Helping Children Get Organized

An important part of creating healthy habits in our children is starting them out at a young age. This is especially true when it comes to being organized. Young children are not yet developed enough to be able to organize their belongings on their own and need a parent to create that structure for them.


If you want your kids to do a proper cleanup you need to provide the right type of storage space for them. Since they are smaller everything will obviously need to be at a much lower height. This includes all shelving, storage bins, and closet modules. If they cannot reach storage space they will certainly not be able to use it. At first you will need to teach them what goes where and model behavior. As they begin to understand what is meant by cleanup you can pull away from participation. If they know where things go they are more likely to put items away on their own. Two games you can play are doing a cleanup song, or a cleanup scavenger hunt.


When it comes to clothes children will learn best starting out with colorful plastic hangers they can easily grab and manipulate. Have a separate drawer for each type of clothing or compartmentalize each drawer. Creating a fun themed environment also helps. There are many options for children’s hangers, such as glam hangers or plastic hangers in any color you can imagine.


Of course at time all kids refuse to listen to their parents. Have expectations clearly outlined and hold your children to them. They need this structure and discipline to develop self confidence and generate a sense of security. Think about how being organized will help him be more successful as an adult.


Once a child understands where their toys go and how to use a clothes hanger they will enjoy cleanup time as part of their play. It then becomes more of a game and keeps it from being an enormous chore at the end of the day when the floor is covered in toys. Your children will be able to play more freely with their belongings and perhaps even begin to dress themselves in the mornings. Knowing where things are they can save time looking for things and gain more value from playtime. They can then begin to develop the important life skills of organization that will last a lifetime.



About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online provider of clothes hangers and plastic hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.everythinghangers.com.

Organize Your Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the busiest places in nearly every home. With so much of life and activity taking place here it is important to keep this area organized. If things have gotten out of hand it can be a daunting task, but the rewards and increase in your efficiency will leave you with more time to enjoy yourself.


It is best to tackle things section by section. Don’t try to do everything all at once. This allows you to continue to use your kitchen while you are reorganizing and prevents frustration.

Break things down into activities you will be performing such as, storing, cooking, baking, serving, and cleaning. Have one area only for dishes and plates, another for pots and pans, and another for appliances. Cleaning products and dish rack under the sink. Think about the normal flow of activity as a starting point. Combine similar items as much as possible. Certain types of foods should go together as well. Avoid putting something in an area just because there is space there or it seems to fit best there.


Keep the counters as clear as possible. This creates a feeling of orderliness and space. Smaller kitchens need all they space they have for food preparation. Multi-tiered wire shelving for cup boards is a great way to avoid excessive stacking of small items. Be wary of purchasing too many “handy” organizers for the kitchen. These things may help you out, but often become one more thing that needs organizing. It may be a sign that you should downsize. Do you have items you do not use anymore? If you cannot remember the last time you made waffles then maybe it is time to say goodbye the waffle maker.


If cabinets and drawers are already full you can create more space by hanging larger items on the wall from hooks or metal hangers. Another way is to install a metal or wooden rod and dangle hangers for pots, pans, and baking utensils.


A scattered, messy kitchen can be a nightmare. A well organized kitchen can be a great place of enjoyment for the whole family. Not only will you will feel a lot better about things once everything has a place, but you will save enormous amounts of time. When things are streamlined all of the sudden washing this dishes or cooking a meal becomes a pleasure instead of a chore.


About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online provider of clothes hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.everythinghangers.com.

Create Some Space in Your Home

Let’s face it, in every home space comes at a premium. No matter how many closets, cabinets, and shelves you have there never seems to be enough places to put things. It is a constant struggle to maintain an elegant home while still having space to put everything. We all have a dream of how our homes ought to be. “If only the builders had put this wall over here, or a built-in shoe rack under the stairs it would all work out”, we think. Unless you are ready for expensive renovations to have that wall added or removed here are a few relatively low cost ways to increase the storage capacity and classiness of you home.

In an entry way consider adding a storage bench. This really maximizes the value of your furniture. For smaller entry areas you can even get a triangular corner bench that will tuck away nicely off to the side. Shoe racks come in almost any size and are an essential for a closet in this part of your home. Wall hung coat hangers, or a coat tree can free up even more valuable space in closets.

If kitchen cabinets are chockablock full get some of those bigger pots and pans out of there and hang them up. If there is wall space you can use hooks or wall hangers. A quick look through any kitchen design magazine will fill you with space saving ideas in this area.

Install track lighting and get rid of floor lamps. Track lighting is available in a myriad of styles and colors to fit any taste and match any home. Being able to direct light anywhere you want can also help create a better atmosphere in a room.

Get a few more towels on the wall by adding another towel hanger or two as wall space allows. You could also hang an extra storage cabinet. Smaller size cabinets made especially for bathrooms are available at most home stores in stock with a variety of styles to choose from. These cabinets are great decorations with glass doors or mirrors and more importantly help keep bathroom counters clear of hair products, mouthwash, deodorants and perfumes.

