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Book Review: Time management from the Inside Out

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

Julie Morgenstern is one of my favorite organizing authors. One of the longest-recognized organizing experts, Julie has a way of breaking down the process to simple steps. Taking action in easily managed steps makes a daunting task – like managing time – doable.

Her book, Time Management from the Inside Out, Second Edition: The Foolproof System for Taking Control of Your Schedule — and Your Life takes the same principles from her signature book on organizing spaces and demonstrates how to apply them to the specific case of managing time:

  • Analyze and Strategize – what’s going on now and what are your life goals for the future?
  • Sort, Purge, Containerize – categorize your main activities, get rid of excess (busy work), and group like activities to save time in execution.
  • Make a (Floor Plan) Time Map – based on your week as a manageable unit, designate specific times to perform routine actions. Ex. Pay bills on Saturday morning, do grocery shopping on Thursdays after work, make follow-up calls at 4 pm each weekday.

Of course, Julie includes real-life examples showing how time mapping works in the diverse worlds of a business executive and a working mom.
I’d suggest you check the book out from the library first. There is some work involved in priority and goal setting as in any time management course. The rewards are definitely worth the initial time investment in my opinion. You can view a copy of my time map here and make comments/suggestions. ;-)

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Easy and Efficient Under Sink Storage

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

What have you tried to store under your kitchen sink? The space is different in each house depending on where the water lines and disposal end up. You are lucky to get one skinny container on one side of the cabinet.

Then there is the mix of cleaning products; dish-washing liquids, powders and tablets; trash can liners; rubber gloves; and assorted scrubbing doo-dads. The shapes and sizes are a nightmare to organize and contain.
When you are in a hurry, something is bound to topple over. Gooey spills, dishwasher detergent powder, and spider webs conspire against you to make a sticky, dirty mess under there!

Let me offer a few suggestions. You are free to mix and match to come up with a solution that fits your unique circumstance.

  • Store only what you use in the kitchen here. If you have an adequate pantry or space in your laundry room, keep the majority of your cleaning products there. This also helps cut down on the danger of poisons a child can reach (locks are necessary, but should not be the only safeguard!)
  • Move trash bag liners to your plastic wrap area. These boxes should fit in the drawer on their side.
  • Cover the floor of your cabinet with a rubber mat or shelf liner. The spills and grit will be easy to clean with a wet sponge. Once that cheap particle board gets wet, it is never the same. A pristine cupboard looks good when you get ready to sell.
  • Use a slide out container with a stable bottom. Choose solid plastic, mesh, or metal stripping that is less than ½″ apart to avoid tipping.

A 6 qt plastic shoebox with no lid will do for the side of your cabinet that has the most head room. This is the frugal organizer’s option.

Lynk Professional Kitchen Under-Sink Rollout Double Drawer

Lynk Professional Kitchen Under-Sink Rollout Double Drawer

The Rolls Royce of pull-outs for the tall side is the 11″ x 21″ chrome Lynk Professional Kitchen Under-Sink Rollout Double Drawer. There is an 11″ x 18″ version as well.

Finally, I love the 13″ x 13″ ITSO wide tray at Target ($5.19) This can hold sponges, rubber gloves, scrubbers on the short side.

Once you make these changes, you will be surprised at how easily and efficiently you can access everything you need from your now beautiful under sink storage!

This is a reprint of a guest post I wrote for Organize with Sandy, originally published on 8/16/10.

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Closet Storage Tip: Use Shelf Dividers

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Don’t you hate it when you fold lots of towels or tees and the first time someone grabs one off the shelf the pile tips over?
That’s where closet shelf dividers come in. You can attach these to either solid shelving or the wire shelves in your closets. Just be sure you are ordering the right type! These are a few examples.

Check your big box stores first before you pay shipping.

Organize It

Chrome

 Chrome Shelf Dividers
from OrganizeIt.com
Item No: 014982186409
10” high by 12” deep
Set of 2 – $6.99
These can slide on front of shelf, so fit all widths

Acrylic

 Acrylic Shelf Divider
from Amazon.com
8″high x 12″deep
$13.75 each
Pricey, but so elegant! Use for  your MBR closet only?

