FreedomFiler, our most popular filing system, has added new features and specific improvements to it's home filing kits!
Some of the improvements include: improved colors, more write-on tabs, new section headers and much more!
They have even improved their pricing!
For more information or to purchase, go to www.perfectharmonyorganizing.com/Organizing-Products.aspx and scroll down to FreedomFiler!
Got Clutter? You Need Harmony!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Stop the shop-ping!
In these tough financial times, many people are wasting their resources on what I call ‘feel good’ shopping. As a professional organizer, I hear a lot of excuses for why people shop. -“I got a great deal!” -“I didn't like the one I already had.” -“I couldn’t find the one I already have” -“I felt like I deserved it.” By the time clients call me for help, they have dozens of items they bought, often times months earlier, still unopened. Complete with original bag and receipt! ‘Feel good’ shopping is done based on emotions. The stuff you end up with is like a roommate that sleeps on your couch, eats your food, drops the towel on the floor but doesn’t pay rent! It sucks up your energy, your hard earned money and your square footage. Life is stressful enough. Your home should be your sanctuary where you can recharge and relax, not another trigger for concern.
How do you know if you ‘feel good’ shop? Do you buy things that sit unused or only get used once? Do you tell everyone about your purchase until the newness wears off, then it’s out of sight out of mind? Do you regret your purchase because you realize you won’t use it or didn’t need it? That’s a ‘feel good’ purchase and you have to control yourself. Try the following exercise:
Think about something you have purchased in the past that you wish you hadn’t. Something that makes you think ‘I wish I had that money back’. Be especially conscious of the emotions you’re experiencing while doing this exercise. Remember those feelings! Next time you want to make an impulse purchase pull those feelings out and pause. Do you want to feel that way again? Be absolutely positive about whether you should walk it to the register. If you’re not, then you’re only cheating yourself.Some other things you can do:
Ask yourself, ‘Is this an emotional purchase or is it a necessity?’ ‘Do I need it or do I just want it?’
Don’t buy it right away. Wait a day or two; if it’s still just as important to you after a few days, maybe it is a good purchase.
Unless it’s toilet paper, DON’T buy it just because it’s on sale!
First, figure out your personal reasons for ‘feel good’ shopping. Once you have, it’s easier to stop. Sit down and really tear it apart. Don’t forget honesty is the key and there is no justifications allowed. You deserve a stress-free, enjoyable life. If you have the time to do the shopping, you have the time to diagnose the behavior behind the shopping. A few reasons my clients have told me that they shop is depression, a sense of entitlement, empowerment, loneliness, stress relief (although it only relieves the stress until they get their end of the month statements). Only after you’ve figured out the reasons, can you begin correcting the behavior.
Next, you have to commit to NOT shopping! Items necessary to everyday life only. Groceries, utilities, housing, etc. No more ‘feel good’ shopping AT ALL!Time to Purge...
Haven’t used it? Let it go! Donate it, sell it, offer it to friends, but get rid of it.Love it? Show it off! If you’re not willing to display it, you don’t love it. It’s out of there.Need it or use it? Find a home for it! If you can’t find a home for it, you’re not getting rid of enough stuff.
Work according to your energy level and schedule. Decide on how much time you can dedicate to getting organized. Maybe it’s 1 garage bag of trash and 1 box of donation a day. Whatever it is, just do it. Every bit gets you closer to your goal. If you can’t do it alone, call for help. Emotional processes go hand and hand with decluttering. If you can’t do it alone, do it with a shoulder to lean on, but always allow yourself to have any feelings that come up. It’s all part of the process. After you are done decluttering an area then it’s time to find organizing solutions. If you’ve done a good job with purging, you will probably have plenty of room for what you’re keeping without spending a lot on organizing supplies.
Other tips to help you save money
Sit down and review your finances. Figure out what your total debt is so you will have a clear and realistic picture of your situation. Also figure out how much money you bring in and how much needs to go back out every month. Do this with your significant other so you both understand what it will take to become debt free. You both need to agree not only on the goals, but also on the guidelines to reach those goals.
How do you know if you ‘feel good’ shop? Do you buy things that sit unused or only get used once? Do you tell everyone about your purchase until the newness wears off, then it’s out of sight out of mind? Do you regret your purchase because you realize you won’t use it or didn’t need it? That’s a ‘feel good’ purchase and you have to control yourself. Try the following exercise:
Think about something you have purchased in the past that you wish you hadn’t. Something that makes you think ‘I wish I had that money back’. Be especially conscious of the emotions you’re experiencing while doing this exercise. Remember those feelings! Next time you want to make an impulse purchase pull those feelings out and pause. Do you want to feel that way again? Be absolutely positive about whether you should walk it to the register. If you’re not, then you’re only cheating yourself.Some other things you can do:
Ask yourself, ‘Is this an emotional purchase or is it a necessity?’ ‘Do I need it or do I just want it?’
