How to Set up a Household Action Center

Does junk mail, school papers, bills and other paper clutter pile up quickly and take over your counter tops and table top? Do you find yourself stacking and then stashing the piles out of sight when company comes over? Are you scrambling in the mornings to get the kids out of the house with everything that they need? Do you miss appointments because you forgot or pay bills late because you can't find them?

If you said yes to more than one of the above, a Household Action Center (HAC) may be the answer. This is the same system I use and teach my private clients. A well-organized HAC can help you to deal with activities, information, and papers that come into your home.

Your HAC should be set up in a central location, most often it is the kitchen-the hub of the home. I like to utilize a portable file box (shown in the picture to the right) but it could also be stationed in a desk or filing drawer. Supplies, such as envelopes, tape, stapler, pens and pencils, and the telephone, should be near by. Through your Household Action Center you can manage your mail, bill paying, calendar, events and projects.

A very important component of your information center will be a Tickler File, which consists of a dated accordion file (1-31 and January-December) and action files. Another important and very necessary component is a calendar or planner.

So, as paper and information come into your home, you must make decisions on each item. Use my 3T Plan™ for making decisions: Take Out, Take action (now or a future date), or To file. Things you need to act on will go into your action folders - labeled with the actions your need to take. If you have a paper that you need to act on at a specific date, put that paper in your tickler file behind the appropriate date or month.

Another useful tool is a household binder. This 3-ring binder can be used to keep regularly accessed information. Common things you would store in your household binder might be school calendars and directories, lunch menus, practice schedules, and frequently used telephone numbers. I like to keep action forms in mine.

Use your system on a regular basis. Get into the habit of consulting your Ticker File and calendar at the same time every day, preferably the night before or in the morning. You should be continually adding and taking out items. Setting up a Household Action Center will help you eliminate the piles and reduce the stress.

For more Works For Me Ideas, vist Rocks In My Dryer.

I Want to Help You Get Your Papers Organized!

Paper Organizing for Busy Moms
~A Virtual Workshop

This virtual workshop is for you if you:

• Have tried getting your papers organized before and failed
• Are a busy mom who is determined to spend more time doing those things you enjoy instead of searching through papers
• Have considered seeking the help of organizing expert
• Want to be free from the paper piles and mess in your home

When you register by Friday, September 11 you'll receive these special bonuses:

• Making Time for What's Important Home Study Program (manage your time, manage your life and create the balance you yearn for)
• A Mom's Guide to Organizing Children's School Papers and Artwork (the resource for maintaining, organizing and displaying your child's work)
• The Early Bird Special of only $97 (regular price of $137 after 9/11)
  Register Now!

You'll Learn:

• The steps to get rid of those invasive paper piles with my 3-T Plan
• How to set up your own Household Action Center so you can find what you need when you need it with no more piles
• What papers you should keep, for how long and where
• How to set up an easy-to-use filing system so you can have your important papers at your finger tips
• My five step Stuff System to help you get through those overwhelming stashes of paper, including the kids' papers and artwork.

How it Works:
Throughout the workshop there will be a series of four live teleclasses with me. I'll walk you through the exact steps of paper organization. After each teaching session you will then be able to apply what you have learned right away during your in-home organizing session. I'll be holding your hand all the way through. You'll also receive a 30 page workbook and products worth $98! Learn more here.

What one mom had to say after participating in my Paper Organizing for Busy Moms Virtual Workshop:

"Things are going well and I'm setting aside time each day to work through the rest of the paper piles. I LOVE the systems and it is motivating to see how much I have accomplished already! The day of the workshop I kept organizing until that night. I was amazed at how much I got done in one day. I've already had several times where I needed to locate something and I actually found it within seconds! No more wasting time searching. Thanks again!"

Find Out More and Register Now!

Inexpensive Container Ideas for Organizing

You don't have to spend a lot of money when it comes to organizing and sometimes no money at all! I like to use containers that I have around the house when it comes to organizing. Filling containers is the forth step in my simple organizing STUFF System™.

To the right is a drawer in my kitchen. The front checkered cardboard box came from a cheese gift basket. I keep my chip clips in a handy location because we use them so much. The back two baskets were odd and ends from my collection of containers. The items I don't use as much are stored in the back.

I believe I picked up this inexpensive basket pictured on the left at Goodwill or a rummage sale. It works perfectly for my home video cassettes. I keep the tapes right by my photo albums, scrapbooks and picture DVDs.

To the right is a picture of my daughter's "hair stuff drawer". I made use of a set of decorative boxes and their lids. Now, this drawer is not always this tidy! When it gets out of hand, we sit down together to resort and reorganize.

To the left is the cabinet in the main bathroom houses mostly kid stuff. On the top self to the left, I simply covered a cardboard box with wrapping paper--that one holds medicine. The container on the top right holds first aid items. I've made use of another decorative box and the lid on the bottom shelf. Extras are kept in the box and the lid holds regularly used items.

