Jaime Narke is a freelance graphic designer and stay-at-home mom of three. When she isn’t taking care of her family she can be found in her closet.
Next month my husband and I are going away for a week without the children. We planned this trip in January and since then I’ve been mentally going over my wardrobe for that week. I’m obsessive like that. While we are away we will be celebrating our 10-year anniversary, I have a surprise dinner and night out planned and wanted to get a special dress to wear. Several months ago, Lucky magazine did a brief piece on lingerie inspired clothing and featured this corset dress. Perfect, I thought. I tore the page out, put it in my journal where I was keeping a list of items I might need for the trip and then I waited. And waited. I even e-mailed Guess to find out when the dress would be available. I was a stalker.
A few weeks ago, to my delight, the dress finally showed up on the Web site. I already had my husband’s go-ahead to get the dress. But I waited. I decided I should head to the mall and try it on, but with three kids a simple trip to the mall takes a month of planning and schedule coordination. Waiting proved to be a very financially smart move, as it always does.
Last week a shelf on my husband’s side of the closet fell. The man has more clothes than me, but I’ll leave that for another discussion. In the aftermath of the collapse I cleaned out our closet. And there, hiding in the back was the perfect dress for my special night out. How could I have forgotten about such a cute dress? Purchased four years ago and just waiting for a rare occasion, like a romantic night out. I think I only wore this dress once before and that evening was chilly so I wore a wrap over top. The dress I had been stalking became a faint memory.
Along with the dress I rediscovered a few other casual dresses I haven’t worn in a while, along with some shirts, buried under sweaters, that are perfect for the warmer weather. I was also able to bag up several items of clothing I know I won’t wear anymore and sent them off to Goodwill.
My closet and dresser drawer are now organized by style of clothing and color, with work clothes tucked in the far, far back. I love walking into the closet or opening a dresser drawer and being able to see what I have and being able to pick out an outfit without having to dig through piles of “stuff.” I had forgotten how cathartic it could be to clean out old clothes, getting rid of items you don’t wear and even more exciting — finding something you haven’t worn in a while and realizing you now have something “new” to wear. Every season I think I need a few new pieces, but after cleaning out I can truly see that I really don’t need anything and the list of things I had written in my journal was reduced to simply, a new bikini.
With the weather finally getting warm it’s the perfect time to clean out your closet. Bring those spring/summer clothes to the front and put the bulky winter sweaters in a storage box. While you are at it, if you didn’t wear a particular items this past winter, ask yourself if you’ll wear it next year. If they answer is “no,” or maybe even “eh” then donate it. BUT, if something is good quality and you might wear it four years from now, keep it… you never know when you’ll need a wardrobe surprise.
I should mention that this also works for men. Once organized and color coded, I realized my husband has 17 dress shirts of some shade of blue and 10 pair of corduroy pants. I need to have a talk with him.
Have you cleaned out your closet lately? Did you find any items you had forgotten about?
Kelly’s notes: I’m not a clothes keeper-and I rarely have time to shop so my wardrobe is smaller. Instead of waiting for the end of the season I go through clothing as I’m washing and putting it away. Just this week I weeded out some clothes with holes, some of the kids’ clothing that needed to be donated, and said goodbye to a dress I used to love. If you do have a full closet, full of various styles dating back to the 80s it’s definitely the right time to spring clean your closet.
We talked about making lists previously on the holiday shopping guide, but we didn’t talk about how we keep track of everything we need to do during the busy holiday season. To keep track of your list if you have a large family, or more than one person is doing the shopping is often cumbersome.
Enter googledocs. Simply build a spreadsheet, input the names and gifts you are giving, and share it with whomever you choose. My husband and I have been doing this for several years, and it has made our shopping experience so much easier.
If you don’t have access to googledocs, you can use a spreadsheet on your computer, or Evernote which allows you to share your list with others.
Lucky enough to have GoogleWave? You can create a wave for Christmas shopping, perfect if you have a large group of people to share your gift list with.
You can also use the same method for planning holiday meals, making sure you include everyone on your holiday card list, and planning parties, or which parties you will attend. A google calendar would be a great option for planning where you will be over your holiday vacation. Family members and friends can subscribe, so they can find out when you’re available.
How do you stay organized over the holidays?
Kelly
Holiday Shopping Guide 2009
- I don’t do Black Friday: This is my 1st post in the series. I talk about why I don’t shop for “deals” on Black Friday.
- How to spend smarter this holiday season: my 1st of 2 guest posts over at Consumerism Commentary. I cover ways to spend less, including handmaking gifts and decreasing your shopping list. Please head over and leave me a comment.
- Shopping Lists: How to craft a shopping list for holiday gift giving.
- Photo Gifts and Giveaway: Photos are one of my favorite gifts to give!
- 30 Gifts under $30 by RedPlum: 30 gifts under $30 as part of RedPlum’s Frugalicious Holiday.
- Crocs: Yes some of them are hideous, but some of them are adorable, and so comfy too. Crocs is offering 10% off and free shipping through the holidays.
- Posh Gifts for Less: and a $10 bonus for signing up with Rue La La. They are also offering free shipping after your first order.
- Free photo book: Offer may still be valid.
- Restaurant.com Coupon Code: These make a great gift for someone you want to spend more time with, or a supplement for a gift certificate.
photo credit: Rex Roof
This is a guest post from Evan who writes at My Journey to Millions a blog about Estate, Retirement and Investment Planning. Evan is admitted to Practice Law in the State of New York, but his primary job is as back office support in one a very successful financial planning firm. Check out his Three Part Series on Special Needs Planning or just subscribe to his feed.
