Happy New Year!

I saw this story on CNN and just had to post it. I want to wish everyone a happy new year. Here's to a clutter-free, more organized 2008!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/12/31/hm.get.organized/

Harriet Kassman Bridal Sample Sale

Are you recently engaged? Or still looking for that great wedding dress? If so, this weekend is for you! Why not take advantage of a great bridal sample sale that is going on. Harriet Kassman Bridal Salon (in Mazza Gallerie) is having a Bridal Sample Sale on some amazing designs this Friday through Sunday. You can save up to 50% on floor samples by Anne Barge, Badgley Mischka, and Romona Keveza.

Friday 10-8; Saturday 10-6 Sunday 12-5.

5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW (Mazza Gallerie) (202-363-1870)

Happy bridal gown shopping!

Holiday Coat Drive..time to Clean Out Your Closets!

Starting today (Thursday) and running until this Sunday, the store Urban Chic in Georgetown is having a holiday coat drive. The coat drive benefits So Others May Eat (SOME). When you bring in a gently warn coat, you then receive 30% off your total purchase at the store.

This is a great opportunity to clean out the coat clutter in your closets and save some money at a fabulous store, while benefiting a great charity. Tis the season!

Thursday.-Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

1626 Wisconsin Ave. NW, b/t Reservoir Rd. & Q St.

(202-338-5398)

Shred It Event this Saturday

This Saturday, December 8, 2007, NBC 4 has partnered with PNC Bank for a community shred.

Time: From 8-11 on December 8
Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg, MD
Why: A great opportunity to get rid of/shred all those documents with personal information that you don't need to keep anymore. It is perfect timing to get
organized and get rid of documents before company arrives for the holidays!

NEAT Receipts Giveaway

I was just told about this HUGE cash giveaway that NEAT Receipts (a product that I HIGHLY recommend) is doing for the holidays.

What you do is send NEAT Receipts your own receipts with your contact information on the back of the receipt. You can send them one by one or even hundreds at a time— whatever you want! Each receipt you send is one entry in the sweepstakes! Then, every Friday between November 30th and December 28th NEAT Receipts picks a winner who will receive $1,000 cash.

This is such a great giveaway! First, you can do something useful with all the receipts that you accumulate. Next, you are entered to win a great prize.

Here is the link to the contest giveaway page on their site:
http://www.neatreceipts.com/index.asp?section=our-company&page=holiday-contest

GOOD LUCK!!

Great Deals Around Town for December

Check out some great local deals..just in time for the holidays!! Thanks, Lucky Magazine. We always love a bargain at great stores.

Emily Grace: A great store located in Rockville full of jeans, shoes, accessories and other cute clothing! 9740 Traville Gateway Dr. 866-669-4184. SAVE 20% if you mention Lucky.

Sylene: The best store I know in the area for bras, lingerie, pjs, etc. I just made a stop there the other day and picked up the cutest pjs! 4407 S. Park Ave. Chevy Chase. 301-654-4200. SAVE 20% if you mention Lucky.

Cut Down on Catalog Clutter

So who out there receives so little mail they want even more junk catalogs? The answer is NONE of us. We are all so bombarded with mail that includes 75% junk mail that it is overwhelming to most.

Do you receive catalogs and don't even remember signing up for them? Well, I have a great solution to cut down on the clutter of unwanted catalogs. There is a great site that will help: http://www.catalogchoice.org/. And what's best is that it is FREE! Try it out and I promise a decline in your catalog/paper clutter.

Do you have any other clutter cutting tips? If so, I want to hear from you!

Happy Halloween.. A Treat For You!

Happy Halloween!!

Thanks to the wonderful people at Daily Candy, http://www.dailycandy.com/, you can now save 25% on all orders at See Jane Work (http://www.seejanework.com/). This is a fabulous site that I reference all the time in my newsletters in terms of organizational products.

Right now take 25% off their collection of school and office supplies. Happy shopping. Enter code DEAL25 at checkout

Dress for Sucess & Bloomingdales

This Saturday, October 20th you have a few GREAT reasons to go to Bloomingdales. First, bring in all your clothing donations for Dress for Succes. This organization is a wonderful organization dedicated to helping women return to the workforce with confidence of style.


Also, if you bring in barely used suits and blouses, you will then receive 10% off any Theory purchases. In addition, 10% of all sales on Saturday will benefit Dress for Success.

When: 10am-8pm
Location: Bloomingdales in Chevy Chase, 5300 Western Avenue


Happy donating and shopping!

Quick Feng-Shui Clutter Cures

Many of my clients have been asking if I work with Feng-Shui techniques. While I am not fully trained in feng-shui, I have found and used various techniques in my organizing. Most of them are really quick so there is no reason not to get started!

1.***** Clean Out Junk Under the Bed, in the basement and closets- Accumulated stuff weights you down, and those hidden piles block energy flow through the home.

2. Keep Kitchen Counter Clear- and wash dishes. Periodically clean out the fridge as well. This area is considered the heart of your home and messes will affect your health and finances.

3. Mend or Toss Broken Clocks- Any symbol of dead time impedes progress.

4. Move Out Any Items/Furniture From Behind Doors- Also fix squeaky hinges. The feeling of every room is conditioned in part by how you enter it.

5. Throw out any cracked or chipped vases and old flowers- Fresh blooms, beautifully arranged, attract wealth. Dead plants or broken containers do the opposite.

Recycle Your Old Cell Phone & Ink-Jet Cartridges

I can't tell you how many times I go into homes and find that people have several old cell phones laying around contributing to their overall clutter. This is a very common problem for people because as you know, it seems like every 6 months to a year, a new version of your phone or a new gadget to add onto your cell phone is coming onto the market. Even if you do go and get that new cell phone, what do you do with your old one? Usually it ends up collecting dust and creating more clutter. And what about all those old ink-jet cartridges that are laying around after you have finally gotten a new one? Instead of adding to your clutter, you should recycle! You can now send your old cell phones and empty ink-jet cartridges to a company so they can then be reused. This way, you will be cutting down on your clutter and helping the environment at the same time. It seems like a no-brainer! Check it out at centralizedofficesupply.com.

Client Question: Little Storage Space in the Kitchen

I work with many people who live in smaller apartments, older homes or even newer homes with very little storage space in their kitchen.

Q: What do I do if I have very little storage space in my kitchen?

