Get Organized Now! Newsletter by Maria Gracia http://www.getorganizednow.com Issue: May 11-17, 2008 Number of Subscribers: 181,999 ============================================ Hello {!firstname_fix} ============================================ ** Finally, You Can Pay Off All Your Bills . . . Without Pinching Pennies or Cutting Your Spending ** Would you like to begin controlling your finances, once and for all? Did you know that you can pay off all your bills, including your mortgage, in less than 10 years without having to pinch pennies, get a second job or cut back your spending in any way? It's true, and it's easier than you think. I highly encourage you to visit my friend Leo's web site to find out how you can do just that. He offers the best program I've seen to help you say goodbye to your money worries--forever. Visit: http://www.leoquinn.com/cmd.php?af=250440 Maria Gracia P.S. Visit today to find out how you can get 7 extra special bonuses with Leo's program that are not normally available! ============================================ No-Fuss, Affordable Ways to Contain Your Stuff Finding affordable storage solutions is possible for everyone, but you must be able to think outside the box and become creative--after all organizing doesn't have to cost a lot of money. The first step in any plan to contain your stuff in affordable methods should begin with a decluttering of unused or unwanted items, so you are only finding storage solutions for the items you love and use. Storage is not about being fussy or spending a lot of money but instead is about containing your items in a method that allows you to find and be able to use items easily and quickly. 1. Declutter- The first step in finding affordable and easy storage solutions is gathering the items together that need to be stored and decluttering and purging no longer used, needed, or liked items. For example, why would you find storage for all your clothes in the closet if you only wear and like 20%? Purge the unworn items. Remember--a significant amount of items can be donated or given away to charities. 2. Group like items together- After decluttering, the next step in the process is grouping like-items together. For example, putting all nails and screws in one central location in the garage and placing different types into baby food bottles on one shelf. Another example could be grouping spices together, for example baking spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, can be stored in one area and thyme and basil in another--perhaps in a cool, dry area near the stove where they are used. 3. Reuse and Recycle- In this era of saving the planet, reusing and recycling are key. There are so many products that can be re-used in the home, like re-using furniture for another purpose (a coffee table may be easily transformed into a bench). Recycle old food containers such as margarine tubs, peanut butter jars, or coffee cans for storage. Cut cereal boxes can be used as magazine holders. 4. Use the space you have efficiently- It is important to assess your storage needs based on the volume of items to organize. Remember to look at vertical solutions. For example, a narrow, tall bookcase takes less space than a wide, low case. Remember to use the space underneath a couch or bed to store things like blankets or sheets. ----- P.S. Get organized once and for all! You can be Finally Organized, Finally Free. Get 2,175 organizing tips, ideas and techniques to help you organize your home, your time and your life! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffhome.html P.P.S. You can be Finally Organized, Finally Free at the office too! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffoffice.html ----- 5. Appropriate solutions for each room- -Living rooms are often used for entertaining guests. Declutter bookcases and shelving by using colored containers, baskets, or boxes to contain DVD’s, CD’s, books, magazines and candles. Use a coffee table with added storage (or an ottoman that opens) to enclose pillows, blankets, photo albums or books. -Bathrooms are often small and lack storage space. Use containers or small tins or bowls to organize items on the counter or within the medicine cabinet. Shelving that fits above the toilet could be useful to hold towels. -In the bedroom you can use the space underneath the bed with shallow totes (for shoes, out of season clothing, extra blankets, sheets, wrapping paper, craft supplies, or magazines). -In the kitchen, a dish dryer can be used for cookie sheets and muffin tins. An old canister can be used to hold utensils. 6. Streamline your approach- In a front entrance, hooks can be used to hold coats or buckets with mittens, hats, and scarves or summer items, umbrellas, or bags. If each hook is labeled with a family member’s name, children could learn how and where to put away their own items. Using boxes or buckets at the top and bottom of a set of stairs allows for quick clean-up and easy to return lost or misplaced items. Use a cork board on a wall in a kitchen or office space with push pins to hold photos, receipts, coupons, menus for takeout, a calendar, or birthday invitations. 