Organizing for School

Let The Custom Closet help Get the Kids Ready and Organized for School
www.thecustomcloset.net
(201)666-1717


Finalize School Shopping:
FOR THE KIDS: Make sure you've got their all school supplies and any new clothing ready!
FOR YOU: Treat yourself to a little something for surviving the summer!
Plan for the Paperwork!
FOR THE KIDS and YOU: Back to School time = Paper time! Create a method for managing all the paperwork the kids bring home to avoid the piles on the counter, and keep your sanity!
FOR YOU: Maybe the piles are already there... if you've been putting off dealing with the piles on the counter and desk, NOW is the time to get to it! (p.s. - if you need help, this is my specialty! Give me a call).
Create a Homework Station
FOR THE KIDS: They'll need good lighting, comfortable seating, and all the necessary supplies handy. For the supplies, a simple shoebox filled with the necessities will do, but even better is this Homework Supply Organizer. Contact me if you'd like to purchase: Price: $20.00

FOR YOU: Create a Mail Station - Use another caddy just like this one to keep all your mail and bill-paying supplies handy.
Plan your lunch menu:
FOR THE KIDS: Create a menu, listing all the kids' favorite lunch options, and each week, sit with them to plan their lunches for the week, whether it be home-made or school-provided.
FOR YOU: Shop in advance for their favorites, and do the meal selection with them religiously! No stress, complaining, or mystery in the morning on what's for lunch!
Plan and Manage the Crazy Family Schedules!:
FOR THE KIDS: Make sure you've got some kind of calendar/planner system to manage the family schedules, and that can be viewed by all. This is critical for keeping all the family rhythm going smoothly. (Another specialty of mine!)
FOR YOU: If you don't yet have a good planner/calendar system, then GO GET ONE! Declutter your mind by putting the details of your family's schedule on a calendar.
Morning Checklist:
FOR THE KIDS: Create a checklist on a dry-erase board listing what each child needs to accomplish, and by when, each school morning. Have them check items off as they do them.
FOR YOU: Check your Calendar/Planner each morning to get a handle on what you plan to accomplish each day for work, family and self.
Evening Checklist:
FOR THE KIDS: Similarly, to make the time after school until bed more manageable, make a checklist outlining all the things they need to do before they go to bed, including: Homework completed, important documents given to mom & dad, clothes picked out, backback ready to go, brush teeth, bath, PJ's, bed. Include fun things like reading a book, family game time, or some TV time, so kids have something to look forward to doing on their list as well!
FOR YOU: Make sure you take some time to relax and unwind. Review your Calendar/Planner from the day, check off what was completed, and plan/review your schedule for the next day.
Create a positive outlook towards school:
THIS APPLIES TO BOTH YOU AND THE KIDS: Kids will be nervous, excited, scared, anxious, etc... so it's up to the parents to calm their fears, and instill a positive attitude towards the new school year. Focus on the friendships they'll acquire, the exciting new things they'll learn, and all the fun activities that will soon begin. They'll need your support, so plan the time to be there for them, really listen, and focus on what they're sharing with you. A little daily one-on-one time goes a long way to a healthy school year and a healthy family!
Linda English - Owner/Professional Organizer
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 | www.orgwithease.com | orgwithease@aol.com

Laundry Room Tips

Create a Tidy Laundry Room
visit: www.thecustomcloset.net
call: 800-304-4848

Laundry, laundry laundry..... it never ends, huh? So, instead of dreading it, embrace it and be thankful that washer/dryers exist instead of having to wash everything by hand!!! Ugh!

So today I'm giving you some ideas to help simplify your laundry room. If any of you have other ideas that have worked for you, please share with me - I'd love to hear them!

Laundry Room Tips:
Put a small trash basket on top of the dryer for putting dryer lint and other small pocket trash.
Place a small basket or magnetic container on top or side of dryer for putting pocket change and other items that will certainly turn up.
Install a wall mounted drying rack if possible and appropriate for the room to create more floor space.
Use an over-door pull-down ironing board to save space as well.
Use a basket for mis-matched socks, to eventually find matches, or simply use as dust-rags after time.
While unloading dryer, sort items into different baskets labeled for each family member, then have each family member be responsible for folding and putting away.
Have each child have their own laundry basket and wash all their clothes during one session. No sorting involved and that child's clothes are completely finished!
Create a clear workspace for placing clean laundry and for folding.
Lighting can make or break a laundry room so make sure there's enough of it! If it’s not a cheerful place to go, you will do just about anything besides the laundry.


Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com orgwithease@aol.com

Keep that Car Clean

Organizing Tip: Tips for keeping car clutter under control

Contact: www.thecustomcloset.net to get your home organized!
800-304-4848 or (201) 666-1717

During the summer months, we often spend A LOT of time in the car traveling to vacations, BBQ's, swim clubs, the beach, friends/family's homes, sports, and other activities. All this time in the car can create a lot of clutter. So here's are some tips to help you keep your car clutter under control:

GET A TRASH BAG/CAN: The #1 cause of clutter in the car is that there is nowhere to put the garbage! You can get one of those car garbage cans, or simply hang a plastic shopping bag somewhere convenient. Make a habit of emptying it daily or weekly, depending on the amount of trash you accumulate. I personally use a smaller version of this one and love it! I line it with a store shopping bag, and when full, emptying it is a breeze!
USE BINS/BASKETS to contain your items. In the front seat or trunk, use a collapsible container for your 'TO GO' items, ie: items you are returning to stores, or to friends, or items related to errands. Keep another handy basket in the backseat somewhere to hold KIDS TOYS, and activities for the car-ride. You can also use containers in the TRUNK to keep other items, such as sporting equipment, tools, shopping bags, and other supplies. Periodically review the contents of all containers to prevent them from becoming catch-alls for everything, and ensure they only contain the items you need in the car.
NOTEPAD/PEN - keep these somewhere handy in the front (like the side pocket on the door, or in your center console. I don't know about you, but I'm always thinking of things to do, or ideas while driving, so it's convenient to have somewhere to write it down (so it doesn't clutter up my brain!).
VACUUM/SHAKE OFF CAR MATS: Vacuum the car every-so-often if you can (especially after beach vacations!). Between vacuuming you can keep floors clean by periodically shaking out the car-mats.
HANDY ITEMS TO KEEP IN THE CAR: Extra trash bags, grocery bags, first-aid kit, paper towels, tissues, small pad/pens, bottled water, flashlight, car-wipes (for easy dusting and cleaning)
IF YOU NEED MORE SPECIFIC ORGANIZING PRODUCTS FOR THE CAR: Many retailers sell all different kinds of car organizing products, including WWW.STAPLES.COM, WWW.CONTAINERSTORE.COM, WWW.TARGET.COM, WWW.LILLIANVERNON.COM, WWW.MOBILEGEAR.COM, WWW.AUTOEXEC.COM and many more.
Lastly, ESTABLISH NEW HABITS: Even with the best car-organizing products and systems, clutter will continue to accumulate unless you establish maintenance habits. Make a habit of taking trash out of the car each time you exit. Return items to your home or office daily. Schedule time to get your errands done, so the items don't stay in the car longer than necessary. Do a weekly cleanout. Have your kids be responsible for their items and the area surrounding where they sit. If everyone pitches in, then clutter will remain under control, and you'll enjoy the time in the car much more.

Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 | www.orgwithease.com

If You Own It You Don't Need to Keep It

Let The Custom Closet help you get organized! Call 800-304 4848
www.thecustomcloset.net



Today's tip is simply what the above statement says, "Just because you own it, doesn't mean you have to keep it." Quite often my clients will show me an item and say, "I don't know what this is, or how I got it, or why I have it... but I HAVE it, so where should I keep it?" and I say back to them, "Well....just because you HAVE it, doesn't mean you have to KEEP it." We then discuss whether or not the item is useful to them, or if they love it, or if it's simply just taking up space. Quite often they don't realize that just because they own it, doesn't mean they have to keep it. With a change in perspective, they can give themselves the authority and power to get rid of the things in their lives that they don't want, need, or love. Sometimes it's as simple as that. Just giving yourself the authority to say, "I don't want this." Then, go ahead and purge it (donate, throw out, recycle, or give it away.)

So look around your home and office, and find the things that have no true value to you that are simply taking up space, and give yourselves the authority to get rid of them. You'll be left more open space for the really useful things you truly want and value in your life. Enjoy!

Until next time, wishing you an easier life by Organizing With EASE.