A: First, I always recommend using your counter space. If you are running out of storage room for food items, use a breadbasket or use canisters to store pretzels and other snacks. Plus, always looks for "creative" spaces to store things. Can you use the backs of the cabinet doors or the door to the kitchen to install extra storage? If not, always try to maximize the cabinet space you have with doubling your shelf space and using stackable food containers (I think those that are square or rectangular as they tend to take up less space). You can also add pullout drawers to lower cabinets to increase the depth of them which are great for pots and pans and other bulky items. Or what about hanging pots and pans from the ceiling? Finally, think about adding a magnetic spice rack to the back splash and this will take up less space in your cabinets.

Client Question: Clutter in My Home Office

Now that Labor Day has come and gone, most of us are getting back into our Fall routines whether it be at work or at school. I am with different clients everyday and encounter several different organizational challenges along the way.

Within this blog, I am now going to try and present some of the more general organizational projects that my clients come across and provide some solutions. Please feel free to post your solutions as well! I love to hear other creative ideas.

Q: What can I do about the countless items cluttering my home office?

A: Because most offices still haven't achieved a paperless state of mind, I suggest a general rule like "like with like." First, empty your drawers, clear your desk, and sort supplies into similar piles. Toss what you no longer use (you know, those bottles of White Out, the pens that don't work). Choose small trays to hold your paper clips, rubber bands, and other supplies. If you are short of space, try and find a modest-size rolling cart, stack of drawers, or pull-down shelf to attach under a desk or upper cabinet. That's where you can stash paper, envelopes, folders, discs, and other necessities.

Being Cluttered May Lead to Difficulty Categorizing

I just picked up the latest edition of Allure magazine and I saw a great little tidbit on clutter. I love that women's magazines are finally getting on board with reporting on the issues of organization.

In a Havard study, it was concluded that people with cluttered handbags, closets, or desks may have difficulty categorizing. Self-identified pack rats and people who didn't have trouble throwing things away were asked to sort 20 items into any categories they deemed appropriate. The "pack rats" took twice as long, and felt more stressed. "Getting rid of clutter requires one to discriminate between valuable and discardable items, " says study coauthur Sara A. Luchian, but hoarders may "see each object as unique." To simplify the process, she suggests, lose the "just in case" stashes.

I thought this was such an interesting study as I see the results on a daily basis. That is why most people hire me. It takes a shorter time to organize when you have someone there helping you with the decisions. When you have a professional there to help with the categorizing and finding a "home" for everything, it becomes an easier process for those with a tendency to hold onto things. Plus, you are left with a home for each object which makes it quicker for similar objects coming in or getting rid of items that might not fit into your most valuable sections.

Go Shopping in DC Without the Tax

Who needs an excuse to shop in DC? If you are one of those people, look no further. From August 4 through midnight on August 12, DC is offering its first 2007 Sales Tax Holiday. The Sales Tax holiday grants an exemption from the 5.75 percent sales tax for school items, clothes, shoes, and accessory items. To qualify, each item must cost $100 or less.

The sales tax exemption will apply to each eligible item, no matter how many items are on the bill. This is a great way to get a jump start on back to school shopping! Enjoy.

For a quick reference on items, see below:
Clothes (clothing)
Any article of apparel for humans, including pants, shirts and blouses, dresses, coats, jackets, belts, hats, undergarments, and multiple-piece garments sold as a set, if $100 or less.
Shoes
All footwear, except skis, swim fins, roller blades, and roller-skates.
Accessory Items
Jewelry, non-prescription eyeglasses, watches, watchbands, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, gloves, scarves, ties, headbands, hats, belts and belt buckles, and other traditional accessory items.
School Supplies
Pens, pencils, stationery, art supplies, book bags, lunch boxes, calculators, and other items purchased for educational use in the classroom, at home, or for any school activity.

Clutter is Clutter...

Clutter is not money. Clutter is clutter.

Say you're going through your closets and every time you go to eliminate something you stop because you've just computed that this scarf, this radio, this toaster-oven cost you money and hey, now you deduce you're throwing out money. Sound familiar? Equating clutter for money limits your ability to get rid of old clutter that is no longer serving you.

Clutter has the potential to be money only when:
· You still have the receipt.
· The "return by date" has not expired.
· You sell it on-line.

I say "potential" because this involves actually doing something about it, not just thinking about doing it and not procrastinating another seven months.

You have already spent the money and no matter how long you hang on to this item, no matter how deep you tuck it into the closet, it's not going to miraculously turn itself back into money.

The only miracle that's happening here is you doing yourself a favor and moving it out. Donate it… someone else could start using it today!

Just remember.. most clutter is really only clutter.

Organize Magazine Has Arrived!

In Tuesay's New York Times there was an article on the new Organize Magazine that I have talked about recently. It is such an interesting article as it touches on Organize Magazine as an "independent" magazine and what goes along with it. I mean, I didn't know that 60 percent of new independent magazines fail after their first year, while only 16 percent to 18 percent survive four years.

Also, it is fascinating to read about the ONLY magazine dedicated to organizing. I believe the magazine will definitely find a niche and agree with one of the experts quoted that "people constantly complain about being disorganized and not having enough time."

I myself have already subscribed and have been contacted by the editor. I hope to be contributing and/or writing for the magazine in the upcoming months! I am very excited.

So, if you haven't already done so, check out the most recent article on Organize Magazine and pick up a copy for yourself!

Rosey's in the Washington Post

I don't know if you all saw it but Rosey's was featured a few days ago in the Washington Post's Home Section. The article was then reprinted in several national newspapers over the past week or so.

I was interviewed about some of the challenges people face when storing items in apartments. This is a real challenge for many people who live in smaller apartments in the DC Metropolitan area as well as any city. Check out some of my tips for storage of items like suitcases, cooking gear, ties and handbags in smaller spaces.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/13/AR2007061300561.html

I would also love to hear all of your creative ideas on storing items!

Washington Post's Wedding Week

This week the Washington Post is hosting a wedding week online. They have several different chats that you can write in questions and thoughts on things like DC Weddings, Fashion, Celebrity Weddings, Green Weddings and Relationships and Honeymoons. What a great way to ask questions to experts in the wedding business as well as browse all the other articles on things like bakeries, bands, florists and jewelers.

This is a great resource for all in the DC area as well as anyone w/ access to a computer! Enjoy.

The Peak of Wedding Season

So, we are now in the peak of wedding season with most weddings happening in the next few months. I don't know about you but I love this time of year! I get to help brides with organizing all the little details of their wedding along with doing some personal shopping for them or those involved in the wedding.

For all of those in the Washington, DC area there are some great sales going on now for wedding attire.

