Transcript from Chat

[DebbieWilliams] Hello everyone. Ready to get your home organized?
[frugalfannie] oh yes - hi Debbie
[MRosa] hi Debbie
[kumara1] i wonder.. if its possible
[cmona1] YESSS!!!!!!
[DebbieWilliams] hi, frugalfannie. welcome
[frugalfannie] now that the summer is over I'm trying to get organized room by room
[DebbieWilliams] Before we get started, I wanted to remind you all that as organized as I try to be, I'm still only one person <g>, so bear with me as I try to answer your questions.Who would like to ask the first organizing question? Anything driving you absolutely nuts? kids room, home office clutter, kitchen?
[cmona1] I've just joined FlyLady.net. Have you heard of it? It starts in the kitchen with shining
[frugalfannie] Filing away bills is one problem - when to toss them and when to keep them
[cmona1] your sink....but what about under the sink? How do I organize it????
[kumara1] yes paperwork..
[DebbieWilliams] cmona1, you can organize under the sink in a few different ways....
[frugalfannie] trying to keep up w/ personal and husband's business papers
[DebbieWilliams] keep things near the source where they will be used.
[DebbieWilliams] that means that if you use kitchen soaps and don't have little ones around, you can probably keep those cleaners under the sink in the cabinets...
[Ruth] My garage is driving me nuts, I can't hardly walk in it, I just can't get started. It doesn't help that it comes up whenever my husband & I argue. Makes me want to dig in my heels and definitely not do it.
[DebbieWilliams] but if you need to childproof, use that valuable space for something else
[frugalfannie] speaking of garages - I just cashed in 85.00 worth of cans!
[DebbieWilliams] there are special organizing racks that actually fit around the sink drains so you can double your space. Or you can use small plastic tubs or trays that pull out to retrieve cleaners, wraps, or plasticware
[DebbieWilliams] frugalfannie, as for those papers.....
[frugalfannie] do you have a website that sells just home organizing stuff?
[DebbieWilliams] you need to figure out what is current and what can be archived, then sort by type such as catalogs, bills to pay, subscriptions, etc.....once you get things sorted you can take action (pay, file, followup).
[frugalfannie] I keep a pile of "to pay" bills but how much do you have to keep as far as stubs/receipts go?
[DebbieWilliams] the main thing to remember with files is not to duplicate and to keep anything pertaining to your taxes. I recommend contacting an accountant for specifics, but as a guideline, keep all your paycheck stubs, insurance records, and bank statements for at least 7 years (some say 10, others say indefinitely). Box them up at the end of each year and they'll become archive files, making room for current ones in use.
[frugalfannie] i feel like i always have piles of papers everywhere.
[DebbieWilliams] frugalfannie, I personally toss out old stubbs at the end of each year. I have records of payment with my cancelled checks (or can access them if need be). In 20 years of keeping house, I've only needed to retrieve an old bill once. I pull old subscriptions as the new one is paid. and I only keep the paper that is pertinent to my business-- I toss out the mailing envelope and filler ads that just take up space in my file cabinet.
[DebbieWilliams] Ruth, the first thing you can do to clear some of the garage clutter is to utilize all that vertical space. or go
- horizontal. just get stuff up off the floor!
[DebbieWilliams] ...Hang lathe strips (wooden strips of board) about 3 feet below your ceiling (lower if you're short like me!) with wood screws. Then nail in roofing nails (long ones) to hang stuff from.
[Ruth] When I get my mail, I open it by my purse. If I get a bill, I open it, get out my checkbook, seal, stamp, record the check, amount and date on the statement or stub and Mail it that day. No more lost or late bills. It's a monkey off my back.I like your ideas Debbie on what to do with the rest of the paper. Thanks.
[DebbieWilliams] ...you can hang long-handled tools, coils of wire and rope, just about anything from these nails. Hang shelving for tubs, or if your garage has the space on the side or front, you can use a freestanding metal shelf to hold small cans of paint, cleaners, automotive products. Put smaller items into tubs, grouped by use (plumbing, automotive, crafts, woodworking, gardening, etc.) and LABEL! Clear tubs aren't as pretty to look at, but you can almost skip the labeling step since you can see
[DebbieWilliams] Ruth, great idea! You can't procrastinate if there's nothing in your stack. Good tip! And I'm glad you liked the others. Everyone has a different style so the system has to be modified for their own use. (and that of their spouse)
[bigred] Garage clutter is the worst....any tips??
[DebbieWilliams] bigred, yes it is. I just shared a few tips with Ruth before you joined us-- can you see any of that dialogue on your screen?
[bigred] Is anyone here??????
[DebbieWilliams] bigred, we can see you. if you can't see the dialogue, you may want to exit and re-enter the chatroom
[bigred] No, I can't? I'll reenter
[DebbieWilliams] ruth, I hope that helps a bit. do you have any other home organizing questions, or perhaps a tip to share ?
