My blog

Tag: #OrganizedLiving

  • Declutter Like a Pro:

    Have you ever stepped into a home where every closet, cupboard, and drawer was packed “just in case” something might be needed someday? My mother’s home was exactly that. Though it was neat and organized, it was overflowing with things she had kept for years. When she moved into a nursing home, I was left with the overwhelming task of sorting through it all. With my brother in a wheelchair and my family busy with work, I spent months driving eight hours each way, sorting, packing, and making endless decisions. It was exhausting.

    That experience changed me. I vowed I wouldn’t leave my children with the same burden. I started purging my home, determined to simplify my life. The result? A sense of relief I never expected. I didn’t get rid of everything—memories still matter—but I let go of the excess. Donating to a local rescue mission made it even more rewarding, knowing my unused items could help others.

    Want to declutter but don’t know where to start? Follow these three simple steps:

    Step 1: Prepare Your Sorting Tools

    Grab two sturdy boxes and a garbage bag. Label one box “Donate” and the other “Hold for Six Months.” The bag is for trash—because, let’s face it, some things just need to go.

    Step 2: The 80/20 Rule—What Do You Really Use?

    Go item by item and ask yourself:

    • Have I used this in the past year?
    • Will I use it in the next year?

    Most people use only 20% of what they own regularly—so why keep the extra 80%? If you’re struggling with clothes, try this trick: Turn all your hangers backward. After wearing something, return it the right way. In a year, whatever is still backward goes!

    Step 3: Make a Decision and Let Go

    For each item, decide:

    • Keep (if used and needed)
    • Donate (if unused but in good condition)
    • Trash (if broken or unusable)
    • Hold for Six Months (if uncertain—then revisit it later)

    Worried you’ll need something later? You have options:

    1. Use a substitute. There’s always another way to get the job done.
    2. Borrow it. Family, friends, or neighbors might have what you need.
    3. Replace it. If the need ever arises (and chances are, it won’t), you can buy another.

    Decluttering isn’t just about organizing—it’s about creating a peaceful, stress-free home. The less you have, the less you have to manage. I’ve learned that less stuff means more freedom.

    Have you tackled a decluttering project? Share your best tips in the comments!

     

     

  • Paper or Digital?

    In today’s fast-paced world, anything that helps streamline daily tasks is a win. A few years ago, my husband bought me an iPhone. At first, I only used it to call my kids, unaware of its potential as a time-saving tool. Over time, I discovered that my phone could replace my endless paper lists, making every day errands—like grocery shopping—much easier.

    One day, I came across a meme about creating a master grocery list. Sure, you can buy pre-made lists, but they aren’t tailored to your needs. Plus, who wants to deal with paper when your phone can do the job better?

    Using Your Phone as a Grocery List

    Your phone’s reminder app functions as a built-in list organizer. I use mine for:

    • Medications & Supplements: A quick reference at doctor visits.
    • Household Tasks: A shared list with my husband, so he knows what needs to be done.
    • Groceries: The focus of this post—and a major time-saver!

    Creating Your Master Grocery List

    of writing a new list every time, I built a master list of all the groceries we regularly buy. Here’s how:

    1. Start with Your Staples: Look in your pantry and fridge. List items you purchase often.
    2. Use the Hide Feature: When shopping, simply uncheck the items you need—no paper, no pen, no mess.
    3. Sort by Aisle:
      • My first attempt was alphabetical, but that meant jumping between sections at the store.
      • I switched to numbering items by aisle (e.g., 00.01 Salad for the produce section), keeping them in order for quick shopping.

    Bonus Tip: Grocery Pick-Up for Even More Time Savings

    When my husband and I got sick and couldn’t go inside stores, I discovered online grocery ordering. Many stores offer it for free, and you can:
    ✔ Save frequent purchases for quick reorders.
    ✔ Prevent unwanted substitutions.
    ✔ Pick up groceries without stepping inside.

    For the Paper Lovers…

    If you prefer a physical list, here’s an easy method:

    1. Save a month’s worth of old grocery receipts.
    2. Type them into a master list.
    3. Take that list to the store and organize it by aisle.
    4. Print it out and keep it by your fridge for easy check-offs.

