Continuing with our “Office” theme this week I wanted to share a tip for email efficiency. Aim to reply to e-mails within a couple days of reading them. This is something I have never been great at, BUT this is one of my personal New Years Resolutions. In my case, I often sit down to read them when I don’t have time to respond right then. The problem is that you then aren’t thinking of responding the next time you log on and read something else! I have seen the error of my ways and have resolved to not read e-mails until I have time to respond as well. It is far better to write people back in a timely matter - it shows that you are on top of your TIME as well as your belongings.

One of the great things about belonging to a community like the Savvy Organizer, is that we can help support each other in all areas of organization. Sometimes I am in need of support too - so feel free to offer suggestions and support this way as well! Good luck (for me and the rest of you too!!)

Today’s savvy tip is one that is likely a no brainer - put your laundry away! You have no idea how many people I talk to that stay on top of their laundry only to a point. They wash, dry and fold their clothing, but then their clothes stay in a laundry basket and never really get put away!

It’s not fun having to rifle through laundry baskets looking for clothes when you are rushing to get ready, I highly recommend FINISHING the task. As you focus on changing that mindset that you aren’t done until it is put away in the drawers, you will find that the laundry itself becomes a less onerous task. When you have to stare at a laundry basket full of clothes (even clean ones) for a long time, it becomes so draining! You don’t want to have anything to do with laundry ever again!

If you can do one complete load per day, and then put all the clothes away (right away), you will wonder why you ever thought laundry was a big deal. It will be surprising how you will feel more in control of yet another aspect of your life and home.

**Make laundry time fun. Play some peppy music and get your children involved by putting away their own clothing, or placing towels in the linen closet.

I think you are really going to enjoy this little piece of laundry advice…. wash your kids coat at least 2x a month! Kids coats get SO grimy just wearing them, let alone if they ever have a snack on the road, brushing up against dirty cars in a parking lot, drooling on them.

Let’s Face it, kids coats generally look gross - but I have just recently realized how super easy they are to wash! Just make sure all the velcro tabs are stuck down, remove any fur trimming that may come off, zip them up (you may also need to turn them inside out) and throw them in the washing machine. I know it sounds ridiculously simple, but you would be amazed how many dirty kids coats I see! It brings me so much joy to pull them out of the dryer all fresh and muck free, I knew I had to share this one. Set it into your routine that if they need to be washed, wash them every second Friday (or every week if your kids are particularly messy - but remember that the more you wash them, the more they slowly lose their efficacy). Then have peace of mind knowing that your kids outerwear will look just as good as their clean, laundered clothes. They will feel more confident and will look great and are putting their best foot forward! So easy, and such a Joy!

I know that many of you have already put away your Christmas decorations, but for the ones who haven’t, this is for you!!

I was at my parents house for Christmas, and was helping my dad put away his decorations and wrapping the delicate items in newsprint. By the time I was done, my fingers were black and I imagine the items would get really dirty after doing it for years. The solution: newspaper end rolls! I phoned my local paper and they are 50 - 100 feet in length and… get this… $0.50 a roll!! Holy dinah! I didn’t know anything cost less than a dollar these days! I am so excited about it. It will be great for your kids colouring projects, as a protector for your table when it is craft time, wrapping paper for parcels to mail… the list is long. I love that it has just the right amount of strength to ball up and support your breakable items, it is super easy to tear in long vertical strips for wrapping, can easily be recycled, and it won’t make your hands (or delicate items) dirty. YEAH! I am off today to buy 5 rolls. I imagine that they will last me until the next millenium!

 For many of us there is going to be new stuff coming into our homes because of the holidays, and now (lucky you) you have find a place to put it!

Space is always at a premium, and most of us have WAY more than we need, so this is why we need to consistently work on throwing things out!  (However, I am a huge environmentalist so try to recycle, and give away as much as possible - it will make you feel good that you are doing something good for the environment).

The habit: get rid of 5 things everyday!  Make it a part of your tidy up routine, or throw it in the middle somewhere - just as long as you do it.  This is something you will learn to LOVE to do and as it is only 5, it takes no time at all.  It will feel as great as a hot shower…  Purging is so wonderfully therapeutic!  So aim to do this every day and soon you will be on your way to a less cluttered and more relaxed home and life!  Happy chucking!