First, Hitched is offering sample gowns by Oscar de la Renta or Judd Waddell at up to half off. How fabulous is this? The sale is going on from now until June 30. Tues.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; However, call ahead as gown trials are by appointment only. Hitched is located at: 1523 Wisconsin Ave. NW, at Volta Pl. (202-333-6162).


Next, Sylene's (a fabulous place for undergarments and bathing suits) is offering
30-50 percent off swimwear and lingerie from Manuel Canovas, Eres, Betsey Johnson, and La Perla. You can't beat this! The sale runs from June 16-28. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m. Sylene is located at 4407 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase (301-654-4200).

Happy shopping!

The Gift of Organization for Father's Day

I recently organized a garage as a surprise birthday gift from one of my clients to her husband. I thought it was the most thoughtful gift she could give him! And now that Father’s Day is right around the corner, I keep thinking that giving your father the gift of organization- whether it be organizing the garage, his closet or his office- is really the perfect gift. Fathers are hard enough to shop for. Does he really need another tie or bbq set? Don't give him any more "stuff" he doesn't need or want.

Then around Mother’s Day I picked up People Magazine and looked through their gift giving guide. Kelly Ripa was quoted as saying “A no fail Mother's Day gift for a [busy woman] would be something she normally wouldn't do herself, like hire someone to clean out her closets."

So now that Father’s Day is approaching we have to also think about our fathers. Don’t they deserve the gift of organization? Give your father the gift of organization this year and help him save time, money and stress. Whether it be bringing in a professional organizer or doing the organization yourself...all the fathers I know would love to be able to walk into their closets and find exactly what they want to wear without hassle in the morning. And would’t this gift give all you gals out there more peace of mind to? No more asking, “where is that green shirt I wanted to wear?” “where is the hammer? I thought it was in the garage..”

Have a wonderful Father’s Day!

Peter Walsh's Summer Clutter Challenge

Today, June 12th, on Oprah's website, professional organizer Peter Walsh will launch his Summer Clutter Challenge.

This ten-week program will help you de-clutter your home, your office, your car and your life! Throughout the summer he will be chatting with people online, checking out your before and after clutter photos, offering advice and encouragement and assisting in any way he can to help you de-clutter and organize for your best life!

I am excited to watch the progress of people who sign up for his challenge. I think it will be like working with all of my clients. We go over their "before" areas and then work on de-cluttering until we have an "after" area (s). It is a magical and rewarding journey that I encourage all my readers to try!

I want to know if anyone will be taking Peter's Challenge? If not, what would be the best way for you to get a jump start on your own organizing?

30 Ways to Manage Your Time (In Honor Of Rachel of Rosey's Birthday!)

Today, June, 1st, I (Rachel of Rosey's) turn 30! I am filled with excitement as well as the dread that comes along with putting a 3 in front of your age for the next few years. In honor of my 30th birthday, I decided to detail 30 ways to manage your time. Below are some quick tips. Enjoy the first day of June. I know I will!

1. Write it down. Making a master list of everything you need to do will de-clutter your mind and reduce your stress level. Each day, move a few of these items to your daily to-do list.
2. Keep a running list of errands to do. Group them together by location and do everything at once.
3. Delegate! Taking the time to teach someone else to complete a task for you will ultimately free up your time for more important things. For one week, analyze each thing you must do and ask yourself, Am I the person who must do this or should I find someone else to do it.
4. Prioritize, Prioritize! It is better to accomplish three very important projects in a day than it is to finish 20 low priority tasks. Think about this as you plan your days.
5. Keep a reading file. Place in it, letters, memos, reports, newspaper articles (cut out from the paper), magazine articles (removed from the magazine), etc. When you are stuck in traffic or sitting in a doctor's office, pull out your file and read something meaningful to pass the time.
6. Do like tasks together. Make all your phone calls together. Run all your errands during lunch hour one day per week. Write thank you cards to customers once a week. Have a daily, 15-minute meeting with your assistant.
7. Reduce interruptions. Have everyone in the company learn and use these time-saving tips. Some businesspeople put a flag on their door or their cubicle when they are not to be interrupted.
8. Get organized! You can save an hour per day by de-cluttering and organizing your desk, your files and your paperwork.
9. Keep or delete? If you use something every day leave it in your desk; if you use something once a week, you should be able to reach it from your chair; if you use something once a month keep it in your office or work area. If you use something less than once a month, keep it elsewhere.
10. Keep your office supplies in one drawer. Keep only the supplies you use frequently in your desk. Do you really need 25 pens and 15 packages of salt
11. Keep a file of quick tasks – catalogs to review, short articles to read, forms to sign – and take care of them while you wait for something to print or a meeting to begin.
12. Sort through large paper piles efficiently. Sort them: priority mail, junk mail, magazines, bills, etc. before acting on any of it.
13. Deal with paper as you receive it. On an everyday basis, go through your mail, in-box, e-mail, etc. and sort into the following files: trash/delete, to do, to file, to read and to
delegate/refer.
14. Establish a place just for paperwork. Keep it accessible and free of clutter.
15. Make a holding file. Use it to store information when you are awaiting follow- up from someone. If you need to follow-up with someone, mark the followup date and name in your calendar with an (H) after it.
16. Schedule a certain amount of time everyday. To keep up with your ever-growing paper piles, set a time each day, without interruptions, to process.
17. Use a master list. Get rid of those small slips of paper and sticky notes that accumulate on your desk, in your car, on your computer, and add all information to your master list. Review it daily.
18. Utilize lists. Keep running lists in your planner or in a notebook of the following: gift ideas, i.d. numbers, books to read, clothing needs, web sites to review, general ideas, etc.
19. Start each file heading with a noun. E.g., not "house insurance" but "insurance - house."
20. Think about where you would look to find a certain piece of paper. That should be its file heading
21. Keep any current project or work in progress in your standing vertical file. Out of sight many times means out of mind.
22. Treat your computer files (especially e-mails) like paper files. Delete if possible or separate into "folders."
23. Remember this rule: The important part is not how you file but being able to find what you want when you want it.
24. Take some time out on Sunday. Make sure everyone in the family has five clean, pressed outfits for the week ahead. This will save many headaches during the week.
25. Make a menu once a week. Then make a grocery list and go through your coupons. Go to the grocery store at an off-peak hour.
26. Make each family member responsible. Have everyone put away their own clothes and belongings each night. Even a toddler can throw clothing in a hamper and help clean up toys.
27. Store items where they will be used. Keep one extra set of sheets in each bedroom. Buy a pair of scissors for each room.
28. Make a bill paying center. Buy a clean plastic shoe box and place in it your checkbook, a pen, address stamper, envelopes and stamps. Throw in bills as they arrive.
29. Buy a small hook today. Screw it into the wall next to your door at home. Always place your keys on it when entering.
30. Don't be afraid to get rid of things. If you don't love it or it's not useful on a regular basis, why keep it?

