Just pick a room in your home where clutter has taken over. In three hours, we will roll up our sleeves and work to re-establish the room as it was meant to be…with more space and less confusion. Don’t you deserve a more calm states of mind?

During our time together I will teach you about strategies and concepts that will help you maintain all your rooms. You will be surprised that, with help, this activity can actually be fun and invigorating.

Pick up the phone and book your session, or be bold and email us(rose@organizemepleasecanada.com) a picture of your cluttered area. We love a challenge!

Holiday Alert! The countdown is on, only 33 more days! Let us help you get your home in order so you can enjoy the holiday season …..stress-free.

The post Are you ready for the holiday season? appeared first on DeClutter | Organize | Downsize | Estates | Burlington Organizer | Organize Me Please.

Here is my first referral with more to come over the next few weeks.

CAA – The Immigrant

Last night my car stalled on the QEW on route to Toronto however I was lucky, I was in the far right hand lane. Traffic was heavy and moving slowly so I got out and tried to push my car to the shoulder. Good thing I practice a lot of hot yoga because I had the strength to move the car two feet! The car was still half on the shoulder and half in the exit lane.

A car stopped and an immigrant got out.

The immigrant pushed my car to the shoulder.

The immigrant tried trouble shooting to figure out what was wrong with my car but was unsuccessful.

The immigrant stayed until CAA arrived.

The immigrant was kind and helpful.

The tow truck was suppose to arrive in an hour according to CAA however it arrived in 5 minutes with another immigrant.

The immigrant hooked up my car and checked to make sure I was warm enough in the truck since it had been raining.

The immigrant asked if he could pick up his cousin at a restaurant that he was working at which was only five minutes away in Etobicoke. I said sure since he was driving me back to Burlington where my mechanic was located.

The immigrant pick up his cousin and also pick up a chicken dinner for me which I held on to because I was too stressed to eat.

The immigrant was talkative, interesting, had a great sense of humour and before long we were in Burlington.

The immigrant drop off my car at my mechanic’s shop, then took my items out of my car and put them in the tow truck and drove me home.

The immigrant shook my hand and wished me a good evening.

Later in the evening I was hungry. I opened the styrofoam food box that the immigrant had given me. There were 6 big pieces of chicken inside.

The immigrant had fed me.

Thank you, immigrants. So, proud to have you in this great country called Canada.
Thank you CAA for employing immigrants. The best service ever.

The post “True, Tried, Tested and are Terrific”. appeared first on DeClutter | Organize | Downsize | Estates | Burlington Organizer | Organize Me Please.

I have a love of books that date back to being a toddler, when my mom would read “I Wish That I Had Duck Feet” by Dr. Seuss.  I remember gently rocking back & forth in a rocking chair while the rhyming words swirled around in my toddler head—this was just the start of my love affair with books.

Until just a few years ago, I had 2 huge book cases that were double-stacked with volumes ranging from children’s fiction to college text books, and piles had formed next to couches and the bed. I could not imagine my life without these friends surrounding me.

Today, I am the proud owner of approximately 20 books – six of which are craft books. To move from one extreme to the other took some serious work, and time (and a newfound appreciation for library books).  Here are a few suggestions to help even the biggest bibliophile relieve your sagging shelves of stress—without buying more shelves.

How to Declutter your Bookshelves:

1. Divide and Conquer – Get ruthless with your “yet to read” pile

My rule of thumb is simple: If it hasn’t been read in six months, it probably won’t ever be read. If you’re not sure, dedicate a space to “need to read” books, and note the date. Any books that started out on that shelf on that date but were still there six months… do you really intend to read them?

If you’re concerned that you’ll still want to read something, make a note of it in your notebook – title, author, ISBN – so you can find a library copy in the future.

2. Share with others!

Anytime you find yourself thinking “So and so would LOVE this book!” write that name down on a sticky note, stick it on the front cover, and set the book aside.

3. Check for overlap of non-fiction information

Organize your non-fiction books by topic, then see if you have multiple books on the same topic. Is the content overlapping?

When I sorted through my shelves, once I saw where I had doubled up on topic, it was easier to let go of a few books.

4. Consider why you are attached to the book

If a book is not one you read or refer to often, consider whether you are keeping it because of how the story made you feel, or because it was a meaningful gift.

To reduce your attachment to the book itself, take a few minutes to write about your connection to the book, or even take a photograph of it, and once your emotions and thoughts are out of your head, it is easier to let the book be enjoyed by a new person. (Of course, if the book was a gift from a friend or relative who would note its absence, you might want to keep it around for when s/he visits!)

