Friday, December 26, 2008

Recycle Your Christmas Tree

When the season is over, please remember to find the proper way to dispose of or recycle your Christmas tree. Visit Earth911.com and use their "Start Recycling" search tool to find Christmas tree recyclers in your area.

For more ideas about tree recycling, visit these websites:

http://pickyourownchristmastree.org/disposing.php

http://www.mahalo.com/How_to_Dispose_of_a_Christmas_Tree

Enjoy the rest of your holidays!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Christmas Trees: Real or Fake?

Are you trying to decide whether to purchase an artificial tree or a real tree for Christmas this year? Even though a real Christmas tree may be a little more work, I think it has many advantages. The first is that you don't have to find a place to store it the other 11 months of the year. Also, even though you may think not buying a real tree is "saving" the environment, actually the opposite is true. Real trees help the environment while they're growing, and they biodegrade much faster than artificial trees. Read more at: http://www.christmas-tree.com/real/realchristmastrees.html.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

2008 Gift Guide

Are you searching for that perfect holiday gift? Here are some ideas to get your family and friends more organized for the new year.

1. Gift Wrap Organizer
Do you know someone with a lot of wrapping paper, ribbons, and gift bags? Consider giving a gift wrap organizer as a gift. They come in hanging bags, flat boxes, vertical boxes, and more. The Container Store has the best selection I’ve seen.

2. Collapsible Colanders
It’s uncanny how much I love my collapsible colanders. They are constructed with combination of hard plastic and rubber, so they fold flat. They save space in my kitchen cabinets, and they take up less room in the dishwasher. I have a few from Bed, Bath & Beyond, but Target and Crate & Barrel also carry versions. They retail from about $15 to $30.

3. Mailmate Shredder
With the growth of identity theft crimes, it’s becoming more and more essential to own a shredder. I love my MailMate desktop shredder from Staples. It may be too small if you shred a lot, but I find it perfect to shred junk mail and personal forms once or twice a week. Because of its size, you have to empty it more often, but I consider that a benefit. I recently destroyed a shredder because I didn’t lubricate it often enough. With my little MailMate, I just lubricate it every time I empty it, using Staples lubricated shredder sheets. (Include these easy shredder sheets with your gift—they’ll thank you later!) The shredder costs about $60, and shredder sheets are $10 per dozen.

4. Method “Detox Your Home” Cleaning Kit
If you know someone who wants to go green but doesn’t know where to start, try the “Detox Your Home” kit from Method. The cleaning supplies really work, and they leave rooms with nice scents that don’t make you feel dizzy. I especially love the peppermint bathroom cleaner—very refreshing! Purchase it for about $28 from www.MethodHome.com.

5. Calendars and Planners
I usually don’t advise giving people calendars as gifts because they feel like they have to use the new one along with the five other calendars they already have. If you have someone who asked you for a new calendar though, consider these options:

• Taylor Planner. Designed by renowned time management expert Harold Taylor, this weekly calendar is a simple, straight-forward way to keep track of your schedule. Pair it with one of Taylor’s time management books for a great gift set. Order the planner for about $30 at www.TaylorInTime.com.

• Artalendar. Do you know a creative type who has yet to find a calendar that works for him? Professional Organizer Colleen Warmingham created a calendar called the Artalendar for people who like to “color outside of the lines.” It sells for about $20 at www.Artalendar.com.

• I’m FLYing Calendar. This family wall calendar from the FLYLady helps you complete your appointments and household chores. It even includes stickers and a dry-erase board. Purchase the calendar for about $18 plus at www.FlyLady.com.

If none of these gifts float your boat, consider “clutter-free” gifts such as gift certificates to stores, theatre, or museums, or donations to charitable organizations. Overall, remember what the holidays are really about, and have a safe and joyous season!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Black Friday

The day after Thanksgiving, or Black Friday is traditionally the hottest shopping day of the year, the day that all of the stores are "in the black." There is also a movement to make it "Buy Nothing Day." Whatever you decide to do on November 28, have a happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the spirit of the holidays.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Peter Walsh on Oprah

Expert organizer Peter Walsh was featured on Oprah this week. See his clutter tips online at http://www.oprah.com/contributor/home/peterwalsh.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Presentation at Middletown Library

Sara Long Organizing will be presenting a program entitled "What Do I Do With All the Paper" on Friday, November 14, at 10 a.m. at Middletown Free Library. To RSVP, call Meg from Lion's MANE at 610-627-7234.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Save Money by Clearing the Clutter

In this troubling economy, we all are looking for ways to save money. Here are some ways in which getting organized can actually help you find extra funds.