Lilian Vernon

Wire

 Wire Shelf Dividers
from Lilian Vernon
SKU: 603989
10 1⁄2″ x 1 3⁄4″ x 12 1⁄4″ H
Set of 2 – $9.98, 4 for $19.96
Expands to fit between most wire shelving slats.

NOTE: Lillian Vernon also has a solid shelf version at a reasonable price, but these fit only 12” shelves.

When you are planning the number to purchase, decide on an odd number of stacks and buy one more divider. (i.e. 3 stacks => 4 dividers)

Finally, if you want to fold with the best of them and fast, this is a neat folding tool!

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Help for Getting Organized This Summer: ListPlanIt

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

I am a list/form junkie. As much as I love creating my own lists, having ready-made lists available for a quick brain dump is awesome!

ListPlanIt has done all the work and made available hundreds of lists for business planning, meal planning, family matters, travel, financial planning, student planning and time management.  These are only a handful of the list categories available. Moms – there are lists of age appropriate chores!

The three ways you can gain access are:

  1. Annual print membership – $20 for access to all lists to print only. Print and write on lists as desired. For those who like a pen in hand and a paper list to post or use in a notebook.
  2. Annual download membership – $30 for download capability for all lists. With this option, you can type your information directly onto the lists and save.
  3. Individual ePlanner – Choose one category of lists and get the downloadable files for a one time charge of $4.95.

Check out the trial section to see seven sample lists to print. While there, click on the trial ePlanner to experience the download /write-in option.

Think of the possibilities! For summer travel, you can have a “to do before you leave the house” list, a “what I must remember to pack” list, and a “places we want to see, with the contact info” list. The frustration you avoid will more than pay for the investment. Enjoy your carefree summer!

P.S. If you are reading this and thinking of the person who REALLY needs lists to help him/her get organized, there is a gift certificate option!

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Favorite Purse Organizer: the Pouchee

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

Pouchee.comFor women there are certain things we have to carry with us at all times: keys, cell phone, lipstick, pens, etc. Put these small things in a big purse and you have instant disorganization! So, we buy purses with lots of little pockets to hold all of our “must haves.” But, to change from one purse to another means to empty out every pocket. What a time waste!

The solution is purse organizers.  The Pouchee is my favorite purse organizer because it is a self-contained unit that you can grab and GO!  There is no wrapping, no sagging, and no assembly. The best way to describe the Pouchee is:  your change purse on steroids.

Black Pouchee exterior

Black Pouchee interior

Within a compact 7×5×3″, you will be able to tote lipstick, cell phone, tissues, a wallet or change purse, all of your credit cards, keys, even a note pad.  The sturdy 2″ metal rings and magnetic closure make it easy to pick up and exchange from one purse to another, or to carry alone when you are on a quick errand. There are enough inner dividers and even a zipper compartment so that all your “must haves” will find a home. You won’t have to dig for keys!

Best of all, the Pouchee comes in 12 different colors in cotton (washable) and 11 colors in leather. You can make a fashion statement with red leather, or support a cause with the Breast Cancer LTD Edition.

Other Pouchee products are available with plenty of pockets including a jewelry traveling case (11×14×2″), and two sizes of automobile console caddies.

I especially wanted to let you know that the Pouchee Purse Organizer is on sale now through Mother’s Day for 10% off your entire purchase. Use the code poucheemom at checkout at the Pouchee.com Store.

Even if the whole package weren’t so practical, I would still love the logo of a kangaroo holding a tiny purse! Cute!

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I Simply Remember My Favorite Things: Stocking Stuffers

Monday, December 21st, 2009

We still have four days to shop before Christmas. I told my husband this morning I had to pick up a couple more things. His reply was, “Don’t get any large items, we have to fit luggage into the car yet!” We are heading for VA to watch grandchildren open presents on Friday.  Woo hoo!

