DE-JUNKING A ROOM

STEPS TO “DE-JUNK” A ROOM
• Determine the purpose of each room
• Use the "in and out" inventory rule
• Gather 4 Big boxes or bags and label them:

JUNK
CHARITY
SORT
EMOTIONAL WITHDRAWAL

As you bring anything into the house or even think about buying it ask the following questions:

• Do I want to……
• Dust It Clean It
• Move It Insurance
• Pack It Store It
• Need It Use It
• Space for it Care for It
• Is it Durable Price?

HINTS TO KEEP IN MIND AS YOU DEJUNK
• Less is more!
• Only work on one room at a time
• Throw away
• Give to the local charity
• Garage Sale
• Photograph large projects, kids trophies, large collections.
• When was the last time we used this?
• Does it bring us joy or pain?
• Use under the bed boxes
• Keep rooms simple in design
• Keep furniture simple and in repair
• Assign a place for everything and put it back after you have used it
• Have a trash can in every room
• Use hooks, shelves, boxes, all kinds of containers, zip lock Baggies…
• Permanent markers-Label
• Color co-ordinate kids rooms, towels, sheets, backpacks, cups
• Have an "Emergency Basket" for quick pick up
• Don't be so "tasked" that you forget about people!
• Do one thing at a time.
• Don't try to keep everything.
• Use early mornings, holidays, weekends.
• Team up with a timer and make a deal with who is helping you to work for just that amount of time.
• Make up a basket for the guest room with sample products.

General Knowledge

HOME OFFICE: Room, wall, closet, desk-comfortable, central-phone VM -AM

CAR: Small box in front: note pad and pen, maps, water, extra roll film, container for .25 snack, craft, book w/ highlighter, deck of cards, meds, walkie talkies, lotion, sun screen, wipes, tissues, chap stick, gym pass, thank you cards, post it notes, project book.

Box in trunk: Sweatshirt, sox, jumper cables, blanket, rubber gloves, flashlight, TP, Kotek, first aid kit, sewing kit, umbrella, Placemat Kit, matches, grocery bag.

RETURN ITEM BOX: Library Books, things to be returned, dry cleaning…

“THE BOX”

DRY ERASE BOARD FOR KIDS

FAMILY RESOURCE BOOK
Kids Schedules: sports, music, scouts “I’m bored” list
Phone Lists: work, church, neighbors, clubs, quilt group Gift-Wish list
School Calendar Insurance Info
Rules-Mission Statement Sudden Opportunity
Work Schedules Projects
Birthday and Anniversary Lists Telephone Log
“How To” instructions Business Cards
Menus from Restaurants Credit Card List
Important Phone Numbers-lawyers, accountant, bishop, Dr….

CALENDAR
• Have only one -different kinds-electronic, planners-customize
• Have it with you at all times or don’t say yes-
• Learn to say NO-Don’t explain why
• Reserve time for yourself-guilt free
• Be five minutes early
• Be flexible – Have a plan B, C D E….
• Avoid crisis management-don’t let other peoples crisis your own
• If you are prone to procrastination –ask a friend to hold you responsible
• Have a planning time
• Find out if you are a morning or night person
• Learn to make quick decisions on details
• Delegate
• Think outside the box-table cloth
+


IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS
• Assign a stair for each member of the family for things to be moved upstairs.
• Always make your bed.
• Attach the remote control to the TV with Velcro.
• Put your purse and keys in the same place each time.
• Highlight each phone number you look up.
• Buy greeting cards for a year.
• Before making a call-jot down an agenda.
• Organize errands to maximize time and gas
• Keep a running list of errands in the car.
• Call ahead to make sure what you’re looking for is in stock.
• Double up on tasks-pay bills while watching TV
• Don’t be a perfectionist.
• Stop Micromanaging.
• Create “Project Kits”
• Post it note glue
• Absent note
• 10 things you can do for me to say, “I love you”
• Sit on your toilet and see what your guest are seeing-new screws for seat
• Basket of notes
• Scale of 1-10
• Hi-Lo
• Own a good set of knives and a good vacuum cleaner

Notes

Because I Care

The Great Paper Chase

SCHEDULE TIME AND A PLACE
Find a place away from family, pets, air/heat ducts where you can keep things out.
File Folders- 1/5 cut- paper, plastic, colored. Use clear tabs.
File Cabinet or filing boxes-trash bags-stapler-scissors-post it notes, pen.