Don’t buy it right away. Wait a day or two; if it’s still just as important to you after a few days, maybe it is a good purchase.
Unless it’s toilet paper, DON’T buy it just because it’s on sale!
First, figure out your personal reasons for ‘feel good’ shopping. Once you have, it’s easier to stop. Sit down and really tear it apart. Don’t forget honesty is the key and there is no justifications allowed. You deserve a stress-free, enjoyable life. If you have the time to do the shopping, you have the time to diagnose the behavior behind the shopping. A few reasons my clients have told me that they shop is depression, a sense of entitlement, empowerment, loneliness, stress relief (although it only relieves the stress until they get their end of the month statements). Only after you’ve figured out the reasons, can you begin correcting the behavior.
Next, you have to commit to NOT shopping! Items necessary to everyday life only. Groceries, utilities, housing, etc. No more ‘feel good’ shopping AT ALL!Time to Purge...
Haven’t used it? Let it go! Donate it, sell it, offer it to friends, but get rid of it.Love it? Show it off! If you’re not willing to display it, you don’t love it. It’s out of there.Need it or use it? Find a home for it! If you can’t find a home for it, you’re not getting rid of enough stuff.
Work according to your energy level and schedule. Decide on how much time you can dedicate to getting organized. Maybe it’s 1 garage bag of trash and 1 box of donation a day. Whatever it is, just do it. Every bit gets you closer to your goal. If you can’t do it alone, call for help. Emotional processes go hand and hand with decluttering. If you can’t do it alone, do it with a shoulder to lean on, but always allow yourself to have any feelings that come up. It’s all part of the process. After you are done decluttering an area then it’s time to find organizing solutions. If you’ve done a good job with purging, you will probably have plenty of room for what you’re keeping without spending a lot on organizing supplies.
Other tips to help you save money
Sit down and review your finances. Figure out what your total debt is so you will have a clear and realistic picture of your situation. Also figure out how much money you bring in and how much needs to go back out every month. Do this with your significant other so you both understand what it will take to become debt free. You both need to agree not only on the goals, but also on the guidelines to reach those goals.
- Establish a budget for your monthly expenses. Utilities, mortgage, vehicles, groceries, gas, etc.
- Start paying down your bad debt: Start paying those credit cards and payday loans down, smallest to biggest or highest interest rate to lowest interest rate. The extra money you’re saving by not ‘feel good’ shopping you can send, in addition to your regular payments, every month.
- Begin establishing a 6 month savings account to get you through any unforeseen hard times, so you won’t be accruing more debt. $20 a month or $200 a month, whatever you can afford, but start NOW!
- Make sure you have disability insurance and a will. Don’t leave it for your loved ones to stress over.
Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for a job well done with every milestone you hit! Bubble bath, a good book, a few extra hours of sleep on Saturday! Whatever it is, you deserve it. Just remember, stick to things that are rewarding without spending your hard earned money. After all, that’s the whole point of all this, right?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes!
Be prepared for spur-of-the-moment company
Don't let your family attack the homemade fudge or cookies your neighbor gave you. Hide the goodies and serve them to your guests (who may assume they came from your kitchen).
Steer everyone to the room that sees the least kid traffic. Or have a chat wherever you have the most of your holiday decorations: This’ll distract guests from the Legos underfoot.
Keep a stash of store-bought eggnog in the fridge, sprinkle with nutmeg, and serve in pretty glassware. You'll look like a festive, happy hostess -- even when you're at your wit's end.
Fake a great dessert by sprucing up a ready-made mix
Duncan Hines Devil's Food Cake Mix Add one package (10 oz.) of peanut butter chips to batter and frost with dark chocolate frosting. Top with a dollop of whipped cream for extra holiday flair.
Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix Add 1 Tbs of lemon juice to the mix and sprinkle decorative sugar on top.
Pillsbury Pumpkin Quick Bread and Muffin Mix Follow quick-bread directions and drizzle raspberry sauce over slices. (For raspberry sauce, melt 1 Tbs of seedless raspberry preserves per slice in the microwave.)
Gift-wrapping secrets
Buy solid-color or striped paper, which can work for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza, and birthdays throughout the year. And if you run out of paper, don't run to the store. Instead, improvise with comics pages, maps, or aluminum foil.
