Having to decide what to keep, what to store, and what to toss when decluttering can be challenging and even overwhelming, especially when parting with sentimental clutter. That’s probably the main reason no one looks forward to this task. However, decluttering your living space is definitely worth it, as keeping a neat and tidy home will improve your overall well-being.

We fully understand how difficult decluttering can be, especially if you haven’t done it in a while. That’s why we’ve gathered tips and advice that will help you sort your belongings in a simple and stress-free way.

Why should you declutter?

No matter how clean your home is, it’s completely normal to accumulate various belongings over time. So, if you don’t declutter regularly, you can end up living surrounded by mess. Besides your home looking neglected, cluttered space can cause stress and negatively impact your productivity.

Here is why you should declutter:

• A cluttered home can cause irritableness and increase your stress levels. By decluttering your home, you’ll feel more relaxed and much calmer. Give it a try and declutter one room in your home or even just your closet. Guaranteed you’ll instantly feel better.
• Everyone struggles with storage space in their home. No matter its capacity, we always seem to need more. The reason for it is that everyone is prone to accumulating clutter over time. So, by getting rid of unnecessary things, you’ll be able to maximize your storage space and make room for things you actually need and use.
• Decluttering your home can help you improve your sleep. Seeing clutter and mess right before you go to bed can have a very negative impact on the quality of your sleep.
• When you declutter your home, chances are you’ll find many hidden treasures. If you don’t need all of those things, why not make a yard sale and boost your family’s holiday fund?
• Keeping your home neat will make other major tasks that much easier to handle. For example, let’s say you’re moving. If you keep your home organized and clutter-free, packing and unpacking will be much simpler. We even asked the experienced team of movers and packers from Next Stop Movers, who confirmed this fact, and even suggested the added benefit of saving money.

What to keep, what to store, and what to toss when decluttering?

Decluttering is pretty straightforward. You simply need to go through your belongings and sort them into different piles depending on whether you plan on keeping, tossing, or storing them. However, choosing items for each pile is where the process gets challenging. Further in this article, we’ve prepared tips and guidelines to help you decide what to keep, what to store, and what to toss when decluttering.

What to toss when decluttering?

If the item can’t be used anymore, there is no point in keeping it to sit in the corner and only collect dust. Therefore, anything that is broken, old and worn, stained or expired should go on your toss pile. The rule of thumb is that anything you haven’t used for over a year should be tossed or recycled.

People also have a tendency to keep things simply because they feel obligated to. For instance, if someone gave you a present you don’t like or have no use for, there is nothing wrong in regifting it or even selling it.

What to keep when decluttering?

There are many items you know that you need to keep, regardless of the reason. For instance, items you use daily or on a regular basis. Also, there will probably be some items that have sentimental value to you and that you don’t want to get rid of. This is where you need to be careful and make sure not to get carried away. Otherwise, you’ll end up hanging on to too many things.

Don’t forget that there are items that you have to save regardless of whether you want to or not. For example, you have to keep important documents safe and make sure to always know where to find them. However, have in mind that they are among things that shouldn’t be kept in a storage unit. With your valuables, they are items you should safely keep somewhere else.

What to store when decluttering?

In case you find items you know you’ll use at some point but either lack space for or don’t plan on using for a while, the best way to go is to rent a storage unit. For instance, let’s say you enjoy going camping a couple of times a year. As camping equipment takes up a lot of space and you don’t need it so often, a better solution is to move it to your self-storage.

Besides your home, you should also regularly declutter and organize your self-storage. If you keep on adding things and not taking anything out, you’ll simply be relocating clutter from one place to another.

Is there something you could donate and sell?

Going through all of your belongings, you must have found things that are in good condition, but you simply don’t need or plan on using them anymore. Don’t throw them in the trash but donate to a charity or make a yard sale and earn some extra money.

Also, before throwing everything from your toss pile into the trash, make sure to double-check. As you were going through so many items, you could have easily mixed up piles and tossed something that could instead be donated.

The bottom line

We won’t lie – decluttering most likely won’t be the most fun event you’ve ever participated in. But by carefully planning and knowing what to keep, what to store, and what to toss when decluttering, it can get that much easier. And once you witness the results and see your home is tidy, we guarantee you’ll feel motivated to maintain it that way.

The post How to Decide What to Keep, What to Store and What to Toss When Decluttering appeared first on WOW Organizing LLC.

How you can fly during your move and still take your car along

When you are moving a long distance you will have a lengthy list of things to do and worry about both in the weeks leading up to the move and on moving day itself. Driving several states that day so you can have your car at your new home should not be another stressful part of the experience. Shipping your car to your new home is a great option that can allow you to fly to your new home stress free and still have your vehicle after you arrive.

