Archive for the ‘The Messy Drawer’ Category

Hiding Money at Home Can Bring A Wealth of Woes

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

Recently I was interviewed by MSNBC for an article, “Money Hiders Risk A Wealth of Woes, Feelings of economic insecurity can lead to cash stashing“.

Most people have some cash available at home. However, I have found clients do not always take appropriate steps in securing their cash. As quoted in the article by MSNBC, I said.

“I’ve found money taped to the back of headboards, in clothes pockets, under loose floorboards, in fake books, and in shoe boxes,” says Scott Roewer, a certified professional organizer from Washington, D.C., who also does estate sales. “It’s amazing what people come up with to hide their money.”

Perhaps you’ve heard the story of a Tel Aviv woman who purchased a new mattress for her elderly mother and tossed out her lumpy mattress. What she didn’t know is her mother had stored her 1 million dollar life’s savings in the mattress, now buried at the dump.

I work with individuals of all ages, and find that all age-groups hide money. I typically urge my clients with cash or other valuables lying around their house to either deposit the cash in the bank, put the valuables or cash in a fireproof safe, and to tell someone where they’re hidden the items, even if they do it via a note in their will.

“I advise against hoarding cash,” he says. “I’ve seen instances of fire, robbery and accidental death where clients had money hidden but nobody knew and it was gone forever.”

Do you stash money at home or have any interesting stories to share about hoarding cash? What steps have you put in place so your money is not lost, forgotten about, or lost? You can read the entire MSNBC article here.

Get Organized & Save Money

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

Oprah has once again teamed up with the awesome folks at The Container Store to offer you 25% off everything in the store now through, Sunday, July 12.  You’ll need to download this coupon to take in to the store or to use online.  Be sure to measure your spaces and make your shopping list before you go.  Know what you’re shopping for so you don’t buy items that clutter your living space.

The Container Store & Real Simple Want You to be Organized!

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

Now is your chance to win an organized home!

It’s simple, “Real Simple” in fact! Enter every day between now and June 15th, 2009 to win the sweepstakes sponsored by Real Simple and The Container Store. The grand price is $3,000.00 worth of cool organizing swag along with the help of a “Real Simple” professional organizer to do the work for you.

We’ll, it’s not me helping you organize your home, but it’s a heck of a deal! Why not enter and win?

Professional Organizers Recognized For Excellence in Los Angeles

Thursday, February 19th, 2009
January was a busy month.  I spent time traveling to California to work with my clients who live there.   While in California, I had the opportunity to visit Los Angeles.  The National Association of Professional Organizers, Los Angeles Chapter on January 30, 2009 hosted the 4th Annual Los Angeles Organizing Awards.  This red-carpet event was held at the beautiful Luxe Hotel off Sunset Boulevard in Bel Air, CA and sponsored by Office Depot.
Best described by NAPO-LAThe Awards recognizes the best in the professional organizing industry. Professional organizers who set the standard for home and business productivity will be acknowledged for their accomplishments, along with those products and services that help consumers and businesses organize anything and everything.”
I had a great trip to LA for the Awards.  During the day, I had the opportunity to lunch with the Northeast Organizing Diva, Krista Colvin who was a finalist for Best Organizing Blog, Organizing in Style.  That evening, once everyone was dressed to the nines, everyone had their red-carpet moment.  After having my photo taken, I enjoyed cocktails with NAPO-NY’s Past President Janine Sarna Jones, Organizing Expert and Life Coach on “Dr. Phil Show” Dorothy Breininger, David Bertnick, President of The International Association for Private Service Professional and NAPO’s President, Standolyn Robertson.
TV Personality and Stand-up Comedian Hal Sparks was the emcee.  He kicked off the evening by ‘losing’ his jokes.  After emptying each suit pocket, he found the jokes stored in a plastic baggie, appropriately labeled ‘Jokes’.  Each joke was numbered and organized.  Hal has worked with a Professional Organizer in the past, so he created the perfect spoof to kick-off the Awards Ceremony.  Hal was a great hit and a wonderful addition to the evening.

