5 Guidelines for End of the Year Donations

According to research by Mary Hunt (Money Division of Woman’s Day Magazine, December, 2011) the following guidelines for a place to donate at the end of the year should be kept in mind.

At http://guidestar.org, consider a charity where over 75% of your contributions go to the cause that you choose and 25% or less to the administrative function. Charity Watch is a watchdog group that rates charities and the use of donations.

Five guidelines:

1. Make sure the charity is reputable
2. Know where your money or donation is going
3. Be careful about texting any donation to an organization
4. Don’t donate by phone
5. Never mail cash

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New Year's Resolution to Get Organized!

The New Year is fast approaching and you are probably thinking of your most important resolutions. Maybe you want to get fit. Maybe you want to save money, or become debt free. It's true that our New Year's resolutions tend to be about something that will take a huge weight off our shoulders - be it literally or figuratively.

I encounter people living with the weight of disorganization and extreme clutter year-round. There's such a stress involved in the "before" of the process, but seeing my clients experience the Orange County organization "after" feeling is amazing!

I can promise you, there is nothing quite like walking into your home and truly feeling like it's your sanctuary instead of it being something from which you need sanctuary!

So what are you waiting for?! The whole planet is collectively motivated to do great things - use that to give you a boost. Be in the group of people who DO keep going to the gym after January 15th and do make good on their resolutions.

The best part is, calling Nipomo Organizing Solutions is WAY easier than going to the gym! No heavy lifting - just a phone call or email and we will get you on your way to organization bliss. Of course, getting rid of clutter will naturally lead to other healthy choices because you'll just feel better all around once we elminate the clutter, stress, and chaos in your home or office! So we say, start here for the New Year!

Book now because January and February are booking up fast! We have room for you, so call now and start your New Year right!

If you know someone else who could use our help, we offer gift cards for Orange County organizing, so be sure to ask when you call!

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Staying Organized During the Holidays

Happy December everyone!

It's that time again... less than two weeks before Christmas and you are probably scrambling to get all your shopping, baking, and other tasks done.

Unfortunately during all the joy and holiday cheer, our waistlines aren't the only casualty. It's likely that your home is probably looking a bit like a war zone where wrapping paper and boxes are the weapons of mass destruction!

"As I've begun to get caught up in all the holiday activities with two small children at two different schools, Christmas shopping, and a move, I have just been putting all papers into a pile that's beginning to take over my desk and spill into the living room!" - Anna B., Orange County, CA

Uh, oh - sounds like Anna need an Orange County organizer like Nipomo! Pretty soon you might just have a bunch of "neat piles". Sadly, no pile is ever really "neat", especially when the word "spilling" is involved!

So how can you keep up with everything these next couple of weeks and STILL stay organized?

1. Spend 5 minutes and save 15! When papers come home from your child's school, or you have a bunch of mail come in, do not let it sit on your desk, table, or other surface for even a minute! Sort through that small stack right away and make sure you trash (or recycle) what you don't need and you keep the rest. No piles!
2. Don't turn your "paper keeps" into a pile! Whether you use a bulletin board, a magnet on the fridge, don't let the paper pile up. Go green and digital - snap a picture of the flyer or paper you need so you have the info, then recycle what you got. If it's an event, add it to your smartphone calendar or paper calendar, and get that extra paper out of your house.
3. Don't let the mess spread! Ok, it's Christmas, you're going to have some messes. Keep them all in one place. Pick one table or desk to be your problem child for the stuff you have to keep a little messy with gift wrapping or crafting projects. At the end of each day, organize what you need to leave out and put away what you don't need. You don't want to have a panic attack on December 26th as you survey the "damage".

Most of all, relax - remember that organizing and cleaning as you go is the best way to stay organized all the time. While you might not feel like it, this strategy always saves you time. But if you get overwhelmed, or feel like your system just isn't working, call us and book an appointment with the Orange County organizing experts here at Nipomo Organizing Solutions! We are happy to help you survive the holidays!

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Orange County Organizer Judy will be Photographer for ROCK'N COUNTRY LINE DANCING!

Owner of Nipomo Organizing Solutions, Orange County Organizer Judy, will be the photographer for family group pictures at:

November 12, 2011

3-6pm at Mount of Olives Church
Free Admission

24772 Chrisanta Dr
Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Music & Dancing
DJ and "Caller" Doug Houston from Rock'n Entertainment will provide Rock'n Country tunes!

