Archives for December 2008

Unitasker Wednesday: iSleep USB pillow

isleep_scAll Unitasker Wednesday posts are jokes — we don’t want you to buy these items, we want you to laugh at their ridiculousness. Enjoy!

Taking a nap at one’s desk isn’t the easiest thing to do, but taking a quick desk nap just got easier with the iSleep USB pillow. To use, just plug this inflatable pillow into an available USB port on your computer. (That is if you have a USB port to spare.)

The inflatable USB pillow inflates when you shut your laptop and then deflates when you open the laptop back up. The days of using a bunched up sweater or coat for a pillow are long gone. You can now catch a snooze in style with this inflatable option. Nap time has never been so hi-tech.

Posted by Matt on Dec 31, 2008 | 19 Comments | Tweet This

A year ago on Unclutterer

Posted by PJ on Dec 31, 2008 | 2 Comments | Tweet This

A fond farewell to 2008

The Unclutterer staff wants to send off 2008 with a list of our favorite posts from this year. These aren’t necessarily the posts that were the most read or the most commented, but are the ones we treasured for some reason we can’t explain. Most of all, we hope you enjoyed them!

Sue’s favorite posts:

Matt’s favorite posts and unitaskers:

Erin’s favorite posts:

Do you have a favorite post? We would love to know which posts bookmarked a place in your hearts in 2008!

Posted by Erin on Dec 31, 2008 | 6 Comments | Tweet This

Martha Stewart’s on maximizing your closet space

martha-closetsIn the January issue of Martha Stewart Living, there is a feature on maximizing your closet space. There is a great photo gallery on MarthaSterwart.com, which highlights some of the excellent ideas.

One of the ideas I liked was the following:

High Altitude: Hard-to-reach areas are a closet’s no-man’s-land. A spring-loaded pull-down rack, which you can install yourself, solves the problem. A light tug on a handle positioned in the center of the rod brings clothes to you. The racks are sold on the web and through some closet and organizing stores.

Be sure to check out the online gallery for even more ideas.

As a final note, I’ve looked for the “spring-loaded pull-down rack,” but have been unable to find a retailer that sells them. Does anyone have an idea of where to find this?

Posted by Matt on Dec 30, 2008 | 22 Comments | Tweet This

Apartment Therapy’s small space round-up

at-small-spacesApartment Therapy is one of the sites that we enjoy reading here at Unclutterer. AT recently did a 2008 review of their small space solutions that is a helpful resource for those of us who live in smaller spaces.

The small space roundup has tons of solutions, photos, resources, and storage ideas. Get inspired by taking a look at some of the ideas and products that they highlight in their year-end review.

(photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy)

Posted by Matt on Dec 30, 2008 | 1 Comment | Tweet This

The post-holiday tear down

christmas-treeI inevitably spot one every year — a house with Christmas decorations still displayed in mid-March. Granted, taking down decorations isn’t nearly as much fun as putting them up, but delaying the inevitable doesn’t make the process more entertaining later in the year.

Outdoor decorations can be a little more tricky to take down because of foul weather conditions in cold climates, but there really isn’t any excuse for keeping indoor decorations up through the spring. Here are some tips for making the tearing down of holiday decorations go more smoothly:

Lights: Gather up all of the lights in a systematic fashion. If you have misplaced the original packaging, wrap the cords around a flat square of cardboard to keep them tangle-free.

Inspect and repair: As you put away your items, inspect each piece to make sure that it is in its best working order and doesn’t pose any safety threats.

Keep all your holiday decorations together: Label all your storage boxes and keep them together in your storage space. It can be a good habit to limit yourself to a set number of boxes (in our house it is three). If you can’t fit all of your decorations into a limited space, it’s time to purge some of your items.

Donate: If you need to lighten your decoration load, take the lightly used ones to a consignment shop or charity. Nursing homes also can use some festive decorations. Regardless of the charity, be sure to call before you make your donation and make sure the group is interested and able to handle your gift.

What tips would you add to the list? Join in the conversation in the comments.

Posted by Matt on Dec 29, 2008 | 19 Comments | Tweet This

Organizing your personal finances

The state of the U.S. economy (and, realistically, the economy in most other nations throughout the world) has seen better days. Whether you need to or not, you are probably closely watching your money.

