NAPO-GA Admin News

10 Tips for Taking Photos of and Organizing Your Personal Documents

Fri, 20 May 2022 16:34:11 GMT

As we discussed in “Going Paperless at Home”, a large part of the process is taking photos of your important personal documents. When going digital it is also important to keep your media files organized on your phone and desktop.

We know you are ready to get rid of all that clutter on your phone or desktop, and we are here to help! Organizing your media files will help eliminate the digital clutter your paper clutter is causing.

10 Tips for taking photos of personal documents and keeping them organized

1. Cloud storage systems

Cloud storage systems help free up space on your phone or desktop. You can access any files in the Cloud with ease and it is a great way to store and find files when you need them.

2. Name your media files

Naming files is often overlooked but makes a huge difference in digital organization of media. You can name files based on the content, type, and date. That way they are easily spotted when looking in your storage files.

3. Date and categorize your folders

Organize your folders by the year and then categorize them within the year.

For example:

Main Folder name:
2021 Personal Media Files
Identification
Home/residence
Personal Items
Business Items

4. Tag your content

Using specific tags and keywords will help with finding files in a search. You also can search for files based on how you named them.

5. Use an archive

Don’t get rid of old content. When it’s time to put it away, store it in an archive instead of your recycling bin. Buy an external hard drive link like this one on Amazon and make sure to keep a backup file of EVERYTHING on your external hard drive.

6. Stop using on-camera flash in your pictures

Using flash can oversaturate your pictures and add unwanted glare. Find a spot in your home with natural light and photograph your documents there.

7. Make sure to get both sides

Don’t forget to take a photo of the entire document! Front and back, and even the sides if necessary. You even can add them to one document after you take the image to have it all in one media file.

8. Make sure the background is clear

When taking your document photos, find a spot with little distraction in the background or better yet get yourself a white or black poster board and take the photos of the documents and items on that. This will make the images consistent and keep any unwanted content out.

9. YouTube video!

There are so many videos and classes out there to help you take the best photos of your personal documents and even yourself. Check them out.

10. Move in closer and stay in focus.

Last but not least, get closer to the document! However, when doing so make sure the entire document is in focus. Having blurry images won’t do any good when the time comes to use these photos.

We hope these tips help you to become more organized in creating photos used for going paperless with your personal items. If you think you still need some help, NAPO Georgia members are ready and able to assist you. Find one near you today: https://napogeorgia.com/Find-Your-Professional-Organizer

Planning for the Future – Five Things You’ll Thank Yourself for Later

Fri, 06 May 2022 15:39:27 GMT

A new year has arrived and maybe your motivation level is high right now. What better time is there to channel that motivation toward planning for your future? There are many small things you can do now that will help you later, but we have compiled a list of five things you can focus on now—and thank yourself for later!

1. Set goals for yourself

Start setting goals for yourself! Not the “resolution” type, but future goals. Start small and think about what you want to accomplish personally, financially and professionally this new year. These goals will motivate you all year long as you look toward the future. You should always be actively working toward something in your life–whether big or small.

“Goal-setting is an important part of self-care, and your future self will thank you” says Rebekah Lignugaris of Organized for Health. She continues, “Your mindset is your greatest asset and awareness is key. Set yourself up for success by not overwhelming yourself. Challenge yourself appropriately. Focus on progress, not perfection. Keep your eyes on your own path. Be realistic about your abilities and timeframe. Incorporate changes into your lifestyle not vice versa. Start small with changes that are doable and sustainable; chip away at your goal. Before you know it, tiny conscious changes will become effortless habits and you'll move onto other little changes that will also become habits, and so on, building on themselves and all leading you toward your goal. This process strengthens skills, confidence, and motivation.

Implement the small changes consistently, and add to them as you improve, and you will meet or even exceed your goal, or, maybe, you will learn more about yourself and realize you have a different goal altogether that you'd like to achieve. You might even discover that it's more about the journey of reaching your goal than simply conquering it. Be open to the experience, be aware of your feelings, and pivot as it suits you.

Remember to stick to an overall basic plan to achieve your goal but be flexible with your path and progress - expect obstacles and work through them - be gentle and patient with yourself. Every time you fall, just get back up. Find a way to keep your goal front and center in your mind to motivate you to keep going but don't obsess. And definitely celebrate your victories, big and small!”

2. Set an agenda for the year

Use an agenda for tracking daily tasks and keeping up with your work. This will help you complete tasks whenever needed instead of falling behind. Your agenda can be virtual or a traditional planner that allows you to look ahead. There is power in knowing what is coming and adjusting your plans accordingly.

3. Start living in the moment

Living in the moment, you will find yourself less anxious, and more focused on what is right in front of you. This will help your mental health in the long run, and you will be thankful for it.

4. Save your money - try budgeting

Start saving your money when you work instead of spending it. Look into investing in a 401 K or some other plan. No one's future self will regret you growing your finances. If you do not already have a monthly budget, use this time to create one. You might find it helps control some of your “bad” spending habits.

5. Have patience with yourself

Quit stressing about what the future might hold for you. Have patience and be calm (as much as you can!) when it comes to the future. You never know when or where something might happen, but if you’re patient through it all, you’ll feel better about where you end up. However, this is not an excuse to ignore taking the right steps to plan and set yourself up for future success in your personal, financial and professional life.

We hope you are already feeling more encouraged and excited about planning for the future. With these five things in mind your future self will most definitely be thanking you!

Seeking more motivation in getting your personal life organized for the future? Check out our post on”: Tips on Organizing and Improving Personal Finances, and Motivation to Get Organized All Year Long

We would love to hear any tips you might have for preparing for your future. Let us know in the comments if anything has made a huge impact on your life over time.

And don't forget, planning for the future is never a bad thing.

Tips on Organizing and Improving Personal Finances

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 16:30:24 GMT

Being financially responsible is important in all stages in life. Organizing your personal finances takes a lot of hard, consistent work. You need to stay on top of important payments, investments, retirement savings and taxes.

“It doesn’t matter what your income, knowing how to make your money work for you is key to staying fiscally sound and growing your wealth,” says Financial Organizer and Daily Money Manager, Karen Leff of Leff Organizing. “It’s never too late to start looking at how you spend. I have clients that are young and just starting out, as well as senior clients who are trying to simplify their finances. Working with a financial organizer or daily money manager can really simplify what seems like an overwhelming task.” Leff, a member of the American Association of Daily Managers, Atlanta Chapter, says Daily Money Managers work in partnership with financial professionals like accountants, financial planners and estate attorneys to help their clients.

With all of that in mind, NAPO GA members compiled a list of tips and considerations for those wanting to organize their personal finances. A little goes a long way with regards to organizing personal finances.

Here are some tips and tricks for organizing your personal finances this year:

Keep a journal of any purchases (and when you use credit or debit)

If you spend money on anything, write it down. Sometimes we forget how important it is to keep track of our personal finances, and we wait until the last minute. Before we know it, we get an expensive bill in the mail with our payments. Here’s some advice: keep two separate categories for “needs” and “wants” in your financial journal. That expensive winter jacket might be a need, but you want to make sure you pay off those big purchases to help with your overall credit. If you use your credit card, specify that in the journal.

There also are apps to help you keep track of your personal budget. Here are a few NAPO GA member favorites:

Mint

Pocketsmith

Some individuals lack a savings plan - or any savings at all

Start a savings plan today at your local bank - it’ll help you out in the long run. Instead of keeping everything in your checking or retirement plans, organize some of your finances into a savings plan. Don’t use savings unless it’s absolutely necessary, but it is good to have available liquid cash and if you do spend from it, you can add it back later.

“On-line banks offer some of the best interest rates for savings accounts often with minimums of $25 to open,” Karen Leff continues. Setting up automatic withdrawals each month into an online account is the best way to grow your savings, pay yourself first, even if it’s only $40 or $100 dollars a month. You just need to start!” Leff says having your emergency savings away from your daily checking account reduces the temptation to move money over for non-emergency impulse buys.

Most people have issues with reducing spending - no matter how hard they work on it

A common New Year’s resolution is to save more, which is usually great at the beginning of the year. But many people fall short. Instead of making a New Year’s resolution, make a constant monthly effort to save more. Journal, budget, and work on spending with a financial organizer, if needed. Check out some of our blogs on organizing more: “Understanding the Differences in Professional Organizers", and “What to Look for When Hiring A Professional Organizer”.

Start an emergency fund

This past year has taught a lot of us some tough lessons, and probably the most important is having accessible funds in case of income loss. Having a back-up plan and emergency fund is vital for healthy personal finances. According to Karen Leff “Savings is long-term, for emergencies or for large ticket items like car down payment or dream trips. Push yourself to put as much as you can comfortably afford away, 2020 taught us that it’s important to have at least 6 months of funds available if something prevents you from earning money.” Work on spending less and saving more so you can be more prepared for any financial, personal, or medical emergencies. Those “rainy days” can come in the form of a national crisis that no one expects, or unusually wild weather. Be prepared just in case.

