End-of-School Shuffle: Organize Now, Breathe Later

End-of-School Shuffle: Organize Now, Breathe Later

by | Jun 6, 2025 | Cleaning, Closets, Clutter, Digital, Money & Paper Management, Organizing

Organizing kids’ school materials at the end of the school year helps reduce clutter and sets you up for a smoother start next year. Here’s step-by-step guide Top Shelf Home Organizing has put together to do it efficiently.

✅ 1. Gather Everything

Collect backpacks, binders, folders, notebooks, art projects, and loose papers.

Empty out desks, cubbies, and any “homework zones” through out your home.

🧹 2. Declutter Ruthlessly

Sort into categories:

  • Keep (report cards, standout work, art)
  • Recycle/Trash (doodles, used-up notebooks, old handouts)
  • Donate (unused supplies in good condition)

🔸 Tip: Let kids help decide what to keep so they feel included and learn decision-making.

📁 3. Create a Memory File

Label a file box or folder with your child’s name and school year.

Save only the best or most meaningful items:

  • One or two writing samples
  • Favorite artwork
  • Awards or certificates
  • Class photo

📦 Optional: Use an expandable accordion file to store year-by-year.

✂️ 4. Digitize the Rest

Snap photos or scan large artwork, bulky projects, or extra papers.

Store in a digital folder labeled by child and grade (e.g., Ava – Grade 3).

💡 Consider apps like Artkive, Keepy, or Google Photos to organize.

📝 5. Inventory and Store School Supplies

Test pens, markers, glue sticks, etc. (great job for kids to do)

Store usable items in a “school supply bin” for next year.

Donate extras or store in a community donation box.

📦 Optional: Find an organization accepting school supply donations. In southeast Wisconsin, Gals on the Go is hosting a school supply drive this June. Details here.

🧼 6. Clean Backpacks and Lunchboxes

Empty completely and vacuum crumbs.

Wash according to label instructions.

Store them or replace if needed for fall.

🗂️ 7. Store and Label

Use labeled bins or folders for:

  • Memory keepsakes
  • Extra school supplies
  • Summer learning materials

🎒 Optional: Set aside a few workbooks or reading materials for summer practice.

🔄 8. Reflect and Reset

Talk with your child about the school year—what they liked, learned, and look forward to next year.

Reset their study area to be clutter-free for summer activities or reading.

Top Shelf Home Organizing loves to help families reset after a busy school year. Reach out to Jayme to see how we can help.

Simple. Life. Solutions.

We would love to put our talents to use making your home and office functional and organized. Let us know how we can help your space be the best it can be.

Get Organized Today!

5 Tips to Overcome Emotional Connection to Clutter

5 Tips to Overcome Emotional Connection to Clutter

by | May 12, 2025 | Cleaning, Closets, Digital, Organizing

Top Shelf Home Organizing is often asked how to overcome the emotional aspect of clutter and collections within a home. While we are great at getting items organized, the emotions questions are a bit more challenging. Here are our best thoughts on five effective ways to overcome an emotional connection to clutter in your home.

Identify Emotional Triggers

Reflect on why certain items are hard to let go of. Are they tied to memories, guilt, or a sense of security? Understanding these triggers can help you decide if the item truly brings value or is just a reminder of the past.

Use the "Memory Capsule" Technique

Create a small box or album for sentimental items that genuinely bring you joy. Limit the space so you are forced to prioritize the most meaningful pieces.

Practice the "One-In, One-Out" Rule

For every new item you bring into your home, remove one you no longer need. This helps maintain a balance and reduces the build-up of emotional clutter.

Photograph Sentimental Items

Take pictures of items you are emotionally attached to but no longer use. This allows you to keep the memory without holding onto the physical object.

Start Small and Gradual

Begin with an area that is less emotionally charged (like a bathroom or pantry). As you build confidence, move on to more sentimental areas, giving yourself permission to let go.

Overcoming emotional connections to items is complex. We hope this list helps to overcome some of the emotional connections. We always recommend a trained professional therapist to talk through the deep connections. Top Shelf Home Organizing is happy to help get you organized.

Simple. Life. Solutions.

We would love to put our talents to use making your home and office functional and organized. Let us know how we can help your space be the best it can be.

Get Organized Today!

10 Essential Steps to Organize Your Finances This Month

10 Essential Steps to Organize Your Finances This Month

by | Feb 15, 2025 | Digital, Money & Paper Management, Organizing, Work & Home Office

Like many of us, getting your personal finances organized may have been one of your 2025 goals. Organizing personal finances in February (or any month) is a great way to stay on top of your money and work toward your financial goals. Top Shelf Home Organizing has ten items that will help you get on top of organizing your finances this year.