5. Look for multiple copies
Do you really need two copies of that book?  Was one a gift?  Decide which version you want to keep, and send the other(s) to a new home for someone else to appreciate and enjoy.

6. Set aside one shelf as your “deserted island” shelf

 This shelf is for the books I’d want with me if I were stranded on a deserted island, that I could read over and over again for the rest of my life. As you are sorting through the texts, move these books to a dedicated shelf.

Not only is it comforting to have a “saved” section as you pare down others, but you now have a physical boundary – you can have no more “desert island” books than will fit on this one shelf, so you are forced to really think about your collection.

Here are a few tips to help you along the way:

• Ensure you have a notebook, sticky notes, a pen, & boxes or sturdy reusable bags – If your book-rehoming supplies are not on hand, you’ll have an excuse for why you can’t sort or get rid of them.
• Stay hydrated – Keeping a glass of water nearby will help you stay alert and focused, and away from getting distracted in the kitchen.
• Set a timer – Sort through your books for no more than 30 minutes the first go-round to avoid overwhelm.
• If you begin to feel overwhelmed – Take a few minutes away from the shelves. This is a new experience for you and it takes some getting used to!
• Group books into categories – then work through one category at a time.
• Honour your emotions – Your sentimental attachment to your books is not something to feel ashamed of. Acknowledging your emotions as you sort through your books can be the first step in helping you move past that attachment and towards a more minimalist book collection.

And remember: you acquired these books over time, so it will likely take some time to sort and re-home your textual friends. By spending a few minutes per week dedicated to letting go of a few books at a time, you may find your feelings shifting towards the stories and the moment rather than the books themselves.

Last but not least, after your shelves are sorted, consider using one of my favourite rules for avoiding book clutter—One book in, one book out!

The post Over-readers Anonymous: Step One – Remove the Book Clutter! appeared first on DeClutter | Organize | Downsize | Estates | Burlington Organizer | Organize Me Please.

Seeing (or looking for) that Robin means it’s time for… Spring cleaning!  With many years in the organizing industry, I have developed a reliable process to get the family in line to make Spring cleaning a fun and productive event:

Stay C-A-L-M (Control, Assess, Lighten Up, Maintain) so everyone can appreciate an organized house and look forward to enjoying the riches of the season that Spring brings to us each year.

Spring cleaning starts with CONTROL

Someone has to take control of the situation and if that is you, put on your coach’s cap and get the team players in line.  Perhaps starting off with a “kick off” dinner of pizza to bring the team members together to formulate the game plan and address Q&A to enable for all members to have their concerns or needs heard.

When – Try to choose dates far in advance.  Four-hour windows work well because it gives each member the time frame to accomplish at least one room if not two without getting too tired or bogged down.

Why – Explaining the importance of a clean and organized home will help get everyone on board with this Spring project. For many people this includes:

• being able to find things
• not wasting time looking for a particular item
• allow regular cleaning to be easier

Who does what – It is a family affair so everyone needs to be involved, regardless of age—delegate tasks that work with each person’s abilities, with more basic tasks for toddlers and more sitting-oriented tasks, such as sorting into “keep and discard” piles for persons with limited mobility.

I typically start with each family member working on their respective bedrooms then moving onto a group project of the family room or basement.

With game plan in place, it’s time to ASSESS

The easiest way to assess the situation is to make a list which I call the Activity Planner.  On a chart I create columns such as:
Room: the place where the activities need to be done. Equip each person with 3 cardboard boxes for sorting items into toss, donate or keep.
Activity: what tasks need to be accomplished in this room so it is in order and clean. Remember smaller tasks for children, medium tasks for tweens and teens and with adults… load it on!
Name: the responsible person for this activity. This is important so Mom is not doing all the work!
Materials: use this space to note any special needs, i.e. cleaning products, boxes, labels, etc.
Completed: this area is used to check off once the activity is completed…yahoo!

Print off copies of this activity planner and go through each room and list what needs to be done.  The Assessment should not take more than 15 minutes per room.

On ‘cleaning day’, LIGHTEN UP on…

Meal Prep—
• Start the day with a nutritious meal
• Have plenty of accessible, grab-and-go healthy snacks on hand throughout the day
• Place a container of water in each room so everyone stays hydrated

Volume control—Set up a radio or two or make sure the mp3 players are charged ahead of time and the headphones are handy.

Your wallet—Perhaps an allowance can be doubled by a child being speedy–or how about ‘no attitude for the day’!!
Alternatively, you could create a treasure hunt by hiding coins in corners especially where the dust bunnies hide!  I personally throw a handful of coins under their beds!

