Dear Readers,

Question: What do you get when you mix zillions of folks flying with lots of crazy weather conditions?

Answer: A flightmare!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, except if you’re flying. The holiday season is an especially challenging time to fly due to iffy weather and overcrowded airports and flights.

Even if weather and crowds don’t pose problems, you still have to deal with packing and luggage. One solution to the luggage crisis is, of course, not to check your luggage but carry it on. Many airlines have a per bag fee that strongly encourages careful packing.

Carry On!
But, packing a single carry-on bag is easier said than done. I’m not a light packer. Not too long ago, an organizing colleague and I were heading for a conference, and she challenged me to a packing throw-down. She dared me to pack only one bag, a carry-on bag no less. Long story short, I did pack one bag but it was far from a carry-on. Plus, I left a lot of necessary goodies behind and missed them dearly while I was away from home. It wasn’t pretty!

Since that one challenge, I have improved my ability to pack a single bag, but I could never master the carry-on. Until recently. Now, I have discovered the wonders of ZUCA luggage. I’m totally smitten with the whole line – the Pro, the Sport and especially the backpack. ZUCA is tough stuff. And, tres chic. ZUCA bags have lots of pockets for gadgets, thus appealing to my organizing bias. Their stuff is very well-organized. Let me repeat that – very well-organized. Although ZUCA isn’t cheap, it isn’t over the top either (under $100.00 for the backpack, under $300 for the carry-on in the Pro line).

The Pro and Sport suitcases are on wheels and glide (and I do mean glide) effortlessly (and I do mean effortlessly) on all sorts of surfaces. Even staircases are a snap with these wheels. Best of all, all the ZUCA products fit in the overhead bin on airplanes. The wheels retract so they don’t poke out and catch other people’s hats, coats, scarves in the overhead compartment. Besides effortlessly rolling up and down airplane aisles, the fabric, frame, handles, hardware, wheels and zippers are durable and workable – critical elements to consider when buying a piece of luggage. ZUCA cases are designed to sit on, too, and come with stackable pouches that you can pull in and out like drawers. If not ZUCA, do your homework and check websites for information related to any luggage product you may be considering before your next trip.

Packing Cubes for Containing Clothing Clutter
The very first time I saw these individual packing bags I thought they were a waste of money. Then, I was given one as a gift and discovered just how valuable they are when it comes to keeping the contents of a suitcase neatly organized. Not only do I pack one for socks and undergarments, but now I use one for electronic-cord clutter and another two for long-sleeve and short-sleeve tops. It makes finding things much, much easier. ZUCA calls theirs “packing pouches”, and they’re included in the PRO model, which retails for $285.00, or you can buy a set separately. They’re color-coded and especially perfect for business travelers.

Lost Luggage
My luggage is lost. My very own sons stole my ZUCA luggage! (I said this stuff was cool, right?) Both boys are into paintball, and it just so happens that they can load all their gear into the ZUCA bags and wheel them on the fields. These bags have a built-in seat on top that they use when putting on their protective gear. (Although my boys aren’t there, the seat holds up to 300 pounds.) At the airport, this can be the best seat in the house if your flight is oversold and you’re waiting in long lines. ZUCA also carries a Sport line, which I really need to tell my boys about, so they can return my lost luggage!

One thing the boys are forbidden from using is my ZUCA backpack. I have never owned a better backpack. My Macbook Pro computer fits in it perfectly, and I still have lots of extra room for all sorts of necessities, such as file folders. I have retired my old laptop case! My ZUCA backpack goes with me everywhere. The straps are thick and padded. The zippers have big, fat pulls on them. The pockets are generous and well placed. It is without a doubt one of the very best things I own.

Flying high in the sky isn’t always a well-organized adventure but it sure doesn’t have to be a flightmare!

SPECIAL OFFER: Use Clever Parents coupon code, DSRGT09, through December 19th, to save 15% on ZUCA products. Must use coupon code when ordering online @ www.zuca.com

VIDEO: tinyurl.com/5odp4m

Dear Geralin,

My twins started school this year and I’m curious—what do you suggest to keep their pictures and progress reports organized for long-term storage?

I only want to invest in a system once and thought if you have a product that you like, why should I reinvent the wheel.

I saw your presentation and you held up several products but the one that caught my attention was the “interactive” product for less than $30.00.

BTW, You gave a lot of good tips that day and motivated me to go home and “edit” all my bad photos. My girlfriend (also a mother of twins) actually went home and organized all her shoes after hearing your talk! We want to keep going.

Geralin, we can hardly wait to hear back from you.

Thank you,
Grace and Abby

Dear Grace and Abby

WOW! It is really rewarding to hear that you two were inspired and took action. Thanks so much for sharing the news with me. Sometimes a little pep talk is all we need to get moving. And, once in a while, a product suggestion is helpful too.

You two must be remembering the “School Years Memento Keeper” from the Family-Facts line of products. You are correct; I did hold it up as one of my very favorite products for containing kids keepsakes. It’s perfect for keeping papers, school photos and a limited number of keepsakes nicely organized in a book-like format (12×12 hardcover).

For each year of school, Pre-K—12, there is a page/ pouch for storing report cards, favorite artwork, special awards, school pictures, or other important mementos. On the pages next to each pocket are prompts for writing height, weight, allowance, and all sorts of quick, easy-to-answer questions. It’s an easy to use system and requires no learning curve or set up.

You gals are wise to plan ahead. Before you know it, you and your children will look back fondly on all of the treasures and childhood milestones. I especially like the “signature” spot where the child signs her/his name every year. Their signatures change almost as much as their school photos do from year to year.

One of the nicest surprises about the FFMK (Family Facts Memento Keeper) is the quality of the paper used. A lot of times, I may like the idea behind a product, but if it feels yucky or flimsy, then it’s just not a good fit for me. Not this time! The pages are made of nice, thick cardstock, and the book is spiral bound for easy page-turning. Also, the colors are good for either a boy or girl.

I saved the best news for last; School Years Memento Keepers retails for around $25.00 through the Barnes and Noble website (type, “Family Facts Memento Keeper” in the search bar).

Hello Geralin,

Help! I hate to sound dramatic, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get the housework finished, and often times, can’t even get started! It’s ruining my life. Housework is so boring, and there are so many other distractions, like being with my kids, that I never get anything done. Do you have any suggestions for organizing my “homework” or making housework more interesting — less of a chore?

