Organize with Deep Storage

This image from Clutter Control Freak Blog shows a good way to hide away some things that you won't be using for a while. This can be referred to as "deep storage," meaning you put the stuff away where you can't see it - in the garage, under the bed, an attic, or in a rented storage space.

There are times deep storage is good, and times it is not. Jennifer gives some ideas on deep storage in her blog post "The Case Against Deep Storage." She believes that some items that belong in deep storage are holiday decorations (as long as there aren't boxes and boxes of the stuff), seasonal bedding, small boxes of sentimental stuff, and items you are saving for you children, such as significant baby outfits, cards, a few choice toys, etc.

She also has some good items that do not belong in deep storage. For example, the bread machine or blender. She says, "Come on now; if you don't use the bread machine when it's on the counter, are you really going to pull it out of deep storage?"

Another no-no for deep storage is knick knack collections. Some people keep several collections and swap them out a few times a year. That sounds like a lot of wasted time. Show off one or two favorites collections in your home, or one per room, and get rid of the rest.

Other candidates for bad deep storage - photos (you're heirs will never know who is in those 50 year-old photos!), things to repair (you'll never mend the clothes or fix the broken frame), extra bathroom items like Q-tips, shampoo, etc. Buying in bulk can be good at times, but it can sure clutter up the place.

Another possible good use of deep storage would be children's art supplies, or adult craft supplies. When you find a good deal on them, buy them and keep them in deep storage.

The point is, use deep storage wisely. It can be a good thing, but it can also be a major source of deep clutter. If you'll never use it, why keep it?

Organize for your future

On April 3, 2008, Vicorp Restaurants Inc., the owner of the Village Inn and Bakers Square family-style restaurant chains, filed for bankruptcy protection in Wilmington, Delaware,. They cited rising food and labor costs and lower consumer spending, filing for Chapter 11 reorganization, according to the Denver Post.

The unfortunate outcome was that 56 Village Inn restaurants were closed throughout the country, and 1,750 full-and part-time employees were fired. The employees at our local Village Inn are now fearing for their jobs, which adds a lot of stress to their lives.

There are some important life-lessons to be learned here.

1. Don't leave all your eggs in one basket. Village Inn did not seem to be the kind of restaurant that would have financial trouble. If they can, then a lot of other businesses could end up in the same situation. I'm not trying to add stress to your life. I'm simply saying, if there are things you could be doing to be ready in the event your employer ran into difficult times, you should be doing those things now. That should include having some savings to get by for a while. Don't wait until you get to work one day and hear, "By the way, we're closing. You're fired." That has happened at several businesses in our community in the last year or so.
   
2. Think ahead. One local employee is wondering if she should go back to school. She said it would be hard, especially with four children. Besides, she would have to get her GED first. My question is, what is she waiting for? Why hasn't she worked on getting her GED a long time ago if she thinks that is something she might need in the future? There is no reason to wait until you don't have a job before starting to work toward your future.
3. Don't count on your employer to be nice. Those days are long gone. Be the best employee you can be, but don't think your employer will be nice if push comes to shove. When finances are involved, business don't care. You could be out without any notice. That's what they mean by an "At will employer." They can fire you "at will."
4. Follow your dreams. It would be really sad to work for 35 - 40 years doing something you don't really like, then retire and say, "I wish I had done something else with my life." If there is time, chase your dream. Do what you can to work toward doing what you want to do.
   

I'm not trying to scare anyone. I just think this situation with Village Inn shows that it is wise to not count on things staying the same. Plan ahead, be ready for anything, and follow your dreams. Hopefully you will not have to fall back on this advice, but it could save a lot of headaches down the road if you are ready.