It's Not About Your Stuff

How to clean your garage-one man's journey from chaos to order

This great information came to me via the folks at unclutterer.com, one of their readers sent in this fabulous photo journal of his experience clearing out the clutter from his garage. Wow. I am impressed.

This is the type of job that we do at In Perfect Order, my organizing company, but this man undertook the task all on his own, rebuilding one of the walls in the garage so that it functioned better for him and he was able to store everything that was strewn around the space and make room for cars and even a couch for his wife to relax on! The most amazing part is he accomplished this in one day!

Take a few minutes and check out his step by step instructions:

Mike Hathaway's garage transformation

If you have performed anything like this recently and feel like crowing about it, I would love to see your photos and hear about your process!

Let's all celebrate and inspire one another together.

Remember, I am on your team!

..• ´¨¨))  -:¦:-
         ¸.•´ .•´¨¨))
       ((¸¸.•´  ..•´   Jessica -:¦:-

     -:¦:-    ((¸¸.•´*

Michael Moore's Sicko

I'm not going to say too much, but because I honor Michael Moore's mission of exposing the truth with compassion and humor, I make it a habit of going to see his movies on opening day. (here's the trailer)

Yesterday, I went to see 'Sicko', Moore's non-partisan expose of the health insurance industry in the U.S. It wasn't so much of an expose as a compassionate observation and one man's heartfelt attempt to understand why the United States, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, takes such poor care of her citizens when it comes to health care. I laughed, I cried, I was outraged. This is an important film that every U.S. citizen should see.

All I can say is PLEASE, go see this movie, and I would love to hear what you have to say about it. I know it's controversial, I know it's biased, but no matter what, it will make you think.

Where can you see Sicko? Type in your zip code and find a theater.

Video interviews with Michael Moore and the producer in Cannes

Michael Moore's website

Remember, I am on your team!

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       ((¸¸.•´  ..•´   Jessica -:¦:-

     -:¦:-    ((¸¸.•´*

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some thoughts on what to do with the stuff you already have...from Unclutterer.com

A few years ago, I did an on site interview with one of the staff writers for the Seattle P-I newspaper, Rebekah Denn. Her article, featuring *ahem*: me! was the cover article for the then brand new @Home section of the paper. The link above is for the sidebar to the article, this one is for the full article:

Seattle P-I article

photos courtesy of the Seattle P-I

For the interview, I helped the author clear out the 'launch pad' area in her kitchen. (shown here 'before' in the photo) One of my favorite moments of the day came just at the end, when something magical occurred. Rebekah Denn writes:

One item in question [to declutter] was a tall, oceanic porcelain vase. In our student days, we had debated for months until we could justify buying this beautiful piece long admired at a gallery. But its seaweedy fronds had broken in the Nisqually earthquake, and since 2001 we had hidden it on a kitchen shelf, clumsily packed in bubble wrap, though we didn't think it was reparable. Yet it didn't feel right to trash it, so we didn't...

Keep whatever is truly important to you, but if it's worth keeping, it's worth using or displaying.

Near the end of Duquette's visit, as she spritzed the counter and wiped its freshly unearthed surface, we thought some flowers might add to its appeal. I started to move a vase I regularly use and love -- a cut-glass creation now filled with fresh tulips -- to the newly cleaned surface.
Instead, Duquette took the $200 vase broken in the earthquake, poured water into its glazed interior and filled it with the purple flowers. Rather than just broken pottery, the vase suddenly had a new life as functional art rather than sheer decoration.

We love having it in our lives again, as Duquette knew we would. We were filled with inspiration. We got the message. For a first step, at least, her work was done.

I hadn't thought of this experience much over the last two years, but this morning as I was checking my email, I got a blog feed from over at Unclutterer.com that was talking about just that: Using What You Already Own.

Here's a bit of what their advice and I couldn't agree more:

Are there items in your home that need to be reclaimed? Are you storing anything just to store it? Are you hiding things that you love? An uncluttered home means that there is a place for everything that you own, and that everything is in its place. What I learned from my sugar bowl [that she now has in her cabinet and uses every day] is that some of the things that I own weren’t in their best places. Spend some time over the next few days evaluating your things and identifying if they are in their best place and if you’re using what you already own.