Your words—You love your family and want the spring cleaning to be successful and enjoyable (and annual!), so use words of encouragement and positivity to each member of the family throughout the day.

Their curfew—For tweens and teens who are being responsible for their activities, perhaps you could extend Saturday night curfew, or allow them to take on another extracurricular activity.

After the Spring Cleaning is complete, you’ll want to MAINTAIN

Make sure you create a maintenance plan so the Spring Cleaning doesn’t have to be repeated as Summer Cleaning!
Your plan might include:

1. Each person takes 5 minutes at the end of their day to put away their items.  This is easier now that each item has its place
2. “One thing in, one thing out” so clutter does not accumulate—if you buy that “must have” pair of shoes then an old pair of shoes needs to be donated or trashed
3. Putting together a check list for the back of the bedroom door for each child so they can check in to repeat the cleaning tasks, and promote a good habit. (This one is my personal favourite.
4. Put a box or bin in the front hall closet for donations; once it is full it is only a couple of steps to take it out the door
5. A monthly quick review with the team to share the house progress so everyone is on the same page. Perhaps through this process they have some organizing ideas that they have come up with.

Once you have finished on the inside of your house, it’s time to start thinking about an activity list for outside cleaning when warmer weather arrives. Also if you want to entice your own first Robin of the season fill up the feeder with fruits and suet because Robins don’t eat seeds! Or better still, water the grass and the Robins will flock to your lawn for the worms!

Organize Me Please
“We help families create order”
rose@organizemepleasecanada.com
905-681-1659

The post Spring Cleaning in an Organized & Fun Fashion appeared first on DeClutter | Organize | Downsize | Estates | Burlington Organizer | Organize Me Please.

With the holiday season upon us the following organizing tips gives us the opportunity to give to the less fortunate.

Food Organizing

During the holiday season the kitchen can be one of the busiest spots in your home. Go through your non-perishable food items and group “like for like”. With extra items that are not being used, check the expiry dates and if applicable put them in a box marked for the food bank. Items such as tuna, peanut butter and soups are at the top of the list for food banks so be generous.

With these actions:

• You have your food items in order.
• You have an idea of what is needed for your holiday food list.
• Most importantly, you are helping your fellow man. 

Winter attire organizing.

This time of the year there is a great need for winter clothing in local shelters.

Go through all coats, jackets, hats, mitts, boots and assess what is not being used or what has been out grown. Make sure you check all pockets & if necessary launder soiled items. Pack all items into clear plastic bags and drop off at charity locations such as The Compassion Society (Burlington), Scott Mission (Hamilton), Covenant House for youth. Also blankets and sleeping bags are greatly appreciated at this time of year.

With these actions:

• You have room in your front closet to put guest’s coats instead of throwing them on a bed!
• Your closets are all in order.
• Your donations will keep someone warm this winter.

Christmas ornament swap, it’s a festive event!

Spread some holiday cheer this year and invite family and friends over for a Christmas ornament swap. Have folks go through their existing Christmas ornaments and select 5 to 10 items that they can let go of. Serve appetizers and cocktails while everyone chooses a few new ornaments for their Christmas tree this year.

With these actions:

• Something old is something new for people.
• Perfect way to let go of sentimental ornaments because you will know the new owner!
• Christmas ornaments make great gifts for teachers, babysitters etc.
• Ornaments that are left over can be gently wrapped and given to charities.

Christmas baking swap.

Invite 10-12 friends and/or family members to come to your home and have each one bring 10-12 dozen homemade cookies. Pick one of your favorite cookie recipes and bake up a batch and exchange with fellow bakers! This way everyone leaves with a variety of goodies for Christmas entertaining – and perhaps a new recipe or two.

With these actions:

• You save time & money because you only need to buy ingredients for one recipe.
• Your baking is done for the season!
• You get to visit with friends and family and the guests bring the cookies!
• You can donate an assortment of cookies to a local shelter or a senior centre.

Regifting for the season.

Regifting is becoming more socially accepted and a perfect way to recycle items that you do not want. In fact the “celebration” of regifting was started by Money Management International in 2006 to save people from coming out of the holiday season (and into the New Year) in debt. Regifting Day falls on the third Thursday of December (this year, Dec. 19) the day when the most office holiday parties are held (according to MMI’s own research). Regifting can also be done with teachers, paper boy, mail person, babysitters etc. Just ensure you follow a few etiquette rules when regifting such as, items are not unused or homemade, or too horrible that you are just trying to get rid of it!

