It's time to get into the habit of letting go of excess stuff, rather than finding a place to stuff it. Having to walk around stuff or over stuff does not make for a peaceful living environment. Let's go room by room and take care of some of the most common clutter problems.

1.)Kitchen: ask yourself what items do I use daily?

These items really deserve the primetime space in your kitchen. They should be within arms reach in the best location available. Watch out for space hogs in the kitchen such as multiple coffee mugs, plastic bags and cleaning products.

2.)Next ask yourself how many of each of these items you need to have a reasonable amount on hand.

Do you have 6 of something but only use one. This is a common problem. Setting limits will help you maintain an organized kitchen easily. Any broken, stained or chipped items need to go.

3.)Donate or discard your extra items, or in the case of glasses or dishes store them in long term storage until needed.

That is only if you have room in or for long-term storage. If you already have a long term storage problem go ahead and get rid of your excess, unless its an item that you can not replace like grandma's good china, in that case get rid of something else and store grandma's china. Remember to periodically go through cabinets and drawers to purge extras and replace worn out or damaged pieces.

4.)Clear your counters: the most visible part of your kitchen.

Start by clearing all items into boxes or onto trays. Take this opportunity to clean your counters thoroughly. Now put back only the items that you use daily. Ex. Toaster, coffeemaker, crocks of utensils. Only display decorative items on you countertop if you have plenty of space to do so. Otherwise decorations in moderation should be on the walls to save valuable real estate in the kitchen.

5.)Discourage paper piles from forming by creating a RAF file or as some people call it an action file.

A RAF file can be anything that can hold 3 files or folders. RAF stands for read, act, and file. As paper comes into your house you need to use your RAF file to place each 12pcs triangle color pencil tin container piece either in to read, to act (meaning you need to do an action) or to file. Each piece of paper you save is important for one reason or another so you need to be able to find it quickly. Then of coarse there is the trashcan, use it regularly. You can also set up binders with clear plastic pages for things like receipts, recipes, take out menus, school information and frequently called numbers.

6.)Clean off your fridge!

Scale down or eliminate old refrigerator magnets or at least move them to one side. Clear everything off the front, put important items such as take out menus in a binder or in your RAF file. Save your kids best artwork in a plastic bin with their name on it, be sure to write their age on the back with an acid free pencil or acid free pen that you can find in the scrap booking section of any store. Once the fridge is clear, only put back current items.

TIP: Keep a wipe off calendar on the front of you fridge, update it the 1st of every month from you pocket calendar that you keep in your pocketbook or briefcase. That way you won't miss any appointments or meeting or double schedule yourself.

7.)Bathroom: Clean out your medicine cabinets.

Dispose of expired medicines and toss bottles of perfume, lotion and nail polish that are almost empty. Keep on the products that you like and use. Don't keep products that you either didn't like or were not effective just because of what it cost you. In the long run they cost you more in space wasted.

8.)Clean out stuffed drawers.

Ok we have all done it at one time or another shoved one more item into an already full drawer. Now it's time to change all that. Go drawer by drawer take everything out and ask yourself ?Do I love this?? Do I need this?? Why am I keeping this?? The answers to these questions will tell you what you need to do. Then you keep it, donate it or toss it. By lightening up your drawers you will reduce stress and be able to find the things you need faster and easier.

9.)Clear bathroom counter.

It makes it so much easier to get ready in the morning and reduces stress when your bathroom counters are clear. This is also a time save because cleaning is a breeze. See tip #12 for the solution to where to put all the stuff you cleared off the counter.

10.)Use your wall space.

If you're hard pressed for storage solutions look to your walls. There are many options to create storage and reduce clutter on countertops. Ask yourself is there anywhere that I can add a shelf or shelves? Maybe a wall soap dish or toothbrush holder. Look on EBAY for hotel towel holders they hold 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels and 2 washcloths each.

11.)Create a peaceful retreat.