If you’re someone with “organize finances” at the top of your 2009 resolutions list, let me recommend a few products and services that might be able to help you keep better track of the money you earn, save, and spend:

  • Online banking. Most banks and credit unions have websites that let you track your accounts online. If you aren’t already, I suggest signing up for these services.
  • Online bill paying. To save money on postage, many utility companies and other service providers now allow you to pay your bills electronically. An automatic system can help you pay your bills on time, and also provide you with a second digital receipt of your money transfer.
  • Quicken online. You can track all of your personal finances through a free Quicken account. The service allows you to import all of your financial information and display it in a manner that is useful.
  • Mint online. If Quicken isn’t your style, you should definitely check out Mint. It’s also a free, online, personal finance program. Feel welcome to check out our review of an earlier version of Mint.
  • Personal finance blogs. Websites like Get Rich Slowly, Awake at the Wheel, The Motley Fool, The Simple Dollar, and Wise Bread are fantastic sources for product reviews, strategies, and tips and tricks for managing your money wisely.

What services do you use to help you organize your finances? Let us know about any programs or services that work for you in the comments.

Posted by Erin on Dec 29, 2008 | 33 Comments | Tweet This

A year ago on Unclutterer

Posted by PJ on Dec 28, 2008 | Comments Off | Tweet This

After Christmas shopping

ornament_boxesMy wife is rather thrifty. I figured this out long ago, but one of the things she is accustomed to doing is heading out to local retailers the days after Christmas to purchase deeply discounted holiday decorations and storage products.

In the past, she has scored a couple of ornament boxes, a wrapping paper storage unit, and she always comes back with a few new ornaments and decorations to replace ones that didn’t survive the season. 

If you’re heading out to shop and take advantage of the sales, be sure to plan out a list before going on your journey. A list in hand will keep you from impulsively buying items you don’t need. Also, try to stay true to the one-in, one-out policy. If you do find a great deal, make sure to get rid of its replacement item already in your home. Before you take to the stores (if you go at all), check out our list of tough questions to ask of new acquisitions.

Posted by Matt on Dec 27, 2008 | 11 Comments | Tweet This

Workspace of the Week: Well-lit office

This week’s Workspace of the Week is Moundbaby123′s sky-lit office retreat:

This week’s entry includes a place for everything. The simple lines combine with the natural lighting make it conducive to productive work. I also like the built-in bookshelf in the reading area. I’m not fond of the desk chair, but that could easily be swapped out for a more ergonomic option. Thank you, Moundbaby123, for your submission to our flickr pool.

Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.

Posted by Erin on Dec 26, 2008 | 8 Comments | Tweet This

Celebrate!

Like a good chunk of the western world, Unclutterer’s offices are closed today. We wish everyone who celebrates Christmas a merry one, and the rest of you we wish a joyful day off from work! We’ll return tomorrow to share more Uncluttering insights.

Posted by Erin on Dec 25, 2008 | 3 Comments | Tweet This

Unitasker Wednesday: Electric paper plane launcher

electric-plane-launcherAll Unitasker Wednesday posts are jokes — we don’t want you to buy these items, we want you to laugh at their ridiculousness. Enjoy!

If there is one thing you need for your office in 2009 it has to be the Electric Paper Plane Launcher. Seriously, how have you survived office boredom this long without such a useful product?!

From the Launcher’s product description:

With simple assembly, you can discover how spinning motors and plastic discs can be used to launch a plane at over 30 mph!

30 mph!?! You could definitely put an eye out with these flying paper projectiles. Now if only someone could come up with an automatic paper airplane maker, our lives would be complete.

Posted by Matt on Dec 24, 2008 | 17 Comments | Tweet This

A year ago on Unclutterer

Posted by PJ on Dec 24, 2008 | Comments Off | Tweet This

Ask Unclutterer: Call for entries

Many of our best posts are a result of questions from readers. Plus, these posts are fun to write. It’s nice to know that what we’re creating will be helpful to someone.

In 2009, we want to create a weekly feature called “Ask Unclutterer.” The Ask Unclutterer post will run mid-morning on Fridays, in the second content slot after our Workspace of the Week article.

