What’s Your Time Worth?
February 9, 2011
We’ve all heard the saying, “time is money” and to a certain degree, that is true. However, today I want to challenge you by saying that time is MORE IMPORTANT than money.
Why?
Because you can always do something to make more money but you can never get time back. NEVER.
See where I’m going with this?
But what about your time? Continue Reading
Organized On the Go
February 8, 2011
Guest Blogger: Pooja Gugnani
Whether you’re a new mommy or a veteran mommy, road trips with the rugrats are mostly inevitable. Whether it’s a summer vacation to your lake house, or a short getaway, if you don’t plan ahead you will quickly find yourself on a trip to Insanityville! Plus, planning a road trip with a little one or two is a completely different state of affairs. So, here are some tips to simplify your planning so your trip will be more pleasant.
- Take stuff, but don’t stuff: Packing enough to keep your kids busy is wise, but packing too many of the “just in case” items can be space hampering. Keep the packing simple! If they’re old enough, involve your kids in the planning process, by giving them a choice in the game or stuffed toy they bring along or if you have a baby, bring things that can serve a dual purpose – for example a stroller/carrier combo. Check with the family or hotel you’re staying with to see what gear or amenities they have and pack accordingly- no pool, no bathing suit needed!
- Food is Key: A hungry kid is bad enough, but a hungry parent in addition can be a disaster. I always advise parents to be well fed themselves, before heading out. During your travels, try to eat your biggest meal at lunchtime to save costs. Get creative and pack up on healthy fun snacks your kids will enjoy, to avoid random stops at vending machines and french fry pit stops. Most importantly, stock up on enough water and drinks!
- Plan for contingencies and avoid them: On a roadtrip with kids, Ziploc bags are truly multipurpose and come in handy to hold those sea shells your child collected on the beach or to double bag a sticky piece of candy they want you to save. Some other items to bring along: few laundry bags, plenty of change for unexpected tolls, a couple rolls of toilet paper, spare batteries & a flash light, and garbage bags for the car so you can make a habit of taking the trash out at every stop. It is always a good idea to take your vehicle for a check-up before you take it for the long drive.
- Don’t agonize, organize: You may be the most organized mommy on this planet and still probably forget something. Make peace with this and don’t fret over it once you are on the go. Remember the planning is to make your trip more enjoyable, but ultimately this is a getaway for you and your family – so don’t waste time worrying about what you didn’t bring along and pat yourself on the back for taking the time to plan your best.
It is easy to get excited for a roadtrip and just as easy to get frustrated when the trip isn’t going so well. I say, plan beforehand so you can smile afterward!
– Pooja Gugnani, Professional Organizer & Owner, Organizing With You, Inc., Chicago. 312.282.8280, www.organizingwithyou.com
Check out great travel gift ideas!
Closet Systems
February 7, 2011
Installing a closet system is a great winter project. If you are hiring a company to install your closet system, call now to get on their schedule. This is their busiest time of year. If you are installing it yourself, it makes for a very manageable weekend project. Whether your closet is large or small, a closet system can make a huge difference in your ability to find what you are looking for, the time you spend looking for an item, and the volume that you can reasonably fit in your closet.
Closet systems can be made out of a number of materials, including wire, coated wire, laminate, wood or plastic. Wire is typically the least expensive, and wood is the strongest and most expensive. You need to consider your budget, personal style, and use when choosing a material.
Regardless of which material you choose, most closet systems have different drawers, cubbies, shelves, and bars to choose from. These options allow you to group like items in your closet together for easier retrieval and return. Before you get started, it is important to sort through and get rid of items you no longer need so that you can plan your closet system to work for you going forward. For example, you don’t want to purchase a large number of shoe cubbies only to discover that you are donating half your shoes. On the other hand, you want to make sure that you plan for some growth. If you currently have ten pair of shoes that you use regularly, you will want to plan for a couple of extra shoe cubbies if space allows. A Closet System Designer or a Professional Organizer can help you plan and design your closet system to best fit your style and maximize your space.
Start the New Year off right – transform your closet into a stylish and functional space that you can enjoy!
–Donna Lindley, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Rochester Hills, MI-based Organize Your World, Inc.
If you’re looking for more information about purchasing a custom space, Organize-It can help!
- Contact one of our design representatives @ 800-210-7712 (press 2 when prompted)
- They will walk you through all the details and answer any questions you may have about the process