Organized Diva

Contact Us

As we get a whole new season of Organized Diva under way, I wanted to give you our contact information. We welcome any feedback and ideas.

To reach either Anke or Silke contact us at     orgdiva @ gmail dot com

We have also just set up a twitter account. It is very new and we invite you to follow us there:

                        http://twitter.com/organizeddiva

The purpose of this blog is simple really. On our quest to become highly productive and organized people we come across some excellent and interesting tools and ideas. We have also seen definite taboos. Through Organized Diva we have begun sharing them with you.

I, Silke, am constantly seeking a more meaningful, balanced and stress-free life. Organizing and productivity may just be parts of achieving that goal, but they are integral to a more peaceful existence. To that end I am an avid GTD practitioner. I have been organizing my life for several years now around the concepts spelled out by David Allen in Getting Things Done. I follow and comment a lot on their forum and am a member of their GTDConnect membership. Therefore, you will also see quite a few posts on GTD on Organized Diva.

Anke will need to tell you about herself separately, since I do not want to speak on my sister's behalf.

We look forward to hearing from you. Enjoy Organized Diva!

Don't Forget! 8 Methods That Help Us Remember Our Stuff

Losing things and forgetting events are frustrating if it happens regularly. We are surrounded by stuff that we need to remember. Where are the keys? What time am I supposed to pick up John Boy? I am at the store and I forgot my list...what did I need?

There are some sure-fire tools and methods to make remembering easier. Each requires that you set up the tools or apply the method, but that is really something that one can easily do. A little work now goes a long way to easing stress down the road.

1. Designate a Spot for Certain Items.

If you need to remember your glasses or your keys, set up a spot to put them each and every time. On your way out you can easily grab them and you're out the door in no time. Use this spot to also put things to take with you, such as dry cleaning, a book to return, a letter to mail, or your grocery list.

2. Make Lists

Put things you need to do on lists. Create an ERRAND list, a CALL list, an OFFICE list, or a HOME list. Put anything on these lists that you can do. Taking the time to create a list of what you can do in certain locations will save you tremendous time. When on the road visit all the places on your Errand list, be it the dry cleaner, the office supply store, or the pet store. When you have some phone time, call all the people on your CALL list.

Once your to-dos are on a list you will also worry less, since you know you will remember to take care of them.

3. Use the Calendar

Review upcoming events on your calendar regularly. See what is happening in the next few weeks. You can then quickly see that you need a birthday card for your boss' birthday or that your sister will be having her elective surgery soon.

4. Use Checklists

If you have recurring tasks you do regularly create checklists. An example would be a checklist for bills you need to pay monthly, weekly, or however often you pay your bills. List all who are expecting a payment and check them off as you send out payment. This works particularly well for credit cards.

Other types of checklists include home maintenance, car maintenace, home cleaning, bookkeeping tasks, or a job search checklist for interested potential employers.

5. Visualize

It you are a visual person, create a mental image for incoming information.

6. Use Mnemonics

A tool used by many to memorize large amounts of information is to create rhymes or acronyms. Medical students come to mind.

7. Improve Your Physical Well-Being

Good food, good hydration, and exercise improve your memory significantly. Proper nutrition and plenty of water have been proven to benefit your brain now and in the long term. Movement increases blood flow, which increases brain functions.

8. Get Plenty of Sleep

Make certain you sleep the required hours for your age. Most adults function best with 7 to 8 hours of sleep, but children need significanly more.

Source: Johns Hopkins Health

Watch for Tighter Return Policies

This holiday season shoppers should be aware of changing return policies. While 11% of stores are relaxing their return policies, 17% are tightening them.

Some of the changes to watch for include:

• Extension or shortening of the return deadline.

• Varying restocking fees that apply to different types of products, such as electronics or furniture.

• Special return fees for open or used items or gifts that are returned past the deadline.

If you are considering returning a gift, make the decision early, don't open or use the item, and be certain you return it by the deadline. For a sample list of return policy for some major retailers, go to Consumer World.