Avoid late fees. If you paperwork is in order and you have a reliable schedule for paying bills, you will reduce late fees. You may even get a better view of where your money is going and how to save a bit here and there.

Discover gift cards and certificates. While clearing up your files, dressers, and closets, you may find forgotten gift cards and gift certificates. Use them for your daily needs or for upcoming holiday gifts.

Find items to return. If you are cleaning out closets and storage rooms, see if you find any unwanted items that you recently bought that still have tags and/or receipts with them. Return these items to the stores for extra money, or use store credit for holiday gift purchases.

Unearth items to sell. While clearing out the clutter, you may find older items that you don’t really need. Consider selling them on eBay or Craig’s List or consigning them at your local thrift shop.

Prevent buying things twice. Often while you’re organizing, you will come across items that you forgot you had bought. Maybe you already bought a second one (which you can return or sell), or you were just about to buy a second one. It’s a great feeling when you’ve found something, because you’ve saved the money you would have spent buying it again!

Rack up tax deductions. Donating items to thrift shops can give you more tax deductions. You can get a receipt from the donation center. If you get a receipt or not, remember to keep a list of what you donate and their estimated fair market values. It adds up!

Once you clear out the clutter and develop organization systems, it will be easier to determine what you have and what you need. Being organized saves you money, and it also saves you time. So pick a place to start organizing today!

Friday, October 31, 2008

Reminder: Change Your Clocks!

Remember to move your clocks back one hour this weekend. The "official" time change occurs at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, so reset your clocks before you go to bed on Saturday night (November 1) or right when you wake up on Sunday morning (November 2).

http://www.timeanddate.com/time/aboutdst.html

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event in Media

Delaware County will host its final HHW event of 2008 this Thursday, October 16, from 9 am to 3 pm in Rose Tree Park. For information, see http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle/hhw.html.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

The 100 Thing Challenge

Have you heard of Dave Bruno's "100 Thing Challenge?" He challenges people to reduce their possessions to just 100 items. This may seem crazy to you, but it definitely makes you think about what is and isn't important to you.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1812048,00.html

Action Ideas:

1. Chat about it with a spouse, roommate, or friend. See what's important to them, and share your ideas.

2. Jot down what you would keep if you could only keep 100 things. Brainstorm and have fun with it.

3. When you go home, see if there's anything there that wouldn't even break the top 1,000 list! It's time for those items to go.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Daylight Saving To-Do List

For those hard-to-remember semiannual chores, it may be helpful to create a "daylight saving" to do list. Here are some ideas from my list to get you started.

1. Right after you change your clocks, change your smoke detector batteries. It only costs a few dollars for new batteries, and it could save your life.

2. Replace air filters in your heating/air conditioning system. This should be done at least every six months, or more often if you have pets or run your system a lot. If you have central air, daylight saving time may also be a good time to schedule professional duct cleaning.

3. Check your credit report. The website annualcreditreport.com offers free, secure copies of your credit report from the three major companies once a year. You can also request reports by phone by calling 1-877-322-8228. I like to check one after new year's and the others at the two daylight saving times. I usually go alphabetically: Equifax in January, Experian in the spring, and TransUnion in the fall.

4. Replace your car's windshield wipers. It's best to replace your windshield wipers ever six months, or more often if you have a long commute or park outdoors. You can measure your wipers, buy replacements for about $5 to $15 each, and install them yourself. Or, ask your mechanic to do it, possibly in combination with an oil change or inspection.

