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.

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!

Great Oprah episode on now!

Oprah story (airing NOW on channel 9) today speaks living within means; including not consuming as much as we do, ’skip dipping’ and living more frugally – despite having a good income. Great story!

UPDATE:  Sorry if by the time you tuned in the show had morphed into mom-works-as-stripper… (I think the theme of the show must have been “alternative lifestyles” or something like that…)

Surviving under the poverty line

From The Age today: how a pensioner survives under the poverty line: ‘She makes ends meet by being organised — a skill she has had to learn the hard way.  Read the full article here.

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.

recipes for organising

Well, my little book (small, but fat) has arrived from the printers. It contains over 250 organising tips – as well as truths, techniques and lots of how-tos … I think you’ll love it! The how-to’s are just like recipes (clever!) cover everything from work and paper to on the go and living. The publishers think this book will “transform your life”. I just think it’s practical and inspiring! but I would say that, wouldn’t I?

In stores October 10th, you will also be able to purchase a signed copy direct from www.sorted.net.au (even better, go to www.sorted.net.au/newsletter and sign up for my free monthly newsletter so you’ll be first to know as soon as they’re available…. next month we’re going to have a couple of new products too! Hooray!

welcome!

Hi, I’m Lissanne. I’m a Professional Organiser based in Melbourne, Australia. I run a company called SORTED! organising & decluttering. I help people organise their space and create more efficient homes and offices. I love getting rid of clutter but am a big fan of balance… it’s not about living a minimalist life!

I have a book called sorted! due for release in October 2007. I share many organising secrets: tangled power cords? managing mail and paperwork, systems for paying bills and many simple philosophies that will get you organised and free from clutter!

You might like to check out my website: www.sorted.net.auIn this blog you’ll find tips, ideas and discussions all about organising (or organizing!). That includes stuff about the dreaded curse of clutter, efficiency and making the most of that precious resource: time. Another precious resource is money…. so here’s a question…. does being organised save you money? Or is it overrated?