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Newsletter Archives
December 2011
Fresh Start
November 2011
Organizing for a Flight
October 2011
Closet Organizing
September 2011
Organizing for Retirement
August 2011
Warning Signs of Disorganization
July 2011
Essential Organizing Tools
June 2011
Where Do I Start?
May 2011
Reclaim the Garage
April 2011
In Case of Emergency
March 2011
Organizing for Dementia
February 2011
Organizing for Guests
January 2011
Paper Overwhelm
December 2010
Top Ten Causes of Disorganization Revisited
November 2010
Just in Case…Organizing for Death
October 2010
Kitchen Organizing
September 2010
Photo Organizing
August 2010
It’s the Small Things
July 2010
Procrastination
June 2010
Expert Organizing Tips
May 2010
Tips from my Clients
April 2010
Tips for Setting Up a Garage Sale
March 2010
Unusual Ways to Organize
February 2010
Staging your Home for Sale
January 2010
Favorite Places to Buy Organizing Products
December 2009
Wrapping It Up
November 2009
Prepare the Pantry
October 2009
Costumes & Decorations
September 2009
Enough
August 2009
Help for the Home Office
July 2009
Getting Crafty
June 2009
A Better Bedroom
May 2009
Eco Organizing
April 2009
Getting Ready to Garden
March 2009
The Path To Clutter
February 2009
Easing Into Downsizing
January 2009
Organizing For Renovation
December 2008
Organizing For Next Year
November 2008
More Of My Favorite Organizing Tools
October 2008
Making Life Easier
September 2008
Clearing The Closet
August 2008
How To Let Go Of Stuff
July 2008
Managing Medical Records
June 2008
Road Trip Organizing
May 2008
Collections Instead of Clutter
April 2008
Getting Ready for Tax Time
March 2008
Where to Begin
February 2008
When You Want to Help
January 2008
Top Ten Causes of Disorganization
December 2007
Organize for Air Travel
November 2007
Organize for Small Spaces
October 2007
When Life Happens, Reorganize
September 2007
Bathroom Organizing
August 2007
Paper Organizing
July 2007
Uncluttered Kids' Rooms
June 2007
Top Ten Organizing Tools
May 2007
Grapple The Garage
April 2007
Managing Your Time
March 2007
Spring Organizing
February 2007
Help for Caregivers of Aging Parents
January 2007
National Get Organized Month
December 2006
Year End Organizing
November 2006
Give Thanks for Being Organized
October 2006
Holiday Kitchen Organization
September 2006
In Case of a Weather Emergency - Organize!
August 2006
Back to School Organizing
July 2006
Declare your Independence from Summer Clutter
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ORGANIZING TIPS OF THE MONTH: SEPTEMBER 2011
Organizing for Retirement
Retirement is a time to lift burdens. There comes a point when a big house, large yard, and lots of possessions lose their appeal. Ease, simplicity, low maintenance become attractive goals. Organizing can help.
- Decide where to live: Staying in your current home? Downsizing? Moving to a different climate or lifestyle? Where you live determines what you keep.
- Start early: Most of the time we have an idea of when we will retire. For a smoother transition, follow the Scout motto and “Be Prepared.” At the very least, take time to write out a plan and time line.
- Clear out often: Do one closet or room at a time, then 6 months later do it again. Once you see how good it feels to have fewer possessions, the more you will find that needs to go.
- Start easy: Don’t start with sentimental hot spots—children’s art work, wedding dresses, trophies. Go through neutral territory—old magazines, broken appliances, things you don’t like and don’t want to move.
- Spread the wealth: Tell family and friends you are clearing out some items and ask if there is anything in particular they would like to have. Your decision will be easier if you know your things are going to someone who wants them.
- Reduce for the greater good: Even if you have plenty of storage space, reduce the burden for your heirs by clearing out clutter and unused stuff.
- Reduce for your own good: People don’t realize how much energy possessions drain from them. If you have stuff, you have to store it, maintain it, search through it for other stuff. In retirement, use your energy for doing things you enjoy, not for coping with possessions.
- Be safe: Face it, retirement comes with age and with age comes some decline in our bodies. Go on a safety patrol through your home. Remove tripping hazards such as décor items near steps and door, rugs that slip, knick knacks on the floor.
- Have simple limits: Measure your storage space and measure your stuff. If you have more stuff than space, the stuff needs to go. To make limits easier, buy a set number of easy to lift bins. What you keep must fit in those bins.
- Start fresh: Retirement is a fresh start. Consider a major clearing out of furniture, old towels, dishes, decorative items. Begin the new chapter in your life with up-to-date furnishings—in just the right amount.
copyright © 2011 Cheryl Harrell all rights reserved
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