5. Replace your car's air filter. Either ask your mechanic to do it, or do it yourself. Air filters cost about $10 to $50, and your auto parts store will have guides on which filter your car uses. Although the task can be a little dirty, it doesn't take a whole lot of know-how to change the filter. Just make sure you let your car's engine cool down before opening up the hood.

6. Add your own items to this list. For example, my vacuum cleaner needs a filter replaced every six months. There is no way I would remember to do that without my daylight saving list!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Are You Prepared? National Preparedness Month

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's "Ready Campaign" has dedicated September as National Preparedness Month. There is a wealth of information about preparing for emergencies on their www.ready.gov website, but it can be overwhelming. If you don't know where to begin, here are a few ideas.

Compile an Emergency Numbers List
Gather a list of phone numbers of family, friends, doctors, insurance companies, lawyers, banks, credit cards, etc. If you choose to, include the last four digits of your account numbers next to financial phone numbers. This list will go into your safe, your emergency bag, and possibly with a trusted family member or friend.

Secure Your Original Documents
It will give you peace of mind if the original copies of your important documents are safe if there is a disaster at your house or even if you are in an accident away from home. Two good options to safeguard documents are 1) a waterproof, fireproof home safe, or 2) a safe deposit box. Safe deposit boxes may be more secure, but you are limited because you can only access them during certain hours. Visit http://www.personal-finance-hq.com/managing/safe-deposit-boxes.html to help decide which is best for you. Whichever one you choose, here are the items that you can store there: passport, birth certificate, Social Security card, deed, will, insurance policy with list/photos, computer back ups, a family portrait or important photos that you don't have digitally, and your emergency numbers list. Also store photocopies of your drivers license, medical card, and other IDs you carry in your wallet.

Make an Emergency Bag
The Ready Campaign website suggests creating a emergency kit that you can use if you are stuck in your house, or you can grab if you have to evacuate quickly. If you don't have the space to store big plastic tubs of supplies, at least start by creating a bag of that you can grab quickly. Your kit should at least include: water, food and can-opener, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, whistle, dust mask, wet-wipes, garbage bags, wrench, local maps, and your emergency numbers list. To see the full list of items, go to www.ready.gov and click on "Get a Kit."

Clean Up Your Files
It is important to have organized files, both for your own use in an emergency and for use by family members in case something happens to you. It's uncomfortable to think about, but just imagine how stressful it would be if your family had to sort through your papers while they're taking care of you or grieving. Invest in a decent filing cabinet, filing box, or accordion file-case. Label file tabs clearly, and type an "index" that lists all of the file names for easy access. Keep up with your filing, assigning at least one hour a week to file. Go through all of your files once a year, and purge what you don't need to keep in paper form anymore. For help on how long to keep certain paperwork, see this website: www.bankrate.com/brm/news/mtg/20000518h.asp.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

The Best of Times: Best Times to Do Things

We're all trying to get things done faster and cheaper these days. I was thinking about this, and wondering if there are standard better times than other to do regular tasks. I did a little research, and here are some ideas to make your life more efficient.

Best Time to Buy Gas
Studies show that the best time to fill up is mid-week (Tuesday through Thursday) mornings before 10 a.m. Why? Most people buy gas from Friday through Monday, so station managers follow the supply and demand principle, and raise their rates then. They also change their prices around 10 a.m. each morning.

Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets
Travel writer Peter Greenberg says that the best time to purchase airline tickets online is Tuesday night/Wednesday morning between 12:01 a.m. and dawn. Airlines often raise rates on Friday nights, and ticket price wars occur over the weekend through Monday. By the time Tuesday night comes around, the bidding wars and competition have lowered ticket prices, just in time to sell them and start the Friday cycle all over again. If you can stay up late or get up early, here's your chance!

Best Time to Go to the Post Office
Experts agree that the best time to go to your post office in about a half hour after they open. You will miss the early-morning people, and avoid the lunchtime rush. If your post office opens too late to get there on your way to work, consider using another post office near your home or near your office.

Best Time to Call Customer Service
Research shows that the best time to call company call centers is during workday hours, around 9:30 or 10 a.m. Even 24-hour services have more staff during regular working hours, so chances are better of getting a good agent or talking to a manager. Don't call them right at 8:30 or 9 a.m., though, they need a chance to get set up, answer messages from the day before, and get their coffee, too! And avoid Monday mornings, if possible.