I am encouraging you, my dear readers, to do the same. Let's get inspired by the Unclutterer story and the one from Seattle. Try to uncover up to three things that you haven't used in years for one of the following reasons and start loving it again by using it. And let me know in the comment section what you did and how you feel about it.

Four pathetic reasons excuses people don't use things but insist on keeping:

1. I don't want to ruin/break/use it up. (!)

If you are not going to enjoy it, why did you buy it? It's not doing anyone any good in the closet! Take it out and let it enhance your life. So what if your three year old stains it with ketchup or magic marker? Life is for enjoying NOW, not for preserving for some future mythological time when you or your family or guests won't stain anything! Even grown-ups spill wine, sauce, gravy, etc. Use it or lose it, trust me, you won't regret it.

2. I didn't know where it was/I forgot I had it.

Remember all those wedding gifts people gave you years ago? Those silver platters, crystal vases, blenders, toasters, etc. They are not too beautiful to use on your family in daily use. They are V.I.P.s, aren't they? Haul them out of the garage, attic, basement, cave, give them a good washing and start using them! What if the house burned down tomorrow? You would have never gotten to use that handmade tablecloth that your best friend brought back from France that you love so much. That would be sad. If you don't have a family, then have a party! Get those things back in circulation. Treat yourself like royalty and see what comes your way.

3. It doesn't go with my decor/lifestyle.

Then sell it on eBay, regift it to someone who will love it, take it to the thrift shop that offers a valued tax donation receipt. Sometimes, things come back around in style. Pull those things out and see how you feel about it now. You may be surprised!

4. I don't have any use for it now, but I may need it someday so I don't want to get rid of it.

Sorry, but this is a lame excuse to keep something. As in the story above, if you love something, prove it by utilizing it somehow in your life. Here's the secret: it doesn't have to be for the original purpose! If you have a cup that you bought in Hawaii during spring break when you were in college and want to have the memory preserved forever, why not put that on your desk or kitchen counter to hold pens? You get the idea, a little creativity goes a long way...

One last thought: your stuff gets stale and lifeless when it is neglected and creates a stagnant energy field around it that magnetizes clutter to it. If you don't believe me, look in your junk drawer! Start thinking in terms of 'freshening up' your life, that's how the energy starts to flow...

My clients tease me all the time because I am always chanting to them 'use it or lose it'. So, I am eagerly awaiting to hear about what you unearth. If you have photos you want to send me, I will be happy to post them here!

Is there an essential oil for this, you might ask? Of course! I would try Highest Potential, Inspiration, Hope, Release, En-R-Gee, Awaken. Wow, you can really get things moving with those lovely scents!

Remember, I am on your team!

..· ´¨¨))  -:¦:-
         ¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
       ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   Jessica -:¦:-

     -:¦:-    ((¸¸.·´*

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If you feel drawn to hearing more about these transformative and healing oils, please contact me here.

I don't have a PDA, but if I did... *Dad, you do!

This lifehack comes via...well, Lifehack.org: (this one's for you, dad!)

When you are in a big parking lot and likely to forget where your car is, here are a couple of ideas (some of them were from the comments):

photo courtesy of TripScribe

1. add the location to your to-do list, especially if you have a PDA.

2. take a photo of the location with your cellphone camera (don't have one? If you have a bad memory, maybe it's Time To Get One!) The commenter reminds us that we need to delete the photos after we find our car again! [this is my favorite hack! I'm going to use it next time I am at the mall or something.]

3. Write the location down on the back of your parking ticket. I'm thinking this hack has a few kinks for several reasons:

a) not all parking lots give you a ticket that you take with you.

b) you sometimes turn in the ticket before you get to your car!

c) you have to have a pen handy.

4. I use the panic button on my key ring. This only works if you have one, and if you are close enough to your car for the magic waves to reach it, but if you are...your car is the one that is flashing and honking and making other people grumpy.

photo courtesy of wadny.com

I have a little story about this. One time, I was in Burbank waiting to pick my daughter up at the airport, and I parked my car in one of the megaplex covered parking lots and went to a movie. When I got back, my car was gone. GONE. How could it be towed from a parking lot? A FREE parking lot? Luckily, the key fob on my Explorer had a strong signal to the car and I realized by the commotion that my car was actually on the same level in the twin parking structure across the street! No one but me saw how red my face was that night and that's when I developed CarHack #6.