With these actions:

• Saves money and time
• Lessen the stress of holiday shopping
• Perhaps the regifted item with be used by the new owner!
• If you have additional items they can be donated to local charities

Coming from a large family the gift exchange task between siblings was given up many years ago however; “The Secret Santa” game has taken its place! Check the internet under www.SecretSantarules.com  and start a new traditional with your family that does not cost very much but puts the true spirit of the holiday season in our hearts.

May your holiday season be filled with joy from the act of giving to people in need.

The post Christmas organizing ideas from your Burlington Organizer appeared first on DeClutter | Organize | Downsize | Estates | Burlington Organizer | Organize Me Please.

As a professional organizer I’m often asked to create a filing system or correct a filing system that is covered in couple of inches of paper because it was just too difficult to maintain.  Here is a document that I share with clients as we guide them through the creation of a customized system.  With the rules listed below you no longer have to fear the four letter word again! 

FILING RULES

There was the promise of a “paperless world” that we all envisioned with the computer age however there is still the need for hard copies in our world.

Surprisingly enough, something as simple as filing is either not done properly or not done at all.

The following rules help people administer their files in a timely manner.

CATEGORIZING

Categorizing is the back bone of the entire filing process.  Whether you use an alphabetical, numerical or chronological structure, a filing system is only effective if you can find everything quickly and without a struggle.

– Main categories are crucial.   Take the time and give it some thought.  Start with categories that pop into your head immediately and work with that as a basis.  Keep in mind if it is a shared filing system you must share your ideas for category names.

– SUB categories dissect your main categories into bite size pieces.  Uses as many as you like but keep in mind the KISS process, Keep It Simple Sweetheart!

Examples:

Banking – Master card, Air Miles, Canada Trust,      BMO statement notices

Important Documents – Marriage cert., health cards, deposit box info, passwords for the electronic world

Income Tax –  Software, T’s, current year return, etc.

Insurance – CAA car, home and life documents

Investments – Stocks, bonds, RESP, RSPs

Medical – prescription receipts, dental, hospital receipts. 

Receipts (Misc.) – any day-to-day receipts, gas, groceries, toiletries, restaurant

RRSP – current statements

Utilities – gas, hydro, telephone, cable etc.,

– Avoid making a miscellaneous sub category.  Miscellaneous is defined as mixed or various.   You need to specify a category.  If it is meant to be filed, it is meant to have a category name.

LABELING

Labels are meant to be seen.  Make it easy on the eyes to instantly find a file.

– Use a medium black marker, print, and no script, or better still invest in a label machine.

– Use as few words as possible and put further descriptions in the file.

– Line up tabs flush to left or right, avoids zigzagging, which is hard on the eyes, and can lead to misfiling.

FILE, DON’T PILE

Piles create disorganization which leads to non productive action.

– If your filing cabinet is close to your desk you avoid the temptation to pile.  Remember putting something into a filing basket doesn’t constitute filing.   Why touch a file twice?   Put in the cabinet the first time around.

– Always file document most recent at the front of file, previous documents are hardly ever looked at.

– Business cards are an excellent source of information.  Staple them in the front inside flap of the current file.

– If letting go of some documents causes anxiety, designate a temporary holding box.   Record the deposit date for each item.   If you do not touch it for 6 months, IT IS NOT NEEDED.

– Warning: if the file has grown too large, then it is time to divide into subcategories or purge.

PURGING FILES

The purging process familiarizes you with the files in your cabinet thus giving you knowledge and control over your documents.  With this in mind there are a few questions you can ask yourself when you start the purging process.

– Is it worth keeping?  Old auto/life insurance policies.  Old manuals and warranties that are no longer applicable.

 Are copies necessary?   No.  Shred for confidential purposes or use the blue box.  The only time copies are necessary is when you are going to use them right now.

FILE CABINET SPACE

One of the biggest filing deterrents is a “STUFFED” filing cabinet.  This causes misfiling, frustration and not to mention paper cuts.  A crumbled documentation does not present itself well.  Leave at least a quarter of the drawer empty or better still put your filing supplies in there.  With filing supplies on hand it encourages you to quickly create new files as you need them rather than pile papers on top of the cabinet.

In summary, paper documents are slowly diminishing and the electronic format will prevail; however if we do not address filing rules at the paper stage we just defer the problem without resolution.

The post Burlington Professional Organizer – Filing Rules appeared first on DeClutter | Organize | Downsize | Estates | Burlington Organizer | Organize Me Please.

Help is just a phone call away for a stress free office environment !

The following points can serve as a guide to keep us focused on your objectives.

Frustrations to be eliminated, obstacles to be overcome, problems to be solved:

1. Office located at 321 Any Street, in Toronto needs to be organized for an employee that holds the position of a consultant for ABC Group.
2. Administrative tasks such as expense receipts and timesheets have to be properly filled out and submitted in a timely manner.
3. Processes put in place to maintain an organized office and a functional working style.

