Conquer Bathroom Clutter Simply and Effectively

Bathrooms seem to be notorious for becoming cluttered and unkempt.  Between small makeup compacts, medicine bottles, hair accessories, razors and the like, it can be quite easy to lose things in the shuffle.  Assess your bathroom and its contents and utilize a few simple ideas and you’ll find more space and tranquility as a result.

First, take a good look at your medicine cabinets.  Ironically, it’s probably not a good idea to store medicine in your medicine cabinet, as most bathrooms become hot and humid during showers and baths, and can be detrimental to medication that requires being stored at room temperature.  Don’t keep medicines past their expiration date, even if you’ve never opened them or have used them very little.  Try storing your medications on a high shelf in your linen closet with a lock-tight lid.  This will help lengthen their shelf life as well as keep them out of reach of curious little hands.

The same should be done with old makeup.  Generally speaking, most makeup will last about 18-24 months, with the exception of mascara, which lasts about three months, and liquid eyeliner, which lasts about three to six months.  Nail polish generally only holds up for about a year, so if you have any older than that, get rid of them.  And since many makeup products have animal-based ingredients, it’s also important to pay attention to how they smell.  If they smell like they’ve gone bad, they probably have, so toss them. Try using a permanent marker to mark the purchase date on the back of the item, so that way you won’t have to try to remember just how long it’s been since you purchased something.

If you take a look in your favorite discount store’s home organization aisle,  you’ll find lots of inexpensive storage containers that can easily be utilized in bathroom drawers, under the sink, and for shower and bathtub areas as well.  Since bathrooms are full of small things, they can easily be organized in small bins, baskets or boxes.

Home Office Organization Tips

More and more individuals are working from home, either replacing their nine to five jobs or supplementing their family’s income.  One of the best things you can do to improve your chances of successfully working at home is to establish a home office.  A hope office makes your home business more professional, helps you stay organized and can provide you with tax deductions (be sure to check with your accountant as to what is and isn’t deductible.)

The type of office you’ll need will depend on the type of business you’ll be running.  Here are just a few questions you’ll want to ask yourself prior to deciding on your office space: Will I be meeting with clients in my office?  Will it be a multi-purpose room?  Will it be a work area?  These are all important questions you’ll want to consider as the answers to such questions will dictate how much office space you will require.  If you have a business you run from your computer, you won’t need as much work space say, as someone who is doing craft production or a product distribution business.

Begin by eliminating anything that isn’t directly connected to your business (unless of course it’s going to be a multi-purpose room).  For getting your work done, you’ll want to have as few distractions as possible.  Removing all the unnecessary items from the room will also help reduce unwanted clutter. Simply move these items to another room or box them up and store them elsewhere.

The workspace is often the most difficult to keep organized, but if you have a handle on the paperwork, it helps reduce one area of clutter.  There are quite a few filing system options available, everything from the traditional filing cabinets, to hanging file folder systems that can be attached to the back of a door.

Sort through the papers in your office decide what needs to be kept and what can be discarded.  If you are unsure about any documents, set aside another folder or tray and place it in there and go back to it again later and review to see if you are going to be needing it or not.  If so, file it in the appropriate place, if not, dispose of it.  Paperwork can quickly overwhelm you if you don’t maintain it on a daily basis.

Consider a color-coded system, one color for invoices, another for expenses, and other for tax-deductible and so on.  Then simply place the papers or receipts in the appropriate colored folder.  Makes things much easier to handle and maintain.

Make sure your workspace is large enough and comfortable.  Whether you’ll be standing working or sitting down working, it’s important to make sure the surface you will be working on is at the correct height.  Doing so will prevent back strain and will allow you to work for longer periods of time thus being more productive.

Now that the files are taken care of make sure your desk workspace is as well. Use desk organizers to keep items you may need frequently close by and drawer organizers to keep everything in your drawers tucked away nice and neat and easy to find when you need it.

If you have a desktop computer make sure you give yourself enough space for each item including keyboard, monitors, printers and any other hardware you may need.  Short on desk space? Try using a laptop rather than a desktop computer system or for the other hardware such as scanners, faxes, copiers, etc. look at the new, space saving all in one units.

It is also important to keep your computer organized.  Track appointments, clients, and your work with one of the many organizational software programs available.  By utilizing such programs, you can be more efficient in your bookkeeping and more.  Set up folders and sub-folders so you’ll be able to find what you are looking for easily.   Spreadsheets and databases are also very helpful tools in tracking inventory and other business related needs.