The value of shipping your car during a move

If you are moving a long distance, you will have four options for your car. You can drive your car all the way to your new home which, depending on the distance, could take a full day or more. You can sell your car before you leave and then buy a new one when you arrive in your new town which can easily cost you several thousand dollars. You can sell your car before you move and then rent a car or use public transportation which is definitely not the most convenient or comfortable choice. You can also choose to ship your car.

Shipping your car will not only allow you to take a flight to your new home rather than drive hundreds or thousands of miles, but it will also likely save you some money. First, you will not be putting hundreds or thousands of miles on your car which will slightly decrease the overall value of the vehicle. You also will not have to worry about the cost of gas, food and lodging for an extended road trip. Finally, you will not need to take any extra days off from work to make the trip.

How far in advance should you schedule your car shipment?

Most car shipping companies go through different periods of demand over the course of each year. Typically, the busiest time each year for a car shipping company runs from late spring into the early fall. If you wait too long to schedule your shipment, it will likely end up costing you more or, even worse, you might not be able to ship on the dates you want.

This is why it is recommended to always book your shipment at least four weeks in advance of the date you need your vehicle picked up. If you are shipping during a busy time of the year such as over the summer, try to book your shipment at least eight weeks in advance. As a rule of thumb, you can never book your car shipment to early.

Where you can have your car delivered

Many people will easily be able to have your car picked up from your old address and delivered to your new address. However, there are situations when your old home or new home might be on streets that are too small or prohibit auto transport carriers from driving there. In these situations, you will have to find a nearby place such as a mall parking lot, where you can meet the driver with your vehicle. This will always be arranged before your shipment being officially booked. You just need to be aware that the possibility exists that you might have to make a short trip during pickup and/or delivery.

How you can prepare for your vehicle shipment so you can focus on the rest of your move

Within the few days before your auto transport driver arriving to pick up your car, there are a few easy things that you will need to do to prepare. You can refer to this checklist in order to prepare as well.

Remove personal items

Any personal items that you leave in your car while it ships unfortunately will not be covered by the car shipping insurance if they are damaged or lost. This includes items like sunglasses, jewelry and gloves. The day before your car shipping window begins, go through your car, and take all of these items out.

Get your car cleaned

When your auto transport driver arrives to pick up your car, they will have to do a visual inspection for pre-existing damage for insurance purposes. This will be more difficult and take much more time if your vehicle is not clean. So, if you want to save some time so that you can get back to the rest of your move, make sure that your car has been washed before the pickup date.

Make sure you (or someone you trust) will be there for pickup and delivery

When your car gets picked up and delivered, you or someone you trust, such as a spouse, will have to be present to exchange the keys and sign off on the pickup/delivery. This person will also have to have their valid and unexpired license available to present to the auto transport driver. Since your pickup and delivery dates will be windows of two or three days, this person will need to be ready for the pickup or delivery throughout those periods. We recommend taking shifts with another person, this way you can go about your errands while the other person waits and vice versa.

Final word

Shipping your car is a great choice when you are moving a long distance. It will allow you to take a relaxing flight or train ride to your new home while the moving company and car shipping company both take care of the rest. You will not have to drive for many hours or days, and you can avoid taking unnecessary time off of from work. You will also spare yourself the cost of having to sell your current car and then buying a new car in your new town. When you ship your car just remember that you should book your shipment at least four weeks in advance, you will be responsible for some simple preparation and that your pickup/delivery dates are estimates within a window.

The post Moving Across Country and Want to Keep Your Car? Here’s How appeared first on WOW Organizing LLC.

We can learn a lot from New Yorkers – how to walk the streets as if you were on a runway, how to meet somebody instantly and become BFFs, how to understand the ‘subway’ language, and a lot more. However, what you will also learn from New Yorkers is how to be super-organized even in the tiniest homes. You would be surprised by how many items those people can own while living in studio apartments. The key is proper organization and resourcefulness. If you are not there yet, that is, if your organizational skills are not on the same level as those of New Yorkers, do not worry; we are here to help. Thus, if you want to learn some tips and tricks for organizing your home like a pro, keep on reading – there’s a lot we can learn from New Yorkers about home organizing.

Go High, Whenever Possible 

Most people try to make use of horizontal space. Well, who can blame them – that is the easiest way. But if you, like the rest of New Yorkers, lack space in your home, you might want to consider going vertical. That is, take advantage of your vertical space.

You can put almost anything on your walls – shelves, hooks, or anything that can help you store the items that do not have a place yet. This idea does not have to be expensive either. If you are on a budget, one nice piece of plywood and a set of brackets can do wonders. You can use this trick for organizing your entire house, but it will especially come in handy in kitchens and bedrooms as those areas are usually the most crowded.