5. I am terrible at remembering sequences of numbers for some reason. When I change phone numbers, it takes me weeks to memorize my new number, unless I sing it! I make up a little song about the numbers and it's much easier for me to 'replay' it when I need it, for some reason. I also use this for where the car is parked. example?

make a song about: level B, aisle F, row 6, slot 84 on the third floor.

6. The way I remember (when I remember to do this!) how to get back to the car, is that I talk it out. I actually give myself verbal directions out loud, and for some reason, this helps. I also use this hack when I move to a new location. For the first few weeks, as I am driving home, I am giving myself directions out loud, that way when it comes time to tell someone else how to get to my house, it's already embedded in my memory. And since I live in the wilds of Topanga Canyon, this is critical!

So, what do you do about finding your way?

Remember, I am on your team!

..· ´¨¨))  -:¦:-
         ¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
       ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   Jessica -:¦:- 

     -:¦:-    ((¸¸.·´*

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Getting Financially Free says...

Zero-Based Budget. Sounds good to me. Does that mean that I have no money left over or no debt? uh-uhn. It means I am taking responsibility for where my money goes and comes from. unh hunh.

photo courtesy of vowelmoovement

Find out from the savvy SJ Peer of Getting Finanaces Done (or at least I think that's what his name is!)* the step by step way to do this.

GFD is a site to teach couples and individuals how to achieve anxiety-free financial control. I can get behind that. Anxiety-free financial control. I can honestly say I have never experienced that feeling, and that is something that is high on my list.

I am thinking about giving his system a try...especially since Quicken 2007 Personal Finances is on sale for less than $40 (I know he says not to start out that way, but I am a rebel!). I have a bookkeeper extraordinaire, Joan, The Tax Queen, who keeps all my finances for my business and personal life, but sending her all my stuff sometimes makes me feel removed from the day to day motion of green stuff coming through my life.

But. I like spreadsheets. And routines and when everything lines up, so the idea of a zero-based budget appeals to me. Especially if it's easy. From the website:

What is a zero-based budget?

A zero-based budget is one where your total income minus your total expenses equals $0. In other words, it forces you to assign every dollar of income to an expense (or savings) category. As Dave Ramsey puts it, you’ll be “spending your month’s income on paper” before you spend it in real life.

So, I would like to start tracking my personal expenditures and seeing where the money goes. I have always been one of those people (in the past) who had no idea how much is in her checkbook, I just 'pay & pray'. So far, for the most part, I haven't gotten into too much trouble, but in the last few years, I have allowed myself to rack up quite the debt. I honestly couldn't tell you what it is from, I live a simple life. Sometimes, when I am thinking about debt, I realize that debt is just another form of clutter, and clutter is the way we avoid responsibility in our lives. Debt is money clutter. And so what have I been avoiding? It's funny, I didn't get into debt until I moved to L.A. about six years ago. It wasn't even that I have more expenses, although I do, but my income grew as well, or that I bought a lot of stuff. What if my debt was about being lonely, and not feeling taken care of?

Dear readers, if you looked deep inside, would that make sense in your life? That you created debt as an expression of rage, rebellion and resentment that you have to be an adult and take care of yourself? Wouldn't it be fabulous if that realization put you on the road to debt recovery?

Here's a link to a previous post on Paying Yourself First. Right this very minute, as I am writing this post, I will set up an autopayment of $100 per month to go into my savings account. That is my commitment to myself.

So, what's yours, anyone? Just take one small step and I would love to hear it in the comments box below. You don't need to be a blogger to comment!

*[Bloggers, unless there is a safety issue for your anonymity, please put an About page that tells us who you are, that's what blogging is, human beings sharing information with human beings!]

Remember, I am on your team!

..· ´¨¨))  -:¦:-
         ¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
       ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   Jessica -:¦:- 

     -:¦:-    ((¸¸.·´*

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Values help, but I don't think that's all there is

Once again, my fabulous friend and fellow organizer, Ariane Benefit of Neat Living Blog, has written a thought-provoking post about the clash that some folks have when all the members of the family don't have the same standards of organizing. I don't have a TV (*gasp) so I am not familiar with the new show she mentions, Under 1 Roof, but it sounds great!