Get your personal documents and space in order

Consider organizing more than just your bank documents, receipts and paper files. Take a look at how and where you store personal documents connected to your finances. This can include any paperwork or proof of property, investments, retirement, wills and estate plans and insurance policies. Getting things organized and designating a clean accessible space in your home or online will help with organizing your personal finances overall.

With these tips, we hope you can work toward improving your personal finances with better organization and more preparation for the future. Need more help? Professional organizers can cater to your specific needs on a personal, financial and professional level. Consider hiring an NAPO GA member today.

Small Home Organization Projects to Tackle This Week!

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 16:58:35 GMT

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to organizing your home. Looking at your home as several separate small organizationing projects helps you tackle and move forward on them more quickly! Instead of stressing out over the big picture, simplify it with small projects. When the “pictures” are done, you have one big, tidy masterpiece.

Here are six small organization projects to tackle this week:

1.Organize your coat closet

Work through your coat closet. Don’t start with your master bedroom or main clothing closets; start small. For most of us that is the coat closet, often overlooked and unorganized. Throw out trash, donate old shoes, coats, accessories hiding in there season after season untouched. You’ll be amazed at how it’s suddenly uncluttered.

2.Organize under your bathroom sink

Bathroom sinks also are often neglected, filled with spare hair curlers, unfolded towels, makeup bags, old makeup, old perfume bottles and colognes unused for years— sound familiar? Get started by taking everything out and organizing the items in usage by categories. Then put everything back and toss what you no longer need. Makeup in particular breeds bacteria when it ages - best to get rid of it.

Add storage bins and baskets under your sink to make use of the space. There are all kinds of options available like this one:

3.Organize your linen or towel closet

Take everything out, fold it and remove anything that does not belong there. Before putting it all back, make sure to toss and donate anything longer used. If you have old towels and blankets to discard, consider dropping them off at your local animal shelter

4. Make a DIY coffee station

If you need extra space for your cups and coffee essentials, make a coffee station! If you have an old table, make use of it again by transforming it. Or pick up something at a thrift store worth repurposing with a new coat of paint. Make it fun

5. Take on your junk drawer

We all have one—the infamous junk drawer. Some of us have more than one, no matter the case this is a great small organization project to take on and complete in a short amount of time. If it is just an empty drawer with all kinds of stuff consider buying a drawer organizer like this one:

6. Clean out your refrigerator and freezer

Just like all the other projects mentioned, the best way to start with this one is by emptying it out. Toss anything expired or untouched for months and place the items to keep on ice. When your refrigerator and freezer are empty, grab your strongest cleaner and spray it down. Let it sit for a few minutes then come back and scrub it with a sponge. Spray with cleaner again and wipe it down again. After this, wipe it down with a damp cloth to get rid of any leftover cleaning residue. When it is clean and ready to go, put everything back. While doing so make sure to find a place for everything, and group food and beverage types.

For more small organization projects and inspiration, check out this post by “How to nest for Less.” These 15 ideas will definitely add to our six ideas provided here.

We hope these tips help you take on home organization tasks you may have been putting off. Check out our blogs Six Easy Steps to a Perfectly Organized Garage and 10 Mudroom Organization Tips for more organizational tips and suggestions! If you are in Georgia and in need of some professional organization help consider hiring a NAPO Georgia member.

Spring Cleaning Tips to Get You Started!

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 16:33:27 GMT

As temperatures start rising and the first few buds of green pop up, we all know what time of year is about to begin. Spring cleaning!

You may have binged Marie Kondo on Netflix, or scrolled through Pinterest for some organizational inspiration over the winter months. Now it is time to take action! NAPO Georgia has compiled a list of spring cleaning tips to get you started this year.

Tips for getting kicking off your 2022 spring cleaning

1. Make a list of spring cleaning goals

Write down a list of what you want to tackle this spring. Do you need to free up space, or are you wanting to get crafty with your organization this year? Figure out what it is that you’re wanting to do before you move forward!

2. Pick a room!

Pick one room or space in your home to begin with. Make sure it is not the biggest project on your list. Maybe the mudroom or laundry room to start. Then plan a few hours to tackle the room from start to finish. This not only gets your spring cleaning started, but it will spark some motivation to continue onto the next space in your home.

3. Declutter your space with trash and donation piles

Start by designating a dropping spot or bags for things to trash and things to donate. Go through each room in your house and find these things. The key is to make sure when your trash bag is full you take it outside (or to your garage) to the main trash bin and say goodbye. As your donation pile grows, throw it in your car trunk, and drop it off at the local Goodwill or other charity. Don’t wait until you are done, it is important to start moving that stuff out of your house as soon as possible to avoid the temptation to put it back. Visit our Organizing Resources page to find organizations that accept donations.

“I’ve noticed that a lot of people have trouble letting got of things that they no longer use because it’s still good and they don’t want put it in the trash. Donating the items hadn’t even occurred to them. So it’s great to remind people that just because it’s leaving your space, doesn’t mean it has to be trashed. Donate it an let it be used by someone who wants or needs it.”

- Carolyn Rogers, Neat Nerd Solutions

4. Organize your items in sections

Start off by working on something like your closet, for example. Separate clothes and other items into sections - needs, wants, and unnecessary clutter. This will help you avoid getting any items mixed up or confused.

5. Clean as you go

Try to be as neat and clean as possible. Dust and clean off the spaces you are working with before you start and as you go.

6. Work in one area at a time

Don’t jump around from the kitchen to the bathroom. Work in one place and don’t move on to the next thing until everything is cleaned thoroughly. And don’t forget to give yourself breaks!

“Pick a target area that ‘bugs you the most’ and focus on that,” says veteran organizer and financial coach, Karen Leff of Leff Organizing, LLC.

“When you look at an entire room or garage to declutter, it can be very overwhelming.” Leff coaches her clients to break up large projects into small do-able tasks. “ If you only have 30-minutes to spare, tackle one or two drawers or shelves. Empty them out completely, just getting rid of the items you don’t want or need usually makes more room for the items you use regularly in the space.” Chipping away and decluttering and organizing smaller, targeted areas in your home gives you a sense of progress, says Leff. “For larger jobs, where clients want to see progress quickly, I encourage clients to allow me to bring one or two helpers. In most cases, we can get a large job like a garage or kitchen, completely sorted, decluttered and re-organized in one session.”

Nancy Meck of Meck Organizing says “To avoid the urge to purge in a pinball-like fashion bouncing around the house and getting nowhere fast, if you identify something as "not belonging" in the room you are focusing on, put it outside of the room, but don't walk it all the way to the next room where it is to be stored or processed. Leave time – say 30 minutes to an hour - at the end of your decluttering effort to put things away into their new short-term or long-term spot. If after clearing those items you still have time and energy for decluttering, then use those reserves to focus on a new room."

These six tips for getting started with spring cleaning this year should help you approach the process with a more motivated and organized state of mind. For more ideas and suggestions, check out these posts on organizing your home: “Motivation to Get Organized All Year Long” and “Six Easy Steps to a Perfectly Organized Garage”

10 Mudroom Organization Tips

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 18:25:05 GMT

Your mudroom is often the main entry point to your home. Most of us drop our shoes and bags as we enter and this often causes disorganization. The good news is that mudroom organization is easy to tackle. We have compiled a list of mudroom organization hacks to transform your mudroom into a clean and organized welcome to your home.

When you walk into your home, you want to feel comfortable and relaxed, not stressed. A messy mudroom can take away from the overall feel and look of your home. And when your house is cluttered, you might also start feeling cluttered, too.

10 Mudroom Organization Tips to Stay Neat and Tidy all Year

1.Use hooks for coats and jackets instead of hangers

Hangers belong in your closet, not in your living space. Bulky hangers make for unnecessary extra space in your mudroom and aren’t practical. With hooks, you can hang up jackets, coats and bags effectively, while still keeping your house looking fresh.

2. Maximize small space

Not enough room? Maximize your space by installing narrow shelves, adding hooks, and by filling in the empty spaces with minimalistic decorations.

3. Include bench seating

It’s important for you to provide guests with a nice place to sit, while also leaving enough room for storage underneath. Keeping a bench by the door is also a nice reminder for guests to take off their shoes before walking in.

4. Design as many built-in features as possible

Install drawers and cabinets to utilize space! Get creative with colors and designs.

5. Create a mudroom underneath the stairs

Make room for unused space underneath your stairway. Add baskets and chalkboards for spicing up your living space while still maintaining functionality.

6. Include a coffee area

Include a slender coffee table near your mudroom for all of your morning essentials. It makes for a nice set up and provides an organized space while getting ready in the morning.

7. Use specific colors for your mudroom

Using the right colors for your mudroom gives the illusion of a larger space so it won’t look as messy. Some ideas include dark grey, blush pink, green and a soft black color.