    

Comments following for the above objectives.

1. In order for us to stay focused and to relieve stress I have created a “step by step” plan (see below) to bring order to your current office. This plan requires that we work together because certain decisions need to be made by you.  i.e. category names, files, etc. My mandate here is to create a place for everything that will be staying in the office.  With this completed your office will be functional and will give you the time to spent on the important activities such as finding new clients.
2. Expense receipts will require a “mini” file container (Staples carries them, Beaumont), which have tabs in it so categories can be created. This mini file size is 10” by 3” and has 10 tabs, which should be more then sufficient for expense purposes.  There is also a spot to put a pen so you can write down additional notes on the receipts for clarification purposes. With this mini file it creates a one stop shopping for all your receipts and puts them in an orderly fashion (tabs) so expense time is not so overwhelming. A window of time will have to be allocated to populating the expense forms which will be at the end of each month.                                                  Time sheets will be created on line and will be a daily occurrence.  While you are keeping track of client hours on your daytimer it will be easy to transpose to your time sheet thus being submitted on time.  We will set up a time sheet file on your computer with an alarm on your calendar so you know that month end is coming and that you have the responsibility to submit.
3. To maintain an organized office I will supply you with a document that I created and can be used in any room.  I call this document the “10 commandments to organize any room.” Here is a snap shot of some of the  commandments that pertain to you and your situation:

    

   • Window of time: make an appointment with yourself to organize a space.
   • Focus, focus, focus, – stay in one spot at a time, DON’T wander
   • Remove clutter – especially from desk tops
   • Purging – Such areas as: garbage/recycling, no use for, two of a kind etc.
   • Group like for like – self explanatory
   • Infrequently used items – space is valuable don’t waste it with these items
   • Everything has a place…find a home for everything
   • Maintenance – take 5 minutes at the end of each day to put things in their place

      

      

Opportunities to focus upon and turn into your advantage.

• Your office is quite large and has a wonderful view so it is inviting to work in and perhaps you can hold staff meetings in here instead of coffee shops so no wasted time occurs.
• All your accomplishments hanging on the walls are quite commendable and are nice anchors however we will tame them a bit so you look at them as accomplishments not as distractions.
• Love the large white board because we can create process checklists and it will be right in front of you.  Perhaps we can pick up some bright coloured markers and have some fun with it so it is much more noticeable.
• David, you have terrific energy and with a little guidance you will be ahead of the game, it will just take practice to create good working habits.

   

The plan and path……………………

With the initial start up of this project, your availability will be paramount because of the decisions and directions that need to be made.  With that said, I will need two to three days to create the office foundation.  I normally work 8 to 10 hours a day but that does not mean I need those types of hours from you.

Keep in mind the backbone of this process is to CLEAR the clutter, CONTAIN i.e. files, boxes, so you can CREATE!

Here are the steps to get us into motion:

• · Remove all trash (plastic bags, recyclable items)
• · Take all items from top of desk and put into groups and then put aside, we are in the process of creating a working area, which will be the top of the desk.
• · Remove printer from top of desk, it is taking up valuable space, perhaps but on top of new filing cabinet
• · Pull all items from the corners of the office and assess if business or personal and put into groups (will provide boxes for temporary containment)
• · Take the box with business items and pull all paper items (these will be amalgamated with items on top of desk)
• · Remove all paper items from desk beside window and perform the same actions noted above.
• · Review existing files and see if any of paper items from the desk can be placed in these files.  This would be the appropriate time to assess what categories are necessary for this business and proceed with creating.  Coloured files are also excellent for identifying subjects and this can be easily done. This will also provide us with an idea as to what will be going in the new filing cabinet.
• · Once categories have been decided upon, create files and put appropriate papers inside.(OMP can provide labeler)
• · Decisions will need to be made as to what will be kept in the filing drawer attached to the desk; my suggestion is time sheets, receipts, templates etc., The current client files will be kept in white container (currently on side table) and placed on top of desk. Decisions will need to be made as to what is current and what needs to be archived.
• · Review desk drawer to ensure it has proper office supplies
• · Review side desk cupboard to figure out what the function will be, perhaps personal items
• · Review bulletin board and discuss the purpose of this board and take action.
• · Review purpose of large white board, as noted above, a place for checklists.
• · Review all items on walls and discuss what personal items will stay and perhaps pick a wall where they can be placed so they end up being a nice anchor not a distraction. Perhaps we can create a wall of fame so to speak!
• · Group all personal items and assess what stays in the office and what goes home. With items that are staying we will determine if they should go in a desk drawer or on a bookcase shelf.
• · Current position of desk is fine however we need to discuss the window distraction that may occur.  A new 2 drawer filing cabinet would be perfect by the window and not too far from the desk for assess ability.  A little greenery cannot hurt either since there is tons of room you could pick a large plant for one of the corners. 

