3 comments about The Learning Annex Presents Uncluttering Your Space: The Smarter Approach to Organizing Your Space.

1. I am a packrat. My wife is the opposite. Clash of cultures! But this book taught me how to keep my stuff organized. It is a win win -- I get to keep my stuff, and my wife is happy because it is organized. The book is an efficient read -- I got the principles down in about one evening and implemented most of them the next weekend.
   Thank you, Learning Annex!!!



2. I have read several organizing books, and this one is by far the best. Sullivan provides a system that can be tailored to many different people's styles. I used this book to organize my office and home several months ago and the most impressive thing is that...it has lasted! I have less clutter, better paper management, and for once I know where everything is! I find myself returning to the wisdom in this book again and again AND lending it out to my many clutter-challenged friends. This book is a keeper!!!



3. I like the way this book is organized into lessons with each lesson tackling a different area (living room, kitchen, storage area, etc.). The questions at the end of each lesson help you think through the clutter issues for that area.
   Line drawings clearly illustrate the examples. The recommendations for action on each clutter situation (photos, mail, toiletries, clothing, etc.) are practical and concise.
   Get ready to organize and streamline.
   Sometimes the advice seems a bit obvious: "unsightly items (vacuum cleaners, dirty clothes) should always be hidden from view."

1 comments about Organizing Your Life and Getting Rid of Clutter.

1. Some organizational guides read like tips on where to put stuff or to get rid of stuff; others attempt to psychoanalyze the reader ("Tell me about your mother...").
   
   Rather than any of these, this audio CD attempts to ingrain a new way of thinking, a new way of leading life. Organization is not just about putting things away, nor is it about getting rid of stuff. It is a new way of living, a new set of rules to live by.
   
   At its most basic core, the CD is a new set of rules to live by, and also a set of tips for difficult areas. However, it is also more than that, including answering most of the excuses we give ourselves in hanging onto our stuff or not organizing what we have.
   
   The rules will revolutionize your life, and will help you to acquire the organized life. Get this CD today!

1 comments about Solve It with Salt: 110 Surprising and Ingenious Household Uses for Table Salt.

1. This books gives lots of great tips that help in just about every area of your life! I never really thought of salt and anything more than a spice or for recipes, but the uses are endless. Some of my favorites are: softening new jeans, keeping ants away, removing onion odors from hands, removing stains on vases, and this list just goes on and on! Highly recommend - this book shouldn't get dusty :)

5 comments about Steiner's Complete How-To-Move Handbook.

1. The book covers almost all topics of moving in a thorough way that really conveys a lot of information in a short space. I planned to move from NJ to Florida & it really prepared me for the moving process. Although I didn't make the move, I did hire movers within NJ and I felt much more prepared having read this book. I've heard horror stories of people's goods being held hostage for more money, broken items, missing items, the book covered it all and told what to do in case that happens. It gives you enough information, however, to avoid such disreputable movers in the first place.

   One area where it falls short (unfortunately) is the internet. There are many, many resoucrs on the net and the book doesn't cover enough of them IMHO. This book was written in 1999 though, and can sort of be excused I guess. I think that they would be well advised to do an update in a year or two with more coverage of resources for moving on the net. That'd be worth five stars then...




2. This is the most complete book on moving that I have ever read. It delivers the promised information in a very readable and entertaining text. Some of its best features include the great worksheets, charts, sample forms, lists and timelines which will assist anyone in planning and accomplishing a successful move. I have made 9 or 10 moves in the past 25 years and can say, unequivocably, that although I have read (and used) many nice "moving" books...this is absolutely the BEST!!!



3. NO INDEX! IMHO, A book (especially one used for reference) is only as good as it's index. No index? No good.



4. After reading all the glowing reviews for this book and browsing reviews for similar publications I decided to purchase Steiner's. Oh what a mistake. Perhaps the other people who reviewed this book are friends of the authors? In all fairness, the lists and forms related to moving collected in the appendix of this book are helpful. However, the arrangement and format of information throughout the rest of this handbook seems almost haphazard. For example, the chapters on financing a move and home sales come well before a discussion of creating a move timeline or how to find housing. As another review mentions, Steiners has no index. And often important topics (like "trailing spouse syndrome") are mentioned, but never discussed in much depth (what are some practical ways of alleviating the problems associated with "trailing spouse syndrome"?) The authors claim this book addresses all types of moves: overseas, military, corporate relocation, recent college grads. But honestly, the handbook would be most helpful for seasoned adults working in the corporate sector who already own a house (note the frequency of phrases like "as everyone knows" and "obviously" in chapters on finances and home buying/selling). Rather than purchase this book, most people new to moving and finding a house would benefit more from using the "relocation wizard" at www.homefair.com and buying a book on home buying.



5. If you're thinking about moving, first read Clyde and hari Steiner's book, "Steiners' Complete How to Move Handbook, 2nd Edition." It will either discourage or enthuse you for the adventure ahead.
   
