SINGER HOME

About every 3 months, I go through everything I own, and see what I can get rid of. It’s sort of like spring cleaning, but more extreme. Often we get gifts, or buy things, or stay emotionally attached to items that we never use. They take up space and make our lives just a little more complicated. Right now is a perfect time to go through your things, and see what you can get rid of. Now that Fall’s arrived, the seasons are a perfect time to reflect and make some changes.  Here are 6 ways we recommend going about getting rid of stuff this Fall. 

1 Use the 2-Year Rule

Because we tend to use things in cycles based on the seasons, it’s best to only get rid of stuff that you haven’t used for at least 2 years. You might look at a big rain coat today and think, “I haven’t worn this since last Winter.” But the rainy season is just around the corner! So don’t be too hasty. On the other hand, if you haven’t used an item in over 2 years, it’s definitely time to let it go.

2 Go digital

Now with eBooks and iTunes, it’s so easy to reduce the clutter that’s on your bookshelf. In fact, many of us have hundreds of books and CD cases with things we haven’t read or listened to in years. They’re fun memories, but they also take up tons of space. So head to the local library, and donate books that could be read by someone else. And for new books or CDs, just buy then digitally. It’ll save so much space. And your home will love you for that. 

3 Sell stuff online 

With Amazon and Craigslist, it’s so easy to sell stuff that’s valuable. Take a picture with your camera phone, and give people as much information about the item as you possibly can, including color, texture, weight, size dimensions, how old the item is, what you used it for, and why you want to get rid of it. And for those who need to pay off some debt, selling items you don’t use anymore is a perfect way to keep on top of your budget.

4 Organize & Design

One reason we love minimal design is that it helps us keep organized. As you get rid of things, you’ll find it much easier to place things where you want them to go, and feel a sense of spaciousness and room to breathe. Once you free your home of clutter, you get to turn it into an art project. And that’s where it gets most exciting. Look to other designers and home layouts for inspiration on how to organize your clutter-free home. 

5 Change how you buy

Shopping can be fun. If you want to treat yourself to something after working really hard, it’s nice to go out and buy a new piece of furniture, or new clothes, or a new Apple product. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting to reward yourself and enjoy life. But we find it better to spend that money on something that doesn’t need to take up space, like going to a restaurant, or having friends over for drinks. Instead of buying stuff, plan for experiences. But for the things you do need to buy, make a plan. Write down everything you might want to get in the future, and don’t be hasty. Let your wish-list sit for three or six months and revisit it. If you find that you still want something six months from now, then you can be more confident that it’s the right purchase.

6 Don’t throw away every memory

A big reason we don’t want to get rid of stuff is because we have memories and emotions tied up in certain things. Books, musical instruments, notes, and photos can be hard to want to give up. Some memories are simply not worth throwing away, so don’t feel like you have to give up everything. But learning to let go of a lot of things will take some time. Yet, as you do your monthly routine of getting rid of stuff, you’ll start to realize how meaningless certain memories and emotional attachments are. In time, you’ll be ready to move on. And it’s much better and healthier to look forward and plan for the future, than to stay stuck in the past.

Justin + Ryan

We all have so many menial tasks throughout the day, and they ruin our ability to get things done. And sometimes the biggest obstacle is ourselves. Laziness, lack of knowledge, and failing to plan are just a couple things that slow us down

Here are 11 ways to save time throughout the day and get stuff done.

1 Keep Learning

Learning is the first step to get things done. And with YouTube or Wikipedia, there is so much knowledge out there that is easily available, most simple tasks have already been figured out. So if you’re stuck on something, look for inspiration. Someone else has likely already figured it out, and they want others to learn it as well. 

2 Develop Systems & Pair Things Together

Your nightstand has a lamp, with books, a pen, and paper. And all of us have this, because we’ve grown up with that cultural set-up. But the same thing should apply to everything we own, not just the obvious things. Keep a pen with paper in each room of your home, and in your car, so you jot notes quickly when needed. Always put your wallet, cell phone, and keys in the same place, so that when you leave home you can quickly pick them up. Developing systems like this, and pairing similar items spatially together, will save you hours each day. Do this with everything you own. 

3 Prioritize & Learn to Say “No”

Knowing what’s important, and what isn’t, will really help simplify your life. This means learning to say “No” to things you can’t do or don’t believe in. Establish the things you know you want to do in life, and prioritize your daily tasks. Write them down, and if something doesn’t match your goals then make sure you don’t take them on.

4 Start Small

Tasks seem daunting and impossible when stacked up next to each other. But when you take them step by step – starting from smallest to largest – they can seem manageable. The same goes with getting rid of debt, or starting a new business, or changing a habit. When you get lots of small things finished, it feels like you’re checking off to-do items quickly. If you take on the largest task first, you may not finish because you’ll get overwhelmed. Always start small.

5 Use the Right Tools

If you have a slow computer, or a slow internet connection, you can’t work quickly. If I don’t have a nice camera, I can’t take quality photos. Buying the right tools means saving time and creating higher quality work.  Instead of going cheap, buy high-quality tools that will last. And don’t bother buying the tools that you don’t need. Instead, put that money towards the stuff you actually need.

6 Do What You Love & Let Others Do What They Love

In life, there is too much to know, and too much to do. So be willing to let others do what they’re good at. This also means working with the right people, and choosing to work with people that love what they do. This will save you tons of time, and will help build good teams that would otherwise not exist if everything were done solely by you. 

7 Take Lots of Breaks, Sleep Well, Eat Well, & Get Out

A lot of people sacrifice sleep. They think they can get a lot done if they sleep less. But your mind and body function optimally if you sleep the right amount. Take lots of short breaks throughout the day, and take time to relax and eat. Your body will be a lot more adjusted to getting work done that needs to be done. In fact, try to take at least 2 hours every day just keep simple, relax, and re-energize. 

8 Drive Less

Driving takes up a lot of time. And with computers, it’s easy to cut down on driving time. Instead of spending time and money driving to stores for menial items,  order them online. The internet usually has better prices than stores, and the cost to ship them to your house is much less expensive than the gas and wear on your car. And scheduling the times you drive, so that you get all your errands done at once. 

9 Plan Ahead & Keep Up with your To-Do Lists

When you have a road-map of what you need to do, you can visually see your tasks, and check items off as they get done. Write down your to-do lists every day, either in your online Calendar, on a to-do list, or on your phone. Bundle similar tasks together, so you can get those tasks done at the same time, rather than sporadically throughout the day. 

10 Focus On One Task at a Time

A big way to save time is to get rid of the things that distract you. Listening to music or watching TV while you work is distracting and will slow you down. If you’re critically thinking about something, you really need to get in a quiet space and focus on a single task and finish it completely. 

11 Get Rid of Useless Stuff

Certain things just get in the way. And it’s mostly because we don’t need them. Look around your home and see what you don’t need. Sell it on Amazon or Craigslist and get it out of your life. Useless stuff takes up our time, energy, and thoughts, which could be better spent elsewhere.