How I Stay Organized
delete, email lists, emails efficientorganization
6:17 am
Today I did something for myself. I realized that every day I open my emails and delete, delete, delete unopened mail from sites whose email lists I have signed up for. Clothing stores, party supplies, health & fitness. I’m not opening and reading them, they are just a nuisance, they are one more thing to do even if it is delete. It still takes my time and energy to see what it is and take action. So, today I did it. Unsubcribe, unsubscribe, unsubscribe.
Although, I do not recommend discontinuing following valuable blog posts such as my own! 
www.EfficientOrganizationNW.com
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How I Stay Organized and Quick Tips and Time Management & Goals
appointments, calendar, meetings, organizing dayplanner, planner efficientorganization
7:30 am
This is the time of year to sit down with whatever type of calendar you use to organize your time. Use the method that is comfortable for you, whether paper & pencil or electronic. The bottom line is you need to feel at ease with your system so you use it consistently and feel secure that it will help keep you on track. Keep all information in one place, don’t use more than one planner or system.
Here are some examples of what to add to your planner right from the start:
- Meetings that are repeated on the same day/time of each month
- Birthdays, anniversaries, special occassions
- Use the school district calendar to add all days off, PTA meetings, late starts & early dismissals
- Reminders to make appointments for check-ups for your family, both doctor and dental
- If you’re on a roll, you can even add auto maintenance needs!
- Don’t forget to schedule some downtime for yourself
Add events as they come up throughout the year and you won’t miss an important event this year-just don’t forget to look at your calendar every day!!
Happy New Year!
www.EfficientOrganizationNW.com
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How I Stay Organized and Quick Tips
linen closet, Linens, organize sheets, pillow cases, sheet sets efficientorganization
3:31 am
When you open your linen closet does everything come tumbling out? It doesn’t have to, it’s time to get your linens under control!
Step 1: Pull all the sheets out of the linen closet, use an area like a bedroom nearby to unload the goods.
Step 2: Be sure to place ‘like’ items together. Place matching sheet sets with pillow cases together.
Step 3: See which sheet sets have a piece missing or are no longer in good condition-out they go.
Step 4: Make sure each bed in your home has a least one matching sheet set. Keep up to 2 sets/bed. With 2 sets you will always have a set to put on the bed while one is in the wash.
Step 5: If you have space in your linen closet, place sheet sets for each bed together on shelves. If you don’t have room, consider storing each bedroom’s sheet sets in an under-the-bed storage bin with a lid to keep out dust.
Here’s a handy product from Storables to store sheets:
http://www.storables.com/Shop/Baskets–Bins/Woven-Baskets/?launch_pg=itemPage&launch_sel=1006857&launch_pg_sp=true&title=Large+Linen+Storage+Bin
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How I Stay Organized and Quick Tips
antibiotics, expired medications, medications, prescription efficientorganization
8:37 pm
As a former back office medical assistant, purging old medications is a sticking point for me. Please go through all your medications and throw away ALL expired medicine and DO NOT save partially used bottles of antibiotics for the future! It’s a bad idea to diagnose yourself and possibly use the wrong medication for your symptoms; let the doctor decide if you need antibiotics and the whole prescription should be used at that time, no left-overs. Using expired medications is also a bad idea. Throw it away and spring for the few extra bucks to replace the old stuff-your health is worth it!!
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How I Stay Organized and Quick Tips and Time Management & Goals
cards, gifts, special occassion, special occassions, Starbucks efficientorganization
7:39 pm
Doesn’t it make you feel great when someone sends you an anniversary card or a birthday card & maybe even a gift to boot? Well, other people will love it when you do the same in return and on time!
At the end of each month look at your calendar and see who has a special occasion coming up in the next month. Make a list of names and head to the store to buy all the cards at one time. If you want to buy personalized gifts this is the time to do it.
An easy idea is to pick up something simple like Starbuck’s gift cards to throw in the card for “coffee or treat on me” that you can easily add to the card and go.
It’s not about a fancy gift, it’s about thinking of someone and acknowledging their special day!
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Holiday Organizing and How I Stay Organized
future gifts, gift basket, gift storage, gifts efficientorganization
5:55 pm
What do you do with all those gifts you pick up on sale that you want to save to give to someone in the future?
1. Designate a storage space. At my house I have a very old dresser in the closet and I use 2 drawers for future gifts. Any box, basket or bin will work as long as you have a specific place you store it so you don’t forget where they are! The top shelf in a closet is a great place.
2. Remember who they are for. I just write the person’s name on a small piece of paper and tape it to the gift. If it’s a generic gift to pull out for anyone or event that comes up, then no name necessary and you will know right where to go to find a little treat for someone.
3. Make a note on your calendar. If you are saving your gift for a specific person’s special occasion, just make a note on your calendar next to the entry that shows it is their birthday. It could say: Mary’s Birthday **Gift in basket.
You only save money buying a sale item ahead of time as long as you can find the gift!
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How I Stay Organized and Quick Tips and Time Management & Goals
organizing secrets, secrets efficientorganization
7:31 pm
SECRET # 1:
Give everything a home that is clear to you and to the people who live with you. If it’s paper it has a file or folder with a label on it. Toys go in bins or baskets with labels or photos of the items stored inside. Pantries have a designated place to store each type of food item. It may take a while for your family to get used to where to return everything, but it’s worth the investment of being consistent!
Secret # 2:
Think ahead. Being organized is about looking ahead at what is coming up and and not feeling like life is sneaking up on you. If you look ahead to see what events or activities you have coming up, it allows you to get a jumpstart on shopping or any other way that you need to prepare for that activity.
Think ahead and it will save you from feeling stressed!
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Holiday Organizing and How I Stay Organized
holiday dishes, holiday platters, holiday serving dishes, kitchen storage efficientorganization
7:05 pm
Do you have a huge kitchen where storage is not an issue? Or are you trying to fit a large amount in a relatively small space?
I have a small kitchen myself, so I only keep the items that I use on a regular basis in my kitchen. All holiday platters and serving pieces are stored in labeled bins for the holidays in the garage. When it is time to decorate for the holidays it will also be time to use those pieces and a great time to wash them up for use.
Remove your holiday dishes and open up space for your everyday needs in your kitchen!
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How I Stay Organized and Quick Tips
credit cards, debit cards, envelopes, receipt storage, receipts efficientorganization
4:00 pm
Are you under a mountain of daily receipts from using your credit and debit cards? Receipt storage can be as easy as envelopes labeled according to the name of your card.
- Take one envelope per credit or debit card and put the name of that credit card on the outside of the envelope: Mastercard, Visa, Discover, Debit Card, etc.
- Every time you use your card, come home and place the receipt in the labeled envelope
- When your statement comes you can quickly check the receipts from that envelope against your statement
- Time to shred the receipts that do not need to be saved
- If you have a receipt with an item that may need to be returned, you can keep a “Return” envelope as well-clean it out when you know the item is a keeper
Round up your receipts and keep them at your fingertips!
www.EfficientOrganizationNW.com
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