Happened on a very cool website today that I just have to share with everyone!  Check out Bluelounge.com for office organizing products that you have just been waiting for someone to invent..Good-bye electirc cord clutter!  Check it out, you’ll see what I mean!

I was flipping thru the Williams-Sonoma catalog just now and it occurred to me how many products there are for the kitchen.  So many of these products have only a sole purpose yet they take up so much room in the kitchen.  For instance, a new gadget I had never seen before, the “mushroom slicer.”  While I’m sure it does an excellent job of creating perfectly sliced shrooms, I couldn’t help but think; “doesn’t a knife do the same thing?” 

Some things may seam like they will make your life easier, but really they are just creating more clutter.  Sticking to the basics is the easiest way to simplify your life.  If you can’t decide, ask yourself “is this necessary?” You may be surprised how often the answer is “No!”

What “amazing” kitchen time saver do you have in your kitchen taking up space?  Let us know on Facebook.

On the desk of a new client sat a clear pickle jar, all tags removed, filled with golf balls.  The task at hand that day was to begin the process of de-cluttering her workspace.  While there were many things on the desk, the jar captured my curiosity.  This client did not strike me as a golf enthusiast, but I could be wrong.  When I enquired about the jar I was confused at first by the answer I received. 

“Oh, those are the important things in life.  They have to go first.”  Noticing the confusion that was very likely strewn across my face, she continued. 

“The golf balls are the important things in life, like family and time for myself.  I can fill in the space with marbles and then sand; things like work and errands, but if I fill the jar with the marbles and sand first, there will be no room for the golf balls.  When I am frustrated with something, the golf balls remind me that what I am dealing with is probably a marble, if not sand, and I can handle it.  They also remind me that I shouldn’t spend too much time on the small things; if I do the golf balls aren’t going to fit!”

Needless to say, the golf balls made the cut that day.  However, they found a place on a nearby shelf.  After all, it isn’t clutter if it has a purpose.  How do you remind yourself to focus on the important things?  Let us know on Facebook.  I can’t wait to read your responses!

Named for the outrageous profit margins retailers experience during this 24 hour period, the Friday after Thanksgiving is commonly referred to as “Black Friday.” However, with the economy in its current state, it is more important then ever that we realize that Black Friday for the Retailers actually means Red Friday for the consumer.  The term actually stems from the old accounting practice of using Red ink for debts and Black ink for profits.

For those of you planning to brave the crowds (more then 147 million last year), here are a few things to keep in mind while hunting for those once in a lifetime sales and impossible to pass up deals. 

First, have a plan.  If your purpose for shopping is to complete your holiday gift list, make sure you actually make a list, and bring it with you!  Stores make a considerable amount of money on impulse buying.  By making a list of the people you need to buy gifts for and what you plan to buy them, you can combat the urge to splurge and still get the gifts you need without sliding into the Red.  If you are unsure of what you want to get someone come, up with an appropriate amount that you would be willing and able to spend and write it next to their name on your list.

Second, make a budget.  It is easy for shoppers to get carried away in the moment.  After all isn’t that what the entire day is built around?  Some of us may already have our holiday list complete so Friday will be more for the thrill of the hunt.  Regardless of who you are buying for, having a budget can keep you calm while the world around you is whirling with “last chance deals.”  The key to a budget however, is to keep track of your purchases.  If you buy mom the video camera she asked for make sure you write down how much it cost you next to her name (on your gift list).  No matter who you are buying for, you should keep a notebook handy to tally your receipt totals as you go.  This will keep you aware of what you have spent and how much of your budgeted money you have left while a also keeping your bank account in the black.

Third, make sure to ask yourself one very important question before each purchase.  “Do I need this?”  If there is a chance that you are buying something for the thrill of the sale instead of the quality of the item or the fact that you actually need it, rethink your purchase!  Don’t let yourself get so caught up in the moment that you start to impulse buy.  Asking whether you really need something will prevent you from purchasing items you do not need.