Other celebrities in attendance Sam Saboura, Jodie Watson, Gia Russo of Real Simple, Real Life, and Brady Bunch childhood celebrity, Christopher Knight aka Peter Brady now of Green Plug.

Congrats to each individual and company for their recognition.  For a complete list of those nominated visit the official nominee list on the NAPO-LA Organizing Awards website.  Below is a complete list of the award winners.  Please check out their websites and products – I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
And the winners are:
Best Organizing Product Retailer
OnlineOrganizing.com
Best Closet Design Firm
California Closets
Best Garage Design Firm
OrganizIT!
The Green Award for Most Eco-Friendly Organizing Service
No Wire Hangers
The Green Award for Most Eco-Friendly Organizing Product
Bamboo Laptop Stand from KangaRoom Storage
Best Office Organizing Product
Shelf Conversions by ShelfGenie
Best Home Organizing Product
Shelf Conversions by ShelfGenie
Most Helpful Organizing Technology
Microsoft Outlook
Best National Organizing Television Show
Real Simple. Real Life.
Best Publication Featuring Organizational Information
Real Simple Magazine
Best Organizing Website or Blog
OnlineOrganizing.com
Most Valuable Educational Resource
OnlineOrganizing.com
At the Awards ceremony hosted by the NAPO-LA Chapter, individual members of their Chapter and LA-based organizations were recognized for their achievements in their profession, their volunteerism, and service to the professional organizing industry.
Best Organizer as Coach or Mentor
Jean Furuya, The Office Jeanie
Most Innovative Organizer
John Trosko, OrganizingLA
Most Supportive or Organizer-Friendly Charity
National Council of Jewish Women
Volunteer of the Year Award
Heidi Chianta, Your Project Manager
The Leading Edge Award
John Trosko, OrganizingLA
The Office Depot Special Recognition Award
Stephen Covey

Free Electronics Recycling in Montgomery County

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

I often find dead electronic laying around the homes of my clients.  You can’t donate them, you don’t want to fill the landfills, so you need to recycle the electronics, right?  According to the site, Earth911, ‘e-waste is growing at three times the rate of other municipal waste and e-waste may be responsible for as much as 70% of the heavy metals in landfills, including 40 % of all lead.’  That’s insane, people!

There is a free electronics recycling event on December 14th in Bethesda, Maryland.  Now is your chance to make a difference.

The event is from 12 PM – 4 PM at Walt Whitman High School.  I recommend you get there early. Accepted items include:

Calculators Small Appliances
Camcorders Fax Machines
CDs & Floppy disks PDAs
CD Players Microwave Ovens
Cell Phones Printers
Computers & Computer-Related Products Projection Equipment
Consumer Electronics Scanners
Copiers Telephones
Cords, Cables & Chargers Small Toys
Digital Cameras Televisions (limit 3)
Electronic Typewriters VCRs (not the tapes)

If you can’t make it on December 14th, the Shady Grove Transfer Station has electronics recycling every day for Montgomery County residents!  No need to wait for those special monthly collection events.   There is a limit of three TV’s per drop off.

Shady Grove Solid Waste Transfer Station
16101 Frederick Rd
Derwood, MD 20855

* Please use the Car Entrance to the facility.
* Open daily 9:00 AM. to 5 PM (Sunday – Saturday)
* Household Hazardous Waste can only be received during these hours — please do not drop off this
material at other times.
* These hours are only for Montgomery County residents – sorry business owners.

Free Shredding in Montgomery County – Again!

Tuesday, September 9th, 2008

Identity theft is one of America’s fastest growing crimes. Shredding your personal papers is one of the best ways to protect yourself.

NBC4, PNC Bank and Shred-It have once again, teamed up to bring you the next NBC4 Safe & Secure Community Shred event. You can bring up to five boxes of your personal papers and they will shred them for FREE!

You must drive up (not walk) with materials to be shredded. No business or commercial material will be accepted! Only 5 boxes of papers maximum per car!

Date: Sept. 27, 2008
Time: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Please note, cars must be in line by 11 a.m.!