Here is an excerpt from Ariane's excellent post:

When you look and listen deeply to people talk about how their clutter came to be, it's easy to see that clutter is actually a physical manifestation of the beliefs, feelings, thoughts, and conflicting priorities going on inside you -- AND between you and other people living in your home.  When you work with people and their things, it's important to understand that beliefs, feelings and thoughts aren't stable!  They change as we react to things and messages in our environment.

There is so much more in the post, I highly recommend you read the whole thing!

Here are my two cents:

In my experience as an organizer, most of the couples I see use clutter to play out their marital strife. It's a form of what I call 'crooked communication' and to a degree, it 'works'! (please see my Ask The Organizer post on 5 Minutes for Mom)

If the underlying issues aren't addressed, you can have all the fancy schmancy organizing systems in place, you can have a beautiful printed-out version of family's collective values, but the bottom line is, it's gonna go back to chaos, because the fundamental problems were not acknowledged and addressed.

Who is angry at whom and for what? Don't get me wrong, I believe that you certainly can benefit from looking at shared or individual values during the process of making peace in the home, but I am concerned (and I don't have a TV, so I haven't seen the show) that people will think it's simpler than it actually is. Until an atmosphere of trust and agreement in the process is out in the open and all parties involved 'opt in', not much will change long term. You can't change your outsides in any sustaining way until you are committed to making an internal change.

I have even noticed that some people choose to stay in their chaos and clutter in order to avoid admitting that they are no longer in love with their partner. How this shows up is intense resistance, blaming and an insistence that they are the victim in the situation.

'Getting organized' is all about taking responsibility for your life on every level and that takes a kind of courage that our culture does not model or support.

That's why I feel so honored (and I hear this same sentiment in Ariane's writing all the time as well) to witness the process that my clients go through when we work together on the phone or in person; the courage and devotion to their process and the Truth takes my breath away sometimes. They inspire me to dig deeper, look more closely and tell on myself more often!

So...good morning, good evening, good afternoon, whatever time it is right now. Do you feel blessed? Grateful? Honored by what you have created in your life? If not, what are you willing to do to shift things so that you are radiantly living your life?

Try watching that movie The Secret. It's 1 1/2 hours long, so it takes time, but I just saw it again for the second time and I am going to watch it again soon. There are so many incredible nuggets there and each time, it gives me a renewed sense of excitement at what I can accomplish!

and please, always remember:

Remember, I am on your team!

..· ´¨¨))  -:¦:-
         ¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
       ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   Jessica -:¦:- 

     -:¦:-    ((¸¸.·´*

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WAHOO! GET OUT! (of your rut, that is...)

Some of you will remember a post I did way back several months ago called Coffee & Creativity? You bet! Well, I have an addendum to that post, as I just found a fabulous new blog to subscribe to (now I have to get up at 5:30 to read all my blogs!)

Check out fellow S.O. B. and cartoonist Tony Clark's Success From The Nest! A fabulous blog about working at home, tips, strategies, musings. His post on WAHOO! is right on, we all need to get out of our PJs every so often and actually interact with other humans. WAHOO stands for Work At Home Offsite Office...take a look: WAHOO!

Remember, I am on your team!

..· ´¨¨))  -:¦:-
         ¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
       ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   Jessica -:¦:-

     -:¦:-    ((¸¸.·´*

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Pay Yourself First

Pay Yourself First. I've often heard those words, wanted to do just that. In fact for quite a while a few years back, I was going strong on keeping aside 10% of every check I deposited, squirreling it away in a special savings account I had opened for that purpose, but then a few things happened that changed everything:

1. I got a merchant account and so figuring out the 10% wasn't so easy as when I was depositing the checks myself.

2. I hired people for my company, so part of what I earned went to paying them, and figuring out 10% got confusing.

3. I had an emergency situation that drained my savings account, and for some reason, I could never seem to get back in the habit.

That habit, that 'pay yourself first' habit, is crucial if you want to get out of debt and have the experience of financial abundance. All the money gurus I have read agree, paying yourself first is essential. Just do it!