A cluttered life does not lend itself to enjoyment. In the end if may be best to just let go of some things. With a little effort and creativity you can have a clutter free home and that is better than being surrounded by mountains of possessions.


About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online provider of clothes hangers and bamboo hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.everythinghangers.com.

Little Guys Beat the Big Box Stores

The retail clothing business is one of the toughest industries to be in these days, and you have really got to love it to be successful. When it seems like everyone is talking about the 10 shirts for 10 bucks they just picked how can a small store possibly compete? It can be discouraging, but don’t fold up the shop just yet. Large chain stores compete on quantity not quality. The little guy can beat the big box stores by focusing on three key areas: unique product lines, exceptional service, and interesting store environments. With a little shift in strategy you can not only survive, but thrive in a world of Wal-Marts, Gaps, and Old Navys.

Here are just a few reasons people might not want to shop at the big box chain. These places are crowded and noisy with traffic jams in the aisles and long checkout lines, and kids out of control. Selling everything is not necessarily an advantage. If you are shopping for shoes you do not care how many types of tires, or tennis racks the store has. With so much traffic stores get messy and disorganized. Items are usually falling off of shelves and clothes hangers and people end up having to dig through piles of junk to find what they want.

Find a niche and focus on it. This could be kid’s clothes, work clothes, hats, lingerie, or eco-friendly organic clothes hung on bamboo hangers. Big box chains are targeting the same general market and most of the merchandise is the same across the chains. A small store does not have the space or capital to carry everything, so it must find a focus. People get tired of seeing the same styles everywhere and are looking for something different. Whatever the niche make sure you aren’t carrying the same stuff available as the big giants. If you can find some unique product lines or styles you will be providing something the big guys do not.

Small stores are owner operated or family run businesses. A small store can offer far superior service than the big box giants and once customers realize it they will continue to come back whenever they need something. Those large stores get bombarded with hundreds of customers on weekends and evenings when most people do their shopping and they cannot possibly service everyone. Exceptional service is the best advertising. Get to know your clients and what interests them. Not everyone has good fashion sense, and will value someone who does. If you spend the time to find the right item, accessory or outfit for someone they will remember the compliments they got and will be tell their friends about it. Getting to know customers you begin to build community and build into their community.

A stores appearance echoes its values. People want to feel good about the shopping experience as much as their purchase. Obviously you need to keep the place clean and well organized, and always look your best, but go beyond this and satisfy the all senses. The environment both outside and inside plays a huge part in the experience your shoppers will have at your venue. You can create unique store displays with your products, and use stylish clothes hangers.

Switch around your thinking and ask the question, “How can the big box store compete with us?” It may take some hard work and strategizing, but once you are on track it can be satisfying, fun, and most of all rewarding.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online provider of clothes hangers and bamboo hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.everythinghangers.com.

Home Office Setup for Success

If you run a home based business your home office is probably where you spend most of your time. How you setup your office will likely affect how you think about yourself and your business. Studies have proven our environment is a critical factor that goes in to how we think and feel, and the actions we take or don’t take. Treat this task lightly and you will begin to think the same way about your work. A well designed professional office will boost your posture and confidence with clients no matter the size of your business. It becomes a place you are eager to be when you start your day. It can be whatever you want, so here are some tips to get you started.

Plan the layout on paper first. Determine what furnishings and equipment you will want in your office. Where will you put your desk, filing cabinets, bookshelves, and computer hardware? Will you need lots of desk space or workbench to layout hands on projects? Whatever you do make sure it is comfortable and accessible. Don’t cramp your style, especially if clients will be visiting. Choose the right sized desk for the space and include a comfy ergonomic swivel chair on a mat and an adjustable table lamp. Organize and stock drawers with a full array of office supplies such as pens, pencils, highlighters, paper clips, and rubber bands. Solid shelves held up by classy metal hangers fixed to studs are quick and easy to install.

One of the most important aspects beyond simple functionality is to decorate your office with things that arouse your passion and remind you of your goals. This could be literally anything from framed photographs, posters, or artistic paintings to model cars, statues, or sporting memorabilia. Be creative. Plants are a nice touch as well and oxygenate the room.

A large part of success is simply being organized. Setup your office in an organized fashion and spend a little time each day keeping it that way and your half way there. Running a business from home means more freedom, more time with family, and more fun, but it also means more responsibility. If your office is not everything you want it to be stop griping about it and take action. It is part of building your business, so expect to put some time and energy into it. It is up to you to be successful.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online provider of metal hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.everythinghangers.com.

