, ,

Read Across America Day

Today is the 22nd annual Read Across America day. This is a program that I think is fabulous because I loved to read as a child & I still try to get in as much reading as I can.

Read Across America is dedicated to motivating children in all communities to celebrate reading in conjunction with the beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss, whose birthday is tomorrow, March 2nd.  Who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss’ books?!

As a professional organizer, I am urging all of you to round up those books that you no longer read, need, have grown out of and are gathering dust and donate them.

Here is a list of 10 ideas on how to donate or recycle your gently used books.

  1. Better World Books: A global e-retailer that collects and sells used books online with a matching donation for each sale. They have book drop boxes throughout the United States. The books are picked up from the drop box site and transported to one of their sorting facilities and there they determine which books are able to be sold, donated or recycled. Books in good condition are either sold online through their website or one of their 30+ marketplaces or donated to literacy partners. Books that cannot be sold or donated are recycled and converted into pulp for new products such as brown tissue, cardboard, or even new book covers. Not one book will ever see a landfill! Please visit their website to learn more and to find a location near you.
  2. BookCrossing: This is the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise.”The term is derived from bookcrossing.com, a free online book club which was founded to encourage the practice, aiming to “make the whole world a library.” If you finish your book while you are sitting in your doctor’s waiting area, leave it for the next person who might enjoy it. Make sure that you don’t leave any personal information in it such as your name, address or the bank receipt you were using as a bookmark.
  3. Book Swaps: You can host a book swap at your home. Invite your friends, family, and neighbors – just make sure they enjoy reading! Ask them to bring along 2-3 used books they no longer need. You could also serve food or better yet have a potluck so you are not stuck doing all of the work! The basic gist is that you all swap books and everyone goes home with a couple of books they have never read before. Your guests can talk about the book they brought and why they loved reading it. You can also make a game of it similar to a white elephant party. Just be aware that it could get quite competitive!  There are a ton of ideas online to inspire and help you have a successful swap.
  4. Internet Search: Google “where to donate books” in your area so you can pass on your books to give a little bit of enjoyment to someone else. There are many places that would be happy to receive your donations.
  5. Little Free Library: This is probably my favorite way to donate books!  Little Free Library is a neighborhood book exchange where anyone can take or leave a book. Use their world map to find a library in your area, then stop by and drop off your books! Some of the libraries people build are so stinking cute! Who knows? Maybe you will want to build your own Little Free Library for your neighborhood!
  6. Local libraries: I recommend calling in advance to see if they are currently accepting book donations. You can visit the library’s website as well. They often have a monthly donation day along with a list of materials they can and cannot accept.
  7. Local Retirement Homes: Please don’t just show up boxes of books to drop off at your local retirement home. I recommend calling the location to discuss what kind of books they are looking for and to make sure they indeed want your used books.
  8. Local schools: I would touch base with the school’s district office to see if they are accepting book donations. My grandson’s high school held a book drive during the month of February to raise money for mental health awareness.
  9. Savers: Savers family of stores is a for-profit, global thrift retailer who will accept your gently used books and more! You can feel good when you donate at a Savers Community Donation Center. They help by keeping 700 million pounds of stuff out of landfills each year!   Please contact your local store for a complete list of acceptable and non-acceptable donations. This list may be changed and/or modified as needed to accommodate business needs. They have locations throughout the United States. You can find a location near you on their website.
  10. Read Indeed: Read Indeed is a charity that has grown out of one girl’s wish to share her love of reading with kids in need. Her charity collects and distributes gently use and new books to children from ages 0-18. She has donated nearly 1.8 million books, equating to more than $5,000,000 in book donations. You are can find more information on their website.

Be Awesome!  Be a Book Nut! ~ Dr. Seuss

 

/0 Comments/by
, ,

Archiving Your Papers

I am constantly being asked, “What should I do with all of my paper?”  It is usually the biggest challenge for most people.

Since there is a very good chance you are working on your taxes right now (if you are done – way to go!) I thought this would be a great time to focus on filing.  This is an opportune time to get rid of outdated documents by going through your old papers.