We are looking for questions relating to organizing, cleaning, home and office projects, productivity, and any problems you think the Unclutterer team could help you solve. To submit your questions, go to our contact page and type your question in the content field. If you feel comfortable sharing images of the spaces that trouble you, let us know about them. The more information we have about your specific issue, the better.

We’ll have our first Ask Unclutterer column on Friday, January 9 — so start submitting your questions now! Let the experience of the Unclutterer team go to work for you!

Posted by Erin on Dec 24, 2008 | 8 Comments | Tweet This

2008 new year’s resolution wrap up

At the start of 2008, I made a new year’s resolution to get my laundry situation under control. Laundry always has been the one chore that I hate more than all the others, and I was determined to find a way to clear my life of laundry stress.

I did a relatively decent job staying on top of my laundry situation until our dryer died and I had to declare laundry bankruptcy in May. Since the dryer situation was fixed, I have to admit that things have gone pretty well in the laundry realm.

From time to time, laundry will get folded and live on the couch for a day before making it into the dresser. However, washed, dried, and folded laundry is leaps and bounds ahead of the huge piles that used to form in the dirty clothes hamper.

The best change I made to keep laundry under control in our home was to decrease the size of our hampers. I got rid of the large hampers and replaced them with single load size hampers. When the hampers are filled, I know I have one load of laundry to wash. Psychologically, I know I can easily take on one load and so I do it without any procrastination. Most weeks, I do a load of laundry every Monday, and two loads on Thursday (I change the sheets on the bed and wash the bath towels as an extra load on Thursday). That’s it. Laundry no longer is a major stress in my life — a wonderful improvement from this point last year.

I’ve started to think about what organizing goal I’m going to add to my 2009 new year’s resolutions. As I did last year, I’ll announce my decision in January and my plan to achieve that goal.

What organizing resolutions are you considering for 2009? How did you fare with your organizing resolutions for 2008? I’m interested in reading what goals you plan to set in the comments!

Posted by Erin on Dec 23, 2008 | 35 Comments | Tweet This

Take stock of your stuff during economic hard times

eBay and Craigslist have been on our uncluttered radars for quite some time, but during these tough economic times they have become important tools to make some extra cash. Weekend projects of cleaning out the attic, basement, or closets can help you find many items to sell or donate.

Donation is a great option these days, too. Charities are feeling the effects of a struggling economy, and the trimming down of your home’s inventory can help less fortunate folks.

The economic downturn has undoubtedly made all of us take notice of the way in which we live and spend money. It also may be a wake up call to live with much more thrift in mind when bringing items into one’s home.

In an article in the Examiner, author Risa Sanders highlights some things that may make this economic downturn a little more manageable. She highlights the positives of these times with some of the following items:

1. Drink less coffee. My old habits included at least one stop a day, sometimes two, for a latte, or a double cappuccino. In order to save money (see below) my caffeine consumption is way down, causing my psyche, and body, to say “thank you”.

2. Spend less money. At better than $3 apiece for a tall latte (plus, usually, a muffin for another $2), I’m saving over $50 a week just by not making coffee stops during the day. I pour what’s left from my morning coffeepot into the darling, glossy, polka dot thermos I just “had to have” but hadn’t used in the two years since I bought it, and I have fresh, warm, cheap coffee all day long.

7. Spend more quality time as a family. Volunteering together, playing board games,going for walks, sightseeing in the city, renting movies instead of running to the theatre, even hunting for great coupons and bargains together, can be fun. See my article on volunteering for more ideas, at http://www.examiner.com/x-1561-DC-Family-Examiner~y2008m12d18-More-great-things-to-do-with-teens

9. Get rid of clutter. I notice I’m doing a better job of sorting through papers and keeping clutter to a minimum now that I’m home more. I like the feeling of calm that comes from being able to see the wood of my desk, and actually being able to find (and remember to use) all those wonderful coupons that are flowing in these days.

Number nine is definitely right up our alley here at Unclutterer, but the whole list is worth a look.

Posted by Matt on Dec 23, 2008 | 17 Comments | Tweet This

In with new, out with old

pic_toysDuring the holiday season, you may get a few new gifts. Now is the time to take stock of what you received and what those new gifts can replace — one new gift in, one old item out. And, depending on how much use you got out of the old items, they should be donated or thrown away.

