Get Organized Now! Newsletter by Maria Gracia http://www.getorganizednow.com Issue: November 21-27, 2009 Number of Subscribers: 181,999 ============================================ Hello {!firstname_fix} ============================================ FINALLY ORGANIZED, FINALLY FREE--FOR THE HOME by Maria Gracia * HOT PRODUCT! Huge (405 Pages) HOME Edition! * Finally, a comprehensive resource to help you get organized once and for all! * Get 2,175 organizing tips, ideas and techniques to help you organize your home, your time and your life! Are you absolutely sick of all the clutter that seems to seep into every single room in your home? What about your overflowing email inbox? Do you wish the mountains of paper would magically vanish into thin air? Do you always feel like you can never catch up with your endless to do list? Is your family sabotaging your organizing efforts? In short, do you wish you can live a more organized, happy, less chaotic life? Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffhome.html P.S. Get organized before the end of 2009. You can do it! ============================================ An Organized Computer is a Happy One How does your computer look? Can you find documents and email easily? Or do you have so many documents and email you don't know where to start? Organizing your computer is an important part of making your life easier and more efficient. Here are some ideas to get your computer organized and keep it that way. 1. The best thing about filing documents on your computer may also be the biggest challenge. Set up broad-category folders within My Documents (in Windows) or on your hard drive (in a Mac). You can also set up subfolders within each category. Use the computer’s sorting function. An easy way to organize is by file types. Put 'AAA' (or a space) in front of the names of the most-used folders and 'ZZZ' (or a bullet) in front of the least used ones. 2. Name your files and folders with meaningful and recognizable names. Also, be specific and include dates if possible. The goal when naming files is to be able to tell what the file is about without having to open it and look. 3. Reserve your desktop for items that need immediate attention. When you are done with them, file them in the proper folder. Try not to store documents long-term on your desktop. You can also use the Desktop Cleanup Wizard. In the Windows program, you can use this automatic desktop cleanup tool. Go to 'Start,' 'Control Panel'. In the 'Desktop' tab, click 'Customize Desktop'. Then choose 'Clean Desktop Now'. You can also choose to run this tool periodically. The wizard moves unused items from the desktop to an archive folder. 4. Back up your files often so they can be cleared from your computer. There are a number of affordable back-up options that will keep all your important files, media and photos saved if anything should happen to your computer. This is very important. It is better to be safe than sorry. 5. The most common type of computer files that creates clutter are music files. Music files have shrunk in size over the years, however, they add up fast and you can lose track of how many you have stored on your computer. You should regularly remove excess mp3’s onto discs, flash drives or backup drives to keep your computer clear of clutter. ----- BANISH CLUTTER--ONCE AND FOR ALL It's not every day that I recommend organizing books from authors other than myself. But, when something really good comes along--something that I feel supplements my books and products beautifully, I'd feel I was doing you a disservice not to tell you about it. Mimi Tanner, the author of 'Declutter Fast' is actually a reformed pack rat. That's right...she has struggled with mountains of clutter for years. But today, she is free. She has discovered the joys of order and organization. She focuses on getting rid of clutter, and she does a wonderful job at it. Mimi makes decluttering your house both quick and pain free. I'm inspired by her excellent methods. I'm sure you will be too. Visit: http://fb1e43irtfrc0vb5vdtzkk0s9i.hop.clickbank.net/ ----- 6. People send you pictures in email, you get them off your camera, and you get them off the Internet. They can come from anywhere and they add up quickly. Store pictures in the same place, re-naming them so you can recognize them later. There are numerous options to store your photos, whether you utilize a program that is already installed on your computer or the program that came with your digital camera. There are also downloadable options available online, or online storage. 7. An effective email system is easy to establish and maintain. Reserve your Inbox for action items. Set up email file folders. Set up individual folders for people with whom you communicate often. Create additional folders related to specific projects, events and companies, and a holding file for pending email that you plan to keep for a very brief time. Last, but not least, create a folder name 'Important' for high priority items. 8. Put complete information into the subject line of email so they will be easier to find later. You should also allot an amount of time each day to review and file email. Try to download and respond to email no more than twice a day. An important tool to use in Outlook is the Message Rules tool. You can set up your rules for the system to do certain things with different email messages automatically. 9. Other ways to tackle your email include avoiding subscriptions to online newsletters that don't contain helpful information. Limit your receipt of jokes and chain letter type email. Not only are they time consuming, they can also contain computer-threatening viruses. 10. Is your Internet Explorer Favorites folder busting at the seams? It needs weeding out and organizing from time to time. To organize your Favorites in Internet Explorer, on the Favorites menu, click Organize Favorites. Also, there is additional clean up that is easy to do. Start Internet Explorer and on the Tools menu click Internet Options. In the General tab of the Internet Options dialog box, you have two choices: (1) In the Temporary Internet files section, click Delete Files to remove all temporary files, and (2) In the History section, click Clear History to remove the list of sites you've previously viewed. 