Go here to read an article posted today in The New York Times regarding paper retention. This includes paper copies of tax returns, utility and credit card billings and investment papers.
Always keep your papers organized in a file cabinet or easy to access plastic bins. Paper boxes are not a great storage option for paper because of moisture and critters.
March 31, 2010
March 20, 2010
The One Minute Rule
Heidi and I are reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. She writes alot about decluttering, organizing, giving away and the happiness all of these task can bring to your life. We like to give credit to her for this.
If a task can be done in one minute - DO IT NOW. Hang up your coat, read a letter and toss it, put your toothpaste away in the medicine cabinet, put your coffee cup in the dishwasher.
This simple rule, if you make it a habit, will cut down on much of the unnecessary clutter in your home. What a great rule!
March 19, 2010
How to Stop Receiving Mail Order Catalogs
How many catalogs do you receive each week through the mail? Everytime you order something on the internet or by mail, your address is entered into the catalog datebase and before you know it, here comes another catalog.
If you want to eliminate the number of catalogs you receive, go to www.dmachoice.org. This service of the Direct Marketing Association estimates they will stop up to 75% of all national mailings.
When you do receive catalogs, please be sure to recycle them instead of throwing them in the trash.
March 17, 2010
7 Ways to Make Your Mornings Less Stressful
How many times have you sent your family off in tears because everyone was scrambling to get out the door on time? We have 7 things you can try to increase the smiles and turn off the tears!
1. Establish a "launching pad" close to the door where you can keep things you need to get out of the door. This is where the backpacks, diaper bag, briefcase, umbrellas, gloves, car keys, and sunglasses are always placed so everyone knows where to go to grab the things they need to leave the house.
2. Tidy up for 15 minutes every night before you go to bed. For your kids, make it a game to see who can get their room picked up first then reward them with the front seat in the car the next morning. Adults can do a quick sweep of the common areas to tidy up for the next day.
3. Make school lunches the night before.
4. Select tomorrow's outfit the night before. This prevents long decision making and arguments to start the day. And don't forget to have everyone look for both shoes, belts, or hair ribbons so that no one has to hunt for them when time is running short in the morning.
5. No television in the mornings. It is easy to get engrossed in something on TV instead of getting dressed or eating breakfast.
6. Consider getting up 5 to 10 minutes earlier.
7. Consider leaving 5 to 10 minutes earlier. You may have to set your clocks ahead to achieve this goal!
Try all of these or just one and we think you mornings will go smoother. Beginning the day with a smile and happy thoughts increases the chances of your day ending the same way!
1. Establish a "launching pad" close to the door where you can keep things you need to get out of the door. This is where the backpacks, diaper bag, briefcase, umbrellas, gloves, car keys, and sunglasses are always placed so everyone knows where to go to grab the things they need to leave the house.
2. Tidy up for 15 minutes every night before you go to bed. For your kids, make it a game to see who can get their room picked up first then reward them with the front seat in the car the next morning. Adults can do a quick sweep of the common areas to tidy up for the next day.
3. Make school lunches the night before.
4. Select tomorrow's outfit the night before. This prevents long decision making and arguments to start the day. And don't forget to have everyone look for both shoes, belts, or hair ribbons so that no one has to hunt for them when time is running short in the morning.
5. No television in the mornings. It is easy to get engrossed in something on TV instead of getting dressed or eating breakfast.
6. Consider getting up 5 to 10 minutes earlier.
7. Consider leaving 5 to 10 minutes earlier. You may have to set your clocks ahead to achieve this goal!
Try all of these or just one and we think you mornings will go smoother. Beginning the day with a smile and happy thoughts increases the chances of your day ending the same way!
March 16, 2010
Kessler Simple Solutions on BlogTalkRadio
Our thanks to Johnny Tan of "From My Mamas' Kitchen" for hosting Heidi and I on his call in radio show. The name of our segment is "From Chaos to Harmony". I never knew an hour could fly by so fast!
Click here to listen to the show.
Click here to listen to the show.
March 15, 2010
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