Out of Whack

Throwing my Amazon return in the basket, I hopped on my bike and rode to the UPS store. While cruising home, I hit a little bump. Suddenly there was a terrible noise. My bike went crazy and came to an abrupt stop. My first thought was—thank you God that I didn’t fall! 

My second thought—what just happened? I discovered my bike basket was now attached to my front wheel. The wheel frame was bent out of whack, and the fenders had closed onto my tire causing the standstill. 

People walked, rode, and skated by as I waited for my husband to rescue me. A couple asked if I needed help, but no one asked why there was a bike basket attached to the side of my wheel. A strange sight indeed.

Sometimes things get out of whack in our homes quickly—busy holidays, a new baby arrives, a sudden surgery, etc. Other times it’s a slow process of “I’ll just put this here for now.”

Enough stuff in the wrong places creates a standstill. You can’t walk into your walk-in closet. You can’t find the items you need. You can’t put away the groceries because there’s no room. 

My experience reminded me that when things get out of whack, it’s important to get them back where they belong to move forward.

January is a great month to start fresh with putting and keeping things in their place. Here are five Timely Tips to help make that happen. 

Timely Tips to break the standstill

Narrow your focus

• Choose a day, time, and small area to begin.

• Look for a place that’s out of whack. Maybe it’s a drawer, your car trunk, or the coat closet.

• Save the garage and other large projects for after you’ve conquered your smaller ventures.

Set the stage 

• Some people need music playing, a cup of coffee in hand, or a partner to anchor them to the task.

• Set a timer for breaks.

• Label bags or boxes—trash, recycle, donate, and relocate. 

Sort the stuff

• Pick up each item and place it in the appropriate bag/box, or let it stay if it belongs. 

• For a “Keep or Toss” list click here.

Finish the job

• Toss the trash.

• Relocate items that don’t belong.

• Place the donations in your car for drop-off.

• Set in place and containerize items that belong in that area. 

Reset regularly

• Life is messy. You’ll have bumps in the road that knock things out of whack.

• Commit to a regular time to set things back in place.

• A daily ten-minute tidy, means less to reset. 

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wise words

Being organized is all about the ABCs: Awareness and Action, Balance and Beliefs, Choices and Consistency.  –Tanya Allason

Ants in the Angel

Our Christmas tree is a memory maker and keeper. Twenty-five years ago, our musical angel ornament began playing randomly—even without the “on” button pushed. We discovered it was home to a nest of ants while on their way to an ornament of the edible variety. After a thorough cleaning, the angel found its way back to the tree. Each year as I hang this angel, I think of the mystery music.

Today while adorning our tree, there are many memory triggers—glittered popsicle stick stars my preschoolers made decades ago. Years of handmade ornaments from my sister-in-law. The miniature Coleman lantern in memory of a dear friend who passed. A San Francisco trolley car and Mickey ornaments remind me of family trips. And, of course, 40 years of picture ornaments which now warrant a tree of their own. 
                  
Ours is an eclectic tree harboring an abundance of memories that are sweet to recall. If preserving memories is of value to you, here are three Timely Tips to make that happen. 

Timely Tips to preserve memories

This cross-stitch picture from my Aunt Dorothy has a story to tell of the special connection between my family, theirs, and my in-laws. 

VIDEO  

• Once your home is decorated, grab your phone and roam the house looking for ornaments and other decorations that have special meaning.

• Take video of them while sharing why they're significant to you.

• Have your kids identify and share about their own special items and memories.

• Show the video on your TV or computer at Christmas and save it on a flash drive for each family member. 

PHOTO BOOK

• Photograph the special items (yours and your kids’)

• Type out the memories that go along with them.

• During the holidays collect photos of your gatherings and activities (ticket stubs/programs/etc.)

• Create an online photo book using Mixbook, Vistaprint, Shutterfly, Snapfish, etc. 

Although I failed this year, I try to create a photo book of the previous Christmas before another Christmas comes around. We keep a shelf of our Christmas photo books accessible during the holidays to view and reminisce together. 

As my kids were growing I was no Creative Memories expert, but here's a page from a Christmas scrapbook that included a copy of our Christmas letter. (I was a little more creative back then) The bottom photo triggers a memory of having a terrible soar throat but not passing up the opportunity to walk the decorated Huntington Boulevard with my fam. 

JOURNAL/SCRAPBOOK 

If you’d prefer steering clear of the digital mode, there’s always good ‘ole scrapbooking. Unless you’re a Creative Memories expert, you may want to opt for a book with prompts and specific places to record your memories. Our Christmas Story: A Modern Christmas Memory Book by Korie Herold, can be purchased on Amazon. 

Image by Deborah Hudson from Pixabay

Of all the special holiday memories, I’m most thankful for the record of the first Christmas that Luke carefully investigated and recorded.

“So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” Luke 2:4-12       

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wise words

But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19

A Lasting Legacy

This morning I got word that one of my beloved clients, a veteran of the Vietnam war, passed away. Today is November 11, 2024—Veterans Day. It’s a fitting tribute to Kent McNatt who not only served his country but served other veterans, volunteering his time and efforts to honor and support them. 

With permission from his family, I'd like to share a little about this kind man. As a high school history teacher, he used his platform to engage students in learning about veterans through an annual event he put on called Veterans Appreciation Day. For many of his students, this was their first opportunity to talk with veterans about their experiences—even with those in their own family.

As we organized his memorabilia, I had the privilege of reading some of his students’ responses to that experience. His will be a lasting legacy of instilling understanding and gratitude toward those who sacrificed for the freedom we so easily take for granted. 

In this season of Thanksgiving, it’s appropriate to take time to reflect on the leaders, soldiers, and civilians who played a role in developing and preserving the United States of America. It is through the sacrifice of many that we have much.

Remembering with Gratitude

The American Revolution
Thousands of soldiers and civilians endured hardship, disease, and death in battles such as Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and Yorktown—fighting for freedom. Under British law, the signers of the Declaration of Independence were committing treason against the Crown. These men lost fortunes and status and faced personal attacks and threats. 

We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. – Benjamin Franklin, (1706-1790)

Photo by Pixabay

The Abolitionist Movement and the Civil War
Abolitionists like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and William Lloyd Garrison endured persecution, violence, and arrest in their campaign to end slavery. The Civil War cost the lives of approximately 620,000 people. President Abraham Lincoln faced intense criticism and personal danger, ultimately giving his life for the Union and for the cause of equality.

If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning. --Frederick Douglass, abolitionist, former slave (1818-1895)

Photo by Edmond Dantès on Pexels

The Women’s Suffrage Movement 
Securing voting rights for women was another significant battle. Suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul sacrificed personal security, enduring ridicule, imprisonment, and even force-feeding during hunger strikes. The fruit of their labor was the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. 

