With Finals around the corner, it is worth repeating the organizational study habits of successful students. Keep it quiet, organize materials, start with the more difficult topic, and take breaks.
Good advise guaranteed to make your child roll his eyes!

http://ezinearticles.com/?id=849787

The attached link illustrates the importance of keeping white space in our environment. Does your planner have white space that allows for down time? Do your walls have white space between well placed art pieces or do you feel dizzy with every inch occupied? Less really is more.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Creating-White-Space&id=851914http://ezinearticles.com/?Creating-White-Space&id=851914

Have you heard about shredding scissors? The container store sells these multiple blade scissors as an alternative to shredders. These are space and energy efficient if you do not have a shredder.In my business I see many shredders that can't handle the typical paper flow in a clients home. For $8.99 it is a great stocking stuffer.

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=11528266&itemIndex=1&CATID=62523&PRODID=10020976

What comes after Black Friday? That could only be Cyber Monday? Today is apparently the biggest commerce day for Online Merchandisers so check out http://psychologyofclutter.wordpress.com/2007/11/26/cyber-monday-shopping/ for a few clutter busting tips as gift ideas. I like the i-tunes for the teenager.

www.freecycle.org is a nonprofit group of people who are giving and getting stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping stuff out of landfills. I have not had the opportunity to use this web site as of yet. The "trading" concept is not new, but this takes care of the complaint, "I don't need this, but what should I do with it?" If you have had experience with this site, let me know your thoughts.

If you are looking for a hilarious kick off for the Holiday Decorating season click below. Dr. Ragan tells how to let go and simplify thus spreading the wealth. Remember, the 20/80 rule works with all your holiday decorations. A Women's shelter or Nursing Home would love to have any decorations you may not have room for, or are just tired of bringing down from the attic. It truly is better to give than receive.

http://psychologyofclutter.wordpress.com/2007/11/21/ho-ho-ho%e2%80%94ly-cow-look-at-all-this-christmas-stuff/

http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1685433,00.html?nid=-1685690 is a link regarding a shopping guide to Black Friday. I especially like the topic regarding the best time of day to return merchandise. (1st hour of the shopping day because the best employees have the best hours and they start out at their assigned posts). Another topic discusses the best savings for holiday shopping. I wasn't aware that Coinstar will issue amazon gift cards instead of cash and a high user fee. Last, a study has been done showing that clipping coupons doesn't save you money unless you were planning to buy the item anyway.
Happy Thanksgiving, and good luck on Black Friday!

Are you spending way to much time shredding? Maybe, not shredding because it has a high hassle factor? West Houston Document Destruction www.whddinfo.com offers drop off or pick up for your document destruction. According to the National Association for Information destruction, Texas ranks second in the nation for identity theft. Drop off costs $5.00 a bankers box! This can save you time and frustration. Call them at 281-450-9700 to get hours and directions.

Today on Oprah is a show concerning compulsive hoarders. Experts assist a family literally drowning in their clutter. Peter Walsh shows that change is possible, and the importance of setting limits. Take this quick hoarding test to see what issues contribute to chaos in your life.

http://www.oprah.com/foodhome/home/repair/home_20071115_hoard_assess.jhtml

Did you know that when you are being watched your behavior changes? Dr. Ragan highlights her experience with ADD and the correlation with clutter. This effect even has a name, the Hawthorne Effect.I guess this is why Weight Watchers has proved successful. Knowing you will be weighed weekly makes you accountable. If you struggle with keeping clutter from controlling your life, get an accountability buddy or hire a Professional Organizer. We are heading into one of the most hectic and emotionally sensitive time of year. Organizing can save your sanity! Thank you Dr. Ragan!

http://psychologyofclutter.wordpress.com/2007/11/08/the-connection-between-attention-deficit-and-clutter/

www.WeightWatchers.com

Make a gift wrap station

I know I sound like a nagging mother, but make preparations to wrap your holiday presents. Next week is Black Friday after all. http://organizemag.com/articles/organizing-on-a-shoestring/wrapping-paper has excellent ideas if space and cost are a concern. Hanging a see through shoe organizer on the front or back of a closet door is one of the best solutions for scissors, tags, ribbon, etc., so they are there when you need them. Hanging a sturdy shopping bag on a hangar with clips is a creative solution on the cheap.

How many days until the holiday kick off?

Realsimple magazine is a great source for advice for organizing your life. The link below talks about the importance of planning ahead for the holidays. The most helpful hints center around buying your holiday stamps now to avoid D day(December 1st) and staking claim to a Saturday night for your holiday party before every one's schedule is booked. Fourteen days until Thanksgiving, but who's counting?

http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1679014-714289,00.html?nid=-1681145

Prioritize your organizing

Great article on categorizing items before buying costly containers. Many of my clients purchase based on what they think they will use, versus what they really need. Don't discount the importance of labeling your world. Remember the book, "Everything I learned in Kindergarten..." This will save you time returning merchandise and money on unusable containers.


The House Storage Guide
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_J_Easton

Have you rotated your cool weather clothes yet? This article is an excellent quick read if you need a little nudge to gain a more serviceable closet. If your closet is small, it works best to only keep the current season of clothes available. Use under bed storage or plastic boxes on high shelves for out of season items. This allows you to become a quick change artist.

Closet Organizing - Out With the Old Season, In With the New
By: Colleen Langenfeld
http://EzineArticles.com/?id=812709