 While having dinner with my friend Bette this evening we discussed how getting organized saves money. When I got home, I Googled that topic and found many insightful links. Here's one that I thought you'd find interesting. Get organized and save money ... you are off to a great start in 2016! Good for you!
How Being Organized Can Save You Money www.moneyunder30.com/how-being-organized-can-save-money Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  This tip will help you stop procrastinating and get clutter reduced in your home. Inspire and motivate yourself with the “Quick Start” project. It should take no longer than 30 minutes. Next, try the “Keep Going” tip to really put clutter and chaos in its place!
Quick Start: Set your watch ten minutes ahead. You’ll have a built-in buffer for running late. Keep Going: Any task that can be completed in five minutes or less should be completed right away. Schedule a chunk of time each day to handle paperwork. Don’t schedule appointments too close together. © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  Are your cookbooks a recipe for disaster?
Take control with these simple tips. Evaluate and pare down: Gather all your cookbooks in one spot. (That means checking not only the kitchen, but also all bookshelves throughout the house.) You'll recognize your favorites, so set those aside. Then, consider donating any books unfamiliar or unused for the past year. Find a central location: From now on, keep all cookbooks and recipes in one area for easy access and awareness. Organize in a way that makes sense to you, such as by author, culinary region, or type of food (vegetarian, soups, desserts, breakfast, etc.). Create a recipe binder: Set up a three-ring binder for your recipe clippings. Create sections (such as main course, veggies, salads, desserts) with tab dividers. Glue recipes on both sides of heavy 8-1/2 x 11 paper, and then slip the papers into clear plastic page protector sleeves. Make clippings pass the test: It's tempting to clip every great recipe you see in magazines. If you do, create a "holding" envelope where recipes must past your taste test before being added to your recipe binder. Remember the "in/out" rule: Each time you add a recipe to your book, remove an old one (or two) that is no longer a favorite. Go paper-free: If you're ready to go digital, there are many apps that can help you make the transition. In addition to being able to peruse and virtually "clip" new recipes, you can often scan (or take photos) of your cherished family recipes to upload into virtual collections. Or simply start a Pinterest board to collect your new favorites! You can have one, single board for all your recipes, or, even better, start a board for each category of food. Give these tips a try, and start enjoying your kitchen (and the joy of cooking) with less stress and more ease! © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 http://www.energizeandorganize.com  It sure is cold outside here on the Cape! This is a great time of year to stay nice and toasty warm inside while tackling those organizing projects that often get postponed for spring, summer and fall leisurely bike rides, refreshing swims and invigorating hikes!
Take a good look at this organized basement photo. What do you see? Like with like! Notice how the sorted and categorized groupings (toilet paper, hand soap, dish soaps, trash bags, bleach wipes, coasters, batteries, tape, sponges, Ziplocks, vases, teacups, paper goods, plastic cups, light bulbs, frames, etc.) can save you time and money because you know exactly where to find those items and know if the supplies are in need of replacement or not. Being organized means you spend less of your free time searching for items and less of your income purchasing the items repeatedly simply because you couldn't find them in the first place. These cool time and money saving tips are a wonderful way to keep warm this winter! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  Well, the AFC Championship game is over and the Denver Broncos are on their way to the Super Bowl. Congratulations to the Broncos for a game well played and to the New England Patriots for an amazing season of hard work and inspired perseverance under adverse circumstances. The Patriots did their job week after week and came up a bit short yesterday. No throwing in the towel for this team ... the New England Patriots will be back better than ever next year!
Speaking of throwing in the towel, did you know that getting your linen closet organized will help you reduce the amount of laundry you do, cut down on your water usage, save time and care for Planet Earth? Group washcloths, hand towels and bath towels in categories and consider using hand towels instead of bath towels when you bathe/shower. Remember, four hand towels are the same size as one bath towel! When you shop, select hand towels over bath towels and purge unwanted towels with a kind donation to your local animal shelter! Visit www.petfinder.com to search for animal shelters and welfare groups in your community. Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  These bronze ducklings, pictured on Old Boston cobblestone in the Boston Public Garden, have delighted Boston residents and city visitors for the past 29 years! Children of all ages enjoy sitting on the ducklings and fondly recall Mrs. Mallard, her eight little ducklings and their wonderful adventures in the classic Robert McCloskey Make Way for Ducklings storybook. Did you know that spirited individuals dress ducklings, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack and their mother duck in special event, holiday themed and/or seasonal clothing throughout the year?
Today the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos meet to play the AFC Championship game. Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings are ready to cheer on Tom Brady, Coach Belichick and the team! How about you? Are you ready for an exciting afternoon? Being organized makes your game day festivites great fun! Party plates and napkins? Check! Tasty appetizers? Check! Cold and hot beverages? Check! Have a great time watching the game and may the best team win! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  Falmouth, Massachusetts (Winter, 2015) Here comes the snow! News reports predict that 85 million people are in the path of this massive, powerful and potentially historic East Coast snowstorm. Are you and your loved ones organized and well prepared?
