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Household Help: The Cost Of Disorganization...Can You Afford It?
Saturday, March 31 @ 16:20:29 CDT by Samantha (280 reads)
|  pattyk writes "For many, being organized means a place for everything and everything in its place. For others, it means nothing. The true definition of being organized is being able to find things when you need them, not 3 weeks later.
But if you ask me, being organized means saving BIG money...period. Simply put, time is money. If you waste time all day long looking for things, you are wasting money.
If you spend just 5 minutes of every hour of an 8 hour day (how often do we only work 8 hour days?), looking for things, that adds up to over 4 weeks per year (166 hours). Many times, we spend hours looking for something. It adds up fast when you take each employee's hourly rate of pay and multiply it by 166 hours per year.
For example: $15/hour X 166 hours X 10 employees = $24,900/year thrown away! OUCH.
The worst part is (yes it gets worse!) that most small business owners and managers average even more wasted time...as much as eight weeks per year! So what can be done to eliminate most of this wasted time?
Get READY...
For starters, if you are not as organized as you'd like to be, you have look inside yourself and explore WHY you are not organized. By revealing your nature, you can learn to work with your habits instead of against them. Over the years, we develop excuses, obstacles and reasons to avoid getting organized. Here are a few examples:
* You might need it someday!
* If you can't see it, you forget it
* You have too much stuff!
* Your stuff needs a home.
* You grew up with clutter.
* You have too much to do!
* Not enough storage space.
* You are very sentimental.
* You have had major changes in your life.
Get SET...
Second, you have to take the time to look at your space and map out what you want the space to look like when you are done before you touch the first piece of clutter. In this step, you will need to:
* Do a Needs Assessment
* Define the activity for the room
* Use Logic
* Make a drawing of the room
* Make a list of what you will need
* Have a realistic time schedule
* Have the URGE TO PURGE
GO!
Finally, you get to declutter by sorting and putting away in a methodical fashion.
Most folks skip the Ready and Set steps and just start to tear into the clutter but don't develop any long lasting systems. This Band-Aid(R) will only last a short while before you have clutter creeping back into your life.
In order to make the paper clutter go away, a simple process is necessary. When it comes to papers and office clutter, I recommend the E.A.S.Y. system. There are only four things you can do with a piece of paper.
Eliminate it
Act on it
Send it away
You file it
If you create four piles that correspond to the E.A.S.Y. system as you sort, decision-making becomes more concise and narrow.
The bad news is that getting organized takes time and commitment. It has to be on your list of priorities for it to really become achievable.
The good news is that getting organized is simple if done methodically and it pays off. Not only does organization provide a less stressful work environment, but it also boosts morale, increases productivity and positively affects the bottom line.
Can you afford to be disorganized? Could you stand to be more organized? Schedule the time to declutter and soon you'll be inspired to continue because you'll feel like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders!
Here's to simplifying your life!
(c) 2007, Kreamer Connect, Inc. Permission granted to reprint this article so long as the text and by-line are not changed and reprinted intact with all links made live."
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Household Help: Easy way to Tackle Cleaning
Sunday, March 05 @ 13:01:50 CST by samantha (518 reads)
|  Lily writes "Do you have one of those really big, filthy, completely disorganized cleaning jobs to get after? It it that one client you really dislike? Worse yet, is it your house?
Either way, you can tackle it quickly and efficiently is you are organized and know "how" to approach cleaning a big job, room by room and through each room. Here's how!
First, make a checklist. Put on there everything you need to do. If it looks to long just keep adding items. Take it with you in your pocket to every room and a pencil, too. The idea is to cross off everything you finish so you get a great sense of accomplishement as you move through the house. It also reminds you of things you might forget so you never have to go backwards.
Always start at one end of the house and work your way to the other. If its multiple stories start at the top and work your way down. If its one level, start in the bedrooms and work you way to the kitchen.
In each room, always clean top to bottom. Start at the ceilings with cobwebs and spider webs and work your way down the walls, windows and to the floors.
Wash walls, windows and then vacuum. After vacuuming dust. When you dust, start at the top and work down.
Be mobile and prepared. Take all your cleaning tools with you into each room. Avoid unnecessary trips back and forth.
Unplug the phone and turn off the T.V.
Eliminate clutter as you go, too. An uncluttered home looks better than one that is dust-free but strewn with odds and ends.
A house that smells fresh will give the impression of cleanliness. Leave baking soda on carpeting for the night to absorb musty odors, vacuum in the morning. Place natural soy candles scented with oils around the house. Lightly scented but not overpowereing cleaners will give your house that special "nose sparkle" clean, fresh scent.
Keep a big mat on both front and back porches to cut down on tracked in dirt.