Or, Go Low Whenever Possible 

If you cannot go high with a home organization, then go low. Or, go both! There are many things you can do with space under your furniture. You can use that empty space under your bed, or under the coffee table, for example. Just make sure you get rid of all that unwanted stuff you were hiding there for quite some time and make room for the necessary things.

Moreover, what you can learn from New Yorkers about home organizing is that you can be practical and have an aesthetically pleasing home. So, ditch those plastic bags you planned on using for organizing the ‘lower’ areas of your home and get some nice boxes, crates, and bins. For example, woven containers or wood crates will enrich any space, while plastic ones can only make it look dull and tacky.

Declutter as Much as You Can 

If you have used up all of your lower and uppers spaces, if you have already gone both vertically and horizontally, and you still have no place for all of your stuff – it is time for a change. What you must do is declutter your home. Get rid of unnecessary items and make room for the ones you really need. Trust us; New Yorkers do this once a month.

There are several things you can do with the items you no longer need or want. For instance, you can organize a yard sale. Or, you can sell your items online. But, if you do not want cash, but just to get rid of things as soon as possible, you can give them to your friends or neighbors or even donate them to your local charity. Moreover, in most homes, some things should be thrown right away, things that are expired, damaged, broken, useless, etc. Do not hold onto those things; let them hit the bin.

Your home and your head will be a lot more organized once you declutter!

Take Advantage of Storage Solutions 

And, if you cannot separate yourself from your precious items, that is, if you do not want to sell, give away, donate, or throw away your belongings, do not worry; there is an organizing solution for that too. The name of that solution is storage. You can find self-storage solutions in almost any New York neighborhood. The reason for that is that all New Yorkers need it. After all, who wouldn’t want to have a practicable unit you can easily access that saves you a lot of space at home?

When looking for one, make sure to do thorough research. There are storages of all shapes and sizes, and there are storages for various needs and different budgets. But, there are also storages with diverse security levels. So, depending on what you plan on storing, choose your storage unit wisely!

Storage units are an excellent option for giving your home the space it needs. So, what we can learn from New Yorkers about home organizing is not to clutter our place, but to rent additional space

Use Practical Furniture 

Do you know what you can find in almost all New York homes – practical and multi-purpose furniture! Nowadays, any piece of furniture can serve several purposes. But, what is more important, nearly every piece of furniture can have storage options. For instance, your ottoman can serve as both a chair and coffee table, but it can also serve as an extra storage space for household knick-knacks if you get one that opens up.

Thus, when choosing furniture pieces for your home, be sure that they are versatile. Pick pieces that open and fold when necessary. Another great example is a Murphy bed – when folded, it provides the much-needed space in the room.

Practical furniture will not only save you space in your home but also make it look a lot more decluttered, organized, and clean. Thus, if there is one thing we can learn from New Yorkers about home organizing, it’s how to pay attention when we go furniture shopping.

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The post What Can We Learn From New Yorkers About Home Organizing? appeared first on WOW Organizing LLC.

Do you want to Simplify Your Dads Life This Father’s Day?

Father’s Day is approaching fast and will be here before you know it.  If you are still trying to figure out what to get him but truly have no clue where to start, this article may just be able to help.

Yes, you could buy him another tie, or a pair of shoes but why add more clutter in his life.  Why not this year buy him something that can really simplify his life.

Today we will go over 3 of the best organizing gifts you can give your dad this year. These gifts will help De-clutter and Simplify Your Dads Life Starting Right Away!

3 Ways To Organize & Simplify Your Dad’s Life This Father’s Day

1. Garage Organization

Organizing your dad’s garage is something he could truly use and benefit from.  With a well-organized garage, your dad will benefit in many ways.  He will be able to find or easily get his golf clubs for his relaxing day out with the guys.

Or maybe there is something around the house he has been wanting to fix up some time now.  With a cluttered garage, it makes it extremely hard for him to find the tools needed to complete his project.

This will most likely cause him to delay his project. Unfortunately, it will also keep him feeling overwhelmed with the project always on his mind.

Maybe your dad is excited about his big fishing trip coming up with the guys.  Guess what he can’t find this fishing gear. This will leave him feeling overwhelmed about getting everything in order before his big trip begins.

These are just a few examples of how organizing your dad’s garage can truly simplify his life.  It will allow him to Truly enjoy his day instead of feeling overwhelmed.

If you live in the Roanoke, VA area and are not sure where to start or how to properly organize his garage do not worry. Just simply WOW Organizing a call at (540) 420-8225 or Click Here & Schedule your FREE Consultation Today!

Don’t live the Roanoke, VA area do not worry, we also offer Virtual Organizing Coaching sessions to the entire United States as well.

2. Home Office Organization

Many of our Fathers have extremely demanding jobs that require them to bring their work home with them.  Since our dad’s lives are already so hectic and busy often times their home office becomes completely cluttered and unorganized. 