8.Transform Ikea furniture into functional design

Ikea furniture can be repainted, repurposed and used to hold baskets and boxes in your mudroom. Get creative with ideas that save space. Pinterest is a great place to start!

9. Keep your items hidden

If you can help it, try and keep your items enclosed in drawers or baskets. This helps to make the room less cluttered.

10. Assign a place for everyone (and everything)

This helps in keeping everyone responsible for the state of the mudroom. Giving members of your household a space in the mudroom or entryway gives them no excuse when dropping off their shoes, bags or coats.

We hope these tips help you transform your mudroom into an organized, clean and clutter-free entrance to your home, relieving some of the stress it may cause presently.

Not sure where to start? Contact one of NAPO Georgia’s many local professional home organizers today.

Five Tips for Stress-Free Tax Preparation

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 21:37:41 GMT

There are several vital things you need to know before tax season. It’s important to make sure you are all caught up, organized and ready to file your taxes.

“Benjamin Franklin said that nothing is certain but death and taxes, and in both cases, fear comes from the great unknown. With taxes, at least, you can relieve your stress by organizing your paperwork. Anticipate the categories and specific information you'll need, and tax time can be as simple as filling in the blanks.”

- Julie Bestry, Best Results Organizing

Tax time and preparing for your taxes often overwhelms us all at one time or another. However, it doesn't have to be a stressful, intimidating process if you prepare yourself throughout the year.

Like most things in life, time and preparation goes a long way. Preparing your for tax filing is no different. NAPO GA has compiled a list of tips and tricks to help you prepare for filing your taxes now and for moving forward.

1. Hire a Professional to get organized

Getting organized and staying organized is a lot easier with the help of a professional. People often overlook the possibility of hiring a professional organizer for organizing their personal files and finances. This helps with more than taxes. It can have a positive impact on future retirement and estate planning. Julie continues:

“Most of the stressors related to preparing your taxes come from not having an easy, logical system. Instead of looking in drawers and envelopes, under beds and on top of shelves, work with a professional organizer to create a system for anticipating what documents you'll need and developing a smart, secure way to sort and store them. Partnering with a professional organizer will save time (your own and your accountant's) and that will save you money.”

2 Look for local tax preparation or CPAs

A tax preparer helps you get ready for the upcoming tax season and all future tax preparation. Look for more affordable options in your area so that you can save some of your hard-earned cash while paying off your taxes. As your finances diversify and grow, you might find it necessary to hire a CPA. Most financial planners can recommend qualified trustworthy consultants.

3. Keep track of current bank information

With taxes, you want to make sure everything is in place before moving forward. Try to avoid further issues by consistently updating bank and credit card information. Keeping a monthly budget of expenses helps immensely. Julie says:

“If paper overwhelms you, consider using a digital financial dashboard like Mint or Personal Capital to track your income, expenses (by budget category or vendor), investments, and credit card and loan obligations. These kinds of dashboards let you set budgets, view transaction history, and visualize your financial life in one centralized location.”

4. File an extension for paperwork (if needed )

Make sure to file an extension if you’re behind on your taxes. This is quick and easy to do and has no financial impact, other than giving you more file time for focusing on breaking even this year!

5. Go ahead and prepare for next year

It’s never too early to start preparing for the next tax season. Michelle Cooper of Put it There Professional Organizing suggests:

“Consider a financial software program, such as Quicken. The time spent setting it up is well worth it! Printing a report of your various spending categories takes all of 2 minutes to then share with your CPA. If you prefer paper, then purchase an accordion folder with the designated tax categories and put papers in it throughout the year”

Keep all tax files in an accessible place so you don’t lose any important information, and don’t have to search for it at the last minute. Julie expands on the point with:

“Create a file folder labeled 2022 Tax Prep. When your 2021 taxes are done, make a list of all of the supporting documents you needed this year (W2s, 1099s, 1098s, etc.) and pop the list in the folder so that you'll know what to keep an eye out for starting late January 2023. As the year goes along, any time you make a charitable donation, drop the receipt in that tax prep folder. And any time something happens that seems like it would trigger a taxable event (sell a house? have a baby? win the lottery? Lose in Vegas?), put a note in the folder. You'll be amazed at how some things will escape your memory by the end of a year. Just having this folder ready to accept your documents and notes as they arise will help you be confident nothing will be forgotten.”

If you are working with a CPA or financial planner, together you can identify ways to invest and spend that benefit you financially. These types of opportunities are easy to identify ahead of time but hard to retrofit when preparing to file, so plan ahead.

Starting in April, or even January, is often not good enough when it comes to preparing your personal taxes. As we grow older, personal and professional life will scale with age. Making sure you are organized and prepared year round is important. For example: tracking your mileage, saving receipts for home improvements and charitable contributions in a designated place. That way when it comes time to prepare and file your taxes you are not stressing over digging out all the necessary paperwork and receipts needed. Plus, if you get selected for a random IRS audit, you will have all the documentation you need at your fingertips.

Preparing for your taxes can be effortless and a pleasant experience if you plan ahead and hire help. Learn more about organizing your personal files and going paperless at home. And for more tax tips from Julie Bestry visit her blog here.

Going Paperless at Home: Organizing Your Personal Documents

Carolyn Rogers — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 03:50:59 GMT

Let’s face it—misplacing or losing important personal documents is a rite of passage in the adult world. Getting your personal documents organized, and staying organized, can be challenging. Going paperless at home may be the solution to your missing personal documents from now on.

I'm sure you keep personal files in desks drawers, as well as catch-all folders and drawers. The good news is there's a better way, leaving you more organized and with less paperwork and documents stuffed around the house.

NAPO Georgia compiled four easy steps for going paperless at home. If you have been wanting to go paperless, i.e. digital, with storage for your important files, then read on. This is the post for you!

“We live in an increasingly digital world. Much of our life is already online and paper is not only becoming unnecessary, but inconvenient.”

- Carolyn Rogers, Neat Nerd Solutions

4 Steps for going paperless at home:

Step1: Reduce clutter.

Get rid of documents that you don’t need. If it’s something that won’t matter, you can go ahead and toss it out. Make sure to create two piles, one for recycling and the other for shredding. Personal documents often have private information you don’t want someone digging out of the garbage.

Step 2: Store important paper documents in a designated space in your home and photograph them for digital storage.

Use a private service to store important documents such as your social security number, bank accounts, and credit card numbers. Taking photos of all your important documents and storing them digitally will allow for immediate access to them. We often find ourselves looking for copies of passports or our driver's license when filling out online paperwork. Digital storage helps by giving you immediate access without needing to dig the paper copy out.

Step 3: Make a Google Drive for your personal files.

Google Drive helps keep all of your personal files in specialized folders and with tags. Google drive is not the only option but one of the most universal. This is for the files you want easy access to over the years. This is NOT where we recommend saving more sensitive files and documents. You also can store the images discussed in Step 2.

Step 4: Make a Cloud for any documents you want to store away securely.

If you don’t need your documents anymore, but you’re not ready to get rid of them, try using a cloud storage system. Here are some secure cloud storage services:

We hope that these steps help you get rid of unnecessary files, store away personal content, and help you with your organization. If you would like professional help we have a list of the best Professional Organizers in Georgia here.

What to Look for When Hiring a Professional Home Organizer

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 16:47:42 GMT

Congratulations! If you are reading this, you are actively taking steps toward getting organized! Knowing when to hire help is one thing, but knowing what to look for when hiring a professional home organizer is another.

NAPO GA’s members and professional organizers have compiled a list of considerations when hiring a professional. Keep in mind everyone's needs are different, but this list will help narrow down your choices and move you toward a more organized and stress free home.

Professionalism

Make sure you are hiring a true professional – someone who takes their job seriously. Viewing credentials and professional affiliations can help separate the professionals from the hobbyists. If you are searching for a home organizer in Georgia then checking our list of Members is a great start.

Problem Solving

Make sure your home organizer is adept at problem solving when it comes to cleaning up the home or finding a place to store away necessary items. Meck Organizing calls it, “putting the puzzle together.”

“Every item has a way of fitting into the big picture, or they are extra pieces that need to be left out. So the first step is getting a description of that picture, and for that the client has full artistic license! Our team first works with the client to find out how they want things to look, feel, and function. Then it becomes clear what items are to be used to bring that vision to life, and where to place them to do so. The best arrangement and solutions are the ones that last long after the organizers leave. Organizers need to plan their moves based on what is not working for the client and what the client envisions would work better. They need to ask the client the right questions to find out those things and make the right decisions with those things top of mind.”

- Nancy Meck, Meck Organizing

Reliability

Point being, you need someone you can rely on. Ways to determine this are how responsive they are when following up and responding to emails and phone calls. You can also look at their online reviews or ask for references.

Integrity

Integrity is everything, and without it, there’s no honesty or trust between professional and client. This also plays an important role in the process. If you cannot trust or respect who you have hired you might find taking on the project to be even harder with their help. Nancy goes further to explain that organizing is very personal work.