Michelle

Dear Michelle,

Housework can be a yawn, so make a game of it!
Here are two ideas I use with clients:

1. Make-believe! Pretend your best friend is sick and in bed with the flu. She really needs some extra help around the house. Now, pretend you’re in your best friend’s house for 30 minutes (set a timer!) Do whatever it is that you would do for her. See dishes in the sink? Load them in the dishwasher. See a pile of clothes on the floor? Toss them in the hamper. You get the idea! With this game, you’ll also find that you notice the obvious clutter first, so your house will seem cleaner faster. So, do it “for her.” Treat yourself as you would your best friend!

2. Draw any card from a deck of playing cards. Your number might be 4. Go into any room of your home and do 4 things related to cleaning. For example, in your bathroom you might do these 4 tasks (keep count!): ONE: Put the caps on opened containers, such as toothpaste, shampoo, shave cream, medication; TWO: Pick up things, such as clothes, towels, brushes, hair dryer; THREE: Spray and wipe things clean, such as the toilet bowl, sink, tub, counters; FOUR: Empty the trash can.

Then, keep going! Draw another card and tackle another room, maybe the bedroom, the laundry room, the garage, etc.

If you’re feeling creative, you could assign a category of rooms to each suit. For example, Hearts could be bedrooms, Spades could be the kitchen, Clubs could be your living spaces, and Diamonds the bathrooms. Face cards could be outside areas, such as decks, porches, yard, or the garage or attic. Good luck!

Know C.H.A.O.S? Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome?

Hi Geralin,

I’m not sure if you will get this letter in time or not. I hope so.

I would love to hire a professional organizer, but there is no way I can afford one. All the TV shows are inspiring, the magazines are fun to read and books are helpful, but, I have very specific questions about very specific issues unique to my home, my kids, my lifestyle and my way of doing things.

I’m Jewish and the holidays are right around the corner. It’s my turn to have the family visit. That means I need to get organized—sooner, rather then later! I’ve put off doing things and now I need advice–quickly! Are there any resources out there for people like me?

P.S. I (heart) your post on organizing shoes last month…even the shoe in the picture looks pretty—it caught my eye right away. Is that your photo?

Bobbie

Hello Bobbie,

Yup, it’s my shoe and my photo; thank you!

Sounds like you have a case of what FlyLady (flylady.net) calls, C.H.A.O.S (can’t have anyone over syndrome)! Here is a fact: Everyone can become organized, regardless of whether or not they hire a professional organizer. But, with the holidays right around the corner, if you need a quick fix, here is my idea: A colleague of mine, Certified Professional Organizer, Lorie Marrero from Texas, has developed an amazing on-line program, The Clutter Diet, that is based on the Weight Watchers model. She offers an on-line organizing program with numerous resources – audios, workbooks, videos, and message boards staffed with real-live-7-days-a-week-professional organizers (including yours truly!) who answer readers’ questions.

I’m proud to be part of the Clutter Diet team and can’t say enough good things about the program, its subscribers, and, the fresh, creative, detailed information available on the site. Sometimes, the Clutter Diet members’ questions are technical and are accompanied by photos. Sometimes, the organizing challenges are situational. Other times members are “weighing-in” with good news about the progress they’ve made. There is never a dull moment on the chat boards!

One of the best things about the Clutter Diet is, not only does a team of professional organizers answer each post, but, other members chime in with helpful tips too. Some use their real names and others prefer to remain anonymous; doesn’t matter–either way is OK.

It’s an impressive, resourceful community of like-minded individuals in various stages of decluttering from around the globe—not just the USA.

It’s a subscription-based site; if you want to join more information can be found on my website at www.metropolitanorganizing.com To my knowledge, this is the best way to get personalized help with whatever type of organizing challenge you are experiencing. It’s a lot of bang for the buck. Plus, it’s seven days a week!

Bobbi, if you get going & stay motivated, you may actually have the time and energy to enjoy having your family in town with you this year. Happy Holidays!

Dear Ms. Thomas – I love shoes; just can’t get enough.� I crave them!� The trouble is I can’t organize them.� Do you have any tips?� I’m desperate;� I have a lot of shoes (expensive shoes).� I would like to be able to see them but when I put them out, on display in my closet, they get dusty.� Since my appetite for shoes is not likely to be satisfied anytime soon, do you have any creative organizing ideas? – Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth,

Don’t despair, the� “shoe chef” is here!� (Get it?� Sounds like sous chef.)� My suggestion is to organize your shoes the gourmet way.� � Below are photos of the chic, fashionable shoe boxes I used to organize my very own shoes.� Each lavender box has a 4 x 6 frame where a photo of the shoe can be inserted.� The insides of the boxes are a deep eggplant-purple; yummy!

These boxes are a d’lish serving of sole food; sturdy, glossy, pretty and uber functional.� If photographing your shoes sounds too labor-intensive you can write a description of the shoe on a card (included with each box) and organize them that way.

Another idea is to write a description of the shoe and a list of the outfits the shoe can be worn with.

If you want more information on these boxes, let me know via email.� I’ve cooked up a deal with the creator of the boxes and have them for sale.� To contact the vendor directly go to: closetfetish.com

Dear Geralin,
This is my first Father’s Day with a step-father-in-law, a father-in-law and my own dad and husband to buy for. In addition, this is my second marriage so I have an ex-father-in-law and ex-husband to buy for too. (Life gets complicated!) Between my husband and I, we have 6 children.

I’m short on time but am willing to spend about $35.00 per “dad” since we don’t do birthday gifts and not all of the above celebrate Christmas in December. Father’s Day is the one holiday we all celebrate during our family reunion(s) at the beach; we are all into “non-clutter” gifts. Any ideas?
Lacey

Hi Lacey,
Congrats on your second marriage and blending families!

Life is complicated indeed and I applaud your simplifying the gift giving process by employing a “nonclutter gift” policy. Why not celebrate dear, old dad and honor the guy who gave you 23 of your 46 chromosomes Here are 23 gift ideas that are almost clutter-free.

Note there are no plastic gift cards that, in some cases, become clutter in his wallet.