Custom Home Office with lateral files

Recent home office installation helps home owner organize family papers.

For more information and photos visit http://www.thecustomcloset.net/

(201) 666-1717

1-800-304-4848

Take 2 Minutes to Organize

Get Organized with www.thecustomcloset.net
Call 800-304-4848

Today's tip is quite simple, but it's effects in your life can be quite extraordinary. It's called the '2-Minutes or Less Rule'. Basically, it means if you can accomplish something that needs to be done in less than 2 minutes, then JUST DO IT! Don't put it off. Think about how much clutter could be avoided if you did the small things that take just a couple of seconds or at most 2 minutes. I'm talking about things like:
Putting a piece of clothing back on it's hanger, in it's drawer, or in a hamper instead of on a chair or the floor.
Putting a dish in the dishwasher instead of leaving it on the counter.
Putting a piece of paper in a meaningful file folder instead of in a pile.
Making a quick phone call to RSVP for a party, then putting the invitation in your 'invitations/appointments' file.
Having your kids unload their backpack folder and hand you the items that need your review.
Putting your shoes in a basket, shoe rack, or away in a closet instead of leaving them all around the house.
Putting a toy away.
Writing down a To-Do instead of hoping you'll just remember it.
The list of 2-Minutes or Less items is endless, so you can see how clutter can quickly accumulate if all these little items don't get done. Alternatively, you can see how clutter can be PREVENTED if you and your family simply stick to doing the 2-Minute or Less Rule, and JUST DO IT (and then it's DONE!)

Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com

How to Manage Deep Shelves

More Organizing Advice from www.thecustomcloset.net

Organizing Tip: Solutions for DEEP SHELVING
Some of my clients have very deep shelving (deep front to back) in their closets, cabinets or open shelves in their garages and other storage areas. It's great to have all that room, but sometimes it can do more harm than good if not organized properly. Deep shelving can cause things to get lost in the back, and make it really cumbersome to access things stored in the back. This can make all that extra space become ineffective, and even wasteful. So, what to do? Here are some options:

1) INSTALL PULL-OUT SHELVES: This is an optimal solution for kitchen/bathroom cabinets, and even some closets because the shelves can then be pulled-out and you will have easy access to everything. But, this may not be a workable solution for wire shelving or garage/attic shelving.

2) LAZY SUSANS: For shelves at or below eye level, put inexpensive 'lazy-susans" in the back section of the shelves. Not a maximum use of space, but whatever is put there can be easily accessed by spinning what's needed into reachable distance...

3) STADIUM SEATING: Think of the concept of the tiered spice racks for the back-end of the shelf, or a make-shift version of this using old shoeboxes or even sturdy cardboard mailing boxes to raise up what's in the back half of the shelf so it's view-able. Keep what you store in the front of the shelf low, so you can see what's on the higher level in the back. (you can wrap the boxes in nice paper to make it look more pleasing. Can combine this w/ the lazy susan idea as well.

4) DEEP BASKETS OR TRAYS: Long baskets or trays that you can pull out to see what's in back. I've also heard someone using window box liners. Not the best looking, but can be very func tional and act as a long slide-able tray.

5) USE THE DOOR: If it's a closet or cabinet, then another great solution I I found is installing baskets, racks, bins, on the inside of the door itself. These can be a larger/deeper size if you install them in the right location on the door so that when the door closes, these bins fit in the space between the shelves. You can then mark a line on the shelf w/ paint, marker, shelf-paper... to block out the area that get's taken up by the baskets, so you know not to put stuff there. Then, your shelf is not so deep anymore b/c you're only storing stuff behind the marked line, and everything, both on the door and on the shelves, is more easily accessible. I've also heard of cutting a U-shaped area out of the front of each shelf to accommodate baskets on the back of the doors and allowing you to reach the back of the shelves.

6) IDENTICAL FRONT TO BACK : Process-wise, you want to store identical things on deep shelves in rows going front to back (no surprises on what's behind the front item - all the same going to the back and nothing unknown get's lost behind the front.)

7) LABEL: Even if you do have to store items in the back that don't relate to what's in front, then simply label the front of the shelves so it's clear what's stored in the back.

So, you can see, with a little creativity, you can transform those deep shelves into much more functional storage spaces!

Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 | www.orgwithease.com