Do you have any clever and inexpensive organizing ideas that work for you?

For more Works-For-Me Ideas, visit We Are THAT Family.

Learn how you can get your copies of my special reports just for moms, 5 Must-Know Organizing Tips For Busy Moms and The Clutter-Free Gift Giving Guide HERE.

Get Your Purse Organized....The Easy Way!

I've talk about these awesome super organized purses before. The Butler Bag is a busy mom's answer to keeping all those things we carry around with us stay put and organized.

I'm not a purse girl but did get spoiled at Christmas time. I now have the Classic and the Hybrid in Espresso and Black Licorice. I love how I can locate anything is just a few seconds. The Classic, the larger of the two, holds so much!

There are over 32 products so you'll want to take a look at all the organized purses!

I just found out about an exciting special offer starting now thru this weekend. Order any regularly priced Hybrid or Classic Butler Bag and received a FREE (in stock) Limited Edition Small Tote of your choice (a $50 value!). Click here to see the Small Tote!

Team up with a friends and family to take advantage of this offer.

Rubbermaid® Easy Find Lids

Last month I did a post about organizing plastic containers and lids in the kitchen. I mentioned that the wonderful people at Rubbermaid® sent me a All-in-One set of their new line, Easy Find Lids.
I like this system because you have a choices of how to store the lids (with the containers or seperately). If you remember, I like to keep my lids in a drawer below the cupboard. But, that's what works for me, and you know that there is no one way to be organized, right?

So, if it works better for you to keep the lids with the containers, no problem! The lids snap together or snap to the bottom of the container. No searching for the right lid.


I was able try out the following:

Easy Find Lids - Everyday use

Produce Saver - keeps your produce fresh

Premier - stain resistant

Lock-its - extra secure lid seal

I like the organization versatility of the whole line and all kept my food fresh. The Lock-its lids take up a little more room in my drawer but that didn't pose a big problem.

Here's a short video and coupons! You can also share your food storage challenge and solution for a chance to win an All-in-One set of Rubbermaid® Easy Find Lids containers.

Making the Most of Your Deep Cupboards and Cabinets

Do you have deep cabinets or cupboards that you find are difficult to organize and keep organized? One of my favorite tools is a turn table or lazy susan. I find these are especially great in corner cabinets.

Here's an example of the one in my kitchen.

The bottom shelf stores my spices and the top holds my baking items. I use clear stackable Tupperware containers to get the most of my space. The turn tables makes it easy to find what I need - no digging around.

The green baskets on top hold items that I don't use as frequently. One basket hold baking chocolate, birthday candles and cupcake liners. The other basket contains all my extracts and food colorings.

The are light and easy for me to reach to take out and slide back in.

I do have to maintain my system on occasion and re-organize, especially the spices. Yes, there are times I just quickly shove stuff back in-who doesn't, but it doesn't take too long to take back control.

This is a picture of my craft cabinet.

Again, I've used stackable Tupperware containers with labels to hold various embellishments and tools.

This corner cupboard is located right above my main work space. It holds my most used materials, such as adhesives and my favorite scissors.

The top shelf hold less used items and there is plenty of space to grow.

Lazy Susans work for me. For more Works For Me ideas, check out We Are THAT Family.

What's Your Favorite Organizing Product or Tool?

I've had the chance to check out some pretty cool organizing products and tools. Here at the NAPO conference (in sunny Orlando, Florida!), there is an Organizing Expo. That means all kinds of wonderful companies are displaying their organizing products in one room!

Some of them are in no particular order are:

• The Container Store - Known by professional organizers as the 'candy store'.
• Rubbermaid
• Brother Label Makers
• Office Max
• Pendeflex
• Ziploc
• Ikea
• The Neat Company

The list goes on. Here are some of the lesser known companies and products that I really thought my readers would like:

• The Attic Trac - You have to check this out if you have an attic that could be used for storage.
• Pixily - Helping you go paperless in your home.
• Recipe Nest - I love this product because it is a great storage solution for those full-page recipes that are printed off of websites or torn out of magazines. You have to check it out if you have piles of recipes. I hope to do a give away on this product soon!
• Family Facts - Great planners, lists and calendars for busy moms and families!

What's your favorite organizing product or tool?

The Brother P-Touch Labeler

I got to try out a new label maker! It's the P-Touch 1280 by Brother. I always carry a label maker with me when working with my private clients.

I've also been catching up on some labeling around my own home so this was a great opportunity to try out my new toy. It really is a great all-around labeler and it's simple to use. And it's affordable at about $39.99.

Here are some of my thoughts and observations:

• I love the keyboard-it’s easy to use.
• The tape was EASY to load-that's a big plus in my book!
• I like that the screen is large-it shows up to 15 characters.
• There a plenty of options for sizes, styles, and other details-more than I’ll ever use.
• I like the convenience of the escape button and the ‘3 favorite keys’.
• I wish it came with an adaptor. You can use 6 AAA batteries if you don't want to purchase an adapter.

