Tag Archive for: de-clutter

storage units

Storage Units – Good or Bad Solution

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Helpful Organizer BlogWould you consider your home to be an average American home? Do you think you have just as much stuff as your neighbors? Do you rent any storage units? Would you believe that there are 300,000 items in the average American home? (Becoming Minimalist) That’s a large number of possessions to have, store, maintain, and organize.

Where are people keeping all their stuff? Two of the most common options are in their own homes, or in a rented, off-site storage facility. Actually, the average American home has converted 3 or more spaces into make-shift storage units. (SpareFoot) On the other hand, the self storage industry is a booming business, reaching an annual revenue of 22 billion dollars in 2016. (Statistic Brain Research Institute)$22billion According to an LA Times article, there are 51,000 storage facilities in America, which is more than four times the number of McDonald’s.

Before considering another option, let’s ask the question, “Are storage units a good or bad solution?” Do they just allow us to acquire and hold onto more stuff, or do they serve a helpful role in storing our belongings ? In my opinion, I think there are two legitimate reasons for using storage units.

  • Storage units are a good idea when they help us through transitions in life. Some of those transitions may be when we’re selling a house, moving long distance, or cleaning out an estate.
  • Storage units are a good idea when they are used as temporary holding place for belongings. Some situations when a temporary holding place is needed may be when we’re dealing with a flooded basement, undergoing home renovations, or making decisions on inherited belongings.

Unfortunately, most storage units start off as temporary but become long-term. So, is there another option? I think there is. Live with less stuff. It’s estimated that we use 20% of what we own, 80% of the time (Pareto Principle). That leaves plenty of room for editing and reducing. I know it can be difficult to make decisions on what to keep or not keep, so here are some helpful suggestions:Live with less = less stress

 

 

©October 2017  Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer  All Rights Reserved

 

 

tossing items

Permission to throw away

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Organizing tipGive yourself permission to throw away anything that is broken, damaged, rusty, bug-infested, mildewed, torn, stained, or incomplete. Toss these items without hesitation. You’ll get rid of clutter and free up some space.

recucle, reduce, reuse

Focus on Editing

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Focus on Editing
Recycle Resource
Side Notes:

I was on TV. It was only a local cable TV show, but it was still a trill. The show was the Veteran’s Forum where I shared how I help individuals get and stay organized. Want to see the half hour interview?

***  Have you ever heard of Facebook Yard Sale? It is an on-line community for selling items. You can search your local area to see if there is one in your neighborhood. You do have to have a Facebook account.

***  Question:  Do you consign anything? If so, what and where? Please share.

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How are you enjoying your summer? Hope all is well with you. I mentioned in my last newsletter that I was excited for my big summer trip. My husband and I went on a South African Safari. It was truly amazing! The baby rhinos and giraffe were adorable. Our elephant encounter, where we touched and fed them, was the highlight of my trip. I enjoyed everything but the 15 hour flight (one way). If you’d like more detail, I’d be happy to share some of my 1600 photos. I was definitely shutter happy!
  Focus on Editing

While working with clients, much of our focus is on editing. I define editing as the process of evaluating what we have, and getting rid of stuff that no longer serves us. To assist in this process I’ve written several blog articles. Here are a few I thought you’d find helpful.

In my personal life I’ve also been focusing on editing. I donate as much as I can, but I’ve also used consignment shops for items that fit the requirements. Below are clothing and product-based consignment shops I’ve used with success.

Twice the Diva in North Attleboro, MA

Consignments on the Common (also known as Let’s Consign) in Foxboro, MA

Thrifty Witch in Bellingham, MA
Recycle Resource

Finding new ways to reuse, recycle, and reduce for myself and my clients, makes me happy. Everyone is more motivated to get rid of something when they know it is going to someone who will really use it. At New Life they do just that.

One of my class attendees told me about New Life Furniture Bank of MA, this great resource is in Walpole, MA. It is a charitable organization that accepts tax-deductible donations of furniture and household items, warehouses them, and then makes them available at no charge to those in need. You can’t get more worthy than that. Please consider New Life the next time you have something to donate.
From,

Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®
(508)-699-6652
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If you’ve worked with me in any capacity, I’d be grateful for a review.  Simply click on this link and answer 3 questions.  Thank you and happy organizing!

Pocketbook Editing

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Organizing tipHow often do you go through your pocketbook and get rid of all that can be tossed? Do you wait until you find yourself sifting through a crumpled mess of old receipts and candy wrappers? Do you hold off until your arm gets sore from hefting all that loose change that’s fallen to the bottom of your bag? Or, do you simply switch your wallet and cell phone to a different pocketbook when the mess gets too cumbersome to deal with?

What about the kid’s backpacks? How often do you sort through those? What about the fridge, medicine cabinet, or pantry? What about your closet, dresser, or nightstand? I’m not going to mention mail, files, coupons, recipes, or other paper. That’s a whole new topic.

Taking time to sort through and get rid of stuff helps us stay organized. By editing the contents of our pocketbooks (and all those other areas mentioned or not mentioned) we perform an important step in the organizing process, the discard and remove step. By removing what is not wanted, needed, or used, we’re able to spend less time searching for stuff. We’re also able to easily notice when something needs to be replaced, mended, or renewed.

One important factor to consider is the frequency in which we edit. If it takes a week for those receipts to become a crumpled mess, then weekly edits need to take place. If not the mess becomes very frustrating. To help reduce our stress with a disorganized, overstuffed pocketbook (or other area) timely edits are necessary. What would you consider timely? Once a week? Every other week? Once a month?

Whatever time frame you use, consistency in editing is another important factor. Creating the habit of going through your pocketbook every week (or whatever time frame you use) helps you stay organized. It also helps reduce your stress and frustration, and helps your ability to find what you want when you need it. Worthwhile benefits. Wouldn’t you agree?

©July 2017  Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer®  All Rights Reserved

 

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Reduce Clutter

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Organizing tipEliminate duplicates to reduce clutter. Why have ten of something, if three will do? Why have three of something, if one will do? Look around your home for duplicates. How many can you eliminate? To prevent the need to purchase duplicates in the first place, have an assigned home for items that tend to get misplaced or lost. Label each assigned home to clearly identify it’s location.