WHEN IS A DOOR NOT A DOOR?

Question: When is a door not a door?
Answer: When it is a storage center.

It seems that, no matter how large the spaces we live in, there is never enough room to store everything we need to store. Someone must have been struggling with where to store their shoes one night and, while looking around every corner of the closet, noticed there was perfectly good unused space on the back of the door. Voila! The over-the-door shoe rack was born.

Now there are a variety of over-the door storage systems for myriad uses. Here are a few of our favorites that help maximize your space while keeping things tidy.

Check out http://www.whateverworks.com/ to find an over-the-door rack with a little fashion flair. It has four hooks topped with river pebbles. There is also a nice looking over-the-door shelf at this site.

At http://www.shopgetorganized.com/ you can find an over-the-door backpack rack that will hold up to four backpacks weighing three hundred pounds. If you want a place to organize your jewelry, an over-the-door armoire will give you a place to do that. You can even check how you look in the mirrored door on the armoire front. If you need the mirror but not the jewelry storage, an over-the-door tri-fold mirror is available. An over-the-door shoe rack at this site can be purchased in two sizes to hold twenty-four or thirty-six pairs of shoes.

Another style over-the-door shoe rack is available at http://www.harriettecarter.com/. This site also has a great over-the- door rack that has room to hang six coats or hats and a sturdy over-the-door shelf that could hold towels in a bathroom. Although it does not hang over the door, the back-of-the-door storage cage mounts on the door and has eight adjustable shelves that accommodate a variety of items.

There are also over-the-door systems for purses, ties, belts and scarves. So, when you are stumped for a place to organize your stuff, take a look at the doors. If they are going to hang around the house, they might as well do a little work.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransition.net

GET ORGANIZED; SAVE MONEY

Did you know that getting organized could put more money in your pocket? Our clients are always surprised when we find ways to generate cash, prevent waste and gain better value for the dollars they spend. Here are just a few ways that getting organized can help your wallet stay fatter.

Generate Cash
There are a few amazing stories about finding antique treasures and stored cash, but the most common circumstance is selling things you no longer need. Unused exercise equipment, no-longer-cherished collections and clothing that hasn’t fit in a while can find a new home through yard sales, on-line, auctions and consignment shops. The important thing in recycling these items for cash is to set a time limit to get rid of them and then donate or give away anything that has not sold.

Prevent Waste
One of the saddest things about purging clutter is finding spoiled or expired products that could have been put to good use. They just got lost and most often the client has bought new products to replace them. We have found hundreds of light bulbs, dozens of unopened shampoo bottles and many expired food products that had to be tossed in the trash. Having an organized space allows the client to assess what is on hand and what needs to be replaced. Living an organized lifestyle establishes systems that support orderly review of household needs and methods of restocking.

The other pitfall for disorganized individuals is misplacing bills and incurring late charges. An organized method of dealing with incoming mail and paying bills puts that money in the consumer’s pocket rather than in the credit card company’s account.

Gain Better Value
Better utilization of space allows room for buying in quantity when you can achieve cost savings. It also allows you to stock up on non-perishables when there are price breaks. Having a meal-planning program allows the purchase of produce in season and the use of that produce without waste.

More Savings Than Clipping Coupons
Getting organized and putting systems in place to stay organized is an effective cost saving measure in troubling times. Rising gasoline prices and higher food costs are making all of us take a closer look at the way we spend the money we have. AARP Bulletin reports that consumers above age forty-five have increased behaviors like clipping coupons, eating out less and buying less expensive generic products. While these are good choices, getting organized can stretch you dollar even more.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

DON’T FORGET THESE KITS WHEN YOU MOVE INTO THE DORM

Recent high school grads who are college bound will soon celebrate their second Independence Day this year. They will move into college dorms and wave good-by to parents with a mixture of tears, anticipation and relief. Those who have planned well will be able to enjoy that first night of freedom and relax in their new digs.

Good planning means you have the things you need to be comfortable in your room and store everything you need to go to class, study, and socialize with your new friends. That is a tall order given some of the small spaces that pass for college living quarters.

Most colleges send good lists that help students gather the essentials for dorm living and advice from friends and family usually fills in the gaps. Experience has taught us that, even with all this guidance, there are a couple of things people forget to bring to the dorms. They are tools for simple repairs and a first aid kit. The girl or boy who has one of each available on move-in day will be the first to meet many new classmates and their panicked parents. Having moved into four colleges between us, we have personal knowledge of this.

Assemble a tool kit that includes:
Retractable 25 foot measuring tape
Large scissors
Combination drill/screwdriver with multiple tips
Pair of pliers
Hammer
Pocket knife
Nails and screws
Picture hanging kit
Cord ties
Duct tape
Poster Putty
Small flashlight and batteries
Adjustable wrench

These items should allow you to put together assembly-required furnishings and make adjustments necessary for a livable space. Place all the tools in the smallest container that will hold them.

Then put together your first aid kit. Include:
Band-Aids in various sizes
Gauze
Antibacterial ointment
Alcohol swabs
Antihistamine tablets
Acetaminophen tablets
Diarrhea medicine
Cortisone cream
Artificial tears
Hot/cold pack

Now you are ready to take care of any bumps, bruises, stings or other sundry mishaps that might take place as you are getting the room in order. These are no substitute for medical attention when required, but will help you keep the blood off the furniture until you can see the doctor or school nurse.

Going to college is a great adventure. Even Indiana Jones needs a few tools to meet the challenge. Don’t forget yours.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net