Monthly Archives: January 2011

There was a time that most of us displayed our CDs and videos with pride. Big media collections were equated with cool. Media towers took up space in every nook, cranny, and corner of our homes. Bigger was better. More was king.

Time and advancing technology hasn’t necessarily changed the desire for large media collections. But a big wobbly media tree in the corner of the living room threatening to topple over onto little Johnny is no longer considered a fashion statement. And a room that appears wallpapered but is really filled with hundreds of media cases is just plain tacky.

Sleek and simple is the new rule. Organization is the new king.

So what do we do with the piles of DVDs and CDs that take up space and clutter our homes? How do we solve the age-old problem of finding the movie that was sitting on that shelf just a few days ago?

There are plenty of furniture options. Most entertainment centers come with shelves for storage. But they are expensive, and have limited space. Media storage boxes can take care of the clutter and protect discs for long-term storage. But they’re not terribly attractive, and still take up quite a bit of space.

If space is your concern, perhaps the best solution is media cases. A collection of 200 dvds would completely fill a typical eight-shelf media tree, but would fit in three or four binders—which wouldn’t even fill half of one of those shelves. Case Logic sells dozens of cases that offer great protection for your collection. The Bellagio-Italia DVD binders made by HandStands are perhaps the most attractive on the market, with a leather-look binding that replicate high-end books.

Whatever your choice, just please protect little Johnny from the media tree. Remember sleek and simple. Now how easy is that?

Our friends at Take it from Me are running a fun contest giving away one of our CD/DVD Binders! If you’ve always wanted one (or just can’t get enough of them) here’s a chance to win one for free! I also suggest you subscribe to their awesome, awesome blog!

Welcome professional organizer Marilyn Bohn:

Last week I received a phone call from a local producer of an early afternoon “lifestyle” show. They asked if I would be on the show to talk about getting organized for the New Year. I did appear on the show and I had a lot of fun. The host talked about the 3 most popular goals people set for the New Year. He said they are: 1. Financial, 2. Health, and 3. Organizing. As an organizing expert I am always interested in organizing no matter what time of the year it is.

We showed up at the studio at the assigned time and as we sat observing the behind the scenes goings on before it was time for me to go on the show I couldn’t help but notice how focused everyone was on their various tasks. I thought I could learn a lot about goals from the people in this studio.

Decide what it is you want to improve or change
First, the studio people knew exactly what needed to be done and to be moved and changed to film the episode.

As we were sitting at a desk behind us a large, I should say huge teleprompter glided across the floor without anyone guiding it. We were hoping someone was behind the controls somewhere so we didn’t get hit by this machine. Soon another teleprompter came gliding across the floor to rest near the first one. Someone in the studio clearly knew what it was they wanted to change and move for the show to go on.

Be clear about the space or room you want to declutter. Just as in the studio they were very clear on what needed to be done.

Set Your Goal (s)
Second, the cameraman and sound people know that to have a successful show they must set goals. Another way of saying this is chart your course. Set a goal; break down your goal into daily, weekly and long-term steps. Write it down in a notebook where you can refer back to it every day and make notations and chart your progress. It is fun to see what you have accomplished.

I recommend setting a timer as you declutter so you don’t get overwhelmed. With well defined goals that aren’t vague success is yours! For example, “I want to do something about my closet”. (Definition of “something”: search for an outfit to wear to work that doesn’t have a stain, and it fits.) Instead, set a clearly defined goal: “arrange my clothes by category, everything in my closet will fit and will be in good repair.”

Action
Three,everyone has done their part on the set. They decided where each segment would be filmed in the building, who would be the guests, who would secure the mikes, who would do the introductions etc. I am sure there were a zillion more things they did that we didn’t see.

Next it was time for camera, lights, action. It was a lot of fun for me talking with the hosts and giving ideas for organizing for the New Year.

Knowing what area you need to declutter, setting measurable goals, and writing them down–now you are ready to move forward to success. If you have a family it isn’t only you who is responsible to organize your home. Talk to your family about your goals and tell them what you expect from them. Teach your children how to pick up their clothes, put dirty ones in a hamper, pick up their toys when they are finished playing for the day or where to put craft supplies when they aren’t being used.

Enlist your husband’s help in getting rid of clutter. Help him learn how to de-clutter so he will be excited to do his part. All of the shows we watch on TV have hundreds of goals set and lots of action behind the scenes we finally see. This same idea works to de-clutter your home. Before you know it you will be the star in your very own home.