Quick Tips for Organizing Your Home office

Even with limited workspace with a little creativity and the right equipment, it is possible to have an efficient home office.  Decide what you absolutely must have, based on the needs of your business. Remember, needs not wants.  Beyond basic office supplies such as paper and pens, most people only need a computer, printer and a filing system but his of course is dependent on your type of business.
Paper clutter can be a major problem.  Get rid of it and get organized.  Throw junk mail away immediately.  Don’t even take it to your office or desk.  Keep a trash can or a recycling box, near the door, especially for junk mail.  Don’t let paper clutter your desk.  If you don’t have room on the floor for a filing cabinet purchase a hanging file system.  These types of filing systems are designed to hang from a hook on the back of a door.  It can easily be hidden in a closet this way.  Labeling each pocket based on your needs, such as bills to pay, copies of receipts, and tax deductions (even if you aren’t sure something is deductible, save the receipt and check later) will keep your desk clutter free and keep you better organized for tax time.
Scan and save documents you don’t need on a daily basis but still want to keep for reference.  Whether you saved them to your hard drive or on discs, they can be easily printed should you need a hard copy.
Keeping office supplies organized and clutter free can be a bit of a challenge but a few simple storage containers can keep the clutter to a minimum.  Purchase a drawer divider that has compartments for different sized items.  If you need something you can carry supplies in when away from your office consider a child’s school box or art supply box.  It’s a nice inexpensive option. Keep your pens from taking over your desk by frequently checking your pens and throwing out any that are dried out.
Lack of space for an office can be an issue but one that can be overcome.  Some people have successfully converted a large closet into an office area.  You may not have a window view, but with a light installed, and a couple of filing cabinets and some counter top scrap in the closet, you’ll have a nice work area.  Once you are done working for the day simply close the doors.
If desk space happens to be a major issue, opt for a laptop rather than a desktop computer.  It will allow you more desk space and a little flexibility should you need to take your information with you.  Fortunately these days printer are becoming more compact and are often combined with a scanner, copier and/or fax systems all in one.  With some price comparison a good deal can be found.

Efficiently Organizing your Small Bathroom Makes Big Sense

Small, cramped bathrooms with little space and lots of stuff can present big problems for a busy family.  With items strewn across the bathroom countertop with no designated space make it difficult to find that favorite pot of lip gloss, box of dental floss or can of hair mousse when morning routine time is at a minimum.  You can conquer this problem with an honest assessment of your bathroom’s contents and some creativity.

First of all, look around your bathroom.  If you have products in your bathroom that you didn’t like after the first use, or that someone who previously visited left there and your family doesn’t use, get rid of them.  This can be a tough pill to swallow if you focus on the money that you spent on buying it, but if it’s taking up valuable space in your cramped bathroom quarters, it’s costing you more in headaches and stress than it’s worth.  You’ll probably be amazed at how much space you can free up by clearing out these unused, unwanted items.

After you’ve cleared these items out, assess what’s left.  If there’s a drawer for makeup, but nothing in it is sorted, consider some small boxes or baskets to place them in.  Place lipsticks and glosses in one bin, another for makeup compacts, and another for makeup applicators such as brushes and sponges. If there are a lot of hair products, consider using a larger basket to place them in and stored under the sink which can be easily removed and put away each morning.

If you’re in the habit of stocking up on those products you seem to go through quickly such as toilet paper, lotion, or toothpaste, consider storing those in a pantry or linen closet instead of in the bathroom itself.  Make sure all family members know where to look for a replacement or refill should they run out.

Most importantly, get your family to agree on using and maintaining the organization system that’s been developed.  It’ll do no good to organize only to find things disheveled and unorganized the following week.  Ask for input when devising a system, and make sure it’s one that everyone involved can live with.

Get Organized and Save Some Money on your Move

Moving can be a stressful and expensive venture.  With some planning and organization however, you can save yourself some money and valuable time.
Months prior to your move, sort through your belongings and get rid of those things you’re not using or really don’t need.  Excess clothing, small appliances, kitchen utensils, and other household goods can either be donated or sold at a yard sale.  But the less you have to deal with on moving day, the smoother things will go.  Besides, paying shipping on things you don’t need only wastes your money.
Always get an onsite estimate. The relocation consultant will prepare an estimate in writing and submit it to you.  They will be able to tell you how much moving supplies cost, and you can make arrangements to order them at this time.  If you order too many, most moving companies will give you a refund on those supplies you don’t use.
Like many other industries, the moving industry has their busy and their slow seasons. The busy season for movers is during the summer.  The beginning and the end of the month or end of the year holidays are extra busy for movers, also. The demand for moving equipment, vans, and personnel is heavy during these times, so try to plan your move during their slower periods.
If you decide to do your own packing, get packing supplies and start collecting strong boxes suitable for moving. Complete all packing by moving day. If your company is relocating you, find out what portion of your moving expense will be paid by your company.  However, it’s important you understand your moving company’s policy regarding things that you’ve packed yourself.  With some moving companies, they will not take responsibility for items they have not personally packed.
Obtain a written appraisal of antiques to verify their value. Do not retouch, wax or oil wood furniture before moving. Some products may soften the wood, making it vulnerable to imprinting from furniture pads.
Careful planning and some organized thought will pay big dividends in the end when your move is complete.

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