Money-Saving Shopping Helpers for the Holidays

Most of us need to be more frugal these Holidays. Even if money wasn't a concern, who wouldn't want to be a smarter consumer? The magazine Electronic House has listed some great online shopping helpers that can help us save money and be wiser shoppers.

Free Shipping, Deals, and Coupons

Freeshipping.org - Find the retailers that are offering free shipping. You'll get details like minimum order requirement and by when you have to purchase at the retailers.

Retailmenot.com- Search for coupons by retailer or keywords. They have some interesting widgets that you can put into iGoogle or your Mac dashboard.

DeaLoco.com - Find particular product deals from reputable merchants.

Track Your Purchases for Better Prices

Priceprotectr.com - Keep track of your purchases and be alerted if the price drops on your purchases. You can then often get a refund from the merchant.

Help Others Shop Wisely with Wish Lists

Kaboodle.com - Create wish lists for items you want. Then share those lists with loved ones.

Giftag.com - Select items, create wish lists and share them with friends and family.

Source: Electronic House Volume 23 Issue 10

Keep Your Money Safe - Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan!

I know this book won't be published until December 30, but current financially difficult times make it necessary to already mention the new book Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan!

To start off the year right, we need a little help. In the Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan! topics include saving and protecting your family, spending, credit, real estate, retirement investing, and paying for major purchases such as college. In the book Suze Orman "discusses what safeguards should be put in place, appropriate actions to take, costly mistakes to avoid, and even opportunities to be had, so that you are protected during the downturns and prepared to prosper when things take a turn for the better."

The book is available for pre-order at most online bookstores, including amazon. Orman plans on making an appearance on the Oprah show on January 8.

Give a Polar Bear Adoption as a Holiday Gift

Do you have good-hearted friends that you don't know what to give? I do. The gift decision was easy once I saw that the World Wildlife Fund lets you adopt endangered species in the names of your friends.

I chose to donate two polar bear adoptions for two friends' families. Along with the adoption, each family is sent a soft, plush 8" polar bear, a framed picture and adoption certificate, and a gift box. It is such a wonderful package that the World Wildlife Fund put together, that I cannot wait to see what they look like when they arrive at my friends' houses in the next two weeks.

The World Wildlife Fund has the same gift programs for the snow leopard, tiger, gray wolf, gorilla -- a total of over 90 species. The adoption kits range from $25 to $250 and go to an extraordinary organization.

Go to the World Wildlife Fund Adoption Center to view the species and programs.

Want Your Kids to Eat Broccoli? Show Them This Video!

Source: Icanhascheezburger.com

Tipping Guidelines this Holiday Season

Most people will give a tip or other thank-yous to the people that provide them with important services throughout the year. Even in this economically challenged holiday season, many should still try to show their appreciation. Consumer Reports came out with their Holiday Tipping Guideline.

What Types of Gifts to Tip

First, the always welcome cash is great for most service personnel, but not so highly regarded for teachers or other government employees. This can vary from district to district though.

Secondly, a gift card can be a great alternative. However, I strongly recommend you stay away from those that incur fees or those from banks or retail establishments that could go bankrupt.

Thirdly, a small present with the service person in mind is also a good way to show your appreciation. Some suggestions include CDs, candles, candy, cookies, or small gift baskets. The important thing is to get them something that you think they will like.

Lastly, if you really are not in a position to give a gift or just want to say your appreciation, write the service person a thank-you note. Simple gratitude can often go a long way. In any event, you should always include this with your gift.

Who Gets How Much Tip

You should take a few things into consideration when deciding upon how much to tip this holiday season. Aside from your financial situation, take a look at the quality of the service, the frequency with which you get the service, the service person's helpfulness and friendship to you, and how long this person has been providing this service. You may also want to match your neighborhood, since tipping will most likely be higher in New York City than in Kansas City.

The average holiday gift values below come from a Consumer Reports survey.