Marilyn Bohn is the owner of Get it Together Organizing, a business dedicated to developing practical organizing solutions that help individuals and business professionals live clutter-free and productive lives. She is the author of “Go Organize! Conquer Clutter in Three Simple Steps” and is an experienced, enthusiastic public speaker, a member of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) and the author of hundreds of articles covering various organizing topics.

Marilyn takes the often stressful subject of organizing and breaks it down into a simple, easy to understand system. Her methods are both eye-opening and encouraging! She has a passion for helping others reach their personal goals and living a better, clutter-free life!

Marilyn also offers personal, private consulting to assist in organizing. She invites you to sign up for free organizing tips at her website http://www.marilynbohn.com for easy organizing.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marilyn_Bohn

Commute times for Americans now average more than 100 hours a year, (U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey) which adds up to more than two weeks of vacation time spent sitting in a vehicle instead of an exotic beach. Gas prices are the highest they’ve been in two years (Energy Information Administration). Most family budgets are being squeezed in every direction. And winter has blown in a slew of ugly weather and road conditions.

No matter how you do the math, the result is a lot of tension and frayed nerves on the roads these days. It’s enough to make a person wish they could quit their job or buy a luxury vehicle. But for those of us living in the real world, there are still things we can do to make our commutes a little more pleasant.
1. Treat your car as it were a luxury ride. There is nothing like a detailed car to lift and renew the spirits, especially in the cold and muddy winter. But you don’t have to spend a fortune or drive a Mercedes to keep your vehicle in prime condition. A little here and there goes a long way: Get in the habit of removing trash every time you leave the vehicle. Pull up to a vacuum every other time you get gas. Take advantage of car wash discounts at gas stations, especially during the winter months when the car is covered in salt and grime. Keep an air freshener replenished every month—vent sticks are a classy and inexpensive option. More self-detailing ideas are available at Refresh Your Car.
2. Spend less on gas. There’s not much we little guys can do about the world’s economy. But there are several tactics that can help us spend less at the tank: Cruise control reduces the slowing and acceleration that uses extra gas. Going as slow as the speed limit will allow also improves gas efficiency. Gas Buddy will help track the prices at gas stations in your area, allowing you to fill up at the station offering the best prices along your route.
3. Avoid costly and inconvenient repairs. It’s hard to imagine anything more stressful than being broken down at the side of the road. Every driver should know some simple methods to keep their car running smoothly. The habit of checking the oil every time you fill up with fuel can save thousands in repairs. Antifreeze protects against the coolant freezing when cold and boiling over when hot, so should be checked with each changing season. Tire pressure should be checked every other time you fill up. Uneven tire tread; steering that pulls to the right or left; and squealing brakes are all warning signs that can result in huge repair costs if ignored. More car maintenance tips are available at Auto Keep.
4. Consider alternate forms of transportation. Most of us equate losing access to our cars as a loss of freedom. If that sounds like you, consider trying public transportation or ride-sharing just one day a week. There are advantages besides money; such as the ability to sit back and relax, or maybe catch up on some work. And a change of one or two days a week can give a refreshing boost to your routine.
5. Keep entertainment organized, handy, and fresh. Some form of entertainment is essential to most drivers; whether they have an old car radio or the latest in surround-sound stereo systems. Spend some time before hitting the road to consider how you can organize what you do have, and maybe change it up for variety. A radio talk show junky might appreciate music stations for a while to learn the latest trends, and vice versa. Books on tape are widely available at public libraries. There’s no end to the options that can come from a little thought and just a few bucks.
6. It’s all in the tires, babe. Perhaps nothing is more important to winter driving than tires. Whether it’s chains, all-season tires, or snow tires; if you live in an area prone to harsh climates, make sure you’re prepared before the next big storm hits. That preparation should include brushing up on safe-driving tips for freezing weather, like knowing not to slam on your brakes when you hit black ice. OSHA has a website dedicated to safe winter driving.
7. Take an accessory inventory. Cold steering wheel? Try a sheep-skin steering wheel cover. Car still too cold? A heat shield is an inexpensive method of keeping warm air from escaping the vehicle. Have trouble finding your favorite cd? Try making your own customized visor cd holder. A multitude of problems can be solved with a dashboard sticky pad, which keeps coins, pens, and sunglasses from flying around the vehicle, or even keeps navigational systems and mp3 devices in a secure and upright position. Whatever the problem, odds are good there’s a solution that will fit into even the tightest of budgets.