Many people toy with the idea of hiring a professional organizer but don’t follow through because they believe they can do it themselves.  We agree—in many circumstances, you can.   The benefit of hiring a professional organizer from Life Organized is that we can expedite the process and bring new ideas and solutions to the table. 

If you are not yet ready to work with a professional organizer, you can get started yourself with some of our favorite suggestions and organizational tips. 

Good luck!

Too much mail? 

• Catalogs: Call and cancel all unwanted catalogs (you will need the customer number and source code on the back of the catalog). When canceling, request that they not sell your name! This will decrease the number of catalogs you will receive in the future.

• Pesky credit card offers:  By registering with https://www.optoutprescreen.com/opt_form.cgi your name will be removed from unsolicited credit card and insurance offers, cutting down on unwanted mail and clutter.



• Marketing mailing lists:  By registering with Direct Mail Association’s Mail Preference Service, https://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailing, your name will be removed from the majority of direct-mail lists.

On-line shopping:

• Container Store:  While there are currently none of these fabulous stores in Arizona, it continues to be an excellent on-line source for both ideas and actual shopping. http://www.containerstore.com/

• Ikea:  Great storage solutions at reasonable prices.  http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/

• See Jane Work: Fun and funky items for the office.  http://www.seejanework.com

Financial matters:

• What to keep:  With statements and receipts piling up from banks, investments, services and the government, it’s often not clear which documents to keep and for how long.  In the absence of direction, many people keep everything!  The following websites offer some excellent guidelines on what to keep, where, and for how long. Together they cover just about every scenario. Please note that these websites are recommended only as a guideline; for specific advice, please consult your attorney or accountant.

  http://www.ricedelman.com/planning/basics/whattokeep.asp

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/mtg/20000518h.asp

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p552/index.html

• Avoid identify theft: Reviewing your credit report frequently is an important tool in being vigilant against identity theft. A free credit report is available once a year from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/. Instead of getting all three at once, get a different one each quarter. This ensures that there have been no changes throughout the year.

Services:

• Junk removal:  Finally ready to clean out your attic, garage, or basement but daunted by the idea of what to do with the discards?  http://1800gotjunk.com will load and dispose of your unwanted stuff.  They’ll even sweep up afterwards!  

• Recycle old computer hardware:  Looking to get rid of computer hardware (PCs, notebooks, monitors, ink and laser printers, PDAs and networking equipment) that are too old to donate but don’t know where to recycle it?  http://www.hp.com/recycle will pick up equipment at your door for a minimal fee (to cover pick-up and recycling costs) and recycle it!   Check out the website for further information on packing suggestions and costs.

• Storage of electronics and all those cords:  In the media age, every household has amassed an astounding number of electronic gizmos—each with their own cables, cords, and plugs.  An easy storage solution is to put each one in a separate gallon-sized, labeled plastic zipper storage bag.  Then place all the bags in a clear storage bin and keep it handy for easy access.  The next time you need to replace your digital camera batteries or dig out your video camera charger, you will find all the accessories you’ll need with ease.

• Memory blankets:  Can’t bear to part with those darling, out-grown baby clothes?  Don’t have the space to store everything?  Consider a memory blanket made of special clothes and hats.  Now it can be a child’s blanket—later, it’s a keepsake for the next generation.  This is also a great way to incorporate special baby items that your parents saved for you—think how special a multi-generational blanket would be!  One option for this service can be found at:  http://willowcreekbaby.com/WCBhome.html