Most bathroom tubs and showers seem to be over flowing with bottles of shampoo, conditioner, bath toys and body washes. Again start by removing all items; clean the surfaces well with a soap scum-removing product. Then only put back the products that you use on a daily basis. Consider getting a shower caddy if you don't already have one and a stick on basket or bag for the kid's toys.

12.)Make personal bath totes.

Each member of your family should have their own container to store and transport their own personal bath items. This container can be a small plastic crate, a wicker basket or any other small container that can hold your items neatly. Placing each family members items in their own container makes it easy to store these things under the bathroom sink or in the bathroom or in the linen closet until they are needed. This also keeps their personal hygiene items together making it easy to find their comb or hair detangler and its no problem to move to another bathroom when company comes.

13.)Create a peaceful haven.

Your bedroom should be a place where you can rest. It is not the place to do work or other stressful activities. Do not allow things not related to sleep to accumulate there. This room should contain a bed, dresser, nightstands, lamp and maybe a chair or bench. Do not over crowd your bedroom with furniture it will make it feel small and will not promote peace. Your nightstand should be clear except for reading glasses (if you need them), a book or magazine (just one, not a pile), alarm clock and maybe some tissues. Start by clearing the room of all excess stuff, only put back those items that promote peace and rest. Donate or store extra items elsewhere.

14.)Remember the one in one out rule.

Once you have your house down to where it looks and feels good for every new item that you acquire you will need to donate, sell or give away one item. One for one, it's the only way to maintain the balance that you have achieved.

15.)Place 4 containers in your laundry room.

There are 4 containers every laundry room should have. Three of them can be boxes, bags, laundry baskets or whatever you have on hand. The last one is a trashcan. Label your containers, donate, mending, rags and trash. The donate box means that you continually separate out items that are past their prime but still have some wear or are too small. The mending means that you need to do a small repair. Rags means they have holes or bad stains so you can use them to clean or stain furniture, cotton or wool clothing make the best rags. The trashcan is for items found in pockets, dryer lint and other trash. This way it doesn't pile up on your dryer eventually making its way to the floor.

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Cramped or Cosy? A few decorating tips that will make a small bathroom feel larger.Decorating can not only improve the look of your bathroom but it can help to visually expand the space. A few tricks with a paintbrush is all it takes to enhance your bathroom.

Whatever your decorating style, transform your bathroom simply. All it takes is a lick of paint, clever lighting, and some expert interior knowledge.

Colour schemes are important in your bathroom; different colours will create a multitude of moods and atmospheres. Choose pale soft colour schemes for serenity, such as pale oranges, greens and blues. These will enhance light and space. If your bathroom has a lack of natural light, make it bright and airy with pale pinks or light to dark blues.

A cosy bathroom can be created by blending pale neutral colours with warm autumn tones. Steer clear of strong, loud colours. Bright colours should only be used for towels and the odd accessory.Lighting is important in the bathroom for both mood and sense of space. Wall sconces or a lamp will add warmth. To make the room lighter, consider installing a larger window or some skylights. It can be expensive but well worth it.

Certain elements of your bathroom suite could be at fault. Instead of a large vanity sink, why not try a smaller pedestal one. It can make all the difference, and it's a lot cheaper than replacing China Wholesale Custom Tin Ashtrays your whole suite.Under sink storage, such as a cabinet takes up a lot of floor space. Instead, mount a small shelf or organize an airing cupboard. Be aware that if you do remove under sink storage, you may need to repair the floor.

If you have any large furniture, it may make your room seem smaller. Remove large shelves and any ornamental accessories that make the room look smaller. The furniture may be comfy and useful, but if the room feels bigger without them, think of other alternatives.Use mirrors, they are great at reflecting your bathroom space, and can improve a dark bathroom.

Place a mirror in front of the bathroom sink. The mirror will reflect all the light in the room. For a quirkier solution, arrange a number of smaller mirrors in place of one large mirror.Similar to bathroom walls, the floor will appear bigger if it's laid in a light coloured wood or lino. It can be pricey, so if you can't afford to replace the flooring, just accessorize with a light coloured rug.