What Organize Me Please brings to this endeavor:

I have eighteen years of experience in the IT Administration industry.  I have five years experience as a professional organizer.  That experience has allowed me to assist people with customized solutions to increase the efficiency of their homes, their offices or individual requirements.  A highly motivated self-starter who combines enthusiasm with a strong work ethic to achieve outstanding results and excellent client services.  Key competencies:

• · Listening skills
• · Multitasking
• · Proactive problem solving
• · The production of accurate and detailed work
• · Bonded and insured

References:  I have two references that I can provide.  Let me know if you prefer email addresses or cell#s.

Pricing:

Consultations $99 plus tax (minimum of 2 hours)

Hourly rate $55 for the first 50 hours, $52 for the rest of the project hours.

Administrative and shopping hours $45

If an organizer assistant is necessary for this project it will be discussed with clients prior to employment.  Invoices are issued on Mondays for the previous working hours.

Project Time:  My estimate time at this point will be 2 to 3 days; this does not included the 22,000 emails but we will certainly be looking at them!  I will assume it is a lot of trailer emails, which can be rectified quickly.  I normally hand out homework with all my clients and this would be one of the areas for you to accomplish with my guidance.

OMP Availability: Currently I have time available the first and third week of February 2011. Please note that in my business it is first come first served.  This is not meant to be a deterrent but is just the nature of my business.  It would be perfect to have two consecutive days but I can accomplish quite a bit in one day.  It is not expected that you spend the whole day with me because I will have the plan in action in the first couple of hours so if you are not available for questions I have other areas to move on to that I can do on my own.

I look forward to the opportunity to organize your office so you have a comfortable level of control as we go through the process.

The post Burlington Professional Organizer – Business Office Project appeared first on DeClutter | Organize | Downsize | Estates | Burlington Organizer | Organize Me Please.

Your weight loss success begins in your home starting with the kitchen……

As you know the kitchen is the heart of a home and for good reason:  cooking, cleaning, study hall, party hang out, paying bills etc.  So with this amount of use it’s no wonder that this room attracts a lot of clutter. When there is clutter the proper function of this room is jeopardized.

The kitchen is most important to your weight loss goals.  Creating a kitchen that has clear countertops with plenty of space for preparing food.  A pantry stocked with healthy foods that are easily located for any recipe.   An organized refrigerator full of colorful fresh fruits and vegetables.  A comfortable, uncluttered eating area for family members. Just imagine how you will look forward to preparing and eating healthy food in this environment!

What you will experience with a functional, decluttered kitchen are the following:

You will have control over your weight loss once and for all.  When we are frustrated it is easy to lose control thus eating what we should not.  When a kitchen is decluttered such junk foods can be eliminated so if you must eat you will have healthy snacks on hand.

You will have less stress. Preparing healthy meals takes time and energy but when you are doing it with a functional decluttered kitchen meal preparation becomes a breeze.

You will have time to get active. When your kitchen is in order it take less time to prepare meals and less time to clean up which gives you time for the important things in life such as an exercise plan to compliment your weight loss program.

You will have your health. It is not just what the number is on the scale that counts but what is going into your body.  Healthy food will give you energy, beauty and happiness. Healthy bodies keeps such risks as diabetes, heart disease and stroke in check.

You will have a happy and healthy family.  Children are very observant, when they see parents eating properly so will they.  Obesity is running rampage in our younger generation but now you will have the power to ensure your children do not end up with a weight problem.

With our 10 step organizing program we will have your kitchen in a functional decluttered fashion so you can get ready for your new slimmer life.  Just one to two days organizing your kitchen can make this a reality.

The post Weight Loss Program – Professiona appeared first on DeClutter | Organize | Downsize | Estates | Burlington Organizer | Organize Me Please.

 #1 Safety – Clear all walkways/hallways. Friends and family do not know your home like you.  Keeping them safe means no accidents.

 #2 – Physical preparations.  Everyone should start with stretching exercises.  No one needs pulled muscles. Stop and rest your body during the day.  Remember the primary lifting rule BEND AT THE KNEES – KEEP YOU BACK STRAIGHT!  Have bottled water & food available for all helpers. Take breaks!

#3 Create a working space in every room so you can work freely to group, purge and pack your items.  Beds are also suitable for packing; just cover the top of the bed with a sheet of plastic in case items are dusty or dirty.

