I offered one of her favorite tips for left-overs on Complete Organizing Solutions. Check it out: http://ping.fm/S2Upp

2 Simple Steps that Get You & Your Family Prepared for Emergencies

Contributed by Organized A to Z Partner Heidi DeCoux

This is the 6th year that National Preparedness Month (NPM) is a nationwide effort sponsored by the Ready Campaign, with the support of Coalition Members across the US.

Are you prepared?  Here are two simple steps a couple of helpful tips that will make you more prepared in the case of two different types of emergencies.  These 2 simple steps don’t take long to do and can save you a ton of time, money and frustration!  These steps are especially important to take if you travel.

Emergency #1 – Stolen Wallet
Take a few minutes and make a photocopy of everything in your wallet including the front and back of your credit cards and membership cards. Place the copied pages in a manila envelope and mark the envelope “Contents of Wallet” and date it. Place the envelope in your safe deposit box. Mark your calendar for 3 to 6  months’ from now to update your “Contents of Wallet” envelope. Now, if your wallet is lost or stolen you will now know exactly what you lost and whom you need to contact.

Emergency #2 – Flood, Fire or Break In
The best way to prepare for one of these emergencies is to have a safe that is both water and fireproof. You could opt to keep your items in a safe deposit box at the bank, it’s just a bit less accessible than one that is in your home.  Last year there were some flood victims in SE MN who had to work hard to prove they own the property that was destroyed. They lost their mortgage, titles and deeds in the flood. Having your important difficult to replace documents in a safe along with an up to date household inventory (and appraisals or receipts of valuables) can save you quite a bit of time, money and headache if you have a flood, fire or break in.

Take a Household Inventory
Spend a few hours walking around your house with a digital camera and take a photo of all of your belongings. Burn the photos onto a CD or DVD. Make at least three copies. One copy goes in your safe deposit box, one should go to your insurance agent and one to the executor of your Will. If you have appraisals or receipts for any of your valuables, put those in your safe along with your CD or DVD of photos.

Protect Your Family Photos
In the case of a fire or flood you should be focused on getting your family out of the house not your photo albums, however, loosing years and years of precious photos could be devastating.  A simple solution is to have your photo’s scanned and put on DVD’s. Keep one set of DVD’s in your safe, give a set to the executor of your Will and you could give some copies to family members, such as your parents, grown children and siblings.

Another Hot Tip:
Put your cell phone on ICE!  Add a contact to your cell phone and name it: In Case of Emergency.  Then list whom you would want to be contacted in the case you ended up in the hospital.  Hospitals are now checking cell phones for emergency contacts.

By implementing these simple home organization and emergency planning tips you could end up saving yourself a lot of time, energy, money and frustration.  For more helpful tips visit the Ready Campaigns government website at www.ready.gov/america/index.html.

Heidi DeCoux is the publisher of the Life Made Simple E-zine and is a speaker, author, and professional organizer in Minneapolis specializing in home organization.  Heidi energizes her readers’ lives by simplifying their homes and schedules.  For more info, free tips, and to receive her FREE report, The Fast & Easy Way to Get Organized and Stay Organized Forever, visit http://www.HeidiDeCoux.com and discover how to find what you want fast, end the frustration of endless searching for things, so you can spend more time having fun!

Nip It In the Bug!

Contributed by Rita McGhee, Sort My Space, www.sortmyspace.com

Over the past several months I’ve had questions posed to me about the most recent viral explosion on the human population, H1N1, and how is the best way to clean and sanitize a home.  As a mom of elementary-age children, viruses and bacteria enter my house DAILY!  If my children bring something into the house, we all risk getting sick.  With flu season approaching, including the H1N1 virus, getting sick comes with a host of complications ranging from sore throats to death.