Organize Your Work Shop

The garage or workshop is a sacred place. Here is where we store all our precious tools. It is a refuge from an angry spouse where we can cool off from a heated argument and a place to spend unforgettable quality time working on projects with our children. Unfortunately the old adage our shop teachers preached, “a place for everything, and everything in its place” often falls by the wayside in our own shops. Getting things in order is a valuable investment that will save you countless hours of time and money by making your workshop a more enjoyable and efficient environment.

Store similar tools in a toolbox or hang them from metal hangers on a peg board. Find a cupboard or shelf for larger tools. Using labels, tracing the tools picture on the wall, or taping a photo of cabinet contents to cabinet doors can help you find things quickly. Allow for adequate space for items. If you cram cabinets and shelves chockablock full you will end up pulling half the shelf down each time you reach for something. Get shovels, brooms, and rakes out of the way using special hooks or metal hangers placed high on the wall.

Put power chords and air hoses on rollup coils near an air compressor or power plug. Installing locking wheels on big machines such as a table saw, drill press, or router table to quickly reconfigure your shop setup. Use twist ties or rubber bands to bind up excess chord lengths and eliminate tangling. A fishing tackle box, glass mayonnaise or baby food jars are perfect for storing assortments of screws, nails and other hardware.

Improper workbench height can cause strained muscles in the arms, back and neck. Medical research studies on ergonomic table heights for surgical doctors suggest ratio between 0.7 and 0.8 of the person’s elbow height. To figure out the most comfortable work surface height for you simply measure the height of your elbows standing up and multiply that number by 0.8. The resulting number should be the most comfortable work surface height. For example, a person that is 5’6” tall with an elbow height of 41” the optimal workbench height to reduce muscle strain is around 33”.

If you are doing a lot of wood or metal work, sanding, or bondo you may want to look at installing a dust collection system. Excessive exposure to dust particles can cause chronic bronchitis or emphysema. These systems operate from a single vacuum and will filter dust out of the air and can be connected to multiple machines.

Whatever work you are doing always have a special place for safety gear such as ear muffs and eye goggles. This way you will be more likely to use them when you should. Eye injuries can be life changing matters that unfortunately happen all too often though easily preventable.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online provider of metal hangers and plastic hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.everythinghangers.com.

Maximize Your Garage Sale Profits – Sale Presentation

Part one of this series discussed the importance of effective advertising to attract customers to your garage sale. This article will give you great ideas on how to get organized for your sale and how to present your sale items in a way that will make customers want to buy.

Getting organized will help you to know what you have, what you need, and what to do with it. When going through your garage sale goods start sorting them into categories such as household items, sports and recreation, toys and games, etc. This will help you during the presentation part of the sale later. Once you have a good idea of what you have make a list of what you might need for the sale such as tables for display, stickers for pricing, coins and small bills for giving out change, clothes rack and hangers, chairs and a table to sit at, snacks and drinks for your sales people (you and your kids). Having everything you need ahead of time helps to eliminate some stress and the mad dash feeling when customers start showing up and your aren’t ready yet.

The layout of your sale can encourage or deter shoppers. Most will agree that they are more likely to peruse a sale if items are visible, easy to find, and the prices are clearly marked. The same goes for your garage sale customers. Lay similar items near each other on tables if available or in clusters on your lawn and driveway. Do not crowd too many things together. Make use of other sale items to prop things up and make it look nice. If you have clothes to sell, put them on hangers and hang them on a rack. No one likes to paw through a box of messy clothes to find something that might fit or look nice on them. This is a great way to get rid of wire hangers or the old plastic hangers. If you don’t have a clothes rack, you can improvise with a rope or broom tied or propped between two ladders. Arrange the clothes by color or type and size.

Pricing can be done with stickers or signs on tables clearly marking that these items are a certain price. Color-code your stickers so that a particular color sticker represents a particular price and make a sign to illustrate the color pricing. This method saves huge amounts of time, since you do not have to write a price on each individual item. Pricing items is entirely up to you and you will find many people like to barter, so do not worry about setting a price too high. You can always lower the price as the sale goes on throughout the day.

Customer service is part of presentation as well. Greet your customers as they arrive with a friendly smile and hello. Ask if there is something you can help them find and let them know you are available if they have any questions. Play a little upbeat music to set a fun and positive atmosphere. Shoppers in a good mood are more likely to buy.

When you advertise in multiple sources, organize your sale items in a way that is easy for shoppers to find what they are looking for, and present those items in so people can see things they did not know they wanted and you are guaranteed to get the most bang for your buck. Remember, garage sales are a great time to be outdoors with your family and neighbors, so have fun.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online distributor of hangers. Check out our new line of plastic hangers at http://www.everythinghangers.com.

Maximize Your Garage Sale Profits – Getting Customers

For a lot of people, summer time marks the start of garage sale season. Everybody likes to find a bargain. If you have a garage full of items like old sports equipment, clothes the kids have grown out of, hangers, dishes, or knick-knacks have a garage sale of your own. This article will discuss the importance of effective advertising to maximize your garage sale profits.