#4 Do the walk around – Arm someone with a garbage bag, clear bag, and blue bag. Garbage = obvious, clear = give aways, blue = recycling.  Note: Kitchens & basements will usually be recycling treasure troves. Touch it once. A full bag goes to the car immediately = ready for Value Village or Goodwill on the way home.

#5 Boxes – forget the liquor stores! Buy 3-4 varied sized boxes that are uniformed. Buy lots. Movers refund the returns. Be safe; keep the weight down per box. Choose boxes with handles for obvious reasons. Uniform boxes look much neater when stacked especially during open house appointments. They also stack better in moving truck & storage space & PODS.

#6 Supplies – Keep all your moving supplies in one area of the house; this way everyone knows where they are and you can keep an eye of your levels.

#7 Get packing! Buy a tape gun and quality tape (3M, Scotch are my favorites). Trust me, better tools and products = less frustrations during the day.

Sharpies – black markers with chisel tips last longer & are inexpensive. Red markers for marking the weight (H= heavy weight, M= medium weight, L= light weight. This way the movers know how to quickly stack boxes in the truck.

Labels: print clearly the location and general category i.e. Kitchen / dishes

Help the movers! Label the top and two sides with details.

Note: Add to labels where the items came from helps people to quickly identify the contents.

#8 Colour Coordinate! Each room gets a colour i.e. yellow = kitchen. Same colour sticker on each box. Same sticker colour on the entranceway of room at the new house.  Movers charge by the hour so beat them at their game! Add a “Boxes here” on the walls at the new house so it leaves room for furniture.

#9 Educate yourself with movers, cleaners, landscapers and organizers. Create a list and call to compare. Call the references! Anyone can create a website and have a truck but that does not constitute a moving company.

#10 Purge and contain. Do not take what you want, take what you need! Checking Kijiji or ebay will help you learn what has value. Use the moving opportunity to not clutter the new home. Still can’t give it up then have a reversed housewarming party. Instead of people bringing a house warming gift they choose one of your treasures & take it away with them!

Bonus tip – Organizer clothing gear – love cargo pants because you can carry items such as markers, small measuring tape, exacto knife and gloves. This way you can move freely around the house and tackle packing tasks with ease.

Wishing you and your family well in your moving endeavors & new beginnings!

The post Burlington Professional Organizer’s moving tips. appeared first on DeClutter | Organize | Downsize | Estates | Burlington Organizer | Organize Me Please.

(Note: Italics for quick scanning of document.)

Hello Mr. Robertson.

This is a review of the main concerns that we covered and discussed during our recent consultation.  The following points can serve as a guide to keep us focused on your objectives:

Frustration to be eliminated, obstacles to be overcome, problems to be solved…..

1)  House has been sold and closing date is May 22nd.  Belongings must be packed and moved before this date.  Condominium rental begins on April 15^th so a moving date will need to be decided upon.

2)  Assessment of new living space needs to be determined.

3)  Family members maybe involved but client wants OMP to direct members so his wishes are upheld with regards to possessions.

Comments following from the above objectives:

1)  With the closing date of the house being May 22nd we need to start on the following:

–      Hire movers once a moving date has been chosen.  OMP have movers that provide an excellent corporate rate which is passed on to clients.  Would prefer a moving date in the middle of the week and not at the end of the month because of condo elevators and movers availability.

–      Compose a list of items that are moving to the new place so the movers can give us an estimate of hours for cost purposes.

–      Put process together for packing and moving(see below)

–      Provide an action list for each room so if family members are offering their help we can refer to this list.

2)  Your new condo has three bedrooms so there is ample living space. Part of the process will be doing a review of where furniture pieces will be placed and what new pieces will be necessary.  Please note that OMP has access to furniture pieces that maybe used in the new residence.  As far as I can see shelving units and a bed are items that are needed and OMP may be able to provide these pieces and the only cost involved with be moving charges.  This will be discussed in more detail as we get closer to the moving date.

3)  As noted in the consultation your valuable possessions are: books, files and garden supplies.  We understand that you do not want family members making decisions without consulting beforehand.  If family members are involved with the packing process, OMP will review all activity and ensure client’s wishes are upheld.

Opportunities to focus upon and turn into your advantage.

1)  Terrific that your new location is so close to existing home.  This will give us the opportunity to move small items to the condo prior to movers.  When we assess items we will ensure they are packed, labelled correctly and put in an orderly fashion on the main floor so it is easy for movers to transport thus lower costs. Your new condo does not require a lot of furniture so we will choose the precious pieces that you want to take by putting “green stickers” on them.  One of the bedrooms can be used for your books but shelving will be necessary. 