“We are in people’s homes, working with their businesses, introduced to their personal lives. We encourage people to ask a series of questions when interviewing organizers to see if the person seems to be someone they can trust to be professional, for instance ask how long they have been doing this work, do they have liability insurance, what are examples of projects they’ve done like the one that needs to be done now, and what did they do for work before becoming a professional organizer. Such questions can weed out candidates that don’t have the qualities and experience wanted in someone who is coming to help with such a private part of a client’s life and can help clients identify ones that do. If the person hired is liked and trusted, there will be great synergy between the client and organizer leading to efficient progress. This often is because the client is comfortable letting the organizer do things without the client being present. As famed former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden said, “The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”

These considerations on what to look for when hiring a professional home organizer help you narrow down your options and hire someone who is the right fit for you. Home organization can have a big impact on one's personal and professional life.

Don’t wait to hire a professional, do it now! You won't regret it.

Five Signs It’s Time to Hire a Professional Organizer

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 16:12:05 GMT

Knowing when to hire a professional organizer can be challenging and overwhelming. You have been struggling to keep up with the stresses of your everyday life, and it can feel like there is nothing you can do to fix it.

But here’s the thing—there’s always a way out.

“Feeling organized is accomplished when systems are in place throughout your home that work for YOU!. It is a very individualized process. There is no one size fits all here...and no pressure to have a Pinterest ready home! Hiring an organizer can help you develop these systems based on your lifestyle and everyday demands and can be the key to long-term success! In the process, you may find that having less leads to wanting less and that will save time, money and stress going forward.”

- Brenda Wagman, bNeat Organizing

NAPO GA has compiled a list of things you can use to identify if and when you might need to call in professional help.

Look for these signs indicating you should hire a professional organizer

One: Missing deadlines

If you’re behind at work, you might need some extra help with your time management. The same thing happens in your home. As you fall behind, it can be harder and harder to catch up on your own. Accountability is key, but if you’re wanting to make a real difference, this is a good time to hire a professional.

Two: Increased stress and unease when entering your own home

The clutter in your house is starting to make you feel uncomfortable and stressed. Do you find yourself coming home from a long day of work and just the mere presence of the clutter makes your chest tighten? We’ve all been there. This is when asking for the help of a professional organizer is a great way to ease that stress.

“It is more difficult to relax (both physically and mentally) in a cluttered space. Clutter causes feelings of anxiety.”

- Kara Rozell, More Breathing Room

Three: Forgetting appointments

If you lose track of time and start missing school appointments (professional or personal), it can be a huge problem. This is an indication you need help with managing your time, and is a sign you should consider hiring a professional.

Four: You work from home

When you work from home, you can get caught up in work so much that it interferes with taking care of your personal life, causing you to neglect priorities at home. An accountability partner can help you with any difficulties or stresses you may have.

However, if this is not doing the trick, hiring professional help can go a long way. You might need help with organizing your business activities or in-home help. Developing and maintaining a balance can be challenging for those who work from home.

“Working from home creates its own unique challenges. Whether you own your own business or work from home, sharing your living space with business, schooling and leisure often blurs the lines of relaxation and work. A professional organizer can help you find a successful balance within your home.”

- Karen Leff, Leff Organizing, LLC

Five: You misplace items often

If you lose your keys the second you enter the door, you need to come up with a better strategy. Rule of thumb: make sure everything has a place and is in its place. If you put something down, keep it somewhere safe and in clear view. If this is not enough, that is an indication you would benefit from a professional home organizer’s help.

If you’re in need of more organization advice for your home or office, make sure to check out our blog Understanding the Differences in Professional Organizers.

We hope these tips help you to better identify when you might need or want to reach out to a professional. Asking for help is not easy no matter what the context, but knowing what signs to look out for can help in taking the next step toward hiring help.

For a list of NAPO GA members in your area click here.

Understanding the Differences in Professional Organizers

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 19:00:00 GMT

Professional organizers are great accountability partners when it comes to organizing and staying on top of your life.

“Hiring a professional organizer is a not so secret life hack.”

- Carolyn Rogers, Neat Nerd Solutions

There are many different types of professional organizers out there, so it’s important to understand the differences in them. Then you will know who is best to hire for help when you are ready to get started.

It is important to know that all professional organizers are not the same. Like most industries, they specialize in the areas where they excel best. For example, you can have business organizers, home organizers, relocation professionals, and much more.

Here are some things the NAPO Georgia Professional Organizers specialize in:

Time Management

Tired of procrastinating and waiting until the last minute? Time management is crucial, and yet we still neglect it! Finding a professional organizer who can help with time management is the solution. Here are some NAPO Georgia members who focus on this area:

Linda Diamond, Captured Clutter Organizing Therapy, LLC
Diane Quintana, DNQ Solutions, LLC
Amy Shea, Campus Concierge Service
Lindsey Hardegree, Get Organized Y’all

Personal Documents Organization

The clutter in your home or business is not limited to how you organize “stuff.” It also can require organizing your personal documents, such as how they relate to taxes, your personal finances, retirement, property and more. Organizing often is overwhelming and time consuming. Professional organizers help alleviate the stress and tackle this undertaking with you, expediting the process and making it go more smoothly. Here are some NAPO Georgia members who focus on this area:

Julie Bestry, Best Results Organizing
Michelle Cooper, Put It there and Student Organizers of Atlanta
Laura Marshall, Heart Happy Organizing
Vicky Tutterow, Vicky Tutterow Professional Organizing

Financial Organizing

If you struggle with the daily management of finances, there are organizers focus on financial organizing and daily money management. Busy families, small business owners, seniors and people going through life changing circumstances such as divorce, death and health challenges often benefit the most from financial organizing.

A Financial organizer can help you get your personal papers, bills, insurance and finances in order as well as help to establish systems to maintain important information such as passwords, account numbers and emergency information. Some even work in collaboration with your professional accounting, financial or legal advisors to make sure any interactions can be efficiently managed. Here are some NAPO Georgia members who focus on this area:

Lara Anderson, Leave It to Lara!
Adele Gross, Simple Solution Organizing
Karen Leff, Leff Organizing LLC
Mary Pradhan, Daily Matters Organizing

Business Organizing

If you’ve been struggling with work, you can always hire someone to help with any problem areas you might have. Learn how to stay on top of tasks, deadlines, and meetings and how to prioritize the most important things in your life. You’ll feel less stressed and recharged when you work and be more productive. Here are some NAPO Georgia members who focus on this area:

Danielle Carney, Life Management
Kristin Diver, System Happy
Stephanie Peace, Organized Chick
Leslie Walden, It’s Time To Get Organized, LLC

Home Organization

This is what most consumers think of when you mention professional organizers. However, home organization is key to having a clean and positive living environment to come home to after a hard day. It’s even more important now that many work from home much, if not all, of the time. When working or trying to relax in a cluttered space, we feel cluttered and overwhelmed. It’s important to consider hiring a professional if you’re struggling to stay organized at home. Here are some NAPO Georgia members who focus on this area:

Jonda Beattie, Time Space Organization
Shanon McAuliffe, Purple Dragonfly, LLC
Nancy Meck, Meck Organizing
Tami Puckett, Mindful Redesign, LLC
Sandra Ragin, DeClutterstuff, LLC
Kara Rozell, More Breathing Room
Brenda Wagman, bNeat Organizing

Relocation and Moving

Whether relocating across the country or downsizing right here in Georgia, relocation and moving organizers are valuable assets to have during the process. They help pack, unpack, coordinate moves, declutter, organize closets, cupboards, and so much more. Here are some NAPO Georgia members who focus on this area:

Scott Johnson, Your Move Simplified
Heather Rogers, Simply Organized
Victoria Miller, Organized Solution of Atlanta

This is not an exhaustive list of what NAPO GA members specialize in but they are some of the most common needs of individuals needing a professional organizer's help.

I hope these professional organizing descriptions guide you toward the help and assistance you need. If you're looking for an Atlanta home organization professional, check out our Member Directory. If you are still unsure, feel free to Contact Us today and we can connect you with the right Georgia professional organizer in your area.

Motivation to Get Organized All Year Long!

Carolyn Rogers — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 15:00:00 GMT

We all have plenty of excuses and reasons to avoid getting organized throughout the year. Despite your desire to do something about it, finding the motivation to get organized is hard. But being and feeling organized has been proven to improve your quality of life. Let’s stop making excuses this year and get organized.

1. You get to take your life back!

If you haven’t been feeling like yourself lately, there’s a way to kick things back into motion. By being on top of assignments and working on organizing your life more —day by day—you might start to feel more like yourself. Organizing more is a chance to take your life back and get your mind off of the everyday stresses of life.

2. Increased productivity

Being organized boosts creativity, confidence and productivity. Your family, boss and coworkers will thank you! Who doesn't like being more productive with their time?

