

This Organized Life: Decluttering Tips for Moms, Entrepreneurs and Professional Organizers
Laurie Palau
Whether you're managing a busy household, juggling work and family, or just looking for a little inspiration to tackle that never-ending to-do list, you're in the right place!Each episode shares practical tips, expert advice and real life stories to inspire you to declutter, simplify, and live a more organized life.New episodes released every Monday & Thursday!Have a question or topic idea click hereHosted by Laurie Palau, Professional Organizer, Coach & MomLearn more: https://simplyborganized.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 22, 2024 • 11min
Tip of the Week-Ditch Old Towels and Sheets
Hey Friends,Today’s challenge if you choose to accept it, is to go through old sheets and towels. During this quick tip episode I’m sharingMy rule of thumb of how to determine the number of sheets and towels per personWhere to store seasonal linensWhat to do with the items you no longer want Spring is a great time to hit the linen closet and I hope this episode gives you the boost you need to get motivated!Xoxo-LaurieP.S. Looking for some personal clutter coaching? Let’s chat! https://simplyborganized.com/clutter-clinic

Apr 18, 2024 • 34min
Closet Refresh with Color Guru, Jeannie Stith | Ep 384
Hi Friends,You are in for a treat today! In honor of Spring Organizing, I invited my friend Jeannie Stith to join me to talk about simplifying the clothes in your closet so you love and wear what you have.Jeannie is the founder and CEO of Color Guru where her team analyzes your hair, skin, and eye color to match you with your ideal color palette for clothes.Color Guru has been featured in VOGUE magazine, Apartment Therapy and if you’re a long-time listener you might remember Jeannie from ep 163 of TOL.During our conversation we talked about: The biggest mistakes people make when they go shoppingHow to simplify shopping regardless of your age, size, or season of lifeSpecific strategies you can do to eliminate unflattering clothes in your closetI have personally used her services and can tell you that it’s changed the way I shop. I no longer struggle with decision fatigue or overwhelm, (fyi this is not a paid endorsement!)I have a special link for all our TOL listeners visit https://yourcolorguru.com/affiliate/LauriePalau/ Your Color Guru 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE” Happy OrganizingLaurieP.SSpecial Thanks to Our Sponsor Clean EmailWelcome Simply B Organized listeners! We are inviting you to try Clean Email, a privacy-first online service that helps you clean your Inbox, stop unwanted emails, and automatically organize new mail going forward. https://cleanemail.com/organized

Apr 15, 2024 • 10min
TIp of the Week- 5 Tips to Organize Your Closet without Breaking the Bank
For today’s tip of the week I’m sharing 5 simple hacks to instantly help your closet be more organized. The best part is that most of these are all free and don’t cost a dime! Remove Dry Cleaning Bags-Not only do those plastic bags carry harsh chemicals, but they clutter up your closet! By removing them your space your closet will immediately look more organized.Create a Hanger Hangout- (thank you @getorganizedbystephanie for the catchy phrase!) Choose a spot at the front or back of your closet where you group all of your empty hangers together. This makes it easier to put clean clothes away rather than searching through a sea of clothes to find an empty hanger. Organize by Category- Grouping like items together, ie:shirts, tanks, pants, jackets, etc makes getting dressed easier because you know where everything is. PRO TIP: *for an added bonus you could add clothing rack dividers https://amzn.to/3Q02jmvOrganize by Color-This is for my ROYGBIV lovers! There’s something about a monochromatic color scheme that is soothing and calming to our emotions. It also makes it easy to put stuff away!Streamline Hangers-One of the easiest and inexpensive organizing products that give you a big bang for your buck are simple thin streamlined hangers. When all of your clothes sit at the same level it creates a cohesive look. These are my personal faves https://amzn.to/3TQbo2oRemember that getting organized doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or take a lot of time. It’s little steps each day that help you to live an organized life.Xo-LaurieP.S. This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.Please note that I only recommend products or services that I personally use and believe will add value to my listeners and readers.