I know nothing of man’s rights, or woman’s rights; human rights are all that I recognize. --Sarah Moore Grimke (1792-1873)

Photo purchased from iStock

World War I and World War II 
For every soldier who paid the ultimate price there’s a family who also paid dearly. During World War I, nearly five million Americans served, with thousands losing their lives in overseas combat. During World War II, over 400,000 American soldiers died, and millions more were wounded, both physically and psychologically. To support the war effort, civilians at home endured rationing and labor shortages.

The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation. --George Washington (1732-1799)

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In subsequent wars we have not always honored our veterans. Kent was faithful to appreciate and esteem all those who served our country. We would do well to follow his example. 

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wise words

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. --John F. Kennedy

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I am grateful for my dear friend, Kent. I am grateful for all those who have stood bravely with him to ensure the freedom we enjoy in the United States of America. 

New Phase, New Home-- Practicing What I Preach

Some endings are subtle. The last time you kept in touch with a friend who moved away. The last time you tucked your children in at night or read their favorite book. The last time you made lasagna from scratch before letting Costco do the work. 

Other endings, not so subtle. Last month, I locked the door and said goodbye to the house we lived in for 44 ½ years. A house we built with the help of family and friends. 

A year ago, I had no idea it would be our last Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter there. I suppose in a way, those were subtle endings. 

We're so grateful for the wonderful memories raising our family in Madera Ranchos. We’re grateful too for another young family to now enjoy the house and community in that space. 

Ironically, I had scheduled two Rightsizing your Home and Belongings presentations for September, before I knew we would be in the throes of a move ourselves. 

These are some of the “practice what I preach” ideas that helped us accomplish a downsize from first entertaining the idea on June 19th to selling, buying, and moving into a brand-new house by September 19th.

Timely Tips for rightsizing

STOP AND CONSIDER. 

• What size home and yard is appropriate for your current phase of life?

• What location aligns best with your priorities?  

• Are you needing a place with more services provided?

• What’s the cost verses benefit of making a move?

• Why might now be the best timing? 

As we near retirement age, we were ready for less yard due to use, cost, and maintenance.

The benefits of moving included becoming more energy efficient and regulating our living expenses. With Prop 19, being 55+, and buying a smaller less expensive place, we were able to roll over our property tax rate.

Finding a home close to our church and community was a priority.

In general, moving aligned with our goal of simplifying life. 

Rightsizing to the perfect fit

KEEP THE TREASURES. If everything’s precious, nothing’s precious.

• Sort through and identify the things you need, use, and love.

• Keep those that will fit comfortably in your new space and support your current phase of life.

• Ensure you have your important records in order and purge what’s not needed. 

Prepping our house for showing, helped me identify the things I use. Those got to stay inside. Things we use infrequently moved to the garage temporarily, and things we no longer used were donated.

I realized I wasn’t living as lean as I could be. After the move, some things we lived without access to for a couple months also became donations. 

A few large items we loved didn’t make the cut. Although that was hard, and our granddaughters haven’t quite forgiven us for replacing our piano with a keyboard, I’m grateful on this end that our new place isn’t crowded with furniture. 

A project that was on my “when I’m retired” list was purging my large three-drawer lateral cabinet of business and personal files. I rightsized to an open-topped rolling file cart that fits in my new office closet. The printer sits on top and a few infrequently accessed file bins are stored in the garage. 

More donations after the move

ORGANIZE THE PROCESS. 

• Create folders for categories: House Sale, House Purchase, Service Providers, Items to Purchase/Receipts, Checklists, and Timeline.

• Keep these together in a portable file tote or briefcase.  

There was much to keep track of. I set up matching digital folders for the things I could save electronically. 

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Rightsizing doesn’t always mean a move, but it does mean paring down to create a comfortable environment with easy access to what you need and use.

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wise words

Home lies in the things you carry with you everywhere, and not the ones that tie you down. -Pico Iyer

Family Matters

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.”  Francis Chan

As the new school year begins, schedules pick up pace. It’s easy for families to succumb to the urgent and forfeit the important. What keeps families on track?

Businesses have mission statements, staff meetings, and standard operating procedures. Classrooms have Grade Level Objectives, designated teaching times, and routines that provide order and structure. Families have…well?

In his book The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family Patrick Lencioni says, “…most of us go about leading and managing our families with almost no formal context. We don’t take time to explicitly decide who we are, what we stand for, what we want, and how we’re going to go about succeeding and thriving as a family.”

He says families don’t often think about the need for planning and strategy and don’t consider the cost of chaos. 

It’s impossible to inoculate your family from every challenge, but like well-managed companies and classrooms, families that plan are more successful than those that fly by the seat of their pants.

For your family to thrive, here are three Timely Tips. 

Timely Tips for family matters

KNOW WHAT REALLY MATTERS

• What type of young adults are you hoping to launch down the road?

• What are the most important character traits and abilities you want your children to have?

• What values does your family hold in high regard?

• What do you want them to take with them—good memories, skills, faith?

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

COMMUNICATE WHAT REALLY MATTERS - We are intentional about teaching our children many things—walking and talking, riding a bike, chewing with their mouths closed.

• Don’t rely on the important things being caught and not taught.

• Have a designated family time on a regular basis.

• Make it fun and meaningful with activities, snacks, and time to talk about what really matters. 

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

BUILD ROUTINES THAT MATTER

• Create morning, after school, and evening routines that include time for personal care, chores, rest, play, homework, prep for the next day, etc.

• Be as specific as necessary with start/stop times.

• Schedule family mealtimes (without devices/tv).

• Download  family conversation starters to use at dinner.

For more information on the benefits of family dinners and the research behind it visit: Family Meals Movement

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wise words

A good, simple plan that can be implemented quickly is better than a perfect one that takes months and years to put into practice. --Patrick Lencioni

What difference does it make?

I love my husband. I have many reasons, but one is that he cleans the filter on my hair dryer. It’s one of those little maintenance things that doesn’t take a lot of time, but could potentially (worst case scenario), save my hair from catching on fire. I appreciate that. 

There are lots of things we do that aren’t arduous, but if left undone can have adverse effects. If you neglect spending 30 minutes getting your oil changed every few months, you might need a new car engine. If you neglect daily dental hygiene habits, you may end up with tooth pain and big dental bills. Changing the batteries in your smoke alarm is fast and easy, but if neglected it could be a matter of life and death.  

Today's Timely Tips may not save your life, but they will enhance it. 

Timely Tips that make a difference

Photo by Adrienne Andersen

MAKE YOUR BED

• Every day. It’s a fast (1 1/2 minutes) and easy way to create a little order.

• It gives you a sense of control and sets the tone for the rest of the room. 

• The National Sleep Foundation survey found that those who make their beds are 19% more likely to say they regularly get a good night’s sleep.