Keep a basket in the kitchen for the mail, newspaper, car keys to help with clutter.
Keep a hamper in every bathroom and in each child's room.
Check your checklist off at this point and your finished!!
"
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Household Help: How Can I Deal With it All?
Thursday, September 22 @ 21:20:46 CDT by samantha (486 reads)
| lsandham writes "Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile long? An in-tray that's about to collapse? Closets that are jam-packed with junk and a stack of family photos?
Now school is starting and things are just going to get worse! How can you deal with it all?
" Note: About Lisa Martin
Lisa Martin, PCC, is the author of the acclaimed Briefcase Moms: 10 Proven Practices to Balance Working Mothers' Lives. She lives what she writes and talks about. Mother of a six year-old son, a certified executive coach with 20 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience, and the founder and president of Briefcase Moms®, she is all too familiar with the tug-of-war and challenges of work-life balance. Lisa has helped thousands of career-oriented women and men define, establish and maintain work-life success via her proprietary learning systems - 90 Days to a Balanced Life and Briefcase Parent Solutions™ Briefcase Moms.
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Household Help: Everything you want to know about black berries!
Monday, May 02 @ 14:44:15 CDT by samantha (682 reads)
| Monicas_Mommy writes " Here's everything you every wanted to know about black berries. With their season upon us, learn a thing or two about the sweet fruit that's loved by many. Also, there are some great Black Berry Recipes so you know what to do with them once you've got them.
We're nearing the time of year to go out gathering black berries, so remember a little safety goes a long way. Try to wear gloves if you can to protect from the thorns. Keep an eye out for snakes-they love black berries too! And be sure to wash your black berries before using them."
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Household Help: Freshen Up Your Home Without an Extreme Makeover
Tuesday, February 15 @ 21:01:45 CST by samantha (948 reads)
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(ARA) - Remodeling a room (or several rooms) in your house can be a big undertaking. Of course, there’s practical planning that goes into it. Can you live there during the remodeling? Will you need to move in with relatives, or rent an apartment? Or, can you stick it out with the dust, tarps and lack of facilities?
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Household Help: Stop Energy Bills and Home Comfort from Going through the Roof
Wednesday, December 29 @ 20:58:43 CST by samantha (1268 reads)
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Stop Energy Bills and Home Comfort from Going through the Roof
(ARA) - When winter sets in, homeowners rush to close up their homes -- the one thing they think will keep them comfortable during an uncomfortable season. Storm windows are hammered in place, drafts are sealed and the heating is cranked up. What homeowners don’t realize is that this can affect the ventilation in your home and, as a result, send your family right to the doctor with sore throats, runny noses and breathing problems.
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Household Help: Keep Odors at Bay in Your Home
Thursday, December 09 @ 11:24:45 CST by samantha (757 reads)
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Pleasant Smells Evoke Beautiful Memories
(ARA) - Special memories can be triggered by lots of different things -- something you see, a sound, and especially a smell. Odor-related memories are among the most powerful, often without our even realizing it...
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Household Help: Thanksgiving Dinner Help
Tuesday, November 23 @ 23:21:52 CST by samantha (718 reads)
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The clock is ticking, and you want everything to be just right...right? We gathered an emergency hot line list to help you through Thanksgiving, and help you to make your Thanksgiving dinner memorable for all the right reasons! By the way, you may want to click on the icon below for a printable version an stick this on your fridge just in case!
Turkey Help Lines
Butterball Turkey Talk-Line: 1-800-BUTTERBALL
The Turkey Talk-Line from the folks at Butterball is a great place for answers to turkey questions. The line is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM CST from now until December 21. And the best part of all: it's open Thanksgiving day, starting at 6 AM CST!! TDD line: 1-800-TDD-3848. Bilingual help is available.
Honeysuckle White Help Line: 1-800-810-6325
This line offers pre-recorded answers to lots of your turkey preparation questions-still very helpful!
Perdue Farms: 1-800-473-7383
All you need to know about roasting, carving, stuffing, gravy and turkey leftovers.
Reynolds Turkey Line: 1-800-745-4000
This hotline is open 24 hours a day. Call to get the best tips about cooking using Reynolds products.
USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline: 1-800-535-4555
Great for food safety, including storage, handling and preparation of the Thanksgiving turkey, call the USDA hotline weekdays from 9 AM to 3 PM CST. (TDD line: 1-800-256-7072)
Other Baking Help Lines
Fleischmann's Yeast Baker's Help Line: 1-800-777-4959
This helpline, for all your questions about breads and rolls, is open Monday - Friday from 9 AM - 7 PM, all year long.