   In easy-to-understand terms, the San Francisco authors explain what to expect when moving across town or across the nation. But this is not just a "how to hire a moving company" book (although the authors rate the major moving companies). The book addresses the family considerations, especially for children, as well as how to sell a home, how to obtain a mortgage on a new home and how to rent. Even information on how to break a lease is included.
   
   The book's theme is taking control. Whether you're moving for a better location, a new job or retirement, the Steiners explain how to evaluate the situation and make the move as enjoyable as possible. If the book has a fault, it is the detailed references, which become almost too complete, but that's OK. Just skip the parts you don't need.
   
   The authors offer sage advice for handling real estate agents, whether you are a home seller, buyer or both. For example, the authors recommend not more than a 90-day listing to sell your old home. They also caution about engaging a buyeFs agent to find your new home. In fact, they recommend renting for a few months to become acquainted with a new community.
   
   Chapter topics include Taking Control From the Beginning; Family Issues; Fending Off Mr. Tax-man; Employment Considerations; Giving Up the Old Homestead; Your Plan-Ahead Strategy; Finding the New Homestead; Moving Company Tips and Traps; How to Arrive With Your Aunt Sally's Teapot and Your Sanity Intact; and Your Countdown Moving Timetable.
   
   The outstanding appendix includes city and real estate agent evaluation charts, Internet sites, budgeting basics and other information resources.
   --B.R.

1 comments about Creating a Haven: Simple Steps For a Healthy and Nurturing Home.

1. This is a great gift to yourself or loved one that is either creating a new space or having diffculties in thier lives that could be caused by bad energy flows. It covers Feng Shui from all angles and gives practical solutions and backs them up with reasoning that makes perfect sense.

1 comments about 31 Words to Create an Organized Life: A Simple Guide to Create Habits That Last - Expert Tips to Help You Prioritize, Schedule, Simplify, and More (39 Words to).

1. This is a helpful book. What I liked is that you can read it tip by tip. I read alot of it in the car waiting in the drive-thru, etc. If you have a really serious organization/clutter problem, it is helpful, but probably won't give help to that level. I really enjoyed this book.

5 comments about Talking Dirty With The Queen Of Clean.

1. Have a stain you need to expunge? Pull out this handy dandy reference guide to help you get rid of it using common household products.



2. Maybe it is my fault, but I was hoping for a "book" about how to get my house clean AND NEAT. This is basically 150 recipes for mixing baking soda, vinegar and borax to remove different stains. Useful, but not what I was looking for.



3. How to clean just about anything in your home, using common, inexpensive products like vinegar, baking soda,peroxide, etc. Back to basics! It's well organized, indexed, and covers a lot of territory. An enthusiastic friend got it for me, I recently bought it for my daughter. I keep it handy for easy refernce for everything from mold on leather to a cruddy barbecue grill!



4. Excellent pointers for a wide variety of cleaning challenges. She is very succinct and to the point. One can quickly refer to her information and then quickly go and do it. My only feedback has to do with the blue writing in this new edition of the book. Ms. Cobb I don't know who persuaded you to change color, but the black worked much better. Highly recommend it. Extremely practical and her suggestions work!!



5. Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean: Second Edition is a book that will save you time, money, wasted effort and needless exposure to the dangerous chemicals that are lining the supermarket shelves (and probably the shelves of your own cupboard!)
   
   The Queen of Clean is like that neighbor or relative who knows just about everything there is to know about housework after a lifetime of experience. With the help of the Queen of Clean, you can be the expert!
   
   Wether you read it from cover to cover or just thumb through it for the information that you require at the moment, you'll be sure to agree that Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean is one of the most useful books you've ever owned.

2 comments about The Life Laundry: How to Stay De-Junked Forever.

1. I first came across Dawna Walter on BBC America where she host a show called "The Life Laundry", unlike most declutter shows Dawna get to the root of the clutter and how to get it out of your life. The book "The Lfe Laundry:How to stay de-juked forever" does the same. Dawna with the help of cohost Mark Franks takes the reader though the reason that reader has allow thier junk to pile up and ideas on how to be clutter free for forever.
   This a great book that help even the most hard core clutters become clutter free.



2. Bought both How to de-junk Your Life and How to Stay de-junked Forever and they are ok books and best for the novice since they ask a lot of questions and have scads of questionnaires and 'to do' lists. But I was looking for more of a book that was more zen in style and attitude.
   
   Also puzzling in this book is page 98 where the author talks about colors and their meaning or energy. Yet pink and browns which are often favorites amongst Americans are completely missing. The room shown are very British since it is a BBC or British made series on television.
   
   Would love to find some Scandinavian books on decluttering and simple living styles since the Swedish and Danish styles are all about simplicity.

5 comments about The Well-ordered Office: How To Create An Efficient And Serene Workspace.

1. I have attempted reading several books on how to organize my life or home in the hope that I would become more organized. In all honesty I have never finished any of the books due to them being too time consuming and boring. Not so with "The Well Ordered Office" it was very easy to read from beginning to end. I loved that each chapter although very informative was kept short and to the point.
   