• A made-up bed creates a more restful environment at the end of the day. 

Following one of my classes, a woman told me she let things go to the point of chaos after her husband died. One day she decided to make her bed every day. She was thrilled to report that was the start to success in regaining control over the rest of her home. 

Photo by Abstrakt Xxcellence Studios

PROCESS THE MAIL

• Daily is best. Once you let a couple days go by, it’s like leaving a few clothes on the chair in your bedroom, they invite more.

• Be ruthless--recycle/shred everything that doesn’t fit the criteria of something you need to file, act on, or read. 

• Have containers for each category you’re keeping.

No more frantically searching through multiple piles for important papers, finding uncashed checks, or losing bills. Ahhh, peace of mind.

Photo by Andrew Relf on Unsplash

PLAN YOUR MEALS
This is going to take longer than making your bed, but your body will thank you. When we wait until we’re on our way home, tired and hungry, we’re more apt to choose packaged and fast foods. 

• Start small so you don't get overwhelmed. Plan 2-3 meals/week.

• Make your grocery list at the same time and purchase the items needed.

• Meal planning reduces the “What’s for dinner?” stress and provides an opportunity for nutritious eating and healthier bodies.

Photo by Pineapple Supply Co.

CLEAN OFF YOUR DESK
Researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute published a study showing that clutter is distracting. It inhibits our ability to focus. 

• Spend the last 15 minutes of each day putting things away. 

• Your tomorrow self will thank you.  

Photo by fauxels 

HOST A SOCIAL OR FAMILY EVENT

• Weekly, monthly, or at least quarterly host something that forces you to de-clutter. It doesn’t have to be a formal dinner.

• Prepping regularly for company means the clutter won’t have a chance to build to the point of overwhelm.

• The goal is not perfection.

• An orderly home creates a welcoming, peaceful environment for your guests AND, more importantly, for you!

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wise words

People have power over things--not the other way around. Vow to use that power to regain control of your space and time. --Donna Smallin

What's the Cost?

“Are you ready to buy it?” This seemed like an odd response to my daughter’s question about the cost. After saving for quite some time, she was shopping for a new car. I accompanied her to a dealer.

Following a test drive, we went inside to talk details. Knowing the MSRP is just a starting point, she asked about deals or discounts they might offer. That’s when the “Are you ready to buy it?” mantra began. He was not going to give her a price until she committed to buy. Really? What happened to making an informed decision? 

When we’re spending tens of thousands of dollars it behooves us to be cautious and wise. Even when shopping at the Dollar Store, where we know the price of everything, we can be caught off guard at the register, if not watching how much we’re putting in the basket. 

This is also true of clutter. When we’re not paying attention clutter gets costly. It's important to make informed decisions. Here are five Timely Tips to watch for when it comes to costly clutter. 

Timely Tips to identify costly clutter

FINANCIAL

• Cluttered desks cause things to disappear, like bills that accrue late fees, checks to cash, etc. Over the years I’ve uncovered hundreds of dollars in cash lost in my clients’ clutter.

• Paying to store stuff we can’t fit in our homes. According to SpareFoot.com, self-storage is a 44-billion-dollar industry. Most things devalue once put into storage. Furniture gets ruined, photos decay, pests infiltrate. We think we care about that stuff, but in the end, we’re just paying to postpone getting rid of it. 

SPACE

• Clutter replaces things of value, like cars left outside while carboard boxes of "things we might need someday," fill the garage.

• Kat Brancato says, “Storing unused items in your home costs roughly $10 per square foot… you can calculate your ‘clutter cost’ by dividing your monthly rent or mortgage by the square footage of your home." (Better Homes and Gardens February 2021)

• What do you have that’s not earning its keep?

TIME & MONEY

• Clutter hides stuff. You look for things you know you have but can’t find. 

• The average American spends 2.5 days each year looking for lost items and collectively spends $2.7 billion annually in replacement costs.  (Pixie Lost and Found Survey) 

• Kat Brancato points out the irony of keeping things in order to save money, when the buildup ends up costing you more. 

STRESS

• The most common word I hear in the initial call with clients is “overwhelm.”

• Few find their creative genius stimulated by a messy desk. More often clutter promotes stress and avoidance. If you resonate with the latter, clutter costs you peace and productivity. 

RELATIONSHIPS

• Clutter inhibits inviting family and friends over due to embarrassment and shame.

• People decline social events because they feel constrained to remain home and organize, even though their overwhelm prevents them from doing so. 

• Relationships with spouses and kids are put in jeopardy when tensions rise due to clutter in common areas.

• The blame game ensues when items get lost in the clutter. 

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My daughter and I walked out of that dealership. I encourage you to make an informed decision, take a stand, and choose the benefits of organizing over the cost of clutter. 

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wise words

Being organized is not about being company-ready 24/7. It’s about being able to find what you need and restore order quickly.  – Monika Kristofferson

Vertical Value

We tend to have a complicated relationship with vertical space. Kids beg for bunk beds and then want them un-bunked. We want big houses on small lots but discover stairs aren't the best for young ones and older folks.

Have you looked into a closet, refrigerator, or cabinet and thought—there’s no room? The floor or shelf is covered with stuff so it appears full.

What you might be missing is the space hiding in plain sight. The space between the stuff and the next shelf or the ceiling above it. The space on the wall or behind a door. We undervalue our vertical space.

These Timely Tips highlight the versatile value of vertical space. 

Timely Tips for vertical space

ADJUST YOUR SHELVES 
If you're seeing a large gap between the stuff on your shelf and the shelf above it, adjust it.

• Keep the space you need to comfortably retrieve and put back items and then close the gap by moving the next shelf down.

• More shelves will be within reach as they are adjusted downward.

• If you end up with a large gap at the top, add another shelf. 

Amazon

FREE-STANDING SHELVES 
If your cabinet shelves don’t adjust, close the gap by adding free-standing shelf organizers.

• Some are stackable.

• Some expand for wide cabinets. 

• Great for kitchens, pantries, bathrooms, closets, etc.

• Double the usable space without stacking items on top of each other.

MAXIMIZE STANDARD CLOSETS
If your current bedroom closet has one shelf above one rod, and a professional closet redo isn’t in the budget, maximize the vertical space.

• Add an adjustable closet hanging rod that hooks to the current one to create two levels for hanging clothes. 

• Insert a tall narrow (second-hand) chest of drawers or shelving unit.

• Install a DIY closet organizer system as pictured.

Amazon

SHOE RACK
Use the vertical space between your clothes and the floor.

• Place your shoes, purses, etc. on shoe racks, leaving the floor for its intended purpose--walking and standing. 

Amazon

MAGAZINE HOLDERS
Many items stored horizontally can be transferred to a magazine holder to maximize vertical space.

• Attached one to the inside of a kitchen cabinet or pantry door to store plastic wrap, tin foil, wax paper, etc. 