Best Time to Wash Your Car
Auto detailing experts say the best time to wash your car is at sunset. The key is not to let the sun dry your car before you do. Wiping it dry with a cloth reduces the water droplet marks. Parking in the shade also helps.

Best Time to Buy Shoes
Have you ever bought a pair of shoes, just to find they didn't fit the next time you tried to wear them? This is why the best time to buy shoes is late afternoon/early evening, after you've been on your feet most of the day. You should try on shoes while your feet are a little swollen, so the shoes will fit you when you wear them next.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Pack It Faster and Easier

As we enter vacation season, I thought I'd propose some tips to make packing easier.

1. Make a list of items to pack about a week before you have to pack. As you do laundry, put the clothes you want to take in your bag, to avoid the last-minute laundry rush. If you go on the same or similar vacations every year, consider writing or typing a master packing list. For example, if you go to the beach for a week each summer, make a list of items such as "4 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shorts, toiletries bag, camera, sun block," etc. You don't need to be specific, but be comprehensive.

2. Keep a great toiletries bag or Dopp kit. Instead of running around gathering supplies at the 11th hour, keep a small toiletries bag year-round. Check it a few weeks before traveling to see if anything expired. Most drug stores and supermarkets have travel-size toiletries, but visit Bed Bath & Beyond for a great selection. To find your absolutely favorite soap or shampoo in a travel size, try www.minimus.biz. If your toiletries bag is overflowing, consider removing anything you hardly use, anything that a hotel may provide, or anything you can easily buy in the hotel shop or drug store when you get there.

3. If you're flying, check the restrictions in advance. The airline rules for liquids change often, and airlines have their own size limits for carry-on bags. A few weeks before your trip, visit your airline's website for baggage guidelines. Most airlines request that you keep your liquid toiletries in bottles/tubes three ounces or less, and that they all fit together in a one-quart (sandwich-sized) plastic zip-top bag.

4. Bring extra plastic shopping bags. They are great for dirty clothes, shoes, wet swimsuits, food, etc.

5. Put heavier items at the bottom of the suitcase. Put shoes and your toiletries towards the bottom-where the wheels are on rolling cases-so the suitcase isn't top-heavy when transporting.

6. If you're traveling for more than a week, don't be afraid to plan to wear things twice. Skimp on packing extras of items you can wear twice, like pants, sweaters, shoes, etc. Don't skimp on underwear, socks, and undershirts. Pack basics that can be mixed-and-matched. Remember that most people who see you when you travel will not see you twice. Plus, unless you're going somewhere like the Hamptons, not many people will remember what you wear anyway. (Sorry!)

My mother and I went to Italy for a week with only two small carryon duffle bags. When everyone else was waiting at baggage claim and lugging big suitcases through the airport, we were onto our destination quickly and easily. We had more than enough to wear, and nobody was the wiser!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

What do I do with all this stuff?

Sometimes the most frustrating part of an organizing project is getting rid of all of the clutter at the end. When I do a professional organizing project for a client, I take the client's stuff with me at the end of the appointment. But if you are looking to get rid of your clutter now, here are some ideas.

Donate to thrift shops. This area boasts hundreds of thrift shops, including Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and shops in churches and hospitals. Many shops will give you a receipt for donations, so you can deduct them on your taxes, but call ahead first to check their donation hours. Although the thrift shop will give you a receipt, you will have to estimate the fair market values
yourself. The Salvation Army provides a good value estimation guide online at http://www.satruck.com/ValueGuide.asp. It is also helpful to browse the thrift shop racks to see how
they price items. Before you donate the items, I recommend writing or typing a list of donated items and estimated values. When you receive the donation receipt, staple your list to it and keep them both in your tax file. You'll be surprised how it adds up!

Donate books to the library. If you have a lot of books to give away, try your local library. You can find a list of libraries that have book sales on the Delaware County Library System's website
at http://www.delcolibraries.org/LibraryInformation_BookSales.htm. Many have ongoing book sales and accept donations year-round. They don't accept everything, though--so give your old encyclopedias and National Geographics to someone else!

