simply-org.com Blog

Spring has Sprung and I just know you are inspired to do some cleaning. Whether you are going to clear out the garage, stow-a-way the sweaters and pull out the tee shirts, or clean all the windows, the key thing is making it happen.

It is fine and well to have an intention to clean out the clutter, purge the stuff you no longer need, but that won’t make it happen.

WRITE IT DOWN!
Preferably on your calendar so that it is an appointment with yourself (or with friends and family who are recruited to help).

Many time experts agree that the secret to getting things done is to schedule it. Just having the intention won’t make it happen. Writing it down is the first step to making the commitment to get the job done.

Medicine storage is common to all of us. Follow these easy tips to better storage.

1. Purge…even before you sort, throw away the old, out-of-date medicines. The Longs in Montclair has a medical recycle program. Check with your local pharmacy or go to www.stopwaste.org for other options in Alameda County. Pour remaining medicines in to a zip-lock bag. Make sure there are no bottles or other containers with your name or any labels on them and return them to the store or hazardous waste drop off.
2. Sort what is left by user . Sort by person and keep one group for general use: Mom, Dad, older kids by name, younger kids by name or by general group, general medicines that multiple family members use like aspirin or cold med.s. Separate First Aid items into their own category.
3. Decide where to store the Medicines and First Aid: The bathroom is not always the best choice as this room can be very moist. Look for a place that is out of reach of the kids, maybe a high shelf in a linen closet is your answer. First Aid bandages, cotton, band aids and ace bandages may be placed lower so kids can help themselves while the antiseptic could go higher.
4. Store the medicines in those groupings you made earlier. Use small containers like shoe boxes or plastic bins (smaller ones) for each group and label them clearly.

Mail Tips
Paper in general is a common problem as we try to meet our organizing goals, but MAIL specifically stands out. The mail keeps replenishing 6 out of seven days a week. Here are a few key tips to reduce the stress of your mail.

1. Deal with your mail daily…don’t let it pile up. Choose a time each day and be consistent. Maybe it is while you are eating lunch, or dinner is in the oven, or at 4:00 daily. Whatever works for you is fine.

2. Be committed to make decisions immediately. The piles accumulate because of delayed decisions. The first choice is keep or toss (recycle please)…toss immediately by having a recycle can very conveniently placed where you sort your mail. I know people who sort outside the house and don’t even bring the junk in to the house. Kudos to them!
The second choice is where to put the keepers.
3. Have a destination for the items you are keeping: a box or file for bills to pay (or reconcile), a place for any items that need action (phone call, research, follow up), a place for catalogs and a place for magazines..preferably where you will look at these, like a basket next to the sofa.

If you have old piles of mail, pull out the important items (bills for example) and toss as much of the third class mail (i.e. junk mail) and old catalogs as possible. Contact me if you want some help with junk mail reduction. There are a few great resources to help you reduce your third class mail. simply-organized@sbcglobal.net

If you start with these 3 tips, you are going to get a handle on your mail flow….start today and make a change going forward.

One More Battery Drop Off

A few weeks ago I talked about convenient battery recycling drop off places: Oakland Libraries and Recreation Centers. Reader Dean reminded me that you can also recycle batteries right at your own garbage cans. You can leave your batteries in a clear separate bag on top of your gray recycle bin and they’ll be picked up on trash day. photo and coin lithium in a separate bag. Thanks Dean!

Oakland Public Works link