Organizing Links
Please let me know if any of these links are broken!Me
on Other Sites
My LiveJournal
Blog - Here I provide helpful organizing tips and talk (in
general terms) about my experience as a pro organizer.My Profile on LinkedIn
My
Favorite Books on Organizing
Links go to Amazon pages.
Links go to Amazon pages.
It's
Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys: The Seven-Step
Path to Becoming Truly Organized, by Marilyn Paul
Organizing From the Inside Out, Second Edition: The Foolproof System for Organizing Your Home, Your Office, and your Life, by Julie Morgenstern
Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House, by Cheryl Mendelson
Some Useful Links about Organizing
Did you notice that if you say a word over and over enough times it loses all meaning?
Fly Lady - "Your personal online coach to help you gain control of your house and home." I don't know much about her, but she has a following!
It's Not About Your Stuff! - A very impressive and comprehensive organizing blog that looks at "the deeper meaning of things in our lives, why we take care of them, and why we don't."
Donating:
Bikes Not Bombs - They take your old bikes (in any condition), as well as computer items and other miscellaneous stuff.
Rosie's Place: A Sanctuary for Poor and Homeless Women - They particularly need "interview clothes."
Solutions at Work - For general donations; they also have the Children's Clothing Exchange, which seems to be one of the very few places still accepting toy donations in the wake of the lead paint scare.
Malden Center Thrift Store - I haven't been there yet, but apparently they pay cash for some donations.
Shopping:
City Housewares - This is a smallish store which is jam-packed with lots of kitchen and organizing gadgets. I shop at the one in Porter Square Cambridge, but there's also one in Brookline.
Organizing From the Inside Out, Second Edition: The Foolproof System for Organizing Your Home, Your Office, and your Life, by Julie Morgenstern
Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House, by Cheryl Mendelson
Some Useful Links about Organizing
Did you notice that if you say a word over and over enough times it loses all meaning?
General
"How To" Organizing Websites
Fly Lady - "Your personal online coach to help you gain control of your house and home." I don't know much about her, but she has a following!
It's Not About Your Stuff! - A very impressive and comprehensive organizing blog that looks at "the deeper meaning of things in our lives, why we take care of them, and why we don't."
Local
Boston Area Resources
Donating:
Bikes Not Bombs - They take your old bikes (in any condition), as well as computer items and other miscellaneous stuff.
Rosie's Place: A Sanctuary for Poor and Homeless Women - They particularly need "interview clothes."
Solutions at Work - For general donations; they also have the Children's Clothing Exchange, which seems to be one of the very few places still accepting toy donations in the wake of the lead paint scare.
Malden Center Thrift Store - I haven't been there yet, but apparently they pay cash for some donations.
Shopping:
City Housewares - This is a smallish store which is jam-packed with lots of kitchen and organizing gadgets. I shop at the one in Porter Square Cambridge, but there's also one in Brookline.
To Find An
Organizer in Your Area
The National Association of
Professional Organizers
- Tons of information, including organizing tips, FAQ about
professional
organizers, event calendar, and a search tool to find an organizer in
your area or with a particular specialty.
National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization
Send Your Clutter to the Troops! - No, that's not the name of the page. But it's a list of things the military could use, and if you own some of them, it's a win-win situation!
Goodwill Industries - Information on your local Goodwill stores and how to donate.
Craig's List - Look here for your local Craig's List. You can sell items or offer them for free. And when you get bored with that, you can browse the personal ads. :-)
The Freecycle Network - Apparently you can get something for nothing!
What Financial Records to Keep and For How Long - This is a question I get asked often!
The Clutter Hoarding Scale (PDF) - Put your clutter in perspective. (Yes, there are people who are worse than you!)
Toss Old Spices Seasonally - McCormick tells you how long to keep herbs and spices, and how to tell if they're past their prime. (They may be a bit biased toward the "toss and replace" side, though.)