• Corral small to medium size cutting boards.

• Use them in your pantry for a breathable, space-saving way to store potatoes and onions. 

• Place one under the bathroom sink for curling irons and wands. 

• Choose an acrylic or decorative magazine holder to store extra school supplies like notebooks, and kids' papers and artwork that come home from school. 

Amazon

WALL MOUNT FILE HOLDER

• Clear your horizontal surfaces--kitchen counter, table, and desk.

• Place bills, invitations, menus, calendars, and other mail in folders and place them in wall mounted file holders. 

Amazon

BATHROOM STORAGE

• Tall narrow cabinets or over-the-toilet units for bathroom supplies.

• Wall mount acrylic holders for everyday items normally stored on the countertop. 

• Two-tier under sink drawers for lotions, sprays, etc.

Amazon

WALL MOUNT SPICE RACK
Use the space behind a cabinet door, pantry door, or wall to store spices, sauces, and seasoning packs. 

Amazon

OVER THE DOOR POCKET ORGANIZER
Your imagination is the limit for what you can store behind a door when you hang an over the door pocket organizer. More than just shoes!

Amazon

HOOKS
Where there's a blank wall, there's a place to hang something. 

• Garage--bikes, scooters, chairs, sports equipment, tools, etc.

• Entry--backpacks, purses, umbrellas, leashes, and keys.

• Closets--jackets, hats, belts, and necklaces.

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wise words

The best vertical value is the relationship we have with the One above. 

What's Cookin'?

Shortly before my dear mother-in-law passed, I went for a visit and found her sitting on the couch thumbing through her recipe boxes. She was no longer cooking, but decided it would be a good time to purge unused recipes. 

An idea popped into my head. I told it to her secretly and asked her to pull out her favorites. Just days later, she left for her heavenly home. Gathering up her best-loved recipes I began preparing a gift, from her to the family. 

I discovered HeritageCookbook.com where I uploaded photos of her favorite handwritten recipe cards, some pictures of her cooking, and some handwritten Bible verses that comforted her as she battled cancer. Recipes for life.

By Christmas I had forty wrapped copies of “GG’s Favorite Recipes Cookbook” for the family--young and old. I explained that this was Grandma GG’s gift to them and relished the tender moments watching them look through the pages. 

Cookbooks are treasured for many reasons—some are beautiful works of art, some are passed down through generations, and some are fundraisers for favorite causes. 

A few months ago, I realized my cookbooks and recipes had outgrown their space. When it's more work than it's worth to find a recipe--it's time to organize. Here are five Timely Tips to get you started.

Timely Tips for organizing cookbooks/recipes

1st and 5th birthdays with Mickey & Minnie cakes - 1988

Which cookbooks/recipes do I need? 
I made some great kids’ birthday cakes back in the day, but not anymore. Out with that recipe book! I also don’t need the Daniel Plan cookbook I bought at a yard sale and never used.

• Keep the ones you need for the specific stage of life you’re in

• Keep those that accommodate current dietary restrictions or preferences 

Which do I use? 
I use a couple crockpot cookbooks the most. Occasionally I refer to my good ‘ole Betty Crocker, and I have several recipe cards that I use often.

• Dismiss those that aren't earning their keep.

• For books that have only one or two used recipes, make copies of those pages and let the book go. 

Which do I love? 
I love the cookbooks that represent special people and places—the one my mom made for my sister and me, the church cookbook from my mom's hometown, the Holly Hobbie cookbook my high school friends created, and of course, Grandma GG’s.

• Pair down to the ones you love most

• If everything’s precious, nothing’s precious

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

How shall I store them?
There’s no one right way to store recipes. I have a recipe box, a recipe binder, and free-standing books in the two little cabinets above the stove. After purging and sorting, they're much more comfortable there. 

• Store cookbooks on a pantry shelf, in a caddy atop the fridge, in a nearby hutch, or even in a kitchen drawer. Keep the ones you use often, easily accessible. 

• A binder with pocket dividers works great for recipes you gather from magazines or print from the internet. Label the dividers—desserts, salads, main dishes, etc. Put recipes you want to try in the corresponding pocket. Once it’s been made and approved, slip it into a sleeve protector in the correct category.

Photo by Jeff Sheldon on Unsplash

Any digital options? 

• OrganizEat.com and RecipeKeeperOnline.com are just a couple of the many recipe apps available.

• Create a user-friendly digital cookbook by snapping photos of your favorites from cookbooks, recipe cards, and magazines, importing recipes from websites or taking a screenshot of a web page.

• Create a shopping list or meal plan with a tap on the app. 

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comical words

I can cook anything as long as the microwave has a button for it.--Unkown

Out of sorts? Sort it out!

While walking through the Target parking lot, I overheard a young woman say to her friends, “I don’t want to go home—I’m drowning in clean laundry and don’t want to deal with it.” She was feeling out of sorts.

Ever notice that when you’re out of sorts, you need to sort something out? An out of sorts relationship needs time and attention to sort things out. When we’re stressed about finances, we sort them out. 

Dictionary.com defines “sort out” as finding a solution to a problem, to make clear or tidy, and to take or separate, as from a larger group.

We practice sorting as preschoolers. It’s important in our cognitive development and helps us learn math and language. There are benefits however, that go far beyond our early years. 

I’ve made a career out of sorting. Playrooms, pantries, paper stacks, closets, cupboards, and keepsakes. Piles on the counter and piles four feet deep. People feeling out of sorts about their environment come to me to help sort things out. 

Sorting isn’t the only step in organizing, but it is foundational. Without it we fail to solve the problem. Here are four Timely Tips for sorting things out in your home.

Timely Tips for sorting things out

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

PAPER
 We haven’t yet achieved the “paperless society” predicted in the late 70s. Regardless of how much or little you have, you can sort all your paper into these four categories:

• Recycle

• Shred

• Active

• Archive

Additional Resources:

• Organizing Active paperwork: Now you see it, now you don't

• Setting up Archive (long-term) files and a link to a paper retention guide: Piles to Smiles

Sorting typically provides immediate relief from more than half your paper!

PANTRY
Macro Sort--remove items that don’t belong

• stale or expired items

• purchased but no longer desired

• quantities above and beyond what you will use

Micro Sort--place items in categories

• baking

• canned foods

• beverages

• chips & crackers

• sauces

• breakfast foods

• etc.

Once they’re sorted, they’re much easier to find!

PLAYROOM
Macro Sort--remove items that don't belong

• toys that are outgrown

• broken or worn out items

• things that are never played with

• unnecessary multiples

• items that belong somewhere else

Micro sort and create zones for:

• books

• dolls

• cars

• board games

• video games

• Legos

• etc.

If you continue to feel out of sorts, there’s probably still too much stuff. Less is more when it comes to toys. 