[Sjbshipp] Type HERE I don't think we can see dialogue that occurred before we entered
[DebbieWilliams] welcome back bigred. I hope you'll be able to see the chat dialogue on your screen.
[Ruth] I wish we were having company and that they had to use our garage for their car, that could spur me into action. Thanks for your tips.
[DebbieWilliams] Sjbshipp, good point. thanks. if anyone has questions that don't get answered or were covered earlier, please feel free to email me directly at: debbie@organizedtimes.com . I'll be happy to give you a few tips to get you going!
admin> I'll be posting a transcript of the chat at www.shelovesgod.com/chat 
[DebbieWilliams] Ruth, you're welcome! Funny you should mention having company. My mother was a realtor and that contributed to her highly organized habits. She tried to keep the living room and most of the house ready just in case it was going to be shown for sale. Sure keeps things in perspective, doesn't it!
[bigred] Can you share the best tips for de-cluttering in general?
[DebbieWilliams] Thanks Marnie! Be sure to check out the transcripts at shelovesgod.com/chat. And thanks so much for sponsoring this chat, providing a place for us to gather and regroup in our efforts to keep an organized home for our families.
[bigred] Is it over?
[DebbieWilliams] bigred, wow, that is a big question! If I had to boil it down to one thing, it would be two little words: BE CONSISTENT. Create a schedule, make a home for items, and maintain them on a regular/routine basis. consistency in organizing, as in discipline or exercise, is crucial to success!
[bigred] Great advice . . .thanks!
[Sjbshipp] We recently purchased the assembled white cabinets from Home Depot and had them hung in our garage. This has certainly helped with garage clutter.
[DebbieWilliams] the chat is not over yet. I just wanted to provide you all with the SheLovesGod.com site so that you could visit the rest of the conference this week. ;) we'll be here through the hour tonight
[DebbieWilliams] you're most welcome, bigred!
[jamie] I feel like I am on a roller coaster I do good for a while then things pile up and by the time I get caught up it happens again any suggestions?
[DebbieWilliams] Wow, Sjbshipp, that's awesome! Having things up off the floor must help a lot, not to mention behind closed doors.
[bigred] How much storage does a family really need? I feel like however much storage space I have means that's how much clutter I'll have. . .Does it have to be this way??
[DebbieWilliams] jamie, that is so common--- most people do that. It's just like disciplining your children. If you aren't consistent with them, they're either really good or horrid! Nothing in between, right? But once you figure out your game plan, tell them the rules, set boundaries and limits, and consequences, things start getting better and staying that way.
[DebbieWilliams] ....you then have to work at it every single day or they regress. I realize kids are not puppies <g>, but they are easily distracted and find it hard to focus without strong leadership and guidance from their parents.
[Sjbshipp] I always seem to be overwhelmed with paper. I thought that the computer was supposed to have helped this, but seems that I have more than ever that needs to be saved
[DebbieWilliams] ..........it's much the same with staying organized. Nearly everyone can GET organized by reading a book, hiring a professional organizer, having a friend help them, buying lots of Rubbermaid tubs....but daily maintenance is key to keeping things organized on a regular basis.
[jamie] My kids should not have a problem because I have everything in a place and labeled but somehow we still do
[bigred] aah.....CONSISTENCY is the key to most things I am learning and it's the hardest thing for me to do!
[jamie] same here
[DebbieWilliams] ....yes, papers are a bit culprit in any family. office, home--- it's everywhere!
[Ruth] Hope you have this again, have to get to bed so I can get up at 4 and get 3 solid hours of quiet, uninterrupted work, reading or coffee time in before kids get up! Thanks, enjoyed it!
[DebbieWilliams] the first thing I would do is get off mailing lists. I can email you the contact information to get off junk mail lists if you'd like.....the next thing is to open your mail over the trash can. that saves you a step (literally) and keeps you from putting a pile down without taking action...
[jamie] I would like to get that address
[Sjbshipp] That would be great!
[bigred] me too please!
[DebbieWilliams] Goodnight Ruth! Thanks for joining us. Rest well
[DebbieWilliams] Jamie, email me at: debbie@organizedtimes.com and mention the junk mail list. I'll send you the info
[bigred] Debbie, have you always been organized?
[bigred] Cause I'm wondering if some people are just naturals at it. ..??
[DebbieWilliams] bigred, funny you should ask that. I was asked that today during a magazine interview. yes, I have always been organized, but I still work at it every single day. You see, I hate housework! (shh, don't tell!)
[DebbieWilliams] so being organized, cleaning as I go, keeps me from doing the heavy duty cleaning I so detest!
[walknluv] hello room
[jamie] at least you were always like that when you haven't been for 32 yrs and you try to its really hard!
[DebbieWilliams] if I don't have a lot of knickknacks out, it's less to dust. and if I do a little laundry each day, it's less to fold and doesn't eat up a whole day during the week.
