June 14, 2019

How to Organize your Finances

June 14, 2019/ Jeannine

Do you have credit card debt, a car loan or live paycheck to paycheck? Do you feel overwhelmed by how little money you have left over, at the end of the month after working so hard? You don’t have any savings and put things you want on your credit card? Are you tired of living in constant fear of not being able to pay for an emergency situation like a car accident or a loss of job? If you answered yes to any of these scenarios it might be time to organize your finances and get back on track for financial freedom.

When we were kids, no one thought it would be this hard to adult, right?!

8 out of 10 Americans are in debt. Broke is the new norm. If you are sick and tired of being broke I have some tips that helped me become debt free and take charge of my finances. Books like Dave Ramsey’s “Total Money Makeover” and Robert Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” have changed the way many Americans view and handle their finances and helped them get out of debt.

Here are my personal favorite 5 Tips to get your finances organized:

Make a vision Board: What are your long term financial goals? Ask yourself WHY do you want to become financially independent. What will your do when you are?
Take a step back. Reevaluate your spending habits. Print out the past 3 months of your bank statements and determine where you spend most of your money. Create broad categories such as housing, groceries, loans, etc.
Create a 0 based Budget and stick to it. (These are your short term goals, so you can reach your long term goals)
Have an emergency plan in place. Have 1000$ in your savings account for emergencies, so you do not have to use your credit cards.
Pay off your debt and cut up your credit cards. You will not be able to create wealth without paying your debt first. I suggest trying Dave Ramsey’s debt snowball method, where you make minimum payments on your biggest debts and pay off the smallest debt as fast as you can. You go from paying off your smallest debt to biggest, for a fast success experiences and to learn to change your behavior.

Notes: If you are in need of motivation or guidance in your KonMari™ journey you can find a Certified KonMari™ Consultant on the official KMI webpage https://konmari.com/pages/consultants

May 13, 2019

What will a tidy home enable you to do?

May 13, 2019/ Jeannine

One of Konmari’s most important philosophies is to envision your perfect lifestyle. What are your plans after you are done with your tidy festival?

For me personally it was starting a business. Some of my clients visions were; more time with family, travel or going back to school to get that degree. Whatever your reason is for tidying, figure it out before you start and when the organizing gets exhausting, (believe me it will) remember WHY you are doing it.

The KonMari Method™ should only be done once and you should never again have to repeat it. Of course editing is allowed, but through this process you will learn to make decisions based on your values. “Does it spark joy?” is such a simple question that you can use it for all aspects of life. For example you might have heard the saying “surround yourself with people that lift you higher”. The same should be said for your belongings. They should reflect who you are now and who you are striving to be in the future and only support that vision of yourself.

So before you tidy, ask the WHY, then start organizing your home. Many of my most disorganized clients say after even the first organizing session “this method is life-changing”, and I agree. When you remove the negative mindset and change your thinking to surrounding yourself with (things you) love, everything will fall into place.

Notes: If you are in need of motivation or guidance in your KonMari™ journey you can find a Certified KonMari™ Consultant on the official KMI webpage https://konmari.com/pages/consultants

April 20, 2019

5 Spring Cleaning Tips

April 20, 2019/ Jeannine

San DIego Konmari Consultant Janine Morales

Spring time is here, which means the days are getting longer, the sun is coming out more often and flowers are blooming. Get done cleaning big maintenance items now, so you come home to and effortlessly tidy home and not worry about the things that still have to be cleaned for the season.

1.Clear your counters

The less stuff you have on your counter tops, the less you have to clean in the first place. When counters are clear, it’s quick to wipe them off with soap and water for a sparkle clean feeling.

2. Deep clean the fridge

Take out every single item and assess if it is still going to be used. Check expiration dates. Take out shelving and drawers. Wash them with soap and water. If they are made of glass, use glass cleaner or disinfectant.

3. Kids toys

Wash plush animals. Lego’s and other plastic toys can be put in a Mesh bag and cleaned in the dishwasher. Have your child choose what their favorite toys are and donate the rest to make room for new toys (Birthdays/Christmas etc).

4.Sinks and faucets

Sinks and faucets tend to get calcium stains and build up. Lime Away will help break down the gunk and hard to reach corners can be scrubbed with the help of a toothbrush.

5. Ceiling Fans

Clean your ceiling fans and other light fixtures with a damp microfiber cloth or a Microfiber Ceiling fan duster with expandable arm to get all the dust off.

Notes: If you are in need of motivation or guidance in your KonMari™ journey you can find a Certified KonMari™ Consultant on the official KMI webpage https://konmari.com/pages/consultants

April 06, 2019

Why gratitude is so important when organizing

April 06, 2019/ Jeannine

Letting go of things can be hard. Gifts from a friend, outgrown clothes, sentimentals that remind you of a special time or an inheritance.