In case you are still trying to come up with things for stocking stuffers, these are a few of my favorite things:

  1. Mead 4″ X 6″ faux leather address book:  I keep mine next to my computer to record all those annoying passwords every site needs. Keeps info     alphabetical and handy, so I can toss it in a suitcase to use on vacation if necessary. Found this treasure at Odd Lots for $2.99.
  2. Good Grips Mag Tacks: This gift means never having to say you’re sorry you put holes in your favorite photos. Can be used as simple pushpin, or a pin with magnet on top.   $6.99 at Container Store.

  3. Mini Magnet Strips: This gift puts versatile mini-storage on any wall. The possibilities of what to stick to these are endless. Use for an art rack, photo holder, or to contain little things with the next gift suggestion. On sale for $3.99 at Container Store
  4. See & Store Containers:  Perfect magnetic storage for office supplies, beads, or even spices. 4 for $1.99 at Container Store.
  5. Magnetic 3″ x 8″ To Do pads: Always have one on your refrigerator for grocery needs or a note to say where you went. Target usually has these in the $1 bin. The high end Post-It version is at Staples for $4.99.
  6. Velcro Get a Grip straps: These are great to bundle wires or to contain cords for small appliances. Five colors makes this fun even for people who hate electric cords, like me. $3.99 at Office Max.
  7. Specialty-colored duct tape: Even if you think this is a stupid suggestion, you’ve got to check out this site:  www.tapebrothers.com for all the color possibilities.  I know a teenage boy who has a ball making all kinds of things out of duct tape. He pulled his red, white, and blue wallet out to show me one day. Your loved one can join the Duck Tape Club and get instructions for all kinds of crafts.
  8. A book for a little tyke: Duck! Rabbit! Very cute and will match the above gift. Interesting take on a classic optical illusion.
  9. The new game Bananagrams: Finally, a kid-friendly version of the crossword game Scrabble. Comes in its own banana-shaped pouch.  You have to find this at specialty game stores as the inventor refused to sell to the big box  stores.

Have fun getting those little things that make life interesting.  Don’t forget to get a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle. All you have to do is pour the pieces out on a table and the family gathers.  That is what makes the holidays so special.

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Organizing Your Child’s Masterpieces

Friday, September 11th, 2009

A mom of three recently posed a question on my blog, “I am curious as to how you organize all the school papers and awards throughout 13 years!”  This is a great question!

A masterpiece!

A masterpiece!

With my older two, I tried to make a scrapbook of their special awards, papers, notes from grandparents, etc.  What I found was that some things they wanted to save were 3-dimensional.  So, we progressed to a “scrapbook box”, using one of the containers with the hinged interlocking lids (sturdy, stackable, and the lids are attached, so never lost!)

An excerpt from fellow blogger mom Jennifer gives this slant on it
(http://www.ceomom.com/tips/722-organizing-kids-school-papers-and-projects)

While growing up, I had a very organized mom. She had a storage bin for each of us kids that she would put papers, memories, pictures, trophies, etc. in. Then one day when we were all grown up, she gave us the box. There was no scrambling to gather items – She literally said: “Here’s your box” and it seemed my whole life memories were contained in it. I loved it! I still have my box.

I have done the same thing with my girls. I have two storage bins in a lilac color, so I easily know which bins are my girls. When they do a project or a school paper that I want to keep, I scribble their name, age and date on it and throw it (yes, throw it) in the box.

I agree with Jennifer that noting a name, date, possibly a 2-3 word hint on the back (what the heck is this?) is a good idea.

If I were starting today and focusing on school papers, I would get one of the plastic file boxes http://bit.ly/4uYjEG and use hanging legal files  http://bit.ly/fLk98 with expandable bottoms – one for each school year.  This system will give you room for some larger, fatter items.  If papers for the year exceed a folder, you can cull the best after the school year ends.  That would be a great summer’s day activity with your child!

These are a couple websites that have storage solutions for larger art:

Schoolfolio – http://www.schoolfolio.com/products/single/index.php These are large, archival quality.

Potter Barn – http://bit.ly/2fkg3C Different sizes, not as large, acid free

If price is an issue – do the saving now, make notes on each piece, place in an inexpensive storage bin.  You can always change/improve your system when you have more time, money, and energy.  Enjoy these early years now!

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