Everybody Loves a Bargain

With all the discouraging economic news, it seems that many Americans have begun to adopt some of the principles of thriftiness. Experts predict that the behaviors will not stick once the economy turns around; instead, people are making a short-term change to avoid living with debt.

“In their heart of hearts, Americans seem born to spend."

In a Washington Post article, writers Janet Bodnar and Carmen Huddleston contend that Americans are “born to spend.” They support that idea with research from Carnegie Mellon University that says the anticipation of buying something you want creates a pleasure response in the brain.

Conversely, the research discovered that the thought of paying a high price for the item creates a pain response.

The result is that more people are shopping for things on sale and spending more in discount stores.

Saving money is great, if you’re buying what you truly need. If you congratulate yourself for the deal you scored on something unnecessary, it’s not a bargain at any price. Before you go shopping for anything, keep in mind what you already have and treat the pleasure centers of your brain to some other activity.

Read the article here http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/10/AR2010071000153.html

Do you think the “new frugality” is here to stay ? Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us.

Organized by Marcie: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!

Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/organizedmarcie

Everybody Loves a Bargain

With all the discouraging economic news, it seems that many Americans have begun to adopt some of the principles of thriftiness. Experts predict that the behaviors will not stick once the economy turns around; instead, people are making a short-term change to avoid living with debt.

“In their heart of hearts, Americans seem born to spend."

In a Washington Post article, writers Janet Bodnar and Carmen Huddleston contend that Americans are “born to spend.” They support that idea with research from Carnegie Mellon University that says the anticipation of buying something you want creates a pleasure response in the brain.

Conversely, the research discovered that the thought of paying a high price for the item creates a pain response.

The result is that more people are shopping for things on sale and spending more in discount stores.

Saving money is great, if you’re buying what you truly need. If you congratulate yourself for the deal you scored on something unnecessary, it’s not a bargain at any price. Before you go shopping for anything, keep in mind what you already have and treat the pleasure centers of your brain to some other activity.

Read the article here http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/10/AR2010071000153.html

Do you think the “new frugality” is here to stay ? Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us.

Organized by Marcie: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!

Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/organizedmarcie

News from the Batcave

Within 10 days I had two wildlife specialists in my house responding to two bat sightings. Since then, I had some modifications made to ensure the bats aren’t able to return.

Although I am still walking around in a state of moderate anxiety, I am slowly moving toward acceptance that the bats are gone and not coming back. The worst part of this experience has been the feeling that I am not comfortable in my own home. I didn’t want my family to be in the house and I couldn’t sleep here.

The only good thing to come out of it, as far as I can see, is the knowledge that my lack of clutter leaves little room for creatures to hide. If I had overstuffed closets and clutter piled up around the house, the bat hunters wouldn’t have been able to do their jobs easily. In addition, I would be even more concerned than I already am that the bat family was still lodging here.

With no bats seen in the last week, what I need now is a good night’s sleep.

If you had to have a technician or other unexpected visitor come into your home immediately, would you be confident or would you feel embarassed? Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us about it.

Organized by Marcie: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!
Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/organizedmarcie

News from the Batcave

Within 10 days I had two wildlife specialists in my house responding to two bat sightings. Since then, I had some modifications made to ensure the bats aren’t able to return.

Although I am still walking around in a state of moderate anxiety, I am slowly moving toward acceptance that the bats are gone and not coming back. The worst part of this experience has been the feeling that I am not comfortable in my own home. I didn’t want my family to be in the house and I couldn’t sleep here.

The only good thing to come out of it, as far as I can see, is the knowledge that my lack of clutter leaves little room for creatures to hide. If I had overstuffed closets and clutter piled up around the house, the bat hunters wouldn’t have been able to do their jobs easily. In addition, I would be even more concerned than I already am that the bat family was still lodging here.

With no bats seen in the last week, what I need now is a good night’s sleep.