Review January’s Financial Activity

Reconcile Accounts: Ensure all transactions from January are accurately recorded.

Analyze Spending: Identify areas where you may have overspent or saved more than expected.

Check Progress: Compare your financial activity to your monthly or yearly budget.

Set February Goals

Decide what you want to achieve this month: paying down debt, saving a specific amount, or spending less in certain categories.

Create realistic and measurable goals.

Update Your Budget

Adjust for February’s Unique Expenses: Plan for one-time costs like Valentine’s Day, tax preparation, or winter utilities.

Allocate Funds for Savings: Prioritize emergency funds or sinking funds for upcoming larger expenses.

Pay Bills on Time

List all bills due in February.

Automate payments when possible to avoid late fees.

Check for annual or semi-annual expenses due this month.

i

Plan for Tax Season

Gather tax documents (W-2s, 1099s, childcare expenses, receipts for deductions).

Schedule time to start preparing or filing taxes.

Consider whether you’ll owe taxes or expect a refund and plan accordingly.

S

Cut Unnecessary Expenses

Identify subscriptions or memberships you no longer use.

Opt for free or lower-cost alternatives for entertainment or dining.

Review Debt Payments

Make at least the minimum payments on all debts.

Consider focusing on paying of the smallest debt to get the ball rolling.

Evaluate Investments

Check the performance of your investment portfolio.

Contribute to retirement accounts (e.g., 401(k), IRA) if you haven’t yet.

Look for opportunities to invest spare cash if your emergency fund is solid.

Prepare for Upcoming Expenses

Think about March expenses: spring break, quarterly bills, or seasonal changes.

Start saving now for any large March financial commitments.

f

Track Progress Weekly

Check in with your budget at least once a week.

Adjust for unexpected expenses or changes in income.

Organizing your finances, planning where your money will go and tracking expenses will greatly help you feel more organized in your personal finances. Top Shelf Home Organizing can help you get organized to stay on top of your budget and finances. Contact Jayme to see how we can help.

Simple. Life. Solutions.

We would love to put our talents to use making your home and office functional and organized. Let us know how we can help your space be the best it can be.

Get Organized Today!

Start Fresh in 2025: Your Month-by-Month Organization Plan

Start Fresh in 2025: Your Month-by-Month Organization Plan

by | Jan 9, 2025 | Cleaning, Digital, Money & Paper Management, Organizing, Self Care, Bathroom, Work & Home Office

The new year is a great time to organize various aspects of your life and start fresh. Here’s a list of ideas to help you get started. Don’t expect to tackle the entire list in January, but maybe pick one topic for each month. At the beginning of each month, develop a plan on how you will organize one area.

Personal Goals

Set Resolutions: Define specific, achievable goals for the year.

Health & Fitness: Plan routines, set fitness goals, and book annual health check-ups.

Hobbies & Skills: Schedule time to learn something new or pursue interests.

Financial Organization

Budget: Review last year’s expenses and create a budget for the new year.

Savings & Investments: Set savings goals and review your investment portfolio.

Taxes: Prepare for tax season by gathering necessary documents.

Debt Management: Plan repayments and track your progress.

Home Organization

Decluttering: Go through closets, pantry, and other spaces to donate or discard unused items.

Cleaning Schedule: Create a weekly or monthly plan to maintain your space.

Repairs & Upgrades: List and prioritize home maintenance tasks.

Work & Professional Growth

Career Goals: Identify skills to improve or new responsibilities to take on.

Networking: Connect with colleagues and expand your professional network.

Workspace: Organize your desk and digital files for efficiency.

Family & Social Life

Calendar: Coordinate birthdays, anniversaries, and important events.

Vacations & Trips: Plan holidays or weekends away (e.g., your March family trip).

Traditions: Set plans for family rituals or start new ones.

Wellness & Mindfulness

Mental Health: Schedule self-care routines or therapy sessions if needed.

Mindfulness Practices: Start journaling, meditation, or gratitude exercises.

Time Management: Assess priorities and set boundaries to avoid burnout.

Digital Cleanup

Photos & Files: Organize digital photos and documents, and back them up.

Unsubscribe: Clear out email clutter and cancel unused subscriptions.

Password Update: Update passwords and enable two-factor authentication.

Community & Giving Back

Volunteer: Choose causes to support with time or donations.

Social Engagements: Join local groups or participate in community events.

Top Shelf Home Organizing takes pride in helping busy families get organized. Reach out to Jayme to see how Top Shelf can help you plan and get organized in 2025.

Simple. Life. Solutions.

We would love to put our talents to use making your home and office functional and organized. Let us know how we can help your space be the best it can be.

Get Organized Today!