CLOSET
Macro sort--remove items that don’t belong (see the pattern?)

Julie Morgenstern says, “Think of your closets as a place to ‘retrieve’ items rather than ‘store’ them.” This means:

• things that belong are the things you use

• things that don’t belong are the things you don’t use

Micro sort the remainder into categories:

• household items

• decorations

• linens

• etc.

Depending on the quantity of items per category, micro sort further. Sort decorations by holiday or season, linens by color, size, location used, etc. 

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I wanted to stop the young lady with the laundry issue and encourage her to “sort it out.” Yes, even clean piles of laundry are easier to deal with when first sorted into smaller sections of underwear, socks, shirts, pants, etc. When things are all mixed together it can seem overwhelming. Whatever has you feeling out of sorts in your home becomes manageable as you sort it out. 

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wise words

Simplicity boils down to two things: identify the essential, and eliminate the rest. --Leo Babauta

You Can't Take it With You

One of my more challenging and sad jobs was working for a client I never met. She moved out of her home suddenly for health reasons and then passed away. Her older brother, who lived out of town, was left to handle her estate. He requested that her home be cleared out, but that the contents not be sold. 

Walking into her home it looked as though she had left for a shopping trip and not returned. After days handling every piece of paper, pair of shoes, pantry item, memorabilia, etc., I felt like I knew her. I arranged for multiple charity donation pick-ups, shredding services, trash haul away, and ended with a “Free Yard Sale.” 

This experience helped me understand the overwhelm that many face when a loved one passes away. “You can’t take it with you” is more than just a saying—it’s true. Sometimes it would be easier if we could. 

The saying is also true when needing to drastically downsize—moving overseas, into a retirement community, or convalescent care. You can’t take it all. 

There's an option that's often overlooked—having an estate sale. Not all estate sale and liquidation companies operate the same. Here are some Timely Tips about what you might expect.

Timely Tips when considering an Estate Sale

Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash

Initial Contact: 

• Realtors, estate planning attorneys, senior centers, funeral home directors, and professional organizers may have referrals for estate sale companies.

• Schedule two or three companies to assess your project and to get a feel for who you’d prefer working with. 

Questions to ask: 

• How long have you been in business?

• Are you bonded and insured?

• What are your fees?

• What do you do with leftover items?

• What is your marketing plan? Many have a following and send out e-newsletters or post photos and dates of upcoming sales on their websites and social media.

• Ask for references and/or visit one of their upcoming sales.

What it costs: 

• Most estate sale companies charge 30-50% of the gross sales. Setting up and tagging is time intensive, requiring many hours. They also have a team of people working the sale day to ensure security and efficiency for checkout.

• There should be no upfront cost. They collect their payment out of the proceeds of the sale.

Pricing: 

• The estate company staff is knowledgeable about local market conditions and prices items accordingly.

• If it’s a two-day sale they may offer a discount on the second day. 

• Many have expertise in collectibles and antiques.

• You may also bring in a certified personal property appraiser to assess items of significant value. Contact the International Society of Appraisers, Appraisers Association of America, or the American Society of Appraisers for qualified appraisers. 

What to remove: 

• Before the sale remove any medical/financial records (for shredding), photos, and sentimental items that you want to keep.

• In most situations companies will tell you to leave everything else and let them decide what’s sellable. Believe it or not, even half-used cleaners under the sink often sell. 

What happens to the leftovers: 

• Some contract with charities that pick up usable items. 

• Whether it’s included or an extra charge, most offer clean up and haul away services so the house is left empty and ready to sell.

Don’t show up: 

• Part of the reason for hiring a company to do the sale is not having to watch strangers go through the belongings and walk away with them. 

Remember: 

• The items you’re selling completed their mission with you, or your loved one; they can now benefit someone else.

• Getting some money for the items instead of paying someone to take them away is a better deal.

• As an occasional estate sale shopper, I appreciate the opportunity to treasure something that was previously treasured or provide something needed like a dinnerware set for my daughter when she got her first apartment. 

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wise words For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. --Apostle Paul

Organize Your Paper, Space, and Life

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February 8, 15, & 22, 2024
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Getting Things Done

If I waited until I felt like it to clean the toilets, put my business data into QuickBooks, and wash sheets—it wouldn't happen. I need structure. 

I like this definition: construct or arrange according to a plan; give a pattern or organization to. 

Most of us find structure much easier when it’s compulsory. “I get everything done at work, why is it so hard at home?” Sound familiar? When deadlines and schedules are enforced by outward sources, we’re often more responsible with our to-dos. 

One of my self-imposed to-dos is to make a Christmas photo book before the next Christmas arrives. When there's a whole year to get something done, it’s easy to put it off. Last year, I failed to do it until the last minute—making the project more stressful than it needed to be.
 
You might have a half dozen to-dos floating around in your head needing immediate attention, and another half dozen waiting on the back burner. Without structure, things fall through the cracks and become overwhelming.

Grab your 2024 calendar and walk through these TIMELY TIPS for a productive new year. 

Photo by Karolina Grabowska

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1. Create a pattern for repeated tasks/activities. 
Choose a time of the day, day of the week, or day of the month depending on the task or activity. Record it on your calendar like an appointment. This is important for things like bill-paying, household chores, exercising, and even family times.

2. Create appointments for projects and to-dos. 
Need to follow-up on a disputed bill, return library books, pay 2022’s taxes? Want to organize your closet, close out your storage unit, visit Yosemite? We are much more likely to accomplish these things when we put them on the calendar for a specific date and time.

3. Identify the benefits. 
Closing out your storage unit is money in your pocket. Visiting Yosemite creates a memory to treasure. I love seeing the family enjoy our Christmas photo books. Identifying benefits incentivizes us to push through the temptation to procrastinate.  

4. Identify the consequences.
Consequences increase exponentially. The longer something hangs over your head, the more stress is attached to it. Financial penalties accruewhen bills or taxes are ignored. Our physical fitness quickly works in reverse when we stop being active. The paper pile takes more time to sort the longer it builds. Last year the Yosemite falls were much less spectacular because we failed to schedule a trip for earlier in the season. If the benefits don’t get you going, consider the consequences of not following through.

5. Create a contingency plan. 
This year I’ve schedule some dates to work on my Christmas photo book early in the year. I’ve also written it down to do in July—just in case. Life often doesn’t pan out as planned. If we’re prepared for failure, we’re more likely to have ultimate success. 

6. Use a calendar that works for you.
If digital works for you--use it! I prefer paper and use a Blue Sky 5"x8" week-at-a-glance calendar. Each day has space to write in time sensitive appointments and to-dos I've scheduled for that day. It's small enough to carry with me and includes a pocket page perfect for receipts, coupons, checks, etc. I use a small binder clip to fasten past pages together so it always opens to the current week. Check it out at Blue Sky (also available at office supply stores).