According to the CDC web site, www.cdc.org, Congressional update on May 4, 2009,  the H1N1 virus lives on a dry surface for minimum of “2-8 hours.”  My first line of defense is hand washing when entering the house.  As far as the children go, their school clothes are put in the laundry daily.  If clothes can’t be washed, steam them or put them through the dryer on at least the medium setting – cook the little bugs! Wipe down back-pack handles & folders with a disinfectant cloth every day.

Each time I clean a room, special consideration goes to areas of high use.  This is especially true at the first signs that a “bug” has entered the house – sneezing, coughing, fever or intestinal issues.  I use a disinfectant cleaner on a cloth or paper towel and clean these areas first:

* Bathroom – Handles, switches, sink, cabinet edges, toilet.
* Kitchen – Sink, countertops, appliance handles and controls, switches & knobs.
* Common Areas – Switches, knobs, controllers, phones & keyboards.

I’ve done this routine so often that I can sanitize each room within just a few minutes.  It has stopped many a bug in its tracks!

Rita McGhee is a professional organizer in Charleston, West Virginia and author of “Organize Your Home the Green Way.”

Jakoter Health Organizers

Jakoter Health Tag

When it comes to organizing your ever-lasting accumulation of medical documents do you wonder what should I keep, what can I throw or do I need to shred it? Medical information organizing is essential for being prepared for emergencies, as well as for doctor appointments and keeping track of medications and such.

Jakoter Health Organizers, www.jakoterhealthorganizers.com is the solution to getting all your medical information in one central location. These organizers will keep medical information organized, so when needed the information will be ready and available for all doctor appointments, surgeries, tests and those unexpected emergencies. And when you think about it…having your medical information organized and available for the emergency personnel could save yours or your loved ones life!

Jakoter Health Organizer

As well, they help caregivers and parents alike; keep track of medications, how the medications worked and/or if there was a reaction, appointments of all doctors (when, where, who, why, findings and follow up), bills & receipts, blood work, calendar charts, directions, doctor letters, immunizations, major events, and test results. They also include sections for notes, questions/answers, resources, baby milestones and two blank sections to use for whatever you need.

Jakoter Health Organizers offer Medical Information Organizing in many venues to fit your needs. We offer:

*Personal organizing to help you with your own personal medical information with the help of a Jakoter Health Consultant (JHC).

*Classes offered in small groups with hands-on organizing during a follow-up workshop.

*Webinars for those who prefer to learn virtually on how to organize their information. Also, available are webinars for those who would like to learn how to become a Jakoter Health Consultant or would like to teach others how to become a Jakoter Health Consultant.

Jakoter Medic Tag

*Speaking presentations are given to large groups on several different subjects, such as “The Ease and Power of the Health Tag”. Please contact us for more subjects offered.

*Companies who sell products for retail or online, we have great products for you to add to your line of retail and an opportunity for you to make a great profit.

Employers add a great benefit to your health insurance package by adding health organizing products for your employees. Give them the option to purchase at a discounted price or add the products in as a free benefit. Please contact us for details.

If you interested these products or as a small business owner are looking for something new to offer your clients and you would like more information about Jakoter Health Organizers, please contact me at Delight@jakoter.com or 952-297-2827.  I am confident you will be as thrilled about these products as I was the first time I heard about them.

Ask the Organizer Workshop

Would you like to know the secrets Professional Organizers use to keep everything in order? Stressed out and don’t know where to begin organizing your home, office or schedule? Then this class is for you! Begin he session by learning the basics of organizing and then get an opportunity to ask your specific questions related to your organizational challenges. Ages 18 and up.

Pre-registration and pre-payment are required for all classes and programs. To download a registration form, click here.

