Christa Wagner

I love paper and love my files!!!   I am not afraid to say that out loud, but that’s because they are organized and I can find things easily. 

Over the years, I came to recognize two common issues with paper: it comes into our homes or offices in droves, and we have no idea what to do with it once it arrives.  Where do you put it?  How long do you keep it?   I get these questions daily.   And what about the computer, wasn’t that supposed to help with paper clutter?  Not really – the computer age has increased paper use by 60% over the last ten years.   

We will be tackling many of these common questions on our next teleclass on January 27, 2010, called Manage the Paper Crisis.  This teleclass is for both professional organizers and clients who struggle with paper organizing. 

But from now until then, I want to pose a challenge to you.  SORT and TOSS one small pile each night between now and January 27th.   The problem with paper is we don’t know where to start and so we never do.  Start small.  Look at the counter, the dining room table or your desktop.  SORT and TOSS one small pile from one location each night and you will be blown away at how much you can get done.   SORT like items together and let go of any paper you don’t need or plan to use.  If you don’t know what to toss, attend Manage the Paper Crisis. 

 If you want to learn more about how to Manage the Paper Crisis, attend our next teleclass on January 27th.  Register now! 

Teleclass provided by A Red Bench; Christa’s partnership with Angela Ploetz.

Something new I am using in my office is a motivational bulletin board.   I do have annual goals and keep them with me at all times, but I’ve been feeling like I need more.  I needed something to call out to me and that I can see every day.  So I installed a bulletin board and magnetic wipe board in my home office.  I placed it next to some of my favorite photos of John and I and I look at it every day. 

The bulletin board has photos, inspirational quotes and things I treasure.  Some are things people have given more and others are clippings from magazines or something I found interesting.

My Weekly Motivation

I use the magnetic wipe board to write the week’s top priorities and then create my daily To Do list from there.  So far so good - I crossed everything off my list last week. 

I know its a challenge to stay on top of the never ending To Do list, but perhaps you can install something similar in your home or office. 

Christa Wagner is a professional organizer located in Vancouver, BC.

It’s a brand new year, which means it’s time to rotate your tax files in your FreedomFiler!Remember that you keep your tax files separated and organized by EVEN and ODD years (for taxes older than 10 years, there is a tax archive folder in your FreedomFiler). Now is the time to move your “odd year” tax folder to the back of your file cabinet and move your “even year” tax folder to the front. 

Also, don’t forget about your “Monthly” files (green labels) for the rest of your non tax related bills and statements.  Now that last year’s (2009, an ODD YEAR) files have filled up, you can move these to the back or to a second file drawer. Bring forward the EVEN YEAR’s folders to re-use. Remember that each month, you automatically empty out papers left over from two years ago. 
 
The FreedomFiler is a amazing self purging file system – it teaches you to file your paper based on how long you need it.  If you don’t have one, call us at 778.839.5792 and we’ll set you up!
 
If you have any questions about your FreedomFiler or need some assistance organizing your papers, please contact us at info@savvysolutionsorganizing.com and we’ll be more than happy to help!

We are coming to those the close another year and I must admit this year has been a little more challenging than others.  I don’t want to get into the details, but it’s made me realize just as I tell my clients to let go of things they don’t need, use or love, I must also let go of thinking that won’t help me in the long run.   So starting in the New Year, I am going to kick off A Year Of Letting Go.  

I have been tremendously discouraged this past year trying to re-launch my business in a new city.  Although, it should feel exciting, it feels like a burden and I have become very angry at my situation.  Therefore, the first thing I will let go of is the “ain’t it awful club.”   In general, I am a pretty positive person, but this past year has made me a little cynical and even somewhat pessimistic.  I will let go of that in the coming year. 

I have no idea how often I will blog on this topic, maybe once per week or more often if needed.   I do know that my thinking has not been beneficial and I need to be mindful of all the wonderful things in my life and let the stars fall where they may.   I also know I am not alone here.  So many of you have so much to let go of too and I want us to help each other.  You may need to let go of feelings or stuff, but let’s do it together. 

So moving forward when a provoking thought comes into my mind, I am going to do my best to replace it with an encouraging, useful thought.  I truly believe what you what you think will, or won’t happen, will and so I want all of my thoughts to be optimistic and constructive. 

So here we go, it’s a new year.  I am closing the door on 2009.  Let’s make 2010 the best year ever!!! 

Vancouver Professional Organizer, Christa Wagner offers organizing services and speaking engagements.

As 2009 comes to a close I would like to thank you for your support over the past year.  I look forward to providing you with continued organizing services in 2010.
 
I would like to extend my most sincere greetings of health, happiness and prosperity to you and your families this holiday season and throughout the New Year. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you. 
Let’s make 2010 the best year ever!
 
Christa Wagner

Vancouver Professional Organizer, Christa Wagner offers organizing services and speaking engagements.