Getting organized is a new national pastime

I was just alerted to a great article on CNN.com that talks about how getting organized is a new national pastime. I was so curious to read people's responses to why the industry has been taking off in the last few years and why more and more people have started to organize and use professional organizers.

According to the article, sales of space and closet organizers, including clothing-care items, accounted for 8.7 percent of the $76.2 billion Americans spent on housewares in 2005, according to the International Housewares Association. Sales of all home organization products are forecast to increase to $7.6 billion by 2009, according to The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland, Ohio-based market research firm.

Meanwhile, shows like TLC's "Clean Sweep," HGTV's "Mission Organization" and The Style Network's "Clean House" have acted as teaching mechanisms or outlets for empathy, industry observers say.

The Container Store, a retail outfit that sells organization products, is thriving and has plans to expand with new stores this year, company officials told CNN.com. Meanwhile, a cottage industry of self-help books has emerged, detailing how to organize everything from closets to offices and garages. The use of personal organizers -- who help their clients take control of their time, space and priorities -- is also growing.

Experts within the organization industry point to several theories for its boom.

1- A hyper-consumptive society deluged by its own belongings and the output of modern technology like fax machines and e-mail. There's more to organize than ever before

2- The "new asceticism," the movement toward slimming down, conserving energy and buying less. We are starting to question what I call the orgy of consumption.

3- It's becoming a sense of order and security.

4- Women going into the workforce in greater numbers also may be playing a role in diminishing homemaking skills.

Organizing Over Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is finally here! Many people use the three day weekend as an opportunity to spend with family and friends, fire up the grill and get a little bit of organizing accomplished. Yes, that's right, organizing! It is the perfect time to start tackling those organizing projects you have been putting off for the last few weeks. So, take the time to enjoy the holiday weekend, open up the windows and organize. Below I have a few quick tips for those of you who will begin (and complete!) your organizing projects this holiday weekend.

-Make sure there is a place for everything. Before you can put something away, you need to establish where it belongs. Everything needs a home -- like the silverware drawer; everyone knows that's where the silverware goes. Create designated spots for other household items.

-Break chores into manageable chunks. You don't want things to be overwhelming. So, pick three things you want to get done, not 100. You want a two or three day plan for this weekend, not a five-year plan.

-Labels are your friend. Make sure to label everything. It will help you locate and store things as well as helps others read your mind, so they can do their share of putting things in their place.

-Get rid of stuff. There are really some no-brainers, like old newspapers, plastic containers and trash. But you might regret discarding family heirlooms or personal keepsakes so, there's nothing wrong with keeping things you have a relationship with. Just make sure to constantly weed things like paper and clothing which tend to build up.

-Enlist a buddy. Many people hire professional organizers because they can't tackle a project on their own. However, this weekend, enlist your spouse, family, a friend or a neighbor to help you out.

Free Packing Demonstrations at the Container Store

Right now we are in the thick of house hunting and moving season. And the Container Stores knows it! From May 19th to July 1st they are offering
FREE Perfect Packing Demonstrations Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm and 3pm.

The demonstrations take place at their Washington, D.C. store located at 4500 Wisconsin Avenue and River Road (Tenleytown - AU Metro West Side). 202/478-4000.

You can find me at the Container Store often but now that I am about to move this seems like the perfect opportunity to show up and learn a few FREE tips about packing up my home. Hope to see you there!

Their regular hours are:
Mon - Sat: 9 A.M. - 9 P.M.
Sun: 11 A.M. - 6 P.M.

Vera Wang Bridal Show

Ok all you brides.. this Sunday (5/19) from 11:30-3:00, Vera Wang will be hosting a runway show of her 2008 bridal collection. There is going to be a preview of the collection and for all you brides out there still looking for a dress, this is a don't miss event! You can get a look at the 2008 bridal fashions before they even hit stores. As a bride that wore Vera Wang I can't tell you how much I loved her designs and bridal styles.

The event is located at The Ritz-Carlton, 1150 22nd St. NW, Washington, DC. Reservations are needed so call: 202-974-5562.

Make sure to pass along the information to your favorite bride!

Introducing ORGANIZE MAGAZINE!

I want to introduce you all to a FABULOUS new magazine that is coming out in mid-June and MUST be the next magazine you subscribe to. It is called Organize Magazine. It is going to feature "doable organization for real people with real lives." It will show the practical side (how-to), the emotional side, the humorous side, and the products that are great!

I truly believe this new publication is different from anything else out there. It will be the one source where you will find information about organizing all areas of your life. It will show you the products and the processes you want and need to get the job done. No more buying multiple magazines for multiple ideas..you can actually cut down on your magazine clutter!

Organize Magazine was born out of the editor's (Joyce) love of magazines and she is a self-professed magazine “junkie” and proud purchaser of nearly a dozen publications. When she started her own professional organizing business, she set out to find the “organizing” magazine to add to her collection. After two frustrating hours on the computer, she came up blank. The idea for Organize Magazine took hold and it was born!

Some of the great features in the first issue include:
- An interview with Peter Walsh of TLC's Clean Sweep. His message on organization begins with a look at "the life you want to live," rather than the bins you want to use.
- A quick fix column on how to get the keys in your life under control and a how a few minutes can often make a big difference
- Fun products for getting organized and solving some of life's trickiest challenges and organizing for small spaces

Let's face it, everyone wants an organized life. I see it everyday. Organize Magazine will help its readers create a home free of clutter and ready for the real lives we lead. I can't wait to get my hands on the first issue! I think you all should join me. This is a great magazine for all consumers and all professional organizers out there.

I can't guarantee anything in life (who really can?) but I can strongly predict that this magazine will not be one that ends up as clutter. Instead, it will probably be one that you continuously reference because it is full of practical and resourceful tips and ideas.

DC Yoga Week

As a professional organizer, I help people to organize their physical clutter as well as mental clutter. I also often recommend the practice of yoga to clients as a way to take time to pause for a few minutes and organize their thoughts.

For those of you interested in trying out a class free of charge, now is the time. DC Yoga Week runs from May 12-18th for all you in the DC Metropolitan area. All week long several participating studios are offering free and $5.00 classes. Try it, you might like it!

Give the Gift of Organization for Mother's Day!