According to a recent survey, most garage sale shoppers locate the sales they are going to peruse in three different ways: newspaper ads, internet ads, and signs. If you do not advertise you will not have very many customers. If you decide to take out a newspaper ad ask a few of your neighbors if they might want to do a garage sale the same weekend that you are planning. A multi-family sale is much more likely to attract interest among those who peruse the classifieds.

Most newspapers offer package deals for garage sale ads that will allow you to run a 4 line ad for 1-3 days for about $20. The best days for garage sales are Saturdays and Sundays. You want the ad to be in the paper the morning of and the day before your sale, so be sure to submit your ad the Monday before your garage sale weekend since this is the deadline most papers have for ads to be included in the weekend paper. You can submit your ad in person, by phone, or online on your local paper’s website.

Advertising on the web in places like Craigslist.com is a great source for free advertising. Follow the easy to use instructions on their website to post your ad. You will want to post your ad on craigslist.com closer to your sale date to be towards the top of the list. Other internet sources for advertising your sale include facebook.com or myspace.com if you already have an account and network base with those sites.

Be sure to place clearly marked signs, so garage sale connoisseurs can easily navigate their way to your driveway. Cardboard works just fine for this, but if you want to get serious purchase a few pieces of brightly colored poster board, a large permanent black marker, and some duct tape. Plan out your signs and their slogans before you start writing them up. Determine how many you will need to make by mapping out where you will be placing them. The best locations are at the major intersections surrounding your sale location and at any right or left turns along the way. At each intersection you will need to have a sign facing both directions of traffic. The intersection signs should have the address, the time the sale begins and ends, as well as the words GARAGE SALE clearly and legibly written. Place a sign with the words “garage sale” and a directional arrow at any left or right turns on the way to your location from the intersections. Utilize smaller pieces of poster board with arrows drawn on them to post below your signs. Put your signs up either the night before or the morning of your sale.

Advertising in the paper, on the internet, and with bright, easy-to-read signs that lead to your sale will significantly increase your customer base. However, getting customers to come is only half the work towards a profitable garage sale. The sequel to this article will talk about how to maximize your garage sale profits through organization and presentation.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online provider of plastic hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.everythinghangers.com.

Turning Childrens Chores into Child's Play

“Why can’t my kid use the closet instead of the floor for their clothes!?”

Does this sound familiar? You are not alone. This is a common question voiced by parents around the world. Unless something is done early on it only gets worse as they move into the teenage years. What can be done? You’ve tired nagging. You’ve tried grounding. You’ve even tried pleading, though you may not admit to it. Here are some ideas to help you motivate your child to keep their room tidy and clothes in the closet where they belong. By starting at an early age you can avoid the teenage disaster zones that have been foretold. Three great ways to motivate your tykes to be tidier are to give verbal encouragement, make it fun, and reward them for a job well done.

Studies have shown that kids respond more positively to words of encouragement instead of criticism. Think about the kind of encouragement you appreciate from your boss or co-workers and pay it forward to your kids. Praise them when they do remember to clean up or at least get something on a hanger. Remember to be sincere. Keep from going overboard and gushing praise; you risk creating the opposite effect. Encouragement can also include explaining the benefits of having a tidy room, such as being able to find toys, having space to play, and making it inviting for other kids to come over and enjoy.

Kids are more likely to participate in clean up if you make a game out of it. A great clean up game to play with younger kids is to have them clean up things in categories like colors, starts with, or sounds like. You will need to start out playing the games with them until the clean up becomes a habit. Make the closet a fun place. Decorate it with their favourite theme. Closet organizers help make sense out of the mayhem of clothing. Standard hangers may not fit your kids clothes, however many stores now carry children’s hangers more suitable to a smaller garment. These also come in different colors or themes and make sorting clothes easier. Create colourful tags and label drawers and shelves for shirts, pants, and sweaters.

You and your child can have fun creating a progress chart. Hang the chart on the inside of their door so they see it before they leave their room. Each time they put away their clothes, hang up their shirt, or put dirty clothes in the hamper a sticker goes on the chart. The chart will help you and your child keep track of their progress and let them know how close they are to receiving their reward for a job well done. Everyone likes to receive gifts, but a well earned reward is a lot more enjoyable. Rewards don’t always have to be toys. Other ideas might include a trip to the children’s museum or science center, a night at the movies, or a slumber party on their tidy bedroom floor.

This may seem like a lot of time and effort on your part, but consider it an investment. In the long run you will have helped your child to develop lifelong organizational skills. Keeping a room clean doesn’t always have to be a chore. Encourage and praise your kids when they do clean up, make it fun with games and decor, and help them chart their progress and reach their goal. You might even have fun too.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online provider of childrens hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.everythinghangers.com.