If you haven’t already begun your #holiday shopping, this week is a good time to start. Consult the internet for early-bird specials from your favorite retailers, and check the social media for gift ideas. Make a budget and a list of the people you plan to buy for, and jot down a few ideas for each. You’re less likely to overspend if you have the elements of a plan in mind and #shop strategically. If you see a great deal, grab it — that price (and the stock) may not last, so get it while you can. And allow plenty of time for delivery of your holiday orders to avoid costly last-minute shipping fees and get everything under the tree on time. #HollidayTips
Tag: decluttering
Make Lists to Better Manage the Holidays
Many large retailers started staging #holiday displays and promotions well before #Halloween was over. And while #Christmas, #Hannukah and the other #winter holidays may seem like they’re a long way off, now is the time to start planning. It’s never too early to make lists: Who’s on your gift list? Who gets a card? Who’s hosting which celebration? Get these things decided now, and you’ll have a lot less stress when the big celebrations roll around. You can also make a list of the spaces you want to #declutter before guests arrive, says Rooms Need Love; since a lot of people and stuff will be coming in, make space by #donating what you don’t need. #HolidayTips
Clear Your Closets for Colder Weather
With the temperatures falling and the days getting shorter, you’ve probably started getting out a few cold-weather garments that you haven’t seen for several months. It’s a great time to #clean out your #closet and decide what you will and won’t be wearing this fall and winter.
Start by taking everything out of the closet, Cleaning Is Caring suggests. Wipe the walls, doors and baseboards, and dust the ceiling, shelves and light fixtures. Empty and clean any bins, too; finally, vacuum or mop the floor.
Now the #decluttering and #organizing can begin! Separate all of your #clothing into piles designated #keep, #donate or #trash. Be honest with yourself — if you haven’t been that size for years or the garment is just too shabby to wear again, get rid of it. It’s only taking up space.
You’ll have to say goodbye to summer, The Spruce says, washing or dry cleaning the warm-weather wear you decide to keep before storing it in a location other than your main closet. Vacuum-seal bags and plastic storage bins are ideal for this.
Now that you’ve thinned the herd, you can put the things you do plan to wear back in your closet in a more #organized fashion. Houzz suggests folding most casual knits and putting them on shelves, while hanging dresses, pants, button-down shirts and outerwear. Smaller items such as socks and jewelry can go in drawers, bins and organizers.
If you notice an item or two that you would like to add to your #fall #wardrobe, feel free to buy it! But take that heap of also-rans that didn’t make it back into your closet or storage, bag it up and contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation #pickup.
You’ll be able to find the things you want to wear faster when you need them, reducing #stress, and keep your #closet consistently more #clean and #organized. Bonus? #Donating to ClothingDonations.org helps #veterans. So you’ll look good and feel good, too!
It’s Time to Take Inventory of Your Stuff
Businesses of all sizes regularly take #inventory to make sure they have supplies sufficient to function and enough goods to sell. But you, too, can take inventory of your stuff, and chances are that you’ll find you have more than you need.
Whether you own or rent, taking inventory of your stuff has an obvious benefit: If you ever need to replace #possessions following a flood, fire or burglary, you can file an insurance claim that requests the full replacement value.
To get started, categorize what you own and enter the details in a spreadsheet or app such as NestEgg. Take pictures of individual high-value item such as jewelry, artwork or musical instruments; document purchases’ serial numbers and save receipts.
If you find that you have more of an item than you really need, you can start to #declutter. You may find that you only need five pairs of shoes instead of 15, or two saucepans instead of five. You probably have just a few “favorites” in any category that get used.
The things you see as essential, have used in the past year and enjoy having are the things you can feel good about keeping, says the Minimal Mom. Anything that you’re saving for “someday,” your fantasy self or sentimentality is something you can get rid of.
If you really want to streamline, work one room at a time, says Cut Clutter With Scissors. Look at your inventory spreadsheet and photos and “ask yourself which items you would replace in case of a disaster or burglary. If you wouldn’t replace the item, you probably don’t need it.”
If those extra things are worn, torn or shabby, they can go directly into the trash. If they still might be of use to someone else, they can go into a box or bag for #donation. Contact ClothingDonations.org for a free #pickup, and you’ll be rid of them forever.
You can sell the more expensive items you no longer need, of course, and use the money to fund a special treat for yourself. But you’ll have less stuff to take care of on a daily basis, and fewer worries as a result.
Start Planning Your Fall Projects Now
Another long weekend is on the books, and even though most of the country can look forward to another month or two of temperate weather, fall will be here soon. That’s why everyone should start planning — or doing — their fall projects now.
While spring and summer tend to be the busiest times of year for home improvement and renovation, fall offers relatively mild and consistent weather for DIY projects. In other words, it’s less likely you’ll be withering under the oppressive heat or dodging heavy rainstorms.
If you need to hire some help, you’re in luck: Business starts to slow down for most contractors in the fall, so you will probably have an easier time finding a qualified professional and the materials you need for a project. You may even get a price break!
Work from the outside in, Thumbtack’s Dave Steckel told The Spruce, winterizing your home and garden for the first freeze, then turning attention to interior projects. “The idea is to get ready for winter in the fall, because we never know when the weather will change,” he said.
Depending on your situation, painting, tuckpointing, roofing, gutter cleaning and HVAC maintenance may be on the list of exterior to-dos. All are essential to protecting the home and its occupants against the elements, so get them on the calendar now.
Once you have these handled, turn your attention to the interior of the home. Common projects include interior painting, floor and tile installation, lighting installation, bathroom remodeling, and home #cleaning and #organizing.
The Organizing Blog recommends a thorough #decluttering of any spaces you’ll be fixing up. Not only will it make completing your fall projects easier, reducing #clutter can beautify the space long after those projects are complete. #Donate any extra #stuff that you don’t need to ClothingDonations.org.
You’ll be spending more time indoors when fall and winter roll around; make your space more livable and efficient before the temperatures start to drop.