THE STEPPING STONES TO HARMONY WORKBOOK BY REBECCA LANG

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I’m Rebecca Lang, founder of Essential Home Organization LLC. As a member of the sandwich generation, I balanced caring for my family and transitioning my parent into assisted living. My experience inspired me to create flexible, efficient organization plans, helping others manage their

WORKSHEETS

Basement Storage Units cont.

You have seen this list in the beginning of the workbook. Many of us have the items we use most in our main living area and store similar items in the basement or a storage unit. You already addressed this list in your main living area. Now it is time to look at the items that are stored, including those undecided bins. Every item you are not using is taking up valuable space. Storage unit rental fees can quickly exceed the retail value of stored items. Storage units are great for short-term needs such as getting your home ready for listing. However, long-term storage of household goods can cost thousands of dollars.

Cherished Memories

• Can you photograph any items? • Check with family members before parting with family treasures. • Consider shredding unkept photos. Cleaning Supplies • Old cleaners • Cleaners that didn’t work well • Old mops, brushes, vacuums • Old rags • Excess buckets, brushes, etc. Entertainment • Books • CDs • DVDs • Magazines • Subscriptions - digital or print Holiday Decorations • Old, worn out, outgrown • Items you no longer use Home Decor • Items not in use • Consider relocating or refurbishing Pet Supplies • Items not in use • Items that didn’t work well for your pet Photographs • Print • Digital • Old family photos

 

School Projects

• Photograph special items • Donate/sell musical equipment • Donate/sell textbooks • Create a scrapbook or photo book Tools • Old broken power tools • Old broken hand tools • Old paint brushes, supplies Toys - Gather and sort by category • Action figures • Books • Cars, trucks, etc. • Dolls • Stuffed animals • Electronics Toys - Next, sort by condition • New • Favorite or special • Outgrown • Missing parts or broken Yard and Gardening Supplies • Broken shovels, rakes, etc. • Unused hand tools • Excess or broken planters

WORKSHEETS

Important Papers

Your important records will be easy to find with an organized filing system. Choose the method that works best for you. A DYMO label maker will help make labeling files quick and easy.

Step 1:

Create sorting labels. You can simply use markers and write on copy paper. Make seperate labels for To Do, File, Shred, and Trash. Spread the labeled papers out on your work surface. Do not worry about creating order in each stack, just sort first. To Do is for bills that need to be paid or other work that needs attention.

Step 2:

Shred papers and remove trash. These two tasks are fairly quick and give you great visual results.

Step 3:

Tackle filing. Begin by making stacks. Grouping by company name is the easiest way to sort. Once you have some stacks made, you can begin creating file labels. Place the items in the file. You can organize the papers in each file after your stack of papers is sorted and in individual files.

Step 4:

Electronic documents. Create a log-in list on your computer. Include the company name, your user name, and password. It is best to hand-write your passwords in pencil since they often change. This also prevents hackers from accessing them. Store in a safe place.

Step 5:

Start working on your To Do stack. Then file, shred, or throw away papers when finished.

Step 6:

Daily Maintenance. Place a To Do file in your kitchen or on your entry table for important mail and another for shredding. This will allow you to sort incoming mail daily. Recycle junk mail daily to avoid adding it to your stacks of paper.

WORKSHEETS Important Papers

Method B:

Sort files by category then alphabetically. Use different colored folders. Auto- Blue File Folders

• Financing • Insurance • Maintenance • Title Pets - Green File Folders • Awards • Licenses • Vet bills • Vet records Home - Orange File Folders • Appliances • Insurance • Mortgage • Repairs

Method C:

Sort files alphabetically by company. Use one file folder color. This is the simplest method. • Best Buy • Capital One • Discover Card • Home Depot • Lowes • Mastercard • Macy’s • Verizon • Visa

 

Step 1:

Create sorting labels. You can simply use markers and write on copy paper. Make seperate labels for To Do, File, Shred, and Trash. Spread the labeled papers out on your work surface. Do not worry about creating order in each stack, just sort first. To Do is for bills that need to be paid or other work that needs attention.

Step 2:

Shred papers and remove trash. These two tasks are fairly quick and give you great visual results.

Step 3:

Tackle filing. Begin by making stacks. Grouping by company name is the easiest way to sort. Once you have some stacks made, you can begin creating file labels. Place the items in the file. You can organize the papers in each file after your stack of papers is sorted and in individual files.

Step 4:

Electronic documents. Create a log-in list on your computer. Include the company name, your user name, and password. It is best to hand-write your passwords in pencil since they often change. This also prevents hackers from accessing them. Store in a safe place.

Step 5:

Start working on your To Do stack. Then file, shred, or throw away papers when finished.

Step 6:

Daily Maintenance. Place a To Do file in your kitchen or on your entry table for important mail and another for shredding. This will allow you to sort incoming mail daily. Recycle junk mail daily to avoid adding it to your stacks of paper.

 

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