2)  If family members are available to assist in the moving process then I will ensure there is a detailed job list that they choose from.  I always say more the merrier which also works in your favour from a cost perspective.

The plan and path…..

With the initial start-up of this project, your availability will be paramount because of the decisions and directions that need to be made.  With that said I will need to start the week of April 27^th.   I normally work 8 to 10 hours a day but that does not mean I need those types of hours from you.  However, I will leave homework for you after each session which will be necessary due to the nature of the items (i.e. making decision on number of bottles files and books to be kept etc.)

Here is the process we will be following for the next couple of weeks:

1)  Remove all recycling and garbage items from home and prepare for pickup (i.e. recycling items – old magazines, cans, bottles; garbage items – rusty tools, broken/used items)

2)  Prepare spots in each room for organizing activities to be performed. Examples: Dining room table – to be used for kitchen items to be sorted.   Coffee table (livingroom) – for sorting paper items. It will also be imperative to clear all hallways/stairs of items to prevent accidents.

3)  Each room will need to have its items grouped, assessed, and either taken to new home, charity, or possibly a family member.  Listed below are the approximate hours for each room.  Hours could vary with the help of an assistant which can be discussed as the project progresses.

Livingroom – 5-6 hours

Diningroom – 4 hours

Kitchen – 5-6 hours

Back room (off of kitchen) 5-6 hours

Bedroom (Seed room) 10-15 hours

Bedroom (not viewed during consultation) ? hours

Basement (not viewed during consultation) ? hours

Second floor (not viewed during consultation)*

Breezeway 5-6 hours

Garage – 4-5 hours

Areas of concern:

–      Cannot gauge time factor for second floor or basement until they are reviewed.

–      Dumpster may be necessary for pieces of furniture and debris.  Please note I will use the public garbage system as much as possible to keep costs down. Note: garbage tags are needed after the third bag of garbage ($3.10 per garbage tag).

–      It is always difficult to make decisions especially with a house that has been your home for many years.  OMP works very quickly but will always respect the time it takes for client to make comfortable decisions.  With that said, gauging of hours can sometimes be incorrect, OMP will ensure that time is used wisely so you receive the best possible service.

–      Being that there has been water in basement, safety precautions will be necessary. i.e. masks, limiting exposure etc.

New residence – set up activities and estimated times.

–      Kitchen – being that client does minimal cooking, all that needs to be done is setting up a functional, save environment.  We will be moving some items from old kitchen and adding new items so client can have a good start in this area. – 4 hours

–      Livingroom – this will just require location of furniture plus adding pictures, knickknacks etc – 2 hours

–      Dining room – adding furniture to eating area 2 hours

–      Bedroom – assemble bed and add sheets. Put clothes in closet and dresser.  5 hours

–      2^nd bedroom, this location can be used for files and books.  Shelving unit will be added so items can be placed in an orderly fashion. 5 hours

What Organize Me Please brings to this endeavour:

Rose Ritchi has eighteen years of experience in the IT Administration industry.  I have seven years as a professional organizer.  That experience has allowed me to assist people with customized solutions to increase the efficiency of their home, their office or their individual requirements.  A highly motivated self-starter who combines enthusiasm with a strong work ethic to achieve outstanding results and excellent client services.

Key competencies:

• · Listening skills
• · Multitasking
• · Proactive problem solving
• · The production of accurate and detailed work

References

I have two references that I can provide that have had the same services from OMP.  Let me know if you prefer email addresses or cell#s

Pricing

Consultations: $99 (minimum of 2 hours, waived if services are employed)

Hourly rate $49

Administration hourly rate $35 (i.e shopping for moving items, producing activity or asset lists)

Moving (Additional costs) – items such as bags, tape, boxes, garbage tags will be purchased by OMP but we will advise before any purchases are done. Costs for a moving company plus dumpster services will also be discussed with client prior to hiring any company services.

Organizing assistant: Pricing various depending on the level of expertise.

Invoices are issued on Mondays for the previous working hours.  For this project they will be submitted to lawyer so invoices are paid at the time of closing (May 22nd 2011). In order to proceed with this project OMP would need confirmation from client’s lawyer that invoices will be paid at closing which is May 22nd 2011.

Project time: My estimate time at this point will be 12 to 15 business days.  Organize Me Please will use every avenue possible to implement cost reduction solutions.

Look forward to providing organizing services for your move and your new home.

The post Consultation Report #3: Senior downsizing and on the move. appeared first on DeClutter | Organize | Downsize | Estates | Burlington Organizer | Organize Me Please.