Start Your Morning with a Fast Start

If you want to start your morning being the MOST effective and productive, TAKE 10 to 15 minutes at the end of the prior day updating your master list, grouping like projects / items (I like using clear Project Files from The Container Store), and putting away unnecessary files.When you walk into your office and it looks like The Tasmanian Devil (cartoon) has made a pass by your desk, it's not a good way to start your day. By spending those valuable minutes the day before, it now helps to set the tone for the new, productive day, which you now control.An additional bonus to this 10 to 15 minutes spent? It allows you to help establish priorities and clear your mind of the day's tasks. Knowing you have taken this time will allow you to decompress on the trip home and at least, mentally, leave work at the office, until tomorrow.

One of my favorite things

I am often asked if I believe in using those vacuüm seal storage bags you see on infomercials (space bags). Most do not work well. If you finally do get them to seal up, the seal will likely break open and you may unfortunately finds your linens or other contents have "exploded" into your storage area.As an option, I love the PEVA Clear Storage Containers from The Container Store.

• they are clear so that you can see the contents of your bag;

  1. the zippers are durable so that the contents may be removed &replaced time after time;

  2. they have handles on each side for ease of use;

  3. they come in 3 different sizes;

  4. they are affordable $7.99 - $9.99 each;

  5. they will stack on top of one another on shelves or fit nicely as under-bed storage.

I store extra linens in this way: comforter or sleeping bag / blanket / sheets / pillow -- all in one bag. This way, when we have "overflow" company at the holidays (more than will fit into our 3 extra guest rooms) and we need to utilize sofas and bring out the air mattresses for sleeping, I can simply pull out one storage chest for each guest. So easy!

Safeguard your identity when purging paper

Whether you deal with your paper on a daily or weekly basis, as you sort and purge items, be mindful of protecting your identity! This is a must-have tool for me from The Container Store. You can safeguard your personal information from prying eyes with this self-inking ID Guard Stamp. The unique pattern masks your name and address on discarded credit card offers, junk mail or magazines. Use it to cover up account numbers, telephone numbers or other identifiable information you don't want others to access.Safeguard your identity. Then, RECYCLE all that paper!

Happy Organizing ~ Kat Jacoby

This week is National Pay Your Bills Week

I try not to look at these things as "national holidays" but gentle reminders of ways we can improve our lives.

Given the current economic climate, everyone seems to be more concerned than ever about money.  Having systems in place can reduce stress, save time, and save money. Almost every client who contacts me has those 3 criteria listed in their reasons for wanting to get more organized. Getting more organized does pay! Don't wait; start TODAY!

PAYING THOSE BILLS

1. Have a designated place for all incoming bills.

2. Decide on a schedule to pay bills and stick to your schedule.

3. Have a place to pay your bills. Have everything in one place to streamline your bill-paying process: checks, pen and pencil, a calculator or calculator program like Excel, any payment coupon booklets, postage stamps, envelopes, return address labels, and a stapler.

4. Balance your checkbook prior to actually paying bills. If you have a joint account, this is the time to communicate with your spouse or significant other to make sure all debits and credits have been properly entered.

5. Have a Master Checklist for all bills. With companies encouraging us all to go paperless, oftentimes if we don't have a Master Checklist, a bill could be missed; you might incur late fees and/or additional charges. Suggested columns for your checklist: Date of Month Due / Payee / Paper or Paperless Bill.

6. Automate where possible or where you are comfortable. For example, bills such as your monthly cable bill can be automated to 1 credit card or auto draft to your bank account. You can opt whether you still receive a paper copy of the bill each month. A note of caution: It is your responsibility to review all bills. Phone companies are notorious for attempting to slip through "3rd party" charges to unknowing consumers.

7. Consider reducing the number of credit cards you actually use to 1 or 2 debit or credit cards. The rewards: less bills coming in; less bills to pay; simplified record keeping; and simplified filing. Those department store and gasoline credit card "rewards" are not truly rewards in the big picture.

