Get your life organized – for under $10

HOT NEWS!  Barnes and Noble are having an “after holiday sale” and the American version of my book is on sale for just USD$5.99.  And it’s a hardcover! What a STEAL!  Shipping is free if you spend $25 so you could grab a few extra as gifts and tuck them away for later in the year.

Here’s a sneak preview from the dust jacket:

What’s in your junk drawer?

After reading this book you’ll have a plan to clear the mess and reorder the rest.

You’ll learn how to:

• Assemble your own professional organizer’s toolkit.
• Get rid of unwanted items without the guilt of trashing them.
• Discover the ultimate desk layout.
• Sort that tower of paper on your dining room table, without losing your mind.
• Create a functional junk drawer. Yes—you can have one!
• Rotate your child’s toys to free up space and keep your kids better stimulated.
• And tons more!

Forget what your grandmother taught you: Being organized is not about throwing everything out.  Even if the thought of straightening out your entire life makes you want to lie down with a cold rag on your forehead (ho many pairs of shoes do you own again?, start by clearing off enough shelf space for this one little book, sorted!  It will be all the motivation you need.

Don’t think you’re a “neat” person?  Not important.  According to professional organizer Lissanne Oliver, neatness if merely visual order.  True organization is efficient older: having what you need, when you need it.  Not having to waste time and money finding or replacing those errant items in your day.  You’ll have more time to enjoy your life and extra energy (and money) to pursue the activities you truly love.

With this compact collection of forty two clear, concise “recipes” for everyday use, you’ll finally find the strength to battle clutter – and your procrastination along the way – by setting realistic goals and embracing the magic of routine (aka maintenance).  Each recipe is broken into bite-sized pieces and accompanied by a list of supplier s and general time frame, step-by-step instructions, and additional tips for improved performance,  Whether you have ten minutes for a whole afternoon, no task is too great when approached in an informed and logical way.
But Oliver also goes beyond her prescriptions to discuss why organising is physiologically and spiritually rewarding.  Closets will overflow again.  Papers will accumulate.  It’s all a journey.  But with these indispensible techniques, and Oliver’s upbeat encouragement and humor, you’ll never again have to pay late fees, scramble for loose change, or buy multiple copies of that one book that keeps disappearing.

Keeping yourself tidy

I happened across this organising tip on the web a few days ago:

Keep ladles, tongs, and spatulas in place by attaching adhesive Velcro strips to both the handles and the bottom of the utensil drawer.

I’d love to know what you think?  Is this a good idea?  Or too much like undie folding?

Or, do you have a great use for velcro you can share?

SORTED! in the U.S.A.

This is the U.S. edition of my book due to be released through Barnes & Noble in January.  What do you think of the cover?and the back cover (with spine):

How does it compare to the Australian cover?

 oops sorry this is so little

shhhhh: the secret to saving money is…

Check out this great article I was part of for Nine MSN – author Allison Tait has nailed some of the secrets to having more money in your pocket!

Have you got any more great money saving ideas to share?  I’d love to hear your tips!

How long should I keep financial paperwork for?

Hello,

 

Completely inspired by your book SORTED, I am currently organising my household!  I got married 2 years ago and the merging of my husband’s single life + my single life + 2 businesses has just meant paper everywhere! So I’m now getting on top of it all (and it feels good!).  I just love your book and I tell everyone about it.

 

Quick question – do you know how long I should keep general bills (eg. home telephone, electricity etc.). As I don’t use them for tax or anything like that I am not sure whether I actually need to keep them after payment has been made?

 

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Cassie. 

 

Hey Cassie – good to hear you are getting things sorted!

To answer your question, anywhere between 3-12 months is more than ample, or if you’re feeling really brave, chuck ‘em out after they’re paid!  Personally, I keep mine for 12 months, as it allows me to compare my usage (wow!  did the electricity bill jump up in winter, or what?) but really, that’s being very, very um… anal!

If you do need any financial paperwork for taxation purposes, The Australian Tax Office stipulates you need to keep it for 5 years from the time you submitted your return.

