Mind Your Ps & Qs

Back-To-School Tips

2011-08-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

When buying back-to-school supplies, purchase for the full year while everything is on sale. Also purchase supplies that usually have you running out late one evening to finish a project that’s due the next day. For me that seemed to be craft sticks and poster board. Think ahead to save time, energy and frustration.

Set up a specific place and routine for incoming school communications. An in/out system for permission slips to be signed and information you need to be aware of from school. Make sure to check the system each day. Have your calendar handy to note important dates.

For younger children, label drawers specifically for school wear. As you and your child fold and put away laundry, sort and store clothing as whole outfits to make it easy for your child to get dressed each morning. No more searching for socks, matching pants, etc.

Provide a space dedicated to homework and study. This clever desk bed fits the bill perfectly for small rooms.

Keep a master calendar for everyone’s activities. Use a different colored marker for each person in your family. Think through dinner routines, carpooling, etc. at the beginning of each week to avoid those stressful, disorganized evenings.

Label a box or tub with each child’s name. Throughout the school year, place any papers that you deem a keeper in the box. At least twice a year, have a celebration time with your child by sitting down and going through the box. Remember the efforts and achievements your child has made. Then choose a few of the papers for long-term storage and purge the majority. Remember, when your child is an adult, they won’t want boxes of crayon drawings and spelling tests. (A clever friend suggested using some of the papers as background pages for scrapbooks. I think that's a great idea!)

Establish a morning launching pad. Before bedtime, make sure everyone has put their shoes, backpacks, sporting equipment, etc. in the launching pad. This will help everyone blast off on time with minimal stress.

Jonie Spetter
Mind Your Ps & Qs
www.PsandQs.com
www.HoosierClosets.com

Six Tips For Planning A Stress-Free Vacation

2011-07-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

Type up a list of the things you need to do before leaving on a vacation (stop newspaper, call kennel, turn on light timer, etc.) Print the list each time you go on a trip and check off items as you accomplish them.
Type up a list of the things you normally take on a vacation. Print the list each time and add any additional items for this specific vacation, or keep a laminated copy of the list in your suitcase.
Keep a folder marked “vacation” in the personal section of your files. File away destination ideas, restaurants you have heard about in the area, money saving websites, books you want to read while you’re on the beach and anything else that comes to mind. When it comes time to plan your trip, all the information is at hand.
Make a copy of the cards in your wallet, and be sure to include both front and back of credit cards. If you should lose your wallet, you’ll have a complete list of important accounts to notify and items to replace. Keep the copies in a safe place at home or with a trusted person should you need the information while away.
Go with the flow and just enjoy yourself. I recently spent a night in a B&B straight out of the Twilight Zone. In a nutshell the bed was sparse and musty; the walls were covered in paintings of aliens (really!) and our breakfast was stale bread with a fruit cup and coffee. We chose to laugh and enjoy the absurdity. That's what vacations are for!
Schedule a day of rest between vacation and work. You’ll be glad you had time to catch up and make the mental switch.

WHAT TO DO WITH PAPER

2011-06-29T08:17:00.000-07:00

Paper can either support or hinder you in achieving your goals. RAFT can keep you from sinking and drowning in paper. Every piece of paper that comes to you will fall into four categories:

Read Act File Trash or Recycle

Once you have sorted into these four piles, here is how you can further break down the piles:

Read

Set up a container for reading. A basket or bag with handles is ideal as you can move the reading wherever you are. Make sure the basket or bag is small enough to transport. The size will also set limits on how much reading you keep. As new information comes in, place it to the back of the reading. Always pull from the front of the stack so that the pile doesn’t become stale.

Maintenance: Schedule 15 to 30 minutes each day (or an hour or so on weekends) to catch up on reading. Trust that what you read will be retained and can be found again. What speaks to you now will be retained on some level. However, reading the same thing next week may not speak to you at all.

