We are always on the lookout at Secrets for Money™ for solutions to what is called “energy-zappers” those particular tasks that each time you think of them your energy drops.  We want you to always feel energized, so let’s get started on busting this energy-zapper of a disorganized home, so you can free-up more time in your life.
Some of you may say that you will just hire someone else to clean, well that is an option, but how much of your time are you ’spending’ to make the money to hire someone to clean?  Is this a value for you, or not?  Only you can evaluate how much your time is worth.  If you have to spend 3 hours extra working, or have to take on an extra client beyond what is your needed quota to make enough money to hire a maid service, what does that cost you?  Is there another way you would rather use your time or money?

What we mean is this:  Your time is a major wealth-currency.  Time cannot be replaced, or renewed; once you ’spend’ your time, your time is gone.  So we want you to feel that every moment is incredibly meaningful, and that you spend each moment doing what is valuable to you and makes your soul sing.

On that note, here are some solutions, so please read on…

When you walk into your house or apartment is the mess you see driving you crazy, yet you are not sure how to create extra time to clean it?  Well, here is the answer:  One of the fastest ways to save time when it comes to cleaning your home is clutter-control; organizing items so you free-up space and don’t waste time searching for misplaced items.  You take away clutter and you take away stress.  You take away clutter and you also take away mess, which makes cleaning easier.  Simplify, simplify, simplify.
If you follow these simple steps first, cleaning your home will not only be faster it will be more doable, no longer overwhelming.  You do this by creating a habit of a consistent time system—if you spend about 15 minutes every couple of days in the short-term taking these steps you will save many, many, many hours over the long-term time.  This is a small time investment that pays off in a big way.  This extra time you freed up can be spent doing things you love.

(1)  Set The Timer: At Secrets For Money™ we believe in making things fun!  So one of our favorite tips when it comes to household maintenance and cleaning is to set a cell phone stop watch or an egg-timer for a specific amount of time for the specific task.  For example we suggest only allotting 15-minutes to organize and clean each room of your home.  In this way you keep it fun and not drudgery by spending hours at one time cleaning which most people find very boring.  The rule is though, when the bell rings, you stop.

If you live with a significant-other or family—then make sure they play this de-cluttering game too—tell them that the timer will be set, give them a small very specific task such as filing away bill stubs in your Home Office filing cabinet, or folding clean clothes and putting them away, or, in the areas of the home that are clutter-free, have him or her walk around with a bucket or sectioned cleaning supply organizer (the kind that has a handle) and do light cleaning.

By doing this, while you are doing one task, other family members are doing other tasks and you leverage the time, by getting more done in less time! On your mark, Get set, Go!

(2)  Stair Basket: For all of those miscellaneous items that are laying about—on all surfaces, such as the tables, the tops of cabinets and shelving units, the floor, etc.  use this timesaving tip—just place all the assorted items in a Stair Basket or some other basket that you designate for this purpose.  Then, later just use a few minutes to put the assorted items in the basket in their rightful place.  The reason we like the Stair Basket is that if you live in a home that has more than one floor, this upside-down-L-shaped basket fits neatly at the base of your stairs so you save time going up and downstairs while cleaning-up clutter.

(3)  Launching Pad: No more rushing around to find your purse, wallet, cell phone or keys?  What is the easiest way?  Have what we call a “Launching Pad” one place that you designate to place your purse or briefcase.  Then have another place nearby with a small basket or pretty dish that you place your loose items such as your keys, wallet and cell phone.  We find that having a separate place for each family member is mandatory so that your keys and cell phones don’t get jumbled together.

(4)  Label It: Sure you know to label your Home Office file folders, but did you know that you can take labeling areas of your household to an even more helpful level?  We recommend using one of our favorite home organization tools—an inexpensive hand-held label maker or a slightly larger one that sits on the top of your Home office desk.  Imagine the possibilities:  labeling toy boxes as to whether it contains Lego’s or Barbie Dolls; labeling pantry shelves, garage shelves, closet shelves—whether your linen or sweater shelves, and the list goes on.  Now items can be returned to the same spot in your home for sure, and household management just got a whole lot easier, with no more wasting time for you or family member with guesswork.

(5)  Laundry Hamper: We recommend having three Laundry Hampers, one for clothes to be washed, one for those clothes to be dropped-off at the dry cleaners, and the third hamper for clothes to be folded and/or ironed and put away.

(6)  Recycle Bins: During the allotted time you have designated by the egg-timer, place a Recycle Bin and also a Trash bag in the center of your main room of your home.  Bu using this method, as you do a ’scan’ of your home you can quickly see what goes right in the various recycle bins (One for paper items: old newspapers, magazines etc.), one for cans, and one for glass and plastic  and what is trash.  You just repeat this process for each room that you are cleaning.

By The Secrets For Money Team
© Copyright 2008 by Secrets For Money™

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