If you had to have a technician or other unexpected visitor come into your home immediately, would you be confident or would you feel embarassed? Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us about it.

Organized by Marcie: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!
Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/organizedmarcie

How Small Can You Go?

I am fascinated by small homes. There is less to take care of and you make less of an impact on the environment.  Of course, there's also less you can live with.

The EDGE, (Experimental Dwelling for a Greener Environment) is a microdwelling in Bayfield, Wisconsin. It is only 320 square feet plus two 80-square-foot sleeping lofts. On the main level are a bathroom, kitchen, living area and a small amount of storage.

Mary Louise Schumacher, a writer, spent a weekend in the tiny house and wasn't sure she would be able to live in such a small space. At the end of her stay, she mused

"In the end, this petite home asks a monumental question: What do we truly need to be happy? More than that, it suggests that it may be a lot less than we imagine."

View details, along with photos and a video at http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/07/tiny-home-lives-large/1

(The photo of the house is by Dan Hoffman.)

Could you live in such a small space? What would you be the most important thing that you would have to take with you?  Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us about it.

Organized by Marcie: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!
Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/organizedmarcie

How Small Can You Go?

I am fascinated by small homes. There is less to take care of and you make less of an impact on the environment.  Of course, there's also less you can live with.

The EDGE, (Experimental Dwelling for a Greener Environment) is a microdwelling in Bayfield, Wisconsin. It is only 320 square feet plus two 80-square-foot sleeping lofts. On the main level are a bathroom, kitchen, living area and a small amount of storage.

Mary Louise Schumacher, a writer, spent a weekend in the tiny house and wasn't sure she would be able to live in such a small space. At the end of her stay, she mused

"In the end, this petite home asks a monumental question: What do we truly need to be happy? More than that, it suggests that it may be a lot less than we imagine."

View details, along with photos and a video at http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/07/tiny-home-lives-large/1

(The photo of the house is by Dan Hoffman.)

Could you live in such a small space? What would you be the most important thing that you would have to take with you?  Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us about it.

Organized by Marcie: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!
Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/organizedmarcie

Do it Your Way

When I work with clients, they often want to know how other people handle a situation or what other people do with their clutter. I always wonder why they want to know what someone else does. Is it because they’re looking for new ideas? Or is it validate what they’re already doing? Maybe it’s because people like to be like others, to fit in.

I usually say that it doesn’t matter what other people do, because their circumstances are going to be different. No one is going to have the same space, configuration, furniture, storage, items, and financial state that you do.

The best plan is to for you to think about how your stuff can work optimally for you, given the space and financial limitations you have, along with the style you like and the way you use things.

For example, I like to alphabetize. Other people might prefer to separate spices by baking and cooking or to group books or movies by type. If I didn’t alphabetize my CDs, I’d never know what I had or where a particular one was. That’s my style and it doesn’t work for everyone.

The next time you think about clearing clutter and starting over with a system, don’t worry about what other people do. What works for you? Then, just get started.

Organized by Marcie: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!

Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/organizedmarcie

Do it Your Way

When I work with clients, they often want to know how other people handle a situation or what other people do with their clutter. I always wonder why they want to know what someone else does. Is it because they’re looking for new ideas? Or is it validate what they’re already doing? Maybe it’s because people like to be like others, to fit in.

I usually say that it doesn’t matter what other people do, because their circumstances are going to be different. No one is going to have the same space, configuration, furniture, storage, items, and financial state that you do.

The best plan is to for you to think about how your stuff can work optimally for you, given the space and financial limitations you have, along with the style you like and the way you use things.

For example, I like to alphabetize. Other people might prefer to separate spices by baking and cooking or to group books or movies by type. If I didn’t alphabetize my CDs, I’d never know what I had or where a particular one was. That’s my style and it doesn’t work for everyone.

The next time you think about clearing clutter and starting over with a system, don’t worry about what other people do. What works for you? Then, just get started.

Organized by Marcie: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!

Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/organizedmarcie