8/20/2015 Simplify & Organize for Happier Holidays

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In This IssueDid You Know?

Ways We Can Help

Stress­Free Holidays

Gift Certificates

Holiday Gift Ideas

Other Holidays this Season

Making a List

Shop & Save

Terri Stephens, CPO, CRTSCertified Professional Organizer®Certified Relocation & Transition

Specialist®(678) 513­6585

Organizer@therealorder.comwww.therealorder.com

Did You Know? The top reasons ProfessionalOrganizers are hired:

too much cluttergeneral disorganizationdifficulty determiningwhat to keep and/ordiscarddifficulty finding thingsselling a home or moving

Source: NAPO 2009 Member Survey06/30/2009

Ways We Can Help You can save money. You'llknow what you already own,

November 2010Real Order e­Newsletter

Simplify & Organize forHappier Holidays

Dear ,

The busy holiday season will soon be upon us once again. Now is a good time to beginplanning on how to improve upon last year, what should stay the same and what youwould change. The holidays can be a stressful time with more things to do than hours inthe day. This month's newsletter has a few tips on making it as stress­free as possibleand ideas on organizing gifts that keep giving all year long.

My hope and prayer is that you and your loved ones will have a joyous Thanksgiving andholiday season!

Terri Stephens, CPO, CRTSReal Order Professional Organizing, LLC(678) 513­6585Organizer@therealorder.com

Stress­Free HolidaysWhy is it that the holidays can be both the mostjoyful and most stressful time of the year? Weshould be thinking about being thankful, peace onearth, goodwill toward all people, and the start of anew year. Unfortunately, many of us are caught upin unreasonable expectations for our holidaygatherings. We think that if we just do everythingright, this holiday will be "perfect." Well, wake upand smell the Yule log! There is no such thing as aperfect holiday ­ not in real life anyway ­ andexpecting one just sets you up for disappointment. Take an honest look at your true priorities this holiday season. Decide what thistime of year means to you, what you want and don't want to happen this year ­­ andmake choices ahead of time about how you will spend your time, money, and energyaccordingly. Create a "Not to Do" list this year ­ things that you've felt pressured to take care ofin the past, but you really don't enjoy and aren't critical to you enjoying the holiday. Youmay find that the chores that are left are easier and more enjoyable. Keep track of what works and what doesn't this year. Then take steps to repeatyour successes and correct any problems next year. Making conscious decisions abouthow you spend your resources ­ your time, effort and money ­ you can choose the kindof holiday you want. Source: Online Organizing

Real Order Gift Certificates

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eliminating the need to buyduplicate items. A professionalorganizer can help you find theperfect organizing products foryour space and lifestyle, so youstop wasting money on thingsyou don't need or won't work.

You can become moreproductive and efficient. Aprofessional organizer cancreate order and structure outof chaos. You'll receive systemsthat work for your dominantlearning style, your lifestyle,your needs, your challenges,and your dreams. You'll have a positive self­image and ditch theshame. Once your home oroffice is neat and tidy,you won't feel embarrassed tohave guests visit. The guilt willfade away as you take pride inyour surroundings. You'll have a healthierenvironment. Physical andemotional clutter obscures yoursurroundings. An organizedhome and office is more easilycleaned. Lose the clutter andcut down on time spent movingpiles of paper and stuff around. Your stress level willdecrease dramatically. Whenyou can find what you need, areon top of your to­dos, andarrive on time, you'll feelcalmer and have more peace ofmind. No more feelingoverwhelmed by life ­­ you'll bethe one in control.

You'll discover more timefor yourself. When you'reorganized, your days go asplanned, and you get a lot moredone. That leaves more time toindulge in a little "me time."

Your energy will shine. Clutter is a mask and aprofessional organizer can helpyou take off that mask. Oncethe clutter is removed, you canshowcase your talents, skills,and personality and have thelife you deserve.

The Perfect Gift for the Person who has Everything and a Little More

Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? Couldsomeone on your list use a gift that can help them de­stressand spend more time doing what they love?