Create winter weather zones in your home by gathering all of your winter clothing (hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, neck protectors, ear warmers, boots, waterproof shoes, coats, jackets, etc.) in one zone; all of your shovels, ice melt, rock salt, etc. in another. When you group like with like, you will save time searching for needed items and will be well organized and well prepared for Mother Nature's Winter Wonderland! Remember that driving conditions are predicted to be hazardous. If you must leave your home, be sure that the trunk of your car is well organized with emergency supplies including a blanket, booster cables, broom, cell phone adapter, compass, road map and/or GPS, emergency flares and reflectors, first aid kit, flashlight and extra batteries, road salt or sand, shovel, snacks, water, whistle, windshield washer fluids and scrapers. Be warm, safe and well! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  Happy 80th Birthday!
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  It's January 21st and you likely remember that it takes 21 days for a new habit to "stick". How are you doing with your New Year's resolution to get organized? Making good progress?
Getting organized is a multi-faceted process and it takes time. Remember that the clutter and chaos that you are tackling did not appear overnight but rather represents days, weeks, months and in many cases years of accumulated personal history. Enjoy these three inspirational quotes as you celebrate your wonderful progress and success. Just think, you are well on your way to creating harmony and balance in your life and surroundings. Well done! 1. Happiness is the place between too little and too much." -Finnish Proverb 2. "The difference between try and triumph is just a little "oomph"! - Marvin Phillips 3. "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow." -Mary Anne Radmacher Energize and Organize is here to help you make significant improvements in your well-being and to create the life and surroundings you envision for yourself! Please contact us when you are ready to work together to create harmony and balance for yourself and your loved ones. We look forward to hearing from you! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  Twenty percent of Americans identify themselves as victims of identity theft. (Source: Privacy and American Business.) Don’t let yourself join those alarming statistics!
With the help of your social security number, a thief can steal your identity and wreak havoc with your credit status and life. Best case, the thief will go on a spending spree with your credit cards. Worst case, he’ll get new cards, open new accounts, take out loans, and/or commit a crime in your name. You’ll spend up to 600 hours and $1400 in out-of-pocket expenses to clear your name and repair your credit. Here’s what you can do today to keep yourself — and your good name — safe. • Never carry your social security card in your wallet. It’s just too dangerous to have that information where it can fall into the wrong hands. Also, don’t carry your birth certificate or passport unless absolutely necessary. • Be very cautious when giving out your social security number. Most places that ask for it do not require you to provide it. Ask first, “What happens if I don’t want to provide that?” • Make sure your mail is delivered to a locked box. Or try to collect your mail as soon as it’s delivered to your mailbox. Place outgoing checks or sensitive documents directly in a postal service collection box. And opt out of receiving unsolicited credit card offers. • Carry only the bare minimum of credit cards in your wallet. Opt for credit cards with your photo on them. And don’t carry your checkbook. • Don’t use common identifiers for passwords. For example, don’t use your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, or your pet’s name. Make it difficult for thieves to impersonate you by adding passwords to your financial accounts. Change passwords frequently. • Opt out of having your financial information shared by banks and brokerage and insurance companies. Federal law requires these companies to give you the right to opt out of having your information shared. • Toss computers with care. Make sure to completely wipe out all information on the hard drive before you discard. © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  Are you overwhelmed by email correspondences? Are you dreaming of "inbox zero" (empty inbox)? Take heart and action ... you can get your email in order! Here are some email organization tips and suggestions for you to implement at home and/or in your office. Remember, it takes 21 days for a new habit to "stick"! 1. Establish a specific, predetermined block of time(s) during the day to check and respond to email. Keep to your schedule. You do not need to check and check and check your emails constantly throughout the day! 2. When you do read your emails, take action immediately by deleting messages that do not require a response and deleting messages that are promotional ads or spam. Unsubscribe to unwanted ads, etc. Respond within 24-48 hours to emails that require your attention and action. This will help to cut down on the number of emails that are filling up your Inbox in a week. 3. Organize your Inbox by marking messages with categories, folders, labels and subcategories. Some folder titles might include Action, Archive, Reference, etc. Did you know that you can create a "rule" to automatically sort your incoming email (articles, blogs, newsletters, etc.) into specified folders ?
4. If you are comfortable with the idea, simply delete every email and start with a clean slate. That is not a likely solution for most email users, but it's an interesting option! Good luck! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  For millions of Downton Abbey viewers around the world, the positively exquisite clothing worn by the fashionable Crawley women and their relations is endlessly fascinating and much admired. It's now Season Six with very few episodes of the beloved PBS British Costume Drama show yet to air before the finale on March 6th. There is no time like the present to celebrate this wonderful program with an afternoon tea and clothing swap with your family and friends in your own home!
Please remember that there are many charities in great need of clean, gently worn clothing. Be sure to visit the Charitable Donations Information page on this website for specific donation sites and/or to arrange for pick up of your clothing donations. Thank you! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com
Cherish and celebrate your little ones' artistic creativity with portfolio storage systems and framed gallery displays. Have fun making your own or shopping together for one. Children's artwork is unique, unrepeatable and truly priceless!