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wise words

Much of the stress that people feel doesn't come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they've started. ―David Allen

Best-laid Plans

When our kids were in elementary school my husband taught our family to juggle. We didn’t take our act on the road, but we mastered the concept. There’s always at least one more object than you have hands for, and the goal is to keep them in continual motion without dropping any. 

There was other juggling going on then as well—kids’ activities, volunteer work, domestic duties, family engagements, etc. I found it very challenging at times.

For some, the juggling challenge comes through other means—a promotion with new responsibilities, becoming a single parent, health issues or caring for others in need. 

As I near my Medicare birthday, and observe young families with busy schedules, I’m beginning to understand the perspective of my mom who wonders how I juggle my current load. Apparently not as efficiently as I used to. 

I kicked off the first Saturday in December with a holiday volunteer project and an annual Christmas party hosted by a friend. Sandwiched between was the task of making a dessert. At the last minute I changed my plan and found a new dessert recipe. I picked up the ingredients and hurriedly put it together, pulling it out of the oven just as it was time to leave.

It wasn’t until then that I realized it was supposed to cool three to six hours. In my haste I hadn’t read the recipe all the way through. 

“Juggling is an illusion,” says Gary Keller. “In reality, the balls are being independently caught and thrown in rapid succession...it is actually task switching.”

For many, the holidays are a rapid succession of tasks and events that require precision skill to execute seamlessly. Most of us don’t. Here are three Timely Tips to consider throughout this busy season. 

Timely Tips for juggling the holidays

DON'T COMPARE - Some people can juggle a bowling ball and knives. I don’t feel bad if that’s out of my range. Likewise, we all have a different bandwidth when it comes to holiday tasks and activities. Choose what fits your limits without comparing yourself to the one who seems to do it all.

LET IT GO - I brought my dessert still wrapped in parchment paper instead of beautifully presented on my holiday plate. Did that hamper the fun and laughter of the evening? Not at all. Decide that when a ball drops, and they will at times, you’ll have a sense of humor and be willing to let others know you’re human too. Someone might be very relieved by that. 

SHOW YOURSELF (AND OTHERS) SOME GRACE - Many get stuck in the “before” mode. Before I had kids, before I went back to work, before I had surgery, before my spouse passed away, before I got older. None of us is exactly where we were a few years ago in life. Give yourself grace if you  can’t or simply don’t want to do it all. Choose carefully what fits with your current values and abilities. Show others going through transitions the same grace. 

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The Christmas events I value most are recorded on my December calendar months before they occur. God foretold the event of Jesus’s birth hundreds of years prior to His coming. Unlike many of our best-laid plans, God’s plan never fails. 

“When the fullness of time had come God sent forth His Son…” (Galatians 4:4)

Photo by Jonathan Knepper on Unsplash

The Power of Thanks

I believe objects are inanimate. I talk to myself, but not often to my things. The other day as I placed some clothing into my donate bag, I said, “Thanks for your service.” Unsurprisingly the clothing didn’t respond, but I was surprised that I felt better about letting it go. 

Saying “thank you” is something we do at the completion of things—receiving a gift, eating a meal, checking out at the grocery store. In the case of my clothes, saying thank you was for my benefit. It helped finalize my decision to let it go. My clothing had completed its mission. 

Today's TimelyTips address the power of thanks. 

Timely Tips regarding the power of thanks

COMPLETING THEIR MISSION
Through the years our needs, interests, abilities, and preferences change. This requires adding new and subtracting the old items that have completed their mission.

If you find it helpful, finalize your relationship with the old things by thanking them for their service.

If they still have some “mission” left in them, donate them so they can once again find a place of use. 

SUBTRACTING IS ADDING

• By subtracting things that complete their mission, you’re adding space.

• You no longer cringe when opening cabinet doors and drawers.

• It’s easier to find and access what you need.

• You save money not replacing things you can’t find—pantry items, clothes, tools, etc.

• You’re not distracted from things you enjoy by piles of stuff waiting to be dealt with.

• You can be at peace opening your door to guests.

All triggers for giving thanks.

Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

In this season of thanks, I want to share a remarkable true story.

In the early 1940s when Nazi Germany invaded Holland, Corrie ten Boom and her family began the dangerous mission of hiding Jews and helping them escape. Corrie’s family was eventually arrested. When she and her sister, Betsie, arrived at Ravensbruck concentration camp, their “beds” were rancid straw-covered platforms stacked three high and infected with fleas. 

“How can we live in such a place?” cried Corrie. Betsie immediately reached for the small Bible the sisters had smuggled in. Turning to 1 Thessalonians 5:18 she had Corrie read, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Corrie resisted Betsie’s urge to thank God in the midst of fleas, but in time they realized it was the fleas that kept the abusive guards at bay, protecting them and allowing them to share the comforting, hope-giving word of God with the women who shared their desperate situation. 

Corrie was the only one of her family to survive and see freedom again. Her testimony is this, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”

This Thanksgiving season you may be in despair or facing big challenges. May Corrie’s testimony draw you to Jesus and His life-giving word. (You can read Corrie ten Boom’s entire story in the book The Hiding Place.)

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Wise words

Every experience God gives us…is the perfect preparation for the future only He can see. –Corrie ten Boom

School Memorabilia--Burden or Blessing?

My first parent volunteer position at Webster was school Historian. I didn’t know many teachers and had yet to meet our new principal. I decided to begin my chronicle with a pictorial directory of the staff.     

One by one I connected with each to get a picture. As I was photographing the principal, I realized my 35 mm camera had no film in it (good ole 90s). Not only was I mortified in the moment, but I also had to go back and admit my incompetence to each of the teachers, asking if I could retake their photos. Chalk one up to most embarrassing moments.

By the end of 1989-90 school year, I had produced a pictorial album which resided in the office—until someone, who was apparently good at purging, let it go. I wouldn’t expect the school to store 30+ years of school memorabilia, but that’s one thing I would love to see again. 
            
Our children’s school years can be overwhelming when it comes to accumulating memorabilia. Today's Timely Tips have three “D’s” for managing keepsakes.

Timely Tips to manage kids’ keepsakes

Used with permission from Melissa Corriveau at Life with Less Mess

1. DECIDE ON CRITERIA

Start with the end in mind. Not many of us would say, “I wish my parents had saved more of my childhood stuff.” What things do you love seeing when you open a box from the past? Include those in your criteria.

• Keep a sampling of things which give insight into your child’s thoughts, personality, development, and skills.

• Include special artwork, story writing, awards, report cards, “About Me” assignments, teacher notes, photos, etc.

• They should all recollect pleasant memories.

• Worksheets, tests, participation ribbons, artwork with macaroni and glitter are good candidates for the can.

• Even if your child wants to save everything now, her future self will thank you for not. One organized bin is a blessing. Multiple bins is a project. 