3. Organization makes room for new things!

All the unnecessary clutter in your home (and in your closet) adds up. Go through your closet and home when needed to get rid of or repurpose old items. Then you will have room for any of the new seasonal purchases you may have been eyeing.

4. Just 10 mins a day

That’s all it takes! Giving yourself ten minutes each day to recap on your progress for the week, work on your tasks, and do your chores can help you get better at organizing. Even if you don’t have enough time to do a deep cleaning of your home, you can still be efficient and organized by using this hack.

5. Being organized is a form of self care

It’s always nice to walk into a clean room, especially when everything is put into place. If being more organized makes you feel better, then you’ll be more motivated to succeed in work and stay on top of important tasks.

6. Stop trying to multitask

Focus on one thing at a time. If you have more work to do, make sure that the first task is completed before you move on. When we multitask we tend to stress over our chores a lot more and we might even end up procrastinating until the last minute.

7. Keep your desk clean so you can focus better

When you have a cluttered desk, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. There’s no need to keep your desk covered with work and personal belongings. This adds stress to your day. By decluttering your items into drawers, boxes, rolling carts or even putting them into storage, you can feel more relaxed when it’s time to work or study.

We hope that these tips help you improve your productivity so you can stay organized. If you're looking for an Atlanta home organization professional, check out our member directory.

Organizing Your Digital Estate - Yes, You Have One!

Carolyn Rogers — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 02:10:55 GMT

As an end-of-life and after-loss consultant, my goal is to help give families the space to grieve, whether by making sure they're more prepared beforehand, or by taking tasks off their plate after a loss. One particular service I provide is helping people get their estate documents and end-of-life wishes organized. One often overlooked component of this organizational process is digital estate organization.

Maybe you’re thinking, “What in the heck is a ‘digital estate’?” While the term is confusing for many, whether you realize it or not, you have a digital estate that is much larger than you think!

Your digital estate is more than just a person’s online presence. It includes all the technology devices you have and all the data stored on them—your laptop, cell phone, hard drives (including external hard drives), tablets, etc. So as the lines are increasingly blurred between our online and offline lives, it's more important than ever to have this digital estate organized.

So now maybe you’re thinking, “So what? Why should I care? I mean, after all, I’ll be dead!”

Well, given the varying estimates that the average American consumer has between 90-207 online accounts with usernames and passwords, you should care a lot. Even if you take the lower estimate, that’s still a lot of accounts!

Other pieces of your digital estate you might not even think about but that have value include airline frequent flyer miles, reward points, and all of those movies in your Amazon Prime video library. Even bills you pay online are part of your digital estate.

So despite the fact that your digital assets have value, here are some other reasons why you need a digital estate plan:

To protect your digital property from being lost (iCloud photos, for example)
Protect them from after-death identity thieves
So all of your digital accounts can be dealt with after you're gone
To make sure services aren’t draining money from your accounts
To provide guidance and direction of what you want to have done with all of your stuff (photos, videos, emails, texts, files, and entire online presence)

If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow and we need to plan accordingly when possible. The pandemic has made many Americans more open to talking about end-of-life and has resulted in a rise in estate planning. However, despite this increase, more than half of American adults still don't have a will, and even less have a plan for their digital estate.

So how do I help clients create a plan for their digital estate? Below is the step-by-step process!

Step 1: Create a list of your digital assets, a Digital Assets Inventory

Your list should include everything from hardware, social media accounts, online banking accounts, to home utilities you manage online, as well as usernames and passwords
At the very least, make sure someone knows the unlock code to your phone and the password to access your computer and email
Once you know what you have, plan what happens to it, and who will manage it
Consolidate, transfer, or cancel unneeded accounts

Step 2: Select someone to manage your digital estate after you're gone, which we call a Digital Executor

In some states, your existing executor may automatically get this ability, but it’s worth asking your attorney to specify someone
I help clients think through who is the best person to access your digital files and online accounts when you die, especially if the job would be better handled by somebody other than your executor (i.e. someone who’s technologically savvy!)

Step 3: Add Digital Heirs to Your Accounts

I help guide clients in identifying the tech companies that allow you to assign someone to take some actions directly through the account

Step 4: Create Plan to Pass On Your Passwords

Wills don’t contain your online accounts and passwords so you need a solution to capture, share and protect your passwords

With a digital estate plan in place, all your digital accounts and services can be deleted, managed or transferred to someone else after you're gone. You also can ensure all paid or recurring services are closed and not draining money from your bank account or racking up credit card debt. Leaving detailed instructions for what accounts you want to have deleted and who gains access to your photos and documents makes it easy for your family. I know this can seem daunting in our current digital age, but the sooner you start the sooner it will be done.

In the same way you need to organize your financial assets and physical property, if you don't get a handle on your digital life, you're leaving a huge mess for your family when you sign off from this world.

No matter where you are in terms of your end-of-life planning journey, I want to congratulate you on taking these first actionable steps for protecting your family, preventing loss of assets and preserving your legacy. While it is uncomfortable and hard to make these preparations and plans ahead of time, it can often be harder on your family after you’ve gone. A comprehensive end-of-life plan truly is the greatest gift you can give your family.

Rachel Donnelly is the Founder & CEO of Black Dress Consultants, LLC, an end-of-life and after-loss consulting firm. She works with clients all over the U.S., virtually and in person. To schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more about how she can help you or your client, email her at rachel@blackdressconsultants.com or visit blackdressconsultants.com.

Disclaimer: this isn’t legal advice, and shouldn’t be taken as such. Before drafting a will, consult a lawyer or legal service. We are not attorneys, financial advisors, or CPAs. However, we do partner with these resources, when needed, to ensure that every task that we complete for you is under their advice. If you do not have an estate attorney or financial advisor and your estate requires or would benefit from these resources, we are happy to connect you with our network of seasoned professionals.

Contributing Author: Rachel Donnelly

Monthly Home Organization Projects YOU Can Tackle!

Carolyn Rogers — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 22:47:38 GMT

Contribution Author: NAPO GA Member Nancy Meck of Meck Organizing

August is a wonderful month for tranquility and transition. A time for soaking in the last rays of summer, the beginning of the school year, stores getting stocked with fall fashions, and National Relaxation Day on August 15 (hear, hear!).

Maybe you are not in the mindset for monthly home organization projects to add to your to-do list, but with the awe-inspiring Olympic Games, you might be feeling more determined than usual. (Nothing like the best athletes in the world to motivate us to make the most of our days and get organized!)

Since your home is where you rest, eat, play, create, and now work, why not focus your attention on making it more enjoyable?

Getting Started with Home Organization Projects

Not sure where to start in sweetening your home sweet home? Have great intentions but haven’t gotten to them yet?

Maybe all you need is a bit of refocusing and a great list! Here’s a list of home organization projects you can tackle monthly. That way you can focus on your health and wellness all year round.

Monthly Home Organization Projects:

August

Office & School Supplies – In preparation for the school year starting or because you have your own homework since working from home, take time for streamlining your home office products. Gather all loose pens, pencils, writing pads, rolls of tape and other desk supplies and set up your very own in-house Office Depot-type shopping experience so you know your inventory before buying more. If your desk has drawers, store the supplies in them to free up as much space as possible on the desk surface, and get drawer inserts as needed so things don’t roll around.

Set up a sleek calendar for capturing your entire family’s work, school, personal activities, special events, and other time-sensitive things. Ensure your computer, phone, printer/scanner, and shredder are in good working condition.

September

Linens– Whether you expect company during the fall/winter holidays or are wondering where your beach towels went in the past few months, fall is a perfect time for getting your bath, bedroom and table linens straightened out. Take an inventory to identify what needs to be replaced for the number you like having on hand. Clean any items that need it. Donate any bed sets that don’t fit mattresses you currently have. Use a pillowcase as the “bag” to store inside its matching fitted sheet, flat sheet, and other pillowcase. Turn into rags or let go of any towels and washcloths past their prime. Review table linens to ensure they are ready as your social calendar gets busier.

October

Toys/Playroom– Halloween planning means a deep dive into the toy/playroom area to dig out costumes. It’s a great opportunity to weed out those that no longer fit and toys no longer used.

Involve your child in the process as it works well for their age and development. Explain the benefits of letting go. For instance, they can more easily see and find the things they really like playing with; they have more room to play; they can make another child happy just like they get happy when someone gives them something. Use bins and labels to create a system for what-goes-where, and invest your children in the process so they learn where to find things and how to put them away. If donating toys and clothing, let them tag along as a lesson in philanthropy.

November

Kitchen/Pantry – Whether you are big on entertaining for Thanksgiving, or the most complicated thing you can make is toast, a regular review of the kitchen and pantry can ensure it stays fresh and uncrowded. Clean and disinfect the refrigerator and pantry. Let go of food items past their “best by” date, as this means they have likely lost qualities that make them optimal, plus you haven’t used them up in quite some time. Use lazy Susans, stadium shelves, drawer dividers, canisters, and other fun products to maximize use of space and enhance the look.

