GETTING STARTED ON A MAJOR ORGANIZING PROJECT (i.e. THE ENTIRE HOUSE)

Getting Started on a Major Organizing Project (i.e. the Entire House)

When faced with a whole house organizing makeover, it can seem overwhelming at first. Most people go from room to room, doing small things that do not seem to be making much of an impact. It feels like pure chaos and you are doing nothing more than spinning your wheels.

The answers – take a pad of paper and start at the entry way to your home. Start by writing down everything that is annoying you, what you plan to get rid of, and how you want the space to be once it is organized. Work your way through the home going room by room and include the garage. Then sit down with your list…look at all the items you wish to get rid of, or reorganize, and make a plan of action. When and where are you going to donate these items? OR are you going to try to sell them on Craigslist, eBay, or a yard sale? Remember if you are going to donate these items, you already have them posted on your list so all you have to do is make an annotation of the date and location of the donation for tax purposes. If you are going to sell these items, where is your staging area going to be located? Do you have room for a staging area and are selling the items really worth your time and energy?

Set goal target dates. Example, if you have a pile of clothing in your spare room, make a goal 30 days out to get that room clean and orderly. Start by working in the room 15 to 30 minutes a day and work yourself up to an hour. Before you know it, the mess will be gone and your room will be in the state in which you envisioned it. Set reasonable time lines to all the tasks on your list. Remember you are the “boss” and “project manner” for these tasks. Set goals that are realistic. Don’t try to do everything at once – you will simply overwhelm yourself, get frustrated, and quit. Also, remember everything in your home should have a “place” where it lives. If you have something you can’t find a “home” for, you’ll need to ask yourself if it is worth keeping or not.

Get an accountability coach, such as a Professional Organizer to help you through the process. They can either check in with you periodically at your home or they can e-mail you to remind you of the goals you have established. This is a great way to stay on target because you KNOW someone is going to hold you responsible for the tasks you have set for yourself.

Good luck and happy organizing!

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PREPARING FOR LOSS

On August 4, 2011 I lost a very important member of my family, my ex-husband (my daughter's father).  He was only 48 and he was killed in a motorcycle accident.  Not only was this devastating to his family, he did no planning for his death.  No will, nothing.  After watching what his current wife went through, I decided to put together a check list of things for people to think about in case of their untimely death.  If I can help just one family, it will be worth it.

 

PREPARING FOR LOSS

No one wants to think about death and the loss of their life or the life of a loved one; however, it is inevitable and you need to be prepared NOW (to lessen the burden on those you leave behind). Recommend using the My Family B.R.A.I.N.™ from A New Beginning Organizing, LLC, an all-in-one binder system for your important family documents.

  

Gather all documents to put in the binder and recommend scanning documents to place on a CD to be put in a safety deposit box. Update the binder and make a new CD yearly and place in a fire safe place.

  

FINANCIAL:

• Banks (all checking, savings and review of co-signers of accounts)
• Credit Cards
• Mortgages
• Loans
• Pay Check Stub (if possible use a year-end copy to show gross income)
• Summary of Monthly Income
• Summary of Monthly Bills, Expenses, and Budget

 PERSONAL:

• Copy of birth certificate(s)
• Copy of Marriage license(s) (if applicable)
• Copy of Divorce Decree(s) (if applicable)
• Social Security Card(s)
• Drivers License – Make a copy of the card
• Health Insurance (to include Medicare) – Make a copy of the insurance card(s)
• Professional License(s) (if applicable)
• Military Service Number and any discharge (DD Form 214/DD Form 215) (if applicable)
• Church Records (Baptisms, patriarchal blessings, ordinance records, priesthood line of authority)
• Immunization Records
• Will, Trust & Amendments (give copies to the executor/executrix & list their names/contact information)
• Living Will
• Do Not Resuscitate (DNR), Keep a copy with you, and place a copy of your refrigerator.
• Power of Attorney (Medical if applicable)
• List of Medical Issues, Medications, Blood Type, Allergies, and Medical Providers
• Copy of Past Employers (for possible retirement accounts)

 VALUABLES:

•  Listing of Assets (especially those which may be liquidated for cash or given to others)
• Appraisal, Inventory, and Location of Valuables (i.e. Artwork & Jewelry)

 BENEFITS:

• Insurance Information
• Home
• Auto
• Life
• Health
• Other (long-term care, credit cards, disability, burial, etc.)
• Social Security (If you need an update, call 1-800-937-2700 and ask for a SA7004)

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Emergency Contact List
• Family/friends to contact in case of emergency, list addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail. Recommend at least one out of state contact.
• Full names and birthdates of all people living your household (you can also add family members/friends).
• Important Address Listing (list of family/friends for notification.
• Computer UserID and Passwords (work and home)
• Burial Plans
• name/contact information of mortuary {Best if prepaid in advance to lessen the burden on the remaining family members.}
• If current or former military member, contact the Veteran’s Administration Benefits Section at 1-800-827-1000.
• plan for the body (cremation, embalmed, or immediate burial)
• casket type, vault, urn;
• location of services
• viewing (open or closed casket if applicable)
• cemetery (location of plots)
• Headstone
• Funeral Program (speakers, music, special scriptures/poems, pall bearers)
• Photo for obituary, funeral program, and display
• What types of flowers are wanted (if any)?
• Listing and location of burial clothing and jewelry.
• Obituary information (what are the key elements wanted to be mentioned?)
• Suggested charity donations (if applicable)
• Letter(s) and/or Testimony to the Family (helpful especially if you don’t get the chance to say goodbye) (located in Personal section)

 WHAT TO DO AFTER SOMEONE PASSES:

• Contact someone immediately for moral support!
• Contact family and friends on emergency contact listing. Assign someone the task to contact all the other friends on your “Important Addresses” listing.
• Contact church (if applicable)
• Contact mortuary (located in Miscellaneous section)
• Make plans for the body (also in the Miscellaneous section)
• Contact employer (located in Miscellaneous section)
• Contact school (if applicable) (located in the Miscellaneous section)
• Contact legal council (if applicable) (located in Miscellaneous section)
• Did they leave any letters or testimony to the family? If so, give to family members. (located in Personal section)
• Follow the “Burial Plans” (location in the Miscellaneous section)

 AFTER FUNERAL DETAILS:

• Get copies of the death certificate (most people need at least 15 copies)
• Contact Social Security – 1-800-772-1213
• Veteran’s Administration (if applicable)
• Benefits – 1-800-827-1000
• GI Bill – 1-888-442-4557
• Life Insurance – 1-800-669-8477
• Contact Banks (information located in Financial section) – Notify them of death, review co-signer on accounts)
• Notify Post Office
• Contact credit card companies (location in Financial section)
• Contact all past employers (located in the Personal section) for possible retirement information
• Contact medical insurance company (located in Benefits section) – remove deceased from plan and review survivor’s benefits
• Cancel deceased driver’s license (located in Personal section)
• Make life insurance claims (located in Benefits section)
• Contact lawyer, financial planner, and accountant for assistance (located in Miscellaneous section)

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this check list or items which need to be added, please contact Connie Reineccius at connie@anewbeginningorganizing.com or 503.481.0779.