7. Find various solutions for long term and short term storage- Items such as memorabilia, old year books, or out of season clothing do not need to be in an easy to access area. Instead they can be stored in a basement, attic, or garage in air-tight containers. In contrast, everyday items like kitchen utensils can be stored at or near eye level. 8. Be creative- Try to think outside the box. An old candy dish can be used to hold paperclips or push pins in an office space. Shoe organizers can be used for a variety of uses other than shoes, like on the back of a kitchen or pantry door to organize spices, soup packets and other envelope mixes. They can also be used in the bathroom to hold toiletries or in a kid’s bedroom to hold socks or small toys. ============================================ New Stuff and Site Updates Everything below is accessible by visiting: http://www.getorganizednow.com Please note that we update our site on a weekly basis, so the new stuff and site updates below may only be available for one week. ** Get Organized Now! Blog: Department 2 Read my personal comments, stories tips and observations about getting and staying organized in today's hectic world. You don't want to miss it. Newest entries: * 05/08 - Children Don't Hear Fire Alarms * 05/08 - Latest Read: Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas * 04/29 - It's worth it to ask * 04/22 - Buckle Up - It's So Important * 04/22 - TV TurnOff Week * 04/15 - Send Them An E-Vite * 04/13 - Advice on Philadelphia Hotels? * 04/07 - Would You Like Paper or Plastic? http://getorganizednow.typepad.com/get_organized_now_weblog/ ** New Organizing Clinic: Department 10 A reader asks, 'I spent 6 years in college and my husband spent 4 years. We both have boxes and boxes of notes, papers, drawings, etc. from school. Although they are 'organized,' they take up so much space. What is reasonable to keep and what should we throw out?' Go to the link below and look for the college cap. http://www.getorganizednow.com/#clinic ** May Web Poll Our featured multiple choice question is, 'Do you have hobbies or pastimes that you enjoy?' Go to the following link and cast your vote. It only takes a minute, and your opinion can be heard. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/#webpoll ** May Monthly Checklist: Department 1 Dance happily into the month of May, organized and fancy- free. Today is a great day to start with our NEW May Monthly Checklist. Go to the link below and look for the colorful flowers. http://www.getorganizednow.com/#checklist * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ Goodies to help you get organized! Tired of being disorganized? You can be Finally Organized, Finally Free BOTH at home AND at the office. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/newbook.html JUST RELEASED! My Oh-So-Organized Filing System. You won't believe how organized your papers are going to be. You'll have a filing label for every category you can imagine, ready to peel and stick on your file folders. It's basically an awesome home filing system in a box! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html The 2007 holiday season is behind us, but it's the perfect time to start getting organized for holiday season 2008! The earlier, the better. Plus, find out how you can get a copy of Maria's latest e-book, 101 Holiday Tips and Ideas. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/holidayp.html Are you looking for the perfect organizer that can help you keep track of your schedule, birthdays, to do's, home inventory, groceries, and more? If so, visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ezorganizer.html Discover how to start, manage and grow your very own professional organizing business. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ultimateguide.html Have a business? Thinking of starting one? Visit our Give to Get site and get your complimentary idea-kit. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/marketingsolution.html Give your aching shoulder a break. TuffBaggs are super tough, but light as feather. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/tuffbaggs.html Pay your bills on time, and have an organized place to put your statements afterwards? Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ezbill.html Access details for all of our products by visiting: http://www.getorganizednow.com/orderdet.