Simply Enough

I help professional organizers build businesses that actually pay them.

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5 Easy Technology Solutions to Go Paperless

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Paper clutter is the #1 challenges families tell me that they face every day. Junk mail, kid's art, catalogs, and more. But after establishing a Paper Filing System for our family, I can safely say that we live 90% paperless. And we leverage technology to support this goal. If you get control of the paper, the paperless part is easy. Technology options are overwhelming and it's hard to know how to choose the right one. But it's more important to establish your routine and less about the tool itself. Here are my 5 "go-to" tools to help you get started on the road to Paperless Living. 1. Mailbox to Recycle Bin After you grab the mail from your mailbox, stop at the recycling bin. Do this before you come in the house if possible. Make it a habit to stop the junk mail from entering the house. 2. Print to PDF My second technology solution is Print to PDF.  When you need to keep a receipt or confirmation page, try Print to PDF instead of printing paper. Notice the …

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How to Survive a Layoff with Financial Freedom

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If you've been through a layoff, or are worried you might be facing one in the near future, then you know how stressful it is. It's especially difficult if you are the family benefits-holder. But it doesn't have to be this way. Early on in our marriage, we experienced two significant layoffs and never touched our savings. As a family, we prepare for emergencies knowing they happen when you least expect it. Simply put, we have an emergency fund (6 months of expenses saved). And we make lifestyle changes to adjust to the lack of income.  The Storm My husband was laid off in early 2019. The news arrived just before my son‘s 13th birthday. We had planned to go skiing and kept the trip as scheduled. The next day, en route to the mountains, with the layoff weighing on our minds, our neighbor called. A pipe had burst in our home. We turned around, dealt with the mess and arrived at our destination, albeit several hours late. One disaster after another but somehow we weathered the …

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How Many Vases Do You Really Need?

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How Many Vases Do You Really Need? Well, that depends. I love spring and summer when all the flowers are in bloom. It's a beautiful time of year and a welcome break from winter. While it's nice to display flowers in vases, I really prefer to enjoy them outside. (And so do my allergies!) During the winter I find myself drawn to candles for a hygge feel. Set a Boundary for Your Collection Over the years, I've worked in many garages, basements, and kitchens and routinely find enough extra vases to supply a large wedding reception. Vases are an item that people accumulate without much thought. Flowers arrive. Flowers die. Vases are washed and put in a cabinet. It doesn't seem to matter if its a vase you like or have room to store. The default response is to keep all the vases we've ever received and find space to store them throughout the house. And this is why I suggest setting a boundary for every category throughout your home, like dishes, books, and vases. When it came time to …

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5 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Books and Read More

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Over the years, getting rid of books generates the most passionate discussions. I wonder if people fear they might lose the knowledge gained from a book if they give it away? There is a strong sentimental attachment to books, especially the ones we get lost in. I have no idea what happened during the days I read Water for Elephants.  I felt this way about  The Great Alone, Small Great Things, The Nightingale, Half-Broke Horses, Educated, Refugee, The Harry Potter Series and so many more! Reading is good. Owning is the problem. There was a time when I read less and bought more.  But I renewed my interest in reading when I purged nearly all of them. I felt a weight lifted. And was free to read new titles. I even joined a book club and set an annual reading goal in Goodreads.  At any given time, I am reading 4 books. One non-fiction, one devotional, one personal development and one on audible. The best part...I take them everywhere on my Kindle, Kindle …

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5 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Unwanted Gifts

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I return, regift, and donate unwanted Christmas gifts. Go ahead. Call me Scrooge. It’s ok. Because even with my well-documented desire to own less, I receive many things I cannot use. But I express gratitude for all the gifts. Once received, I use, return, or donate. Because the nature of a gift should be offered without strings. Receiving a gift means you now own it and can decide what is best for you when it comes to keeping it or not. Every year, shoppers buy $9B in unwanted gifts. So chances are good you received unwanted gifts this holiday season. And if getting organized is your New Year's resolution, I recommend starting with gifts. The average American home contains 300,000 things. We are drowning in clutter. And the holidays compound this problem as we figure out what to do with clothing, gadgets, and tchotchke. Typically, these are items we do not need, did not ask for, and will not use. Here are five ways to ensure that unwanted items don't turn into …

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What Do Minimalists Want for their Birthday?

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It's my birthday month! And it frustrates my family every year. Surprise...I do not want gifts. Not stuff at least. I appreciate consumable presents so my best friend shops all year for the perfect item. She goes to a lot of effort to choose such thoughtful, consumable gifts. I am grateful. Another friend texted an emoji card.  I love it because it's free and there's no clutter!  My husband gave up buying cards years ago but still makes an effort to celebrate the day. Last year, he decided to sing Happy Birthday every time a card arrived. And he drove 25 miles to get me my favorite coffee and donut at the beach. All that said, my son and husband, celebrate their birthdays very differently. They do not need to adopt my version of minimalism. As a family, we live simply but minimalism is unique to each person. It will look different for your family as well. Hubby loves funny cards and ice cream cake. My son typically asks for an experience or a party with friends. When …

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