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Teresa's Timely Tips Newsletter
| Click on the desired content to be directed to that information without having to scroll down. | Spring Newsletter Content:
Get Ready for an Organized Spring
Tried and True Organizing Tips Part I
Tried and True Organizing Tips Part II
Tips to Stay Healthy Part I
Tips to Stay Healthy Part II
Real Estate Update ARCHIVES:Winter 2008 Newsletter
Fall 2008 Newsletter
Spring 2008 Newsletter Summer 2008 Newsletter
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| 1. Springtime Maintenance Items. As we transition from winter to spring there are maintenance items around the house that we need to take care of. Start by replacing the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Inspect your home's exterior for needed repairs like paint touchups, cracks in the foundation, wood splintering or decaying, insect damage, etc. Inspect window insulation and remove storm windows. Wash the outside of your windows and install screens. Clean the gutters and downspouts. Inspect your roof for warping and cracking. Inspect and replace filters as necessary on your AC unit, furnace, pool, etc.
2. Stumbling over clutter everywhere you turn? Start by taking one step every day to reduce the clutter in your home. Your first step could be as simple as walking through a room with a basket. Pick up items that belong elsewhere. When the basket is full, or has at least a dozen items in it, put those items where they belong. If you do this every day in each room of your home, before you know it, you'll be clutter free. Remember, elsewhere also includes trash and recycling!
3. Do you avoid putting things away because you don't know where to put them? Think about where you use the item. Do you have similar items around the house? Gather them together and store them where it makes sense for you, near where you use them. Remember, the storage doesn't have to be conventional, it just has to work for you. So get creative in your storage. As long as it works for you, you will use it and it will be an effective means of containing and reducing clutter.
4. Do you have trouble getting started on a task or a project? Many times that is the hardest part of a task or project. I find that to be true for me, especially when it comes to using the telephone to schedule appointments or resolving outstanding items. Try using the Rule of 5. Tell yourself that you only have to work at a task for 5 minutes. Generally you will find that once you get started one of two things will happen. You'll either complete the task within the 5 minutes, or you will continue beyond the 5 minutes.
5. Do you need extra help in getting your spring cleaning started? If you do, don't hesitate to hire a cleaning service to give you that extra boost in getting ahead on the spring cleaning. Our lives are so busy. So give yourself a break and hire someone to come in and help you.
6. Don't want to do a full spring cleaning? Here are a few things you can do to clear out the cobwebs from winter. Clean the tops of your ceiling fan blades and inside ceiling lamp globes. Dust windowsills and baseboards. Clean your oven and the top of your stove. Just these few items will help control the dust bunnies.
7. Has your pantry gotten out of control? Take time to inventory your pantry, throwing away outdated foods and donating those you know you won't eat. Compile your pantry inventory in a spreadsheet you can print out and post on the inside of the pantry door. You will know at a glance what you have on hand, and by marking something off as you use it, you'll also know at a glance what you need to restock.
8. Springtime is a great time to `lighten up'! During the winter we have our homes dressed for the weather. Just like we change out our clothing each season, we should do the same for our home's clothing. Swap out heavy winter drapes for lighter window treatments. Change out heavy bedding for lighter coverlets. Swap out dark colored throws and pillows for light and bright colors.
9. It's springtime, do you know where your summer gear is? Now is the time to check out shorts, capris, swimwear, camping gear and our summer `things' for repairs and fit. Those that can be repaired should be, those that need to be replaced should also be. For clothing, try things on for fit, especially with children--they grow so fast! Make plans to start now to shop sales and begin replacing items for summer a few at a time as necessary. By the time summer arrives, you'll be set and ready to go!
10. Taxes! Are you tired of the headaches that come with taxes each year? Now is the time to change that. Whether you receive a refund or owe more money, you can benefit from being more organized and detailed with your record keeping. Set up an accordian file for your taxes with general categories such as receipts for deductions, income statements. tax records and so on. Throughout the rest of the year, be meticulous about filing these items in the folder. When tax time rolls around again next year--and we know it will without fail-- everything you need will be in this file, whether you do your own taxes or take them to an accountant. You will have reduced your stress level tremendously!
