“Good order is the foundation of all good things.” - Edmund Burke

An organized home is a happy home. And a clean, orderly home is a pleasant place to come home to.

If it feels like you are constantly cleaning your home only to have it messy again soon after,you may need to install some new organizational systems. A well-planned closet or playroom makes keeping things organized surprisingly easy.

In this month’s newsletter, we have come up with many methods you can use to give your home a renewed sense of order. On the front, you will find ways to keep the most problematic areas of your home clean, and on the reverse side, there are tips to keep your garage organized.

Please click the icon to the left to download May’s newsletter!

One of the hottest trends in housing is creating a “green” home. In fact, in two places where Mother Nature has wiped the slate clean, green homes are all the rage. In the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, actor Brad Pitt has headed the creation and donation of 150 new environmentally friendly houses that will be 75% more energy efficient. In Kansas, after being completely destroyed by a tornado, the ironically named town of Greensburg will be rebuilt as the nation’s first green town.

Green homes save money by lowering energy bills and reducing a home’s impact on the environment. What may be even more important, however, is the pride of ownership involved in owning a green home and the positive effect it has on the community and the world.

Please click on the icon to the right for a guide on turning your home into a green machine. Low-flow plumbing fixtures and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are great examples of easy changes that will benefit your pocketbook and the environment. In fact, swapping out one traditional light bulb for a CFL will reduce carbon emissions by 150 pounds a year! Doing your part for the environment is now as easy as changing a light bulb

Every year, people around the globe form their list of New Year’s resolutions, and each year, many of these goals fall by the wayside. However, if you are willing to stick with your resolutions, they can become positive routines.

Most New Year’s resolutions are almost as fleeting as a passing thought. Despite this, people continue to make a “commitment” to new resolutions each year. This is because people recognize that change is attainable.

By clicking on the icon to the left, you’ll find a list of good examples to draw inspiration from and a guide to conquering procrastination. On the backside, there’s a handy worksheet to fill out as you go about seeing your new resolutions become everyday habits.

The New Year is a great time to begin anew, and this year, you can even take a fresh
approach to starting over.

As leaves begin to change color, it signifies the coming of autumn, and with that, family gatherings and traditions. One of these time-honored traditions is giving thanks for everything you hold dear.

The famous philosopher Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” This time of the year is all about appreciating your many loved ones and countless blessings. This is the time to reflect on what you have and not dwell on what you don’t have. Being thankful isn’t just about internalizing your good fortunes but fully expressing this gratitude to everyone around you. Have you ever noticed that an honest and heartfelt “thank you” can completely brighten another person’s day as well as your own?

If you click the icon to the right, you will find a list of easy ways to show even casual acquaintances that they have a positive impact on your life and that you appreciate them.

I hope you have an enjoyable Thanksgiving!

The holidays are fast approaching and that means getting ready to spend quality time with your friends and family. Unfortunately, your plans can hit a bump in the road if you encounter car problems. Don’t fret, though, because keeping a close eye on your car and staying on top of maintenance can usually avoid these issues.

Please click the icon to the right for several easy preventative measures you can take and warning signs to watch for to ensure your car is running smoothly and efficiently. There is also a checklist that will reduce the need for repairs that cost time and money.

The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, so prevent car problems by maintaining your car now.

Keeping your things in order can be a major task, but if you fail to tackle it now, you may find yourself up to your ankles in clutter later. If the thought of spring cleaning makes you shudder, you are likely in need of some good organizational advice.

Please click the icon to the left for a guide to cut clutter and get organized. Following some of these guidelines can help you free up time and give you a fresh atmosphere to live in. Don’t be afraid to purge your home of outdated or unused items. On the reverse side, you will find several tips to stay organized in different areas around the house.

Creating order in your home doesn’t have to be an ordeal. Cutting clutter can be done one room at a time over a week or even several months, and if you do it right, it can be fun and create new possibilities for your home.

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America today. Being a victim can have a huge impact on you now and potentially well into the future.

One of the frightening aspects of identity fraud is that it’s most often perpetrated by a faceless enemy, and the struggle is fought on many different fronts: online, over the phone and even in the dumpster. However, if you can remember some simple advice and employ some easy tactics, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim.

Please click the icon to the right for some pertinent information about how thieves operate and what you can do to stop them. This includes tips on handling your sensitive documents, as well as what to avoid when you check your email or shop online.

Remember, identity theft has significant financial and emotional implications, but there are simple, straightforward ways to greatly reduce your risk of falling victim to this increasingly popular crime.

Without clear-cut financial goals, your bank account is more likely to be empty than brimming. If you let this habit slide too far, you may even find yourself in debt.

In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the average personal savings rate in America was -1.2 percent in February 2007, meaning more people are borrowing than saving.

However, it doesn’t have to be that way if you make the commitment to pay yourself 1st and truly commit to a savings plan. Click the icon to the right for resources on how to start saving in a planned and consistent manner. In particular, I have found the goal-setting worksheet useful. It will help you set realistic, attainable savings goals.

The end result? You’ll enjoy greater financial freedom. You’ll make progress toward getting out of debt. Big dreams like owning a home, paying for your children’s higher education or funding your retirement now become possible. I hope you find this helpful.

Many Americans set a goal to own their own house and feel a great sense of accomplishment when they achieve that objective.

However, did you know that owning your own house can be much more than an important milestone in your life?

Along with the pride of ownership, homeowners are often more financially stable and can even earn more money in time through home equity. Studies show that homeowners are more stress-free and healthy as a result of having fewer financial worries and more money to provide for medical coverage.

Please click here the icon to the right to learn more about how advantageous homeownership can be.