    Do these grocery list tips make sense to you? Or do you have an even better method? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear!

  • Paper or Digital?

    In today’s fast-paced world, anything that helps streamline daily tasks is a win. A few years ago, my husband bought me an iPhone. At first, I only used it to call my kids, unaware of its potential as a time-saving tool. Over time, I discovered that my phone could replace my endless paper lists, making every day errands—like grocery shopping—much easier.

    One day, I came across a meme about creating a master grocery list. Sure, you can buy pre-made lists, but they aren’t tailored to your needs. Plus, who wants to deal with paper when your phone can do the job better?

    Using Your Phone as a Grocery List

    Your phone’s reminder app functions as a built-in list organizer. I use mine for:

    • Medications & Supplements: A quick reference at doctor visits.
    • Household Tasks: A shared list with my husband, so he knows what needs to be done.
    • Groceries: The focus of this post—and a major time-saver!

    Creating Your Master Grocery List

    of writing a new list every time, I built a master list of all the groceries we regularly buy. Here’s how:

    1. Start with Your Staples: Look in your pantry and fridge. List items you purchase often.
    2. Use the Hide Feature: When shopping, simply uncheck the items you need—no paper, no pen, no mess.
    3. Sort by Aisle:
      • My first attempt was alphabetical, but that meant jumping between sections at the store.
      • I switched to numbering items by aisle (e.g., 00.01 Salad for the produce section), keeping them in order for quick shopping.

    Bonus Tip: Grocery Pick-Up for Even More Time Savings

    When my husband and I got sick and couldn’t go inside stores, I discovered online grocery ordering. Many stores offer it for free, and you can:
    ✔ Save frequent purchases for quick reorders.
    ✔ Prevent unwanted substitutions.
    ✔ Pick up groceries without stepping inside.

    For the Paper Lovers…

    If you prefer a physical list, here’s an easy method:

    1. Save a month’s worth of old grocery receipts.
    2. Type them into a master list.
    3. Take that list to the store and organize it by aisle.
    4. Print it out and keep it by your fridge for easy check-offs.

    Do these grocery list tips make sense to you? Or do you have an even better method? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear!

  • From Overwhelmed to Organized

    Like most people (at least the ones I know), I started the year with great intentions. But that’s all they were—until a few years ago when my eldest daughter shared how she plans for the new year starting in December.

    At first, I didn’t think much about her process. I’d always been task-oriented and focused on what needed to get done, both in my work and personal life. I was a planner with endless checklists, and while I accomplished plenty, it was hard to measure what I’d achieved over 365 days, 8,760 hours, or 525,600 minutes. Looking back, I realized I wasn’t tracking my progress in a meaningful way.

    Last year, inspired by my daughter, I planned my entire year—not month by month, but task by task. My list lived on my phone, where it was easy to access and check off items. I organized it into three categories: Personal (household chores, self-care, etc.), Financial (budgeting and organization), and Writing (how many novels I’d write, classes I’d take, and social media goals to connect with readers).

    Did I achieve everything? No, but I got about 75% of my tasks done, and I had a LOT on that list. My husband teases me for trying to fit five pounds into a two-pound bag, but I’ve learned that having a plan—even an ambitious one—gets me further than having no plan at all.

    After publishing my most recent book, Across Oceans Through Time: A Story of Enduring Love, I dedicated December to planning the year ahead. Using the same three categories, I rolled over unfinished tasks from the previous year and added new ones. Unfortunately, life threw a curveball: both my husband and I fell ill during our Christmas road trip to visit family. As a result, I’m still finalizing my plan, but I’ve embraced the mantra: better late than never.

    One of my goals this year is to return to writing short blog posts. I’ve missed blogging and realized how much I enjoy it. So here I am, sharing not just my planning journey but also some practical tips that has helped me tackle one of life’s dreaded chores: managing paper clutter.

    The key question: what do you keep, and what do you pitch? Here’s my system:

    One Month (For Paper Lovers)

    • Receipts for non-deductible items: I prefer electronic receipts but keep a plastic zip envelope for deductible ones.
    • Deposit slips and ATM slips: Rarely needed, but I save them briefly.
    • Reconciled bank statements: These are electronic, so I keep them indefinitely.