Most of these gifts are services or events/acts that won’t sit around collecting dust or cluttering the garage shelves.
1. Tickets for the whole family to the movies or popcorn and a rented movie.
2. Collect a bunch of quotes about dads and present him with a PDF to be saved on his computer.
3. A slide show of family photos (on the computer)
4. Put on a family talent show and each child plays “the dad”
5. Prepare his favorite dinner and dessert
6. A car wash including vacuuming
7. Purchase an on-line subscription to a newspaper that he enjoys
8. Coffee from his favorite Joe-to-go place
9. A shredder for his home office/counter top
10. A loaf of fresh baked bread from a local bakery
11. A can of spicy nuts and a pitcher of old-fashioned, fresh-squeezed lemonade
12. Fresh, homemade salsa and chips.
13. Personalized license plate for the car (GR8 DAD)
14. Ice Cream Sundae Party with his favorite ingredients
15. An audio book for the commute to work
16. A bag of homemade trail mix or granola
17. A couple bars of “man soap” for the shower
18. Homemade cookies/brownies/pie/cake
19. Homemade chocolate covered pretzel rods/strawberries
20. Tickets to see his favorite team play in a local arena
21. Organize the garage / trunk of his car for him
22. A subscription to satellite radio
23. A love letter from the family stating the top 23 reason you love him!

Dear Geralin,

Planning just about anything is a challenge for my husband and me. Both of us have ADHD. We want to vacation this summer with friends and family, but we can’t keep the details straight. We’re aware of a few good packing tips from articles we’ve read, but wondered if you have any out-of-the-ordinary hints for getting a family organized before the packing starts?

Sarah

************
Dear Sarah,

This is such a great question – thank you for asking it. Here are some ideas that hopefully go beyond the “packing tips” that you can find everywhere else and will help make your trip run smoothly.

1) Use your mobile phone’s features. This is my absolutely Number One tip. This compact gadget has a world of incredibly useful tools at your fingertips.

• The alarm feature not only can wake you up in the morning, it can provide reminders throughout the day. For example, set it to remind you or family members to take medications, to phone for an airport taxi, or even to remind you that the Country Bear Jamboree begins at 11:00!
• Load your frequent flier numbers, airline flight numbers, reservation numbers and hotel phone/addresses in your contacts list in the event that you misplace your paper copies.
• Take advantage of the currency converter if you’re traveling abroad.
• Use the calculator to figure out tips or gas mileage. You can also add up receipts so you’ll know how much you’re spending.
• Use the camera to snap a photo of your hotel room number, in case you forget it. Pictures can also help you remember landmarks and intersections that include street signs, in case you get turned around in an unfamiliar place. You can snap a photo of a restaurant you’d like to return to later in the day (or even the menu by the restaurant door!). If you have a rental car, take a picture of it. There’s nothing quite like being in the Disney World parking lot and forgetting what car you came in! Ditto for the parking area signs – take a picture of the sign that has your section number or letter or name (are we Goofy?) as well as the number of your car’s parking space. Use your phone’s camera to record the license plate number, too.
• Use the voice mail service to send yourself reminder messages. For example, “Remember to confirm return trip home on Delta Airlines” or, “Don’t forget gift for Aunt Sue, the dog sitter, and the neighbor on the corner that brought dinner when Tom was sick.” You can also link your voice mail to your laptop, so that when you check your emails, your voicemails appear in your Inbox. One free voice mail service you may want to try is: jott.com

2) If you plan to fly, it’s no secret that the price will drop two days after you buy the ticket. I highly recommend YAPTA.com, which is an airlines fare-checker. Your Amazing Personal Travel Assistant (YAPTA) is a free-of-charge website that helps you check airfares for various airlines. It will automatically send you a note if/when the fares drop. (You purchase the ticket on your own.) YAPTA.com installs free on your computer. The best news is that it continues checking the fares even after you buy your ticket, and you may be eligible for a refund. (Again, you contact the airline and negotiate the refund on your own.)

3) Create a pre-vacation to-do list that includes the following tasks:

• Stop the newspaper and mail (or arrange for someone to collect them for you).
• Arrange for someone to put out your trash and recycling containers, and to bring them back in after collection.
• Arrange for someone to take good care of your pets (feed and exercise).
• Clean out your fridge, and try not to leave too much in your freezer in case of a power outage while you’re away.
• Unplug appliances.
• Water household plants.
• Mow the grass and leave your yard, or entrance, so that your home will not appear to be abandoned for the time you’ll be away.
• Set motion-detector lights or light timers.
• Turn down the heat or air-conditioning.
• Copy your itinerary and contact information and leave it with someone you trust.

You may think of other items to add to your list that are particular to your family’s needs, or to your work, or to other special circumstances.

Here are a few out-of-the-ordinary items that I pack:

• Pillboxes for holding rings and earrings, stamps, paperclips, safety pins, even pills!
• Mesh laundry bags for hand-washing small items.
• A night-light.
• Extra-large plastic bags, like those from linen and bath stores, to use as laundry bags.
• Small plastic bags, like those from the grocery store, to put shoes in to separate them from clothing.

Again, you probably have some of your own out-of-the-ordinary items that you’ll include on your packing list.
So, start two check-lists: 1) the pre-vacation to-do list and 2) the things-to-pack list. Post them where you and your family members can conveniently add to the lists as you move towards your departure date. Before your trip, you’ll need to review your things-to-pack list and pare it down to absolute essentials.

You’ll be all set for a wonderful vacation. Bon voyage!

Dear Geralin,

My husband and I are both fairly organized, but our third child is going to be born shortly and we know we’ll be overwhelmed soon. One area where we are not so organized is keeping track of all our passwords. Do you have any tips for keeping our passwords organized? The less tech-y the solution, the better.

Thanks,

Laura

Dear Laura,

Congrats on baby number three! When the kids in the family outnumber the adults, it’s time to organize as many little things as possible. Getting a grip on your passwords is certainly a manageable task and will probably take less time than putting together a new crib!

I use a low-tech solution myself to keep my family’s passwords organized. It’s the Internet Password Organizer™, a book designed by a guy and his wife right here in North Carolina! How’s that for supporting a local business? The Internet Password Organizer™ acts very much like an address book, which makes it easy and straightforward to use, inexpensive and very low-tech. The book allows me to access:

1) Unique passwords for each site I visit.

2) Complicated passwords, that is, those that are more difficult to hack. Having these in a book means I don’t have to remember them or know them by heart.

3) An up-to-date and accurate physical backup of all my passwords.