[bigred] I just moved into a tall 2 story home and am curious how to go about cleaning the windows from the outside?
[DebbieWilliams] it really is much less work and I'd much rather "pick up a few things" than clean the house. ugh!
[Sjbshipp] But what would you do if you had a husband that clutters as soon as you clean?
[DebbieWilliams] welcome walknluv. tonight's chat is conquering household clutter
[walknluv] thank you
[walknluv] how do we conquer husbands that like to create clutter?
[DebbieWilliams] jamie, if it helps any, I'm married to a packrat! it's a daily struggle for me. and my five year old son is quickly learning those packrat/collector ways. I set limits, lower my standards a bit, and we do a LOT of talking!
[walknluv] i hear that.... i have four sons that have picked up their fathers habit
[DebbieWilliams] bigred, I haven't tried it yet, but Windex makes a spray on cleaner that connects to your waterhose. no rinsing. I intend to try it at the end of this month.
[bigred] Thanks Deb! I'll let ya know!
[DebbieWilliams] okay, I'm trying to catch up with your questions here. and I just read 2 questions about husbands!
[walknluv] lol
[Sjbshipp] We tried the Windex---o.k., but some streaking
[DebbieWilliams] these are Chaos Creators, and they can really unravel your organized world- but fast!
[DebbieWilliams] don't give up, but don't expect them to raise themselves to your standard of organization, either.
[bigred] Is the Windex worth a try Sjbshipp?
[Sjbshipp] Well, unless you have professional washers, it is probably your best bet
[DebbieWilliams] I've been married 18 years, and the first 5 or so, I just knew I could change him. the clothes trail HAS gotten shorter--- it's confined to the bedroom and bathroom floor now. But the poor guy will never find the trash can in the kitchen, wash a dish, or throw an item of any sort away. I think it's just not in him!
[Sjbshipp] I think THEY are just smart!
[bigred] So Debbie it sounds like you have tried to accept your hubby as he is??
[DebbieWilliams] so we came up with a system that works for us both. Hanging a peg rack in the closet for his coat (he won't use a hanger), a hook in the closet for slightly used clothes (he won't hang them or fold them up), and I ask before I throw ANYTHING away. It seems to be working, but I change it about once every 3 months or so.
[walknluv] my hubby isnt that bad.. kinda.. i have made an area for him in the bedroom that he can stack his bits n pieces... when its full..i put it into a rubbish bag and place it in the garage for him to sort thru
[jamie] do you use a zone system for your house?
[DebbieWilliams] bigred, you bet! Afterall, it's a full time job just taking care of myself and my son-- I'm not the mother of my husband. It's not my place to tell him how he should dress, act, or declutter. But I can offer advice or ask how I can help him-- sometimes he lets me, other times I just close the door, shudder, and walk away!
[bigred] What's a zone system Jamie?
[walknluv] i saw the zone system oprah it looks good
[jamie] like fly ladys where you clean certain areas at certain times during the month
[DebbieWilliams] Jamie, zone systems are great. I call mine Work Centers, since I have a background as a teacher, but it's the same principle
[bigred] Deb can you sum up what work centers are please?
[DebbieWilliams] sure thing! you want to cluster your stuff where it will be used, which is not only efficient timewise, but helps make a home for these things when it 's time to put them away (and find them again)....
[bigred] Thanks so much Debbie and ladies! I have to get my daughter to bed but I will check in at the site later. This has been fun and helpful! God Bless.
[jamie] bye
[DebbieWilliams] for instance, Kid Clutter. I created an Art Center in the kitchen, using a stacking drawer system from a local home store. the top drawer is play doh, middle is drawing supplies, bottom is arts and crafts. It not only consolidates all my son's art supplies, but reminds him to use this stuff in the kitchen. I don't like play dough in the carpet, ink pen tracing the wainscoating in the living room, or glue on the cat!
[DebbieWilliams] bye bigred. thanks for coming
[DebbieWilliams] in the kitchen you might create a Baking Center, Prep Center, etc. Store things where they are conveniently used, not where you have room leftover. We have time for one more question or comment before wrapping things up tonight.
[DebbieWilliams] Any questions about paper management, garage clutter, or zones? Or something we haven't yet addressed?
[DebbieWilliams] Please feel free to visit my website, www.organizedtimes.com , for a free grocery list form and other home management tools.
admin> Thanks Debbie, this was great! I hope to have a transcript posted tonight at www.shelovesgod.com/chat for anyone who wants it.
[jamie] thanks for all the info!
[DebbieWilliams] Marnie, thanks so much for sponsoring this Get Organized chat tonight. We had a great turnout and sharing these tips with your online visitors was an honor.
[DebbieWilliams] Jamie, you're most welcome. thanks for joining us
[DebbieWilliams] Good night, everyone. and thanks again for sharing your tips and questions.
[jamie] night
admin> Thank YOU, Debbie!