    One to Three Years

    • Checkbook ledgers, paycheck stubs, mortgage statements, and insurance records: All electronic now.
    • Charitable contributions and proof of deductible purchases: A mix of paper and electronic files.

    At Least Seven Years

    • Tax returns and supporting documents: These include W-2s, 1099s, medical bills, and mileage records. Most are digital.

    Forever (Stored in a Fireproof Safe)

    • Vital documents: Birth certificates, marriage licenses, auto titles, and investment statements.
    • Major receipts: For home improvements and significant purchases.
    • Estate planning documents: Wills, insurance policies, and retirement plans.

    Last year, I tackled the monumental task of sorting through my late mother’s estate documents and organizing decades of family records. Using expandable plastic folders, I created a system for each family member. It was a huge accomplishment—and one I’m incredibly proud of.

    For shredding, I keep a banker’s box in the garage. Each year, I take it to a community shredding event and start fresh.

    Everyone’s method will differ, but the key is finding a process you’ll stick with. What works for you? I’d love to hear your tips—maybe I’ll learn something new!

     

  • From Overwhelmed to Organized

    Like most people (at least the ones I know), I started the year with great intentions. But that’s all they were—until a few years ago when my eldest daughter shared how she plans for the new year starting in December.

    At first, I didn’t think much about her process. I’d always been task-oriented and focused on what needed to get done, both in my work and personal life. I was a planner with endless checklists, and while I accomplished plenty, it was hard to measure what I’d achieved over 365 days, 8,760 hours, or 525,600 minutes. Looking back, I realized I wasn’t tracking my progress in a meaningful way.

    Last year, inspired by my daughter, I planned my entire year—not month by month, but task by task. My list lived on my phone, where it was easy to access and check off items. I organized it into three categories: Personal (household chores, self-care, etc.), Financial (budgeting and organization), and Writing (how many novels I’d write, classes I’d take, and social media goals to connect with readers).

    Did I achieve everything? No, but I got about 75% of my tasks done, and I had a LOT on that list. My husband teases me for trying to fit five pounds into a two-pound bag, but I’ve learned that having a plan—even an ambitious one—gets me further than having no plan at all.

    After publishing my most recent book, Across Oceans Through Time: A Story of Enduring Love, I dedicated December to planning the year ahead. Using the same three categories, I rolled over unfinished tasks from the previous year and added new ones. Unfortunately, life threw a curveball: both my husband and I fell ill during our Christmas road trip to visit family. As a result, I’m still finalizing my plan, but I’ve embraced the mantra: better late than never.

    One of my goals this year is to return to writing short blog posts. I’ve missed blogging and realized how much I enjoy it. So here I am, sharing not just my planning journey but also some practical tips that has helped me tackle one of life’s dreaded chores: managing paper clutter.

    The key question: what do you keep, and what do you pitch? Here’s my system:

    One Month (For Paper Lovers)

    • Receipts for non-deductible items: I prefer electronic receipts but keep a plastic zip envelope for deductible ones.
    • Deposit slips and ATM slips: Rarely needed, but I save them briefly.
    • Reconciled bank statements: These are electronic, so I keep them indefinitely.

    One to Three Years

    • Checkbook ledgers, paycheck stubs, mortgage statements, and insurance records: All electronic now.
    • Charitable contributions and proof of deductible purchases: A mix of paper and electronic files.

    At Least Seven Years

    • Tax returns and supporting documents: These include W-2s, 1099s, medical bills, and mileage records. Most are digital.

    Forever (Stored in a Fireproof Safe)

    • Vital documents: Birth certificates, marriage licenses, auto titles, and investment statements.
    • Major receipts: For home improvements and significant purchases.
    • Estate planning documents: Wills, insurance policies, and retirement plans.

    Last year, I tackled the monumental task of sorting through my late mother’s estate documents and organizing decades of family records. Using expandable plastic folders, I created a system for each family member. It was a huge accomplishment—and one I’m incredibly proud of.

    For shredding, I keep a banker’s box in the garage. Each year, I take it to a community shredding event and start fresh.

    Everyone’s method will differ, but the key is finding a process you’ll stick with. What works for you? I’d love to hear your tips—maybe I’ll learn something new!