Location: Prince George’s County Community College, Lot B

  • Beltway exit 17A to Rte. 202. From Rte. 202 make right onto Campus Way. From Campus Way make left onto Prince Place to access road to Lot B.
  • Central Avenue to exit 15 to Rte 202. From Rte 202 make right onto Campus Way. From Campus Way make left onto Prince Place to access road to Lot
  • Rte. 50 to Landover Exit Rte 202. From Rte 202 make right onto Campus Way. From Campus Way make left onto Prince Place to access road to Lot B.

The entrance into the Center City Parking lot will flow:

  • Curb lane south on 9th Street
  • Right onto curb lane on H Street
  • Staying on the curb lane making a right onto 11th Street
  • And into the parking lot

You can take the following items for destruction:

  • All types of paper (staples and papers clips are OK)
  • Empty binders
  • Unwanted/expired credit cards
  • Computer disks (may be shredded off-site)

As a victim of ID Theft, I encourage you to pay attention to your personal information.  Especially in your online action.  The majority of ID Theft happens when you enter information online in a spoofed website or click a link that’s phishing for information.

  • Shred confidential information, such as bills and anything with account numbers
  • Order a credit report each year from AnnualCreditReport.com
  • Don’t use your SSN on your drivers license or checks.  Keep the card at home in a safe place
  • Empty your mailbox daily.  If away on vacation, have a neighbor pick up your mail or stop delivery online by visiting the USPS website
  • Only carry the credit cards you need
  • Consider signing credit cards “Ask for ID” instead of your signature

Stop Junk Mail, I Dare You!

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

Junk mail is a huge waste of time. Don’t you agree? Unwanted mail is often what I see cluttering clients’ counter tops, entryway tables, home offices, and the never ending ‘in box.’

I dare you to follow these steps. I dare you to take a step forward by stopping unwanted mail. Do you accept this dare? If so, here’s how!

Step One

Stop unwanted junk mail by registering

with the Direct Marketing Association’s Preference Service.  Click on “remove my name from those lists.” You have to select each company individually, which can take some time, but in the long run it’s worth the extra effort. A credit card is necessary to confirm your identity, but there will not be a charge.

Step Two

Take a stand to reduce local junk mail through these resources.

  • Valassis Marketing – Call 888-241-6760 between 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM EST or complete this online form
  • VAL-PAK Coupons – You need to have a current pack envelope when you remove your name. Complete this online form
  • Call Carol Wright – 800-67-TARGET to get off that list

Step Three

Remove your phone number from the lists those

pesky telemarketers use by completing the Do Not Call Registry online. This list was previously only good for five years, but in February 2008 a new law made it permanent.

Tip to Share with Friends

If you move, do not fill in the USPS change of address cards. I’ve heard over the years that the address changes are sold to companies.  I reviewed the privacy statement and the 62 FAQ’s on the USPS website, but didn’t find anything for or against this belief.  I believe it is true, so stay away!   If it is true, you’ll be right back where you started.

Step Four

Cease bank and credit card offers by contacting the appropriate bank.  Banks and credit providers offer the opportunity to opt out of marketing efforts.  Some banks require a form, others require only a phone call.  Here are a few popular banks in the DC area:

  • Wachovia’s Online Form
  • Bank of America’s Online Form
  • Citibank – Call 888-214-0017 and tell them you’d like to update your privacy choices.
  • Chevy Chase Bank – Call 301-987-BANK or 1-800-987-BANK to update your privacy choices.

Step Five

Fellow organizer Ramona Creel offers additional tips on stopping junk mail in this post.  If you aren’t satisfied with the suggestions above, she offers some unorthodox approaches.

We’re passionate about stopping junk mail.  Be sure to subscribe to our blog by RSS Feed or via email (see upper left corner to enter email address).  We’ll be sharing more helpful information in the near future focusing on companies who will help you get rid of junk mail.

Do you have any other tips for our readers?  Please leave a comment with you ideas.