Apr 11, 2024 • 26min
How to Hire the Right Professional Organizer for You | Ep 383
On today’s show we are talking about how to find the right Professional Organizer for you. One that fits your project scope, personality and budget.There are lots of people who have the technical and tactical knowledge to do the job, but hiring an expert who is the right fit requires an entirely different skillset.Whether you are a professional organizer, or someone looking to hire a professional organizer, 2 of the most important indicators of any successful relationship are communication and clarity. If you’re interested in working with me or our team, visit simplyborganized.com Happy OrganizingLaurieP.S. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and looking for some specific strategies to help you or your family live a more organized life, hop on my calendar for 1-on-1 Clutter Coaching! https://simplyborganized.com/clutter-coachingWelcome Simply B Organized listeners! We are inviting you to try Clean Email, a privacy-first online service that helps you clean your Inbox, stop unwanted emails, and automatically organize new mail going forward. https://cleanemail.com/organized

Apr 8, 2024 • 5min
Tip of the Week- Spring Checklist
Happy April everyone! Technically, Spring is here (although in the North East it doesn’t quite feel like it) and you know what that means….time for some Spring Organizing Tips.Some of these you may want to outsource to a professional, others you can tackle alone or with the help of your family. Do a little at a time or block a whole weekend. The purpose of this is to help give you a roadmap to follow.Download the Spring Organizing Checklist Here https://simplyborganized.myflodesk.com/springchecklistSpring is a great time to reset routines & reorganize rooms. I hope this episode gives you the motivation you need to get going!Happy Organizing!XoxoLaurieThanks to our sponsor for this episode Clean.Email:Welcome Simply B Organized listeners! We are inviting you to try Clean Email, a privacy-first online service that helps you clean your Inbox, stop unwanted emails, and automatically organize new mail going forward. https://cleanemail.com/organized

Apr 4, 2024 • 35min
The Hidden Costs of Storage Units with Kate Bosch | Ep 382
Hi Friends,On today’s episode I get to sit down with my friend Kate Bosch who is our SBO partner in Rhode Island. You might remember from ep 298 and ep 333 (both episodes are worth a listen!)Today we’re talking about one of the biggest sources of clutter for many people: storage units.Kate is here to share some surprising statistics on the entire storage unit industry:Specifically the amount of storage facilities in the USRevenue generated from the self storage industrywhich generation is the biggest user of storage facilitiesThe average cost of a storage unitThe average length of time that people tend to hold onto their unitsIf you find yourself in a situation where a storage unit is necessary, Kate shares some practical tips and questions to ask to ensure your stuff is safe and protected.If you know someone who could benefit from this episode, please pass it along!XOXO-LaurieIt’s not too late to register for our free Enneagram 101 workshop! Register here: https://simplyborganized.com/webinarThanks to our sponsor for this episode Clean.Email:Welcome Simply B Organized listeners! We are inviting you to try Clean Email, a privacy-first online service that helps you clean your Inbox, stop unwanted emails, and automatically organize new mail going forward. https://cleanemail.com/organizedLinks Mentioned in this episodeKate Bosch Organizing https://www.katebosch.org/Previous Episodes with Kate: Ep 333 and Ep 298Kate’s Book Recommendations:Project Hail Mary: https://amzn.to/3xmp8u3The Clutter Corpse https://amzn.to/3xdPgaG

Apr 1, 2024 • 5min
Tip of the Week-Schedule a Donation Pickup
Hi Friends!Happy April Fools Day! We’re kicking off this months tip of the week with a quick actionable tip: Fill 1 bag with stuff for donations AND make sure to drop it off or schedule a pick up.If you’re not in the habit of doing this on a regular basis, it might be tough at first, but trust me, it gets easier with practice!If you haven’t listened to our episode on reducing clothing waste, it’s a perfect complement to this episode! Click HERE to listen: https://simplyborganized.com/2024/03/21/ep-380-how-to-reduce-clothing-waste-with-helpsy/Happy Organizing!LaurieJoin our free Enneagram 101 Webinar: simplyborganized.com/webinar