I must preface by saying I am an Organizing Expert, I am not an accountant or an attorney.  These are systems that have proven useful for my clients and for myself.  If in doubt, please contact your accountant or attorney for further professional advice.

Archive files are files that you rarely need to access.  These files do not need to be in your office or in close proximity.  They could be kept in the garage up in the rafters, in the attic or in the basement.  They can be stored in a file cabinet, plastic file boxes, or corrugated bankers boxes.  Whatever you decide to use be consistent and use the same kind.  Doing this makes it easy for storage purposes and you will utilize your space efficiently.

Go through all of your files once a year.  I like to do it at the end of the year, typically the week between Christmas and New Years.   The reason to go through your files annually is get rid of the old and make room for the new.

Be very choosy on what you keep and remember most of this stuff will never be used again!

Some examples of what may be considered to include in archive files:

  • Annual tax returns and supporting documentation  – keep 7 years
  • Audit reports – keep forever
  • Year-end financial summary statements – once you have received the year-end statement compare to your quarterly statements.  Assuming you approve the statements, shred the quarterly statements.  Keep with your tax records
  • Bank statements –  Keep only if needed to prove deductions with your tax records
  • Credit card statements – keep only if needed to prove deductions with your tax records
  • Receipts – keep only if needed to prove deductions with your tax records
  • Loan documentation – can get rid of once the loan is paid off
  • Mortgage documents – as long as you own the home
  • Receipts for home improvement/home repair records – as long as you own the home
  • Receipts and warranties for any big-ticket items  – keep the life of the product
  • Memorabilia – be reasonable here.  This category can get out of control really fast.  Assign one bin per family member.  When the bin gets full, something has to be removed before something else goes in.  Do not have multiple bins per family member!
  • Personal health records – keep indefinitely.  Purge as necessary.

I will write about other kinds of files in future blogs.

Happy Filing,

/0 Comments/by
, ,

Read Across America Day

by JUDY OZMENT on MARCH 1, 2013

Today is the 16th annual Read Across America day. This is a program that I think is fabulous because I loved to read as a child & I still try to get in as much reading as I can.

Read Across America is dedicated to motivating children in all communities to celebrate reading in conjunction with the beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss, whose birthday is tomorrow, March 2nd.  Who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss’ books?!

As a professional organizer, I am urging all of you to round up those books that you no longer read, need, have grown out of and are gathering dust and donate them.

Here in Mankato our library has a designated monthly donation day.  Donations of new or gently used books can be made on the first Saturday of every month from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm at the Blue Earth County Library Garage, located at 100 East Main Street in Mankato.

To make donations outside of the designated time, please call the library at (507) 304-4005.

To learn more and to find out what is accepted, please visit their website here.

For those of you who are not in the Mankato, MN area, I urge you to do a search “where to donate books” in your area so you too can pass on your books to give a little bit of enjoyment to someone else.  There are many places that would be happy to receive your donations.

Be Awesome!  Be a Book Nut! ~ Dr. Seuss

/0 Comments/by
, ,

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

by JUDY OZMENT on JANUARY 24, 2013

If you live in Minnesota this week and you stepped outside, you probably wanted to go right back in.  We are experiencing some of the coldest weather we have had in quite some time.

I asked this question a year ago – “Do you have a winter emergency kit for your vehicle?”  I thought it would be a good idea to revisit this again since Old Man Winter is showing no mercy.

This reminds me of the winters where I grew in west central Minnesota. I listed some of the basics which will help you organize your items to make your kit.  You should carry this kit in your vehicle during this time of the year.  Remember to have enough on hand for each person traveling with you.

Obviously your kit will vary depending on your location – you probably don’t need as much in your kit if you drive and stay in a metropolitan area, where help can get to you rather quickly.  But if you motor around in a rural area having a complete kit could make a difference between life and death.