Think outside the box -- literally. Paper towel tubes and empty oatmeal containers are good for more than art projects. Slip Dad's new tie into one so he won't guess what's inside.
Keep wrapping supplies in one place to avoid a mad search for scissors or tape. We love the Portable Gift Wrap Organizer from The Container Store, which has lots of pockets and zips up so you can carry it to any room.
Have kids help sign Christmas cards. It’s fun, saves you time and keeps them busy. It also adds a very personal touch that friends and family will love!
Use one theme of paper for each person. That way, there is no more confusion when it is time to open the presents & we cannot find the label or the name. Believe me, the kids knows which one is his or hers.
If you are having a hard time deciding what gift to get for somebody, try donating to a local charity in their name. Create an inexpensive certificate to present to them stating what charity they donated to.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
November 2008 Monthly Special
and 12 Hours of Organizing
with one of Perfect Harmony’s Professional Organizers!
$995.00
(any one area of your home)
$995.00
(any one area of your home)
$280.00 savings
Must be scheduled by 11-30-2008
Mention this PHO Blog during scheduling to receive discount
Must be scheduled by 11-30-2008
Mention this PHO Blog during scheduling to receive discount
Thursday, October 9, 2008
October 2008 Monthly Special
Receive a Free Craft/Hobby Assessment Plan
when you book with one of
Perfect Harmony’s Professional Organizers!
$320.00 value
Must be scheduled by 10-31-2008
Mention this PHO Coupon during scheduling to receive discount
Mention this PHO Coupon during scheduling to receive discount
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
September- Emergency Preparedness Month
Are You Prepared to be Prepared?
Having the elements of survival and recovery available, in the event of a personal or community disaster will provide you with peace of mind. Accomplishing this yourself could be easier than you think but there is help available if needed.
Perfect Harmony’s owners, Tricia and MJ, have a combined experience of over 25 years as safety officers. We have created, written, and implemented safety plans for the State of Nevada, as well as, many medical practices.
Emergency Preparedness is a term assigned to having essentials available in the event that a disaster strikes. Perfect Harmony Organizing wants to help you be prepared. For most situations these items should include, but are not necessarily limited to; first aid, food, water, medications, vital records, proof of ownership and plans for escape.
Food items must be stored in proper containers that do not allow for moisture penetration or pest infestation. Cardboard packages absorb water and allow mold to grow and invade the contents. A bulging or leaking can is a sign of fermentation and the food contained inside is not edible. However, assuring that your food items are safe is not difficult.
All items placed in long term storage, including bottled water must be kept cool and stored out of direct sunlight. Expiration dates must be monitored. The annual Emergency Preparedness month of September is the perfect time to check the expiration dates and condition of packaging and assure that the items in long term storage are still current and intact and that they will be safe for consumption within the following year.
Medications should be stored in a common area. Quick access for ease of escape can be accomplished if all of your family’s medications are stored together. Copies of written prescriptions should be stored with your vital records for ease of retrieval in the event of a disaster or simply for proof of prescription. Your local pharmacy could encounter the same destruction as your home; therefore it is imperative that you have proof of medication requirements. Copies of your original prescription(s) could aid you in the event that this happens.
If this seems extreme consider the victims of Katrina and the consequence of an entire city being crippled by a single disaster. The world witnessed people without homes or dry clothes, but what of their daily needs.
The waters in New Orleans and the massive surrounding areas have receded, but for those unprepared to provide proof of ownership of homes or belongings the disaster of 2005 is not over and probably never will be. You do not need to be one of the citizens regretting the lack of preparation. Protecting your investments with a virtual storage service or video archive can provide the needed mandatory documentation of holdings. Having such systems already in place is also an excellent way to have peace of mind without the worry of remembering to retrieve them in time of crisis.
Everyone should be prepared with back-up documentation of medical, birth, real estate and insurance records, proof of valuables, insurances; medical, property, auto, disability and life. If you need help, a local professional organizer can assist you in determining the solutions that will work best for you. Perfect Harmony Organizing can help you create these back-ups.
Developing and practicing an escape plan from your home is still a basic strategy for survival. Having those vital record copies and medications ready to ‘grab and go’ or stored outside of the home at all times, is now added to this basic plan. A common outdoor meeting place for your family members will assure you that all have escaped. However, leaving the structure of the home is not always enough.
Your escape plan must now include knowing the route to your local emergency response location. Depending on what area of Clark County you reside in there is a local response team waiting to assist you in the event of a disaster. Please visit the Clark County web site, Office of Emergency Management, or call (702) 223-INFO (4636) for more information.
