This afternoon I had a wonderful time presenting a workshop at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center. The staff were extremely professional and supportive, the “audience” asked some great questions and the Power Point ran smoothly. The handout included the following resources for simplifying life:
REDUCE
https://www.donotcall.gov/ (reduce time wasting calls)
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t
register to avoid those pesky (and ID Thief tempting) pre-approved credit offers
http://privatecitizen.com/ (reduce junk mail and calls by over 70%)
http://www.catalogchoice.org/ (get OFF mailing lists for catalogs you don’t want (especially good in fall as pre-Xmas is a huge mailing time))
http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/ (opt out of receiving phone books. I just used this in Jan 09 so can’t vouch for it yet.)
http://mashable.com/2007/10/26/100-ways-to-organize-life/ (lists a huge variety of ways to share calendars, remind yourself to change the oil, record what is in storage, etc.)
http://www.simpleliving.net/ (how to consume less and enjoy life more.)
Pay bills online – or automatically for recurring amounts – and cancel paper statements.
If you have a back-log of financial documents you can take it to be shredded or arrange for the truck to come to you – prices are typically $10-$12 per bankers box with a minimum of 12 boxes for them to come to you.
Local shredding companies:
www.ironmountain.com
http://www.shredworks.com
RE-USE
Everyday Items
Grocery bags – small dollar amount but you use HUNDREDS a year.
Consignment Stores:
Taking to consignment or selling on e-Bay or Craig’s list can take quite a bit of time. However, it may be worth it for high-end items.
Donations:
Take the tax write off and donate to a local charity.
Many distribute cards then drive up the street on the set day – saves you gas and time and they’ll leave a tax receipt.
For large amounts or furniture, I’ve had good service from United Cerebral Palsy. Call (510) 881 5812 to arrange a pick up.
If you don’t want to wait until you have a large amount, both Craig’s List and Freecycle can list things very easily and the recipient just comes and picks them up. (no money changes hands so you just leave items outside for pick-up)
RE-CYCLE
Resources within San Mateo County for hazardous waste, recycling info etc.
http://www.alliedwastesanmateocounty.com
e-Waste
If you saw the 60 minutes program on our dumping toxics on other countries, you are probably scared to get rid of items – check out the 6 sites in San Mateo County www.recycleworks.org/ewaste/index.html
http://www.alliedwastesanmateocounty.com
Residents are allowed to set out a maximum of 2 cubic yards of material, which is equivalent to twelve (12) 32-gallon bags of material. In addition, residents can set out one (1) large item (e.g. washing machine, dryer, refrigerator or freezer), as long as the item does not exceed 200 pounds. No commercial size refrigerators or freezers are accepted. TVs and computer monitors require special handling so please call (650) 592-2411 to dispose of these items. No hazardous waste (e.g. paints, thinners, or other chemicals) will be accepted for on call clean-ups or for regular collection service. (copied December 09)
Medical Items:
VIDA Volunteers for Inter-American Development Assistance – 6251 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California USA 94608 phone: 510 655 8432 or info@vidausa.org (They accept drop offs of re-usable items.) or check with Allied Waste for closer places.
Clean towels and blankets can be used by the Humane Society or SPCA
Peninsula Humane Society, 12 Airport Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94401-1098 (650) 340-7022 www.peninsulahumanesociety.org
If you often wonder “How did this get in my life?” try these 7 steps to limit your “incoming”
https://www.donotcall.gov/ (reduce time wasting calls)
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t
register to avoid those pesky (and ID Thief tempting) pre-approved credit offers
http://privatecitizen.com/ (reduce junk mail and calls by over 70%)
http://www.catalogchoice.org/ (get OFF mailing lists for catalogs you don’t want (especially good in fall as pre-Xmas is a huge mailing time))
http://mashable.com/2007/10/26/100-ways-to-organize-life/ (lists a huge variety of ways to share calendars, remind yourself to change the oil, record what is in storage, etc.)
http://www.simpleliving.net/ (how to consume less and enjoy life more.)
Find a local Shredding company – good East bay one where you can watch your docs being destroyed – http://www.compax.com/
Drop off your back-log, then use your own shredder daily (and oil it).
Remember – the more “stuff” you get out of your life, the more room there is for good energy to come in.
This morning I ate breakfast with 6 other Professional Organizers and, as usual, came away feeling awed by the collaborative nature of this profession. Whether welcoming first time attendees or visiting alumni (Hi Debi D-R) this group is always collaborative, professional, caring and fun. Running a small business gives an autonomy that we all enjoy but having a neighborhood group to reach out to gives us the efficiency and support we all miss. I never expected this healthy level of collaboration and lack of boundaries. Looking forward to next month already.
I’ve lived in the US for 30 years this month and mostly feel like an American (whatever that means) but November and December are still difficult months for me. I watch my otherwise intelligent friends as their obsession with spending and gift buying is cranked up to frenzy level. Check out an alternative to Black Friday such as Buy Nothing Day. see https://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd for more details.
Perhaps I’m lucky – I was born with a gene that makes me immune to the lure of red gift wrap, and the word “collectible” I certainly enjoy trees and lights at Christmas and love to entertain, eat too much and watch corny movies but I never lose sight of the manipulation of selling the ” stuff”
Enjoy your family and friends – they will love you even if you don’t give them things. Hope to see you walking on the beach on November 27th.
The Power of Gratitude
I just attended the NAPO-SFBA (National Association of Professional Organizers – San Francisco Bay Area Chapter) Conference in Marin County. While there I attended some excellent workshops on a variety of topics. However, as is so often the case with conferences, the conversations in hallways and at meal-tables were also fascinating. I realized how fortunate I am to be in a profession where I’m surrounded by colleagues who feel excited to be doing the work they do. So many people are stuck in jobs they no longer enjoy, it made me feel grateful to be choosing my clients and my hours of work. In addition, I realized that, although we are certainly not trained therapists, Organizers frequently help clients transition into better life situations. Many people I spoke with reflected on how awe inspiring it is to watch clients make these changes and how rewarding when a client mentions they are grateful for the support. So, as we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, what do you have to be grateful for this year? Although its an old saying, its still true that one should “count your blessings” and be conscious of the richness of life. Studies show that people who practice gratitude have healthier and happier lives see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratitude Start your list and see how many things you can add. Mine begins with my 3 children, (the original two plus a son-in-law who has returned safe from Iraq this year) my family (in England and New Zealand) many friends who bring so much laughter and support into every day, my clients who each bring their unique challenges and successes and last, but not least, my students who come to tutoring with their individual notions of the world. That’s an awfully long list so I guess I’m an awfully lucky woman.