This oftentimes leads to them not being able to find important paperwork needed to finish the project they are working on. It can also leave our dad feeling stressed as well as overwhelmed.  With some simple home office and paper organization, you can reduce the stress in your dad’s life tremendously. 

His new de-cluttered and organized office will allow him to be able to sit down in his office in peace.  Also, it will help him complete his project in a lot less time.  The organization will provide him a much more stress-free life at home.  The best part is it will allow him to spend time with the people he loves the most in life, you and your mom.

Help Your Father Relax

With a cluttered and unorganized Man Cave, it makes it really hard to truly relax and let go of all the stress dads carry on their shoulders on a daily basis. 

However, with a well organized and de-cluttered Man Cave, your dad can simply enjoy his time in his private room watching that football game with his closest friends. 

He will no longer have to look at the mess as well as will not have to feel overwhelmed trying to find the time to organize it himself.

The post Simplify Your Dads Life With The Gift of Organization This Fathers Day appeared first on WOW Organizing LLC.

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As a parent, or working individual, you priorities keep you busy, so keep the little things organized so life stays going how you want it.

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I can’t tell you how much difference it can make when your home is organized! I have three children. My first two were in diapers at the same time, and subsequently toddlers at the same time. They made messes faster than I could clean them up. Let me tell you, it was exhausting! I spent so much time doing more work than was necessary trying to keep up with the housework, and generally failing at it. I wish I had known then what I know now! You know that pile of clothes you’ve been meaning to make room for in your closet? How about that pile of papers that is about to topple off the table? And of course, the ever-present and overwhelming child-clutter? The longer you put it off, the bigger the problem gets. Don’t spend one more day stepping on Legos or tripping over piles of clothes. Don’t put off getting organized, and most importantly, don’t
spend one more day trying to do it by yourself! These things don’t just clutter up your house, they clutter up your mind. They slow you down and keep you from giving your full attention to more important things.

Wow Organizing is just the thing to get you motivated to tackle those tasks that are hanging over you. For me, just having someone else in the room helps me focus on what I need to accomplish. It’s even better when that person is a trained organizing professional! Start decluttering your home and your mind before the time slips by, because time is one thing you can never get back.

The post Simplify Your Life & Get Organized with WOW appeared first on WOW Organizing LLC.

Earlier this week we posed the following question to our Facebook Readers:

What do the US Armed Forces, the LDS Church, 12 step programs, both the Boy and Girl Scouts, and (sometimes) school children on trips have in common?

Bonus Question:

How can it help you get organized?

When after nine hours, no one had chimed in we added another clue – “Weightlifters also have this in common.” Before reading on, ask yourself, do you know the answer? Really think about it for a minute.

When someone is lifting a particularly heavy weight at the gym, what does that lifter need? When a Mormon is sent out on a religious mission what he/she take with him/her? When you went on a school trip what were you assigned?

The answer in all cases (though the specific nomenclature may vary) is the same: a buddy!

You may find yourself asking, so what? Or maybe you already know where we’re going with this. Well, ask yourself this, why assign a buddy?

How Does it Affect Organizing?

A buddy offers accountability, encouragement and support.

In 12 step programs, each person recovering from an addiction is assigned a sponsor. The sponsor is the person the recoverer can speak with whenever there is trouble and is also there to check in with on a regular basis.

On a school trip, weight lifting or the armed forces, your buddy helps keep you safe.

In all cases your buddy is someone other than yourself looking out for you and caring about your success – sometimes when you forget to!

So how does this affect organization?

The buddy system is not limited to the examples listed. The buddy system can help anywhere where two people are working toward common (though sometimes separate) goals.

If you’re trying to get organized and having a hard time getting started, or even if you just want some encouragement, ask around – is anyone else in the same position?

How Do I Start?

You may surprised how many people you know have similar goals to you. Most of us have a spot we’d like to straighten up. (Remember the chair?)  And few people don’t appreciate encouragement. You almost certainly already know someone – a relative, friend or coworker, who is also looking to make some organizational progress.

So find someone in with a similar goal and work out a plan. Micro progress is a great way to go. But as long as you’re working at a similar pace and care about helping each other, you can plan it out however you like. Having someone there asking you how things are progressing will encourage you to keep going and may be the difference between success or forfeiture.

The two of you can even take pictures of your progress. With new technology, encouraging thoughts and words were never easier to send. 🙂

In a scholarly paper titled “Facilitators and barriers to weight loss and weight loss maintenance: A qualitative exploration,” found that women with peer support were far more effective in losing weight.

This may come as no surprise to anyone who’s tried it but it’s nice to see scientific support. It would be more surprising to find out the social support is not helpful.

We all need accountability. We all need encouragement. So find a friend, grab your phone, write a plan and let’s get organized!

The post Getting Organized with a Little Help appeared first on WOW Organizing LLC.