Memory Box Kits available from Melissa on Etsy.com

2. DESIGNATE A PLACE

• Use a labeled binder with pocket folders (one for each school week) for papers/assignments the teacher requires students to keep.

• Designate a labeled tray, magazine holder, or bin to temporarily capture items that are waiting to be sorted.

• Keep both these items in the hub of your home so you can easily access them. 

• For items that fit your keepsake criteria create a Memory Bin using a file box (18 1/2" L x 14" W x 11" H available at Target/office supply stores).

• Prepare it with hanging folders labeled Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade through high school. You may customize with additional folders depending on your child’s interests and activities. (Kits available on Etsy)

• If it doesn’t fit in a handy place, like the child’s closet, use a 16-quart bin to temporarily store keepsakes. Relocate into the Memory Bin file at the end of the year.

• Use the Memory Bin as the boundary and purge as necessary so that your child will have one bin (blessing) instead of multiple bins (burden) in the end. 

Photo by Jerry Wang on Unsplash

DEVELOP A SYSTEM 

• Daily remove papers from the child’s backpack and do a quick sort into the teacher binder, Memory Bin, or recycling can.

• On crazy days use your temporary holding tray/bin.

• Schedule time at the end of each week to sort your temporary bin. Relocate items to their proper places.

• When age-appropriate, train your child to do this. (Our job is to work ourselves out of a job.) 

EXTRA CREDIT

• Create photo books of your child’s keepsakes.

• Place each item on a white foam board. Snap a photo with your phone.

• Upload to a photo book website and if desired, add text.

• You’ll reduce the amount of storage space by 90% and you and your child will be more likely to peruse the keepsakes you’ve preserved in this format. 

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Comical Words

Respect your parents. They passed school without Google. -Anonymous

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Here are a few things I love seeing from my 2nd grade year: my toothless grin, a report card, a note from the principal, and a program from our neighborhood play called "Keep Out." Less is more!

Sometimes it's the Little Things

Walking around the extended recliner, I jammed my “this little piggy had none” toe on the leg of the coffee table. Normally I don’t pay much attention to my toes. This little piggy changed that.

It also changed things like our next day's hiking plans. Fortunately, we were able to convert to biking in Yosemite instead. Another time it meant being dropped off with the older folks near the entrance at a concert. It still means deciding how badly I need an item from the other room before putting my toe through the pain of getting there.

It's often the little things in our lives and homes that cause angst and frustration. When it’s a toe—you wait it out. Here are seven quick fix Timely Tips for other subtle, or not so subtle stresses we face.

Timely Tips to fix your frustrations

1. Matching—How many containers and lids must you handle before finding a match? Are you ready to throw out the leftovers before you find one?

• Store the lids on the containers. It takes more space, but by the time you eliminate all the containers and lids that have no match, there should be room.

• This goes for sippy cups and water bottles, too.

2. New Stuff—Are you tripping over shopping bags and boxes of items waiting to be homed?

• Before you put anything into your digital or physical cart, decide exactly where it’s going to be stored.

• Unload bags and boxes immediately into their predetermined homes. 

3. User-friendly Storage—Is it hard to find things or put them away in your closet, pantry or drawers?

• One common culprit is bad lighting. Add a stick-on motion sensor rechargeable strip light to any closet, cabinet, or pantry that has no or poor lighting.

• Fix closet doors and drawers that don’t open and close easily.  

• Purge drawers and shelves that are jammed full.

• Use open-topped bins for things you use regularly. 

4. Clothes—Tired of piles of clothes?

• Place a dirty clothes bin in the closet.

• Assign a spot on the bar for empty hangers.

• Assign a bin or hook for frequently worn clothes.

• Change clothes in the closet. Without having to move much, you can put your dirty stuff in the bin and hang up or put on the shelf your cleanish clothes and voilà! No more piles.

5. Bedtime—Is the kids’ bedtime a nightmare?

• Create a bedtime routine chart with a start and end time

• Establish “last call” for snacks so the bathing, brushing teeth, stories, etc. can be done without interruption.

• Consistency is key to everyone getting the rest they need.

6. Location, Location, Location—Do you need to move other things or use a step stool to reach things you use often?

• I relocated a client’s baggies and wraps to a top drawer from a lower drawer in her kitchen. She still talks about what a difference that made—small thing, big pay-off.

• Pay attention to what frustrates you and consider where it might be more convenient.

7. Tasks—Are you frustrated with not getting things done on time? Is it paying bills, checking the kids’ school papers, laundry?

• Schedule a regular time to do it and put it on the calendar with reminders so that, until it becomes routine, you won’t forget.

• Calendar blocks of time for tasks that take several hours. 

You might have noticed three common themes among many of these solutions—creating homes, limits, and routines. These are gold in the organizing world. Whenever you feel stressed, stop and consider—is there a home, limit, or routine solution for this issue? 

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wise words

Frustration is the fuel that can lead to the development of an innovative and useful idea. – Marley Dias

Playing Puzzle

It seems strange to me that I don’t like puzzles. A couple of our kids do, so before our family gathered for a week at Hume Lake, my husband purchased a 1,000-piece puzzle. When they dumped the box of pieces onto the table, it looked overwhelming to me. 

“That must be how some of my clients feel when they view their clutter,” I thought. I’d rather organize the cabin’s kitchen (which I did to a degree), than participate in “playing puzzle” as we called it.

Despite my disdain for puzzles, there are many correlations between puzzling and organizing. Here are six Timely Tips to help with both. 

Timely Tips for puzzling and organizing

1. KEEP THE BOX TOP HANDY
It’s essential to know what your puzzle will look like. Similarly, when organizing you need a vision of your final outcome.

Determine how your area will look, feel, and function. Revisit that vision while organizing to drive your actions and stay focused and motivated. 

2. DESIGNATE A TIME AND PLACE
For our night owl puzzlers, it was 10 pm to midnight. They used a puzzle board and moved it under a bed during the day so little hands couldn’t disturb it.

Schedule your organizing when you have the most energy and least distractions.

If your project is mobile, like a box of paperwork, photos, etc., consider bringing it out to the table or a comfy chair and then return it to a spare room or closet when you’re not working on it. 

3. SORT BY COLOR AND PATTERN
This is tedious, but a necessary step in puzzling. The puzzle board they used had shallow drawers to sort and store the colors. This made it easier to find specific pieces.

Likewise, it’s important to sort while organizing—putting like things together. Use containers to separate categories.

Unlike a puzzle, some of your items may be placed into a donate or trash category. 

4. BORDERS FIRST 
The puzzle pieces with a straight side are low hanging fruit—easier to spot and position.  All other pieces fit inside that border.

