The Washer and Dryer Ate My Socks

Happy Mid Week Readers! I want to continue to challenge those who have been following my blogs this week or newly challenge those who are reading today’s blog only. Monday I asked you to clean out a shirt drawer. Yesterday I told you to clean out the refrigerator. Today I want you to throw out any socks that don’t have a companion!! TODAY! DO IT!

No matter how careful I am, I still lose a sock here and there. I’ll hold on it for a little while (at least till laundry is done and the hamper is empty) and then see if it shows up. Sometimes its does and sometimes it doesn’t and I used to hold on to them forever. I would have a drawer full of mismatched socks! Just taking up space! Does that happen to you?  Well no more. Unless you are going to wear two different socks to work, I say throw them out!!!! You can always by new socks.

Its things like this that add up and make clutter happen. Soon you don’t have space for the stuff that really matters. So today THROW OUT SOCKS THAT DON’T HAVE A MATE!

Its Expired!!!

Hello my friends! I have another challenge for you today! Its similar to yesterdays challenge Hole-y Moley. This time i want everyone reading this to go into the refrigerator! If you are at home, do it NOW! If you are at work, do it later when you get home! OR if you are in charge of the fridge at work, do it too!

Go shelf by shelf and then the drawers and throw out anything that is expired, mushy, smelly, and discolored. If there are spills, get a wet cloth and wipe it!

How long did it take you? Do you have more room? How do you feel?

Spring cleaning can start small but any movement is good!

Hole-y Moley!

I encourage everyone who is reading this post to do this TODAY! You can do it RIGHT now if you are at home. Or do it after work when you get home! Pick a drawer in bedroom or closet that has shirts in it and go through that drawer and take out and set aside any shirt that is ripped, stained, torn to pieces, stretched out, too tight and only put back in shirts that are in good and/or semi-good condition. 

Take the new pile you made and either cut the shirts and make into rags for cleaning and dusting or throw away! If while going through this drawer, you pulled out shirts that are decent but you just dont where anymore, then donate or give away!  DO it!!! Just ONE drawer!!!!

How does it feel? (Good?) Do you have more room? ( probably) How long did it take you to do that? ( not that long) If you feel compelled too, pick another drawer and do the same thing. OR on another day, do it again! Spring Cleaning can start small. Any movement is good! DO it today!

My favorite Fabric Softener!

Suavitel!!! My favorite! Just want to share with you all! 

Click on the highlighted portion of this sentence and you can see my blog about it on the parent blog TheSuperOrganizerUniverse.com

HOPE

I’m Just Not Sure

Are you feeling stuck? Or trapped? Or tired of a situation that you feel has gone on too long?

Do you think you might have the solution? Chances are …you do! Many of the solutions to our problems are in your brain already. As a Certified Life Coach, I would assist you on getting that information to the fore front. With asking carefully crafted questions and being present in our discussion, I will watch you unlock the key to your path. You know what’s best for YOU. I want to be there when you have a strong commitment to yourself and you invite the change.

For questions/more details contact me at thesuperorganizer.com

Shower-Caddys Are Your Friend

I am a big fan of the shower-caddy! I’ve always had one in every bathroom I’ve had as an adult. They give you space in your bathroom and lessen clutter. They are convenient and make the shampoos, soaps, body washes more easily accessible to you while in the shower/bathtub. Also it keeps like items grouped together. There are many different types of caddies to choose from and there are several types to fit your needs.

Under The Bed

I’m a fan of using the space under the bed for storage. In some spaces, it is necessary to use under the bed to store items such as toys, sweaters, pictures, etc. I lived in what they called an efficiency. It was a studio apartment without a real kitchen. I had to be creative with my storage space and under the bed worked really well for me.  OF course, I say this with the understanding that its needs to be neat and organized under there.

You can get those giant zipped type plastic bags where you hook up the vacuum and it sucks the air out. You can store A LOT that way! Also there are different size plastic containers that can slide in and out from under the bed. And of course some beds come with drawers underneath for storage.

One place to start looking is thecontainerstore.com

Backup Your Photos!!

