Right before Christmas, I ordered myself this new coupon organization system from Open Sky.  First of all, I LOVE Open Sky.  It’s a newish website with dozens of “tastemakers” that you pick and choose from to “follow” from the Beekman Boys, Julie Morgenstern, Martha Stewart, Org Junkie, and many more.  You then get online deals that are more tailored to your interests and lifestyle that are currently being chosen by those “tastemakers”.  I’m hooked!  Here’s a link to get an invite to join!  (It’s free!)

Join Open Sky!  

Here is my new Qubie Pro Coupon Organizing system that I bought off of Open Sky.  I find that when I’m having more fun doing my coupons, I stick to it.  You can also purchase it from the Qubie website.  I started couponing a year or so ago (you know, before the TLC show “Extreme Couponers” made it the cool thing to do, ha ha) and I did find that I could save up to 50% with a little work.  Oh, and by “a little work”, I actually mean hours a week clipping coupons and searching the internet.  *yawn*  It DOES, literally, pay off though.  I find that clipping and planning during a movie or a favorite tv show really helps.  Also enlisting older kids is a great way to get them clipped!  Although often my 10-yr old will clip coupons for products I have never even heard of, …she means well, right?

I tried organizing them different ways, like keeping the flyers in tact, dating them,  and then only clipping the ones I needed (a method they often use on the TLC show), and it was just too cluttered and too overwhelming for me.  I like the binder method much better!  I have to admit.  I made one myself a year or so ago, but I like this one a lot better.  1. because it has 3 different binders -1 for grocery coupons, 1 more restaurant coupons and gift cards, and one of store cards (like CVS, Costco, etc), and a cute tote bag, and 2. bc it’s very matchy-matchy.  I respond well to match- matchy!

As for the coupons themselves, I get them mainly from the Sunday paper.  I have a few lovely people that give me their coupons they don’t use out of theirs, and then I also grab store coupons from the store flyers when I walk in to shop.  My favorite website to use that helps me know which coupon to use when is Souther Savers.  It’s matches current weekly sales to the coupons that are out right now…in the Southern regions.  Coupon sites are everywhere right now, so even if you’re not in this area, I know you can find one that will work for you if you’re interested!

Have fun clipping, and check out other organizing tips at We Are THAT Family’s Blog!

It’s one of my favorite times of the year!  It’s time to get everything put away and get the house back in order.  Seriously, as much as I love putting up the Christmas tree and hanging the stocking by the chimney with care…I think I love putting my house back together even more!!

As I was wrapping our seemingly endless piles of gifts we were giving, I made a huge mess out of my stash of wrapping papers, tissue paper, gift bags, ribbons, etc.  It got me thinking, once again, about ways to organize gift wrap.  Ideally, I would love to one of these Elfa Gift Wrapping Carts from the Container Store.  They’re actually on sale right now!!  Wooohooo, well…if you have over a hundred dollars to spend on gift wrap organization, which I do NOT.  Another day!

Here are some other options at the Container Store:

I REALLY like this one!

This is the one I actually have. I don't love it, but it works!

Ok, but check this one out.  I saw it on Pinterest….if you’re not on pinterest, you MUST check it out.  I’ll send you an invite if you need one!  Anyways, it’s at Ikea, and it’s $1.99, and you can order it online!  It’s actually a storage doohicky for plastic bags, but it’s great for storing gift wrap!  The only downside is that it’s not portable.  You have to screw it into your wall.  Perhaps in your gift wrapping room?

There’s always some more homespun storage ideas, like converting a hamper or a (cute-ish) trash can.

I also liked this idea from Real Simple (LOVE them) about using skirt hangers for tissue paper, etc.  I might have to use that one!

Are you ready for the grand finale?  Martha Stewart is designing craft room furniture now, which includes a gift wrap cabinet and hutch!  LOVE!!!!!  If I had the space, I would SO want this!!!

It’s that time of year again! Yes, I KNOW it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but hear me out. I’m not talking about decorating (although, I am really chomping at the bit to get started on that!). I’m talking about getting your Christmas cards ready. I like to mail mine in early December before the USPS gets bogged down. This year, I think I’ll be a little behind my normal schedule, but the goal is to just be delivered before Christmas, right?

Have you heard of the One-In, One-Out rule of organizing?  If not, let me fill you in on one of the best organizing principles.  For everything you bring into the space, one thing must leave.  For example, if you buy 6 new pairs of socks, then 6 (or more!) pairs must leave!  It’s a great way to avoid building up clutter.

I just recently tried a different version of that with my oldest daughter.  Normally before a gift-giving holiday, such as Christmas and birthdays, I have my girls go through their toys and purge the ones they no longer play with to make room for their new treasures.  This year, I had Savannah purge 1 item for every invitation she mailed out!  She does very well when she has limits so it made it a little more fun for her.  Another bonus was that we also didn’t have to wait until after the party, like we would if we did an actual one-in, one-out.  This trick worked great for us!

Here’s some pics of  a little of what I accomplished with a client today.  We got a lot done in 2.5 hours.  The pictures only show a small part of a newly-decluttered area of her storage room.

There has definitely been a LOT of pool time for us here. Savannah is on a local swim team. It’s an every day thing! Funny how kids don’t realize what a commitment something like that is on the parent. It’s WAY more work for me than for her! Of course, it’s all worth it. We now have our pantry door covered in ribbons she won at her swim meets. I’m so proud of her accomplishments, and also so glad she didn’t inherit my irrational fear of water.

With the school year ending 2-3 weeks ago here, I am reminded how important schedules and routines are. It didn’t take long before my bookworm kid was complaining that I was ruining her summer by asking that she read everyday and even do her chores. How dare I ?! Ha! I’m definitely one of those “mean” moms that makes their kid(s) do the summer reading programs both at school and at the local library. Worst of all, I torture her with math, in one form or another, almost every day. :shutter:

I know I’ve blogged about calendars, routines, and schedules before. I really thrive with to-do lists, and who doesn’t love filling in a new planner? While I still love my paper planner and lists, I’m slowly getting used to using Google Calendar. I LOVE that I can add my husband (or whomever) onto an event and it will appear on their calendar as well. I also love that it sends reminders to my phone and email box. Wooohooo!