I already gave my mom the gift of organization this year (I surprised her this weekend when she went away with a complete reorganization of her kitchen) so what are you waiting for?

I even picked up PEOPLE magazine this weekend and saw Kelly Ripa recommending giving moms something useful that they will not do for themselves, like "someone to help clean out their closets."

Celebrate YOUR mother by giving her the gift of organization (does she really need another tacky piece of jewelry she will not wear?). Professional organizing is a gift that is both thoughtful and practical for any mother out there. And, for all you mothers: pass along this post to your children and husbands, if they need some help in the gift-giving department!

Gift certificates from ROSEY'S will save you time, money and stress. And what mother doesn't need that? Do something for your mother or yourself by giving the gift of time. Call for details. Available until May 12th.

Opt Out Prescreen

I just found a great new site: OptOutPrescreen. You can remove your name from mailing lists for preapproved credit and insurance. This will save you TON of paper (filing and trashing) as well as time. I mean,who doesn't want to save time and a great deal of hassel along with some money?

According to the site: Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers of credit or insurance that are not initiated by you ("Firm Offers"). The FCRA also provides you the right to "Opt-Out", which prevents Consumer Credit Reporting Companies from providing your credit file information for Firm Offers.

Through the website, you may request to:

- Opt-Out from receiving Firm Offers for Five Years - (electronically through this website).

- Opt-Out from receiving Firm Offers permanently - (mail Permanent Opt-Out Election form available through this website).

- Opt-In and be eligible to receive Firm Offers. This option is for consumers who have previously completed an Opt-Out request - (electronically through this website).

I am all for de-cluttering your life. This is another small step that can help!

Disorganization and your Finances

Often I help clients organize their financial documents and create overall filing systems and inevitably a conversation comes up about their overall financial situation. Usually, people bring me in to help with their disorganized filing systems, kitchens or closets. However, it often comes out that they are also too disorganized to deal with their money. And to me, this makes total sense! Clutter and disorganization in any area of our life makes you feel out of control. Why would your finances be any different or immune to this?

How could you pay your bills on time when you can't locate them in the piles of paperwork on your desk? Or how can you deal with your credit card statements if they are not in a proper filing place? Often I guide people to a great book by Jean Chatzky called "Make Money, Not Excuses," which talks about the most common excuses people make for why they aren't prepared for retirement and, in a nutshell, why they aren't rich. It is a great read and Chatzky provides solutions to the most common financial “clutter” situations and shows you there are ways to handle them (this is the key part!).

A common problem is this: a lack of organization in one’s home can lead to higher interest rates, bad credit, costly late fees, etc. It also costs people time spent searching for things they’ve misplaced or rearranging the piles on their desks. As a professional organizer, this lack of awareness of the connection between the clutter that fills your home and the problems that you have with finances is something I see almost daily.

So why not get organized, and eliminate this problem right now? It can be a tough project to tackle, but as you begin to make progress, you'll find that you feel happier — both with your finances, and with life in general...I promise!

Shred Day in VA!

So who has tons of documents and papers in their house that they want and need to shred? The answer is most of us. And if you are like many of my clients, you don't have the shredding power to destroy all those confidential documents you want to and don't have the time to do it yourself.

There is hope in site for many of you who live in Virgina or nearby:

Document Shredding Day Fund Raiser
Saturday April 21st from 9 am to Noon
$10 per 35 pound box - 4081 University Drive - Rain or Shine
Fairfax City Fire Department

Now you have no excuse to not get started on spring cleaning all those old and confidential documents. And it is for a good cause..even better!

I Want To Know YOUR Tips for Spring Organizing

Spring is FINALLY here and it is the perfect time to start organizing. Some of you have already started while others are still waiting for that perfect jump start.

For the past few weeks I have written on this blog as well as in my newsletter about some amazing Spring organizing tips to help you get organized and stay organized.

Now I want to hear from all of YOU!! Do you have any spring organizing tips to share? What helps you get focused and stay motivated? How do you make ushering in Spring through organization fun?

I hope you will join me in welcoming Spring by getting organized!

Why the Container- Store Guy Wants to Be Your Therapist

Today in the Wall Street Journal (Personal Journal section) there was a great article on how some retailers are adopting therapy speak when selling file cabinets. Retailers are training their staff to offer more advice and make emotional connections to help customers buy shelves or sort sweaters. And some companies are even increasing their marketing products from folders to closets as items that can improve everything from your exercise habits to relationships.

It also touches on how the demand for professional organizers who usually come into people's home and can spend weeks sorting through junk and giving organizational advice is also booming. The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) has grown to 4,000 members (I am a proud one!) from 2,000 in 2003.

The article quotes NAPO's president: "A professional organizer looks at the situation with a fresh set of eyes and we take their lifestyle and habits into account. They bring in an element of emotional support as well, listening to people who feel overwhelmed by disorganization or advising on time management."

I thought I just had to share some main points of this article. It really spoke to so many issues that we as professional organizers are facing. Professional organizing and working with people and their personal belongings really lends itself to instant intimacy with clients because questions and answers can quickly get personal. For example, you find out about a person's eating habits and talk about other personal things. Of course, professional organizers should and do keep all this information confidential!

Some of the tips the article offered for getting organized were:
- Discard any clothing not worn in TWO YEARS
- Keep a recycling bin near your mail so you can discard junk mail IMMEDIATELY
- Create a NOTEBOOK for articles and recipes so magazines don't accumulate
- Put bins and boxes on lower shelves to encourage children to PUT AWAY TOYS
- To get started organizing, put on your favorite must and tackle ONE MINI-TASK a day

For the article visit: http://users2.wsj.com/lmda/do/checkLogin?mg=evo-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB117512669991252586.html%3Fmod%3Dtodays_us_nonsub_pj

Celebrate Spring’s Arrival By Organizing

Though spring may still seem to be a distant dream to us here in the Washington, DC area, it really is on its way. To celebrate spring's arrival, take some time to clear out clutter by doing a bit of spring organizing and de-cluttering. Here are some ideas to usher in spring and get you started.

1. De-clutter your house. Get into the mood of spring by clearing out any areas of clutter that are bringing you down. Think about doing a stuff “examination” throughout the house. Look at the things you have and ask yourself whether they're really useful, whether they really make you happy, or whether you really need them. The end result will be a home full of only things that are significant or of use.

2. Lighten your paper load. Spring not only brings sundresses and flip flops but also tax returns. It's a good time to sort through your files. If you don't already have a system for filing and saving papers you need to keep (think tax returns and home records), take the time to set one up. Whatever system you choose, be sure it's easy to add to and access as needed.

