Simplified Living Solutions, Clear the way to a simpler life!

Simple Crafty Recycling Idea

In response to my blog last week about giving your Christmas cards to St Jude’s Ranch for Children, I received the following suggestion from one of our blog readers, Debra Lagemann with Seven Sisters Home Designs. With her permission I am copying it here for you to enjoy. I think it’s a fantastic idea!

“I keep this year’s Christmas cards to make next year’s gift tags. I cut out a pretty, cute or fun picture from the front, punch a hole into it, write to and from on the back and tie it onto the package. Every tag is different, I don’t have to spend money for tags and I get to enjoy last year’s cards for another moment. Then I put the rest of the card into recycling.”

An Exciting Announcement - The Stuff Stop®

I’m writing today about a dream of mine that has finally come true. I’ve always been passionate about connecting people’s unwanted stuff with people who need that very stuff. I was passionate about this long before I became a professional organizer and that passion has only gotten stronger since I began seeing how much stuff was ending up in landfills. Last Wednesday I launched a new website that I created called The Stuff Stop®.

The Stuff Stop®. is a FREE nationwide community resource that helps people dispose of the things they no longer need, use or love in a responsible, green way that helps others. With just a simple click of your mouse, you’ll be provided with information on various local charities and ministries that will help you connect your unwanted stuff with people in your area who need it, or you’ll be given options for recycling, shredding or disposing of your unwanted stuff in a green way rather than ending up in a landfill.

The Stuff Stop®. was created in response to the question we hear so often from people who are ready to part with their belongings – “I don’t want this but I don’t want to throw it away. What should I do with it?”.

You can also like The Stuff Stop® on Facebook.

Getting Things Done

If you need reminders and motivators to help you get things done, you might want to check out the iDoneThis website. Based on your replies to their “What’d you get done today?” emails they send you every day, they will keep tabs for you on a calendar that shows what you have accomplished.

You can look to your streak from yesterday to motivate you today.

Chance to Get Organized for Free

Our friends at Rubbermaid just launched the Give the Gift of Organization Contest! They know first-hand that organization can give you more time to give back to the community, yet it can be hard getting started. They wanted to reward those who give everything to others and help them get more organized so they have a little peace of mind. They are offering a $5,000 organization makeover to someone deserving. Check out the contest and nominate someone who has made a difference in your life.

Get Ready for Tax Time

You may be scrambling around trying to find all of your paperwork for your 2011 taxes. Why not plan ahead for next year’s taxes now. I’m sure you already have paperwork coming at you that you have to keep for 2012. It’s not too early to determine a home for your 2012 receipts to live in for the year.

The 13-pocket expanding file is one of my all-time favorite organizing products. And it’s so inexpensive on top of that! Simply file your receipts by vendor – Target, Office Max, etc. If you enter your receipts into an accounting program throughout the year, simply file them in this great accordion file after you’ve entered them. Stick a label on the front identifying what year they are for and you can quickly find the information at any time.