  • non-perishable snacks
  • paper towels
  • toilet paper
  • water – smaller containers are easier to thaw.  Do not consume snow, it will lower your body temperature.
  • tire chains
  •  ice scraper/snow brush
  • jumper cables
  • road flares
  • phone charger
  • first-aid kit
  • blankets or sleeping bags
  • flashlight with spare batteries
  • manual can opener
  • extra socks
  • extra gloves
  • winter boots
  • matches
  • candles
  • first aid kit
  • pocket knife
  • medications
  • If you travel with pets, have their supplies on hand
  • shovel – go for a sturdy one with a decent size –  not the little, dinky, portable, fold-up style
  • sand or litter (not the clumping kind) for traction
  • tow rope or chain

If you are planning on taking any road trips during the winter months please make sure to check over your vehicle before you hit the road.  Check your tires, battery, fluid levels, wipers, heater, lights and brakes.  This is not not a complete list but it’s a start.

If you live in the mountains, remember your chains if needed.  I never thought about this until I lived in northern Nevada for over five years.

I have sand bags weighing 130 pounds in my trunk.  I have rear wheel drive so the extra weight in the back helps out a lot!  Keep your fuel tank full or don’t let it get below half full.  My oldest brother drilled this into my head!  Yes, Darrel,  I was listening to you all those years ago!

Let people know your departure time, expected arrival time and your route.  Stay on that route – if you have to make any changes let people know that as well.  This is all very helpful if you don’t show up when expected.

If you should become stranded don’t leave your vehicle!  Stay put and be patient.  Make sure the snow is cleared and not accumulating near the exhaust pipe.  Do not leave your vehicle idling.  Start it once an hour for about 10 minutes for heat and have a window cracked for fresh air.

I certainly hope you don’t have to use any of this but it is better to be prepared and organized in this type of situation.

Stay warm and snug as a bug in a rug,

/0 Comments/by
, , ,

Simplify Your Life Week – Day Seven

by Dengarden on AUGUST 7, 2012

Organize Your Attic, Basement and Garage

It is time to tackle the junk havens – the storage areas of many things you probably don’t use or need. Tips:

  • Broken furniture – Schedule a time for it to be fixed or get rid of it.
  • Clothing – If you store seasonal clothing, go through it all to weed out what does not fit or look good. Hang up coats and other clothes on a portable hanging rack to save space.
  • Holiday decorations – Store in large plastic bins and stack them together.
  • Luggage – Keep only the suitcases and bags that you honestly will use. Donate the rest.
  • Sports gear – Make sure tents, sleeping bags and other equipment are packed tightly and consolidated in one area.

You house is almost completely decluttered, and the only area left is the garage. For some, this may be an all day job. Here are some tips for getting your garage organized:

  • Peg boards are good for hanging tools on the wall.
  • Use large hooks to suspend bicycles or other large items.
  • Hang garden or yard tools (shovel, rake, hoe) on the wall.
  • Shelves are a great way to organize the garage. Consider installing shelves along the walls or purchase plastic shelves from a super center or home improvement store. You also may find some sturdy wooden shelves at second hand stores.

/0 Comments/by
, , ,

Simplify Your Life Week – Day Six

by JUDY OZMENT on AUGUST 6, 2012

Clutter cutting questions to ask yourself:

Do I love it?
If not, why are you hanging onto something that you don’t even like?  Let it go!

Do I need to keep it?
Think tax returns

When was the last time I used this?
• If you have not used something within the last twelve months, chances are you don’t need to keep it in your home.
• There are a few exceptions to this:  seasonal items, formal wear, big serving pieces i.e.: punch bowl.

What do I want this room to look like, how do I want to use it?
• Do you want to have a meal with your family at your dining table?
• Do you want a more restful night sleeping in your bedroom?
• Do you want a functioning office?

What is the worst thing that could happen if I got rid of this?
Can you find it somewhere else?  Bank statements, utility bills and the like are available on-line.

Does it have a home?
• Remember “A place for everything and everything in its place”.  Everything you have must have a designated home.
• Are you willing to let something else go in order to make room for it?
• Remember, you only have so much space.

Please be brutally honest with yourself.  Letting go is very liberating.

/0 Comments/by
, , ,

Simplify Your Life Week – Day Five

by JUDY OZMENT on AUGUST 5, 2012

Create an evening routine to tidy up

The goal here is to pick things up and put away where they belong.   Doing this task each night will help your next morning run smoother.