Boundary: Once the bag is full, there will be two solutions. Stop collecting materials to read or pull a handful of old reading out to make room for new. This helps you be more selective in what you plan to read.

Act

Place items requiring action in one specific location so you always know where to go for important documents. Write important due dates on the calendar.

Maintenance: Schedule time on the calendar for paying bills, making phone calls, etc. and then do it.

Boundary: When action items become too overwhelming, learn to say “NO” to time stealers. Schedule a day to catch up. Set a timer for 30 minutes, don’t allow any interruptions and accomplish as many action steps as possible in that half hour. Take a break and relax. Then repeat the process until you have things more under control.

File

There are typically three types of files – Current, Reference and Archive. All files should be contained in some type of folder and clearly marked as to what is inside.

Current files are things like receipts, projects you are working on now and so on.

Maintenance: Once you reach ¾ capacity, begin rethinking about what you have here. Have the projects been completed? Should files move on to reference or archive or are they done being useful and can be tossed.

Boundary: Set up a contained location like a file box with handles or a section of your filing cabinet.

Reference files are things you get in and out of and refer back to throughout the year. Keep in mind that in most cases 80% of what is filed will never be needed again. This means you only need about 20% of the paper, but finding that 20% will be very difficult wading through the other 80%. Be vigilant about what you allow to go in your reference files.

Maintenance: When the filing cabinet is ¾ full, set aside some time to rethink what is here and purge.

Boundary: Set up a filing cabinet that will hold your reference files.

Archive files are things that you are legally or financially obligated to keep. Ball State back-up files probably fit here. These are considered in the deep freeze and not anything you need to look back through unless prompted by the IRS or other entity. These make perfect sense to be in your off-site storage.

For guidelines on how long to keep financial records, go to BankRate.com, or google “how long to keep financial records.”

Controlling The Paper Monster On Your Desk

2011-06-28T04:45:00.000-07:00

Most of us have lots of loose papers on our desks. Here are the two most common types and what to do with them.

The hastily scribbled note on a Post-It or scratch paper - these will usually fall into one of three categories:

· Action – mark a date for follow-up and file in a tickler file. A tickler file can be physical folders for each day of the week and each month of the year, or combine the notes and type them into an electronic planner that will remind you on the day the action is required.

· Filing – place in a “To Be Filed” folder and spend a few minutes each day or 15 minutes at the end of the week putting things away – this includes addresses and phone numbers for the Rolodex, project notes, etc.

· Ideas – these are usually associated with a specific project you are working on. Paper clip the note to the front of the project file so you can think more about it when you’re ready to work on that project.

To do lists - the long and short of lists is that one covering everything can be overwhelming. Start a long list of projects and ideas you want to accomplish. This is your master list. Set flexible dates for the completion of each project. Keep this list in a file and handy, refer to it often and add to it as necessary. At the end of each work day, spend a few minutes compiling a realistic list of what you plan to accomplish the next day. Check off each item as you go and, at the end of the day, transfer any unfinished tasks to the next day's business. Use one specific steno pad for the daily list so you will have a log of your activities in one handy place.

Follow these simple steps and you’ll soon be able to see the forest AND the trees!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Fresh-ideas-to-organize-your-home-this-spring.html?soid=1101925699523&aid=3taLRwnIsl4

2011-03-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Fresh-ideas-to-organize-your-home-this-spring.html?soid=1101925699523&aid=3taLRwnIsl4

Dad's Last Fly Over

2011-02-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

My Dad adored and doted on his family. He and my Mother were married for 62 years. They raised two daughters, my sister Debbie and me. Dad worked as a rural mail carrier to support “his girls.” If the budget didn’t afford us something we wanted, Dad would make it by hand or pick up another job for a while. We weren’t spoiled, just lavishly loved.

One of the few things Dad did just for himself was to fulfill his dream to fly small planes. I remember Dad working and studying hard to pass his pilot’s exam. He rented a plane at first and flew whenever he could. He eventually owned his own plane with my brother-in-law and another pilot. He loved to take people up in the air and share the big blue sky with them. One of his favorite things to do was fly to a neighboring state for breakfast on Saturday mornings.