Cleaning person - average of $50

Child's teacher - average of $20 (a present or gift card of that value is recommended rather than cash, particularly for most school districts)

Childcare provider - average of $38

Fitness instructor - average of $25

Hairdresser - average of $20 (the average for a barber is $15)

Lawn care crew - average of $25

Mail carrier - average gift of $20 (cash or cash-redeemable gift cards are not allowed, so opt for a regular gift card or a present)

Manicurist - average of $20 

Newspaper carrier - average of $20

Pet care provider - average of $20

Sanitation worker - average of $20

School bus driver - average of $15

Building superintendent  - average of $25

Sources:

Consumer Reports

Consumerist

Yahoo HotJobs (What to regularly tip bartenders, waiters, concierge, salon personnel, doorman, etc.)

Safety for the Christmas Holidays

7 years ago I couldn't fathom that any of our family holiday traditions could be over after a fire burned down the family home. But suddenly many of the old traditions changed after that horrible day.

We've changed much since that day in February, including replacing the house and everything that goes in it, and making sure that everything meets the latest in fire safety codes and technology. That also included our new Christmas traditions and decorations. Some of it became a little more or a little less kitch, but all of it is safer and more efficient than the last batch we had on and around the tree.

Luckily the one tradition we didn't have to change is the people we enjoy it with. They all survived the fire and we are making sure that the future holidays keep them safely in the picture.

We've also decided that we need to use more eco-friendly products. And, happily the rest of the world is living in the same world we are -- safe and eco-friendly products all over for purchase.

First things first, make sure your cut tree stays hydrated and doesn't dry out, becoming kindling for any hot lights you put on them. The newer lights take this into account, but it's always safer to have a tree that isn't dried out within days after bringing it home from the tree lot. You can either make sure you continuously manually water it or you can use the new auto-watering systems that come in all different styles:

Evergreen Seasons 200001 - Christmas Tree Watering System with Holly Design 

Evergreen Seasons 300001 - Christmas Tree Watering System with Snowflake Design 

Of course, you still want to make certain that your tree doesn't fall over, so a great tree stand and a tree stand tray are in order to prevent accidental water overflows that could flood any electrical cables. Both will help control that problem quickly.

Jack-Post 95-6464 - Large Steel Christmas Tree Stand 

Jack-Post XTRA - Christmas Tree Stand Tray

Once you have set up a safe tree environment, you'll need to select safe tree lights. Many of the new lights available aren't only beautiful, but they're also energy efficient and eco-friendly.

Good Tidings 31980 - X - well SuperBright Clear Lights on White Cord

Good Tidings 3190421 - 44' Clear LED Christmas Lights

Another option you may find that will save you all the steps above is by opting for an Artificial Tree that has all the lights already attached and won't require all the steps above. Of course, we've always been a live-tree-farm kind of a family, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't consider the easy option of a pre-lit artificial tree. These are easy to fold up and reuse every year over and over again. They come in many colors to match your home and Christmas decorations.

National Tree Co. PEJF1-302-75 - 7.5' Jersey Fir Artificial Christmas Tree with Clear Lights

I hope that some of these hints help in keeping your holidays safe, memorable and fire-free. Enjoy. DivaAnke

Mr. Obama, I'll Take One Happy Society to Go Please

It's official. Happiness is contagious. A groundbreaking Harvard University study found that happy people cause others around them to be happy. This happiness spreads within families, friends and communities.

Happiness leads to higher levels of creativity, better health, and higher productivity. The supportive effects of a happier, more optimistic community has a very positive effect on those who are experiencing troubling times.

Right now, happiness is not so easy to come by. Faced with a daily onslaught of dire news, it is no wonder that we are in a mental low. Luckily the study also found that happiness has a much higher infectious effect than unhappiness can have. Logically happiness should win out with just a little bit of attitude adjustment.

Obviously it takes a community of friends and families to forge toward happiness. During times of troubles it is all the more important to support each other. Happiness can be accomplished in very simple and small ways.

It also takes leaders that not only exhibit a positive outlook, but also actively take part in moving us toward a state of stability and happiness.

Source: Washington Post

Further Reading:

12 Ways to Improve Your Bad Mood Immediately