Recycle hazardous waste. The County of Delaware hosts hazardous waste recycling events four times a year at various locations around the county. For dates, locations, and instructions, see their
website at http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle/hhw.html, or call 610-892-9627. They accept computer and portable televisions twice a year. If you need to get rid of a computer now, call your
local Goodwill store to ask if they accept computer donations. If they don't, Staples and Office Depot recycle computers for a fee.

Donate your Christmas cards to St. Jude's. Ever wonder what to do with all of those holiday cards you get every year? They're so beautiful, it's a shame just to throw them out. Well, St. Jude's
Ranch, a campus for children rescued from abuse, collects the fronts of all kinds of cards to use for craft projects. The children construct new cards using the old fronts, then sell packets of their new, hand-made cards to raise funds for the ranch. For details, see their website at http://www.stjudesranch.org/give/Recycled_Cards.php, or mail to "St. Jude's Card Recycling, 100 St. Jude Street, P.O. Box 60100, Boulder City, NV 89006."

If you think some of your items may be valuable, consider calling an appraiser, an auction house, a used book store, a record/CD trader, a comic book/baseball card store, or selling them on ebay
or Craigs List. The old saying goes "time is money," and I'd like to add that "you need to spend time to make money." Selling on ebay and in live auctions are often not as lucrative as they seem. Be honest with yourself, and really consider how much time you have before launching into another
project.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Press Release: E-newsletter

DO YOU WANT FREE ORGANIZING TIPS?
--Get Free Clutter Tips Emailed to You Monthly from Sara Long Organizing--

Brookhaven, PA - Are you ready to clear the clutter, but you just don't know where to start? Sign up for Sara Long Organizing's free email newsletter and achieve your goals of a clutter-free home!

Sara Long Organizing, offering professional organizing services in the greater Philadelphia area, publishes a free email newsletter monthly to help people from all backgrounds conquer the clutter monster.

Newsletters include organizing tips, how-to guides, special offers, and reminders such as upcoming free recycling events and postage increases.
"People have told me that these emails were the springboard they needed to start getting their homes organized," says Sara Long, of Sara Long Organizing in Brookhaven, PA. "My goal is to send useful information to people in a very convenient and paper-free way, to make people's lives easier one step at a time."

To sign up for this email newsletter, simply visit Sara Long Organizing's website at www.saralong.com, and click on "Newsletter Sign Up."

Sara Long Organizing can help you with your home office, files, bookshelves, photo collections, closets, kitchens, bedrooms, project rooms, and more. Sara Long Organizing also provides virtual assistance services, such as organizing contact lists and mailings.

Sara Long is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and its Greater Philadelphia Chapter. Sara Long Organizing is committed to bringing clients friendly, patient, respectful, and confidential service. If you're ready to say "so long" to clutter, visit www.saralong.com today.

# # #

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Reduce Junk Mail

You're trying to reduce, reuse, and recycle, but every day your mailbox is full of paper, most of it junk. Marketers call it "direct mail," but all that unwanted mail is clogging your mailbox, cluttering your home, choking the environment, and threatening the safety of your identity. Although you can't escape mail altogether, here are some tips on how to reduce the junk.

1. Remove your name from Direct Marketing Association (DMA) mailing lists. Go to www.dmachoice.org and click on "Remove My Name From Those Lists." They will send you a verification email, and they will need a credit card (which will not be charged) for identity verification. You can also verify by mail for a $1 charge. DMA allows you to remove yourself from all lists, or select catalogs and companies individually.

2. Remove your name from pre-screened credit offers. To reduce all of those credit card offers, go to www.optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-5-Opt-Out (1-888-567-8688). This is a free service offered by the major credit bureaus. You can opt-out electronically for five years, or forever by mail.

3. Try to buy over the phone instead of online. At the end of the call, ask the sales representative not to send you any catalogs, to keep you off of their mailing list, and not to sell or trade your name. Most reputable stores have codes in their computer systems for these requests. Sign up for coupons by email instead, if you prefer.

