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Tips

Clutter Management

  • Give non-material gifts rather than more things, e.g. movie tickets, massage or book vouchers, rollerblading / water skiing lesson, gym membership, dance class, hampers, flowers, adventure experiences or flights, Condsider services like a cleaner, organising session or gardener,  etc.  
     

  • Have a basket or some space in a hallway cupboard by the door you exit by for things to take out of the house, check every time you are going somewhere - for things to return (with receipts), library books, borrowed items, donations etc.   
     

  • When bringing things into your home, follow the 'one in, one out' or 'one in, two out' rule if you want to get on top of your clutter.  Before you bring more things into your house, go around and see if you can 'let go' of a couple of items and put them into a donation bag ready to go.

  • Every home needs a little box for all those odd bits & pieces you find lying around, random screws, bits of plastic that belong with something etc, one day when you realize a piece of furniture or household item has a missing piece, you'll know exactly where it is.  
     

  • Setup a magazine club with your friends - once you have enjoyed a magazine - pass them around. You'll have access to more magazines without having to purchase them, nor having to store them. After they are no longer wanted, donate to local doctor, dental, vet surgery. kindergarten, Op shop. or recycle. 

Life in order

  • To avoid rummaging around getting ready in the morning, place everything you use during your morning routine on a single shelf in the bathroom or in a spot on the dresser, face cream, deodorant, makeup etc.     
      

  • Create a quick action plan for the day on a sticky note or digital note on your phone for easy reference and prioritize it by what is most important and urgent and do those first. 
       

  • Have sticky notes on the dash of your car of places to go. errands to do, things to buy, that way you don't double up on trips and you can co-ordinate your day more effectively.

  • Create a reading file to keep in your car.  When a spare moment arises, instead of playing on your phone, use those valuable moments to catch up on essential or desirable reading. 
      

  • If working full time, do 15 - 20 minutes of housework per day to keep on top of it, rather than wasting precious weekend time.   
     

  • Have a 'what's in my handbag' list - photocopy your purse contents just in case its lost or stolen  
     

  • Take 5 minutes at the end of your day to look at the next days plans.  Gather all the items that you will need to complete errands and tasks and place them by the door, so its all together, your mornings will be much more organised.

Time Management Tips

  • Turn off the TV or computer for one night of the week - spend this time on a project, learning a language or musical instrument, sorting photos into chronological order etc.  You will be amazed at what you will have achieved.  The sense of accomplishment will make you feel great.     
     

  • Instead of reading the newspaper on the weekend, put on the radio & listen to the news, then use that time to do an unfinished project, start a new one or de-clutter an area.

  • Buy a timer - give yourself time frames to work on projects, clean the house, write a letter etc can be anything from 10 minutes to an an hour.   
     

  • Time saving tip - have your outfit picked out, water bottle filled, packed lunch or snacks ready the night before, so its not a rush in the morning, especially if you are not a morning person.    
     

  • Keep receipts and tickets of clothing and items that you have purchased in a specific folder or box in month order, so if you need to, you can find it easily and make a quick return.

Wardrobe & Clothing Tips

  • We wear 20 percent of our clothes 80 percent of the time. To weed out the ones you don't wear, Hang all clothes with the hangers in reverse, and once you’ve worn & washed something, hang it back the right way around. What you don’t wear each season, make a choice on whether you want to keep or move it on.   
     

  • Hang similar things together, then you don’t keep re-buying the same things – so in turn you save money. 
     

  • If you are uncertain about keeping an item, or if you feel ambivalent about an item of clothing, store away from wardrobe, re-visit next season to see if you still want it or missed it.   
     

  • One of the easiest ways to access and see what you have in your wardrobe is to arrange clothes by type of garment e.g. short sleeve, 3/4., long sleeve tops and by colour in each category.   
     

  • Face garments in one direction for easy selection. (Think about whether you are left or right handed when you access your clothes)

  • Buy all the same hangers, all one colour whether it be black plastic, or wooden… it gives your wardrobe a sense of uniformity and order.

  • When sorting and looking to purge your clothes, these are a few questions you could ask about each item

       - Do I like / love it?

       - When did I last wear it? 

       - Will I wear it again?

       - How does it look on me, does it suit me?

       - Does it go with other clothes in my wardrobe?

       - Is it comfortable?

       - Is it in good condition?

       - How do I feel when I have it on?

       - Do others compliment me when I wear it?

       - Do I love the colour /does the colour suit me?

       - Do I love the fabric?

       - Do I love the fit?

       - Do I need it?   

  • Cut down your wardrobe by 25% by asking yourself this one question: If I were shopping right this second, would I buy this?.. If the answer is No, out it goes.

Kitchen & Food Tips

  • If possible avoid using round containers, especially within a cupboard or fridge as they waste space, square or oblong stack better and easier.   
     

  • Evaluate the merits of keeping kitchen gadgets, does it really save time and effort or does it just take up space.
      

  • Shopping lists - don't shop without one. Check your pantry first - you'll forget things, double up or end up buying things you don't use or need, Don't shop when hungry - as you tend to buy more unwanted food.

  • Use the backup stock rule, Always have back up stock for frequently used items, e.g. salad dressing, favourite sauce etc, When you finish an item, note it on the shopping list and retrieve the backup one from the pantry, that way you never run out.   
     

  • Timer saver, put together a meal plan for a week at a time and shop accordingly.  Include additions such as quick cook rice, easy to cook couscous, pre-washed salads, frozen vegetables, with these staples you can add protein in 15 minutes.   
     

  • Make up bulk meals and freeze into meal size portions so they they are ready in an instant when time is short.

Office / Digital Management Tips

  • Tired of digital cutter?.  Spend an hour checking out the filters, tool and mailbox options on your email software.  
     

  • Avoid checking email first thing in the morning - the distraction throws off the rhythm of the day.  Instead cross off 2 or 3 of your more urgent action items, then attend to emails.  
     

  • Reduce mail and emails you receive. Cancel subscriptions to things that you don’t have time to read and ask to be removed from mailing lists of no real value to you.

  • Spend 10 - 30 minutes at the end of each week sorting, filing, discarding to keep up to date with any rampant paperwork.   
     

  • Keep your Work space simple,  Design your office in a circular work flow from door to desk, clear out the clutter and arrange it so everything is within reach with plenty of shelving and storage.   
     

  • Elevate your computer screen on a stand alone shelf, it buys you a little extra storage underneath for your keyboard, spare paper, dairy, stationery drawer etc.

Storage Tips

  • If you organise a range of items in similar containers or boxes, labeling is essential to find things.  Don't rely on your memory, because seriously, you wont remember every thing.   
     

  • Think Vertical - instead of storing things horizontally, see if the items store better standing vertically and take up less space.  
     

  • Use clear containers where possible, so you can see what you have.

  • Racks or brackets structurally sound and professionally installed can be suspended from the ceiling or fixed to walls to create extra storage space in utility rooms, workshops or garages.  
     

  • You can use the back of doors for extra storage:  Over the door shoe racks, hooks for hanging belts, necklaces, purses etc. its great for easy accessibility.  Add a full length mirror on the inside of your wardrobe door (hanging over the door or fixed), so it gives you access to full length view of yourself.

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