Organize what is kept into categories, for example baking, beverages, breakfast, sauces/rubs, sides, snacks, etc., arranging them so the most frequently used items are easiest to see and access. Place heavy items waist high or on the floor to avoid pulling down from overhead. Clear out all cooking utensils, pots, and pans no longer used, including unnecessary duplicates.

Match food storage containers to their lids, tossing or recycling any that are cracked or minus lids. Consider the number of dish sets in routine and special occasion use, storing those frequently used close to the dishwasher and others higher up or into a separate storage area. Inspect dish towels and hot pads, ensuring they are clean and have not accumulated to a number beyond what is needed for regular use.

December

Holiday Season – No better time than winter holidays to pull out your holiday themed items and decide which still make you jolly and which are just taking up space. Start early in the month so when you donate what you no longer love and use, it stands a chance of adorning someone else’s house this year. Allow the sentimental items a more prominent place than the ones bought “on clearance” by letting go of anything that you don’t find to be special or a big contributor to your holiday decorating.

Create a system of storing holiday décor so each holiday is grouped together and easily put back into its container. There are many custom products for things from lights to ornaments to wreaths, and there are DIY ways to keep things orderly, too, (i.e. using a ziplock bag for each strand of lights to keep them from tangling).

January

Health and Beauty – New Year’s Resolutions often include intentions for improved health and wellness, thus January is a perfect time to look at what health and beauty products are in the house and determine if they are the ones needed to support your yearly goals.

Let go of any expired products, especially medications, makeup and sunscreens. Clean brushes, combs, and makeup applicators. Discard any open lotions, serums, cleansers, and makeup more than two years old or no longer used. Organize items by category, like hair, face, body, dental, shaving/grooming, shower/bath, first aid, medications, supplements, etc. Use bins, drawer dividers, over-the-door organizers, and other storage bins as appropriate to ensure everything easily fits and can be readily seen.

February

Memorabilia – In this month with a holiday celebrating love, take time to go through photos and other keepsakes accumulated over the years and let go of any items that do not fill your heart with joy. If a photo features someone or something that would be more sentimental to someone else, go old school and send it to that person with a little note. Frame exceptional photos and put them out in the home so they can be enjoyed.

Use shadow boxes or other displays for showcasing items that make you happy and can blend into the décor of your home. Scan special photos for which you want a back-up copy. Create photo books for kids’ artwork you want to remember but do not need the original. Organize loose items by person, event, and/or year (ex: younger years, elementary school, middle school, high school, college, post-college, etc.), making sure containers used are big enough and you have enough to maintain this organizational system for years to come.

March

Paper – Review your hardcopy documents and decide whether to “stash or trash.” Ideas of items you may choose to let go of: expired membership records, policies, and warranties; invoices/receipts you don’t need for tax, insurance, or resale purposes; business cards after you’ve loaded those you care about into your phone’s contacts; supporting tax return documentation for years older than your accountant advises you to keep; kids’ homework not vital to their continued studies or wanted for the sake of memorabilia.

Stop the influx of junk mail by using an app like PaperKarma, registering with a service like dmachoice.org or catalogchoice.org and contacting the senders directly. Sign up to receive statements and bills electronically. Create a simple, comprehensive filing system, arranging files alphabetically so it’s easy to find what you need. Make a grab-and-go box of must-have documents to take in case of an emergency. Designate a critical tax document place to be ready for when tax return submission time arrives.

April

Garage, Shed, Basement, & Attic– Spring into spring cleaning and beat the summer heat by spending time maximizing use of space in your home’s key storage areas. Donate, sell, or discard anything no longer loved and used. Repair and clean anything that would be usable if in better condition.

In the garage and basement, use vertical space and even the ceiling to hang items so they are easily accessible and the floor is clear. Return anything that does not belong to your household (it’s impressive how much accumulates that isn’t ours, especially if you have kids!).

Move items requiring a temperature-controlled environment inside the home for optimal long-term storage, such as upholstered items, photographs, paper documents, and artwork. Invest in clear, stackable, lidded containers if needed to create order and store more in the space. Label containers, shelves, and drawers so everyone knows what is where.

May

Travel – Get your travel gear in gear before summer’s big trips or fast weekends away. Fix or replace travel bags and suitcases that are broken or torn now so they are ready for the next excursion. Think of how many bags you need for you and your whole family on the longest trip, then let go of the excess. Wash or discard dirty toiletry and shoe bags. Minimize your collection of travel-sized health and beauty products to just those you will realistically use in the next year.

June

Sports and Rec – Prep for fun in the sun by looking over your sports and recreation equipment and accessories. Inflate bike tires, basketballs, soccer balls, etc. Inspect helmets to ensure they are in optimum condition. Clean coolers and folding chairs. Stock up on insect repellent and sunscreen. Let go of any items that no longer work and won’t be fixed or are for activities your household has lost interest in. Organize gear by category or by person and ensure the entire household knows where to find it and how to maintain the order.

July

Clothes – Take advantage of those back-to-school sales, but only after editing wardrobes down to what you and your family still use and want. When reviewing clothes and accessories, each household member should consider if they are (1) comfortable, (2) needed for activities/events still current in daily life, and (3) look good when worn (i.e., suits their own sense of style and fit). Anything missing one of these traits gets altered, sold or donated. Then note “the gaps” in the wardrobe, make a list, and shop for just those items. This saves a tremendous amount of time and money that can be put toward other rewarding things!

May you find this list of monthly home organization projects helpful today and the year through! Follow your energy as you move through them...maybe you will get in a groove and double up some of the tasks to give yourself even more time to rest and relax! Need help getting organized or tackling other projects at home or at work? Visit www.meckorganizing.com for tips in the “Notes from Nancy” section and to contact us for more information and to book an on-site or virtual session.

Why Doing a Home or Business Inventory Can be a Lifesaver

Carolyn Rogers — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 11:59:03 GMT

Contributor:Tina Taylor, NAPO Georgia Member

Why is a home or business inventory important? And how do you complete one?

You may have asked yourself why doing a home or business inventory is important or not. Every year, thousands of home and business owners face natural (or man-made) disasters that devastate their property. The clean-up of these types of situations is not the only immediate matter to handle after experiencing a situation like this. Having a home or business inventory is vital to filing insurance claims and regaining your life post disaster.

Without an adequate inventory of the contents of your home or business, it could take months to pull everything together. This can delay your ability to file a claim with insurance.

Those who do have a thorough record (i.e. inventory) of their belongings can file their initial claim within 24 to 36 hours. Beyond disaster recovery, a thorough inventory can be useful in a variety of other situations, including:

Estate planning and settlement
Moving and storage
Financial planning
Prenuptial agreements
Separation of assets/divorce
Supporting documentation for tax deductions for uninsured losses

A good insurance policy covers the cost of replacing the contents in your home or business. Before you can receive the funds, however, most insurance companies require a detailed list of what was damaged, destroyed, or stolen. Could you recall every item? Do you know the manufacturers, model numbers, and serial numbers of your electronics and appliances? In the event of a disaster, the itemized list of contents and supporting photographs created by a nationally certified inventory professional will simplify and expedite the claims process. According to the National Insurance Industry, policyholders who have a thorough inventory received faster results when filing a claim and received greater settlements.

A typical inventory combines image documentation and an itemized written report. All the information is compiled into a professionally assembled portfolio.

Image documentation- Digital photos include exterior and interior views. We provide full-room views as well as close-up photographs of specific items.
Written report- Organized by room, the descriptions include manufacturers, model numbers, serial numbers, and other identifying information when available.
The portfolio- You will receive both a printed and electronic version of your information.
Secure backup- Your report is stored on a secure, encrypted server at an offsite location. In the event of a disaster, we furnish you with a copy of your inventory if yours is not available. We also provide a copy for the police or your insurance agent upon your request, at no additional charge.

An average inventory takes a team of two approximately one hour onsite for every 1,000 square feet. Additional time might be required for collection documentation.

“How do I keep my inventory current?” Insurance companies suggest inventories remain current. We provide a variety of services to assist you. Annual update and backup renewal: By retaining your records on our online backup service, we can help you keep your inventory current. You can send us photos and descriptions via email, and we will add that information to your current records. The first year of online backup is included in your initial service. Re-inventory for major updates: This includes a new flash drive and another year of backup service.

Investing in an inventory now means not having to spend valuable time later when you are under the stress caused by dealing with a disaster. When considering an investment in a personal property inventory, take into account the value of your possessions. Just one forgotten item on an insurance claim can often cost more than our professional documentation. For a residential inventory, the average price is 25 cents per living area square foot, which equates to a $500 cost for a 2,000-square-foot home. Pricing is based on the size of the area to be documented and estimates are provided free of charge.

