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A Plan for a Seamless Move

August 25, 2023
Moving can be a stressful and hectic time, but preparing ahead of time can help your move go smoothly. Here are some tips on how you can get organized with your move. Do Your Research A lot of options are available when moving. Whether it’s doing a lot yourself, hiring a company to take care of everything, or something in between, you need to make a plan that works for your move and your budget. Get pricing for multiple options and make sure your dates line up with your needs. Declutter and Organize Think about your new space, what you need, and what you can get rid of. The more stuff you have, the more complicated your move will be. You can sell some items, but don’t be afraid to donate things that aren’t worth the time and hassle of selling. Gather Supplies and PackThe proper supplies can make all the difference. Ask friends, families, and neighbors for boxes, and order anything you don’t have. Tape, a box cutter, moving blankets, markers for labeling, bubble wrap, etc., are all important items to have on hand. Designate an area for the items that should be packed last and unpacked first. Think About LogisticsMake a list of all the little things that come with a move and an address change. Forward your mail with the post office and contact banks, businesses, and others who send you bills. Find out what you need to do to turn off, start or switch over utilities. Get organized before the move so you aren’t overwhelmed during and after. Prepare for the Big DayConfirm times and dates with movers, rental truck companies, or anyone assisting in the move. Provide kids and pets a safe place to hang out when people are in and out of the house. Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water before moving day. Unpack and Enjoy Your New HomeOnce everything is in your home, you can take a deep breath. Unpack the most important items, and then begin making your new house your home. With a little planning and a lot of flexibility, your move can be organized and successful. 
A Plan for a Seamless Move

Organizing the Tech in Your Home

August 16, 2023
Do you have an old iPhone, phone box, or drawer of cords somewhere in your home? It seems that most of us do. New gadgets, tech, and accessories are constantly making their way into our living spaces, but it can be difficult to know how to organize them and when to part with them. Especially with technology, we often struggle with thinking we might need something in the future, but we rarely use much of the old equipment stored away in closets, desks, and cabinets. So how do we get it under control?     1. Identify the things you use on a regular basis and the things you don’t. Before making any decisions, take an inventory of the things you use - the game systems the kids play, the cords that are actually used to charge a device, and the gadgets in regular rotation in your home. If you can match the technology you use with the accessories those things actually need, it will be easier to identify the things that can go.     2. Declutter anything that isn’t actively used.Do your research. Some things can be sold and others donated. Make sure you properly remove any personal information before getting rid of the item. If you can’t determine what a cord or power cable belongs to, get rid of it.     3. Label Cables and Chargers. Use a label maker or labeled sandwich bags to keep things organized. If you don’t know how to label it, don’t keep it!     4. Designate a home for each item. Whether it’s an entertainment cabinet, a desk, or on a kitchen cabinet, determine the best place to use and store each item. If it doesn’t have a home, think about how it’s most used. If it isn’t often used, let it go.     5. Consistently Re-evaluate Next time you get a new piece of technology, resist throwing the old version in a drawer. Consider whether it’s worth storing and make a habit of getting rid of things you don’t need. If you follow a few simple steps, you’ll be able to keep your tech items organized and under control. 
Organizing the Tech in Your Home