The unique design of the Internet Password Organizer™ is just what the doctor ordered. Like an address book, it has an alphabetized tabbed interface to reference the entries. A simple notebook just doesn’t cut it when you have scores of passwords. Fumbling through pages at random to find the proper log-in credentials can be frustrating to say the least. With this book, you can easily access a specific password.

You’ll need to determine a safe place to keep your Internet Password Organizer™. It must be where you can find it quickly when you need to add or retrieve an entry but also where it is secure. Write in pencil so you can easily update passwords as needed. And always enter new passwords or changes immediately into your book. I share my book with my husband, which means that if something were to happen to either of us, the other can access all accounts as needed.

An added bonus is that the creator of the Internet Password Organizer™ provides a list of the many storage options – along with the pros and cons of each – that are available to you when it comes to password management. You may find another method more suitable for you, or a combination of different methods. Go to: http://www.internetpasswordorganizer.com/FAQ.html#PasswordStorageMethods

If you’d like to purchase an Internet Password Organizer™, go to the Google Checkout at: (http://www.internetpasswordorganizer.com/). If you’d like to save 20% (and who wouldn’t?), use the Coupon Code: Metro. Note: if you buy two or more the shipping is free!

Having a centralized location to store passwords, and the ability to locate them quickly, will improve your work efficiency and save you time! Laura, you are going to need all the time-saving help you can get once your new baby arrives!

This month’s question came from a woman I met while doing a presentation; she asked: ‘Geralin, are you always super-organized and if not, what do YOU do to get motivated?”

Short Answer: Heck no!

Long Answer: I dread processing the daily mail so I put it aside and open it once weekly on Trash Eve.* I think whoever said, “Touch your papers only once” must have been talking about Kleen-X because I think anyone with children has to go through their papers more than once, especially when the teacher needs photos from their past or an address for their Flat Stanley buddy in Alaska.

What I see with clients is that the paper-pile-up comes from not knowing where to put things. Or, they don’t put them away because they fear they will forget about them.

Part two: What do I do to get motivated?

I put on music; peppy music, happy music, music that I can’t sit still to. I have a compilation of my favorite tunes and I simply push play and GO (Get Organized). I have a stash of music on an MP3 player that I listen to; these tunes never fail to get me going. Music is motivating.
Want to know what am I listening to while I write this?

Us3: Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)

Jr. Walker and the All Stars: Shotgun and

The Gap Band: Burn Rubber

Mary J. Blige: Family Affair

What music motivates you? Lets create a Clever Parents play list!

* for an explanation of Trash Eve, Google, “Trash Eve+Geralin” or watch Geralin’s video explanation of Trash Eve on Clever Parents TV.

Dear Geralin,

Since having children our paperwork has grown into a chaotic mess that stresses me out. We have papers everywhere (and I do mean everywhere). We can never find anything so we spend a lot of time looking around for things. I don’t know where to begin. I feel like a failure because I can’t even figure out where to begin.

Do you have any suggestions?

Lauren in Apex

Dear Lauren,

First let me congratulate you on your new diagnosis. ADHD is not a curse! I see many successful clients who are living proof. You need to learn what works best for your particular needs. A lot of ADHD clients tend to overreact to their “failures”, engage in negative self-talk and experience avoidance issues.

It’s important that you recognize this and try to be more respectful of the way your *wired.* There isn’t an organizing solution where one-size-fits, especially where ADHD is concerned. The best thing about having ADHD is that it allows a lot of room for non-main-stream strategies. I always learn something new from clients with ADHD and I’m giving you permission to be creative with your organizing systems. Don’t try to do what everyone else does…

Based on the information I have about you I’m going to get straight to the point and keep it simple.

1st: For privacy and security reasons don’t “trash” documents. If possible, purchase a cross-cut shredder that destroys credit cards and CDs. I prefer shredders that 0pen and empty “drawer-style” (from the front of the machine vs. having to lift out the shredding mechanism.) Sam’s Club, Target, Staples—all the big box stores have them. If you can’t buy a shredder tear your papers into small shreds and throw then in different waste baskets.

2nd: Please check with both your attorney and accountant before shredding anything you think might be needed for tax purposes or legal matters.

3rd: Shred old, outdated papers containing account numbers, addresses, applications, budgets, credit reports, drivers license numbers, employment information, estimates, explanation of benefits, luggage tags, pass port numbers, prescriptions, report cards, signatures, social security numbers, transcripts, travel itineraries, warranties on products you no longer own.

File and Keep until Renewed or Replaced

• Appraisals: artwork, jewelry, luxury items
• Certificates: birth, marriage, divorce, and death
• Claims, Statements and Policies: insurance, year-end retirement, investment accounts
• Documents: loan and mortgage paid-in-full
• Records: military service, medical records, diplomas, transcripts
• Reports: social security, credit ratings (current only)
• Resume
• Securities and trade confirmations
• Tax returns and all associated financial documentation
• Wills and power of attorney documents

This is the tip of the iceberg where filing is concerned but you asked for a starting point and I don’t want to overwhelm you.

One “must purchase” item for ADHD folks (and children who can’t tell time yet) is a TIME TIMER. It is a timer with a red disk that diminishes as time elapses. It is battery operated and costs about $30.00. Make sure you get one with a chime on it (vs. a silent one). They can be purchased at: www.myADDstore.com

Using a timer is critical when doing dreaded chores; work on the task (filing papers for example) for 20 minutes a day uninterrupted.

Remember these two statements:

1. Even if you fail at something you still possess the ability to improve and succeed!
2. Even if you fail at something it doesn’t make you a failure!

Good luck Lauren; keep me posted on your progress.

HIRING A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER–ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

Dear Geralin,

I recently started reading Clever Parents and thoroughly enjoy your organizing video clips and articles; these are the next best thing for some of us who don’t have our own professional organizer. I have 2 toddlers and don’t have a lot of time to research how to hire an organizer. If I were to hire an organizer, what should I ask when interviewing, and where do I find one?

Ava

Dear Ava,

Personally, I would look for someone who is diplomatic, empathetic, willing to listen, non-judgmental, creative, patient, and trustworthy. Also, I would look for a truly professional organizer who is involved in NAPO, the National Association of Professional Organizers in the USA (www.napo.net) or, for our northern neighbors, Professional Organizers in Canada (www.organizersincanada.com). In addition, many states have their own chapter(s). For example, in my home state of North Carolina, the local chapter’s website is: www.naponc.org.

