Tip: Store your vital documents in a lockable, fireproof, portable, container that is easy to grab and go in an emergency situation. Examples of vital documents are birth certificate, social security card, marriage license, deed to home and property, title to vehicle, military documents, and passport.
In organizing, just like real estate, it’s all about location, location, location. Where we permanently and temporarily place our belongings, papers, projects, and information, is important because it helps us find what we want when we need it. The Reach Ability Factor is a system that helps us decide the best location for things based on how frequently we use them.
We have 4 sections.
Section A: Items in this section are things we use daily, like our toothbrush, our favorite coffee mug, and underclothes. Everything in section A is easy to reach, all we have to do is reach out an grab it.
Section B: Items in this section are things we use weekly but not necessarily daily, like our workout clothes, and specific utensils or dishes. Everything in section B requires us to move a little, but still within comfortable reach.
Section C: Items in this section are things we use occasionally, like suitcases, a food processor, and extra blankets. Everything in section C requires us to exert more effort to reach, like bending down or using a step stool.
Section D: Items in this section are things we use once a year, like holiday decorations, or things you can’t part with like our wedding gown. Everything in section D would be in a remote storage area like the basement, attic, or a cabinet that is more difficult to reach.
The Reach Ability Factor is meant as a guide to help individuals evaluate the best location for their belongings. What is a perfect spot for one person is not the best spot for another. Organizing is personal.
Please note that it’s important to concentrate efforts on one’s current lifestyle and reevaluate the placement of items once a year.
©May 2013, Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® All Rights Reserved
Proud member of NAPO
Tip: Everyone should own and use a shredder. Daily shred unwanted mail and solicitations. Monthly shred unnecessary receipts and reconsiled ATM slips. Yearly, after taxes have been filed, shred old utility bills, credit card statements, and pay stubs. For a list of paper retention guidelines email me.
Please note that any guidelines listed are overruled by the advise of your personal CPA and should comply with your personal comfort level for paper retention.
I was at the National Association of Professional Organizers Conference for 5 days and guess how many pieces of mail I received? Only 9! In addition, I did receive one local newspaper and one packet of flyers. Out of those nine pieces of mail, two were really good, a check and a copy of the news article in which I was quoted. Not bad, right? Would you like to know the secret of how you can receive less mail? Below are my top 3 tips on how to reduce the amount of mail you receive:
Tip #1. Get your name removed from mailing lists for newspapers, magazines, catalogs and solicitations. Please note it can take up to 6 months to be removed from a mailing list. Some websites to try:
www.privacycouncil.org
www.junkmailstopper.com
www.dmaconsumers.org
www.catalogchoice.org
Tip #2. Go paperless with monthly statements, bills, and newsletters.
Tip #3. Go high tech and use nooks, kindles and phone apps for newspapers, magazines, etc.
© April 2013, Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer® All rights reserved
Proud member of NAPO
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I wanted to share some eco-friendly habits that I’ve personally initiated in the past few years. I added them gradually to my life, so they didn’t seem drastic or overwhelming. Maybe you’ve done the same or something similar. Please share. If you’d like more details, please just ask.
Eco-Friendly Habits:
1. Recycle more – it’s so easy to do, especially since my town offers all-in-one curbside weekly
pick up.
2. Stopped buying water bottles. Instead I use Tupperware refillable bottles.
3. Stopped buying paper napkins. Instead I use cloth napkins. My nieces and nephews love it, and it’s usually their first exposure to cloth napkins.
4. Use reusable shopping bags more often. I used to just use them at the grocery store. Now I use them everywhere, when I remember, but the more I do it the more I remember.
5. Use reusable produce bags.
6. Stopped buying saran wrap. Hate the stuff. Instead I use my reusable produce bags.
7. Started a compost bin. I purchased it from my town hall.
8. Use rain barrels. I also purchased them from my town hall.
9. Use the water that collects in my de-humidifier to water my plants.
10. Use on-line bill pay and went paperless with as many bills and statements that I could. Some times it’s the little things that have the most impact.
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