Clutter in a small bathroom will only serve to make it feel smaller. If you have a frosted glass shower door, change it to a clear glass one. If you can, take the shower door off and hang a curtain instead. This can be pushed back to one side and will create a sense of space, instead of obstructing your view to the back wall.

Make deceptive depth to walls with a piece of clever art. Hang a painting or picture of a discreet garden or a horizon. This can trick the eye in to thinking it is a window. It will help to expand your space and enhance your bathrooms atmosphere.Most importantly, a clean, neat bathroom always looks larger and more spacious than an untidy one!

Posted by: custompackag at 01:19 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Are you lacking space, but still want that added touch that only a baker's rack can give? Why not accent your living space with a bakers rack nestled innocently in the corner of your favorite room? This could be the perfect solution for crowded kitchens with little counter space, or corners that need a little something special. No matter whether you prefer the sleek lines of the contemporary style or the romantic swirls of the country French style, you can find a corner baker's rack to fit your personality and budget.

Maybe you have a problem with too much empty space, and you want to bring in large design elements to cozy things up a bit. If so, you might enjoy a large baker's rack such as the contemporary Serra baker's rack. This piece boasts a beautiful cherry finish with an intricate wrought iron storage space, and would make a perfect China Wholesale Custom Tin Containers Factory focal point for a large space.

If none of these styles suit your needs, perhaps something a little more practical is in order. How about a copper-finished baker's rack that has been intricately and beautifully sculpted using wrought iron? These pieces are perfect for housing collectibles and solving storage issues. Many also come with wine and wineglass storage.

The best thing about baker's racks is their affordability. Baker's racks of high quality and durability can usually be purchased for just a few hundred dollars. Of course, as with anything, you can spend more if your tastes and wants compel you to, but, for the most part, the addition of a baker's rack to your space can be the most affordable solution to many design dilemmas.

As much as we would like to believe that campgrounds are 100% safe and secure don't let your guard down. You don't need to be paranoid, just use some common sense. Don't leave expensive equipment lying around unsecured. Vehicle tow bars, hitches, bicycles and other items need to be under lock and key.Keep any valuables inside the RV secured and out of sight. It's a good idea to purchase a small fire proof safe to store valuables and important paperwork in. The safe might protect your valuables from the hazards of a fire but it will still need to be stored in a secure, out of the way place, inside the RV.

Always lock the RV when you're not physically at the campsite. Do not store valuable equipment in outside storage compartments. Believe it or not, a vast majority of RV's use the same exact key as yours for outside storage compartments. If you store valuables, like golf clubs, fishing gear or tools in the outside compartments you may want to have the locks changed.

Before you leave on a trip make sure your Emergency Roadside Service Plan is current. In the unfortunate event that you breakdown on the road try to pull off in as safe a place as possible and call for help immediately. Stay with the RV until help arrives.

It's unfortunate that we live in a day and age where we need to take these added measures to protect ourselves. I don't want you to feel like everybody you meet during your travels is a thief or has bad intentions. Just use common sense and be aware of what is going on around you.

Posted by: custompackag at 01:33 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Have been an Internet user for more than 9 years, I have 100's of logins and passwords to keep. I'm paranoid. I'm now even more paranoid after I joined YMMSS because I use online payment systems on weekly basis if not Pencil Tin Metal Container Plastic Cover daily.I used to use Microsoft Excel to manage my usernames, passwords, and other registration information, both online and offline.

Excel is not safe because there are programs to crack password protected Excel workbooks and I even cracked the spreadsheet and VBA source code password for one of my old Excel financial models I developed. Today I still use Excel to store some personal information but I only save the Excel file on my another PC that is not connected to Internet.

In my article "6 Essential Steps to Protect Your Computer On the Internet", I highly recommended the award winning RoboForm. Free version of RoboForm (roboform) does come with limitations such as 10 Passcards only. If you don't want to buy the Pro version (costs $29.99 as of my writing), there is an easy-to-use freeware (see below) you can download right now and manage unlimited usernames and passwords.

Here are some great features of Password Safe:

- Easy portable. Just copy and paste the EXE file and .dat database file to any disks. Be aware that when you open Password Safe in the other disk, you need to specify the database file location .- One master password unlocks an entire password database that can contain all your other passwords.

