White Sales Abound - I Can Help You Fold a Fitted Sheet!

Holidays are great excuses for stores to have sales, and linens (sheets, towels, pillows, tablecloths, etc.) are no exception.  Actually, I wonder why people don’t wait for a white sale to buy those much needed sheets or towels because either the next holiday is right around the corner (Presidents Day) or they could use their myriad of Bed Bath & Beyond coupons anytime.  Since I have organized many linen closets, I decided that this would be a good time to write about this topic.

It is amazing what you can find when you pull everything out of your linen closet.  As I say to my clients, we are going on an archeological dig.  Think of what you will find that you’ve been trying to find for months (even though you’ve already gone out and bought duplicates and triplicates of the item because you couldn’t find it).  Think of how much money you will save because you won’t need to go out and buy that item for months now.  Finally, think of how much room will be left once you get rid of those items you don’t need anymore.

When I work with my clients and their linen closets, I use my BB’s Brilliant Blueprint process.  It works like a charm and is easy to follow.

Step 1: BEGIN to assess the situation.  What happened that you have so many pillowcases and no sheets to match?  How did you get so many different towels that don’t match and are not even the colors you are using now?

Step 2: BUILD an Action Plan. Do you want to work on the top shelf first?  Perhaps the floor of the closet is the most disorganized.

Step 3: BREAKDOWN the tasks.  Sort like with like.  Purge anything that is stained, worn out, or you no longer like.  Animal shelters will gladly take these kinds of items.)  Figure out whether any of the small items should be containerized and labeled.  Assign a home for the items – does one shelf work better than another shelf?  Place items you use less frequently on the hardest to reach shelves.  If what you found really belongs in another area of the house, take it there.

SUCCESS – You now know which sheets go with each pillowcase (or don’t), how many towels you have, and whether or not you really need (I am not saying want) to buy anything.

Step 4: BE persistent: Need to grab something quickly from the closet?  Do so, but return the item to its “home” as soon as you no longer need it.  Finished with the laundry? Put those sheets and towels right away. 

Linen closets do not take as long to organize as you may think.  You will be amazed at how much can get done in a short period of time.

P.S. I can even teach you how to fold a fitted sheet!

READY, SET, GO From Bedlam to Brilliance!!!

BB’s Clutter Solutions is located in Cherry Hill, NJ and serves New Jersey (north and south), Philadelphia and its Pennsylvania suburbs, and New York City.  Contact information: www.bb-clutter-solutions.com, info@bb-clutter-solutions.com, 856-912-0077.

What To Do With Socks That Don't Have Matches

Let’s face it – sometimes our clothes dryers eat socks, don’t they?  I have yet to figure out how or why, but this just seem to be a fact.  Because I am always looking to reuse and repurpose items, I found a great idea for those lone socks.  Use them as dust rags.  Slip one over your hand and begin dusting.  If you have children, they might find this fun to do as well.  Since the socks aren’t valuable without their mates, you can always wash them and reuse them or throw them out.

Asking for Help - Organizing is a Process, not a One-time Activity

I was talking to my father on XMAS Day, and we were reflecting about the past year.  He turned 95 in October and until recently, he was able to manage by himself after my mother died.  This past year he had a small stroke and underwent a pinning for a broken hip.  After all of this, his mind is still sharp, and he is a pleasure to be around.  The only differences now are that he can’t drive, is not playing bridge four (4) times a week, is no longer traveling, and needs full-time help for several of his activities of daily living.  I know he is used to being independent, but there are times in all of our lives when we need help. 

It really doesn’t matter how old you are or how, when, or where you need this extra assistance.  It is just good to know there are people around who can help you in those areas where you need it the most.  I thank my accountant, lawyer, and personal trainer every day. 

Have you ever wondered how a Professional Organizer can help you?  Do you tell yourself all the time that this is something you can do on your own, but you never get started because the task seems daunting?  Take a minute to answer these 3 questions.  

• What would it feel like if you were organized?
• How would you feel if you no longer felt overwhelmed by all your things, if you could find things easily, and if the systems you put in place worked easily for you?
• Would you enjoy organizing if you could have fun, while being motivated and inspired at the same time? 

If you are surrounded by clutter, if you feel overwhelmed because you don't know where to start, and if you want to have fun while organizing, I can help you.  I work with you one-on-one to evaluate your needs, help you figure out what works for you and what doesn’t, and support you in the process of getting and staying organized.  Creating order out of chaos assists in reducing stress, saving time, and saving money. 

I ask questions, help you decide what to keep and what not to keep, and figure out places to put those items you decide to keep.  I also have resources to help with those items you are no longer keeping (other than what you decided to discard). 

There is no need to be embarrassed by your clutter.  I am non-judgmental, a good listener, and treat every client with complete confidentiality.  As a member of National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), Professional Organizers abide by a Code of Ethics, which is “a set of principles to provide guidelines in our professional conduct with our clients, colleagues, and community”. 

I realize many people have busy schedules.  In the long run, getting organized will make it easier for you to finally have the time to do the things you want to do.  Organizing takes a commitment on your part and incorporating organizing time into your schedule will help you stay on track and reach your goals.  Once your systems are in place, they are much easier to maintain. 

Remember – You want to control the clutter, you don’t want the clutter to control you.

READY, SET, GO From Bedlam to Brilliance!!!

Setting SMART Goals

Rather than making a New Year’s resolution to finally de-clutter and organize your home and/or office, think about incorporating this as part of your  life.  Organizing is a process, not a one-time activity.  If you are having trouble getting started, or even maintaining the system(s) you’ve already developed, create SMART goals.  The acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely.

Don’t have much time?  Set a timer for 15 – 30 minutes and see how much you can get accomplished in that period of time.  Remember to work on the one SMART goal you developed.  It’s not as overwhelming as you think it may be if you break it out into smaller phases and stay in that one area until you complete what you started.

BB's Brilliant Box System

Have you found yourself saying: “There must be a better way to file my receipts, financial documents, or other important papers rather than putting them in plastic bags, shoeboxes, or envelopes, in no particular order”.  With BB’s Brilliant Box System, you can go from Bedlam to Brilliance.

I came up with a simple way for you to work smarter, not harder, and developed this system to address these three challenges:

 1.    Productivity: To help you manage your time more effectively and be more productive – You won’t be scrambling at tax time, or at any time, to give your accountant your information.  Your time will be better spent running your business and/or home. 

2.  Efficiency: To help you be more efficient – It’s important to establish good habits immediately.  BB’s Brilliant Box System will create a sound, organized system for you, making retrieval of information easy.

   3.    Stress Reduction: To help you feel less stressed – You will be ready for the IRS in case 
        the IRS decides to audit you and/or your business.

Anyone can use this system.  The best part is that it is simple to use and affordable.  You can either follow the instruction booklet and work on your own or schedule a phone call or hands-on organizing session if you want my help. 

Product Details
- Letter-size portable file box with handle and secure latch
- Organizer top with snap-tight lid (to hold supplies such as pens and paperclips)
- 13” wide, 9 ¼ “ deep, and 11 ½ “ high

Cost (includes shipping and handling)
- Product and written instructions only - $57
- Product, written instructions, and 1-hour phone consultation - $135
- Product, written instructions, and 3 hours of hands-on training - $285
- Renewal Product only (file box and corresponding folders) - $40

 Shopping Cart

BB's Brilliant Box System

Box, Instructions $57.00 USD Box, Instructions, Phone $135.00 USD Box, Instructions, 3 hrs $285.00 USD Renewal Box only $40.00 USD