Amy Slenker-Smith

The Gifts I Donate Every January, and What to Give Instead

October 22, 2026 by Amy Slenker-Smith Leave a Comment

I'm a Joshua Becker Certified Professional Organizer. I've spent ten years in other people's kitchens, which means I see the gifts that worked and ones that didn't. Many people love shopping and gift-giving, especially at the holidays. And recipients know this about the gift-giver. That's what makes the items hard to get rid of later. So before you buy anything this year, here is what I'd want you to know. Ask yourself where it will live If you can't picture the exact spot in their house, don't buy it. Remember, an avid reader probably already has enough books to read, and someone who loves clothing probably has several closets full. Don't give someone a hobby they didn't ask for The sourdough kit, the yoga mat, the gardening set. Those come to the donation pile more than almost anything, and usually unopened. I always suggest consumables Coffee, olive oil, candles they will actually burn, dark chocolate. Consumables are temporary and appreciated by people …

Why You Don’t Need an Instapot to Make Dinner

October 12, 2026 by Amy Slenker-Smith 5 Comments

If you already own an Instapot and love it, this article is not for you. However, if you're considering buying one, this might be a worthwhile read. Advertising Works We see 5,000 ads per day and are deeply affected by them. Even I have to catch myself. I try to acknowledge it by saying, "Advertising Works. The Instapot is one of the most heavily advertised items I have ever seen, especially at the holiday. Facebook groups, cookbooks, websites, store displays, EVERYWHERE...all dedicated to a gadget that promises to make you a great cook and save family dinners. I am here to tell you that this is a lie. With holiday sales in every store, retailers are upping their game to sell you an Instapot. But you don't need gadgets to make a healthy meal. You already ARE a Good Cook Up until about 10 years ago, I could barely boil water. I spent the first 15 years of marriage relying on my husband. He has mad cooking skills and makes dinner out of 5 random ingredients in the …

Why New Isn’t Always Better

September 13, 2026 by Amy Slenker-Smith 3 Comments

Recently, I was very frustrated. Putting away laundry and cleaning our bedroom should have been a simple task. After all, there's no extra clutter to clear because we maintain a peaceful place for rest. We understand how excess stuff disrupts our sleep. But what is usually a 30-minute job, was not! To make matters worse, the dark clouds and rain made it difficult to get motivated. The Problem Our beautiful new ceiling fan light would not turn on. Did I mention it was rainy and dark so I kinda need the light? I know....change the lightbulb. Good thought. That wasn't the problem. Instead, it required a specialized battery for the remote which controls the fan and light. Of course, I did not have one on hand. It would be difficult to find. And I would need to order it. I thought to myself, "here I struggle to do a basic household chore because of a battery." Without adequate light, the task takes longer. And yet, we have a new ceiling fan and the …

Unlock Your Home’s Potential with the Magic of Margin

September 2, 2026 by Amy Slenker-Smith 3 Comments

Did you know that being organized isn’t really about stuff? It’s about the empty space between the stuff called margin. The magic of margin comes from the white space, breathing room, and buffer. No matter the name, margin allows our possessions to move in and out of a space freely and stay organized too. When I design organizational systems in a closet or cabinet, I spend a lot of time planning how the items will be stored in the space. But I also consider how often they are used. I strive to create margin every time. No matter what space you’re working on, the key is to declutter first and organize second. It’s the margin in these spaces that has the most impact, especially when it comes to staying organized. Because when you reduce the volume, spaces have a way of organizing themselves. Margin not only allows spaces to function better but also makes it more attractive. Did you know the margin on a piece of written work is approximately 37% of the page? …

I Almost Closed My Business. Here’s What Stopped Me.

July 16, 2026 by Amy Slenker-Smith 8 Comments

There's a version of this story where I walk away. Where the weight of everything - a father's cancer diagnosis, failing health of a father and mother-in-law, a son's near-fatal accident, a business that had spread itself too thin - becomes too much, even for me. Where I decide that the most responsible thing I can do is quit and focus on my family. I almost told that version of the story. I'm glad I didn't. There's a version of this story where I walk away. I'm glad I didn't. The Before I spent more than 20 years in corporate advocating for myself and for the women on my team. Fighting for my place after my maternity leave, when I was one of the few women at the table. Fighting to prove that I was capable of more than what someone else had decided my ceiling was. I did the work. And then I walked away from it. An intentional decision so that I could build something of my own. Simply Enough started as a professional organizing business in 2016. Over the next …

How Clutter Causes Overspending And What To Do About It

July 1, 2026 by Amy Slenker-Smith Leave a Comment

You’re likely not overspending because of your budget. You’re overspending because of your clutter. Look around at all the stuff that used to be money. Clutter isn’t just a home organization problem; it is a financial issue that overwhelms families trying to stick to a budget. Disorganization leads to overspending because buying a duplicate item with free shipping is easier when you can’t find something, but it perpetuates the problem. Decision fatigue is real, and a cluttered home means spending more money on dining out, takeout, and convenience purchases. You’ll never need to organize something you did not buy. Removing things from your home and reducing what comes in work together to create more organization and help you build wealth with the money you save. Decluttering feels lighter and freer. It shifts your spending habits to not just buying less but a desire to own less too. Here are three habits that will have an immediate impact on your budget and organize your home …

Amy Slenker-Smith

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