4 Easy Steps to Organize Your Crafts and Hobbies

Crafts and other hobbies are supposed to be a fun and relaxing activities, but sometimes they get a bit out of hand.  By keeping tools, supplies, and other necessary items organized we can have more fun doing the activities we love!  Take some time to follow these 4 steps and you’ll be able to more fully enjoy any hobby.

1. Separate items into like piles (all beads together, scrapbooking material, etc.)

2. Find appropriate storage bins, totes, cabinets and rolling carts to store these supplies in. Perhaps using old flea market finds such as an antique spice rack with drawers, a hoosier cabinet or wood tool box. Use cargo boxes or wire in/out racks to keep paper supplies neat (check out options at www.theorganizedlifestyelstore.com for ideas on helpful and inexpensive products).

3. Use a label maker to label boxes, bins & notebooks to quickly locate supplies.

4.  Once done with your activity, make sure to take 1 minute to put all the supplies back in their appropriate place.  It will allow you to have more fun next time you choose to do this activity!

Fun with Organization

Have a De-Clutter Party!

This summer schedule a day on your calendar to have a de-clutter party. Invite family and friends and ask everyone to bring at least 3 things they no longer need or want. These items can be placed in a large box and then donated the next day to a charity organization. Many charity organizations will actually do home pick-up, so check with those organizations in your area.

 This is a great way to get organized, spend time with the people you love and help out those people that are less fortunate.

Organize your Summer for Fun!

1. Have a Summer Plan:

Planning often takes a backseat as we try to keep up with all the fun to be had in the summer months. Instead of rushing around madly trying to accomplish every idea that comes to mind or “intending” to take that trip, make a plan! Make a list of your choices in your planner or a document in your computer. Prioritize them and make them happen!

2. Learn to Multitask:

Do you need to conduct business in another town or state? Think of ways for you to add some fun to the trip! Are there theme parks, museums, or other sightseeing adventures in the area? Investigate the possibilities!

3. Organize Weekend Vacations:

Some of the best vacations take place over long weekends. Leave on Friday and return on Monday night. You’ll return to work feeling refreshed and rejuvenated…and ready to plan your next weekend getaway!

4. Make Time for Family:

Winter tends to put us into a lazy pattern that often includes television and junk food, but little real bonding time. Take advantage of warm weather and school vacations to organize activities to do with the family. Think about how much closer your family could be after a white-water rafting trip or even a simple hike through the woods!

5. Try New Things!
Create your own opportunities this summer to do the things you always wanted to try.Read the entertainment section of your local newspaper and pick out a  fun activity or event to attend. Research a sport you never played or a even a book you never read and enjoy! Promise yourself that you’ll experience something new this summer…Come October, you might discover a whole new you!

Organize Your Lifestyle and Reduce Stress!

Summer can be a busy time for everyone.  Activities such as cleaning and organization can sometimes be put on the back burner.  If you’re feeling a little stressed, it may be that things are getting out of control in your life.  Regain control by taking time out to organize something. You’ll feel better immediately!

Before you set something down, ask yourself, “is this where it belongs?” If not, take an extra minute or two to put it in its place.  And always create a home for new acquisitions right away!

PACK FOR A BUSINESS TRIP IN 5 EASY STEPS

1. Keep a checklist of things to pack which can be started weeks before your trip. Add to it as you think of things. Check off items as you pack and keep it by the door for last minute items as you leave.

2. To avoid wasting time at the luggage terminal, carry a briefcase & one carry on or garment bag.

3. Use a small suitcase with wheels and a place for your laptop to get through security with ease and to fit in the overhead storage unit on the plane.

4. If packing a cell phone, digital camera or computer, bring chargers and adapter( if going abroad). Your U.S. cell phone won’t work in most countries so purchase an international phone card.

5. Pack an extra battery for your computer if your seat on the plane doesn’t have a power port. Check seatguru.com to find out. Bring work to do while flying or catch up on reading that which you don’t normally have time to for.

ORGANIZE A HEALTHIER FOOD PLAN

5 Easy Steps:

1. Purge the junk food and unhealthy food items in your pantry, refrigerator, freezer and cabinets.
Read the ingredients (that’s the best way to gauge whether or not it is a healthy choice), if the first ingredients are sugar or fat, this is not a good choice. The words natural, low fat, no fat etc. on the label do not mean this is a healthy food.
There will be less temptation to eat junk food if you don’t have any in the house.

2. Replace the tossed items with nutritious foods. Keep fruits in the house.
Avoid transfats, artificial ingredients, preservatives and processed foods. Visit a natural food store to familiarize yourself with healthful ingredients that are listed on the labels. Ask questions of the employees there, collect handouts and read books on this subject.