8. Simplify your filing routine. If the bills you pay have no Tax or Legal implication, consider filing them by the month you have paid them (Jan / Feb / March ...).

Easy Steps for Reducing Credit Card Debt (okay, I admit it is never totally easy; you first must decide this is something you want to make a priority)

1. See if you qualify for cheaper credit cards. If you have a credit card at a bank, you may be throwing away money. Simply ASK your current company is you qualify for a reduced rate due to your timely payments and FICO score. If not, check out options at a credit union where reduced rates are often offered.

2. List your credit cards, with the highest rate card first. Include the balance, the interest rate, and the minimum payment.

3. Every month: pay extra on your credit card with the highest rate. The goal is to pay that baby off! Keep doing this until all your credit cards are paid off.

4. Every month: as you pay off your high-interest cards, start paying money into a savings or investment account.

Clear the Clutter! Fav sites, blogs and a free opportunity!

One of my strengths is realizing I can't do it all. Thankfully, I have over 4,000 other Professional Organizers in NAPO to network and resource with through a variety of means. As veteran organizer, Barbara Hemphill notably says, "Together we are better!"I wanted to share some sites I refer to for information. Of course, I admit to being a Container Store junkie and they have fantastic tips & advice on their site, http://www.containerstore.com but here are a few other favs:Best for pretty desktop items. The "life organization"" section of this site has all sorts of list-makers. SeeJaneWork.com http://www.seejanework.comBest for drawer and craft storage and great for all around the house: OrganizedAtoZ.com http://www.organizedAtoZ.comAnd here are a couple of blogs for organizing & decluttering tips:I'm an Organizing Junkie http://www.orgjunkie.com -- read for inspiration and motivational boosts, like the "28 Day Organizing Challenge..."Unclutterer http://www.unclutterer.com -- read for quick easy-to-accomplish daily tips.If you are decluttering THIS week, get rid of your clutter FOR FREE & DO A GOOD DEED. This Saturday 01/22/11, NAPO San Antonio is sponsoring a community service event from 10 am to 2pm, at the parking lot of Goodwill at 281 & Bitters. See details. http://www.naposanantonio.com/ClubPortal/ClubStatic.cfm?clubID=2829&pubmenuoptID=33475

10 dozen cookies baked and another successful holiday event!

We just had another successful Client Appreciation Dinner for my husband’s Edward Jones office in Llano, Texas! The evening included an entire community hall full of people who dined well on a Mexican buffet and scrumptious desserts. Lots of great fellowship was shared and all attending heard how the market is going to get stronger in the coming months (it is, you know!).In the 10 years Archie has been with Edward Jones, we have entertained lots of customers and put on lots of events! How does it all get done, done well, while sticking to a planned budget? I stress budget because truthfully, anyone can put on events with the myriad of options available in our world today, but doing it on a tight budget is a totally different thing.The answer: Planning. Lists. Work, yes; but each time notes and lists are used, the work becomes easier! One tool I have found which I really love is ListPlanIt. As a proud Professional Member of ListPlanit, I have access to a plethora of planning lists! Check out the over 500 lists they have available: http://www.listplanit.com

As we work together on our next organizing project, let me know if you are in need of a list to help you. Whether you are planning your upcoming Holiday Meal or simply your family’s meal plan and grocery list, lists help save time AND money!

Everyday Strategy: Reduce Mental Clutter

Write it down! Make lists. Get it off your mind and into one place.Whether you are a linear list maker or prefer mind mapping (search the web for a variety of creative tools), get it off your mind and out of your brain. You will then be free to begin tackling all of those tasks and to-dos and find yourself free for creativity!

Everyday Strategy: Stop Using Post-Its!

Don't get me wrong; I LOVE Post-Its (especially bright-colored ones) and they have their purposes, but for keeping track of your Master List of tasks, they are not the right tool. If you like to write them down, use a spiral bound notebook you can carry with you everywhere. Personally, I am a huge fan of using Outlook Tasks. There are countless ways you can stay on top of your tasks, calendar items, and contacts.