Fourth, do your research.  How will you know if 30% off of that IPod is a good deal if you haven’t looked at what it goes for normally?  If you have made a list, you should have some things in mind.  Spending a little time researching the things you want to buy can save you a lot of money.  Many stores provide prices for items on their websites so there is little effort needed to do a little research.  For instance, if I wanted to get my sister a new camera, I would check its price at Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-mart, and Amazon.  If I’m prepared with a list of comparable prices I am less likely to spend more then I have to in the stores.  To aid in the researching process there are many websites dedicated to helping consumers find good deals.  To preview the sales, try visiting www.bfads.net or www.blackfriday.gottadeal.com

If you can’t find the perfect gift on Friday, stay calm there are more sales.  Many stores extend their sales throughout the weekend to maximize their profits.  And, if you are not one of the 147+ million people who will be hitting the stores on Monday, you can still take part in the savings.  Many retailers cut prices on their products thru their online the Monday after Thanksgiving.  To take advantage of these deals go to www.cybermonday.com or www.bestcyermondaysales.com.

So, cut your coupons, create your itinerary, and fill out your budget.  This year black Friday will happen as it always does for the retailers.  However, this year make sure it doesn’t become “Red Friday” for you.

With Thanksgiving almost here and Christmas looming, I find myself thinking; “I thought I was busy in October!”  With this on my mind, I would like to share an excerpt from Robert Fulghum’s book “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”  I hope it will serve to remind us that no one person is perfect!

“The man next door cleaned his gutters yesterday.  Downspouts too.  He’s done it before.  I saw him last year.  Amazing.  I was forty years old before I even knew that people cleaned gutters and downspouts.  And I haven’t been able to get around to doing it once yet. 
“I live in awe of people who get those jobs done.  The people who live orderly lives.  The ones who always do what needs to be done and do it right.  I know of people who actually balance their checkbooks each month.  I know that’s hardly credible, but I swear it’s so.
“These people also have filing cabinets (not shoe boxes) with neat, up-to-date, relevant files.  They can find things around the house when they need them.  There is order under their sinks, in their closets, and in the trunks of their cars.  They actually change the filter on their furnace once a year.  They put oil and grease on mechanical things.  Their warranties runneth not out.  Not only do their flashlights work, they actually know where the flashlights are!
“When their car was last serviced-they know that too.  The tools in their garage are on the pegboard-right where they are supposed to be.  Their taxes are based on facts, not hunches and prayer.  When they go to sleep at night, their list of Things to Do has a line through every item.  And when they arise in the morning, their bathrobe is right there beside the bed and it is clean and new.  Socks-right there in the drawer, folded into matching pairs.  Yes!  And as they prepare to walk out the door into a new day, they know exactly where their car keys are and are not worried about the state of the car battery or if there is enough gas to get to work.
“There are such people.  Ones who have it all together.  Exmpt from the reign of Chaos and the laws of entropy.  I see them every day all around me.  Calm and easy pillars of society.  They are the people in your high school yearbook you wanted to be.  The ones who made it.
“Well.  I am not one of them.  Out of the frying pan, into the spilt milk is more me.  Most of the time daily life is a lot like an endless chore of chasing chickens in a large pen.  Life is an air-raid drill.  Never mind the details.” -Robert Fulghum

I, for one, would like to meet a person who’s list of Things to Do has a line through every item when they go to bed!  Are you more like Mr. Fulghum, or the fictional super hero he describes? My guess is most of us fall somewhere in between the two. Instead of “never mind the details;” remind yourself during this busy time to “never mind the unimportant details.”  Prioritizing is always the key!

Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.- Henry David Thoreau
With Thoreau’s words in mind Julie Cubino and Kevin Grosselfinger, owners of Harmony At Last, set about designing an application for the iPhone and iPod touch. The goal was to help people free themselves from being overworked, overburdened, and overtired and find energy, enthusiasm, and ease instead. We are excited to announce that this application finally launched!

The application has two main features.The first is inspiration and motivation in the areas of: productivity, time management, work/life balance, space organizing, success principles, and simplifying life. The second is the ability to define your personal “Simplify” goals and track progress along the way.