3. Clear out clothing. Instead of folding an oversize sweater or heavy coat that you didn't wear once over the winter and putting them away, consider donating or selling them. If you didn't touch them this season, chances are they won't ever be an essential part of your winter wardrobe, so now's a great time to let them go.

4. Enjoy the weather. Enjoy the nice weather while at the same time doing some outside organizing. This way, you can also be accomplishing something. Clean the garage and keep the garage door open while you're doing so, so that you can enjoy the nice weather. Gather your gardening supplies in one place.

5. Make organizing fun. You can’t think of organizing as a chore. Think of it as something that will make you feel “good” about yourself and your organized home. Play some fun music and get the family involved. Then, after you've made the effort to get organized, take time to celebrate. Whether you through a party for friends or enjoy your first watermelon of the season, take pleasure in the progress you've made.

There are few rites of spring more satisfying than the annual clean or organize. It's the perfect time to embrace living an uncluttered life. For many people, however, the pleasure comes only after the work is finished. Whether you are organizing your “junk” drawer or tackling your entire house, don’t hesitate to call in the experts. Rosey’s is there it help you get a kick start on your spring organizing projects.

Wedding Organization

Weddings, like most of life’s major events, are not overwhelming as
long as you are organized. As a former bride who planned a destination wedding, I am now sharing my unique and successful methods that helped me plan my dream wedding while also keeping a balance in my life. Life is busy enough juggling a professional and a personal life and adding planning a wedding on top of everything can be overwhelming. Whether a local or destination style wedding, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you are organized!

Rosey’s is now offering professional organizing and personal shopping services for brides and all others involved throughout the wedding process including the mother of the bride, mother-in law, bridesmaid, other family member and anyone else special. Rosey’s services are different from those of a wedding planner because we will work with you hands-on to manage all the little details of your wedding organizing-from save the date lists to the important documents you need for your honeymoon and don’t want to forget. We will help you set and accomplish goals faster than you can on your own, so there is an achieved balance throughout the entire process.

Where do you begin or what do you do once you have figured out all the “big” items like the place, band and wedding coordinator? With Rosey’s guidance, professional organizing and personal shopping, we will to help you realize your wedding day dreams!

An example of the services that Rosey’s offers include:

Organizing for the bride:
- Time management solutions for planning a wedding and working full time
- Combining and organizing two households-from clothing to finances
- Organizing solutions for your office or home

Organizing for all the little details:
- Invitation Lists & Responses for all celebrations throughout the year
- Schedules for all days throughout the wedding weekend
- Shipping and Packing Lists for out of town weddings
- Honeymoon Packing Lists & documents for before & during honeymoon
- Lists for Gifts Received and Thank You Notes Sent Out

Shopping for the bride & others special to her (mother, bridesmaids, etc.):
- Engagement Parties - Bridal Showers - Honeymoons
- Rehearsal Dinners - Wedding Brunches

Shopping for all gifts:
- Bridal Shower hosts - Bridesmaids - Parents - Groomsmen - Other special people involved in the wedding


Don’t wait to contact Rosey’s to start getting organized for your wedding. It is never too late to begin feeling less stressed and more organized for your big day!

Organize in 15 Minutes or Less

Don't you just hate those organizing projects that seem to take forever? Many clients of mine just shy away from them and get totally overwhelmed just at the thought of organizing..especially if it is going to take more than 15 minutes.

Below are a few organizing fixes that you can do in 15 minutes or less. They will give you a great starting point for those larger projects and give you smaller goals that you CAN accomplish.

1. Organize Small Odds and Ends: Take things like jewelry or extra nails and screws and put them in an ice cube tray.

2. Too Many Lipsticks? Line a gift box with a thin layer of florist's foam. Using a lipstick tube, punch rows of holes in the foam; then stand the tubes label end up.

3. Put Sheets Inside Their Matching Pillowcases: This way, linens are always ready when you need/want to make a bed.

4. Corral Outgoing Mail, Bills or Take-Out Menus: Slide them into pretty napkin holders that are laying around.

5. Alphabetize and Categorize DVDS/Videos: Store them in stackable boxes with labels so you know right where to go when you want to watch one (kids, classics, etc.)

Keeping Up A Realistic Schedule for Spring Cleaning

Spring is just around the corner (I know many of us can't imagine it) and spring cleaning checklists are already starting to pop up all around us. I caution my clients to take on too many spring cleaning tasks at once and to always start slow.

After you read through your spring cleaning and organizing lists, make sure you tailor the lists to YOUR home and YOUR yard. You should create a realistic schedule, keeping in mind that a single weekend will probably not suffice and not even a few week days, if you have several involved projects. Make sure you set goals and schedule in the time they might take. If you can, try to overestimate the time it will take and you will feel better about getting it done in less time! Ah.. the feeling of accomplishment.

If you take on spring cleaning (which I recommend to all clients in some form), focus on one task at a time-whether you prefer to start in the basement or start outside. And, be sure to enlist the help of family members or other friends that you can barter services with. Happy Cleaning.

Send a Suit Clothing Drive

I am all about donating items for a good cause. One of my favorite charities,to give to, Dress For Success, is having a clothing drive called Send A Suit Clothing Drive. It is happening TODAY, Thursday, from 7:00 am- 2:00 pm.

If you are in the Metropolitan DC area, this is a great charity to give to. You can
donate gently used (or new!) items from your work wardrobe. The Clothing Drive is located at the FedEx Special Delivery truck, Capitol South Metro Station, corner of 1st & D Sts. SE.

If you can't stop by today, definitely keep this organization in mind for future donations!

Getting Overwhelmed By A Big Project..

This past week my husband and I had to pack up our condo so we could get it ready to put on the market. Since I am "the professional organizer" I took charge and instantly starting acting like I was my own client and weeded through clothing, pared down items to be put into boxes, etc.

My husband on the other hand, looked at me in the middle of all the chaos and said "Rosey (my nickname & my business name) I am overwhelmed with the clutter! I don't know where to begin because there is so much to do." I told him yes, there was a lot to get done in a short amount of time (we actually had a deadline) but to start small. Don't get overwhelmed by this huge project. Tackle something small and limited.

Below are a few other tips that I passed along to my husband during our organizing project and want to pass along to all of you.

- Tackle something small, like a bathroom drawer. This way, you'll have a sense of accomplishment you'll want to continue.

- Start off any place that will give you a fast payoff. In some parts of the house, like the garage, you can clear away large items in no time. Usually, the older the stash, the more quickly it can be cleared.