As for your question about interviewing a professional organizer, I believe you would want answers to the following:

1. What are your areas of expertise? (Some possible answers may include: clients with ADHD, time management, wardrobes and closets, financial matters, computer-related challenges, speaking, coaching, writing, estates, seniors, home staging, relocation, etc.)
2. Are you certified?
3. Are you insured?
4. Do you attend conferences or tele-classes and stay abreast of current trends and techniques?
5. Do you have local references? (You will want to know if your potential organizer has repeat clients who hire her again and again and have a history of working together with her.)
6. Do you belong to any professional organizations? (I would not hire a professional organizer who is not involved in some type of professional group or organization. To me, a professional affiliation demonstrates not only a commitment to her field but another way to check her out among other business-minded individuals.)
7. How long have you been in business?
8. What hours do you work? What days of the week are you available? (Make sure that this person’s availability is a good match for your availability.)
9. Do you bring the necessary supplies, or do I purchase them separately?
10. If you purchase supplies or materials at a discount, do you charge an “up charge” or an hourly shopping fee?
11. Do you make arrangements to take away any donations, consignments, and trash? If so, do you charge a fee for this service?
12. Do you work alone or do you have a team of employees or subcontractors, if necessary?
13. Do you have advertising on your car? (Ask this only if you do not want co-workers or neighbors to know you are hiring a professional organizer.)
14. Do you take photographs on my property (or, at my business)? (Again, if privacy is a concern, a professional organizer who takes photographs may not be the one for you.)
15. What is your fee & how do you charge? (Of course, I don’t need to tell you to inquire about fees! Many options may be available, including hourly, by-the-project, or bulk rates. Ask also about possible cancellation fees, whether a minimum number of hours is required per booking, consultation fees, etc.)

Finally, please remember that professional organizers are not housekeepers, therapists, decorators, or nurses unless they specifically tell you that their credentials include these jobs in addition to being a professional organizer. According to NAPO, a professional organizer:

. . . . enhances the lives of clients by designing systems and processes using organizing principles and through transferring organizing skills. A professional organizer also educates the public on organizing solutions and the resulting benefits. Professional organizers help individuals and businesses take control of their surroundings, their time, their paper, and their systems for life.

Best of luck finding the professional organizer who best suits your needs!

Dear Geralin,

I’m not a tree hugger but I want to do my part to save the planet. Do you have any eco-friendly organizing hints for an average, SUV-driving mom living inside the belt line (i.e. inside the city limits)?

PS: Your “Master a Disaster” article was a lifesaver for me – thanks!

Molly in Raleigh

Good Golly Ms. Molly in Raleigh!

I have a black belt in shopping and am not a granola type of gal, so I am far from being an expert on this topic! I, too, am trying to go green but I have a disclaimer: When it comes to being green, I’m playing checkers while others are playing chess!
I’m like Kermit; it isn’t easy being green!

Maybe I’ll just tell you about my personal 12-step eco-program and, hopefully, it will inspire you.

SPOILER ALERT: Stop reading now if you are a hard core Queen of Green, because you won’t be impressed!

1. Trash panache. Eco-friendly fashion is not an oxymoron. Look for stylish products such as the hand-crocheted hand bags made from recycled aluminum pull tabs, made by a women’s co-op in Brazil. (www.Escama.com) Better yet, check out www.thehandmademarket.com for a unique shopping experience UNLIKE anything you’d find at the mall. Everything is unique and handcrafted by real, live, designers.
2. Idling in the carpool lane is the devil’s playground. Turn off your engine while you’re waiting in line to help the air quality and save money on gas.
3. That’s the way I roll. Stop mindlessly using massive amounts of paper towels and paper napkins. This one was hard for me, but I have to say, my whole family is getting used to using dishcloths, dish towels, and cloth napkins, and it gets easier after the first few days. Think twice before grabbing zillions of napkins at your favorite fast food restaurant, too.
4. Lighten up. Buy energy efficient light bulbs but take care and dispose of them properly because they contain mercury.
5. Junk the junk. Get off junk mailing lists. Switch to online billing. You can help save tons of paper annually. www.greendimes.com can help too.
6. Be so cool and so hot! Change your thermostat: Only 2 degrees up in the summer and 2 degrees down in the winter is all it takes to reduce CO2.
7. Freshen up. Change your air filters often.
8. Your family – Unplugged! Plug appliances and electronic devices and equipment into power strips and turn them off at night. The treadmill, the coffee maker, the toaster oven, the printer and computer, the stereo, phone chargers, etc. It’s a HUGE savings!
9. Bag it. Use reusable lunch bags made from recycled materials (be sure they don’t contain lead). Or, use a lunch box and stock it with plastic containers that can be reused. Be hip with your favorite cartoon character lunch box! (Is your husband a Superman? Are you a Barbie doll? Are your kids “curious” or do they say “hello” to little kitties?)
10. Paper or plastic? I use paper bags simply because my grocery store is using 100% recycled bags. Plus, the bags hold more stuff. (See, I told you I’m not there 100%. Did I mention I like to shop?) On the other hand, when I go to the bookstore and buy one book or magazine I say, “No thanks” to the bag. Better yet, take your own reusable cloth bags or totes to the store, and proudly display the last conference you attended, airlines you flew, school your kids attend, or pharmaceutical products you have bought in the past ten years.
11. Bottle it up. Use a refillable water bottle instead of buying bottled water; just fill it at home (it’s cheap and efficient to install a water filter on your kitchen faucet) and refill it at water fountains (yes, that’s perfectly clean water). Also, don’t buy drinks in Styrofoam cups. Ask for coffee to be put into your own travel mug or cup.
12. Hand it over. Recycle your batteries and ink-toner cartridges at office supply stores.

Problem:

Dear Geralin,

Help! I need an organizing hint. Here goes: I never know what to do about getting my kids out the door with all their sports stuff; I home-schooler mom with have 5 kids. I need each of them to pack their own things but usually someone forgets something, including me. Any ideas for getting me out the door without a return trip home for forgotten items?

Kim in Wake Forest

Solution:

Hi Kim,

This is a good question and is applicable to all parents—even those with one child. Following is a “do it yourself” method. Best of all, it is inexpensive and not too time-consuming; for me it has worked well.