11. To keep your computer organized, remember to periodically review, purge and refine. 12. When you are done using your computer for the day, put everything back in its place. Put papers in their proper files, put pens and pencils in their container and put files away that you are no longer using. If you need to have certain files and paperwork easily accessible throughout the day, find an organization solution that compliments your work area. 13. Last, but not least, regularly clean your keyboard, monitor and peripherals. Use lint free cleaning cloths and a cleaner for electronics. Compressed air is also helpful for cleaning dirt and dust out of crevices and between keys. ----- FINALLY ORGANIZED, FINALLY FREE--FOR THE OFFICE * HOT PRODUCT! Huge (395 Pages) OFFICE Edition! * Finally, a comprehensive resource to help you get organized once and for all! * Get 1,875 organizing tips, ideas and techniques to help you organize your office, your files, your schedule and so much more! Your phone is ringing, your email inbox is bursting, your To File tray is spilling onto the floor. You can't find the paper you're looking for. Your To Do list is already so long, and growing by the second. You can never leave work on time, you're missing deadlines and you're up to your eyeballs in work. As they say, somethings gotta give! Are you ready to get organized at the office? Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffoffice.html ============================================ 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: 1) 11/18 - National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Month 2) 11/11 - Don't Fall into the Non-Stop Trap 3) 11/02 - Define the Problem 4) 10/28 - Tricks for Treats 5) 10/22 - Give Yourself a Daily Pep Talk Visit: http://getorganizednow.typepad.com/get_organized_now_weblog/ ** NEW Weekly Organizing Challenge: Department 1 Each week, you'll get a new challenge. How fun knowing that lots of people are working on the same goal! Check out what this week's challenge is. We've just posted our Week of November 21st challenge. Go to the link below and look for the woman getting a massage. http://getorganizednow.com/#challenge ** NEW Quick Tip: Department 4 Winter is here--is your car ready? These quick tips will remind you of some important To Do’s when it comes to getting your car ready for winter driving. Go to the link below and look for the car driving in the snow. http://getorganizednow.com/#quicktip ** Web Poll Our featured multiple choice question is, 'When I walk into someone else's visibly cluttered house, I feel...' Go to the following link and cast your vote. It only takes a second, and your opinion can be heard. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/#webpoll ** November Monthly Checklist: Department 1 Get organized this month and be thankful for your new clutter-free, well managed life. Start today with our new November monthly checklist. Go to the link below and look for the Thanksgiving table art. http://www.getorganizednow.com/#checklist ============================================ ORGANIZE THOSE MOUNTAINS OF PAPER ONCE AND FOR ALL So many people have spoken of the so-called paperless society. There's no doubt that the world hasn't caught on to this concept yet. There's more paper than ever... bank statements, insurance paperwork, schedules, school-related reports, medical records, warranties-- and of course all the fun paper too, like memorabilia, articles, hobby-related stuff and more. This is not to mention all the email messages and computer documents that get printed and copied each day--even more paper! These papers start small, quickly turn into piles, and then grow into mountains. Sometimes, these mountains of paper get so high, that the thought of tackling them is just too overwhelming-- especially when you don't have a good filing system in place or much time to put one together. If you're sick and tired of the piles of paper taking over your home and your life and you just don't know where to start, I have a solution for you. The good news is, this solution won't take hardly any time at all, and the result will be stunning--a filing system that will allow you to dismantle those mountains and find whatever you're looking for in seconds. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html P.S. I guarantee you'll be able to get all your paper organized, in an efficient, easy-as-pie to set up filing system that will be the envy of all your friends. ============================================ AN ORGANIZING TIP FROM ONE OF OUR READERS I have alot of necklaces, all kinds from 14Kt gold and sterling silver to costume pieces. I never could find the right chain I was looking for or a particular set of beads or pearls. I bought an inexpensive bulletin board and mounted it on my closet wall. I line up push pins on the board, and hang my chains and things from the tacks. Now I can easily see everything and select what I want. You can also put the tacks anywhere you want, higher for longer pieces, lower for shorter ones--like bracelets. I love this! It has saved me a lot of hassle. Hope you enjoy it. Lynn Cohen Boynton Beach, Florida * * * * * Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html ============================================ DROWNING IN A SEA OF LOOSE PAPERS AND STICKY NOTES? HERE'S HELP! You have to remember a birthday, so that gets written on a calendar. You have to make a grocery list, so you scribble down a few items and stick the list on the fridge. Someone gives you a phone number, and it gets written in the address book. You're planning your garden, and that information is stored in a notebook. You want to keep track of the movies you want to see, or the books you want to read--another sheet of paper. A friend gives you an email address on a sticky note that is now attached to your computer monitor. Paper, paper and yet more paper--it's all over your home, stuck to the refrigerator, bulletin boards and computer monitors, scattered on your kitchen table and your desk. Are you at your wit's end? If so, you'll be happy to know that I have the perfect solution to this problem. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ezorganizer.html ============================================ GET ORGANIZED NOW! RECOMMENDATION OF THE WEEK You want to save money, right? Who doesn't?! Well, I found a resource that has hundreds of money-saving tips to help you stretch your dollars to the max! Here's just a taste of what you'll find... * You'd be surprised how much money you can save around your home. Put these 275 tips to work and put the savings in your wallet! * Discover the best ways to save on your personal finances. Don't go shopping or pull out your credit card until you've reviewed these money-saving ideas. * Learn ways to reduce what it costs to feed your family and get great ideas on saving at the store or at your favorite restaurant. You could cut your food budget by 15% or more! * Don't let hard times prevent your family from having fun together. These money-saving tips will add joy to your home! * Feel and look better for less by reducing the cost of quality health and beauty care. * Celebrate life's special moments for less. Use these little-known ideas to keep your celebrations special! * Save money with your automobile. It's the second biggest item in most budgets. These ideas could save you thousands of dollars in gas, insurance, maintenance and more! * Get tons more money-saving ideas such as how to beat high luggage fees, getting new clothes for free, stretching the life out of your pantyhose, finding frugal friends and so much more! Check it out, and start saving money today. Visit: http://getorgnow1.dlrstretch.hop.clickbank.net P.S. What are you going to do with all the money you save? Take a vacation? Buy a new piece of furniture or new appliance? Get a new car? Upgrade your computer? Pay off your bills? Help someone in need? The possibilities are endless! ============================================ AN ORGANIZING TIP FROM ONE OF OUR READERS I keep things where they will be used most often, such as clothes freshener spray in the bathroom, laundry detergent in the laundry room and linens in the bedroom closet-- rather than storing in random areas around my house. I also keep scissors, pens, pencils and pads in each room so I am not running around looking for some when needed. Susan Beatty Menasha, WI * * * * * Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html ============================================ LOOKING FOR SOMETHING YOU CAN DO IN THE NEW YEAR TO MAKE EXTRA MONEY THAT'S FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO FIT YOUR SCHEDULE? Times are tough, but they don't have to be for you. Did you know that you could make extra money for yourself and your family, just by being the 'email department' for small businesses in your local area? That's right...if you know how to use email, you could be earning a nice income to use as you please--whether you decide to use it to pay off some bills, go on a vacation, buy a car or put it into your savings account! Best yet, this is something you can do as your schedule allows--you can even do it in your pajamas! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/aff-gon-01.html ============================================ ORGANIZING CHALLENGE NOTES Week of November 14th: Finalize your Thanksgiving Plans Because of how hectic this was 2 years ago, I started all my preparations the first week of November. Because I do the traditional meal, I just made a copy of last year’s menu and grocery list off my computer. I've already cooked the collard greens and froze them. Last year I waited too late to buy yeast rolls. This year, those and my pies are already in the freezer. I am ready! I Hope. --Terry Sisk This one was easy. It will be just 2 of us this year but we will still have our turkey dinner at home. The cats do know it is Thanksgiving and want their turkey too. Made out my menu this morning. I only need to buy one item for dinner besides the extra bread for dressing. I'll pick that up this week. It will be a quiet day with hubby watching TV and me doing Christmas orders for my embroidery business. I'll be working 16 to 20 hours days thru Christmas Eve. --Sherry-WV I just read the challenge, as my house fairly organized. But strangely, I find myself organizing the one thing your suggest to do! It is getting better and better. Thanks --Natascha Masius --------------- Week of November 7th: Get 3 Holiday Tasks Done Regarding your challenge of getting ready for Christmas, I started writing Christmas cards in September. I try to get 2 letters of the alphabet done per week. It is manageable and I am done by Thanksgiving. That leaves me to concentrate on other things for the holiday season. --Mary Dolan This is the first time I'm emailing a newsletter, but I was so excited about preparing for Christmas, I couldn't wait to get this task done. In the 20 minutes after reading the challenge, I've updated my Christmas card list, ordered the cards my 5 year old son designed at his school and decided which cookies I'm going to start making on December 1st! Thank you! --Mangla Sachdev, London, UK ============================================ BECOME OUR FAN ON FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Get-Organized-Now/50467098715?ref=ts * * * * * FOLLOW US ON TWITTER Visit Twitter and follow me: http://twitter.com/getorgnow ============================================ IN CLOSING Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year. To the honest person it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. --Edward Sandford Martin 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 2009 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. 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