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3 Habits To Combat My Struggle with Screen Time

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1 house, 3 people and 17 devicesI have three devices. Eight more screen-like devices, belonging to my husband and son, are available for my use. And let’s not forget three TVs, two gaming systems and an Apple TV.Seriously?Thankfully, our desire to simplify encourages conversations about what we really need. (I use that term loosely). Because each device has a cost long after their initial purchase including subscription services, protective cases, chargers, accessories, data plans, replacement, and maintenance...just to name a few.5 years ago, we cut the cable cord. Initially, it encouraged us to be intentional about TV watching. And with so many streaming services and advertisements for new shows, our streaming costs could exceed the former cable bill if we didn't follow a budget. When was the last time, you checked in on your subscriptions?Thankfully, I'm not much of a TV person. My best guys, on the other hand, can binge-watch like it's their job. But I have my own issues with …

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5 Easy Technology Solutions to Go Paperless

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Paper clutter challenges families every day. Junk mail, kid's art, catalogs, and more. Having established a Paper Filing System for our family, I can safely say that we live 90% paperless leveraging technology to support this goal. If you get control of the paper, the paperless part became a reality. Sign up to receive my FREE Paper Filing System  Technology options are overwhelming and it's hard to know how to choose the right one. But it's more important to establish your routine and less about the tool itself. Here are my 5 "go-to" tools to help you get started on the road to Paperless Living. 1. Evernote I started using Evernote over 10 years ago.  I love that the information syncs to all devices. My Evernote tab stays open all the time. The addition of the Web Clipper on my web browser allows me to clip webpages and save them to relevant notebooks such as Business, Recipes, Family, etc. Eventually, it's easy to see which Notebooks really work …

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How to Create a Clutter-Free Home Office

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I'm going to guess that your home office might be the family dumping ground. And it has piles of paper everywhere. Also, the space is overwhelming because every flat surface is covered and you don't know where to begin. Plus the filing cabinet is filled with who knows what. And all this clutter robs you of productivity and focus.    Does this describe your home office space? It is so uninviting you rarely work in it The bookshelves are cluttered and looming over you You sit at the dining room table with your laptop instead Well, today is the day to change all of that. In this post, I've written a step-by-step plan with 7 steps to declutter and organize your home office. Because a clutter-free space is a productive space and you can do this. Just take it one step at a time. Your Dream Home Office Before you dive in, take some time to dream about how you’d like your office to look and function. Search online for ideas and inspiration. I pinned some …

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5 Minimalist Gift Ideas for a Clutter-Free Valentine’s Day

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Did you know that the Valentine’s Day tradition of giving candy started in the 1840s by Richard Cadbury, a descendant of a British chocolate manufacturing family? With a new chocolate-making technique, Cadbury seized the opportunity to sell chocolates as part of the beloved holiday.  And so began the love holiday celebrated with chocolates, flowers, and oversized teddy bears. But I must remind you that $16 billion is wasted on unwanted gifts every year. So, before you click add to cart or order over-priced flowers, let's consider some clutter-free and inexpensive options that won't ruin your budget. Make Dinner At Home During college, I waited tables at a local restaurant, as did my future husband. That's where we met and we could tell you a tale or two! As a result, we do NOT recommend eating out on Valentine's Day. Service is bad, food quality suffers, and restaurants are overcrowded with the goal of getting you in and out fast. Don't do it. Also, Valentine's Day …

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3 Easy Ways to Recycle Old Trophies

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Kids collect trophies, ribbons, plaques, medals and paper plate awards by the buckets! My young son’s collection is manageable but we are less scheduled than your average family. Fewer activities definitely means fewer items to display and store.Inevitably, empty nesters and their adult children will find themselves digging through boxes of ribbons and trophies wondering what to do with old trophies. And what I usually hear is that no one wants the stuff. Especially the children who actually earned the awards. As an organizer and minimalist, I encounter this often with my clients. And it tends to be more difficult for the parents to part with the items. If you find yourself struggling to let go of these items and with adult children who just want you to throw it all out, take a breathe. I encourage you to respect their decision and give them the items to handle as they see fit. And yes, that may be the trash can.Sentimental ItemsWhen it comes to all sentimental stuff, like trophies, I …

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How Many Vases Do You Really Need?

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How Many Vases Do You Really Need? Well, that depends. I love spring and summer when all the flowers are in bloom. It's a beautiful time of year and a welcome break from winter. While it's nice to display flowers in vases, I really prefer to enjoy them outside. (And so do my allergies!) During the winter I find myself drawn to candles, but just a few, more than flowers. Set a Boundary Over the years, I've worked in many garages, basements, and kitchens and routinely find enough extra vases to supply a large wedding reception. Vases are an item that people accumulate without much thought. Flowers arrive. Flowers die. Vases are washed and put in a cabinet. It doesn't seem to matter if its a vase you like or have room to store. The default response is to keep all the vases we've ever received and find space to store them throughout the house. And this is why I suggest setting a boundary for every category throughout your home, like dishes and books. When it came time to declutter my …

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