Fun for All!
Cake walk, games, bobbing for apples, family photo ops, face painting and crafts for kids.

Food & Drink
TK Burger Truck food and drink available for purchase.

Chili Cook-off
Everyone may enter.  Mission Viejo Mayor Dave Leckness will be the honorary judge, but everyone can taste and help judge the chili.

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Orange County Organizer Sponsors Walk Against Drugs

Orange County Organizer, Nipomo Organizing Solutions, was one of the sponsors in the “WALK AGAINST DRUGS” that took place on October 22 at Mission Viejo High School.  It was the 23rd Annual Event and it a wonderful success.  

Nipomo Organizing was walking in dedication to one of their clients who lost her son to drugs, Christopher.  In his memory and thank you letting us share in a celebration of his life.

To read more go to www.cityofmissionviejo.org

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Clutter may have fueled deadly Dana Point fire

"Cluttered conditions inside a Dana Point home hampered firefighting efforts in the Sunday morning blaze, officials said."

It's something we never want to hear. It's something we never want to think about, but fires and other tragedies can happen in our homes. When your home is cluttered, it creates a hazardous situation and stacks of books, paperwork, and other belongings can become a matter of life and death.

In the recent Dana Point house fire, an elderly couple was unable to be saved because of cluttered conditions in their home.

We know you've been meaning to get organized and clear out those items cluttering your floor and your shelves, but you keep putting it off. It's important not to put it off any longer. Make your home a safe place with our Orange County organizer services.

Nipomo Organizing Solutions would like to extend our sympathy to the Smith family of Dana Point.

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FREE Shredding to Mission Viejo Residents and Businesses

Up to 10 file boxes of sensitive documents for immediate shredding. Documents must be free from notebooks, bindings, clips, and paperclips.


Mission Viejo High School
25025 Chrisanta Drive
Mission Viejo, CA


FREE to Mission Viejo residents and businesses only

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Orange County Organizing FAQs & Clutter Cleaning Tips

Get Organized Now!

Organizing FAQ's from Nipomo Organizing consultant Judy Flores

Be honest. Have you ever hesitated to invite someone to your home or office because it was in disarray? How many times have you heard "I need to get organized", "This is such a mess", and "Where is my.....?" It seems like everyone has challenges keeping things in order, except, of course, Nipomo Organizing Solutions ;) We're here to solve your challenges!

Organizing FAQ's:

Q. When should I use a professional organizer vs trying it myself?

This is a tough question because it varies for each individual. Think about the project. Is it something you can tackle bit by bit to gradually get done, or are you on a timeline? Is it affecting your stress level? If the disorganization is slowing you down or causing you to fret, then its best to call a professional organizer to help!

Q. I'm just not sure where to start, but I have a team to help organize. Do you consult?

Absolutely. A scenario like this can be very cost and time effective for families. It works great for offices too! Nipomo comes in with the 'master plan', and your employees and team members execute the tasks necessary.

Q. Do you do garages?

Of course! If your pool floaties are swimming with the car wash scrubbies and you haven't located the floor in a few months, its time to call! Heavy lifting is not included, though.

Q. Can you help with files / paperwork / photos?

Pretty paperwork is our specialty! BEWARE of organizing your own photos and files...it takes you hours longer than a professional because you are emotional about these items, and tend to linger on them longer than necessary.

Q. Is this confidential?

You bet. Any paper, numbers, personal information, photos, business documents and sensitive information will only be considered for the moment of organization. Nipomo respects your privacy and will never share details with others unless you specifically ask.

Q. Do you offer gift certificates?

Yes!!! Know a busy new mom, an empty nester, or a new business? The gift of organization literally keeps on giving. Organizer gift certificates are also great for non-profits and churches.

Order your 'clutter clobber' gift certificate today or call 949-916-8027 to schedule your Orange County home or office consultation!

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An Organizing Service Orange County Can Trust- Tips on Finding One!

You know you need the help of a professional to organize your things...

You know you can easily find a local organizing service - Orange County has plenty of them...

...what you might not know is how to find an organizer you can trust!

You've got private documents and priceless valuables that need professional organizing, Orange County offers many choices, but, of course, you want someone reliable. Figuring out which organizing service Orange County trusts with their belongings is important. The sad truth is that there are people in society who rely on scams, dishonesty, and even stealing to make ends meet. One should be particular about whom they choose to do business with, especially if the service requires access to your belongings!