Dad developed some heart problems a few years ago was unable to renew his pilot’s license afterward. It bothered Mom probably more than it did Dad because she knew what flying meant to him. But, Dad wasn’t one to look back with regret. When a door closed, he chose to walk straight ahead to new possibilities rather than lingering in the past.

When we were kids Dad would “fly over” our house. We all got quite a thrill when we heard the plane coming. Dad would circle the plane over and tip his wings from side to side. We would run out in the yard and wave happily at him, knowing he was in the height of his glory flying that plane.

Whenever a small plane flew over, you would find Dad rushing outside to see who it was. He and my brother-in-law could identify the local planes and who flew them just by their sound or colors.

Around Thanksgiving 2010, Dad was diagnosed with fast-growing, acute leukemia. Dad straightened his shoulders and determined to fight the battle. God had other plans and Dad passed away peacefully, holding Mom’s hand and surrounded by his loved ones on December 7.

On the day of Dad’s funeral, Mom, my sister and I, and our husbands were in the limousine headed to the cemetery. We had noticed a small plane circling overhead. As the plane drew near, we watched as the wings tipped from side to side and flew on – a classic fly over ! My brother in law didn’t recognize this plane and when he asked around, no one knew who had been out that day flying. But, we knew. Dad needed to assure Mom that he had his wings back. And, he needed to assure all of us that, even though his earthly door had closed, he was flying high and eagerly going through the next door.

2011 Resolutions

2011-01-11T12:36:00.000-08:00

Resolutions – most of us make them on January 1 every year, and most of us break them soon after. My resolutions have always been a list of things I “should” do. But, this year, I’m starting a new tradition.

My father passed away right after Thanksgiving. His death has been very hard on our family because we loved and adored him so much. But, it has also been a blessing to remember and celebrate a life well lived. He touched so many people because every day he chose to be a man of integrity, humor and positivity. So, in the coming year, to emulate and honor my Dad, I plan to order my life in such a way that my life matters and that the people in my life know they matter to me. And, I want my actions and possessions to aid me in living that way. Instead of resolutions that are hard to keep, here is my list of reminders to help me stay on track and not lose sight of the important stuff:

I will take better care of my body by eating right and exercising so that I feel good and my mind is clearer. In this way, I can live each day more vibrantly.
I will slow down and enjoy the minutes of my life more. Instead of looking for more activities to fill my day, I will choose joy each day and be open to the happiness that arrives when I least expect it.
I will recognize that everything I have requires something from me and I will purge those things that don’t add to my life, put those things in order that do and realize that if it’s worth having, it’s worth taking care of.
I will live below my means so that I can break the debt cycle and use my money to give back to the world rather than to pay finance charges.

My list is short, but my goal is to check it often so that I stay on track and live a simpler, yet fuller year. I urge you to take some time to reflect on what you want your legacy to be. Then make a list of reminders to keep you focused. Let’s make 2011 our best year yet.

Jonie Spetter

Mind Your Ps & Qs

www.PsandQs.com

Bright Ideas for Holiday Planning

2010-12-20T06:45:00.000-08:00

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Bright-ideas-for-holiday-planning.html?soid=1101925699523&aid=rzDesCWaumc

Ease Into Fall

2010-10-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

Fall is here, and it’s my favorite time of year. The new season beckons us to clear the summer clutter and get our homes ready to receive us at the end of a long day or week. Here are a few items to take care of now so that you can relax and enjoy the changes that fall brings.

Get your pantry ready. Pantry staples tend to change with the seasons. Think about skipping the grocery store this week and consciously eat up the summer foods in your freezer and pantry. Go through cookbooks and recipes and find your favorite soups, stews and casseroles. On the next trip to the grocery store, stock up on ingredients to help you whip a few of these up when the weather turns chill and you need a quick, warm supper.