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ An Organizing Tip From One Of Our Readers I have a journal that I take with me when we go on vacations. I write about our experiences and record my thoughts. In the back of the journal, I write 'lessons learned,' for the benefit of the next trip. These tidbits have included what to bring next time, what preparations I could make ahead of time, things to buy and more. When we're preparing for the next trip, I check the back of the journal for my own advice that I learned by experience. You may think you'll remember all of these things, but when you check the journal, you'll be grateful that you wrote them down. Just an idea: Keep the journal in your favorite suitcase or carry-on so you'll be guaranteed to find it when you're preparing for the next trip! Kathleen Ryan, Lake Grove, NY. Kathleen is married with two children, ages 9 and 11. She is a retired police officer, working on a book about an unsolved murder from 52 years ago. * * * * * Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ A Few Words From Our Sponsors . . . ===== ** Finally! An Affordable and Easy to Use Filing System for Your Home ** Are you drowning in the paper flood that pours into your home every day? You know...the endless stream of bills, warranties, receipts, important documents, user manuals, bank statements, letters, promotions, insurance papers, employment and medical information, school papers. Need I go on? How you deal with that paper determines whether you live in an atmosphere of calm and control or clutter and chaos. Along with chaos comes frustration, tension and conflict--all because of the never-ending paper flood. But have no fear. Now you can easily gain total control of your vital paper information -- instantly, easily and happily-- with My Oh-So-Organized Filing System (just released and hot off the press!) Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html P.S. Find out how you can get a BONUS Tickler file system-- complimentary! ===== ** Now You Can Fill Your Freezer With Delicious Home- Cooked Meals. Save Money - Save Time - Eat Well And Still Lose Weight ** Cook just once a week (or once a month!) and eat what you love. Your family members will enjoy the convenience of homemade 'TV Dinners' in the freezer, and you'll love how yummy and healthy they are. Plus, imagine all the extra time you'll gain when you don't have to cook every single night! Visit: http://getorgnow1.greatdog.hop.clickbank.net/ ===== ** You already have the power to transform your life. Discover how to easily release it. ** Imagine being able to... * Hit your ideal weight and stay there forever without feeling miserable * Exercise and LOVE it * Be free of depression no matter how severe or how long you've suffered * Get rid of your panic attacks and stop obsessive behaviors * Quit bad habits for good - and not miss them one little bit * Live every single day with passion and purpose no matter what your age Until now, there has been no way to eliminate the mental patterns that stop you from doing the things you want to do. But now there is, and you deserve to live your dream life. Visit: http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=373018 ============================================ An Organizing Tip From One Of Our Readers So many people pay their bills online or by phone, but for the ones who do not here is a time saving tip. Preprint the addresses on a dozen envelopes for each bill you will be paying, put a stamp on them and have them ready for when the bill is due. I have a slot in a hanging folder for each bill and keep the envelopes there. I also have pretyped envelopes for my insurance claims. The claim forms usually need to be filled in each time you make a claim. Fill in one form, sign it and make 12 copies for future claims. Keep the original in the back or bottom of the forms so you can make more copies as you need them. When you need to send the claim form, you can then date it and it's ready to go! Ginger Smyle, GBS Organizing Mystic, CT * * * * * Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ On the Calendar * May 11th: Mother's Day: a day honoring mothers, celebrated on various days in many places around the world. * May 11th: Pentecost: one of the prominent feasts in the Christian liturgical year. Historically and symbolically related to the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, it commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus. Pentecost is also called Whitsun, Whitsunday, or Whit Sunday, especially in the United Kingdom. http://en.wikipedia.org/ ============================================ In Closing Conquering any difficulty always gives one a secret joy, for it means pushing back a boundary-line and adding to one's liberty. -- Henri Frederic Amiel And remember . . . there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now! Warmly, Maria Gracia Get Organized Now! http://www.getorganizednow.com ============================================ (c) Copyright 2008 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now! * Copyright, contact and reprint information: http://www.getorganizednow.com/contact.html * You signed up to receive our Idea-Kit and/or our Newsletter at our Get Organized Now! Web site. We never add names unless you have voluntarily opted in. * We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list. * To subscribe, visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/free-ezine.html * To unsubscribe, click the link at the bottom of this e-mail. You are subscribed to our list as: {!name} {!email} ============================================