FIRE

Safe Deposit Box-Make a list of what is in the box and keep it in the “Book”. You might include birth, marriage, death certificates, citizenship papers, adoption papers, wills, deeds, stocks and bonds, contracts, household inventory with pictures, pink slips from autos, military papers, divorce decrees, pension plans, real estate records.

Make copies of important papers and give it to someone else.

START YOUNG-GIFT –Also makes a great wedding gift!

THE MOST EFFECTIVE FILING SYSTEM IS ONE THAT IS:
1. Simple to use
2. Easy to understand
3. Easily accessible to the family members who will use it. (Show spouse how to find things)
4. Location, Location, Location

3 TYPES OF FILES:
1. Active-Current year’s bills, tax information, medical and appliance manuals. Tickler File
2. Dead-contains tax working paper for previous years.
3. Permanent Reference-things you want to keep for reference.
4. Family Resource Book
Kids Schedule-Sports, Music, Scouts
Phone Lists-Work, Bunko, Book Club, Church, Quilt group
Rules-Mission Statement
Work Schedule, School Calendars, Project Lists
Birthday and Anniversary Lists
Business Cards
Menus from local restaurants and fast food places
Credit card Accounts

TEMPORARY FILE
To do Payables-Bills
Deliver-Mail Birthday/Anniversary Cards
Church -School-Clubs Family Newsletter
Receipts Recipes to try
Spouse -Kids-Others Coupons




FILES IN BINDERS
Appliance records-Warranties
Home Owners
Hobbies-Scrap booking-Cross Stitch-Quilting-Computer
Home Improvement and Decorating Ideas
Vacation Possibilities

HOW AND WHERE TO START:
• Gather paper from all over the house, yard, car, purse, and kids room…
• Start by separating papers into the three categories listed above.
• Speak to your own accountant for time line on keeping papers.
• Ask the following questions:
Is it a duplicate copy?
Did I ask for this?
Is there someone else better qualified to make this decision?
Is it recent enough to be useful?
Does this enhance any of the goals I’m trying to reach?
If I need the information again later, could I get it elsewhere?
What is the worst thing that could happen if I did not have this piece of paper?
• Don’t get bogged down reading old letters and cards.
• 80-20 rule. Use 20% of info 80% of the time.
• Make 1 of 2 choices: KEEP IT or THROW IT AWAY
• Carry the bags out to the trashcan. It really will feel good. Use neighbors.
• If you choose to keep it: Trim, staple and put it in a pile with like papers.
• Start making piles of similar topics or categories.
• Label a file folder-“Key Word”-place papers in it and make a note as to related subjects.


DAILY PAPERWORK:
Mail-Throw away¬-Take action-File until later-Call ¬RSVP-“TO DO”
Magazines-Rip and read file-car, purse, toilet, bedside table.
Kids-Scrapbooks, treasure box under bed.
Catalogs-Remove the label and send it in with their order form and envelope and “please remove me from you mailing list and do not give or sell it to anyone else” written on it.

STAMP OUT UNWANTED MAIL, PHONE CALLS AND JUNK E-MAIL:

To remove your e-mail address from marketing mailing lists visit the Web site
e-mps.org/en/.

To stop all the junk mail from coming into your home-Make a label that reads
“Please remove my name from your mailing list and do not pass it on to anyone else”, and return unopened to sender.

Do not give zip code at stores. Do not enter contest.
Do not send in warranty cards – check first to see if it will have any effect on the item.
Salesman calls – ask for their name-tell them that you want to have your name removed from their list and do not call again. Send written request also.
Telephone Preference Services
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735

www.donotcall.com

Get off Junk Mail lists by writing to the following address and include your full name and address, as well as any variation on your name. This service also works if you’re receiving junk mail for people no longer at your address.
Mail Preference Services
C/O Direct Marketing Association
P.O Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008