Switch your wardrobe to cool-weather clothes. Pull your fall and winter clothing out from wherever you store them. Launder, iron, repair and dry clean anything that isn’t in tip-top shape. Now is a great time to look at each item with a fresh eye. Do you still love it? Is it still in good repair? If you saw this in a shop, would you choose it? If the answer is no to any of these questions, pass the item along to your favorite charity.

Freshen up your reading pile. Just as our pantry staples change in the cooler months, so do our reading materials. If you haven’t read those summer magazines or “beach” books, you probably won’t. Recycle the magazines and start fresh with seasonal picks. If you have several books that you are done with or can’t seem to get interested in, take them to Half-Price Books. It’s a great way to recycle.

It will soon be coat season, be prepared. If you didn’t dry clean or wash your coats at the end of last winter, do so now. (Dry cleaning chemicals are toxic. When you bring items home from the cleaners, remove the plastic and hang them outside for a day or so to allow the chemicals to dissipate before you bring them into your home.) Round up your scarves, gloves and boots and determine if any cold-weather items need to be replaced. Schedule a time to shop for them.

Make room for your car in the garage. Now is the time to put away your gardening supplies, summer toys and hobby items. Place smaller items in clearly labeled tubs, donate anything the kids have outgrown, hang large bulky items on slatboard or pegboard.

Now that the mundane stuff is taken care of, open up to the possibilities the new season will bring. Taking a few simple steps to prepare ahead and clear the mind gives space for new ideas and thoughts. Make yours positive ones!

Jonie Spetter | Professional Organizer | Mind Your Ps & Qs | www.PsandQs.com

Paying It Forward

2010-09-22T08:31:00.000-07:00

The question was posed yesterday at a meeting I attended, “What does pay it forward mean to you?” That question was rattling around in my brain as I went to Pilates class this morning. Right in the middle of the class it dawned on me that we all pay forward with whatever is in our minds and our lives – whether it be good or bad. The Pilates instructor is a healthy, enthusiastic, joyful person who has had the courage to start her own fitness studio. Her belief in herself and in what she has to offer pays forward to me as I persevere and do the required move those few more times past what I think I can endure. And, by performing those moves that I thought were impossible, I then believe I am capable of doing many other things I thought I couldn’t do. Something so simple restores my belief in myself and what I am trying to accomplish. So today I encourage anyone reading this to take a deep breath, straighten your shoulders, and believe that someone out there needs exactly what you have to offer. That, to me, is the ultimate pay it forward.

If you are in the market for a great fitness studio, I love Fitness in Motion. http://www.fitnessinmotionstudio.com/home

Jonie Spetter | Professional Organizer | Mind Your Ps & Qs | www.PsandQs.com

5 Ways to Clear the Clutter and Help Others

2010-08-10T05:45:00.000-07:00

ELECTRONICS: Do you have computers, cables, monitors, printers, fax machines and other electronics sitting around that you don’t know what to do with them? Take them to Virtual Scavengers. They will recycle or refurbish your electronic waste. To find out what they accept, where to donate and learn about their mission, check out the Virtual Scavengers Project at http://vscavengers.com/ or call 317-917-9111.

BUSINESS CLOTHING: Do you have business attire, accessories, shoes and jewelry that you don’t wear? Donate them to Dress for Success. This great charity promotes economic independence of disadvantages women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in the workplace and in life. Learn more at www.dressforsuccess.org.

TOILETRIES & LINENS: Are you a bargain hunter with more toiletries and personal care items than you could possibly use up in the next several months? Consider clearing the bathroom clutter and donating your bounty to The Julian Center. The Julian Center is a nonprofit agency providing counseling, safe shelter, and education for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other life crises. Through outreach and consultation, we also seek to educate the community about the issue of domestic violence and its impact on all our lives. For a full list of items needed, go to www.juliancenter.org.