Specialties include residential organizing ­ any room of thehome, home office organizing (normal household business aswell as professionals who work out of the home), relocationservices ­ preparing a home to sell, packing, unpacking, and

setting up a house to feel like a home. We can help you get ready for the upcomingholidays in preparation for house guests and put away your holiday decor afterwards inthe most organized fashion! Here's a recent note from Jessica, a client that I worked with extensively in the pastyear: "I just wanted to thank you for ALL your help organizing everything in my housefrom top to bottom! It has made such a huge positive influence on my life, and I am sograteful. It definitely makes things easier to find. Thanks again and God bless you!" It's always nice to receive heartfelt notes like this from clients who have becomefriends. I am truly thankful for the many wonderful people I get to know through thiswork and can make a living doing what I love to do. Just give us a call and see if we're the right fit for YOUR needs.

Holiday Gift IdeasIf you're looking for more gifts that keep giving year­round, here are a few of myfavorites: Cube Timer 5­15­30­60 Minute Preset Timer ­ About $15 Easily manage your time with simplicity and in style. Thefour sides of the cube simply state the minutes that youwould like to start timing. Turn it on the side needed and itwill immediately start timing. When the time is up, a loud,unmistakable alarm will ring.

Vital Records PortaVault ­ About $70Organize all your important papers in one portable system andprevent chaos in emergency situations.

Li'l Divinci Kids' Artwork Frame ­ About $25 and upIngenious way to display & collect up to 50 kids masterpieces in artcabinets.

Shredding Scissors ­ About $9Ideal for small shredding chores ­ I like to keep one in my kitchendrawer for junk credit card offers, etc.

Accountable Kids ­ About $30Positive parenting program that provides busy parents with a tool tostart teaching accountability and responsibility.

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Quick LinksHomeAboutService

Dine out on usContact

Planner Pad Organizer ­ About $25Unique time management tool I've personally used for about fouryears now. Love it!

Butler Bag ­ About $100 and upCompartments offer a bird's eye view so you never haveto dig for anything ­ I've used a Butler Bag for about twoyears now and it really works!

Card Cubby ­ About $20Stylish, alphabetized mini­card file that fits right into your purse,briefcase or car console.

　

Some Other Holidays this Season America Recycles Day ­ November 15

Getting organized is all about cleaning out items you don't need but thatdoesn't mean that everything you don't want has to go in the trash. Besure to sort recycleables ­ plastic, glass, old magazines, catalogs,batteries and more. Your garbage pick­up service may take many ofthese items to be recycled; other can be taken to local recyclingcenters. Visit Earth911 to find a center near you.

Clean Out Your Refrigerator Month ­ NovemberMake room for Thanksgiving leftovers and holiday party trays. Check expiration dates and toss anything that's past its prime. Payparticular attention to your freezer ­ it's easy to forget what youhave in there! According to the FDA, foods frozen at 0 degreesFarenheit will remain safe indefinitely but the quality may sufferover time. See the USDA website for recommendations on freezingand storing food.

Making a List, Checking it TwiceLists are a basic tool for getting and staying organizedand pre­printed checklists and planners make it eveneasier. Check out these free, downloadable lists andworksheets covering everything from shopping to mealplannning to decorating. Print and store them in a binderor folder to help keep you on track this season:

Holiday BudgetChristmas Card ListHoliday Values WorksheetHoliday Gift ListHoliday Menu PlannerWeekly Menu PlannerRoom­by­Room Decor Planner

Even more holiday planner pages are available here.

Shop & Save

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Whether you tackle your shopping list entirely online or love hitting the mall the dayafter Thanksgiving, here are a few resources to help you get the best deals:

Black Friday Shopping DealsPriceGrabber.com ­ Comparison Shopping OnlineHalf.com ­ half­priced books, movies, music & video games

Quote of the Month

Every time we remember to say "thank you," experience nothing less than heaven on earth.

­ Sarah Ban Breathnach

REFER A FRIEND AND DINE OUT ON US Most of us recommend restaurants, movies or mechanics to our family and friends.When you recommend Real Order for professional organizing, we want to thank you witha $25 gift card to Red Lobster or Olive Garden ­ it's your choice. A minimum of fourhours of organizing services must be purchased to qualify. To redeem your gift card,simply notify us of the family or friend you are referring to us. Bon appetit!

$25 Gift Card

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