

- can not finish what they started

- changes their RSVP to “no” from “yes” an hour before the event

- never gets the laundry folded and put away

- goes to bed at 2:00 am because they were up late paying bills and getting things done

- is wrapping Christmas gifts at the post office while in line

You get the picture; we’ve all done this at one time or another.

Or have you ever said you didn’t get things done because you were “running late”, “running behind”?  (Comedian Brad Stine has a great comedy routine about running late.) This again is the problem of time clutter.

So what is time clutter?

Time clutter is what happens when you don’t allow enough time or energy in your day to get things done.  Think about this: You would never take off on a 100 mile trip with your gas tank on “E”. You’d stop and get gas on your way out, right?  Yet, we are so busy racing through our day, multitasking and playing beat the clock that we don’t take time to manage our time.

You will be more successful in maintaining your organizing system (and your sanity) if you become better at time management. What can you do?

- Create buffers in your day. Allow extra time for travel and between events and appointments.

- Be more aware of how much time things take to do/complete/put away.

- Schedule like tasks together. Have one day for errands, one day for client follow up calls, etc. Do like tasks in one block of time.

- Allow time at the end of the day to catch up on things that are unfinished AND still go to bed at a reasonable hour.

In general, be more aware of your time.  Find out where you are “losing” the time you need to maintain your organizing systems and adjust accordingly.  Just like you can’t go 100 miles in the car with no gas in your tank, no system works without proper care and maintenance. Proper care and maintenance require time.

I am looking forward to hearing your comments on this time clutter issue.  Can you relate or have you overcome this? Please comment below.

Amen!  This is a guest post from my friend and Clever Container team leader, Melissa Schmalenberger aka Ms. Simplicity. If you like this article, please tell her so!

So often when I work with client’s they are terrified to throw* anything of their child’s away. I am not sure where this fear comes from, but parents everywhere I give you permission to start to throw your kid’s stuff away. I am talking about gum wrappers, broken bracelets, one earring without a mate, torn books, pieces of half scribbled on paper and toys they no longer play with. I am not telling you to get rid of their prized possessions, simply the junk and clutter in their room that surround them.

Organizing your kids

This is my concern, if you don’t teach children now while you are living with them what is of value and what is not of value when will they learn it? Will you be visiting their first apartment and have to move the pile of clothes that they don’t wear off of the couch before you can sit down. Will you go into a bathroom filled with beauty products where only a handful are used?

Interesting enough when I have the children working with me, guess who is okay with getting rid of the stuff? It is true, it is the child. What I often hear is a mom saying, “but that this the stuffed animal that uncle Alan got you on your first birthday?” I hear the parent trying to talk the child into keeping the object. Who has the problem with clutter I wonder….the pack rat kids or the sentimental parent?

This lesson became laser focused on me when my husband and I were watching a YouTube video from one of my boys’ favorite videos when they were young. My husband and I were laughing and saying how we couldn’t believe how much our boys loved that video. Both of our older boys looked at us and said they didn’t remember it at all. Then it dawned on me…..it was my memory of the video and the good times we had while watching it….it was not their memory.

So ask yourself when helping your children declutter, whose memory is it anyway? Learn how to give with purpose and show your children that when they drop off a load of clothes and toys to a battered women’s shelter it is going to have a direct impact on a child. Chances are your kids will step up and do the right thing….will you?

*I use the term throw loosely here. Please know that I encourage recycling in every form and I encourage my clients to do so as well.

To Joyful, Simplified Living,

MS. Simplicity

MS. Simplicity, also known as Melissa Schmalenberger  operates her business as I Did it with MS. Simplicity.  She is a Professional Organizer based out of Fargo, ND and her website can be found at http://www.ididit-fargo.com/

Today’s featured organization tool is the shower purse from Clever Container. From the inference of the name, you immediately think it is a bathroom organizational product; and you are right.  It was invented to keep all the personal hygiene/shower necessities together and make it easy to store or grab.  It’s made in the USA and is molded plastic.  It has nice tall handles and the mid-section features 3 sections, one of which is intended for a bar of soap. It comes in 3 colors – white, green and pink.

Here are some handy ways it can help your family stay organized:

• Give one to each child and have them store their bathroom products in them, under the bathroom sink or in their rooms

• Use as a gift basket. For a baby shower, fill with the wipes, lotions, shampoos, nail clippers, washcloths, etc. For a bridal shower, fill with special bath and body products or personal things for the bride-to-be.

• Make it your gardening tote. It’s perfect to hold your gloves, those special clippers you use, plant ties, and Miracle Gro™ fertilizer.  Use two of the sections to hold your freshly cut roses into the house to transfer to your favorite vase.

• Create an art center for you or your little ones.  It’s great to organizer, markers, colored pencils, paint brushes and the like.  If you like to make cards, you can even use it for your current project- holding all your card making supplies.

• Fill it with first aid supplies and give it to a college student this month.  Don’t forget to add aspirin and cold meds – those things seem expensive to the starving student!

• Set it beside your favorite chair to hold your pencils for crossword, tissues, lotion and hand sanitizer, and a few thank you notes and a pen. After all, you can do a lot during the commercials.

• Make a manicure basket.  Use it to hold all of your clippers, files, nail polish and remover. Don’t forget the cotton balls!

“According to the U.S. Postal Service and Seattle Public Utilities research, Seattle homes and businesses receive an estimated 17,500 tons of unwanted paper in the form of junk mail and yellow pages phone books, approximately 100 pounds of waste per household, each year,” a release from the city of Seattle states. That’s some major waste!  I found this information and photo here.

 A look at the discarded phone books, courtesy of the City of Seattle

 When I read the article, I first thought it only applied to the city of Seattle. But that’s not true – they are just giving it better P.R. than other areas.  Go to catalogchoice.org and you can enter your zip code in the box labeled “1″ and it will tell you if you can request to opt out of the phone books for your city. If your city phone books come up, simply hit the ‘New Request’ button for each one.

You should see something like this at the top of your screen:

Now look below this box and start filling out the form.  The instructions are simple and it took me all of 3 minutes to do.

Catalogchoice.org can also help eliminate your junk mail.  This is a great nonprofit organization that ultimately helps to save trees and simplify the paper in our lives a little bit. They ask that you consider giving them a donation after you're done to show them some love!

Would love to hear if you do go on there to stop your phone book deliveries. I know I'm on a mission to tell as many people as I can!!