8 Areas to Organize in February

8 Areas to Organize in February

by | Feb 12, 2024 | Cleaning, Closets, Digital, Eating & Kitchen, Money & Paper Management, Office, Organizing

Getting organized in February is a great idea as it can set a positive tone for the rest of the year. We love the idea of resetting your home before the warm spring air returns. Here are eight areas to focus on in February:

Home Office

Declutter and organize your home office. File away paperwork, clean up your desk, and declutter digital files.

Digital Organization

Declutter your digital life by organizing your computer files, emails, and apps. Delete unnecessary files and create a system for better organization.

Tax Preparation

Start organizing your financial documents for tax season. Create a system for keeping track of receipts, invoices, and important documents.

Valentine's Day Decorations

If you decorate for Valentine’s Day, take the time to organize and store those decorations once the holiday is over. Purge the decorations you don’t use.

Pantry and Refrigerator

Check the expiration dates of food items in your pantry and refrigerator. Discard any expired items and organize your shelves.

Linen Closet

Straighten up your linen closet. Fold and organize towels and sheets, and discard any worn-out or mismatched items.

Bedroom Closet

Tidy up your bedroom closet by decluttering clothes, shoes, and accessories. Donate or sell items you no longer need.

Winter Clothing

Sort through your winter wardrobe and donate or store items you won’t be needing for the remainder of the season. Organize coats, scarves, and gloves in a designated area for easy access.

Remember to take it one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to enlist the help of family members or roommates. Setting aside dedicated time each day or weekend can make the process more manageable and less overwhelming. The organizers at Top Shelf Home Organizing are happy to help. Reach out to Jayme for any questions you have on organizing your home and office.

Simple. Life. Solutions.

We would love to put our talents to use making your home and office functional and organized. Let us know how we can help your space be the best it can be.

Get Organized Today!

9 Areas to Organize to Start the New Year

9 Areas to Organize to Start the New Year

by | Jan 8, 2024 | Bathroom, Cleaning, Closets, Clutter, Cooking & Kitchen, Digital, Eating & Kitchen, Office, Organizing, Pantry, Self Care, Bathroom

Organizing your home in January is a great way to start the year fresh and create a more comfortable and efficient living space. Here are some suggestions for areas you might consider organizing. Choose one or two impactful areas to start.

Living Room

  • Declutter by removing items that don’t belong or that you no longer need.
  • Clean and organize entertainment centers, shelves, and tables. Wipe furniture down while it’s emptied.

Kitchen

  • Clean out your pantry and discard expired items. Plan your meals based on remaining items.
  • Organize kitchen cabinets and drawers. Consider using containers for loose items if it makes sense.
  • Wipe down and clean appliances.

Bedroom

  • Rotate and flip your mattress.

  • Launder and store seasonal bedding and clothing.

  • Declutter bedside tables and dressers.

Closet

  • Go through your clothes and donate or sell items you no longer wear.
  • Organize clothes by category (e.g., shirts, pants, dresses) and color.
  • Consider investing in storage solutions like bins, baskets, or closet organizers after you have gone through your clothes.

Bathroom

  • Dispose of expired medications, toiletries, and beauty products.
  • Remove products you do not like. Donate unopened items you do not want.
  • Organize cabinets and drawers, using containers or dividers.
  • Wipe down cabinets and drawers for a fresh start.
  • Scrub toilets and showers.
n

Home Office

  • Declutter your workspace. Remove unnecessary items.
  • Organize cables and cords.
  • Clean your computer and backup important files.
i

Paperwork

  • Sort through important documents. File or scan items you need. Shred or recycle documents you don’t need.
  • Set up an organized filing system for unopened mail, bills to pay, items to file and items to do. It is also good to have a tax file where you can dump any items you will need for preparing your taxes.

Digital Space

  • Clean up your computer desktop and organize files.
  • Back up important digital files and photos.
  • Clear unused apps from your smartphone.

Clean

  • Dust and clean all surfaces.
  • Clean windows and curtains.
  • Deep clean carpets, rugs, and upholstery.

Remember to set realistic goals and take it one step at a time. Breaking down the tasks into smaller, manageable steps can make the process less overwhelming. Consider involving other members of your household to make it a collaborative effort. Join an on-line decluttering group such as 30-Day Declutter Challenge to keep you motivated and accountable.

Being organized is a process, and it’s important to approach it at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Start small, plan one event at a time and develop systems to maintain organization. Gradually, you’ll experience the positive impact and being organized will come naturally. If organizing is daunting task, the professional organizers at Top Shelf Home Organizers are happy to help. Contact Jayme for a consultation.

Simple. Life. Solutions.

We would love to put our talents to use making your home and office functional and organized. Let us know how we can help your space be the best it can be.

Get Organized Today!