Cluttered rooms in your home can also be a concern that should be addressed immediately. Emergencies such as fire, earthquake or other disasters can be worsened if your home is unsafe. Escape plans can be hindered if you or your family is unable to execute these plans safely. September is the perfect time to begin organizing every aspect of your home.
The concept of disaster is overwhelming. Being prepared in the event of disaster does not need to be. There are resources that are readily available to you and our professional organizers are willing to help you. Emergency preparedness can cost so little and yet protect so much.
Having the elements of survival and recovery available, in the event of a personal or community disaster will provide you with peace of mind. Accomplishing this yourself could be easier than you think but there is help available if needed.
Perfect Harmony’s owners, Tricia and MJ, have a combined experience of over 25 years as safety officers. We have created, written, and implemented safety plans for the State of Nevada, as well as, many medical practices.
Emergency Preparedness is a term assigned to having essentials available in the event that a disaster strikes. Perfect Harmony Organizing wants to help you be prepared. For most situations these items should include, but are not necessarily limited to; first aid, food, water, medications, vital records, proof of ownership and plans for escape.
Food items must be stored in proper containers that do not allow for moisture penetration or pest infestation. Cardboard packages absorb water and allow mold to grow and invade the contents. A bulging or leaking can is a sign of fermentation and the food contained inside is not edible. However, assuring that your food items are safe is not difficult.
All items placed in long term storage, including bottled water must be kept cool and stored out of direct sunlight. Expiration dates must be monitored. The annual Emergency Preparedness month of September is the perfect time to check the expiration dates and condition of packaging and assure that the items in long term storage are still current and intact and that they will be safe for consumption within the following year.
Medications should be stored in a common area. Quick access for ease of escape can be accomplished if all of your family’s medications are stored together. Copies of written prescriptions should be stored with your vital records for ease of retrieval in the event of a disaster or simply for proof of prescription. Your local pharmacy could encounter the same destruction as your home; therefore it is imperative that you have proof of medication requirements. Copies of your original prescription(s) could aid you in the event that this happens.
If this seems extreme consider the victims of Katrina and the consequence of an entire city being crippled by a single disaster. The world witnessed people without homes or dry clothes, but what of their daily needs.
The waters in New Orleans and the massive surrounding areas have receded, but for those unprepared to provide proof of ownership of homes or belongings the disaster of 2005 is not over and probably never will be. You do not need to be one of the citizens regretting the lack of preparation. Protecting your investments with a virtual storage service or video archive can provide the needed mandatory documentation of holdings. Having such systems already in place is also an excellent way to have peace of mind without the worry of remembering to retrieve them in time of crisis.
Everyone should be prepared with back-up documentation of medical, birth, real estate and insurance records, proof of valuables, insurances; medical, property, auto, disability and life. If you need help, a local professional organizer can assist you in determining the solutions that will work best for you. Perfect Harmony Organizing can help you create these back-ups.
Developing and practicing an escape plan from your home is still a basic strategy for survival. Having those vital record copies and medications ready to ‘grab and go’ or stored outside of the home at all times, is now added to this basic plan. A common outdoor meeting place for your family members will assure you that all have escaped. However, leaving the structure of the home is not always enough.
Your escape plan must now include knowing the route to your local emergency response location. Depending on what area of Clark County you reside in there is a local response team waiting to assist you in the event of a disaster. Please visit the Clark County web site, Office of Emergency Management, or call (702) 223-INFO (4636) for more information.
Cluttered rooms in your home can also be a concern that should be addressed immediately. Emergencies such as fire, earthquake or other disasters can be worsened if your home is unsafe. Escape plans can be hindered if you or your family is unable to execute these plans safely. September is the perfect time to begin organizing every aspect of your home.
The concept of disaster is overwhelming. Being prepared in the event of disaster does not need to be. There are resources that are readily available to you and our professional organizers are willing to help you. Emergency preparedness can cost so little and yet protect so much.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Don't sell it, Organize it!
Here is a suggested alternative to trying to sell your house in a sour market. With the property value decreases seen in the Las Vegas Valley, now is not the time to sell a home. Perhaps a better solution would be to downsize the belongings, instead of upsizing the home and or mortgage amount, and risk taking a loss on the property you are currently vested in. It might help to try and remember what it was that you loved about your home when you first decided to buy it and then use a professional organizer to help those visions resurface. We all collect things throughout our life, there is nothing wrong with that. However; if your collections and clutter are making your home feel too small, and less functional, then it may be time to downsize the items and open up the spaces. This is one solution, does anyone have any other ideas to help those struggling with a home they no longer feel comfortable in?
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