Organize Your Desk With Magnets

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

Dynomighty Design Inc. refers to these magnets as a "versatile desk accessory" that can be used as an organizer, picture holder, desk sculpture, business card holder and stress reliever. I agree, these Desk Dots can be used for organizing, but I’m afraid I’d play with these super powerful ceramic magnets and not get any work done! Check out this video to see just a sample of what they can hold together.

I do love the modern design and look for the magnets. I could imagine them holding receipts or business cards on my desk before I enter each into my database. According to the FAQ on Dynomighty website, I wouldn’t want them to close to my iMac .

The nice thing about this organizing product is they will never break or fall apart. That is, unless you have a ‘hot’ project on your desk which ignites a fire over 250 degrees Fahrenheit. What are your thought? Are they worth the price of $20.00? Do you think they’re more useful as an organizing tool or as a toy that relieves stress? Leave a comment below with your response.

Shop Tax Free for Organizing Supplies in DC!

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

Mayor Fenty’s office just announced the
District of Columbia will offer its second
Sales Tax Holiday beginning Saturday, August 2 through Sunday, August 10. The 2008 Sales Tax holiday grants an exemption from the 5.75% sales tax for school supplies, clothes, shoes, and accessory items. To qualify, each item must be $100 or less. I guess this is the District’s way of apologizing for our taxation without representation the other 51 weeks of the year. Oh, sorry, I digress.

Use this opportunity to buy office supplies for both yourself and your family. The sales tax exemption will apply to each eligible item, no matter how many items are on the bill. Don’t go overboard with the purchasing supplies you do not need. A bargain isn’t a bargain unless you need the item on sale. Buy what you need to get organized and know that you can always buy more in the future.

The supplies are defined as pens, pencils, stationary, art supplies, book bags, lunch boxes, calculators, and other items purchased for educational use in the classroom, at home or for any school activity.

Book Donations For A Cause

Friday, July 18th, 2008

Donate and Make a Local Impact

I love Books for America, a local organization in DC.
They have the inspiring goal of building and improving libraries in area schools, shelters, and hospitals, supporting reading programs, and providing children in the Nation’s Capital with their first take-home books.

The organization’s retail location, called ‘A Bookstore with a Purpose’ and located in Dupont Circle, is a fun place to visit. I stop in to both donate and buy books.

A Bookstore with a Purpose
1417 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Hours: Mon, Fri & Sat 10-6; Tues -Thurs 10-9; Sunday 11-5
What should I donate?
How do I arrange for a book donation pick-up?

Donate and Make a Future Impact

The number of incarcerated individuals in the U.S. is staggering. Although we have less than 5% of the world’s population, we have more than 25% of the world’s prison population. Most inmates are only allowed to receive books donated through programs such as Books to Prison. Books can be dropped off in DC at Foundry United Methodist Church on Wednesday evenings, or in Brentwood, Maryland at the Quixote Center during normal business hours. They’re located approximately four blocks from the Glut Food Co-op.

Foundry United Methodist Church
1500 16th Street, NW (16th & P ST NW)
Washington, DC 20036

Quixote Center
3502 Varnum St
Brentwood, MD 20722
301-699-0042

Find a local Books to Prison program in your area by visiting their online directory.

Donate and Make an International Impact

Book donations can also have a big impact internationally. According to the Camel Book Drive in Kenya’s blog, children’s storybooks are most popular, general fiction is also in high demand, and there is much interest in nonfiction books covering topics like astronomy, geography, and history. Books by African authors are especially appreciated. Both gently used hard and soft-cover books are welcome, but paperbacks are preferred due to weight considerations. These books often reach their final destinations via camel! The librarians suggest that the donor inscribe a note in the books, as this helps the patrons feel connected to places which they can otherwise only imagine.

Wajir Library
For Camel Library
Librarian in Charge, Mrs. Maryan Osman Warfa
P.O. Box 217
Wajir, Kenya
How do you donate books?
Where do I send the books and what’s the cost?

Check out this amazing story, compliments of the Video Journalist Africa, that shows the Camel Library in action.

For more resources on book donations, check out this list published by the American Library Association.