   Dr. Kendall -Tackett has managed to cover every issue of having a more efficient office. Many of the things that she has written about in this book are practical techniques that can be used in your home office. As a matter of fact this book motivated me to organize my home office as soon as I finished reading it.
   
   I highly recommend "The Well Ordered Office" to anyone looking for a book that will be quick, entertaining and full of fresh new ideas about organizing your office.



2. Any book can give tips for organizing your life, but The Well-Ordered Office gives you more. Because the author is a psychologist, Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett is also qualified to address the thoughts and feelings that work against our best intentions. In addition, she provides the tools for dealing with them so that we can get our life on track. On a more practical level, this short book covers an amazing range of specifics including: address books vs. PDAs, managing people and time, creating a portable office for traveling, getting rid of clutter, even office feng shui. Despite its small size, this book is incredibly comprehensive. Three cheers for The Well-Ordered Office!



3. "The Well-Ordered Office" is about techniques that can be used to reduce stress in your office. Author Kathleen Kendall-Tackett gives 50 techniques to get things under control.
   
   I'll be honest... I didn't like this book. The title suggested to me that this book would be about specific office organization techniques like filing and equipment. However the author only gives a brief overview and ends up offering no help whatsoever. A good example is the chapter on good programs for your PDA where she only offers categories of programs and no specific programs whatsoever. Sure.... list management software could be helpful but only if you have a good program! Which one is the best!?!?!
   
   The book also contains several "filler" chapter that I have no idea why they are in this book. Chapters such as "Travel safely and in style" and "Balancing work with the rest of your life" are completely unrelated to the title. If I want travel advice, I will get a book on traveling. If I want advice on how to balance my life, I'll get a book that deals with that topic, not a book that spends 2 pages on such a broad topic.
   
   In summary, don't waste you time or money on this book. It isn't worth it. While there are 1 or 2 pieces on advice in this book, I would recommend "Getting Things Done" by David Allen instead. 2 out of 5 stars.



4. On the plus side, this book was cheap and a quick read. However, I found very little tangible, useful information in it. Seemed to be mostly common sense stuff.



5. Nothing like as useful as I'd hoped. It's very thin in more than just page count.

4 comments about Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time.

1. Donna Otto's Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time has dummied down the business model of time management and organization into a format that anyone can easily apply. Her common-sense approach to organizing life management is written in a conversational format for the reader.
   
   She shares her own experiences to de-mystify how use a day planner and make it work, how to personalize her organizational tips to accommodate your own style or how to unravel the confusion and paralyses of clutter, holiday pressures and every-day household responsibilities.
   
   Donna's well-rounded view of organizing includes adding prayer time. This additional aspect to her secrets ensures a time of rest and nourishment to the soul through adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: Anyone who is at the beginning a new job, a family or project will appreciate Donna's encouragement as they embark into the unknown to accomplish their goals.



2. You can't remember what time an important meeting is. You missed your niece's birthday AGAIN, and you have to sidle into the closet past shelves with protruding rolls of wrapping paper and clothes left from ten years ago. You know you should do something about it, but every time you think about it, the project sends you running for chocolate to stave off depression. Sound familiar? Me, too.
   
   Home- and life-management expert, Donna Otto, finds it familiar too because she helps people like us organize our lives. She shares her strategies in Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time, an update to her former book, Get More Done in Less Time. Donna offers ideas on managing your time, household, closets, and papers, but she also guides you in teaching your children how to help, making Christmas less stressful, and inspiring your prayer life.
   
   Otto spends four chapters on organizing a day planner which helps with time, finances, planning, shopping, and more. She includes forms that you can copy for everything from shopping lists to birthdays to calendars to camping lists. Though the chapters on the day planner seemed a little much for my quiet lifestyle, others might find them helpful.
   
   Utilizing humor, quotations, and anecdotes, Otto writes directly to her readers. Most of the book applies to the home, though some chapters overlap to the office, such as the chapters on efficiently caring for paperwork and some of the day planner chapters. Many of her ideas are useful and sensible without requiring a lot of money. - Debbie W. Wilson, Christian Book Previews.com



3. I just finished reading this book and I loved it! Donna's writting style is easy and fun to read. She gives many practical advises and motivates to become organized. Great book! I am going to reread it many times!



4. Right off, I have to say that Donna Otto is perhaps the most organized person on the planet. This woman's custom-made super planner is beyond anything I've ever seen on the market. Her planner contains her entire life and she has everything from her plans for the day, month, and year through important addresses and phone numbers for all sorts of occasions to detailed plans and reminders about how she is going to achieve her short and long term goals for her intellectual, physical, emotional, financial, social, spiritual, and family pursuits. This planner even has built in quick methods for creating shopping lists and counting calories.
   
   Wow! We may not all become as organized as the author but Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time definitely contains a good deal of food for thought. I found the sections on goal planning and actually examining what was eating up my time particularly useful.