7 Responses to “Ask Me”

1. Kristen says:

   May 21, 2009 at 8:03 pm

   How to tackle decluttering our own collections over the years?
2. Monika Kristofferson says:

   May 21, 2009 at 8:48 pm

   1) Make sure you place your entire collection together so you can really see just how much you have.

   2) Decide if there are some items you are ready to let go. Make sure you truly keep your favorites-the items that really mean something to you. It’s ok to downsize the collection and only keep a few key pieces.

   3) If your collection is truly important to you, then you need to honor it by using or displaying it in some way. It shouldn’t be hidden in boxes.

   4) If you are having trouble letting go of something, take a photo or video to help you remember it without having to take up the space of the item.

   5) If you truly can’t part with any of it, then box up a large portion of the collection and every few months bring it out and rotate items by boxing up the other half. This way you won’t have a cluttered collection and people can more easily see and enjoy what you have displayed.

   Great question!!
3. Alfie says:

   May 28, 2009 at 1:50 pm

   Hi Monika,

   you run both a thoroughly practical and totally inspirational blog. I work for the UK based Self Storage company Big yellow (http://bigyellow.co.uk) and of course we try our best to understand the various needs that people have when looking for self storage solutions. Decluttering For example is very important whether it’s just to feel better about your home or to move house, regain the use of a spare room etc.

   My question to you as a true organiser is what advice you would give your readers on selecting a self storage solution, what pitfalls to look out for and what to know when they start on the road to finding the right solution for them.

   Thanks,

   Alfie.
4. Monika Kristofferson says:

   May 28, 2009 at 5:15 pm

   When looking for self storage solutions consider:

   1) Convenient location for regular, easy access.
   2) Convenient hours of operation.
   3) Climate controlled environment if needed.
   4) Access to purchasing boxes & packing supplies.

   Pitfalls:

   1) Don’t pay for a larger space than you need, make sure you are truly storing items you need & will use again.
   2) Make sure belongings are insured.

   You should know as you find the right storage solution:

   1) It’s important to know what items are in your boxes and why you are keeping them. Do not store boxes filled with belongings that you haven’t seen or used in years and no longer care about.
   2) When you get it down to what you truly want to keep, store in sturdy storage boxes or bins that are clearly labeled on the outside for easy access.
5. Alfie says:

   June 1, 2009 at 8:01 am

   Great advice, and totally in-line with the advice we would give – great minds and all that
6. Angel says:

   July 6, 2009 at 4:12 pm

   I’m in the process of organizing my garage, and I realize I need to have a yard sale. ? My garage is a bit all over the place…what’s the best way to organize a yard sale
7. Monika Kristofferson says:

   July 6, 2009 at 6:26 pm

   To organize a yard sale:

   1) Place items of the same type together: toys with toys, decor with decor, tools with tools, etc.

   2) Use tables to display items together and label the tables clearly: “Baby Items” “Toys” “Kitchen” etc.

   3) If you don’t have enough tables, use blankets on the ground and label.

   4) Be sure it is easy for buyers to see your prices.

   5) Make sure you know the cut-off date for advertising in your local newspaper so you can get your sale information in on time.

   6) If you have some items that don’t seem worth selling, create a big “Free” box and you will be surprised by what goes!

   7) Make your sale look like it’s worth stopping at.
   Have clearly marked signs pointing the way as well as balloons out front.

   Good luck!