To increase chances of finding the right organizing service, Orange County residents can do a little research before hiring an organizing service. Orange County business and home owners work hard for what they have, so here are some tips on finding a trustworthy organizer:

• Call an organizer who comes with community endorsements or ask if they are NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) certified.
• Check for testimonials, before and after photos, or success stories on their website (most reputable businesses one these days!)
• Keep an eye out for the names of the organizer's previous employers (specific information about their professional background is a good sign)!

When in need of a reliable organizing service, Orange County calls the office of Judy Flores to restore order! Now, you can view testimonials from satisfied customers who have recently used Judy's services to organize their homes and offices.

See Who's Endorsing Nipomi Organizing Service!
Orange County Customers Include:

• Business owners
• NFL players
• Reality television personalities
• Home owners

....and more!

Ask what Judy at Nipomi Organizing Solutions can do for you during your obligation-free evaluation! Then book an appointment be on your way to a sound state of mind!

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Orange County Organizing Tips For A Small Business Or Home Business

You might not like recordkeeping, but using some small techniques, you will learn to live with it and enjoy your free time that it provides to you. The following Orange County organizing tips will help teach you how to keep records and keep them organized.

• Why keep records? It’s important you keep good records to monitor the progress of your business. Accurate records let you know if your business is doing well or just surviving. Good recordkeeping helps you prepare your financial statements, identify receipt sources, keep track of deductible expenses and prepare your tax returns. To keep it as stress-free as possible, recordkeeping should be done throughout the year and not put off until tax time. This is one Orange County organizing tip you'll want to stick with year in and year out.



• What records should you keep? Your recordkeeping should include a summary of your business transactions. As an Orange County organizing I recommend this summary be kept in books, such as journals or ledgers, or with recordkeeping computer software. Choose whatever system fits your business best, as long as it clearly shows your gross income, deductions and credits.



• Which supporting documents should you save? As an Orange County organizing I can't emphasize enough just how essential it is to keep all supporting documents to legitimize the entries in your books and on your tax returns. Supporting documents fall under three main categories: gross receipts, purchases, and expenses. Be aware of all allowable deductible business expenses. Keep a notepad in your car to record business mileage. Save every receipt in an envelope by month that pertains to your business. Whatever method you use for filing taxes, the rewards you’ll reap for having all the allowable deduction will more than pay for the time it takes you to collect them.
  

Information from the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service’s Publication 583 “Starting a Business and Keeping Records”. For more information go to http://www.irs.gov/.

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Orange County Organizing Holiday Gift Certificates

With the holiday season comes shopping and while many people enjoy this aspect of the season there are many individuals who toil endlessly over what to buy a specific individual. The good news is that there are always gifts that fall outside of the traditional definition of a holiday gift. Giving the gift of organization is one such gift and a is a gift that can do tremendous things for individuals whom receive it.

As an professional Orange County organizer I have seen people regain their sanity, increase their productivity, and reduce stress by getting organized. It is for this reason that I am now offering holiday gift certificates to anyone who knows someone who needs a bit of help getting their home or office organized. These gift certificates are redeemable for either 4 or 5 hours worth of organizing and will please anyone who receives one.

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR GIFT CERTIFICATE
949-916-8027 !
GIVE THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!

CLICK HERE TO ORDER A GIFT CERTIFICATE ONLINE!

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Electronic Organization by Nipomo Organizing Solutions

Many of you have asked about organizing your calendars and “to do list”.  For those who like to write it down are real visual I have suggested FRANKLIN PLANNERS (http://www.franklinplanners.com/).  Many of you, however, would also like an effective tool that is higher tech.  I did some research and found the following:

• Microsoft Office Outlook: For those of you with Microsoft Office Outlook there is a calendar to schedule your time (you can color code it), you can print it in different formats, you can reoccurring dates (ex: once a year for birthdays and anniversaries), and you can put your daily calendar on it so you can be reminded throughout the day.  The alarm comes up on the screen.
  
  
• Google Tasks: (which is free) can export tasks to your Google Calendar and turn Gmail’s into to-do-list items.  The program is very basic and might be too basic for some – but it is better than scrap paper and post-it’s because items don’t get lost.  You can find it in your Gmail and Google Calendar.
  
