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!

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?

Apartment Therapy Giveaway

I had the pleasure of meeting Maxwell from Apartment Therapy NYC yesterday. I donated two copies of my best-selling book SORTED! to AT readers – check out the link here.

Thankfully, Maxwell doesn’t mind stalkers (nor did any other of the lovelies at AT).

If you’re wanting organising/organizing tips AND design solutions, this is Maxwell’s terrific book: apartment therapy the eight step home cure.

Taxstar

Have you used the Australian “Taxstar” system to organise your tax documentation? I was kindly sent a sample, but as an Apple computer user, I can’t use it because it’s not cross-platform. Doh! I’d be keen to know what you think if you’ve tried it and what the pros and cons are… post away…taxstar.com.au

SORTED! the ultimate guide to organising your life – once and for all

of of March 14th 2008, 17,113 copies have been sold.  Thanks to all who’ve purchased it and thanks to everyone who’s written to me with such positive feedback (all letters answered!)

clothes swapping – the new black!

I reckon clothes swapping is the new black!  Check out The Clothing Exchange (also called my sister’s wardrobe).  This is where I found out about super sensible and environmentally-friendly clothes hanger called green hanger.

Or, you might like to check out For Better or Purse. Reinventing your “house fill” (as The Clothing Exchange organisers describe it) means stuff in your wardrobe that you’re not wearing OUT and replaced item for item with more wearable stuff IN. 

swapstyle.com is like freecycle (no money changes hands).  Swapstyle is a Sydney-based international site where members post photographs of the clothes they don’t want and others can contact them to offer them with things they have to swap. ‘Buyers’ have to pay postage.

Organising Digital Photos

I love this article sent to me from Angela Miller-Davis in Brisbane… it’s about the pros and cons of storing photos digitally.The article speaks of little 9 month old Amber… who’s mother, Nie, has taken a STAGGERING 6,500 images of her little one since birth. She says “years from now, I want to remember the bad face she made” possibly “grabbing a shoe at the shoe store”. Oh my god Nie, years from now, Amber is going to want to lock you up! Or possibly she’ll never want to keep anything as a reaction to your obsession.Wouldn’t you agree we have to be selective about what we shoot – and keep? How much valuable energy and time do we waste looking for the ‘good shot’ or organising images we really don’t value? Of course, it is all too easy to collect when digital images are so easy to shoot. Yes, there are a lot of good software programmes to help manage this stuff, but it all takes time, which is your most precious resource – particularly if you are a parent. This article has lots of great tips and things to consider.