Committed to exceptional customer service, Home and Business Inventory Consultants (HBIC) are nationally certified home inventory professionals. Security of client information is a priority from the first phone call through compilation of the final portfolio. All documentation used in preparing your inventory will be shredded. Every project is backed by a Confidentiality Guarantee. Additionally, we are bonded and insured.

The most important question you need to ask yourself if you are considering whether to commit to an inventory with Home & Business Inventory Consultants is: Can I picture my home or business without an inventory?

For more information visit https://hbic.solutions/ or connect with Tina today via phone at 770-235-1393.

Six Easy Steps to a Perfectly Organized Garage

Carolyn Rogers — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 18:51:50 GMT

by NAPO Blog

www.napo.net

79% of homeowners desire more garage storage space, according to the Woodworking Network. From gardening tools, to the kid’s toys to storing holiday decorations, homeowners are struggling to store everything due to the lack of garage storage space. Support your clients storage goals by supplying them with these six easy steps to garage perfection from the experts, Organized Living.

1. Start with a clean slate.

Take everything out of the garage and decide what will stay and what will go. Grab some bins to collect everything that doesn’t belong in the garage, and find its proper home. This will allow you to utilize the space in the garage more productively.

2. Purge.

Old cleats? Rusty gardening tools? Pitch, sell, or donate. As you go through items good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used it in a year, get rid of it! By minimizing what is actually stored in the garage, it will be easier to create a decluttered, serene space.

3. Create a storage plan.

After you’ve cleared out the garage and purged, it’s time to create a storage game plan. Divide the garage into zones: sports, gardening, camping, etc., and categorize the items. Find a place for miscellaneous items that you plan on keeping in your garage. Rather than allowing items to pile in the corner, include them in your storage plan.

4. Think vertically with freedomRail Garage.

Maximize vertical wall space with the adjustable freedomRail Garage system. When designing,think about convenience and frequency of use. If you are using an item more often, keep it at eye level instead of high up. Keep light items high up and heavy items down low to avoid potential injury while accessing tools. Make sure to leave 24” of clear walkway space around vehicles.

5. Create a dropzone.

Stop the clutter before it enters your home by providing a place for your shoes and coats. Creating a handy place to hang your coats and bags when walking in the door can ease the transition between the home and the rest of your day.

6. Maintain.

As the seasons change, so do your priorities. Continue to reorganize the garage every season to ensure your predominant needs are met. Plus it stops the mess from getting out of hand!

An organized garage will add function and ease to your client’s daily routine. Providing them with these 6 simple steps will allow your clients to have a more functional garage space that they can finally be proud of and use!

Read original post HERE

Member Spotlight - David McDonough - NAPO GA Business Partnership Director

Carolyn Rogers — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 02:25:36 GMT

NAPO Georgia member David McDonough serves on our Board of Directors as the Business Partnership Director. David has been an active member with NAPO since 2013.

When joining NAPO’s Georgia chapter he knew it was an investment in his career, but he has gained in more ways than he could imagine.

“I have been honored to be brought in to work with the clients of fellow NAPO members. This has been extremely valuable to my business, and I have enjoyed all the new friendships I have made along the way!”

David is a problem solver and has been in the photography organizing business for more than a decade. His company, Modern Image in Marietta, was founded after Hurricane Katrina. Witnessing the devastation and impact the storm had on peoples’ most valuable memories and digital assets is what inspired him to start his business.

Modern Image provides clients several options for protecting their data, such as document scanning, document storage, file organization, document management software, document shredding, photo scanning, photo organizing, media conversion, book scanning and more!

If you or your business are working on going paperless you definitely need to check out Modern Image in Marietta.

David thoroughly enjoys protecting people from the effects of losing their data and has enjoyed being a part of the Marietta, Georgia, professional organizing community.

Learn more about David and how he can be an asset to your business. Visit hiswebsite or send him a message for more information.

We are grateful for David’s commitment to NAPO!

Member Spotlight - Brenda Wagman - NAPO GA Membership Director

Carolyn Rogers — Fri, 28 May 2021 11:49:53 GMT

Brenda Wagman has been a professional member of NAPO Georgia since 2015. She is currently serving her third year on the Board as Membership Director. If you are considering joining or have recently joined NAPO Georgia, you have likely interacted with her!

After practicing audiology for many years in Toronto, Canada, Brenda relocated to New York. Soon thereafter, she decided to combine her love of helping people and passion for creating orderly, streamlined spaces and began working as a professional organizer in 2007.

Shortly after her move from the Big Apple to the Peach State in 2015, Brenda launched her company bNeat Organizing. Through her business Brenda provides residents of the Atlanta area state-of-the-art organizing techniques for helping them simplify and declutter their lives.

bNeat Organizing offers a wide array of services for keeping clients’ spaces neat and organized. Brenda has spent many years dedicating her time to helping her clients develop creative ways to keep their homes and offices organized. She has been a true asset to NAPO Georgia.

When asked what she loves most about being an organizer, Brenda said, “I enjoy helping my clients define what being organized means to them and then teaching them how to maintain their new found lifestyle”

If you are in need of a professional organizer like Brenda, please visit her website.

Member Spotlight - Shanon McAuliffe - NAPO GA Director of Marketing

Carolyn Rogers — Fri, 14 May 2021 10:52:38 GMT

NAPO Georgia member Shanon McAuliffe actively serves on the Board of Directors as the Director of Marketing. Over the years Shanon has been using her talents as a professional organizer across industries and continues seek advancement in her profession through her involvement with NAPO Ga.

As a NAPO member Shanon has found that the organization fosters her interest in continuing to grow and learn as a professional organizer “The people I have met through the organization have helped me tremendously in growing my business. They are very generous with tips and advice.”

Before becoming a professional organizer in the Atlanta Metro area, Shanon’s work experience gave her the opportunity to hone her organizational skills. Personally, she has always enjoyed helping others get rid of their clutter and live a more organized lifestyle. From this experience and passion, she ventured into own professional organizing business, Purple Dragonfly, LLC.

Her mission is to listen to her clients’ goals with compassion and understanding. She knows that every situation is unique and different and welcomes each opportunity to help them solve their challenges and go from overwhelm to relief.

As an organizer, Shanon takes pride in helping others create peace and balance in their lives and acquire the life and home they desire.

“I take pleasure in helping my clients uncover the home and life they desire — compassionately, discreetly, and without judgement. The feedback I get tells me I am doing it - I am fulfilling my purpose.”

If you are in need of an organizer like Shanon or just want to know more about her services in the Greater Atlanta Metro area, feel free to visit her website and submit an inquiry.

Member Spotlight - Carolyn Rogers- NAPO GA Director of Communications & Technology

Carolyn Rogers — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 12:29:34 GMT

Carolyn Rogers has been a NAPO Georgia member for 6 years and currently serves on the Board of Directors as Director of Communications and Technology. Carolyn has found her NAPO membership provides a tangible value to her career development as a professional organizer and fosters great relationships with professional organizing peers in the Atlanta area.

Carolyn is the creator and proud owner of the Greater Atlanta based professional organizing business, Neat Nerd Solutions. She focuses on helping clients to organize and simplify their lives. When it comes to lifestyles, Neat Nerd offers a wide range of professional organizing services to clients in the greater Atlanta area. If you are looking to have your closet cleaned out or start parking your car in the garage, give Carolyn and Neat Nerd a call.

While Carolyn was growing up, she learned early on that organization was something she not only loved but was exceptionally good at. Now she helps others stay organized by decluttering and destressing their lives. Carolyn’s goal is to create a neat space where you can find all of your belongings and have time to relax and enjoy the more important things in your life. Neat Nerd works with both residential and business clients in the Greater Atlanta area.

Carolyn says, “Organizing is a lot like solving a puzzle and I actually find it relaxing. I guess you can say I am a nerd who is fast becoming a geek about organizing.

Visit Carolyn’swebsite to learn more about how she can help you embrace your neat side.

Member Spotlight - Laura June McDuffie - NAPO GA Secretary

Carolyn Rogers — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 00:36:21 GMT

NAPO Georgia member Laura June McDuffie has been actively involved with NAPO since 2015 and currently holds the position of Secretary. Her dedication to her work has been exemplary over the years and we are honored to have here as a NAPO member.

Laura works as a Professional Organizer in the Atlanta area and is dedicated to helping others declutter and clean-up their space. Her primary focus is on residential organization and assisting individuals who are changing jobs and relocation to or from the Atlanta, Georgia area.

As an organizer, Laura June has spent many years dedicating her time to helping others stay neat and organized, which led her to produce her own version of services @neatandorganized.

“My involvement in NAPO GA has provided more than just a professional network.”

Laura June said her motto is “Declutter, Simplify, Organize!" She genuinely enjoys helping others and wants to lend a hand in any way she can. If you or someone you know needs relocation help in Atlanta send them to Laura June.