Simplify can be found on the Apple iTunes Store now for only 99¢. It’s in the lifestyle section. You’ll need either an iPhone or iPod touch to make use of the program. (Please note that the link found in this announcement requires that you have the itunes software installed on your computer.)

We’d like to extend special thanks to fellow WBON member, Michelle Hobbs, owner of Blue Sky Creative for the design of the amazing graphics used in this application.

Well?  How did you do?  I hope I inspired you to take a look at your closet and create categories.  If so, at this very moment, you could go to your closet and tell me how many t-shirts you own.  That’s a great first step.  Now its time to purge.  Getting rid of clothes can be difficult for many people.  So create rules before you do so and stick to them.  If necessary, write them down and tape them to the mirror you are using… yes, you have to try them on! 

Rule #1
If it doesn’t fit, you don’t need it. 
Those are my skinny jeans, they will fit me again.” Maybe, but will you put your old jeans on or go buy new ones?  Hanging on to clothes that define who you were does not allow you to be comfortable with who you are.  This is where the trying on comes into play.  Try your clothes on to make the decision.  Do they make you feel good?  Are they comfortable?  If you answer “no” to these questions, don’t keep the clothes!

Rule #2
Haven’t worn it in X amount of months/years.  You will be the best judge for what a good amount of time is for this rule.  I like to go by seasons.  If I didn’t wear something at all the previous winter, I get rid of it. I probably have something I like a lot more if I went that long without wearing it. If you don’t wear it, it likely doesn’t fit, you don’t like the color, it’s out of style, or you forgot about it.  If you forgot about it, test it with rule one and three before keeping it.  If it is any other excuse, let it go. 

Rule #3
Just plain worn out.
I get it; it’s your favorite pair of slacks.  But, when the hem is fraying and there are snags throughout the fabric, it’s time to let them go.  Held together by staples, safety pins, glue… I’ve seen it all.  If your clothes are worn past fixing, and I mean by a seamstress, let them go!

Exception to the rule, your saving grace…
It’s true; some articles of clothing have sentimental value. Like your favorite pair of slacks.  Maybe they are your favorite because you were wearing them when you met your spouse.  If an article of clothing doesn’t pass the first three rules, it can be saved.  Use caution with your save though.  Make sure not to use the exception for everything.

Taking on your entire closet at one time can be daunting.  You can spread out the decision making by picking categories to go thru.  For instance, just go thru all your pants this week.  If that’s still too large a task, start with your jeans then do your slacks. 

Make sure you take your “give away pile” to a local shelter or charity once you have finished.  I find it is best to use boxes or black trash bags.  This lessens the urge to pull something out of the pile in a last minute change of heart.

Good luck!

It’s Spring and that means Spring cleaning for many of us.  I don’t know what it is about the warm weather that makes some of us want to reorganize and clean out dark closets.  However, if you are not one of these people, cleaning out a closet may be a task you have been avoiding for a long time… years possibly.  If the thought of going thru and getting rid of things in your closet is more than you can handle, start simple. 

Don’t worry about getting rid of things at first.  Simply start by gathering all of your pants in one place, then all your shirts, shorts, jackets… you get the idea.  You can go further by separating your pants by length, color, or both. The shirts as well; long sleeve, short sleeve, tank tops, etc.   Once you have done this, it will be easy to see how much you have of each thing.  You may realize you have more pair of jeans (t-shirts, capri pants, or tank tops) then you originally remembered.  If that is the case, ask yourself if you need all of them.  Be realistic.  One person does not need 32 pair of jeans!  We’ll talk more about the second step in the next blog.

Try the first step of separating and categorizing for starters.  See how far you get. 

As you may recall the Japanese word for friend is Tomodachi. Here is another post from my friend in Japan:

So, I am in Japan.  It’s beautiful and the people are wonderful; but man is it far from home!  Nothing made me realize this more than when my mother-in-law called last week to tell us she had cancer and would be starting chemo.  I am fortunate in that I have the flexibility to go back and be with her during her treatment.  However, that meant packing up, tying up loose ends and finding a place for the cat… NOW!  We do not have children, so I thankfully I did not have to find a place for the kids.  I realize that this is one of the reasons I have flexibility in my life.
Now, I am a fairly organized person (OK, it borders on OCD at times) and I am amazed at how many lose ends needed tying this week!  So, I pose the question… Are you ready to leave in a moments notice if necessary?  Most of us probably think so, but if you were to examine what actually needs to happen you might be surprised!  Everyone’s situation is different, so here is what needed to happen this week for me and how my life could have been simplified.