- Go for the area that drives you the most crazy. It could be your clothing closet, where you just spent 30 min. looking for your blue suit.

- Forget perfect. Perfectionists often avoid getting organized but the important thing is to start. Get paper into files so you can find a bill when you need it, for example. You can always adjust the system if it isn't working.

- Go on a treasure hunt. Instead of getting rid of junk, decide that you're preserving things you love. The positive act of searching is more effective organizing than the negative act of throwing things away. Define your search, store what you find and throw out the rest.

- Think of the end user. Make lists where you would like your unwanted items to go-whether it is a charity, a secondhand shop or selling them on Ebay. Knowing that what you discard will go to those who need or want, will make letting go of the items easier. It actually gives you PERMISSION to get rid of things. Everyone benefits!

Your To Do List

Do you find that your "to do" list just keeps getting longer instead of shorter? Do you even start adding things that belong to someone else just so they can get written down somewhere? Below are a few organizational tips on how to cross off more of your items.

- Always keep your "to do" list handy, so you can tackle a project if you find you have time to kill. For example, make a return phone call while waiting in the carpool line or clean out your purse while in your doctor's waiting room.

- Create "to do" lists that are easy to manage. There is now a FABULOUS site Gubb that is FREE and will let you create, store, manage and even share your multiple lists. They have lists for errands, books, groceries, etc. You can even text message lists to a cell phone, (yours or another). Hey what a GREAT excuse to delegate (oh honey...).

- Write your "to do's" in your datebook as if they were appointments. This will then force you to truly estimate how long a project will take you, so you will be less like to procrastinate and put it off!

How to Save on a New Men’s Suit

I feel like I have been neglecting to write on wardrobe topics for all my male clients. I recently came across an article on Sound Money Tips that is extremely helping in helping men buy a new suit. As we all know, suits can be really expensive yet on the other hand, there is nothing worse than a man in a cheap suit as it totally stands out-and you don’t want to stand out for that kind of suit. So, in this case, as in most, knowledge equals power..for the next time you are out shopping for a men’s suit.

1. Beware the Sales Guy – He’ll tell you whatever you want to hear – that everything looks great on you, that the store’s tailor can fix any suit, and that it’s a great deal. For all these reasons, you have to know as much as possible about how a suit should fit and what kind of suit you’re looking for before you walk through the retail store door.

2. Fabrics - Each fabric is different in terms of quality, durability, feel, and price. There are non-wools: linens, polyesters, microfibers and teflon. Stay away from all of these, and stick to the wools (tweed, flannel, tropical and worsted) instead. They are natural, breathe well, are durable, and stylish. They can be a little lighter or heavier, depending on the weave. With shirts and ties, one great suit can go a long way, if you can wear it year-round.

3. Style - Suits come in many different styles: American cut, full cut, and European cut; jackets with certain collars, shoulder pads, lapels, arms and sleeves, buttons, and different types of vents. Pants have different waist styles, and can be pleated and/or have cuffs. Shirts and ties vary greatly too. In general, it’s a good idea to keep it simple. You can use a suit for years if you opt for classic over trendy.

4. What’s In Store – When you’re ready to start shopping, grab a friend who will make his opinion known. It’s best to start with at a department store, where you can check out lots of different kinds of suits with different labels and a range of prices. Or, bring along a personal shopper! It’s a good idea to wear a dress shirt and shoes to the store so you’ll get an accurate idea of how it will look when worn properly.

5. Budget – Whether you end up at Hugo Boss or That Suit Place really depends on your budget. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a good suit. As a general rule, be prepared to spend a minimum of $300 on a suit. There are certain grades of quality that will factor into the price, such as invisible stitching, fine or higher twist yarn, tailoring that just looks sharp, and lining in the pants.

6. Get Fitted Properly - Just because you're shopping "off the rack" doesn't mean you shouldn't have a well-fitting suit. This is extremely important, because if your suit doesn't fit right, your money (and effort) will be completely wasted. Expect the salesperson to take all your measurements, and make sure they measure you first, and show you suits second. They should alter any part of the suit that doesn't fit exactly right. That said, there are some things that a tailor just can’t do. For instance, if your suit doesn’t fit in the shoulders, that’s a deal breaker. Salesmen may tell you they can reduce or reshape the shoulder pads, but don’t listen to them. If the pants are an inch or so too tight or too large in the waist, a tailor can usually fix them, but if it’s more than an inch, they probably can’t.

7. Not Off the Rack – Don’t rule out custom tailoring. There is nothing like the fit of a custom suit, because it was made to fit only you. Phone around for quotes, and compare prices. Ballpark, you’re looking at a minimum of $500, including the material.

Can Full and Disorganized Drawers & Closets Be Bad For Your Health?

Everyone has them.. drawers and closets that are so full they won’t quite close properly. But did you know that it might be bad for your health? According to several neuroscience professors, every time you look around and feel anxious that the mess is getting out of control, your body releases cortisol, one of the classic stress hormones.

So, let’s start with your clothing closet. Remember, that 80% of the time, we wear only 20% of our clothing. So go through your wardrobe and get rid of anything that’s one of the Four S’s: stretched, small, smelly or stained. I mean, you could try and really wash those items that are smelly or stained but haven’t you already tried and isn’t the point of this to let things go?

Tip: turn all your hangers in one direction and for the next six months, flip the hanger (and leave it flipped) when you wear something. Get rid of or donate the unused clothing.

Tip: When something new comes in, at least one thing-preferably two (if you can) must go. And really be realistic…as in, if you are a size 10, hold onto the 8s but not the 6s.

Does E-mail Actually Make Us More Productive and Organized?

I have always wondered if e-mail actually makes us more productive and organized at work. I am always in offices where I see people checking their e-mail every 5 seconds or so. People hear a little “ding” on their computer and most feel an uncontrollable urge to look. But, only about 1 and 10 messages are actually important so it turns out to be a big waste of time.

So what can you do to be more productive when it comes to email?

1. Make sure you have a junk mail filter
2. Turn off the e-mail chimes
3. Limit yourself to checking once an hour (or at least try to not break you’re your train of thought!)
4. Use precise subject headers in your outgoing emails to everyone and they will hopefully reciprocate (ex: Monthly staff meeting starting at 4:00 pm on 2/8-no need to reply)

Happy Almost Valentines Day

So, by now you have probably already bought your sweetheart a card, or chocolates or another type of Valentine Day gift. However, I wanted to make you aware of an article that was published in the New York Times in March of 2001 that might make you think twice about your current Valentine gifts. The article said that Ikea did a survey of customers in which 31% reported they were more satisfied after clearing out their closets than they were after sex!

