TIPS FROM THE PROS

Tips Are Compiled by NAPO-LA Golden Circle

When organizing your wallet, photocopy the front and back of each card in there. Keep in a safe place so you will have all the info you need on hand in the event your wallet is lost or stolen.
Jodie Watson, Supreme Organization

Use a small address book to keep track of your million onlne log-ins and passwords. Keep it at your computer and lock it up when you're away from your desk.
Erin Haas, Erin's Simple Solutions

Buy a red wallet for your purse.  Everytime you need to fish it out of the many items in your purse you will be able to easily find it and reach for it.
Esther Simon, The Traditional Home Organizer

By every telephone, keep a notebook and pen with friends, family, and emergency phone numbers taped to the inside front cover (do this on the computer so you can keep it updated). This is good for taking quick notes and messages.

Pick up a plain black wallet from any office supply or dollar store. Inside, put a copy of your auto registration, your insurance card, and a list of emergency numbers. Stick this in the glove compartment.

If you're constantly running out of cash, hide a $20 bill behind your driver's license, in your car visor, in your running shoe - wherever, just remember where you put them! :) 
Karen Fulks, Organizer Extraordinaire

Store insurance policies together in the file cabinet for easy accessibility. Print labels on folders with the same format (Auto - Ford; Auto - Mazda; Health - Jane, Health - Robert; Life - Jane, Life - Robert). For even quicker recognition, color-code the labels by type of insurance.

Color-code labels on your tax files, income one color and expenses another. Save time each year and create labels using Avery or compatible labels and the label template in Word (Tools->Letters and Mailings->Envelopes and Labels->Labels tab->Options, then choose your Avery-compatible label number). Type the year, the category, and the description (e.g., 2008 INCOME - [month], 2008 EXPENSE - [payee]). Next year, just Search and Replace with the new year.

When sorting paperwork and possessions, use the inexpensive cardboard file boxes, available at any office supply store. Use stickies and a black marker for temporary labels, using categories of "like items" (office supplies, photos, taxes, papers to sort, etc.). Boxes are reusable, stackable and storable. Happy Organizing! Donna D. McMillan, McMillan & Company Professional Organizing

If you have way too many of an item, say socks, organize the drawer to hold a comfortable amount. If you just can't bear to part with the rest, put them in a bin called "sock department," and store it out of the way. Then, when some of your current socks wear out, you can go "shopping" in your sock bin.
Susan Culligan, Got to Get Organized

Use magazine files laid on their spines to hold action files or project files on the desktop. They're just the right size for regular folders.
Cynthia Smith, Your House In Order

When sorting/purging closet of clothes, hang all the "undecided" items on distinctive (preferably ugly wire) hangers. Hang the clothes you love and want to keep on uniform, strong and attractive hangers. If you don't wear the "undecideds" within a designated period, out they go to donation or consignment. The hangers make them easily visible. You feel secure the decision has already been made and does not have to be revisited. 
Heidi Schultz, Get Organized 

As you think of questions for your health care provider, jot them down on a sticky note and place it directly on your medical card. Then when your appointment comes up, there will be no doubt that you will have it with you. 
Sally Hulem, In-House Organizing

When packing for a trip, pack chargers and electronic wires in a zip-type plastic bag labeled "chargers." Not only will they have a home in your luggage, but having the bag will remind you to collect them when you're packing to come home.
Fay Wolfe, New Order  

Keep bathroom supplies and refills in each bathroom for easy access.
Lori Gersh, Leave It 2 Lori 

To store phone books and catalogs, hang them in your file cabinet by using the wire from the hanging files. Tear off the top two inches and hang the book over that and discard the rest.
Heather Furlong, Organizing Works 

For Halloween, make a bake ahead meal for an early dinner so you can get the kids out to trick-or-treat.
Robin Davi, Simply Arranged 

Tackle memorabilia one box (or container) at a time. Gather all the boxes and start sorting and categorizing. Delete as much as you can, and label the container. Store it out of the way, but still close enough to add to as needed.
Esther Simon, The Traditional Home Organizer 

Take an inventory of the freezer contents. Keep what's "safe" to continue storing. When in doubt … throw it out (for instance, is it worth the cost of a trip to the emergency room to use those expired chicken breasts?). Post the list where it can be seen to help create the next grocery list. Add items to the list as they are purchased and delete the items used.  
Ann Gambrell, Creative Time Plus 

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