From Top to Bottom: A Checklist for a Successful Spring Clean

March 22, 2023
Spring is the perfect time to clean and declutter your home! Not only does it help to create a fresh and inviting atmosphere, but spring cleaning can also improve your overall health and well-being. Spring cleaning can also help to identify and fix small problems before they become larger and more expensive to repair. For example, you may notice a leaky faucet or a crack in the wall that needs to be addressed.Below is a checklist to help ensure that your spring cleaning efforts are thorough and effective.Ceiling and Walls/Windows: One of the easiest ways to brighten up your home is to clean your ceilings and walls; start at the top and work your way down! You’d be surprised how much dust and dirt can build up on these surfaces. Wipe down light fixtures, ceiling fans, and walls, paying special attention to any cobwebs or buildup in corners and on the molding. This is also a great time to clean the windows inside and out to let all that spring sunshine in! Don’t forget to give your curtains/blinds a wash as well! Floors: Vacuum or sweep the floors – it’ll depend if you have hardwood or carpet! – paying special attention to the corners and under the furniture. Mop or steam the floors for an even more thorough cleaning. Getting rid of dirt, dust, and allergens that build up in your home over time can improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues. Furniture: From table tops and dressers to couches and beds, be sure to dust and clean all of your furniture. Now’s the time to wash your pillowcases, sheets, throw blankets, and anything else. Flip or rotate your mattress to extend its life and improve your sleep.Closets: This is perhaps the most popular kind of spring cleaning… cleaning out the closets! From kitchen pantries to clothing closets, sort through all those hangers and shelves to feel totally refreshed. Go through your clothes, shoes, and accessories, and donate or discard anything you no longer need or wear. Organize the remaining items to maximize the space and make it easier to find what you need.Kitchen and Bathroom: Scrub the counters, sink, and shower or tub in your bathroom! Clean appliances, including the refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher. Check the expiration dates on food and medicine, and dispose of anything that is outdated.Miscellaneous: Dust and clean any knick-knacks, picture frames, and other items on your shelves and mantel. Clean the doorknobs, light switches, and other frequently touched surfaces. As you clean, be sure to get rid of items you no longer need or use to create a more efficient and organized living environment. Deep cleaning can give your home the fresh new look and feel you’ve likely been craving during the dark, cold winter months! By following the above checklist, you can ensure your home is thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom. Happy spring cleaning and cheers to sunnier days!
From Top to Bottom: A Checklist for a Successful Spring Clean

5 Garage Organization Tips to Cut the Clutter

January 27, 2023
When it comes time for spring cleaning and overall decluttering in the house, the garage is often overlooked. In fact, it’s often the spot where things “for a rainy day” get stored. However, if you’re lucky enough to have a garage, it’s a great space to utilize– as long as you keep it neat and organized! From tools and sports equipment to gardening supplies and cleaning products, the key to an organized garage is to designate storage zones and stick to a layout that makes sense for you and your family.1. Start with a clean slate.The best way to organize your garage is to take everything out of the garage. If you try to organize the space while everything is still inside, it can quickly turn into an overwhelming mess. Hopefully, you can enlist a few friends or family members to help you with clearing everything out– if not, just take it step by step and be sure to set aside a good chunk of time (which could mean a couple of days, depending on the size and amount of clutter you’re starting with). Create piles with things that are similar grouped together. You can also create ‘donate’, ‘sell’, and ‘trash’ piles for things you no longer use or need. From there, you’ll be able to have a better idea of what it is you actually need to organize and make room for!2. Speaking of ‘clean slate’, now it’s time to DEEP clean.Garages are subject to a lot of dirt and grime. Before you start organizing everything nice and tidy, you’ll want to be sure your garage is fresh and clean. Break out the sponges, brooms, bleach, and vinegar for this project! If you store vehicles in your garage, be sure to mop the floor and remove motor oil stains by laying out clay cat litter to absorb the oil and dish soap to cut through the grease. Then, use a wire scrub brush to really dig in and remove everything from the surface.3. Keep it UP!Get things up off the ground and into cabinets and other storage spaces! A garage is much easier to keep neat and tidy when you have space to move around. Plus, it’s nice to be able to use your garage for its original intention… storing a car or other large items! Don’t let things pile up on the floor– and that includes basketballs, shoes, storage bins, etc. Make a habit of putting things where they belong (i.e. designated shelves, hooks, etc.) and resist the urge to toss them on the ground.4. Create sensible storage solutions.If you decide to use bins, either use clear bins or clearly labeled bins so that you know where everything is when you need it. Also be sure to organize in a way that makes sense for you; for example, seasonal decor can be placed high and out of the way for most of the year, while tools or other things you use more frequently should be placed in easy-to-access spots. If you install shelving, make sure it is sturdy enough to hold what you intend to place on it.5. Think outside of the box (or bin)!While it’s easy to spend a lot of money on storage solutions, that doesn’t have to be the case when organizing your garage. From old shoe boxes to old bookshelves, plenty of items can be utilized for storage solutions. Even old sauce and soup jars can be used to store nails, brushes, and other small items.Of course, there is no one right way to organize a garage. You may have more sports equipment, an extra fridge, pantry items, woodworking supplies, or a classic car… every garage is different! Be sure to try different things and space-saving techniques until you find the best system that makes your garage work for you and your family.
5 Garage Organization Tips to Cut the Clutter