Get Connected Media contacted me again to do a product testimonial for the new HP Officejet Pro 8500 A909g Series printer.  Wow, this printer is amazing.  I have been using the HP Officejet 6300 series for many years now so I am quite familiar with the product .  I love the all-in-one printer because it takes up less space and I get everything I need in one. 

I am only a few days into my product review, but so far I am loving this product.

• Easy set-up
• Simple installation; it does the entire installation on its own
• Prints from anywhere in my home
• Fax works
• And best of all, no wires!!

As an organizer people are always asking me what they can do with their wires.  You can tuck and hide them, but they never really go away so this printer is going to provide a lot of solutions.  More to come on my product review, but the outlook is good!

Christa Wagner is a professional organizer in Vancouver, BC.

Just recently I was reminded of how important it is to purchase the right office supplies.  Now, there are many ways to organized and lots of products and tools you can use depending on how you think and organize naturally.  That said, it is so important to purchase quality containers and office supplies to give yourself the best chance of success with your organizing project. 

Often times, I will see people use old and tattered office supplies that are falling apart and don’t support their needs.  What ends up happening is they take the time to organize using products that won’t give them 100% and the system falls down.  Now, I am not saying not to recycle, but if the metal strip is falling out of your hanging file folder, then its time for a new one. 

Happy Organizing! 

Christa Wagner is a professional organizer based in Vancouver, BC.

I read the funniest article yesterday in the Vancouver MetroNews.  It was called Bank On A Happy Holiday When You Plan Ahead.   I found this funny, because like the writer every year I tell myself I am going to Christmas shop throughout the year so I have little to do in December.  And every year this just doesn’t seem to happen.  I always manage to get it all done.  I think deep down I just love the hustle and bustle the last few weeks before Christmas. 

Now I know there are people who are done with their shopping and all their gifts are wrapped and good for you!  More power to you.  But for the rest of us here are a few tips to still have an organized and stress free holiday season – even though there is still more to do.

• Order holiday cards from Shutterfly.com.  There is nothing easier or less expensive than sending a holiday photo card.  It takes about 15 minutes to create and then all you have to is print labels and stamp.  Simple and easy. 
• Use Send Out Cards for a traditional holiday card:  I love this service and I can finally get birthday cards out on time.  You can send all your holiday cards in a few quick steps. 
• Print labels:  Using labels from any office supply store, print address labels right from your computer. 
• Take advantage of Amazon.com.  No matter what I am buying, I shop at Amazon first.  They have everything and from all different retailers.  This year I was buying something for my Mom from Wine Enthusiast.  I went to Amazon first and the price was 50% less and shipping was free since I was over $25. 
• Prepare Meals Ahead:  Not everything has to be done the day of the party or on Christmas Eve.  Create a menu and consider what you can make ahead of time and freeze.  Think about the entire meal so you can spend more time with your family and friends rather than in the kitchen. 
• Hire a personal chef or go gourmet:   Many people don’t want the hassle of cooking and baking.    Hire a personal chef and they will come to you and no one will know otherwise.  We recommend Maxime Personal Chef.  Or go gourmet and get prepared dinners at a local gourmet grocer near you.   

Maybe one of these days I will get my shopping done before December, but until then I will use these time savings tips to get organized ahead of time and join the crowds in the days before Christmas. 

We wish you a very merry holiday season and lots of luck in the new year!

I love Christmas season.  The time between Thanksgiving and New Year is so much fun, but of course, with the holidays comes a lot of work and preparation. I’m not going to say its easy, because I actually remember starting to cry when I finally got my first Thanksgiving dinner on the table, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. It should be fun and relaxing.

We know how challenging it can be to pull off a holiday party or dinner?  So here are a few tips to get you through.  Of course, a glass of wine always helps too! 

• Stick to what you know. This is not the time to whip up a special souffle you’ve never tried before. That is only going to stress you out. We recommend using our Meal Planning Made Easy system to make meal planning and shopping easier.

• Do as much as you can in advance. If you plan and prepare in advance there’s no reason you can’t be in the living room chatting with everyone else.

• Let guests pitch in. Who said you had to do it all? Let your guests help out. Let them bring the sides, desserts or appetizers. Having just one less thing on your plate can make a huge difference.

• Cut corners where possible. I’m not suggesting to skimp on taste, but do you really have to make homemade bread when we have fresh bread on every corner.

• Delegate to the family. There is so much to do. Cooking, cleaning, setting the table, doing this dishes, chopping, shopping, taking out the garbage, etc.  A holiday is like any other day; get the family involved. Delegate to your family and ask for everyone to contribute to a more organized day.

We want to wish you a very merry holiday season, but also want it to be organized.  For help getting organized this holiday season, contact us at 778.839.5792. Christa Wagner is a professional organizer based in Vancouver, BC.