So maybe giving the gift of organization to your sweetheart (or yourself!) this year is really something that they will truly appreciate! A great alternative to chocolates (I guess they are fattening..) or flowers (they will eventually die..).

Happy Almost Valentines Day.

This Is The Year To De-clutter Your Life (Oprah’s 2/7 Show)

So I am usually not one to religiously follow Oprah but after today’s show, I feel even more inspired about choosing to become a professional organizer. It is such a rewarding experience when you can help someone completely transform their life and today’s episode showed and explained how we work.

According to Peter Walsh, the professional organizer on today’s show, 2/3rds of all American families are living in clutter and paralyzed with where to begin. Oprah was actually shocked at this figure. However, we live in a society where more is usually seen as better so people tend to hold on to things they don’t really need but have purchased maybe because it was 2 for 1, on sale, etc. For example, as the guest couple on the show stated, they were buying things for their children because they thought it would make them happy as well as the kids. However, all the purchases just lead to more clutter.

On the show today, it was explained that physical clutter actually impacts other parts of your life. I believe this is 100% true. There are so many reasons for people why they might be disorganized at the moment or have clothing still in their closet from 20 years ago. According to Peter, there are two kinds of clutter-the “I might need it later” (future) clutter and the “I want to hold onto it” (past) clutter. So what can someone do about it? Peter says you can’t focus on the “stuff” or it will never get organized. What you need to do is focus on the behavior and think about why there actually is clutter. He stated that clutter is really the manifestation of other areas of our life.

Today’s show reinforced my feeling that clutter is always around us. The solution is to call in a professional for help when you know you can’t attack it on your own and to be honest with yourself if you really can tackle the problem.

Below are the 10 tips Peter gave on how to keep your house clutter free.
1. Tackle messes one room at a time.
2. When you buy something new, practice the "in-out rule:" For every one new item, get rid of an old one.
3. Create intimacy in the master bedroom. Remember that improvements in one room can spread to the rest of the house.
4. Make cleaning up fun for your kids.
5. Create a vision for the room you're cleaning.
6. Teach your kids how to sort.
7. Use a hanger system to determine which clothes you wear most.
8. Ask yourself if you really need something. If you hesitate, you don't.
9. Establish a "magic triangle" in your kitchen between the stove, refrigerator and the sink. Keep the items you use most in that area.
10. Identify useful utensils with the cardboard box test. (Take a cardboard box and fill it w/ all your utensils in your kitchen. When you need to use one, take it out, use it and put it back into a drawer. If after 4 weeks you still have utensils in the box, get rid of them)

Because I was so inspired by today’s show, Rosey’s is running a limited time offer for 15% off professional organizing services. Please contact for more details.

Tomorrow’s (Wed. 2/7) OPRAH Show

I have just been notified that tomorrow’s Oprah show is titled: This Is The Year to Declutter Your Life! I am so excited to see the show and encourage all of you out there to tune in or set your Tivo systems. There is already a message board for tomorrow’s topic up and running. Please check it out: Oprah Message Board

The show’s message board states “Their home looks normal from the outside…but inside! We are calling in a professional with serious ground rules and a three-step action plan! Clean-up secrets that could help you get organized, lose weight and even have more sex! This is the year to declutter your life. We'll show you how! Join the discussion.”

I am so glad that Oprah is helping to bring such an important subject like professional organization into the spotlight. There are such wonderful benefits to becoming organized and I can't wait to see what Oprah uncovers tomorrow.

Your Shopping List for 2007

Now that we have are a month into 2007 and all the pain of holiday shopping has past, we can once again think about shopping for ourselves again. Can’t we? According to Glamour Magazine, there are a few new basics that we can count on seeing a lot this year in stores.

I am all for trends but try to keep in place the rule: one thing in, one thing out, when shopping.. no need to bring in more clutter to your closet!

Try any or all these items which come in all different price ranges:
1. An oversized bag
2. Higher-waisted, slouchy pants
3. A long tunic
4. Platforms, especially in patent leather
5. A shrunken, feminine trench
6. A swingy black sheath dress
7. Slim-fit jeans

What To Do When Organizing Seems Too Exhausting

One of the main reasons clients come to me to help them organize is because it is a task that is usually too exhausting to even think about! While most people don’t think of organizing as a sport (yet!), I always remind them that organizing is actually mentally draining. In addition, organizational projects can sometimes be physically taxing.

When weeding through your belongings (paper, clothing, etc.), it often brings up emotions and memories. Each item has a past… So, instead of giving up when it becomes emotionally taxing, maybe spend the last few minutes of your project working on something less emotionally exhausting, like downsizing the clutter in the garage. Or, alternate the type of project that you’re doing--if you are working indoors switch to outdoors or if you are doing a mostly a mental task switch to a more physical task.

Winter Clothing SALES!

You know I love to hear about a good sale and yesterday I found out from Sound Money Tips that there are still plenty of deals to be had. So, take some time to browse online or in stores for winter clothing that is presently on sale. Who doesn’t love a sale??

1. Abercrombie & Fitch – Check out their 60% off clearance sale.

2. Banana Republic – The Winter Sale features 60% off select items; plus, you can get an extra 15% off orders of $50 or more via coupon code "January". Offer expires February 3.

3. FCUK – French Connection is slashing prices up to 50% – which still doesn’t mean it’s cheap. Still, they’ve got great men's coats and jackets, jeans, shirts, shoes, tees, and trousers.

4. Finishline.com – They have select men and women's footwear on clearance at up to 90% off. That puts dozens of shoes under $25. Brands include Keds, Converse, Nike, Adidas, and Puma. Sizes are limited and shipping starts at $6.99.

5. J. Crew – They have knocked up to 60% off select men's apparel and accessories during their ongoing Final Sale. Plus, coupon code "SNTL" stacks with this discount, yielding an additional 10% off with no minimum required. Shipping starts at $4.95.

6. Polo – They are slashing up to 70% off shirts, ties, suits, shorts, skirts, dresses, and assorted home items during their Winter Sale. Plus, coupon code "Winter" bags free shipping through January 31, when the offers expire.

7. Old Navy - The Old Navy Men's Super Sale offers 18 items from $1.99 to $7.99. Shipping is a flat $5. Sales tax is added where applicable.

8. Docker’s - Dockers Store is taking up to 75% off tops, sweaters, and outerwear for men, women, and boys during its Winter Clearance Sale. Shipping starts at $5.95 or is free with orders of $100 or more.