When I graduated from college, my parents gave me a scrapbook filled with special pieces of my art, family photos, and memorabilia my mother had saved since I was a young child. I simply don't know how she managed to find the time while raising six children, five of us a year apart from one another, but she did and that scrapbook is one of my greatest treasures. Have fun getting organized and creating a life-long gift for and with your little ones, too! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  Source: Wayfair This tip will help you stop procrastinating and get clutter reduced in your home. Inspire and motivate yourself with the “Quick Start” project. It should take no longer than 30 minutes. Next, try the “Keep Going” tip to really put clutter and chaos in its place!
Quick Start: With the exception of bills to be paid and truly important documents, grab all the paperwork you can find into one big pile. Plop it in a big box, seal it, and write today’s date on it. If you haven’t missed any of it two months from now, recycle the entire box without opening it. Keep Going: Set up a new, easy filing system starting with paperwork you receive from today forward. Think of broad categories of papers you receive on a frequent basis: bills to pay, people to call, medical, school, etc. Get a desktop filing box, keep it in the kitchen, and file only what you’ll truly need to reference later. Be ruthless in your paper disposal. (Shred sensitive documents.) Review filebox contents weekly. Touch paperwork only once: Open mail, and immediately act on it and recycle the paper, or file it in the appropriate spot. © 2016 Articles on Demand™ With a quick Internet search or stop in your local Target or Container Store, you will discover that there are many different styles and types of desktop organizers. You might find that you already have one in your home or office, too. Even a simple shoe box will work! Set it up, put it to good use and enjoy your new paperwork organization and management system! Remember, it takes 21 days for a new habit to "stick" and backsliding (when progress towards a goal has been reversed) is common, sometimes unavoidable and definitely recoverable. With a little hard work, you will soon notice a big difference and huge improvement in the organization and management of your paper! Best wishes! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  We are half way through January and it's a great time to take a look at our New Year's resolutions and goals! Here are some tips to make this your best year yet!
Follow these tips to goal-making success! 1. DECIDE ON A GOAL: The first — and sometimes hardest — step to goal making is selecting a goal. So many people make the same resolutions each year: quit smoking, lose weight, get organized. And then they quickly abandon them. This year, ask yourself, “What do I really want? How can I make myself happier?” Brainstorm a bit and come up with five to ten ideas. Then select one or two to work on. The goal doesn’t have to be daunting; in fact, it should be realistically attainable. 2. WRITE IT DOWN: The next step to achieving your goal is to write it down. By doing this, you are making a commitment with yourself and are more likely to follow through. Only about 5% of the population writes down its life goals, which may be one of the reasons that at least 50% of people who set New Year's resolutions have abandoned them by the end of January and up to 90% call it quits by April. As you write your goal, concentrate on the positive, and make it specific and attainable. Instead of one big daunting New Year’s resolution, try to list a series of smaller steps that will get you there in manageable increments. Also write down WHY you want to reach your goal. Once you reach it, how will your life improve? 3. MEASURE AND EVALUATE: Another key to goal-keeping success is to define ways to measure your success. By using a time table, you’ll force yourself to be accountable. Look at your goal in the short-term, mid-term and long-term. For example, don’t say, “I will get organized this year.” Say instead, “I will organize my closet this week,” “I will evaluate my overloaded schedule next month,” and “I will ask someone to help me organize my paperwork by the end of March.” Keep your written goals posted where you can always see them: your computer monitor, a bathroom mirror, the refrigerator door, or your daily planner. On your calendar, write down your task completion dates so you can evaluate your successes at least once a week. (If the goal you’re working on involves changing a habit, remember that it usually takes 21 days to change a habit.) At the end of a goal achievement, reward yourself — treat yourself to a small gift or relaxing activity. Celebrate what you have accomplished and move on to the next goal activity. And every few months, look at the goals you have set for the year. Do you still want to focus on these goals? Give yourself permission to change your goals and resolutions based on your life changes. 4. GET HELP: If keeping yourself motivated and moving forward can be tough, or if the thought of goal-making terrifies you, consider enlisting the help of a trusted friend, family member or co-worker. Consider hiring an expert in your area of change, such as a professional organizer, personal trainer, or financial planner. © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Energize and Organize is here to help you make significant improvements in your well-being and to create the life and surroundings you envision for yourself! Please contact us when you are ready to work together to create harmony and balance in your life and surroundings. We look forward to hearing from you! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com 
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  Today is the day that the largest jackpot in lottery history may be won. When talking about taking chances in life, my friend Chuck once told me, "You can't win if you don't play!" To all who have taken a Powerball chance, good luck! Everybody is a winner when they create harmony and balance in their life and surroundings! Have you reduced the number of catalogs coming into your home (www.catalogchoice.org), the number of telemarketing sales calls disturbing your breakfast, lunch and/or dinner (www.donotcall.gov) and the amount of junk mail filling your mailboxes (www.dmachoice.org)? Yes? Congratulations, you are on your way to winning your own organization jackpot! Well done and good for you!
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com 
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com 
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com 
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com |
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