Course: 3012
Date: Thursday, October 1
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Fee: $19
Registration Ends September 24
Location: Mechanicsville Library
7179 Stonewall Parkway
Mechanicsville, VA 23111

Contact: Kathy Jenkins, Come To Order
Contact Email: kathy@cometoorderva.com
Contact Phone: 804-550-9428

Be Prepared: Focus on Estate Planning

Crucial project…

Focus on the estate…estate planning

Regardless of the unexpected, unpleasant episode that sets ones life in a tail spin, the effect upon the family is always the same. It is devastation and chaos.  Therefore it is necessary to always be PREPARED for the unexpected.   ESTATE PLANNING is not for just the wealthy, nor is it to be addressed after death.

Rather it is a life changing subject to be discussed with all family members while you are alive and well.

After having lost my father 4 years ago, my family and I have been involved in a web of endless, inconclusive legal matters concerning our father’s estate. After nine months of attempting to uncover the truths about the will, and speaking with five different lawyers we have unanimously agreed to retain a lawyer to represent my mom.

Essentially this event has paralleled a divorce, without the most important member present to represent himself.
What we have come to understand is that estate law is, as most law in our country, not only a foreign language to most  but also not emphasized enough to families  as a part of planning matters.

There are many featured articles in newspapers and magazines concerning the lawsuits that prevail from misunderstood wills and endless, costly disputes over generations of wealth. With a multitude of complex tax ramifications and forthcoming revisions it is crucial to protect whatever assets the family has worked hard to achieve. It is a pity to have monies be swept into the government channels.

Therefore, do not believe that estate planning is only for those with wealth. Act now , preparation for your protection is about the here and now, NOT the thereafter.

Contributed by Lisa Jacobs:

Lisa Jacobs is passionate about home organizing, fashion, and interior design make overs. IMAGINE IT DONE is the result of that passion. Lisa brings her deep aesthetic sensibilities and good taste to every consulting challenge. Her vast creative and management experience in the US and Europe allows IMAGINE IT DONE to deliver a full spectrum of services. She began her career in New York City working for the chief creative director, Nick Lamicella, of the ad agency Norman Craig&Kummel Inc. Her strengths and reputation eventually brought her to Paris, where she served as assistant to the creative director of Havas World Communications, again overseeing print production and managing talent for Garnier, Chanel and Bourjois. A master of organization and time management, Lisa has redecorated homes from Manhattan to the Hamptons. Lisa is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Visit her site at www.imagineitdone.net.

September: National Preparedness Month

With numerous hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires threatening our homes and businesses throughout the country, it is appropriate that NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) has signed on as a national coalition member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Preparedness Month.  One never knows when a disaster may strike, so it is important to be prepared.

According to Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign website, the following systems should be in place to help protect you in an emergency:
•    Emergency Evacuation Plan
•    Emergency Supply Kit

See Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign website for additional information for making your plan and creating/getting a supply kit.  In addition, a home inventory and a portable fire-safe box containing vital documents is essential.

Home Inventory
Conduct a home inventory to have a record of the items you own for insurance purposes.  Document throughout your home items of value:
•    make a list
•    take pictures and/or video
•    record serial numbers, manufacturer’s names, and model numbers

Portable Fire-Safe Box
Collect vital documents and make copies

• Vital documents may include, but are not limited to:
  • Birth certificates
  • Passports
  • Driver’s license
  • Wills
  • Medical history
  • Deed of trust
  • Automobile titles, other titles showing ownership
  • Home inventory
  • Bank accounts credit card numbers
  • Marriage license
  • Social Security card
  • Home and Auto insurance information
• Store the originals in a safety deposit box at your bank
• Store the copies in a portable fireproof box
• Store the box in an area that is easily accessible in case of emergency

If disaster strikes, at least you will be prepared with important and necessary information at your fingertips so you may focus your attention on keeping your family safe.  A professional organizer can help you create your home inventory and gather vital documents for safe storage.

Kelly Butcher, a professional organizer and owner of Simplification Services since 2007, has a passion for helping others organize their homes and offices. Her goal is to simplify her client’s lives by creating customized, manageable systems to fit their particular needs.  She teaches them the skill of organizing throughout the process and loves to hear about the projects they complete on their own.  Kelly is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, the Austin Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers, and is currently serving her second term as Secretary for NAPO-Austin.  Visit her site at www.SimplificationServices.com.