If you receive new slippers (very exciting I know) you should get rid of your old ones. In all likelihood, your received the new slippers for a reason.

One important area where we make a concerted effort to keep in check is our daughter’s toy collection. When she receives an above-average size gift, like an chalkboard/easel, we will remove a similarly sized older toy. For example, we would remove something like a kitchen play set. Toys are a constant struggle to keep in check. It is also a good idea to have your child take part in choosing what is to be donated and help them understand a toy they no longer play with is going to a less fortunate child.

Posted by Matt on Dec 22, 2008 | 11 Comments | Tweet This

Preparing your car for a road trip

Today we welcome John Walton, author of the British travel blog Voyagers, to give us incredibly useful tips for auto travel. Welcome, John!

This holiday season, with prices at the pumps lower but airline prices not really dropping, many of us are taking to the road instead of to the skies. But is your car, truck or SUV ready for the trip over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house?

If you’re like me, your car is normally pretty clean, but this time of year there’s stuff in it that you don’t need. (I live at Land’s End in Cornwall. That free map of Scotland isn’t much use, so I can take a digital picture of it and throw the paper version away.)

Loose objects in your car can be more than just an eyesore. They’re potentially lethal projectiles if you have to stop suddenly. So use those little nets, compartments and pockets wisely. Embarrassing holiday incidents shouldn’t include a coffee flask to the back of the head.

Often, a messy car results from not having anywhere to put things away. When I downsized to a smart earlier in 2008 it took me a while to figure out where to put my iPod, phone, maps, water and coffee. My tiny car doesn’t really have enough nooks and crannies, so I buckled an old daypack-sized backpack into the passenger’s side seatbelt so my stuff isn’t going anywhere if I have to slam on the brakes.

Take a look around your local auto supply store for things that would be helpful. I love my CD holder that holds elastically to the sun visor. Beware the temptation to acquire things just because they might be useful, though! You almost certainly don’t need a Hello Kitty Mirror Muff, but one of those FM transmitters that lets you play an iPod through the radio could be a great investment.

If you’re going far, make sure that everybody in the car has something to keep them entertained. Don’t forget that new gadgets will need power or batteries! That new iPod isn’t going to play for long if you haven’t charged it. Before it’s wrapped is the perfect time to load it with its new owner’s favorite music or that thirteen-hour set of The Lord of the Rings, and music gift cards let the recipient pick something new and interesting to listen to. Recent models even play video. And if you’re going for a seriously long drive, consider getting hold of a car charger that fits into that round 12v socket we used to call the cigarette lighter. It’ll be a lifesaver when your music player starts to lose power three hours from your destination.

Lastly, and perhaps most important of all, be sure your vehicle is mechanically prepared for the season — whether you’re below freezing in Norway or Nebraska or sunning yourself in Argentina or Australia. Make sure you are comfortable driving in the weather conditions. Check your local automobile association’s website for tips appropriate to your region — and remember to check for your destination too, if you’re traveling!

Happy travels and happy holidays!

Posted by Erin on Dec 22, 2008 | 13 Comments | Tweet This

A year ago on Unclutterer

Posted by PJ on Dec 21, 2008 | Comments Off | Tweet This

Wrangling newspaper recycling

As a devoted environmentalist and pragmatist, the circles labeled “recycling” and “convenience” don’t always align on my Venn diagram of life. Sometimes what is most convenient, isn’t great for the environment.

Stak-N-Tie stacking bins solve two household problems for me:

  1. a rugged container for storing read newspapers awaiting recycle pick-up day; and
  2. a can’t-miss device to single-handedly twine-bundle your stack of papers.

The elevated corners of the Stak-N-Tie leave enough room underneath the newspaper pile to slip your bundling twine. Once knotted, the whole stack lifts easily from the crate. Until recently, my town made me separate newspaper from other recyclable paper, so I bought two. My town now lets me co-mingle all my paper and no longer requires a twine-knotted bundle, so the entire crate gets toted to the curb on pick-up day. And, if I ever need to dispose of the crate itself, it’s recyclable, too: #2 HDPE.

Available from the Recycling Center for $12.95 plus shipping, it’s a great way to keep old newspapers from cluttering up your home.

Posted by Cory on Dec 20, 2008 | 29 Comments | Tweet This