Renovate & Refine
Get creative.
Identify the clutter.
Go paperless.
Back up your documents.
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION
For the Home CLEAR OUT THE CLUTTER! HELEN OLIVERI
I
t’s time to purge 2015 and start 2016 right! Use these tips to get your-
• GO PAPERLESS – In the tech age, it’s hard to believe how many pa-
self organized in the New Year.
pers we have cluttering up our homes. Transfer your favorite recipes
• IDENTIFY – Pick out which areas need the most attention (those
into a folder on your computer and donate or toss those big cook
closets, the basement or attic). Then locate the areas that will need
books. Scan your receipts and important papers onto your computer
some clearing out, but will take less time (the junk drawers in the
and back them up.
office or the cabinets in the living room).
• MAKE SYSTEMS – Everything in your house should have a “home.”
• PREPARE – Plan to sort items into keep, sell/donate, or garbage.
Set up an inbox for mail that seems to pile up everywhere. Get a mag-
Create a large area for each pile to be placed in when sorting. Make
azine rack so they are not lying about everywhere.
sure you have a designated space for the sell/donate pile so as you
• DON’T GIVE UP! – You can do it. Persistence is always key when
move into other rooms you can keep adding to do one donation drop
completing a task like this. Plan when you’re going to have a garage
off or to a garage sale in the spring or summer months.
sale so you have a set deadline before you start.
• MULTI-TASK – Don’t expect to get it all done in one day or you’ll be
Life can get crazy and out of control sometimes, but your home
planning for failure. Those smaller areas are perfect for multi-tasking.
should be your sanctuary. It will feel good to enjoy the New Year with
While you’re relaxing and watching TV, you could use the commer-
a sense of accomplishment and serenity.
cials to be productive. It’s the perfect time to pull out a junk drawer and start going through it. • GET CREATIVE – A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used it in
Helen Oliveri is a 12-year real estate professional who loves our community
a year, it’s time to get rid of it. The reality is that we get emotionally
and helping clients achieve their real estate goals is her priority. She is
attached to items. A great way to save space and keep the memories
the managing broker of the newly opened Keller Williams Realty Partners,
is to take photos of these items. You’ll have the photo to hang onto
home of The Helen Oliveri Team in Hawthorn Woods where she also re-
the memory, which can be better preserved online in digital form and
sides. Feel free to visit the new office in Cherry Hill Plaza at 101 W. Gilmer
save you a whole lot of space.
Road or visit online at HelenOliveri.com.
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SW Lake Lifestyle | January 2016