Take large index cards and write a list of everything needed for each sport. Draw or and cut out pictures (from magazines) of the equipment needed if your kids can’t read. For example, if you have a soccer player your card would have pictures of: a soccer ball, cleats, shin guards, shorts, both Home and Away jerseys, water bottle, and team identification.

Did you notice that I put the items in order from the ground up? Point this out to your kids so they start understanding organizing techniques.

You could do this for every sport and activity as well as for a diaper bag, or backpack, etc.

Now, there is a product that is this exactly like this (only looks nicer) available at: www.simplyordered.com. The price is very reasonable and the cards are really cute.

Thank you for your question and let me know how this works.

Watch Geralin Thomas of Metropolitan Organizing share tips for saying no to the constant stream of requests for your time without burning bridges. The Danger Rangers make safety a fun topic for kids. Plus, Kids Central Kitchen makes healthy and delicious snacks for kids that they can make!

See Vidcast #33 on Clever Parents TV.

• Visit the OH! Organizing Hints column on Clever Parents
• Visit the Metropolitan Organizing website at www.metropolitanorganizing.com
• Visit the Danger Rangers website at www.dangerrangers.com
• Visit Kids Central Kitchen at www.kidscentralkitchen.com and use code CLEVER for 10% off your first order. Free shipping for orders $50 or more

NOTE: This video is a large file so we can bring you better quality sound and visuals. If your computer is not on a fast connection or if the video ‘hangs up’ when you attempt to watch it, view a lesser quality option of the video here.

See Vidcast #33 on Clever Parents TV.

It’s Geralin to the rescue with a simple solution for eliminating car clutter for good.

Plus, introducing Little Capers, clever alternative super hero shirts with their own detachable capes.

See Clever Parents TV Vidcast Episode #27.

Go to Clever Parents TV

Summer’s here! Do you know where Stephen Leatherman, Ph.D. is? More importantly, do you know who he is? He is the lucky dog who creates an annual list of America’s 10 Best Beaches. What a job, huh? He probably travels all over the United States looking for out-of-the-way beaches and then “hides out” there for a few days of boating, sunning, drinking ice-cold beverages and watching glorious sunrises while contorting into pretzel-like yoga positions. All this while we sit home reading about these fabulous destinations on uncomfortable plastic patio furniture.

Since the “best beaches” job is already filled, I’m hopeful that we, as Clever Parents, could have a bit of good old-fashioned summertime fun and create our very own list too. After all, summer has officially arrived!

Summer is here…Do you know where your clutter is? Please join me in creating the very first interactive list of home-based clutter hiding spaces. To be more specific, places we hide *things*.

Are you interested?
Here is how it works: Go around your home and look for places you typically hide clutter. Then, post a comment at the end of this article (below). If you don’t have clutter, tell us how your BFF, in-law or clever neighbor hides his/her clutter.

Let’s Get this Party Started
You, the reader are encouraged to add your two cents by posting a comment one, right after the other, like joining a conga line at a wedding reception (admit it, you have done this at least once).

I’ll start with my top client-inspired hiding spots:

1. Ovens! Believe it or not, this is a real hide-n-seek-clutter-be-gone hot spot! I’m surprised by how many people do this. Here is how it works: When an unexpected someone rings the doorbell, BAM! Throw the counter-top clutter (bills, homework, rotten fruit, chip clips, dog leash and cordless phone) into the oven and close the door; clean countertops.

2. Dishwashers. Same technique as in number 1 applies except the goods get loaded in the dishwasher. Magazines, arts and crafts, sunscreen, i-pods, mobile phones and chargers, vacuum cleaner attachments, spare keys, inflatable pool toys, etc.

3. Cars. Since a lot of us don’t actually wear driving gloves I think it’s safe to assume that many of us use the glove box and arm rest to stash the trash on the dash. Ketchup packages, parking tickets, pacifiers, maps, hand sanitizer, expired coupons, “Learn a Foreign Language in 3 weeks” CD, soy-energy bars, it’s all here.

4. Luggage. When storage space is at a premium, especially in older homes with smaller closets, all sorts of odds and ends get stashed in the luggage: love letters from old flames, hotel bottles of shampoo, your aunt Violet’s sash from the yesteryear beauty contest she won, and mom’s pickle forks. For help decluttering containers like this, its’ fun to pretend you are filming your own little reality show and explain why you are hanging onto these items. Try it!

5. Spare room. Doesn’t everyone keep those pesky “I’ll put that away later” type-items in their spare rooms? I’ve seen beach umbrellas, old dentures, hamster cages, and QVC purchases not-so-neatly stowed in guest rooms. Hey, having houseguests isn’t for everyone but the Embassy Suites is! I love the ad for a credit card that asks, “What’s in your wallet?” I want to know, “What is in your guest room?”

6. Pockets. Yup, a lot more people put things (things = money, jewelry, leftover narcotics from last year’s oral surgery and “emergency/shoes are on sale” money) into the pockets of off-season clothes than we will ever imagine. Beware of plunging your hand into someone else’s bathrobe pockets; yuck is one of the words that come to mind.

7. Toilets! This is my all-time-favorite-true-confession-hiding spot. While organizing, I’ve had: not one, not two, but three different clients tell me that they hide things in the tanks of toilets—not their own tanks but those of friends and family. Evidentially, there are a couple of things (think: airplane minis) which fit nicely into the tank of a toilet and remain in perfect condition even when immersed in water for long periods of time. Free Organizing Hint: check the tanks of your toilets after guests leave, especially if you notice a certain houseguest lolly-gagging in the bathroom AND you forbid alcohol in your home. Cheers!

Ok, now you see how this post works. Please tell us where your friends and families hide their clutter. What about you? Do you have a spot that we need to know about? If so, please post it and share it with other Clever Parents.

A pocketful of cash, a clutter-free home, and a lot of interaction between your stuff and passers-by all make yard sales hard to resist. Who hasn’t driven by a yard sale and wondered if there’s a too-good-to-be-true bargain hiding behind a used sewing machine, or if the perfect whatcha-ma-call-it at a to-die-for price is amidst all the other treasures.

Why have a yard sale?
We all want our homes to be clean and neat and to reflect who we are. A truly great home balances organization with comfort and style. Hosting a yard sale provides incentive to edit things from your house that no longer fit, work, come in handy, or relate to your lifestyle. Oh yes, and yard sales generate extra income. So, why not have a yard sale?