Use a timer and give yourself 15 minutes to complete.  If you need a little more time, fine, but 30 minutes max.

Get the kids involved & make it a game with them.  Whoever gets their stuff picked up and put away first gets a simple prize.  They get to pick the family movie to watch, pick their favorite meal to have, pick their favorite dessert, etc.

Some ideas for your routine are:

  • Load & start the dishwasher
  • Recycle the newspaper
  • Sweep kitchen floor
  • Take out garbage & recycling
  • Put remotes back where they belong
  • Wipe down kitchen counters
  • Put away books, toys, etc.
  • Put away any clothes that were worn throughout the day

Tidy up as you go and before you know it you will be having sweet dreams!

/0 Comments/by
, , ,

Simplify Your Life Week – Day Four

by JUDY OZMENT on AUGUST 4, 2012

Follow the One In, One Out Rule
If your home is busting at the seams from too much stuff,  read on because this tip will help simplify your life immensely.  Let’s face it we only have so much space, right?  For every new item you bring into your home, one old item needs to leave your home.

• A new pair of shoes in, donate an old pair
• Purchase a new book, pass an old book onto a friend
• Buy a new set of dishes, donate the old set
• New magazine comes in, old magazine gets recycled

You get the idea.  This rule is crucial to help you maintain the simpler, clutter-free life you want.  When something new comes into your home, something old needs to go out – simple.  If you really want to get ahead of the game, go crazy and remove two items for every new item brought in!  Seriously, you will see light at the end of the tunnel much sooner.

Remember those that are less fortunate than you.  They would be thrilled to receive your donations and put them to good use instead of collecting dust in your home.

Remember, you only have so much space, right?

/0 Comments/by
, , ,

Simplify Your Life Week – Day Three

by INTEGRIS MARKETING on AUGUST 3, 2012

Go through  your mail DAILY!

• Have the right tools on hand:  letter opener, trash can, recycling bin, shredder and in-box.
• If you do not have a shredder I strongly urge you to get one.  You can find a reasonably priced one at your favorite big box store.  Look for a shredder that has “Cross • • Cut” or “Micro Cut”.  These offer a higher level of security and it would be extremely difficult for someone to try to reassemble the pieces of paper.  A lot of shredders can also destroy CD’s, DVD’s & credit cards.
• Stage these tools all together in one area in your home.  Common areas are the home office or in the kitchen.
• After you get your mail do you enter your home through the garage?  If so, consider going through your mail before you go back into the house.  That way only the important mail that you need to act on enters your home.
• When going through your mail throw, recycle or shred what you don’t need.  When opening bills only keep the bill and envelop if needed.  Recycle the “guts” – all of the offers that are included in the mailing.
• Put the rest in your in-box to act on during your set time.
• Dedicate a time to go through your in-box and stick to it!  Put it on your calendar.  Daily or weekly, whatever works for you.  Notice that monthly is not an option.
• You can cut down on the mail that you receive.  Visit my Opt Out page for ideas on how to reduce incoming mail.
• Sign up for e-billing with your credit cards, utilities, and banks.  Eliminating these monthly paper statements will help reduce the amount of mail coming into your home.

/0 Comments/by
, , ,

Simplify Your Life Week – Day Two

by INTEGRIS MARKETING on AUGUST 2, 2012

Set up a donation station in everyone’s closet.

  • This can be a shopping bag, grocery bag, box, whatever you decide.  I suggest using something that you don’t mind going away.  Then you don’t have to deal with getting your nice tote bags back when you are dropping off your donations.
  • Have a pen & pad of paper nearby.  Each time you come across something you don’t like, doesn’t fit, and is outdated or worn – put it in the bag.  Make note of it for tax purposes.
  • Discuss what is and is not acceptable for older children to get rid of.
  • Help younger children with their items to donate.
  • When the bag is full take it to your favorite charity, get a receipt & staple it to the paper you recorded the contents on & put it in your tax file.
  • Take your children with when you drop off the items to be donated.  They will feel good about helping out others.
  • This is less overwhelming than trying to do a huge purge all at once.

/0 Comments/by