tanya-portrait

Tanya Lewis created Sorted with TLC after realising her passion was helping people to organise their TIME and SPACE – and to do it in an environmentally responsible way. Tanya and her team are specialists in thinking outside the square, inspiring new ideas and introducing easy-to-maintain systems that will give you more time for the really important things in your life.

 

Bookmark this page and check back often for more great Home Organising Tips and Tricks.
Home Organising Recycling and Organising Tips:

A Moving Experience

I recently received a call

Julie: " I need your help, I have just got a job in Far North QLD"

Tanya: "Congratulations, that's great"

Julie: "Yes........but I have to be up there by the end of the month".

Tanya: "Ok, let's get SORTED

Tips:Sort and Declutter, Sort and Declutter

Ask yourself

Do I want to use my precious time to pack up things that I do not use anymore?

Do I want to pay to move things I do not use anymore?

What is the cost to our plant to move all this un used stuff from one place to another?

　

Let's get Packing

  •       Shop around for good second hand cartons, and ask if they will buy them back?
  •        Fruit shops have an abundance of polystyrene boxes, they are great for moving plants, garden and shed tools.
    •

    Ask your green grocer they will generally give them away

    Rather than buy wrapping products why not use your linen/towels to wrap your precious items.

            Save up the newspapers or ask the neighbours or your local café to keep some copies.

           Arm yourself with marking pens, tape and note pad.

            Mark your cartons well, so you can easily find things when you get to your destination.

     

    Moving On

  •       Ask friends for referrals to a reputable moving company.
  •       Pack in manageable sized boxes, there is no point saving money on  moving yourself if you are paying out to fix your back
  •       Make sure you have enough food and beverages for yourself and helpers.
  •       Make it fun by playing your favorite music
  •       Have a meal organised for your first night

    •  

    Happy unpacking

     

     

    The 3 R's

     

                 Reduce

                 Reuse/Refill

                 Recycle

                  

    Whenever I am out shopping I always check out the packaging. I ask myself, can it be recycled, how could I use it when it's empty?

     

    I recently asked my beautican if she would refill the cosmetic bottles with her fabulous natural blend. Great she said yes!

                            This is another product I can add to my refilling list

                                       Shampoo

                                       Conditioner

                                       Dishwashing detergerents all refilled at my local health food store.

     

    The savings will not only show in your pocket but our planet will benefit from less bottles being produced and no cost to our environment to recycle.

     

     The Makeover

    I believe Organising and De Cluttering doesn’t mean throwing STUFF out. I get a real kick out of finding another purpose for something, giving it a 2nd chance. I love restoring, repairing or recovering to bring tired, or out of date furniture back into vogue.

     

    I recently had a faded lounge recovered for a client at the cost $1500 to buy a similar new lounge would cost $5000 - a saving of $3500.

     

    The saving was not only in monetary terms, but also its carbon footprint. No tree was cut down for the frame, no foam was produced for the cushions. Plus by using a local person we kept the money in our community.

     

    With a little bit of effort each year I reinvent my outdoor setting, this year it going to be flashy red. It was brought 5 years ago for $100.00 1 table, 2 chairs and 1 bench seat -  and still going strong.

     

     
     
    Home Organising and Money Saving Ideas:

     

     

     

    Save your legs, money and time

    • Start with a white board/blackboard or note pad to write down what you need to buy
    • Conduct a stock take of your pantry and fridge
    • Plan your meals for the week
    • Get the whole household involved with the list making, unless you are superwomen or man  & can read their minds
    • Where possible shop on line or place orders with your local butcher or green grocers and ask if they deliver
    • The savings in time will astound you plus no more dealing busy car parks, queues, less impulse buying which will save $
    • No more running back to the market because something was missed
    • The greatest gain will be your new found TIME

     

    Refill Toiletries and Detergents

    • I refill plastic bottles at my local health food store with
    • Shampoo and Conditioner
    • Clothes Detergent
    • Dishwashing Detergent for hand washing and dishwasher.
    • Wool Wash mix

     

    Always look at the packaging before you buy a product, so it can have another purpose. For example: cut the top and bottom off PET   bottles, they protect seedlings in your veggie patch from slaters and snails.