When I was invited to the Personal Finance Blogger’s Dinner I was hesitant to go. My hesitation was based solely on having to explain to people I was heading to “the City” (what us New Yorker’s call NYC) for a dinner associated with my Personal Finance Blog since no one my life (beyond The Wife) knew/know my domain, but boy I was glad I went!
Amongst others I met Kelly, and poor Kelly got stuck sitting near me. As is my style to ask questions, sometimes at inappropriate times and depths, I found out that Kelly’s son has special needs. Once that information came to light, out came the discussion of estate planning, and other planning issues for that child.
Whenever I meet a parent of a Child with Special Needs, regardless of what those needs may be – social, physical, emotional, etc. – I ask if they have a “Letter of Intent.” Oddly enough, this non-legal document, is often missed by those parents who swear they have all their planning done.
What is a Letter of Intent?
A Letter of Intent is a non-legal document, meaning that it is not admissible in a Court of Law (check your state’s laws to find out if it is, in NY it is not), but in my humble opinion this document is as important as all the ‘legal’ planning a parent with a child who has special needs will do. Since it is non-legal in nature most attorneys do not pry into whether one has been created; similarly, if one used one of those Will making services (which I am not a fan of) this issue would never even come up.
A letter of intent is a document which provides instructions to the people who will eventually care for your child. Just some of these instructions may include:
- What Foods will your Child Eat?
- What Foods is your child allergic to?
- What kind of Sleeping Patterns does your Child Have?
- How does your child learn best?
- What actions or noises will make the child go ballistic?
Depending on the child, and who prepares the document the Letter of Intent could be one page, or 18 pages – it all depends on the amount of instructions necessary to grow a fruitful relationship with a Child with Special Needs who just lost his or her parent(s).
Do you have a Letter of Intent? Do you think you now need one?
Kelly’s note: Our eldest son has Asperger’s Syndrome, and while it is not something that will prevent him from leading a normal life, he does require some special attention.
This is also an important document to have should your child have allergies, any medical condition, or any kind of learning disability.
I’m considering writing one for each child as it seems to be something that would be appropriate whether a child has special needs or not.
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adrianclarkmbbs/ / CC BY-ND 2.0
photo credit: Lara604
Leo Babuta who many know from his widely read blog, Zen Habits, has started a new blog mnmlist.com which focuses on minimalism.
Leo recently wrote a post titled: “Clutter is Procrastination.” Here is an excerpt:
When our houses or offices get piled with clutter, much of the reason is procrastination.
We all procrastinate — let’s just get that out in the open. There’s not a one of us who doesn’t, to some degree.
But while our tasks and projects can pile up, giving us some anxiety, the clutter is a visual sign of that procrastination, and carries with it just as much anxiety.
Leo’s solution is to deal with it right now. Instead of piling, or setting it down, deal with it RIGHT NOW.
I agree with the approach, most of the time procrastination does get in the way of minimalism and organization. I say that as someone who is staring at a basket of laundry that has been waiting to be put away for 2 days.
In my work as a professional organizer I have seen many clients procrastinate, or defer making a decision about a particular object, pile, or even an entire room once.
The problem is not solely procrastination, though. It’s the emotional attachment to the object that gets in the way. For instance, you could look at your wedding band, a childhood toy, or even a favorite book, and something happens inside you. You may have a feeling that is wonderful, or one that the particular object brings out that includes anger, sadness, pain, etc.
There are 2 ways this can manifest into clutter:
- avoiding dealing with the object(s) to avoidance of the emotions they feel
- the inability to separate the emotion from the object
In my experience, the second one is the most common cause of clutter.
I have had clients refuse to let go of things that were taking up space, time, and money because the mental association was so good. I have also had clients who could not face the feelings they associated with objects, so the objects stay there, the emotions never get released.
In my work, I act as 25% therapist, 25% heavy lifting, and 50% guide. Holding your hand, sometimes literally, as we go through each and every thing you own.
It is an extraordinarily difficult process for some people that is not born out of procrastination, but born out of fear. Fear of what was, fear of loss, fear of what lies ahead. If you get rid of all your layers, you are left exposed, and you have no excuses anymore. You are bare, without attachment, without clutter, and the focus becomes you. For most people it is the fear of seeing and being who they really are.
Now, I’m off to face my own issues, and put the laundry away.
Kelly
photo credit: LizMarie
We’re more than halfway through the month of August already! Time flies.
How are you doing with the 5/day challenge?
You saw my Goodwill load, and I had a small bag of stuff to giveaway, a bag of recycling, and a bag of trash. We also put out a few things at the curb which were promptly picked up. (or neighborhood is full of “trash pickers” on trash day, and we never have anything usable go to waste)
Even while on vacation at my parent’s house I continued decluttering. I recycled or threw out some expired items in my Mom’s fridge and pantry. We won’t talk about the grossness that is dressing from 2007.
I’m still going little by little through every drawer, every load of laundry, every nook and cranny to find things, and 5/day has NOT been a challenge.
If you count all 6 of us I should be doing 30/day, and I think I’m pretty close to that number most days.
By cutting back on what we own, we don’t need to tidy up or clean up as much, and there is less to do.
Today I’m tackling the kitchen. I’m sure there is at least a dozen things I can donate, that are rarely used.
How is your challenge going?
Kelly
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