Choose the right day
1. Not every day is right for a yard sale. For example, don’t schedule your sale on a holiday weekend unless you live in a tourist town.
2. The best months for sales are April, May, June and September.
3. If possible, try to schedule your sale near the 1st or the 15th of the month because those are paydays for a lot of shoppers.
4. Saturdays are best.
5. Earlier in the day is better than later.

Spread the word
1. Contact local authorities and inquire about restrictions, regulations, permits, etc. for posting signs and hosting sales.
2. Let your neighbors know about your sale; if they don’t want strangers parking in front of their homes, place “no parking” signs where appropriate.
3. Inquire about placing ads with various local newspapers. Ask how many words, how much it is going to cost, and how far in advance you need to submit the information.
4. List a rain date or have an indoor back-up plan.
5. Post signs at local grocery stores.
6. Place ads on electronic bulletin boards.
7. Distribute flyers in community centers.
8. Use foam board rather than poster board for posting signs around the neighborhood.

Advertise clearly
1. Who is involved in the sale: single family, neighbors, community?
2. What type of sale is it: yard, community, garage, moving, fire?
3. When is your sale: date(s) and day of the week, time from xx am –xx pm
4. Where is the sale: give clear directions from a major intersection
5. Why should people come? Make your ad stand out. Be creative with your wording and list a few “big ticket” items to draw interest.

Sample ad: Multi-family yard sale; designer-name maternity clothes, educational preschool toys, upscale infant gear, and much more. NO Checks. Saturday & Sunday April 3 -4; 8:30am –1pm. Rain date: Sat. April 10. EARLY BIRDS PAY DOUBLE! 555 Main Street across the boulevard from the community pool.

Sample ad: Retirement Sale; 60 years accumulation of antiques, furniture, power tools, appliances, gardening tools, house ware. Cash Only. Saturday; September 10; 7am – 3pm ONLY (Rain date: Sat. Sept. 17); 555 Main Street, 3 miles West of Rest Assured Retirement Center. NO early birds.

Gather the following supplies:
1. Tables for displaying items
2. Assortment of bags for people to take their items home: plastic store or grocery bags, gift bags, paper grocery bags, lunch bags
3. Packing boxes; store them under the display tables until needed
4. Bubble wrap and newspapers for fragile items or breakables
5. Tape to secure lids or keep stray pieces together
6. Permanent markers to change price signs throughout the day
7. Rubber bands to bundle silverware, spools of ribbon, etc.
8. Tape measure and yard stick
9. Calculators for adding up sales
10. Extension cords to plug in electrical items to show that they work
11. Spare light bulbs if selling lamps
12. Batteries for testing toys and small appliances
TIP: If you want to earn extra income buy extra batteries and sell them!

Details to remember
1. Have a trash can so people can dispose of their bottles and snack wrappers.
2. Keep a large bottle of hand-sanitizing gel or wet naps to clean your hands.
3. Leave enough room between tables for shoppers with strollers to browse.
4. Don’t forget a roll of paper towels for spills and a box of tissues for sneezes.
5. Lock the doors and windows of your home.

Price it right
1. Do not price every single item for sale. It is time-consuming and everyone is going to ‘bargain down’ the asking price anyway.
2. Group similar items together on a table and price them all the same.
3. Make categories and label them: Exercise and Fitness, Bed & Bath, Camping, Books & Media, etc.
4. Label the tables: $5.00-$10.00, $1.00 or less, or Best Offer — minimum $20.00, etc.
5. Price in 50 cent increments (easier to add).
6. Face the facts, everyone comes to a yard sale looking for a bargain – so give the people what they want and, remember, the main idea is to unload all your unwanted things – making money is almost secondary.

Hang it up!
1. Make sure all clothes are pressed, clean, and hanging on hangers.
2. Do not try to sell clothes that need mending, ironing, or stains removed.
3. Group clothing according to sizes.
4. Have a full-length mirror stationed somewhere convenient.

Money matters
1. Before the sale day, go to the bank so you’ll have plenty of small bills on hand – between $50.00 and $75.00 in cash.
2. If you really want to generate a buzz, ask the bank for $2.00 bills and silver dollars. Younger shoppers love “funny money”.
3. Hip packs are a must for carrying cash. Do not leave a cash box unattended.
4. Do not accept checks from strangers. A Cash Only rule is a good one – and take collected money inside your house periodically.

Snacks
1. A great way for an older child or teen to make a little extra cash is to sell coffee and donuts during the sale.
2. Stock up at a warehouse-type store: sell mini-bottles of water, juice boxes, small packs of goldfish crackers and other parent-approved snacks for children in tow. Food and drinks will keep shoppers shopping longer.

Leftovers
Do NOT bring the items that didn’t sell back into your home or garage. There are 3 options for leftovers that you must take care of immediately after your yard sale:
1. Put them into your car or van and drive them to the nearest donation center and obtain a tax credit for your donation.
2. Place them curbside with a sign that says, “FREE—Help Yourself!” Anything that remains after 2 days should be trashed.
3. Conduct a “Leftover Raffle.” Sell raffle tickets for $ 3.00. Draw names out of a hat. The winner gets anything and everything they want, and you make $3.00 per person on your leftovers!

Now your attic, garage, and home are clutter-free! You’ve gotten rid of your “trash” and some lucky person has discovered a “treasure”! Best of all, you now have some extra cash to treat your family to something special!

What you gon’ do with all that junk?
All that junk inside your trunk.
(Black Eyed Peas)

Got car clutter? How about junk in the trunk or trash on the dash? Perhaps you have no idea who the Black Eyed Peas are (lyrics above) but you are nonetheless asking yourself what indeed you’re going to do with all that junk. Conquer the car clutter!

Take the Homillers, a Cary family who needs to organize their family van in time for summer vacation. Annette, Dan, Sam, James and Pepper, their Portuguese water dog, are probably a lot like your family — busy and always on the go. And they have a minivan with too much junk!

Annette is a work-at-home mom and spends several hours a week in her minivan. In addition to chauffeuring her boys to basketball, karate, and choir practice, Annette plays soccer on a women’s soccer team in Cary, takes yoga classes, belongs to a book club, and does volunteer work for the Raleigh Boys Choir and her church.