- Grouping. Usernames and passwords can be grouped into different categories you define, eg. Email Address, Payment, etc. You are in total control.- Strong, random password generation.- Copy username and password to clipboard so that you don't have to type them. Always keep in mind that you should never type any username and password.

- Browse to URL. With one click, the URL related to your username and password can be opened in your default web browser. Another save on typing.- You can create more than one password database (but you have to memorize more than one master password. Not recommended.)

Here are some tips of using Password Safe (version 2.04) and managing password in general.Tip1 - Always create a strong master password (Safe Combination as used in the software).Strong password should meet the following criteria:

- At least 8 characters long to prevent cracking. The longer the better.- The password should contain lowercase, uppercase, numeric, and any other characters that are available on keyboard.- Ideally you should not use any meaningful words or numbers in the password. Totally random password is the best.

- When the dialogue window opens, on the right hand side, you can see a Random Password Generate button. Click it, a random password will be automatically inserted in the Password field.

The generated random password is constructed according to the password policy defined in Password Safe. You can modify the default policy.

- Click the menu item Manage. - In the dropdown menu, click Options. - Click the Password Policy tab. - Change the policy based on the strong password criteria stated above.

Some sites only allow alphanumeric passwords so make sure you select the appropriate check boxes when this is the case.

Tip #3 - Very Important: Never type your master password when open PasswordSafe.

Keylogger spyware can record keystrokes.

How can you enter master password without typing? I do this.

Step 1: Open a Notepad file (.txt).

Step 2: Copy and paste an article from any Internet website to this .txt file.

Step 3: Select characters from this article and copy, paste to form your master password.

Tip #4 - Very Important: Never lose your master password.

I memorize my master password. In addition, I also physically write it down to a hand written study material that has my previous uni works. Among the 1,000's of words, I placed my 22 characters master password in two different pages in encrypted format that can let me derive my master password.

Tip #5 - Categorize username and password.

When you add a new entry, you need to specify Group, Title, Username, Password, and Notes. The entries that share the same Group name will be gathered together automatically.

One Group can contain another Group as its sub Group. For example, I have Email Address group which contains three sub-groups as Friend, Work, Family.

Tip #6 - For security reasons, always use Copy Username to Clipboard and Copy Password to Clipboard.

Remember, never type username and password on a web form. This is how to do it.

- Highlight an entry.

- Right click mouse.

- In the pop-up menu, select Copy Username to Clipboard or Copy Password to Clipboard

- Go to your login form, paste the username or password.

You can use mouse to do copy and paste. If you prefer short-cut keys, this is how.

Copy: Ctrl+C Paste: Ctrl+V

Tip #7 - Use "Browse to URL" rather than typing URL in browser address bar.

When you enter a new entry or edit an existing one, you can enter a URL (must start with ) at the first line in the Notes field. You can save website login page's URL in this field. When you need to open a login page in browser, right click the entry and click Browse to URL in the pop-up menu. Then the login page will be opened in your default web browser automatically.

Tip #8 - Don't forget to backup your password database file.

Use the Make Backup menu item to save a second copy of your password file.

Tip #9 - Store your backups in a different offline computer or location.

This is a widely used backup strategy.

Tip #10 - Use the Notes field to store as many information as # you want. Very handy for memo.

If you don't have two computers, you need to use other storage media to save a second copy of your backup file and version them by date (easy to track back). Other storage media can be zip drive, thumb drive, floppy disk, CD, etc.

Off site backups are also important. Don't overlook this. You lose all your data if you lose both your computer and your other storage media all together for any reason.

Many companies provide online storage services for a fee. You can store any digital files (you should password protect these files first) on their secure servers. Search Google and you will find a lot.

I have two computers. One is used to surf net and it does not have any sensitive info stored on it. Another one is for my development work (not connected to Internet) and it has my backup files. I also store my backups in a thumb drive and CDs sometimes.

Posted by: custompackag at 02:57 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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