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| 1. Touch it once. This is a time management skill that will allow you to save time. For example, when returning a cup to the kitchen, instead of placing it on the counter and waiting until later to place it in the dishwasher, place it directly in the dishwasher now. Touching the cup only once will save you time and it will keep your counters clear.
2. Keep like items together. When like items are grouped near each other, it makes finding items much simpler for yourself and others within your household. There are many examples that could be provided for this concept. A few examples include grouping all your spices together in the kitchen, keeping all your casual shoes on one shelf, or storing the tape, scissors, and stapler in one drawer.
3. Keep items where you use them. Store your printer paper near your printer or blankets and sheets in or near the bedrooms. Why would you want to store your printer paper downstairs in the closet if your computer is upstairs in a spare bedroom? Items should be stored near where they will be used, in order to save time. It will be much easier to locate items.
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| 4. Store according to use. Frequently used items should be kept easily accessible. For example, in the kitchen, place the everyday plates and cups in cupboards that you are not reaching for or bending down for. In contrast, seldom used items such as down comforters should be kept on a higher and harder to access shelf if it's something that will not be used daily.
5. One in, one out. For every new item you bring in the house, one must leave. This will help keep the volume of items you own the same. For example, if you buy a new T-shirt, an old T-shirt gets tossed or donated.
6. Pick a number. How many of a specific item does one person need to own? For example do you need 5 spatulas or 20 sweaters? Every person needs to determine their own `magic' number and they must also take into account their space and the amount of storage within their home.
7. Use hangers to determine clothes usage. When you seasonally change your clothing, place all your hangers in the closet hanging in one direction. After you wear an item and hang it back in the closet, place the hanger in the opposite direction. At the end of the season any hangers still hanging in the original direction indicates clothing that was not worn and therefore, should be donated, tossed, or repaired.
8. Don't pile it. File it. Rather than building up papers to be filed in a To File tray, just file each sheet of paper as you get it. You'll never have to schedule a mass filing session again.
| | | 1. Clear out your kitchen cabinets, pantry, and refrigerator of all unhealthy snacks. Forget how much they cost. Just toss them. It's a lot less expensive to toss unhealthy snacks, than to deal with the costs of getting seriously ill.
2. Do most of your shopping in the fruit and vegetable aisle in your supermarket.
3. Cut up the veggies when you get home from shopping and put them into the refrigerator for snacking. In fact, pack up some little packets to bring to work with you for morning and afternoon snacks to eliminate those trips to the vending machines.
4. Plan out menus for healthy cooking on the weekend. When you go grocery shopping, just get the ingredients to make those meals--rather than buying randomly.
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| 5. Plan on eating five to six smaller meals during the day. In addition to your regular meals, have one at mid- morning and one at mid-afternoon. Do not eat after eight at night. Pretend you are going to have a blood test each morning and that you have to fast.
6. Chew sugarless gum. It keeps your mouth busy and satisfied. Keep a bottle of unsalted almonds in your desk to satisfy an emergency snack craving.
7. If you like crunchy snacks, almonds, celery, sugar snap peas and carrots are great choices.
8. Love ice cream? Treat yourself once or twice each week to a half cup serving. Or, try out some of the lower calorie frozen treats on the market.
9. Avoid eating cake at each and every celebration at work. Those can add up to unnecessary pounds on your body. Keep healthy snacks in your desk so you can enjoy the celebrations on a full stomach.
10. Drink lots of water during the day--six to eight glasses is recommended. This will fill you up and keep you hydrated.
11. Precook some of your entrees on the weekend so you just have the veggies to steam and the salad to prepare. Steaming is a good way of retaining nutrients and vitamins. Make a double portion of dinner so you can freeze it for another dinner when busy--or make a large roast and use it for a few meals.
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| From December 2008 to March 2009 in the Florence area 38.01 %of the homes on the market sold with a average price of $150,100 and an average of 118 days on the market and in the Lake City area 60% (9 of 15) of homes sold with an average price of $59,166 and an average of 64 days on market. We are still seeing a lot of foreclosure properties coming on the market . If you have good credit it is a great time to purchase because home prices are lower than they have been in years. When the Economic Stimulus bill was signed by President Obama it contained a First Time home buyers tax credit. 2 key points: The credit is now worth up to $8000 and it does not have to be paid back unless you sell the home within 3 years of the purchase.
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