REMNANTS FROM REMODELING: Have you recently updated something in your home and still have the remnants lying around? Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis has a ReStore that sells new and gently used home and building supplies. The ReStore supplies funding for Habitat’s mission, and helps divert building products from the landfill. To learn more about the items they accept, go to http://www.indyhabitat.org/restore/index.php.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE: Does your garage contain everything from old paint to pesticides to old tires? Check out this website to learn how to properly dispose of these items and help Mother Earth. http://www.in.gov/recycle/5724.htm

Jonie Spetter
Mind Your Ps & Qs
www.psandqs.com

Serenity And The Bank

2010-06-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

My bank is changing hands this weekend and I have probably spent more time stewing over what that means for me than is necessary. Do you find you do that too?

This morning, it was time to dive into the details. What a pleasant surprise to find it didn't take that long to figure out. I have set up a couple of processes that have made this bank change, as well as other areas of my life, easier.

1. Password Reminder: Type a simple Excel spreadsheet listing all online accounts, the user name associated with that account and the password. For identity protection, password protect the document. You don't want anyone else to have access to this information. Write down the Excel document password in a secure place. A sigh of relief, all I have to remember is that one password. I have enough to remember without keeping all the rest in my head, and I'll bet you do to.

2. Papers In One Place: Set up a filing system that contains all receipts and banking information. Mine is set up by month so it was easy to pull out last month's file and see at a glance who I write checks to and who I pay online. Bonus - Having a place to put all of your receipts and paid bill information helps get rid of the paper clutter in your home.

Taking a few minutes to set up simple processes that will make your life easier can take the chaos out of everyday living. Small, daily habits of organization free up space and time for serenity.

Now, if you'll excuse me, while I'm feeling serene, I must go work on that nasty habit of worry ...

www.psandqs.com

Wisdom of Grandma's Towels

2010-05-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

This set of tea towels was embroidered by my Grandmother over 50 years ago. You can tell by looking that they are well-worn. Over the years, a few of them have disappeared, probably worn out from use. Yet, they still offer some sage advice:

Be An Angel
- Rest on Sunday
- Wash on Monday
- Iron on Tuesday
- Mend on Wednesday
- Bake on Saturday

These towels are very special to me for obvious reasons. But, they also impart some very good, old-fashioned wisdom - the simple wisdom of scheduling our tasks.

Very few of us have full days to give over to one task, and our lives are so automated that we don't really need to. However, the simple act of setting up rules for when you will accomplish certain chores will put tasks in their place and allow you more time for the simpler pleasures in life.

A few examples to get you started:

After cooking a meal, put the kitchen back to rights. Sweep the floor, wipe off counters and appliances, clear off and put away any clutter that may have collected.

Set aside one day for all laundry chores. On laundry day put away shoes, straighten stacks of clothing, put away any apparel that is on the floor of the closet or draped over furniture, hang up coats.

After paying bills, complete all filing. If your files are bulging and need to be purged, set a kitchen timer for 10 minutes and purge and straighten as much as you can. Note where you leave off so you know where to continue purging and straightening the next time you pay bills.

When you go to the car wash, take a sack and spend a few minutes gathering things that don't belong in the car. Immediately put these items where they belong when you get home.

Just a few extra minutes spent with each task and you will soon eliminate those marathon cleaning days and weeks. A constant drip can accomplish as much as a waterfall and with much less energy and anxiety.

I am thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.... I am thankful for the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby. ~Nancie J. Carmody

What's for dinner?

2010-05-20T06:14:00.000-07:00

Plan meals for the week. Take into consideration your schedule and plan crock pot meals, quick fixes, etc. as appropriate. Double recipes and freeze half for time savings later in the month.

For more tips on setting up a meal planning system, go to www.psandqs.com/discount to download a 6-part video series.