Whether you’re organizing a bathroom cabinet or a desk drawer, borders are essential. Some are natural borders, like a bookshelf. If the desired outcome is to have all the books neat and accessible on the shelf, then the shelf size dictates the border and how many books you keep.

A finished puzzle doesn’t have pieces spilling over the border, and neither does an organized area. 

5. PERSEVERE 
One of the puzzle pieces looked like an easy fit on the deer, but it was stubborn when they tried to place it. It took several attempts before it was successfully positioned.

In organizing it’s sometimes the opposite. You think, “that will never fit there.” Don’t give up before you try. After you remove things that don’t belong, it often fits fine. 

6. DONE IS BETTER THAN PERFECT 
After hours of laborious puzzling, it was finally complete. Well, almost. One piece was missing. We searched high and low, but in the end they had to be content with an almost perfect picture.

Don’t allow perfection to ruin your organizing ventures. Unlike puzzles, there’s not just one right place for everything. If your belongings are now easier to find and use, consider it a win!

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comical words

I just finished a jigsaw puzzle in 6 months and the box said 2-4 years! --Unknown

Closed for Inventory

Taking inventory isn’t much fun. In fact, the process can put shepherds right to sleep. Businesses find it essential to track what they have, but what about our homes? 

Most of us don’t think about a home inventory until it’s requested. Usually that means something stressful has happened—a fire, flood, theft, divorce, etc. During those events, it’s not as easy to think clearly and concisely. 

As with most projects we’d rather not do, we need a little motivation to get us going. Consider the cost verses benefit. The cost doesn’t need to be more than the time it takes to create it. If you choose to use an inventory app, you might have a financial investment as well. 

Benefits include accelerating the claim process after an incident, maximizing your claim payment because you won’t be relying on your memory, ensuring that your insurance coverage is adequate, and general peace of mind. 

If your scale tips on the benefits side, here are some Timely Tips to get it done.

Timely Tips to create a home inventory

Photo by Kampus Production

RESOURCES:

• Go to your homeowner’s insurance website or contact your agent to see what resources they offer.

• For a digital method, check out this list of home inventory apps at www.BobVila.com.

Photo by Engin Akyurt

FOR HIGH TICKET ITEMS INCLUDE:

• A description of the item--make, model, serial number, as applicable

• Value/appraisal

• Purchase place and date

• Receipt

Unless you’re already a meticulous record keeper, you may not have or know all that. At least you’ll have the item listed and can choose to record these things for new, incoming purchases.  

Excel Template

CREATE YOUR LIST

• Google "home inventory spreadsheets" for templates you can use digitally or print out and use on paper. Your Excel program offers templates as well.

• Or, go old school with a yellow pad and clipboard--either works!

• Label each page either by room or category.

• Make columns for Item Name, Location, Description, and Price. Include high ticket information columns, as needed. 

• Include in your inventory the contents of outside sheds, attics, basements, off-site storage units, and safe deposit boxes.

Photo by Rachel Claire 

PHOTOS & RECEIPTS

• Photograph the items and store them in a digital folder labeled with the room or category name.

• If using paper, print the photos and store with the paper inventory list in a sheet protector.

• You may choose to photograph an entire drawer or shelf rather than individual items and, for instance list the total number of pants, shirts, and shoes. List expensive items separately.

• Scan and name coordinating receipts and save in the digital folder or keep hard copies in the sheet protector with the inventory list. A photocopy of the receipt will be less likely to fade over time. 

VIDEOTAPE YOUR INVENTORY

• An alternative method is to videotape your inventory while describing the items and zooming in on details such as serial numbers and accompanying receipts.

Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash

STORE A COPY

• Upload your home inventory digital files or video to an email folder or cloud storage.

• Or, transfer them to a flash drive and/or external hard drive. Keep one off-site. 

• Photocopy your paper inventory sheets/photos/receipts and create and label two binders.

• Keep one and place the other in a safe deposit box or at the home of a trusted friend or family member.

UPDATE

• Update when significant changes are made.

Photo by Kampus Production

INSURANCE CHECK:

• Confirm with your agent that your policy is adequate to cover the replacement value rather than cash value of your belongings.

• Inquire about sub-limits as some policies have coverage limits i.e., theft coverage for jewelry and watches. In this case you may need to do an add-on to ensure you’ll receive their full value. 

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wise words

The best way to enjoy your favorite things is to only own your favorite things.

--bemorewithless.com

Cue the Rewards

I didn’t need someone to tell me to bend at the knees when lifting, sit up straight at my desk, and stand every hour. But, when I requested physical therapy for some back and hip issues I got a video appointment, basic instructions like those above, and some exercises imbedded in an online matrix that took me a week to find. 

Fortunately for me, my symptoms greatly diminished during the six-week waitfor my appointment and “treatment.” Unfortunately, so did my motivation to follow through with the exercises. I knew that if I didn’t create a new habit for doing them, they wouldn’t get done.

In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear suggests four simple steps for creating a habit: cue, craving, response, and reward.

Timely Tips to create a habit

CUE: Clear says our minds are reward detectors. You might spot desired rewards for your career, family life, spiritual or physical well-being, etc. My cue was hearing from a friend about the pain relief she experienced from physical therapy. 

CRAVING: “Without some level of motivation or desire… we have no reason to act,” says Clear.  “What you crave is not the habit itself but the change in state it delivers.” I was not craving a new exercise routine, but I was craving physical well-being. 

RESPONSE: The third step is doing the action that leads to the reward. "The crucial part to success," says Clear, "lies in the strength of the craving and how much friction is associated with the behavior.”

My craving diminished with my symptoms. I experienced friction trying to keep the online session from expiring before I was able to get from one exercise to the next. 

I knew my symptoms would return so I pressed on with my new routine and found a way to print out the instructions, reducing the friction. 

REWARD: The reward is the end goal--the result of the response. It’s a little early for me to see the reward I crave. As with most habits, it’s a process that requires patience and perseverance. 

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What cues and cravings surfaced in your mind lately?

• Do you crave the way the kitchen feels after the housekeeper does her magic and the counters are clear?

• Do you crave the simplicity of your hotel bathroom that has everything you need in one make-up case?

• Do you crave the peace of mind knowing what you’re going to have for dinner before 5:00 PM?

Your response is the key.

• Believe the reward is attainable.

• Identify and reduce the friction--things making the response difficult.

• Know when help is needed.***

• Commit to and take action.

***One thing I was hoping for in physical therapy was hands-on, eyes-on help. Someone to come alongside and guide my steps and actions. Someone to see how I’m doing things and show me how I can change and improve. 

This is what I do. I provide hands-on, eyes-on organizing help for my clients. No judgement, no guilt, just help. If this is what you need, visit the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO.NET) to find an organizer near you. Or, if you're in the Central Valley of California contact me (OrganizedByChoice.com).

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wise words

Lasting wins require a lifestyle.   —James Clear