Ocean Spray Consumer Helpline: 1-800-662-3263
Learn everything you ever wanted to know about cranberries, including ideas for using leftover canned cranberry sauce. The hotline is open Monday - Friday from 9 AM - 4 PM EST, all year round. And it's open on Thanksgiving!
Land O’Lakes Holiday Bake Line: 1-800-782-9606
Any and all baking questions are answered from 8 AM to 7 PM CST at Land O’Lakes from now until Christmas Eve.
Hershey's Consumer Hot Line: 1-800-468-1714
Let the folks at Hersheys walk you through every chocolate question you've ever had. Ask for recipes too! This line is open Monday - Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM EST, all year round.
Betty Crocker Hotline: 1-888-ASK-BETTY or 1-888-275-2388
This phone line is open Monday - Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM CST, year round. Get information on everything from baking perfect cookies to delicious gravy.
Libby Consumer Hot Line: 1-800-854-0374
Are you stressed about your pumpkin pie? Get tips and advice, plus recipes using canned pumpkin. The line is open Monday - Friday from 8 AM - 8 PM EST, all year round.
With all of these experts on hand, you can't go wrong. Above all else, have fun this Thanksgiving!!
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Household Help: Useful Cleaning Tips
Wednesday, October 06 @ 09:24:32 CDT by samantha (651 reads)
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Author: Mrs. Party... Gail Leino
Flies or bees bothering you? Spray them with hair spray and
they will take a quick dive. Sealed envelope - Put in the
freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The
envelope can then be resealed. Use Empty toilet paper roll to
store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on
the roll what appliance it belongs to. For icy door steps in
freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dish washing
liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.
Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag,
dipped in baking soda. Comes of with little effort (elbow grease
that is!). Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like
store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel. Whenever
I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of
scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to
throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided
that this would be much more economical. And now a box of S.O.S.
pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the
scissors get sharpened this way! Opening brand new jars can be
a feat in itself. Well, I have found a way to make it the
easiest thing to do. Instead of banging a jar of jam, pickles,
etc., with a knife until it loosens up, I simply reach into the
drawer and pull out the handy nutcracker. It adjusts to the size
of the jar and I simply give it a good twist and off pops the
lid! Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little
peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood.
Works every time! Use vertical strokes when washing windows
outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell
which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside
windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They
will dry too quickly and will probably streak. Spray a bit of
perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light
scent in each room when the light is turned on. Place fabric
softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell
freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with
towels and linen. Candles will last a lot longer if placed in
the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning. To clean
artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the
flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust
and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new!
Works like a charm! To easily remove burnt on food from your
skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water
to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.
Spray your Tupperware with non stick cooking spray before
pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.
When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit
of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on
the outside of the cake. Wrap celery in aluminum foil when
putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks. When
boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out
the corn's natural sweetness. Cure for headaches: Take a lime,
cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will
go away. Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into
ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces. To get rid
of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and
you will experience instant relief. Ants, ants, ants
everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line.
So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever
ants tend to march. See for yourself. Use air-freshener to
clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a
lovely smell to the shine. When you get a splinter, reach for
the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply
put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch
tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily. Now look
what you can do with Alka Seltzer.
* Clean a toilet. Drop in two
Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The
citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China.
*
Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase
or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.
* Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of
water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
* Clean a thermos
bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer
tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).
*
Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka
Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White
Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.
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Household Help: Keeping it Clean - Naturally!
Tuesday, August 31 @ 17:08:42 CDT by samantha (702 reads)
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As Moms, we are concerned with what products we use around our home, and there are a lot of companies out there that are willing to sell you 'safer cleaning products'-but you may be overlooking some that you already have in your pantry!
Try some of these tips: baking soda:mix a few drops of essential oil and use as a carpet deodorizer (shake on, wait 15 minutes, vaccum up).
vinegar:pour a small amount into a bowl and place on a high shelf to absorb odors.
hydrogen peroxide:disenfects and removes mold.
club soda:shines and cleans windows and fixtures. Spray onto plants and wipe of for plant cleaner.
salt:mixed with water, it destroys bacteria.
baking soda & vinegar:rub baking soda into dry stain, then dissolve with vinegar and blot.
lemon juice:removes tarnish and grease.
baking soda & vinegar:great cleaning rinse for stainless steel.
vinegar:cleans grease, lime, film on fllors, soap build up, and deodorizes toilet.
baking soda:pour down clogged drains, then follow with vinegar (1 cup)-wait 30 minutes then flush with hot water.
We'd all like to be more earth friendly, and now you can with out spending a lot of money, and with out changing much from your normal shopping list!
Do you have some earth friendly cleaning tips? Click on get published and submitt your tip today!
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