If you are in need of an organizer like Laura June or just want to know more about her services in the Atlanta area, feel free to visit herFacebook page. She is also reachable via email at laurajunemcduffie@comcast.net.

Member Spotlight - Cheryl Jindra - NAPO GA Vice President

Carolyn Rogers — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 22:55:33 GMT

NAPO Georgia member Cheryl Jindra is on the Board of Directors and currently holds the Vice President position and will be taking over the President’s role later this spring. Cheryl’s service has been an incredible asset to the organization for the short time she has been a NAPO member.

Cheryl has a passion for organizing and is the proud owner of Smile in Your Space , a South Metro Atlanta professional organizing company. One of her lifelong goals is helping others acquire their ideal space. From downsizing to decluttering, Smile in Your Space will help you create a sense of calm, peace and tranquility in your home.

When asked why she joined NAPO Georgia, Cheryl said, “I was so excited to find a group of people with the same passion for organizing and decluttering - it was the perfect fit for me! I have met great people who have helped shape my business as I have grown as a Professional Organizer.”

Cheryl plans to continue helping individuals and families in South Metro Atlanta find simple solutions to their personal and professional organizational needs. She uses her love for organization and decluttering to assist others in putting the smile back in their space.

Visit Cheryl’swebsite and learn more about her and the services Smile in Your Space provides. Let Cheryl put a smile on your face by contacting her today. Cheryl provides her services to the South Metro Atlanta area and beyond and would be honored to serve you! Contact her today.

Member Spotlight - Karen Leff - NAPO GA Treasurer

Carolyn Rogers — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 23:38:11 GMT

National Association of Productivity and Organizing (NAPO) Georgia member Karen Leff has served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer since 2020. Her 14 years of experience includes financial and residential organizing for individuals, families, and small businesses.

Karen also is a member of the American Association of Daily Money Managers (AADMM). Her Atlanta-based organizing business — Leff Organizing — provides services focused on organizational strategies for improving her clients' quality of life. She serves clients across metro Atlanta, including Decatur, Buckhead, Druid Hills, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven.

Leff Organizing works with busy professionals, families, and adult children supporting older adults. She works compassionately with those dealing with life transitions.

"I believe your home should be a sanctuary," says Karen. "It should be your calm, happy place of retreat. Disorder and clutter can keep you from enjoying your time at home and can keep you from taking part in fun activities with family and friends.”

Whether you are facing life changes, moves, downsizing or just want your home to function better for you, Karen is here to help. Visit her website to learn how she can organize your life.

Member Spotlight - Ginger Willis - NAPO GA President

Carolyn Rogers — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 13:00:00 GMT

NAPO Georgia member Ginger Willis has served on the Board of Directors for the past three years and currently holds the position of Chapter President. Her service to the chapter has been invaluable and we are honored to have her as an active member.

Ginger is a Metro Atlanta Productivity Consultant and Professional Organizer. She is the proud business owner of Element of Fun Organizing and has been helping clients organize their personal and professional lives for 4 years.

When asked why she decided to join NAPO Georgia, she said, “The first time I attended a NAPO Georgia meeting, I knew I’d found my people. My dream of becoming a Professional Organizer and business owner was validated when I saw so many amazing, intelligent people already doing what I aspired to.

There is no doubt Ginger is passionate about all things organization. Her dedication to NAPO Georgia and her client work speaks volumes. In addition to being a businesswoman, Ginger is a wife, mom, fur mamma and volunteer. She uses her solution-based mindset to help others get organized and evolve into the best version of themselves.

Ginger’s professional organization journey began back in high school when she developed a passion for organization and productivity. She continued her path as a Project Manager in Hospitality Interior Design and held a position as an Office Manager before becoming an entrepreneur. She has additional skills in space planning, custom storage solutions, event and project planning, and staging.

Visit Ginger's website and learn more about her and the services Element of Fun Organizing provides. Ginger will without a doubt bring an “element of fun” to your life!

Client Success Story: How an Inquiry from an Organizing Book Became a 20 Year Client Connection

(Past member) — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 13:15:08 GMT

By Ellen Delap, CPO
Professional-Organizer.com

The year was 2000 when I received an inquiry from a neighborhood woman seeking a professional organizer to help her and her newly retired husband get organized. As an established professional organizer, author and NAPO member, I knew I could help her! This was the start of a 20 year client relationship based on trust and connection.

In that first year, my organizing work with the couple flourished. We organized many things, starting with their closets and important documents. The wife, who had also recently retired from her boutique clothing store, loved having a professional to help incorporate her amazing vintage clothing and extensive designer clothing collection into her closet. The husband on the other hand, appreciated the assistance in organizing his growing consulting business paperwork and residential documents.

Throughout the years, our connection progressed. We decided on monthly maintenance for paper management, where I would help the couple organize their files and eventually help pay their bills. The wife and I even worked together with a closet designer to envision and transform their guest room into a designer closet. This soon became the jewel of their home and all visitors were given a tour of the wife’s fabulous closet.

The family eventually decided to age in place at home. I began to organize their medical documents including paperwork regarding their benefits and medications. Together we interviewed new team members for the family, including a cleaning lady and a caregiver. I have continued to serve as their professional organizer in aiding them with documenting their paperwork and other organizing needs. We coordinate their medical and personal care with our quarterly team meetings.

In our 20th year together, we are celebrating our success in organizing. This family and I have created an organized lifestyle, streamlined paperwork and maintained organization together. What built this trust is the expertise of being a certified professional organizer, the confidentiality and ethics of our profession and the core knowledge base of paper management.

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NAPO-GA Admin News

10 Tips for Taking Photos of and Organizing Your Personal Documents

10 Tips for taking photos of personal documents and keeping them organized

1. Cloud storage systems

2. Name your media files

3. Date and categorize your folders

4. Tag your content

5. Use an archive

6. Stop using on-camera flash in your pictures

7. Make sure to get both sides

8. Make sure the background is clear

9. YouTube video!

10. Move in closer and stay in focus.

Planning for the Future – Five Things You’ll Thank Yourself for Later

Five Things To Consider When Planning for the Future

1. Set goals for yourself

2. Set an agenda for the year

3. Start living in the moment

4. Save your money - try budgeting

5. Have patience with yourself

Tips on Organizing and Improving Personal Finances

Here are some tips and tricks for organizing your personal finances this year:

Keep a journal of any purchases (and when you use credit or debit)

Some individuals lack a savings plan - or any savings at all

Most people have issues with reducing spending - no matter how hard they work on it

Start an emergency fund

Get your personal documents and space in order

Small Home Organization Projects to Tackle This Week!

Here are six small organization projects to tackle this week:

1.Organize your coat closet

2.Organize under your bathroom sink

3.Organize your linen or towel closet

4. Make a DIY coffee station

5. Take on your junk drawer

6. Clean out your refrigerator and freezer

Spring Cleaning Tips to Get You Started!

Tips for getting kicking off your 2022 spring cleaning

1. Make a list of spring cleaning goals

2. Pick a room!

3. Declutter your space with trash and donation piles

4. Organize your items in sections

5. Clean as you go

6. Work in one area at a time

10 Mudroom Organization Tips

10 Mudroom Organization Tips to Stay Neat and Tidy all Year

1.Use hooks for coats and jackets instead of hangers

2. Maximize small space

3. Include bench seating

4. Design as many built-in features as possible

5. Create a mudroom underneath the stairs

6. Include a coffee area Include a slender coffee table near your mudroom for all of your morning essentials. It makes for a nice set up and provides an organized space while getting ready in the morning.

7. Use specific colors for your mudroom

Using the right colors for your mudroom gives the illusion of a larger space so it won’t look as messy. Some ideas include dark grey, blush pink, green and a soft black color.

8.Transform Ikea furniture into functional design

9. Keep your items hidden

10. Assign a place for everyone (and everything)

Five Tips for Stress-Free Tax Preparation

1. Hire a Professional to get organized

2 Look for local tax preparation or CPAs

3. Keep track of current bank information

4. File an extension for paperwork (if needed )

5. Go ahead and prepare for next year

Going Paperless at Home: Organizing Your Personal Documents

4 Steps for going paperless at home:

Step1: Reduce clutter.

Step 2: Store important paper documents in a designated space in your home and photograph them for digital storage.

Step 3: Make a Google Drive for your personal files.

Step 4: Make a Cloud for any documents you want to store away securely.

What to Look for When Hiring a Professional Home Organizer

Professionalism

Problem Solving

Reliability

Integrity

Five Signs It’s Time to Hire a Professional Organizer

Look for these signs indicating you should hire a professional organizer

One: Missing deadlines

Two: Increased stress and unease when entering your own home

“It is more difficult to relax (both physically and mentally) in a cluttered space. Clutter causes feelings of anxiety.”

Three: Forgetting appointments

Four: You work from home

6. Include a coffee area

Include a slender coffee table near your mudroom for all of your morning essentials. It makes for a nice set up and provides an organized space while getting ready in the morning.