Get Organized Now! Newsletter by Maria Gracia http://www.getorganizednow.com Issue: March 16-22, 2008 Number of Subscribers: 181,999 ============================================ Hello {!firstname_fix} ============================================ ** Finally! An Affordable and Easy to Use Filing System for Your Home ** Are you drowning in the paper flood that pours into your home every day? You know...the endless stream of bills, warranties, receipts, important documents, user manuals, bank statements, letters, promotions, insurance papers, employment and medical information, school papers. Need I go on? How you deal with that paper determines whether you live in an atmosphere of calm and control or clutter and chaos. Along with chaos comes frustration, tension and conflict-- all because of the never-ending paper flood. But have no fear. Now you can easily gain total control of your vital paper information -- instantly, easily and happily-- with My Oh-So-Organized Filing System (just released and hot off the press!) Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html P.S. Find out how you can get a BONUS Tickler file system-- complimentary! ============================================ An Organized Spring Has Sprung Have you heard the birds singing? Do you get glimpses of green grass in between snowstorms? Despite piles of snow and cold winds, spring is just around the corner. Wouldn't it be wonderful to go into spring with a bit more organization and a plan for continuing down that path? Here are some steps to get us all started on that organizing journey. 1. Springtime Maintenance Items. As we transition from winter to spring there are maintenance items around the house that we need to take care of. Start by replacing the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Inspect your home’s exterior for needed repairs like paint touchups, cracks in the foundation, wood splintering or decaying, insect damage, etc. Inspect window insulation and remove storm windows. Wash the outside of your windows and install screens. Clean the gutters and downspouts. Inspect your roof for warping and cracking. Inspect and replace filters as necessary on your AC unit, furnace, pool, etc. 2. Stumbling over clutter everywhere you turn? Start by taking one step every day to reduce the clutter in your home. Your first step could be as simple as walking through a room with a basket. Pick up items that belong elsewhere. When the basket is full, or has at least a dozen items in it, put those items where they belong. If you do this every day in each room of your home, before you know it, you'll be clutter free. Remember, elsewhere also includes trash and recycling! 3. Do you avoid putting things away because you don't know where to put them? Think about where you use the item. Do you have similar items around the house? Gather them together and store them where it makes sense for you, near where you use them. Remember, the storage doesn't have to be conventional, it just has to work for you. So get creative in your storage. As long as it works for you, you will use it and it will be an effective means of containing and reducing clutter. 4. Do you have trouble getting started on a task or a project? Many times that is the hardest part of a task or project. I find that to be true for me, especially when it comes to using the telephone to schedule appointments or resolving outstanding items. Try using the Rule of 5. Tell yourself that you only have to work at a task for 5 minutes. Generally you will find that once you get started one of two things will happen. You'll either complete the task within the 5 minutes, or you will continue beyond the 5 minutes. 5. Do you need extra help in getting your spring cleaning started? If you do, don't hesitate to hire a cleaning service to give you that extra boost in getting ahead on the spring cleaning. Our lives are so busy. So give yourself a break and hire someone to come in and help you. ----- P.S. Get organized once and for all! You can be Finally Organized, Finally Free. Get 2,175 organizing tips, ideas and techniques to help you organize your home, your time and your life! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffhome.html P.P.S. You can be Finally Organized, Finally Free at the office too! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffoffice.html ----- 6. Don't want to do a full spring cleaning? Here are a few things you can do to clear out the cobwebs from winter. Clean the tops of your ceiling fan blades and inside ceiling lamp globes. Dust windowsills and baseboards. Clean your oven and the top of your stove. Just these few items will help control the dust bunnies. 7. Has your pantry gotten out of control? Take time to inventory your pantry, throwing away outdated foods and donating those you know you won't eat. Compile your pantry inventory in a spreadsheet you can print out and post on the inside of the pantry door. You will know at a glance what you have on hand, and by marking something off as you use it, you'll also know at a glance what you need to restock. 8. Springtime is a great time to ‘lighten up’! During the winter we have our homes dressed for the weather. Just like we change out our clothing each season, we should do the same for our home’s clothing. Swap out heavy winter drapes for lighter window treatments. Change out heavy bedding for lighter coverlets. Swap out dark colored throws and pillows for light and bright colors. 