4. When you buy something online, read the terms of agreement and privacy policy. I know, they're really long and boring, but they may have insights into what you can do to keep your name off of mailing lists. Many online order forms have checkboxes to opt-in to their mailing lists. Often the checkbox is already checked, and you have to know to uncheck it if you want to be
excluded from their list.

5. If all else fails, call the company. When you get unwanted junk mail, put it in a pile or envelope labeled "Remove from Lists." Set aside an hour a month to call them and ask them not to send you any more mail and not to sell or trade your name. Mark the date you called on the mail, and refer back to it if you receive a lot more mail from them. Remember, large mailings with your name may already be in process when you call, so it can take up to two months for you to stop receiving mail from companies.

Major life changes like moving or name changes open you up for more junk mail, because it changes the basic information registered with these agencies. If you move or change your name, remember to re-register.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Spring Into Cleaning

If you're like me, the last thing you want to do when the weather starts to get warm is to stay inside and clean, but I always feel better when I finish a few key spring cleaning chores. It washes the winter out of my house, along with those stuffy, closed-up winter smells. If you don't know where to start your spring cleaning ritual, here are some ideas.

1. Start at the top. This time of year is a great time to clean your ceiling fans and light fixtures. Most light fixtures will unscrew with a basic flathead or Phillips head screwdriver. I usually suggest cleaning from the top first because dust falls as you clean, so why try to fight gravity?

2. Launder everything. Have you ever asked yourself "when was the last time I washed that?" Include washing draperies, pillows, comforters, and dust ruffles in your spring cleaning ritual. Pet-owners and smokers: you will be amazed at how washing fabrics freshens the air in your house. It's one of those old open house "staging" tricks. If you are lucky enough to get a particularly nice spring day, hang items on your clothesline. If it's too overwhelming to wash them all at home, spend a few hours taking up four or five machines at a laundromat. Or, better yet, get them dry-cleaned. Just don't forget to read the labels!

3. Shampoo the carpets. It's worth it to call a professional shampooing service because they will move the furniture and do the legwork. If you want to do it yourself, though, you can rent a shampooing machine from many supermarkets, home repair stores, or department stores. If you have pets, have kids, or smoke, think about purchasing a shampooer and doing it more often, section by section. I thought I had clean carpets until I shampooed them! Wow!

4. Get rid of expired items. Take time to look through your refrigerator, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom cabinets for expired items. You may be surprised at items that have expiration dates. For example, did you know that sun block expires? So does bottled water. Feeling guilty about all the garbage? Take preventative measures: make a list of new items to buy, but only include items you actually used in the past year. Any other items can be bought or borrowed in an emergency.

5. Sort and purge before buying anything. I know, I know, all of the stores are having sales on organizing equipment. Resist the urge to buy new shelves, bins, boxes, and hangers before you actually go through your stuff. You will probably wind up buying eight bins in a sale, when you only really need four. Extra racks and bags become part of the clutter. I know it's tempting, but be
strong!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Daylight Saving To-Do List

Instead of worrying about your "inner clock" when daylight saving time rolls around on March 9, why not concentrate on a few important tasks that need to be done every six months? By scheduling them during the highly-publicized fall and spring events, you'll never forget them again.

1. Right after you change your clocks, change your smoke detector batteries. Fire companies have been promoting this routine for years. It only costs a few dollars for a new battery, and it could save your life.

2. Replace air filters in your heating/air conditioning system. This should be done at least every six months, or more often if you have pets or run your system a lot.

3. Flip your mattress. Flipping your mattress twice a year saves your mattress and your back. (Flipping may not be necessary for memory foam or pillow top mattresses.)

4. Replace your car's windshield wipers. It's best to replace your windshield wipers ever six months, or more often if you have a long commute and park outdoors. Measure your wipers, buy replacements for about $5 to $15 each, and install them yourself. Or, ask your mechanic to do it, possibly in combination with an oil change or inspection.