Automobiles serve many purposes, but Annette’s minivan functions as an office, too. Waiting for her sons to finish activities allows time for her to sit in her vehicle and return calls, book appointments, open mail and process paperwork. The front seats act as a desk and can quickly clutter up with loose papers, notebooks and pens. The family vehicle also functions as a home away from home when the family is on the road. So, the Homiller minivan is also home to maps, spare change, food wrappers, receipts, coupons, CDs, books, sports gear, an umbrella and other miscellaneous items.

Join the Homillers as they say “happy trails” to the clutter. Start your engines!

1. Remove EVERYTHING from the car.
2. Wash the exterior, clean the interior and vacuum.
3. Visualize areas of your car as separate zones: front, middle, and cargo.
4. Consider the items that need to be put back into the car and how to stow them. Remember that loose items become dangerous flying objects in a fender-bender.
5. Preplan the use of organizing holders, containers and gadgets. If these organizers aren’t put to good use, then they become clutter, too.

The following organizers should help to contain the clutter.

Front Zone
Visor clip: great for holding sun glasses.
CD holder: the kind with a mesh pocket is useful for holding receipts, dry cleaning tickets, and parking stubs. If your car’s visor has a mirror on the underside, then purchase a one-sided CD holder, not the two-sided type.
Passenger-seat caddy: perfect for bottles of water, pens, maps, spare change and a mobile phone. Annette’s “office” couldn’t function without it.

Middle Zone
Back-of-seat tray table: handy for smaller children traveling with toys, books, and games.
Trash container with tissue holder: always keep tissues in the car for sneezes and runny noses. Extra fast-food restaurant napkins are good to keep in the car, too, for wiping up latte spills. A trash container for your car is a must!
Tupperware spaghetti dispenser: these long, cylindrical containers are terrific for holding cheerios, sleeves of crackers, trail mix, or granola. Taking emergency snacks for hungry kids in the car is a lot less expensive and healthier than stopping for snacks at the gas station or quick mart. These slender spaghetti dispensers are easily stored, don’t take up much space and are easily gripped by folks with small hands or even elderly passengers with arthritis.

Cargo Zone
Cargo net: besides groceries or luggage, a cargo net corrals sports gear, such as James and Sam’s rollerblades and soccer balls. Nothing is more distracting, not to mention dangerous, than having large or heavy items rolling around loose in the cargo zone. Fewer distractions and potential flying “missiles” make for a safer trip.
Bottomed boxes or bins: especially nice to help keep grocery bags standing upright and bottles from tipping over. They’re useful, too, for bringing home plants and flowers from the gardening center so dirt is less likely to get on the upholstery.
Gift-wrap boxes with lids: these long containers made to store rolls of wrapping paper under beds are perfect for team-sized snacks. Larger vehicles will easily hold them. When Dan is the designated snack parent, these gift-wrap boxes will keep bulk-bought snacks dry and clean. In addition, the lid makes a handy table for the snacks.

Other items to consider packing or storing in your car include:
1. A plastic shower curtain in the cargo area to keep the upholstery clean and dry. Especially useful if you’re traveling with a dog like Pepper who likes to run along the beach and then hops in the van sandy and wet! It’s also useful for bringing home plants from the gardening center.
2. A cotton sheet in the back seat for the kids to sit on. It is much easier to shake crumbs off a sheet than to vacuum the middle zone. In addition, it’s more comfortable to sit on a cotton surface in hot humid weather than dark upholstery or especially vinyl or leather.
3. Hand sanitizer and/or pre-moistened wipes
4. Bottles of drinking water
5. Flash light and batteries
6. First aid kit
7. A disposable camera—just in case Sam, James, or Pepper performs an incredible trick!
8. Sealable plastic bags for everything from seashells or wet clothes to leftovers that don’t need refrigeration
9. Soft-sided cooler
10. Collapsible crates

Various organizing gadgets and containers that are geared especially for your car can be found at the following websites:

ajprindle.com
axius.com
thebusywoman.com
carcrazy.net
cargogear.com
casedirect.com
drivewerks.com
drivingcomfort.com

The Homiller’s minivan will soon be ready for summer vacation. Once the junk in your trunk and trash on your dash is organized, you’ll find yourself at home in your car and ready to roll. Happy trails!

Clever Parents Life: We can all stand to get a little more organized. Here are three things you can do to make your use of your time: Backpack – a solution for organizing your life online, managing your email instead of letting email manage you, and the Essential Pregnancy Organizer. Watch the vidcast on Clever Parents TV.

Daylight Savings Time (DST) is the perfect time to make a quick safety survey of your home. With spring approaching, not only can you protect your family with the following quick, done-in-a-day tasks, you can also declutter with DST. So, get ready to enjoy those long daylight hours!

1. Test and replace the batteries in smoke alarms, house alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. 2. Replace smoke alarms that were installed before 1997 as well as carbon monoxide detectors that were installed prior to 2002.
3. Check the expiration date and the pressure gauge on fire extinguishers.
4. Replace batteries and bulbs in flashlights.
5. Adjust outdoor timers on lights to accommodate the longer daylight hours.

Still feeling energized? Here’s a list of things to purge:

• Hangers from the dry cleaner
• Plastic stadium cups
• Sweaters with fuzz balls
• Dried up cans of paint
• Broken VCRs
• Shoes that hurt your feet
• Trophies from your childhood
• Clothes with stains that won’t come out no matter what
• Expired coupons, warranties, contracts
• Expired vitamins and medications (This is also a health issue – get rid of them!)
• Out-of-date take-out menus
• Junk mail, old greeting cards and notes
• Receipts from the grocery store and fast-food restaurants
• Schedules and invitations to past events
• Instructions, manuals, and guides for items you don’t own anymore
• Business cards from people whose names you don’t recognize
• Photos that you don’t love
• Charity solicitations (keep only the ones you plan on giving to)
• Recipes that are too difficult, too time-consuming or too expensive to prepare
• Tourist brochures
• Broken costume jewelry
• Plastic containers/pots that landscaping plants or house plants and flowers come in
• Broken toys that can’t be fixed (Do not donate these.)
• Schoolwork that’s not a treasure

The following things can be sold at a yard sale or donated:

• Dishes you never use
• Florist’s vases
• Outdated computer equipment
• Outdated video equipment
• Videos, DVDs, computer games, video games and CDs that your family will never watch, play, or listen to again
• Paperback books that you will never re-read
• Recipe books you haven’t opened in years