Advice
Welcome to our advice section. Every week I answer new questions submitted
by readers on Organizing, Image, Fashion and Event Planning.
You can read my "AddSPACE To Your Life!" column every week
in San Diego's “The Coast News" or read the archived columns
below.
E-mail your questions to advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
9.16.04
Sticky notes have many uses
– wrong ones, that is
Kathi,
Our house is being overrun by sticky notes. I’ve tried to teach
my kids and wife not to use them for everything but they won’t
listen to me. I thought perhaps there are some standard rules to help
decide when to use sticky notes. Please help my family get un-stuck.
Kent, Rancho Santa Fe
Kent,
Here are a few tried and true sticky note guidelines.
Don’t use sticky notes:
•To record phone messages, they tend to fly away. Use a spiral
notebook kept by the phone for all messages.
•To label computer discs. They get jammed into your hard drive
or lost before you have a chance to use them.
•To record reminders of daily activities or projects. Have each
family member maintain their own to-do list that is always kept in
the same spot.
Do use sticky notes:
•To compile quick lists, such as groceries or errands which
can be placed temporarily on your to-do list.
•For writing positive affirmations to each other.
•To create spontaneous hide-and-seek games for holidays, birthdays,
etc.
• To attach to the back of a document to be faxed with the fax
number noted so you won’t have to look up the number again.
• As a repetitive messaging system. Pre-write common messages
such as, “at yoga, be home at 6 pm,” “walking the
dog,” or “pick up the drycleaning.” Keep these notes
on the inside of a cabinet door for easy access.
Kathi,
My kitchen is running out of space. I have too many gadgets to fit
into my cabinets. Do you have any secrets for storing these items?
Marti, Del Mar
Marti,
The number of gadgets and tools created for cooking is amazing.
We can own deep fryers, corn bread skillets, power juicers, fruit
wedgers, popsicle makers, tortilla bakers, pancake warmers, bacon
presses, ice cream makers, grating mills, egg slicers, fruit ripeners,
salad blasters, shish kabob baskets, bread buddies, and thousands
of other kitchen-type things.
A quick way to increase the space in your kitchen is to get rid of
the gadgets and appliances you never use. You might have paid good
money for that butter warmer and deviled egg tray. BUT, if you never
use them, they're just taking up valuable real estate. Give them the
heave-ho and send them on their way to a local charity. Perhaps someone
else will actually use them.
The next time you see a gadget or appliance that you feel might be
nifty, ask yourself how often you're going to use it -- and be honest
with yourself. Chances are, you're not going to eat heart-shaped waffles
more than once a year. If you do, then that heart-shaped waffle maker
may be just what you're looking for. But, if not, save your money
and keep your available kitchen space free for something you're going
to use all the time.
If you still can’t stop yourself from buying new kitchen gadgets,
label each item with the date purchased. If you don’t use it
in a year, it gets exiled from your kitchen and donated to a good
cause.
Kathi is a professional organizer, image consultant and event planner
based in San Diego California.
Please
submit your questions to:
advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
.
San Diego Professional Organizer