Organized A to Z Featured in Better Homes & Gardens 2009 Storage Edition

Make sure you claim your own copy of Better Homes & Gardens special Fall/Winter 2009 Storage Edition, which hits newsstands today! Organized A to Z.com featured as a seller of our Photo Frame Hooks.

We are very excited to see one of our products recommended by a national magazine that is a standard resource for those looking to fix up and redecorate their homes! It’s an honor to be included in the special edition of the magazine.

Better Homes & Gardens chose Organized A to Z’s Photo Frame Hooks as one of a favorite product for organizing a living or dining room.

See the magazine page with our hooks featured!

These stylish, simple hooks are perfect for coats, backpacks, pet leashes, hats, and much more.  They are a smart choice for any room because they are fully functional as a hook but add a touch of flair.

Grab your copy of the magazine today, and don’t forget to check out our Photo Frame Hooks, too!

DHS: Secretary Napolitano Announces H1N1 Preparedness Guide for Small Businesses

This year, as the flu season approaches, health officials have a new concern – the H1N1 virus. To help businesses prepare for potential outbreaks and significant staff absences due to the flu, the Department of Homeland Security has created an H1N1 Preparedness guide.

To learn more and to access the plan go to
DHS: Secretary Napolitano Announces H1N1 Preparedness Guide for Small Businesses

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September as National Preparedness Month, Are you prepared?

Contributed by Kathryn McMillan of  Clutter Conversions, LLC, www.clutterconversions.com

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated September as National Preparedness Month, are you prepared?  You may think, “It can never happen to me” but if it does happen are there enough supplies to last me and my family through the ordeal?  Are you sure??  If you get prepared, you will be sure!!  How do you get prepared for the unknown?  Here are some simple steps and products to get you started but you do have to take into consideration which part of the country you live in and what has happened in the past.

Step1: Get A Kit of emergency supplies.  Basic Kit:

• Water (one gallon per person per day)
• Non-perishable Food (at least a 3 day supply)
• Battery powered or hand cranked radio or NOAA weather radio w/tone alert and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Whistle to signal for help
• Filter Mask or cotton t-shirt to help filter air
• Moist Towlettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for sanitation
• Wrench or Pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual Can Opener
• Plastic sheeting and Duct Tape
• Important Family Documents
• Items for unique family needs (medicines, baby formula, diapers, etc,)

Think about 2 kits: A big one for your home and smaller version for your vehicle

Step 2: Make a Plan:
Develop a family emergency plan and practice it.  Who is going to do what and where when disaster strikes.  If you have family or friends that live far away from you, consider using them as the contact person everyone needs to contact because it can be easier to contact them than within your own area.

Step 3: Be Informed about what might happen:
Make yourself aware of what can happen in the event of a natural or man made emergency.

Businesses need to be prepared also.  If you own a business, you need to have an emergency plan for your employees.  Prepare a written plan, give them each a copy and personally go over it with them explaining to them that in the event of an emergency, who is in charge (chain of command), how do they communicate with you and what is their expectations in helping to get the business up and running again.  People often want to get back to work because getting back into the routine of work provides them some distraction from outside stressors and gives them the comfort of a paycheck to fix any problems they may have.

You can find tons of useful articles, tips and products at  www.ready.gov,  www.thereadystore.com and www.redcrossstore.org.

Recommended products:

1. Family Life Organizer and Planner 2009
2. Organize for Disaster: Prepare Your Family and Your Home for Any Natural or Unnatural Disaster
3. Jakoter Medic Tag: Programable Flash Drive/Key Chain
4. Locket Personal Management Info System – a system that gives you control of your most private documents that is storable, compact and portable, all on a 1GB thumb drive.

Clutter Conversions, LLC © 2009