Defy the Mayans! Get ready for next year's taxes today!

With this year's taxes done, (whew!), it's the best time to review what went right (and wrong) so you can make next April much easier. For instance... Plan ahead using lessons from this year. Many people file taxes with a guess method as to what amount of money they donated to charity, what number of deductions to claim on their workplace W-4 form, and where they put important receipts. Some planning now will save time and frustration later. Keep documents safe and organized. Documents related to taxes are loaded with personal information so it’s important to use, sort, store and dispose of them properly.

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Can't hire a house cleaner? Try these tips instead!

To make sure your spring cleaning efforts last, try these helpful everyday tips:

• Label foods before they go in the freezer. With a name and date, it’s easier to find leftovers before they become mystery meat.
• If you have a multi-bathroom house, consider duplicates of commonly used items, such as glass cleaner, paper towels or Norwex cloths.
• In a multi-level house it helps to have a vacuum on each level. A stair basket is also a useful way to collect the “stuff” that needs to go to the next level. (Make sure it gets emptied regularly by everyone in the family as they go up or down the stairs!)
• Keep a hamper in every bedroom or bathroom, so kids (and spouses) have no excuse for leaving dirty clothes scattered on the floor.
• Make it a mission to toss junk mail immediately so it doesn’t accumulate. Cancel subscriptions to unread/unwanted magazines.
• Keep a squeegee in your bathtub if you have a glass door. It might take an extra minute to wipe down the door after every shower, but you’ll save on cleaning time and frequency and will enjoy an overall better view daily.
• Let kids help on a regular basis. Just make it fun. Even young children can use a wet sock rag or microfiber cloth to dust furniture.
• Everyday grit that gets tracked in does its damage to wood floors over time. To combat that, keep mats on both the inside and outside of all entry doors. Keep a broom handy for daily sweeping (another chore that’s perfect for kids to take on!)
• Going on vacation? Resist the urge to leave behind the mess you make when getting ready. Instead, take a few minutes to tidy up, make sure the sinks are empty, dishes are washed, trash is emptied, and maybe even vacuum the carpets and rugs (yeah, I know, good one.) Trust me, though you'll be thankful when you get home from your restful vacation and are welcomed to a house that's clean and inviting. The chores can come later...

Spring cleaning doesn't have to be a chore!

As the temperatures warm up, it's finally time to open the windows to air out the house. It's also the season to remove some of the old grime that's accumulated during the colder months. How to do it with ease? Follow these tips!

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7 Rules for Dealing with Disorganization

Getting organized” is among the top resolutions of 2012. It is every year actually. Like the other top resolutions involving health or wealth, the goal of reducing clutter falls under the “Best of Intentions” category. We all mean well in January but by summer our interest is waning. And once the holiday season arrives in the winter… well, we’ll get back to that diet/exercise plan/cluttered basement … next year. I came upon this tongue-in-cheek look at going to the gym, and decided that humor does have a way of bringing home a few points. It got me thinking that maybe there are a few truths about clutter and organizing that also need to be aired.

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Brr! It's COLD outside! Time to get your winter gear organized!

Has the seasonal change from cool to frigid got you tripping over boots, fretting over lost mittens or searching for dry snowpants? A change in your organization may be all that's in order. Try these tips to make get your winter gear in order.

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