Cable Organizer.com
- Products to organize wires and cables
Lifestyle Systems - Cut-to-fit drawer dividers; very cool. I admit it, I saw them on "Martha Stewart Living." Hey, it's professional development!
Flatwire - They make flat wires (duh) that can go under carpets or furniture, for audio and video equipment.
For Your Nymphomation - Adult toys need organizing too! Here you can find custom cases/bags designed for that purpose. Obviously, this site has some sexually explicit material.
Ginny's Ear Nest - Although this sounds like someone desperately needs a Q-Tip, it actually leads to some very nice wooden earring racks.
Scan Snap Scanner - Say that ten times fast. This nifty product can scan your documents and turn them into searchable PDFs. The IRS accepts this format for financial records!
Send Out Cards - They will create a font based on your handwriting, and mail the cards of your choice with your own message. Seems good for holiday cards or business promotions.
Simplifying
Catalog Choice.org - A fabulous free website which allows you to opt out of receiving specific catalogs. (a favorite)
How to Get Rid of Things - Tips on getting rid of clutter, stains, bugs, and debt - also callouses, depression, and static cling.
Squalor Survivors - Sometimes a home goes beyond clutter or hoarding. This site is a great resource for people working to overcome squalor.
Stopping Overshopping - For people with a shopping addiction.
Motivational and Inspirational Quotes - You can search by author or category.
Planet SARK - Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy is an amazing woman who is all about creativity, naps, and being succulent.
National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization
Where
to Donate (or sell) Stuff
Send Your Clutter to the Troops! - No, that's not the name of the page. But it's a list of things the military could use, and if you own some of them, it's a win-win situation!
Goodwill Industries - Information on your local Goodwill stores and how to donate.
Craig's List - Look here for your local Craig's List. You can sell items or offer them for free. And when you get bored with that, you can browse the personal ads. :-)
The Freecycle Network - Apparently you can get something for nothing!
Reference
Materials
What Financial Records to Keep and For How Long - This is a question I get asked often!
The Clutter Hoarding Scale (PDF) - Put your clutter in perspective. (Yes, there are people who are worse than you!)
Toss Old Spices Seasonally - McCormick tells you how long to keep herbs and spices, and how to tell if they're past their prime. (They may be a bit biased toward the "toss and replace" side, though.)
Neat(ening) Stuff to Buy
Lifestyle Systems - Cut-to-fit drawer dividers; very cool. I admit it, I saw them on "Martha Stewart Living." Hey, it's professional development!
Flatwire - They make flat wires (duh) that can go under carpets or furniture, for audio and video equipment.
For Your Nymphomation - Adult toys need organizing too! Here you can find custom cases/bags designed for that purpose. Obviously, this site has some sexually explicit material.
Ginny's Ear Nest - Although this sounds like someone desperately needs a Q-Tip, it actually leads to some very nice wooden earring racks.
Scan Snap Scanner - Say that ten times fast. This nifty product can scan your documents and turn them into searchable PDFs. The IRS accepts this format for financial records!
Online
Organizing Services
Artimus Art
- They will scan your child's art, help you share it online, and will
turn it into a high-quality art book.Send Out Cards - They will create a font based on your handwriting, and mail the cards of your choice with your own message. Seems good for holiday cards or business promotions.
Simplifying
Catalog Choice.org - A fabulous free website which allows you to opt out of receiving specific catalogs. (a favorite)
How to Get Rid of Things - Tips on getting rid of clutter, stains, bugs, and debt - also callouses, depression, and static cling.
Hoarding
and Chronic Disorganization
Clutterers
AnonymousSqualor Survivors - Sometimes a home goes beyond clutter or hoarding. This site is a great resource for people working to overcome squalor.
Stopping Overshopping - For people with a shopping addiction.
Inspirational
Sites
That is, content to get you inspired, not code for "religious!"
That is, content to get you inspired, not code for "religious!"
Motivational and Inspirational Quotes - You can search by author or category.
Planet SARK - Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy is an amazing woman who is all about creativity, naps, and being succulent.