Comments on: 10 Absolutely Essential Tools For Starting to Get Organized http://laurelplumonline.com/getting-started/10-absolutely-essential-tools-starting-organized/ Make your house your home! Start living more fully! Declutter, Organize, Simplify, and Play! Thu, 03 May 2012 04:00:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: mccracker http://laurelplumonline.com/getting-started/10-absolutely-essential-tools-starting-organized/comment-page-1/#comment-7 mccracker Mon, 04 Aug 2008 02:07:36 +0000 http://laurelplumonline.com/?p=46#comment-7 I think to your comment of permanent markers - a good labeler is a good way to mark things for later retrieval. I've gone as far as labeling all the contents of a bin or if I'm a bit lazier, just marking the category (like Toys (1-3 years of age) or sports equipment). On the subject of calendars and to do lists, I've gone totally digital. I use MS Outlook for my to-do lists and calendars for my own personal use. When it comes to shared calendars and shared to do lists (like with my family and my sports team) I have been using http://www.qlubb.com because we can all get to the information and we can all edit it on our own time when we get something done. My biggest weapon against clutter is not to buy it in the first place. Before I buy anything, I really make sure it's not going to be yet another thing dusty in my closet or donated to the goodwill. I think to your comment of permanent markers – a good labeler is a good way to mark things for later retrieval. I’ve gone as far as labeling all the contents of a bin or if I’m a bit lazier, just marking the category (like Toys (1-3 years of age) or sports equipment).

On the subject of calendars and to do lists, I’ve gone totally digital. I use MS Outlook for my to-do lists and calendars for my own personal use. When it comes to shared calendars and shared to do lists (like with my family and my sports team) I have been using http://www.qlubb.com because we can all get to the information and we can all edit it on our own time when we get something done.

My biggest weapon against clutter is not to buy it in the first place. Before I buy anything, I really make sure it’s not going to be yet another thing dusty in my closet or donated to the goodwill.

]]> By: Mc-cracker http://laurelplumonline.com/getting-started/10-absolutely-essential-tools-starting-organized/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Mc-cracker Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:11:57 +0000 http://laurelplumonline.com/?p=46#comment-6 Maybe this is in line with your "permanent marker" comment - but a label maker has been essential. Putting stuff in shoeboxes and ziploc bags and into bins are great, but it's the label maker that helps you find the stuff. I've done labels that are generic (e.g. toys (age 1-3)) to a detailed list of the contents. Just depends on what you have time and energy for - and what you expect to be looking for in teh future. For all the sticky notes and for calendaring, I've moved online. It's just much easier because you can get it from everywhere. For my own personal stuff, I use Microsoft outlook. For calendaring and to do list items that involve other people (like my family, my soccer team and daughter's playgroup), I use http://www.qlubb.com which is great because I can publish it to all of the members (and they can edit it too). I used to be horribly inefficient but I think I've got everything under control (at least for now ;-). Maybe this is in line with your “permanent marker” comment – but a label maker has been essential. Putting stuff in shoeboxes and ziploc bags and into bins are great, but it’s the label maker that helps you find the stuff. I’ve done labels that are generic (e.g. toys (age 1-3)) to a detailed list of the contents. Just depends on what you have time and energy for – and what you expect to be looking for in teh future.

For all the sticky notes and for calendaring, I’ve moved online. It’s just much easier because you can get it from everywhere. For my own personal stuff, I use Microsoft outlook. For calendaring and to do list items that involve other people (like my family, my soccer team and daughter’s playgroup), I use http://www.qlubb.com which is great because I can publish it to all of the members (and they can edit it too).

I used to be horribly inefficient but I think I’ve got everything under control (at least for now ;-) .

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