9. It’s springtime, do you know where your summer gear is? Now is the time to check out shorts, capris, swimwear, camping gear and our summer ‘things’ for repairs and fit. Those that can be repaired should be, those that need to be replaced should also be. For clothing, try things on for fit, especially with children--they grow so fast! Make plans to start now to shop sales and begin replacing items for summer a few at a time as necessary. By the time summer arrives, you'll be set and ready to go! 10. Taxes! Are you tired of the headaches that come with taxes each year? Now is the time to change that. Whether you receive a refund or owe more money, you can benefit from being more organized and detailed with your record keeping. Set up an accordian file for your taxes with general categories such as receipts for deductions, income statements. tax records and so on. Throughout the rest of the year, be meticulous about filing these items in the folder. When tax time rolls around again next year--and we know it will without fail-- everything you need will be in this file, whether you do your own taxes or take them to an accountant. You will have reduced your stress level tremendously! ============================================ New Stuff and Site Updates Everything below is accessible by visiting: http://www.getorganizednow.com Please note that we update our site on a weekly basis, so the new stuff and site updates below may only be available for one week. ** Get Organized Now! Blog: Department 2 Read my personal comments, stories tips and observations about getting and staying organized in today's hectic world. You don't want to miss it. Newest entries: * 03/10 - Vacationing in our own town * 03/04 - Warm Weather Clothing Inventory * 02/26 - Where is my pink sparkly barrette? * 02/21 - My Son Doesn't Want My Scrapbooks! * 02/12 - Scrapbook Layout: The Little Gym * 02/12 - Eat, Pray, Love * 02/05 - Turn Your Bathroom Into a Spa-Like Sanctuary http://getorganizednow.typepad.com/get_organized_now_weblog/ ** Featured Reader Tip: Department 6 Looking for a recipe you were given or that you tore out of a magazine doesn't have to be a chore. This reader has a simple and quick solution. Go to the link below and look for the cooking utensils. http://www.getorganizednow.com/#readertip ** Featured Recipe: Department 7 Try making a yummy, new recipe today. This week's featured Reader Recipe is Shrimp Scampi, posted by GON Forum Member and Moderator, BonnieS. Go to the link below and look for the shrimp scampi. http://www.getorganizednow.com/#recipe ** March Monthly Checklist: Department 1 March right into a new month, fancy-free and organized! Start today with our new March Monthly Checklist. You'll LOVE your new organized life! Go to the link below and look for the shamrocks. http://www.getorganizednow.com/#checklist ** March Web Poll Our featured multiple choice question is, 'What best describes your daily morning eating habits?' Go to the following link and cast your vote. It only takes a minute, and your opinion can be heard. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/#webpoll * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ Goodies to help you get organized! Tired of being disorganized? You can be Finally Organized, Finally Free BOTH at home AND at the office. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/newbook.html JUST RELEASED! My Oh-So-Organized Filing System. You won't believe how organized your papers are going to be. You'll have a filing label for every category you can imagine, ready to peel and stick on your file folders. It's basically an awesome home filing system in a box! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html The 2007 holiday season is behind us, but it's the perfect time to start getting organized for holiday season 2008! The earlier, the better. Plus, find out how you can get a copy of Maria's latest e-book, 101 Holiday Tips and Ideas. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/holidayp.html Are you looking for the perfect organizer that can help you keep track of your schedule, birthdays, to do's, home inventory, groceries, and more? If so, visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ezorganizer.html Discover how to start, manage and grow your very own professional organizing business. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ultimateguide.html Have a business? Thinking of starting one? Visit our Give to Get site and get your complimentary idea-kit. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/marketingsolution.html Give your aching shoulder a break. TuffBaggs are super tough, but light as feather. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/tuffbaggs.html Pay your bills on time, and have an organized place to put your statements afterwards? Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ezbill.html Access details for all of our products by visiting: http://www.getorganizednow.com/orderdet.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ An Organizing Tip From One Of Our Readers When papers come from school that have important information that I need to refer back to later such as room numbers and start times, I put the event on the calendar along with a red letter F that stands for flyer. Then I paperclip the flyer to the back of the calendar. When the date arrives, I see the F and I know I have all the information I need on hand in the back of the calendar. Aliya Conover Piscataway, NJ * * * * * Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ A Few Words From Our Sponsors . . . ===== ** Finally, You Can Pay Off All Your Bills . . . Without Pinching Pennies or Cutting Your Spending ** The warmer weather is already here! Why not make this spring and summer 2008 the seasons you begin controlling your finances, once and for all? Did you know that you can pay off all your bills, including your mortgage, in less than 10 years without having to pinch pennies, get a second job or cut back your spending in any way? It's true, and it's easier than you think. I highly encourage you to visit my friend Leo's web site to find out how you can do just that. He offers the best program I've seen to help you say goodbye to your money worries--forever. Visit: http://www.leoquinn.com/cmd.php?af=250440 ===== This Amazing Tool Saved Me an Incredible $884 on Groceries Last Year! I have good news. I recently came across a product that I consider to be the most innovative coupon organizer that I've ever seen. Since I started using this coupon organizer, I have saved over an hour each week, because I no longer cut out duplicate coupons and I can see everything I have at a glance. Plus, I saved an incredible $884 in groceries last year, and it looks like I'm going to save even more this year. All because of this wonderful organizer. It really pays for itself in just one shopping trip! If you like to save time and money on your grocery shopping, you'll definitely want to take a look at this award-winning tool. They even have a neat demo video: http://www.MrsAsCouponOrganizer.com/getorgnow.html Maria Gracia Get Organized Now! P.S. For this week only, ending on midnight, March 9th, the creators of this organizer are offering a special 33% discount exclusively available to readers of the Get Organized Now! Newsletter ===== ** You already have the power to transform your life. Discover how to easily release it. ** Imagine being able to... * Hit your ideal weight and stay there forever without feeling miserable * Exercise and LOVE it * Be free of depression no matter how severe or how long you've suffered * Get rid of your panic attacks and stop obsessive behaviors * Quit bad habits for good - and not miss them one little bit * Live every single day with passion and purpose no matter what your age Until now, there has been no way to eliminate the mental patterns that stop you from doing the things you want to do. But now there is, and you deserve to live your dream life. Visit: http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=373018 ============================================ An Organizing Tip From One Of Our Readers I keep a whiteboard with an attached dry erase marker on the fridge door near the phone. When I make any arrangements, I immediately write the date, time and brief details on it. I can see at a glance what appointments I have and I put an asterisk next to the ones coming up next to be extra sure. This way I never miss any. Periodically I remove any I've crossed off and start fresh. I live alone but I am sure this would work for a family too. Anne Dare Melbourne, Victoria, Australia * * * * * Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ On the Calendar . . . St. Patrick's Day Monday, March 17, 2008 Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide by Irish people and increasingly by non-Irish people, as well. Hence the phrase, 'Everyone wants to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day.' Celebrations are generally themed around the color green and all things Irish. Both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the secular version of the holiday by wearing green or orange, eating and drinking Irish faire, and attending parades. The four-leaf clover, often associated with St. Patrick's Day, is sometimes confused with the shamrock. While the four-leaf clover is a symbol of good luck, the three-leafed shamrock is mainly an Irish Christian symbol of the Holy Trinity and has much greater significance. ***** First Day of Spring Thursday, March 20, 2008 Spring Equinox, also called the Vernal Equinox, is the first day of spring. On this day, which falls on March 21st in 2007, there are exactly 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. From this day on, the sun will continue to climb higher in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere, inching towards summer, and will sink lower in the sky in the Southern Hemisphere, inching towards winter. ***** Good Friday Friday, March 21, 2008 Good Friday, also called Holy Friday or Great Friday, is the Friday before Easter. It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page and http://www.kidzworld.com/ ============================================ Happy Customer! I have enjoyed reading your book 'Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Home' and wish I had ordered it years ago when I first visited your website. I pretty much read it in two days. It has helped me get better motivated and I have actually started putting so much in order. I am driving my fiance and our roommate nuts. They can't find anything around the house or in the kitchen because things are finding appropriate homes or I am purging. Woo hoo! Tami Knab La Honda, CA For more information about Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Home, visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffhome.html ***** P.S. If you would like to share your very own 'Happy Customer' comments, we'd love to include them in our newsletter or web site. Just reply to this newsletter and email us your thoughts. Optional: We'll even include a photo of you if you'd like. Send that along too. Thank you in advance for taking the time to do so. ***** ========================================== In Closing I know for sure that what we dwell on is who we become. --Oprah Winfrey And remember . . . there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now! Warmly, Maria Gracia Get Organized Now! http://www.getorganizednow.com ============================================ (c) Copyright 2008 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now! * Copyright, contact and reprint information: http://www.getorganizednow.com/contact.html * You signed up to receive our Idea-Kit and/or our Newsletter at our Get Organized Now! Web site. We never add names unless you have voluntarily opted in. * We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list. * To subscribe, visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/free-ezine.html * To unsubscribe, click the link at the bottom of this e-mail. You are subscribed to our list as: {!name} {!email} ============================================