May is National Moving Month!  Each year, more than 21 million Americans move between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The average American moves once every seven years.  Moving is an arduous task at best. Take all your stuff, stuff it in a box, stuff it in a truck or storage, and unstuff it! Now this is not for sissies!  However, the more organized you are, the better your move!

Declutter.  You have less, you have less to pack. It is as simple as that. Live a life of relationships, not stuff.  Begin decluttering as soon as you learn you are moving. Even better, declutter regularly.  Remember that game, if I had to move to Australia, what would I take?  Not much.  So really be decisive about what is important to keep.

Taxes strike terror in all of us! Not only are many papers included in the process, we have to make time to organize the information.  Use these timely tax tips to get control of this project.

Create a master file for all tax related papers
Even before your 1099 papers arrive, start a master file using an expanding red folder  and manila files. Label the files with the important tax categories -W-2 information, interest and dividend income, capital gains and losses, charitable donations, medical and dental expenses, deductible business expenses, and miscellaneous deductions (educational expenses, safe deposit boxes, financial planning).

It is the happiest of times and the busiest of times!  The holiday season is here!  Sharing a few ideas to help you celebrate this special time of year!

Choose One

Whether is it choosing gifts, baking holiday cookies or sending Christmas cards, we often have complicated choices.  Choose one biggie and make it your best.  Simplicity is a powerful way to do your best and de-stress. 

Also, think about taking one task off your list this year.  Throughout the year we are busy, and the holidays are extra busy.   Take off that one task you dislike the most, you are least prepared for, or one you can delegate easily. 

Your holiday plans are a big project and what better way to keep this information together than a holiday planner !  Your holiday planner consolidates your gifts, decorations, recipes and agenda to one spot for easy access. 

Holiday binder

Choose a 3 ring binder with a front slip in slot.   Have fun creating a front page for your binder to get you in the mood.  You can cut up old family holiday cards or print a coloring page. Label the spine with your label maker so at a glance you can find your binder.

Have you outgrown your small home, but you're staying put for financial or economic reasons? Or maybe you recently bought a house in foreclosure that was a great deal, but needs fixing up.If so, you're part of the re-energized remodeling market. For the first time since 2006, home-improvement spending is up, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.

If you're like most Americans, then your greatest asset is your home. But with recent declines in home values, it may be time to consider options for preserving your home's value. Since the value of your home is directly tied to its condition, Handyman Matters suggests following the steps below for ways to help preserve that value.

With winter a fading memory, it’s time to let your home decor fully embrace the light, upbeat spirit of warm weather. Discard those darker hues in your home, and brighten things up a bit! Incorporating lighter-colored accessories is a fast and easy way to brighten the mood in your home. Switching out heavy winter curtains with sheers or replacing a hunting scene wall hanging with something botanical themed is a cost-effective, effortless way to welcome light and nature into your household - and cast out the lingering chilly effects of winter.

Unlike your car, your home doesn't come with a maintenance manual. Keeping your home in good shape means staying on top of the many things you need to do to protect its value and your family's safety.

Current economic conditions have forced many families to re-evaluate their spending habits and cut back in certain areas that are no longer deemed necessities. Dining out, family vacations and the purchase of that new TV are all being postponed until the economy makes it out of the red - but some things, like home improvement projects, can't be pushed off quite as easily. And while you may not be ready to invest in a whole new set of tools to begin your home improvement project, Handyman Matters provides a solution to help you tackle those jobs that just can't wait.

With the arrival of warmer weather, it can be a challenge to keep your home cool and comfortable, yet keep your energy bills in check. By taking steps now to make your home more environmentally friendly, you'll not only help save natural resources, but you'll save money, too.

This is the decade of right-sizing. The economic reset triggered by the excesses of the last decade is forcing our society to rethink its definition of "enough." One area under enormous scrutiny is housing. How much space does it really take to house the average American family of 2.61 people?

You come home after work and start the 2nd shift. There’s always more to do than time to do it. Gather your family around you and think delegate, a.k.a. team building!

There are a few ground rules that apply at home, that don’t apply at the office. The complexity of family relationships makes delegating at home more challenging than at work. But it is not impossible. Truly applying team building makes this happen!