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Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros on stress and your clutter.

Psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter said in an article in Psychology Today, “Clutter can play a significant role in how we feel about our homes, our workplaces, and ourselves. Messy homes and workspaces leave us feeling anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed. Yet, rarely is clutter recognized as a significant source of stress in our lives.”

Touching causes an emotional attachment, and that makes us attached to the things around our homes. The pain of giving up something reaches the anterior cingulate cortex part of the brain. It’s the same place associated with physical pain, so the pain you feel when giving up your belongings is real.

That’s how we are attached to our clutter, bu...

If you’re a BGE customer with a working window AC unit or dehumidifier, take advantage of the BGE recycling program and get a $25 rebate for your troubles. This incentive by the energy company is to help you recycle the units and reduce what goes into the landfill. Each BGE customer is eligible for two donations. This is an opportunity to get a little cash back for something you no longer need.

Window AC and dehumidifier event:

The recycling event will take place on Saturday, June 2, 2018, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Columbia Athletic Club, 5435 Beaverkill Rd, Columbia, MD 21044. 

Bring your BGE account number or a bill along with you to receive credit. BGE helpers will even unload the items from your car in order to make it easier for you.

According to BGE, about 95% of the units c...

Think like a buyer when you are selling your home. You have to force yourself to look at it objectively with no emotional attachment. In this Monthly Item of Value, we’ll get some advice on selling homes. Try to see your home as if you were a potential buyer looking at it. It’s difficult to do because most of us are emotionally attached.

Think about what you need to do as far as curb appeal, cleaning, decluttering and painting to give you home a fresh look. Minimize the bad points and maximize the good points. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, just do some little things to make it shine.

Here is the full text in my May eReport.

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros about how to organize your home.

When you organize, you will find you have more time for yourself.

“I can find everything I need, it might just take me a while.”

“I know where all of the important stuff is in my home.”

Are these statements you’ve made? Do you spend time every day looking for things? It’s time to get organized!

Having clutter can be like carrying weights around with you all day. It slows you down and takes away time that could be spent with more productive or fun tasks. You may have trouble reaching your personal and business goals.

Once you have eliminated clutter and organized what is left, you’ll find that your mind seems more clear and you actually feel better...

Thanks to L.K. Benson for this issue of Tips from the Pros.

Last Friday night the Senate passed a tax reform bill that would bring sweeping changes to our income tax system for individuals and corporations. The House of Representatives had already passed a similar bill earlier in November, and now the reconciliation process has begun. While significant differences between the two bills remain (see here for a good summary), there are enough similarities that we believe the odds are high that a compromised version of the bill will be signed into law before the end of the year. Unfortunately, you won’t have much time after the bill is passed to determine exactly how it will impact your own situation and implement any tax planning strategies before year end...

Having a holiday party this year? Party planning can be a nightmare, trying to put all of the pieces in place. Most people who plan events don’t have a chance to enjoy them because of the work involved.

This month’s Item of Value is a Holiday Party Planning Checklist. You’ll have a handy list you can print out and keep with you as you organize your special event. Being organized with a checklist helps get rid of the headaches and allows you be a part of your event.

Click here to see the full checklist and begin planning your party now.

By using a house hunting checklist, you will be more organized in your home shopping process. Buying a new home is a complicated matter and after seeing a few, they all start to blend together. If you’re like most homebuyers, you’ll view several houses before you find the one you want to make your “home.” How can you remember the details of each? Please utilize this checklist to help you keep track of what you like and don’t like about each home you visit. Use it to help you decide which home you would like to buy.

Click here for the checklist.

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros about how to organize your home.

With the number of hurricanes happening this season, it’s time to talk about planning for an emergency. It might seem corny or unnecessary, but having family fire drills can save lives. An emergency plan can come in handy when you need it.

In Baltimore, we have been spared the worst of the hurricanes, but the storms that end up here can be serious. They cause downed trees, water coming inside and a loss of power. Preparedness before a big storm is always a good idea.

Doctors recommend you have at least a week of your medications on hand at any given time. Having only one or two day’s worth of your medication could cause you extra stress in an already stressful situation...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this month’s Tips from the Pros about ways to reduce clutter.

Everyday habits can drastically reduce clutter if you stick to it. By doing some simple tasks that take only a few minutes each day you will be able to get rid of the piles of laundry, stacks of dishes and towers of mail.

Let go of the idea that everything needs to be perfect. A home that is manageable is not only achievable, but much more realistic.

1. Write out a to do list for each day, preferably the night before, with everything you need to do. Prioritize everything so even if you don’t get through the list, you at least do the most important tasks. Check the list throughout the day. Cross off things you did and watch how productive you are...

Thanks to the Toolbox Tomgirl for this issue of Tips from the Pros, about how long appliances typically last.

“Fake it ’til you make it.” I have no idea who said those words to me first. I remember hearing them when I was a kid and thinking they were so stupid. Some adult must have made them up to make me feel better about some sport I was trying to play. I always sucked at sports. I had no skill and was the sister of the captain of the football team. That should tell you enough.

When I became an adult and wanted to become part of the man’s world of construction those words were REALLY important to me. I had to fake it because I had a lot to learn and I didn’t want to look like an idiot. I knew I had to at least “look” like I knew what I was doing...