  
•  Tadalist.com: (is also free).  It is a very basic online to-do-list.  It does not provide a calendar space.  It allows you to create different list in categories, check items off as you complete them, share list with others, and can be used on MAC/PC’s/iPhone.

These are the basics.  If you need others to refer to please look at Toodledo.com, Rememberthemilk.com, or Jott.com.

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Use Ornament Storage Boxes To Stay Organized During The Holidays

As a professional Orange County organizer I've often used my blog to both emphasize how important it is to get and stay organized and offered tips on how to do that. With the holidays just around the corner organization has never been more important as homes and offices often become cluttered with decorations and gifts. Getting and staying organized during the holiday season is a little more difficult than usual but meeting your organizational goals during this time of year will help you remain productive throughout.

One of the most common things I see during this time of year that throws a office or home into chaos is Christmas ornaments. Sure everyone likes decorating their home and/or office for the holidays but getting those decorations up at timely fashion and keeping your home and work area clean in the process can be difficult. If you are the type of person who finds themselves in the type of scenario where Christmas ornaments and holiday decorations cause clutter and cause you to be unproductive you needn't fret.

The solution is a simple one and that solution is the ornament storage boxes offered by Sterling Pear. The ornament storage boxes are great organizational tools is something everyone who uses Christmas ornaments annually should have by their side when the holiday season rolls around. This is because Sterling Pear's ornament storage boxes not only keep Christmas decorations organized and out-of-the-way but they keep them safe as well for the other 10 or 11 months that you're not using them.

Ornament storage boxes can be used for any of the following reasons:

• Provide a safe storage environment for holiday ornaments and decorations.
• Keeps ornaments and decorations off the floor, your desk, and from causing clutter.
• Protects your family heirlooms making them usable year after year.
• Use your ornament storage boxes as part of your office or home decor or during the non-holiday season.

Signature Ornament Storage Box

$129.00

Click Here to Buy Signature Ornament Storage Box

Keepsake Ornament Storage Chest

$159.00

Click Here to Buy Keepsake Ornament Storage Chest

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Organizing Your Bathroom Cabinets

As a professional Orange County organizer I organize just about every type of room that you can imagine. This includes home offices, professional offices, and even bathrooms in clients homes. Bathrooms are interesting rooms to organize because there's a lot to consider when you begin clearing things out. Although bathrooms are small they're not so easy to reorganize because they often contain a lot of things both in medicine cabinets and even under the sink.

One of the things I see most often when I work as an Orange County organizer is that my clients often leave makeup and medicine in their medicine cabinets long after they've expired. Not only does this create clutter and eat up valuable space but getting rid of these things isn't as easy as you might think. More often than not expired medicine still poses a risk to pets and children so throwing them out without taking extra precautions is always out of the question. Flushing expired medicines down the toilet can actually damage local water supplies as well as the ecosystem so that is not an option either. When I remove expired medicines and make up from my clients medicine cabinets I wrap them in trash bags that are filled with sawdust, cat litter and even coffee grounds all of which serve to diminish their odors which keeps pets and children away.

When I'm hired as a professional Orange County organizer the one thing I don't do however is throw out highly addictive medicines such as Percocet or OxyContin because they are considered "controlled substances" by the food and drug administration. In cases like this I will actually remove the medicine from the cabinet and work with the clients local waste management office to get the medicines into the "medications takeback program".

Need Help Organizing Your Bathroom?? Click Here to Get A Free Quote

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Free November Shredding Event in Orange County

As an Orange County organizer I am always looking for ways to help individuals who are looking to get and stay organized. This month I offer you this particularly useful tip and information for those who need to have documents shredded. Normally shredding documents is costly and time-consuming but I have located a free shredding event that is set to take place in November. This event allows each individual to bring three boxes of documents to the event and have them shredded. Additionally this event allows every individual to leave the staples and paper clips on their documents in order to save time.

The FREE shredding event will be happening at the following address and time:

PROSHRED and SURTERRE PROPERTIES

• Address: 1400 Newport Center Drive (Corner of Pacific Coast Hwy and Newport Center Drive)
• Date: Saturday, November 13th
• Time: 9:00am to 1:00pm.

If you have any questions about the shredding services please contact Peter Klebanoff at 949-748-3595.

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