Eating is not merely a material pleasure. Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life and contributes immensely to goodwill and happy companionship. It is of great importance to the morale. ~ Elsa Schiaparelli

Hang Ups

2010-05-17T04:03:00.000-07:00

Did you have a hard time getting dressed and out the door this morning because your closet is bulging? Follow the one-in, one-out rule. When you purchase something new, get rid of something old. Take a hard look at what you keep. Make sure your closet contains only friends. Does is fit you now, would you choose it again, do you love it, does it help you on your day's journey? If not, move it out of your life and make room. "Courage is the power to let go of the familiar." -- Raymond Lindquist Be courageous today!

Get More Accomplished By Putting Pen to Paper

2010-05-06T14:39:00.000-07:00

Is your head swimming with things you'd like to accomplish this spring and summer? We all have tasks that we must complete for work, home and family. And then there are the projects we just think about doing. The best way to get started is to write them down. Simply take a pen and paper and begin capturing all of those random thoughts that take up space in your brain. Sometimes this process will help flesh out those "wouldn't it be nice" projects that you really never intend to tackle. Set up a notebook that lists all of the projects you want to accomplish and when. Then break each one into manageable tasks. Write the tasks on your calendar and you are well on your way to accomplishing your goals. And, your mind will be a little clearer so you can take time to stop, smell the roses and enjoy the journey. Stop by www.psandqs.com for more tips.

Eleven Tips for a Less Stressful Christmas

2009-12-08T17:16:00.000-08:00

1. Take a moment to remember what Christmas is all about – faith, family and friends. Now, base every action in December on whether you are honoring the true spirit of Christmas by that action.

2. Set up a budget for all extra expenditures in December and stick to it! It’s OK to gracefully decline participation in some things if they do not fit your budget.

3. Take time today to write down every Christmas event you plan to attend. Make sure you have time for each event and decline those that will add to your stress level rather than upping the faith, family and friends quotient.

4. Once you have a list of events you plan to attend, think about each one and determine what you will need to take. If you bring food and/or hostess gifts to several places, consider purchasing the same type of gift and bringing the same dish to each event. That way you can shop once, prep once (freeze for future events) and use the same wrapping materials for each location.

5. Simplify baking this year. Find a good cookie base that you like, and use different add-ins to change the flavor (I like making a double batch of my favorite chocolate chip cookie base, then dividing the dough and substituting nuts, coconut, toffee chips, etc. instead of chocolate chips for a good variety). Or, buy already prepared sugar cookie dough, use your own cut-outs and sprinkles to make them your creation. You still get the great smell s, without some of the fuss!

6. Spend one day cleaning your home and packing up any knick-knacks or other decorations that you won’t be using during Christmas. When you are ready to decorate, you will be starting with a clean slate.

7. If you are entertaining this year, think about leaving the Christmas tree bare and letting your guests hang the decorations for you. It’s a good ice breaker and a fun activity.

8. As you decorate, purge old Christmas decorations as you go. Throw away (or recycle if possible) anything that is broken or non-functional. Have you changed your style of decorating over the years and find that some items no longer fit your scheme? Pass them along to a favorite charity (check to make sure they will accept Christmas decorations first). Let someone else enjoy them now. If you particularly like how you have displayed something this year, take pictures so you can recreate the same affect next year.

9. Overwhelmed thinking about decorating the whole house? Pick out the one area where you relax most often and the one thing that brings a smile to your face (for me it’s the manger scene on the mantle and twinkle lights). Do that one area and that one thing really well and forget the rest. Give yourself permission that it’s OK if you don’t decorate every square inch.

10. Purchase reusable shopping bags for around $1 from most stores and use them as gift bags. An easy way to wrap gifts, plus, you’ll be helping to eliminate some of the 4 million tons of paper waste Americans generate each year.

11. Rethink sending Christmas cards. Absolutely everything in our lives must be maintained. Are you still sending a Christmas card to your child’s first-grade teacher – and your child is out of college? Pare down your overgrown card list. Or, think about sending Easter cards instead. Cards are meant to keep in touch and remind important people that we care. That sentiment is appreciated any day of the year.

Simplify and enjoy. Less really can be more at this time of year. Merry Christmas!