If you don't hear anything else I tell you this week, then please listen to me now! BACKUP YOUR PHOTOS!!!

I just lost about 200 photos that were on my phone! I don't know how. I dont know why! They are gone! I'm really sad. I back up photos on my iPod and iPad to the iCloud. I take the photos off my computer and have copies on my external hard drive and on some external memory sticks. But for some reason i didnt set up automatic backup on my Samsung phones. AND now my photos are gone!

Each of the phone systems have easy to set up backup systems. I have now done that for my Samsung Galaxy Note 3.  So if you care about your memories and what to be able to look at them, BACKUP YOUR PHOTOS!

Happy Easter

If you celebrate Easter, then Happy Day today! I ran across this blog post that you can check out and use for next year!  Click on the this: bullocksbuzz.com to see this fun post on Easter Eggs! Enjoy!

Great Discount Store for Organizing Supplies in NYC

A Mid Week Tip!

You're busy. A lot of you are halfway through the  work week (or school week). Here is something to think about:

Receipts! I suggest you all get a box, or a basket, or a folder, or a giant envelopes or a jar and give a place to all receipts! Each time you come home, take the receipts out of your purse, bag, pocket, or wallet and put in that designated place. The main goal is to keep all receipts together.

Then either at the end of each week or month go through and organize them. I have a spreadsheet and I enter them in.  I like spreadsheets because you can set it up to continuously add up your number so you know at at moment how much you've spent. Also you can create many categories. My tax man says electronic is the way to go. Or you can have a ledger and write them in. (I used to do both.) Some people don't trust technology to hold their records.

Either way you have organized records. I am realistic that not everyone can do the entering every day or every time they spend money. So again, the goal is too keep all receipts you need for your taxes NEXT year in one place and not lose anything. It will save you time later trying to locate a certain receipt too.

Who's Birthday is it?!

Whenever I run across a sale or special on greeting cards, I spend the money and buy a bunch for all the different occasions I might need one for (birthdays, Mothers day, Christmas, Administrative Assistants Day) I have a medium size box that has all the cards neatly in it. You can also store them in a folder or one of those accordian folders and label each sleeve for a different occasion.

I'll usually go after each holiday and see what's left and usually they are 75% off or more. I have a large family and friend base, so it comes in handy for me. And it saves on time of shopping for a card EACH time!

Guess What Tomorrow Is...

What You Should Know if You Need More Time to File Your Taxes

IRS Tax Tip 2014-52, April 10, 2014

The April 15 tax deadline is approaching. What happens if you can’t get your taxes done by the due date? If you need more time, you can get an automatic six-month extension from the IRS. You don’t have to explain why you’re asking for more time. Here are five important things to know about filing an extension:

1. File on time even if you can’t pay.  If you complete your tax return but can’t pay the taxes you owe, do not request an extension. Instead, file your return on time and pay as much as you can. That way you will avoid the late filing penalty, which is higher than the penalty for not paying all of the taxes you owe on time. Plus, you do have payment options. Apply for a payment plan using the Online Payment Agreement tool on IRS.gov. You can also file Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request, with your tax return. If you are unable to make payments because of afinancial hardship, the IRS will work with you.
2. Extra time to file is not extra time to pay.  An extension to file will give you six more months to file your taxes, until Oct. 15. It does not give you extra time to pay your taxes. You still must estimate and pay what you owe by April 15. You will be charged interest on any amount not paid by the deadline. You may also owe a penalty for not paying on time.
3. Use IRS Free File to request an extension.  You can use IRS Free File to e-file your extension request. Free File is only available through the IRS.gov website. You must e-file the request by midnight on April 15. If you e-file your extension request, the IRS will acknowledge receipt. You also can return to Free File any time by Oct. 15 to prepare and e-file your tax return for free.
4. Use Form 4868.  You can also request an extension by mailing a Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. You must submit this form to the IRS by April 15. Form 4868 is available on IRS.gov.     
   