Mar 28, 2024 • 21min
What I Learned from Giving Up Shopping for Lent | Ep 381
Hi Friends, This year I decided to give up two things for lent: vodka (because I love a good martini like it’s my job) and all non-essential shopping.For the sake of today’s podcast, we’re focusing on the latter. The scope of my shopping hiatus included any in person shopping aside from the grocery store and ALL online shopping. Today I’m sharing what I learned during those 40 days!Whether you observe lent or not, every now and then it’s good to take a break, hiatus, or detox from the things that clutter our lives. If done with intention, you’ll be able to walk away with some clarity and perhaps a new perspective.To all who celebrate, wishing you and your family a Happy Easter!XOXO-LaurieThanks to Our Sponsor:Factor Meals: factormeals.com/organizedlife50 *use code organizedlife50 for 50% P.S. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and looking for some specific strategies to help you or your family live a more organized life, hop on my calendar for a 1-hour strategy session: https://simplyborganized.as.me/StrategySession

Mar 25, 2024 • 11min
Tip of the Week-Managing Household Chores
Hey Friend,Today, we're tackling the topic of managing household chores (womp-womp!) Whether you live alone, with roommates, or have a houseful of kids, we often get overwhelmed with all the things that need to be done to keep our household moving.Below are some quick tips to help you stay organized when it comes to household chores:List all the things-what are the tasks on your to-do list (think laundry, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, cooking, shopping…)Is there anything you can outsource?-Are you able to hire a house cleaner or lawn service? Maybe you hate to cook, so you decide to use a meal prep service. List the frequency of each task. Some things like dishes and walking the dog fall under daily, for some people cleaning or laundry is a weekly chore, and things like lawn care might be seasonal. Mapping these details out allows you to craft out a schedule that works for you without any surprises.Now here’s where the fun begins-it’s time to divide and conquer! What chores do you share? Which do you own? Do you rotate with other family members or roommates? Conflict happens when one person is left doing “all the things.” If you haven’t listened to my conversation with Eve Rodsky about her Fair Play model, check out episode 300. https://simplyborganized.com/2022/09/08/ep-300-fair-play-life-with-eve-rodksy/Happy Organizing!Xoxo-LaurieP.S. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and looking for some specific strategies to help you or your family live a more organized life, hop on my calendar for a 1-hour strategy session: https://simplyborganized.as.me/StrategySession

Mar 21, 2024 • 34min
How to Reduce Clothing Waste with Helpsy | Ep 380
Hi Friends,We talk a lot about donations around here, but what do you do with the stuff you can’t donate-like single socks, stained t-shirts or clothing with holes? Instead of throwing those items in the trash and adding to our overflowing landfills, my guest today is here to offer an alternative solution. Joining me is Lisa Sciannella, Chief of Staff of www.helpsy.co. a certified B-corp dedicated to recycling textile waste. It's the norm to recycle plastics, glass, metal and paper but sadly clothes, shoes, and accessories have long been ignored. During our conversation we talked about:The staggering amount of unwanted clothes that end up in the trash (spoiler alert: it’s over 85%!)How to turn your old clothes into a fundraising eventThe average lifecycle of clothing-Fun fact! 95% of all textiles can be reused!***After our recording, I scheduled a donation pick up from helpsy.co and it was seamless! I have since recommended them to a friend who also had a great experience. Here’s a quote from a friend of mine: “It’s mentally so much easier to part with things knowing that they are going to good use.”To learn more about Helpsy and see if they have a location near you, visit www.helpsy.co Happy Organizing!LaurieP.S. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and looking for some specific strategies to help you or your family live a more organized life, hop on my calendar for a 1-hour strategy session: https://simplyborganized.as.me/StrategySessionLinks Mentioned in this Episode:Thanks to Our Sponsor: Factor Meals: factormeals.com/organizedlife50 *use code organizedlife50 for 50% Lisa’s Book Recommendations: Built to Last: https://amzn.to/3Iy3K7yBritney Spears-The Woman in Me: https://amzn.to/3wTAwxC