3. Make the transition gradually, switching from white bread, white rice, table salt, margarine, soda, fryed foods, sugar and artificial sweetners to whole grain bread, brown rice, sea salt, olive oil, water, baked or broiled meats and fish and stevia which is an herb that is 200 times sweeter than sugar, without the calories and has been known to be safe for diabetics.

4. Pack lunch and snacks for work to avoid buying fast foods. Make extra dinners to take some for lunch and freeze some for when there is no time to cook.

5. Adjust portion sizes, eat less and more often. Don’t totally deny yourself, splurge once a week for something you love, only eat a small portion of it. Learn to identify whether you have a craving or are stressed or frustrated. If that is the case, do something good for yourself before eating something you will not be happy about later.

Memorial Day Sale At The Organized Lifestyle Store

20% Off Everything in the Store
Friday, May 22, 2009 – Saturday, May 23rd 2009

Use This 3-Day Weekend to Get Organized

Do you find yourself complaining that you never have enough time to get organized? Using a three day weekend like Memorial Day can be a great way to catch up.

That’s why The Organized Lifestyle Store is putting everything on sale for 2 days only. Save 20% on everything in the store and get the supplies you need to get the job done!

Use this time to clean out your garage, change out your closet for the summer or finally weed out old medicines in your medicine cabinet. Start the summer off on the right foot!

Visit www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com for directions and more details.

KEEP YOUR MAIL FROM PILING UP

1. Create a mail sorter with a slot for each family member. Perhaps a wall mounted wooden box with sections or individual magazine files (available at
www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com) labeled with each family member’s name. Whoever brings the mail into the house is responsible for sorting it into the correct slot.

2. Keep a trash can and a recycle bag nearby. Toss or recycle any junk mail, newspapers or magazines immediately.
Log on to your city’s website to find out what can be recycled and how.

3. Open each bill to be paid, note the due date, write on the calendar 10 days before that due date to pay that bill if paying by mail. If you pay bills on-line, mark on the calender a few days before the due date to pay it.
Place the unpaid bill in a stepped desktop file in a folder labeled (TO BE PAID).

4. File the papers that need to be saved, such as taxes and personal documents. Consult with a tax preparer as to what needs to be saved and for how long. Shred any paper work that has your name, address, account numbers, social security number, etc.

5. Contact Direct Marketing Assoc. www.dmaconsumers.org/offmailinglist.html to have your name removed from junk mail lists.

ORGANIZE A CHORE SCHEDULE/CHART FOR KIDS

1. Make up a chore chart on a computer program such as microsoft word(see #2 for an example)
Save it and make copies to hang on the refrigerator each week.
This method is tried & true, we used it in our household for years for our five children.

2. Across the top of the chore chart, list each day of the week (Mon-Sat with Sunday’s off)
Going down the left side of the page, list each child’s name
Make boxes so there is a box for each day per child
Type in 2 chores each day per child in each box (12 chores per week each)

3. Assign both easy & more involved chores evenly to each child in the same age range, giving age appropriate chores
Younger children can set and clear the table, pair socks, empty pails in the house, feed animals, dust
Older kids can make dinner, load & empty dishwasher or wash and dry dishes, sweep, vacuum, bring garbage & recycling to

the curb and back when empty, clean bathroom & mow lawn

4. For an allowance, each child earns their age. Example, a 9 yr. old will make $9.00 per week, but out of that money
comes their school lunches, book sales, if they see something they want to buy or for the many times they ask for money
for different reasons. This teaches them responsibility, how to budget and save money. Once they have to make their
lunch because they have spent all their money, they learn how to save some.

5. Determine how much each chore is worth by dividing their age by the number of chores each week. Example: $9.00 (their
age), divided by 12 (the amount of chores) = .75 each chore
Have them check off each chore they do.
At the end of the week, subtract the amount from the chores they did not do from their age and that’s what their
allowance will be that week. Example: 2 chores not done, subtract $1.50 from $9.00. They get $7.50 that week. This
really makes them want to do their chores when they don’t have enough money for what they want to buy.

ORGANIZE YOUR BATHROOM

5 Easy Steps:

1. Empty all drawers & shelves. Discard those products that have expired.
Give away or discard what you don’t use. Put back what is left.

2. Purchase cosmetic organizers to keep your makeup neat and handy.
These can be found at www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com

3. Insert drawer organizers to keep all grooming supplies. Check the same
website
above for these organizers which come in bamboo wood and plastic.

4. Store all cosmetics, colognes and shaving supplies in a cool, dry place
away
from direct heat sources to extend shelf life.

5. Place shelves over the toilet to make use of space.