Giving yourself permission to let go is essential to being able to move forward. Especially if the items are linked to negative feelings or guilt. Clients often say, but this was a birthday card, wouldn’t it be unethical to throw it away? No, because the minute you received your card or gift, it has fulfilled its purpose. If your clothes don’t fit you anymore but give you wonderful memories, say thank you and remember all the good things about them. They will be happier where they are actually used. Do you need 15 pictures of the same pose in your picture pile? No, pick one that you really love and let the other ones go. I have many clients that also digitize their loved prints to save space.

Remember the “why”!

Why are you tidying right now? What do you want to do when you are done? What’s the ideal lifestyle you are working toward? It is ok to let go of old ideas and unhealthy relationships to make room for changes and create habits that will help you reach your goal. Keeping a gratitude journal can be very helpful, when you feel stuck. Be grateful for your journey and how far you have come.

What’s one thing you can commit to doing today to make a step toward your goal?

Notes: If you are in need of motivation or guidance in your KonMari™ journey you can find a Certified KonMari™ Consultant on the official KMI webpage https://konmari.com/pages/consultants

March 24, 2019

Why you shoud consider the Konmari Method for organizing

March 24, 2019/ Jeannine

Sometimes, it feels like we're all running a never-ending race, doesn't it? Between juggling work and family, chasing the latest trends, and trying to keep our social media feeds looking sharp, it's like we're constantly on the move, trying to prove something. But at what cost? It turns out, all this hustle is taking a toll on us—yeah, us millennials are feeling it with higher rates of anxiety and loneliness than ever before.

It makes me think, our obsession with always wanting more is kind of mirroring how we treat the people and things in our life. Like, if your phone breaks, do you fix it or just get the latest model? And how does that reflect on our relationships with friends and family? I remember feeling like a hamster running on a wheel, having to pay credit card debt, and living paycheck to paycheck because I spent money I didn’t have on things I did not need. I felt hopeless and ashamed of not being able to handle my finances in a manner that is expected as an adult. But I did not know better than to buy things to make me feel better when I was sad. I had to dig deeper into why I coped this way and learn how to behave like the successful, independent woman I wanted to become instead.

This is where Marie Kondo and her KonMari Method™ come into the picture. It's not just about tidying up; it's a whole vibe of figuring out what matters to us. She teaches that tidying is just the means to help us find the lifestyle we truly want. Imagine clearing out the clutter and suddenly, there's this clarity about what's genuinely important. I still have the iPhone X by the way, and it’s 2024! After I came across her book “the life-changing magic of tidying up” which truly changed my life, I don’t feel the constant need to upgrade my lifestyle anymore to impress people I don’t even know and probably don’t even like! The KonMari Method™ focuses on practicing gratitude and being grateful for all the things you already have and love.

Visualizing that dream life is step one. Then, it's all about making choices that spark joy, not just in our closets but in other aspects of life too. The KonMari Method™ isn't just about organizing your space; it's about transforming your life, focusing on what brings you joy and making decisions easier.

So, to all my fellow San Diego military families and anyone longing for a bit of peace in this chaotic world, why not give it a shot? Let's tidy up not just our homes but our lives, creating a space that's all about joy, clarity, and meaningful connections.

March 21, 2019

Pet organization Tips

March 21, 2019/ Jeannine

If you're a proud pet parent, you already understand the benefits that come with having a furry friend. Not only do pets shower us with unconditional love and companionship, but they also play a pivotal role in enhancing our health by easing stress and decreasing the risk of heart disease. However, with the joy of pets also comes the responsibility of managing their plethora of accessories - from leashes and toys to blankets and medications.

Finding the perfect storage solutions for all your pet items is key to keeping your home organized and your sanity intact. The secret lies in categorization. Start by sorting pet items into distinct categories, such as toys, food, medication, and grooming supplies. Once sorted, assign each category its own bin or box. This method streamlines your storage and saves precious time you'd otherwise spend rummaging for items.

Designate a specific area in your home, such as a drawer dresser or a built-in closet, to house all your pet-related storage containers for an efficient and cohesive setup. This centralizes pet items, making it simpler for you to locate what you need when you need it. When it comes to toys, consider using open bins that keep playthings neatly contained and allow your dog to self-serve their favorites.

Don't overlook the importance of strategically placing leashes, collars, and sanitary bags. One idea is to hang them close to the front door, where you hang your coats. This placement ensures everything is grab-and-go, making your outdoor adventures with your pet as smooth as possible. I personally store all the to-go items in a dresser next to the entrance door, where things are arranged in bins and out of sight.

Blog