Hope this helps!

Multitasking made easy!

Multitasking is a good thing when it’s kept simple.  My friend Miranda, has a great way of maximising her time and getting lots done.

Kids in the bath + wiping surfaces and mirror in bathroom.

Two jobs completed in one!

My worktime favourite:  

On hold (speaker phone) to Optus + sorting paperwork or data entry

What are some of your successful multitasking tips?  What’s been good and what’s been a disaster?

Great organising products at IKEA

Slatthult decoration stickers – $19.95

I love these! They’re self adhesive and easy to stick on your wall. I would put a few photos inside (sticking directly to the wall using double sided tape) dry surfaces, or simply use them as frames for notes…. eg quotes you like, or aspirations you have.  Better than having special words lost in the fray of your notebook clutter!

designer:

Slatthult

Rationell/Variera box – $7.95

I love this transparent container; makes it easy to see what is inside. It has a handle and I can see these looking very sexy in the fridge for small jars of condiments.

Rationell/Varieria box

Last, my favourite space saver EVER.

Rationall/Variera shelf insert – $7.95 for the large
and $4.95 for the small.

I call these a “shelf split” and they are GREAT for maximising space – particularly within a cupboard – eg your pantry. The version shown in my book, SORTED! is no longer created – they have replacead it with a pretty white version. They come in two sizes and are stackable. Long live Variera!

How a Professional Organiser packs to move

Monica Ricci, U.S. organising (organizing!) guru just made a great comment on her blog regarding moving house:

7. Even Professional Organizers need a Professional Organizer to help them make decisions about what to donate versus what to take to the new place.

So true!  Love it!

Learning to Love you More

One of my most favourite people in the world, Miranda July, has created the most beautiful project called Learning to Love you More (with Harrell Fletcher). I’m not sure I could love Miranda July any more than I already do (perhaps, unless, she came to visit me).

Miranda is unique in a world of banality. She is responsible for the beautiful and quirky feature film You and me and everyone we know and a strange and delightful collection of stories called No one belongs here more than you.

I want you to check out part of this inspiring project that deals with our relationship with our clothing.

It’s hosted at http://www.learningtoloveyoumore.com/reports/55/55.php

Assignment #55
Photograph a significant outfit.

REPORTS:
Remember exactly what you were wearing during a recent significant moment. Maybe it was the day that your boyfriend broke up with you, or the day your nephew was born, or the day you decided to become a vegetarian. It should be something that happened in the last six months. Lay out what you were wearing on the floor, as if you are dressing an invisible, flat person. Tuck the shirt in to the pants, the socks in to the shoes, etc. Don’t forget the other things that complete your outfit such as jewelry, purse, hat, etc. Do not add anything extra, like a wig or a mask – just the clothes you were wearing. Stand on a chair or table and photograph the clothes from directly above. Not from above at a slight angle, but so that the camera is pointing straight down. Send us the photo, along with the importance of the day, for example, “What I Was Wearing When I Got The Phone Call About Grandma Marris Dying.” Please try and keep your title/description as short as possible. Do not write on the actual photograph, and make sure your photo is in focus. Note: avoid moments that you knew would be significant and so dressed accordingly – such as graduation or Halloween. The outfit itself does not need to be significant, it is just what you happened to be wearing when something of emotional significance happened.

This entry beautiful and sad.

And this one is significant.

Check out this beautiful project… maybe you will contribute something too?

Organize Magazine

I have a year’s worth of Organize magazine to give away. They are pre loved – I have enjoyed scanning them, but now they are just CLUTTER in my office! To win all five copies, all you need to do is tell me what area of your home or office you absolutely must get under control in fifty words or less by posting your comment here! (Bear in mind that if you submit an entry under “anonymous” I won’t be able to reach you if you’re the winner!) One entry per person please. Most creative and unusual entry wins. Entries close 5pm Friday 5th June (Australian EST). Good luck!

STOP PRESS: I’ve extended the closing date by a week – you can now enter up until Friday 13th June (5pm (Australian EST).  Cheers!