This Organized Life

Laurie Palau

Take a glimpse into my organized, but not-so-perfect world as a mom, author of the book HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized, and founder of Simply B Organized. read less
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Episodes

Tip of the Week- Finding the Balance Between Teaching and Doing
Yesterday
Tip of the Week- Finding the Balance Between Teaching and Doing
Hey Friend!For today’s Tip of the Week we’re delving into a common struggle faced by many parents: finding the balance between teaching your kids how to do certain household chores versus doing everything yourself. The two biggest pushbacks I hear from parents are: wanting things done “right” and wanting them done “quickly.”As a somewhat Type-A mom, I can totally relate. Even now that my girls are grown-ish, I find myself wanting to swoop in and offer a solution, even though I know they are capable independent young women.How much you outsource is going to vary based on age, ability, and family dynamics.This episode addresses questions like:How to involve children in household chores from a young age.Setting clear expectations and providing guidance without micromanaging.Using incentives to help motivate kids through gamifying strategies.Allowing your kids to take ownership, even if it means accepting imperfection.How to resist the urge to jump in and do it.Today’s challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to look at some of the recurring chores in your home and ask yourself  “What tasks will empower my kids to become self-sufficient?”By nurturing their independence and instilling valuable life skills, you’re setting your children up for success both at home and in the future.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/StrategySession
Organizing Tax Documents with Samantha Besnoff | Ep 376
Feb 22 2024
Organizing Tax Documents with Samantha Besnoff | Ep 376
Hi Friend!Today we’re talking about how to organize all the 1099’s, w-2’s and other documents needed to prepare your taxes.If you’re like me, this is less than exciting stuff to talk about, but thankfully my guest today is here to help!Joining me is Samanta Besnoff who has been a CPA for 22 years and recently named one of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs Women to Watch. She hosts a podcast called Your Financial Maven and her speciality is helping individuals and small businesses with all of their tax needs. I invited Samantha on the show because not only is she super knowledgeable, but she simplifies what can be a complicated and overwhelming process.During our conversation we talked about:How long we really need to keep old documentsHow to best organize all of the necessary tax documents in prep for April 15thWhen she recommends beginning the process of gathering your tax infoHow to avoid missing important documentsSome do’s and don'ts when filing your taxesWhether you work with a tax professional or file your taxes on your own, this is a great conversation filled with information that we all need to know. Although Samantha is a licensed CPA in Pennsylvania, some information shared may vary from state to state.We advise all listeners to please consult your Accountant taking any advice given in this episode. Happy Organizing!Laurie🧐 Curious about your relationship with clutter?Dive into our brand-new Enneagram & Clutter workbook! It's the perfect tool to bridge the gap between understanding the Enneagram and applying it in your daily life. → Grab it here: https://simplyborganized.podia.com/enneagram-workbookLinks Mentioned in this Episode: www.yourfinancialmaven.com IRS.GOVSamantha’s Book Recommendation: The 4 Agreements: https://amzn.to/3wjgdcF
Photo Organizing with Darla DeMorrow | Ep 375
Feb 15 2024
Photo Organizing with Darla DeMorrow | Ep 375
Hi Friend!Regardless of how organized you might be with your closet, kitchen or garage, the one area that most folks find hard to keep up with are photos.If you’ve been around me for a minute you know that I always talk about “the ease of retrieval” when it comes to organizing, and photos are a prime example of where people waste hours of time looking for those precious memories! Between boxes and bins of “old school” photos that you’ve collected over the decades, VHS tapes and CDs with who-knows what on it, to the tens of thousands of digital photos on our phones, computers and social media-it can seem next to impossible to create a system to keep it all organized.My guest today is Darla DeMorrow, a certified photo organizer, author, and owner of HeartWorkOrganizing where she helps her clients gather, preserve, organize and maintain a system to easily find and enjoy the important moments in their lives.During our conversation we talked about:The 2 universes of photo storage3 places not to store photosHer favorite tool for separating photos (hint: you can get it at the dollar store!)Listen to the entire episode for more of Darla’s tips and strategies!Happy Organizing!LaurieP.S. Have you checked out our NEW Enneagram & Clutter Workbook? Grab it here: https://simplyborganized.podia.com/enneagram-workbook/buyLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEConnect with Darla:HeartWorkorg.comDarla’s Book Recommendations:The E-Myth Revisited:https://amzn.to/3UqCsHwAll the Light We Cannot See: https://amzn.to/3wbhTETGoing through a Divorce? Connect up with my friends at the exExperts: http://www.exexperts.com/newsletter