5. Replace your car's air filter. Either ask your mechanic to do it, or do it yourself. Air filters cost about $10 to $50, and your auto parts store will have guides on which filter your car uses. Although
it can be a little dirty, it doesn't take a whole lot of know-how to change the filter. Just make sure you let your car's engine cool down before opening up the hood.

6. Add your own items to this list. For example, my vacuum cleaner needs a filter replaced every six months. There is no way I would remember to do that without my daylight saving list.

After the first time you implement your daylight saving to-do list, you will know the last time you did everything. You'll not only save daylight, but you'll save your sanity!

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

I Want to Get Organized, But Where Do I Start?

It's a month into the new year, and you said you wanted to go to the gym six times a week. But you keep running late because you can't find your sneakers and you forgot to wash your gym clothes...again. Mission: change your resolution. It's time to get organized! We only get 24 hours a day, so use these tips to regain your time and streamline your home.

1. Set goals. The best place to begin is at the end. Visualize how you want to feel when your space is organized and when systems are put into place. How will it improve your life? Won't it be great having more time to spend on the things you want to do instead of spending time looking for things? Your goals will help you get through the organizing process, especially if you're dreading it.

2. Start small. Don't let not knowing where to start stop you from starting. If your whole house overwhelms you, begin with a small project. Organize the top of your dresser or your purse, then move up to a closet, a filing cabinet, or under the bed. If you just want to organize one room, break it into sections. Based on your goals, make a list of actions, and how long you think they will take. Avoid perfectionism-it is more important to start now than to start in the absolutely perfect place.

3. Schedule time. Mark your calendar with one-, two-, or three-hour appointments for sorting and purging. Don't try to do it all in one sitting until you get tired or frustrated and are more likely to make
bad decisions or give up. When it's time for your organizing appointment, close the door, turn off your phone, and set a timer, so you can commit yourself to clearing your space. These few hours will save you dozens of hours in the future, so stick to your duties and remember your goals.

4. Plan how items will leave the house. Decide what you will do with purged items before you start organizing, whether it's donating them to a thrift shop or making a hand-me-down bag for a friend. It may be helpful to sort in these five piles: "keep," "other rooms," "donations," "recycling,"
and "trash."

5. Ask for help. Don't be ashamed to ask friends or family members for help. Ask people to deliver donations to a thrift shop or shred old documents for you. If you need more direction, don't
be embarrassed to call a professional. There are over 4,000 professional organizers nationwide serving tens of thousands of clients, so you are not alone in your organizing challenges.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Read All About It in the News of Delaware County

Sara Long will be writing a monthly organizing column for the News of Delaware County. Pick up a copy the first Wednesday of the month, and read the "So Long to Clutter" column in the Life section.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Delaware County Daily Times Feature

Sara Long Organizing was featured in the Delaware County Daily Times business section: http://www.saralong.com/SaraLongDailyTimes.pdf.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Press Release: Get Organized Month

JANUARY IS NATIONAL GET ORGANIZED MONTH
--Make Organizing a New Year's Resolution--

Are you buried in paper? Do you spend more time looking for your keys than actually driving? Instead of feeling relaxed when you come home, do you feel frustrated and overwhelmed? Maybe the first item on your new year's resolution list should be "get organized."

January is national Get Organized (GO) Month, created by the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). "January is the perfect month to get organized and start your new year off right," says NAPO President Standolyn Robertson. "Getting organized is one of the top five New Year's resolutions people make."

Thousands of people call professional organizers to help them every day, but how do you determine if you are ready to ask for professional help?

"If you feel so overwhelmed that you don't know where to start, it's a good time to call a professional," says Sara Long, of Sara Long Organizing in Brookhaven, PA. "You can also call an organizer if you want help with a closet or your files, or to delegate tasks such as organizing your rolodex."

Sara Long Organizing can help you with your home office, files, bookshelves, photo collections, closets, kitchens, bedrooms, project rooms, and more. Sara Long Organizing also provides virtual assistance services, such as organizing contact lists and mailings.

Sara Long is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and its Greater Philadelphia Chapter. Sara Long Organizing is committed to bringing clients friendly, patient, respectful, and confidential service. If you're ready to say "so long" to clutter, visit www.saralong.com today.

# # #