   You don’t need to submit a paper Form 4868 if you make a payment using an IRS electronic payment option. The IRS will automatically process your extension when you pay electronically. You can pay online or by phone.
5. Electronic funds withdrawal.  If you e-file an extension request, you can also pay any balance due by authorizing an electronic funds withdrawal from your checking or savings account. To do this you will need your bank routing and account numbers.

Visit IRS.gov for more information about filing an extension and the many options you have to pay your taxes.

Filing In Reverse

All of my papers/documents in file folders start with most current and then go backwards in time!

Usually if you need to reference an item, it's usually the most recent you need to look for. Also keeping the files in that reverse order makes it easier to search through and when its time to throw out old files, you start from the back. Easier to find!

Create Folders Immediately

I'm ALL about pulling out from my stack of empty folders a folder when i have a new client or a new project or a new bill source. I like to have a place for it already. It keeps me organized NOW rather than sorting through tons of papers later and trying to create files. Keep you working smarter than harder!

More Reasons To Get Organized

I will keep trying to convince all of you out there that being organized is THE BEST! Here are some reasons why:

Less spending time for locating things.

Setting a good example to others.

Gaining a sense of self-control.

Make more money and spend less money.

More time to do the things you like. Hobbies, sports, TV, friends.

Stress and frustration will be reduced.

More time for the kids and/or partner.

No more feeling overwhelmed.

Clean spaces.

More room.

Helping the environment.

You may have more reasons and some may be very specific to YOU. But this is some examples of how NOT being organized doesn't benefit you! So lets get organized!!!!

Before The Purge: Check With Your Tax Professional First!

Papers Papers Papers Papers!! Doesn't it seem like papers multiply like rabbits?! Papers can be a nuisance yet some papers are important and necessary!Tax season is in a last few weeks and I'm all about the purge, but before you do so:

Certain papers and documents and files are to be kept for a certain number of years. Check your tax professional, accountant, office manager, whomever handles this and make sure you keep the right files. Once you do than you can file them away OR put them in storage (labelled of course) and purge the rest!!!

Becoming Detached Can Be Good Sometimes

We are attached in many ways. But I'm talking about attachment to "things". And I'm specifically talking about when the attachment is so heavy that it negativity affects how you live in your space!

We all know that attachment comes from the mind first. We condition ourselves to be attached to things for so many different reasons that it sometimes clouds our judgment. So here is something I learned:

"Releasing yourself from attachments is the only way to maneuver through your daily struggles without suffering constantly."-Nicole Grace 

Seeing Is Believing!

People are used to getting something tangible when they shell out money for services or goods. Folks like to "see" what they are getting. Luckily with Professional Organizing Services you get to "see" and "feel" what you paid for! You get tangible proof right before your eyes if the service was worth what you paid.

The Super Organizer has a sliding scale of pricing. Goto thesuperorganizer.com for details and services and contacts.

http://thesuperorganizeruniverse.com/2014/04/02/whats-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-i-get-rid-of-that/

The Joke's On You!

Happy Post April Fool's Day! As you look around your space (office, cubicle, home, apartment, car) right now, does it look different than the day before? How about two days ago? A week ago? If you answered yes or worse, and the space you are looking at is NOT organized or clean, then its time to START!

I know you can do it!!! I'm doing it! I looked at my walk in closet. Its a mess because I'm preparing for a month long, cross country trip and i was pulling things out. AND I wasn't the most neat while doing it....BUT its time for me to START!!!

Make April the month you start to add organization to your life! Its worth it!!

If you need help or have questions, contact me at thesuperorganizer.com

Codes Of A Professional Organizer

 There are some codes that I practice as a professional organizer:

•  To use my knowledge and skills of organizing to the best of my ability to help my clients.
• To keep the highest standard of ethics.
• To treat my clients with courtesy and a positive attitude.
• To make every effort to keep all appointments and be on time.
• To be non-judgemental of my clients situation.
• To represent my services accurately and honestly.
• To promote the benefits of organization.
• To seek knowledge and high learning in the organizing field.
• To try and be a role model in the field of organizing.
• To refuse work from anyone I feel I'm not qualified to help and suggest others qualified in the particular area needed.

Also see thesuperorganizeruniverse.com