1. Find a place for the cat.  I had never been to the local pet kennel or vet.  Had I done so when we arrived here I would have saved myself at least an hour.  By filling out some paperwork for emergency contacts Mr. Milo (the cat) is now able to stay at the kennel and all his medical records are up to date.
2. Get a flight.  I needed my passport, visa info, and emergency cash.  Fortunately I had this.
3. Put utilities and mail on hold.  This takes a long time (especially when the person on the other end only speaks Japanese).  I did however save time because I had already prepared a list of all our utility companies and phone numbers.  I did not have to search thru stacks of papers or file folders for the information I needed.  For a US address you can visit www.usps.com to put your mail on a temporary or permanent address change.
4. Pack… lets not go there.  You can read my previous blog if you want to know what I think about packing!
http://harmonyatlast.com/blog/2009/01/07/packing-for-a-long-trip
5. Notify work, social groups, and all other obligations that I will be away.  Where necessary, find replacements.  And don’t forget to cancel/reschedule dentist or Dr. appointments!
6. Find someone to watch the house, clean house, make sure all trash is taken out, lock all windows and doors, charge cell phone, charge iPod (should already be done!), copy important docs for work from desktop to laptop, get a Power of Attorney where necessary, refill prescriptions, and a million other random tasks!

Now, I have left out a lot of the details but you get the idea.  I hope that in sharing my experience you will take a moment to evaluate your preparedness.  I promise there are a few things you could do now that would make your life easier should something come up unexpectedly!

How many times have to arrived home from a long day of work and no one (especially you) wants to cook dinner?  Or, maybe you would be willing to cook but the chicken is still in the freezer.  Do you eat cereal or order pizza?  Likewise how many times have you gone to the grocery store and ended up with more groceries than you needed?  Or, arrived home only to realize you forgot an important ingredient because it wasn’t on your list?  A simple solution to these dilemmas is to make a weekly menu.  It may sound silly, but it can save you money, time, and frustration.

Step one: Pick one time during your week when you can sit down and create a menu for the following week.  For instance, if you like to shop on Sunday, sit down with your family the day before.

Step two: Write down the days on a piece of paper and then note if there is something special happening that would effect dinner time (see below).  Once you know what the week will look like discuss what everyone would like for dinner (and lunches if you take your own) in the week to come.  This lets everyone have a say in what foods sound good. The menu can be simple like below or it can be more detailed.

Menu April 20th-26th
Monday: Stir-fry
Tuesday: Lasagna with steamed broccoli and side salad
Wednesday: (Mom working late) Chicken salad
Thursday: Salmon with asparagus and brown rice
Friday: (Eve’s basketball game) Eat out
Saturday: Quesadillas
Sunday: New recipe we’ve been wanting to try

Step 3: Once you have agreed upon the menu, you can easily make a grocery list of the ingredients needed for each meal.  Of course breakfast, lunch, and snack items will need to be added as well.  If you like certain drinks or condiments make sure you have enough for the week.

Grocery list:
Stir fry veggies
3lb chicken
Brown rice
lasagna noodles
red sauce
mozzarella cheese
etc…

Step four: Stick to your list!!  When you are at the grocery store, only buy what is on your list.  People tend to spend money on impulse buys that they don’t need.  However, if you decided to buy pineapple for a snack and the grapes are cheaper, substitute!  If you buy too much it will just go to waste.

Spending the time to prepare before going to the grocery store will save you money and keep you from wasting food.  Having a menu will allow everyone to help prepare dinner.  If the whole family knows Mom will be working late on Wednesday night then someone else can take responsibility for getting dinner started.  Having a plan for the week will also keep you from spending a lot of money eating out. 

Try it this week… let me know how it works for you!