One of the other reasons that I haven't been so determined to pay myself first is that I got confused as to exactly how to do it. Lucky for me, today I came across a great blog called Women'sPersonalFinance.net, an excellent resource for anyone who wants to keep their financial act together. In a recent post about paying yourself first, the author tells us:

When you set yourself down to pay your bills each week, every other week, or at the end of the month, the first payment made should be to yourself. Decide beforehand on an amount that you can commit to for at least six months, and deposit it into an account, maybe one that you can’t access that easily if you like to  spend, like an IRA.

The trick is to do this even when you think you can’t afford it.  After this important bill is paid, pay your other bills as usual.  If you find out that you don’t have enough cash to cover your monthly expenses, you’ll need to find some way to raise the extra funds. Maybe have a yard sale, work a few extra hours, cut back on your cable/satellite TV bill, etc.  Whatever you need to do, do it-and do it each and every month.

Photo courtesy of Maybank2u.com

If this sounds too hard, ask yourself if being in this same financial situation for the rest of your life sounds like a better alternative.  No matter how much money you make, there will always be bills that need your attention, so you can’t wait until you get that big raise or promotion to start saving- you need to do it now. (read the full post here)

So...bottom line: start today. Just do it! I'm gonna.

Here are some great books on financial abundance:

The Wealthy Spirit by Chellie Campbell- a page a day for financial abundance. I love Chellie!

From Zero to Zillionaire by Chellie Campbell- a practical look at how to manage your money. An easy read that can help you get from point A to point B.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki- the classic. This book changed that way I perceive my relationship to work and my business. Ya gotta read this book. Period.

The Energy of Money by Maria Nemeth- a spiritual, not 'woo woo' look at what money is and how it shows up in our lives.

Think and Grow Rich- Napolean Hill. This timeless classic comes to you as a free download of the entire book! If you've never read this book, take the time, it will change your mindset. Every financial guru I know has read this book many, many times. It can be tough to slog through, but well worth the effort. (ebook courtesy of Financial Freedom Made Simple)

The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles. Another timeless classic. Another free download. There is something mystical about this book, anyone who reads it starts to see money pouring in. Let me know what happens to you!

This just in: a recommended author, Dave Ramsey...

Financial Peace University

Remember, I am on your team!

..· ´¨¨))  -:¦:-
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       ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   Jessica -:¦:- 

     -:¦:-    ((¸¸.·´*

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Excuses for your clutter...is there an excuse?

Thanks to John Trosko over at OrganizingLA Blog for posting a list he developed a few years back, a sort of composite of the things he heard from his clients. Honestly, I couldn't have said it better myself, John! Here are a few of his 12 Top Serious Excuses for Keeping Clutter:

photo courtesy of NCF.ca

Everything can be used for something else in the future.

Creative people make messes-- so they're completely okay to make.

I like everything out in the open so I can easily find it.

I like collecting things... it is in my genes.

I want one of everything (for creative projects) so I can pick the textures/colors, etc. when I work on something.

Clothes:  My passion for shopping is still so comfortable; I spend so much money on clothes, I can't get rid of clothes even if I don't wear the piece; maybe it will fit someday; it was one of my favorites, I can't give it away, etc.

To read the rest of the excuses, go here: John Trosko's OrganizingLA Blog

What's YOUR excuse?

Remember, I am on your team!

..· ´¨¨))  -:¦:-
         ¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
       ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   Jessica -:¦:-

     -:¦:-    ((¸¸.·´*

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Stop Bad Credit in it's Trax!

There are a zillion ideas out there on how to repair your credit score. How do you wade through all the information? Well, I just felt so overwhelmed by the whole thing that I turned to an expert for help.

I called Anne Hilbert of Stop Bad Credit, and already I feel the incredible relief that comes from taking the bull by the horns.

artwork by John Marshall

I spoke with Anne for a Three Minute Wisdom session (I think I'm going to have to rename that, I always go over!) and she offers us some easy to understand and effective tips for making sure you aren't lowering your credit score.

Thanks, Anne! That really helps...

Remember, I am on your team!

..· ´¨¨))  -:¦:-
         ¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
       ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   Jessica -:¦:- 

     -:¦:-    ((¸¸.·´*

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