Giveaway: Paper Organizing For Busy Moms

I am hosting 3 giveaways in celebration of Get Organized Month.

I am SUPER-excited about this first one, a full registration for my virtual workshop: Paper Organizing For Busy Moms ($137 value) taking place on Saturday, January 31, 2009! I am thrilled to bring this to you because I will be teaching you the very same systems and providing you with the very same valuable tools as I do with my private clients.

I realize that not everyone has the option of working with a professional organizer in their home, but now I can be by your side virtually for this unique half-day workshop as I teach you how to take control of the papers in your home and life.

How This Virtual Workshop Works
Throughout the workshop there will be a series of four live teleclasses with instruction and after each teaching session you will then be able to apply what you have learned right away during your in-home organizing session!

For more information, please visit http://www.stuff2borganized.com/events/PaperOrganizing/.

Giveaway Contest Rules and How to Enter

1. Leave a comment telling me your #1 paper challenge and a way to contact you: 1 point
2. Post this giveaway on your blog with a link back here to my giveaway post, please include the link to the post in your comment: 3 extra points
3. Sign up for my newsletter here or on the sidebar: 3 extra points
4. This giveaway will close January 9, 2009 at 1pm Eastern Time.

If you don't have a blog, you can instead tell at least 3 other busy moms about the Paper Organizing Workshop by providing them with the link: http://www.stuff2borganized.com/events/PaperOrganizing/.

Because of shipping costs, this contest is open to those in the Continental United States.

What is the Only Thing I am Asking for This Year? A Butler Bag

Besides great times with my family and friends, there is one item that I wouldn't mind receiving this year. Yes, I have spent a lot of time posting and writing about Clutter-Free Gift Giving and now I am telling you about an item? It's true. However, this item would not only help to eliminate some clutter and save time, but it's practical, too.

It's called the Butler Bag, the World's Most Organized Handbag. I have had my eye on this for a while now. Now, I keep my current purse pretty organized, but stuff does get moved around. Wouldn't you love to be able to open up your purse and see exactly what you are looking for right away? No more digging?

To top it off, Butler Bag is offering
Butler Bag’s first ever Black Friday Extravaganza!

On November 28th, they are offering my customers 20% off their entire order for ONE DAY ONLY!

The promo code is BBFRIDAY20.

So, Thursday at midnight til Friday at midnight, at checkout, enter promo code BBFRIDAY20 and receive 20% off!!!! Go to Butler Bag Now to check them out!

I hope my husband will be stopping by to take a look at today's post (OK, I told him to). I am looking at the Hybrid in Black Licorice or Espresso. Honey, scratch that item I told you about previously. How easy would this be for everyone? No guessing at sizes, no standing in line at stores, and it's on sale!

Just in case you are wondering, I'm not a purse girl and I don't have a closet full of shoes. And that item I previously told my husband I wanted? A water softener. How pathetic is that?

Oprah's Clean Up Your Messy Home Tour with Peter Walsh

The Oprah Winfrey Show is in the middle of its Clean Up Your Messy Home Tour. As a part of this, The Container Store® is offering a 20% percent off everything in their entire store and online!

For online orders:Use promotion code CLUTTERCREW at checkout. Shop The Container Store now.

For in-store purchases: Use this printed coupon at the check out.

The promotion ends at 11:59 p.m. CST Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Do you live in Washington D.C. or Atlanta? The Oprah's tour is coming to you! Visit The Oprah Winfry Show's website to find out more information.

Back To School Organizing Tip #11: Where Do You Store Your Kids' Artwork?

I can't talk about back to school and organizing without mentioning one of my favorite products!

If you are like many parents, your child's art is stashed away in closets, drawers, cardboard boxes, plastic storage tubs, or behind the refrigerator gathering dust. Now there is a solution!

The Schoolfolio All-in-One...The storage solution that organizes and protects art, schoolwork, report cards, class photos, and other keepsakes from pre-school to 12th grade.

The Schoolfolio's 25" x 19" x 11" outer case is ample enough for projects up to 24" x 18" and can hold up to 40 pounds of your child's favorite keepsakes. Hint: This product always goes fast and requires pre-order!

Order NOW and receive a 10% discount by selecting Stuff 2b Organized as your Sales Representative during check out.
Click HERE for Schoolfolio All-in-One

There is also the Single. Schoolfolio's four new colorful designs make organizing kids' art and schoolwork easy and fun!

Holds 24" x 18" paper with 3.5" capacity. The perfect size for elementary school art projects. Four colorful designs with 5" x 7" photo pocket. Opens flat for easy access.

Order NOW and receive a 10% discount by selecting Stuff 2b Organized as your Sales Representative during check out. Click HERE for Schoolfolio Single