Harnessing Baby Boomers' Talents to Simplify Our Lives with Amy Revell | Ep 372
Jan 25 2024
Harnessing Baby Boomers' Talents to Simplify Our Lives with Amy Revell | Ep 372
​​Joining me today is my dear friend Amy Revell, host of popular podcast The Art of Decluttering, leads the largest Professional Organizing company in Australia, and is the author of the book Simply Organised (yes, that organised with an S-remember, she’s from Australia!) Amy is happily married to her husband Cal and together they have 2 sons Jesse and Elijah. Back in the summer when we released our series on adult ADHD, Amy reached out and we spoke about her own ADHD adult diagnosis, and how it affects her life as a wife, mom and entrepreneur.I said, “wait” we need to share this with our TOL community! And she graciously obliged🙂.During our conversation we talked about:Her ADHD superpowerWhat parts of her life she outsourcesHow her dad has found a new found role in her family after retirementNavigating Mom-Guilt, Mental Load and all the “things” that keep us up at nightReframing the role of service, jobs and value within your familyYou’re going to love this conversation! LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEYour Color Guru 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE” https://yourcolorguru.com/aff/10/JOIN THE COMMUNITY https://simplyborganized.activehosted.com/f/110APPLYING THE ENNEAGRAM WEBINAR https://simplyborganized.com/webinarYOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/thisorganizedlifepodcastConnect with Amy: www.theartofdecluttering.com.auFair Play with Eve Rodsky https://simplyborganized.com/2022/09/08/ep-300-fair-play-life-with-eve-rodksy/
Ten Common Clutter Traps and How to Avoid Them with Martha Carol Stewart | Ep 371
Jan 18 2024
Ten Common Clutter Traps and How to Avoid Them with Martha Carol Stewart | Ep 371
On today’s show I am joined by my friend and fellow professional organizer, Martha Carol Stewart of Chaos Organizing in Baton Rouge. You may remember MC from episode 91 where we talked about Back to School Organizing Strategies, or episode 156 where we talked about Holiday Organizing and Storage, or most recently, episode 346 during our series on Unpacking After a Move.Today we’re talking about 10 of the most common clutter traps and how to avoid them. LaundryMailDishesToysClothesKitchen GadgetsBooksPapersBeauty ProductYour carWe walk through each area and give some simple and practical solutions, so if you find yourself struggling in any of these areas, this episode is for you!I’m also super pumped for the release of MC’s debut book Southern Chaos which is filled with beautiful images and showcases many of the nuanced spaces that are unique to the Southern Home. Grab your copy here!Links Mentioned in This EpisodeGreen Chef: use code 60organizedlife for 60% off your first order and 20% off your next two months: https://www.greenchef.com/60organizedlife Sign up for our Applying the Enneagram Webinar: https://simplyborganized.com/webinar/ Connect with Martha Carol: https://www.chaosorganizing.com/Other ResourcesJoin our email community & stay in the know! https://simplyborganized.activehosted.com/f/110Subscribe to This ORGANIZED Life on YouTubeGrab our Book: Hot Mess A Practical Guide to Getting OrganizedLooking for some of our go-to organizing products: Shop our Faves
Getting Fit with Megan Dahlman | Ep 370
Jan 11 2024
Getting Fit with Megan Dahlman | Ep 370
Hi Friends!If getting fit is on your list for 2024, this is the episode for you! I’m joined by online fitness expert, Megan Dahlman. You may know Megan from her popular YouTube Channel VigeoFit, and podcast Self-Care Simplified.During our conversation we talked about:How to create a realistic fitness routine that works for you!Debunking the harmful myth that you have to “go all in” to get results3 most common mistakes people make when making health and fitness goalsThe simple daily actions you need to create huge momentum and eliminate the need for perfectionThe ideal amount of time to work out per weekWith the start of a New Year, this episode couldn’t come at a more perfect time! I loved Megan’s approach to health and fitness and our conversation was filled with so many great nuggets of wisdom, you’re definitely going to want to check it out for yourself.XOXO-LaurieLinks Mentioned in this Episode:Connect with Megan: https://www.vigeofit.com/Jumpstart Tips - Free 5-day guide to help jumpstart your healthy habits the sustainable way - www.vigeofit.com/tipsBook Recommendation: Beatriz Williams https://amzn.to/41O4rm6ResourcesStay in the know!Webinar sign up (Applying the Enneagram) https://simplyborganized.com/webinar/Subscribe on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/ThisORGANIZEDLifePodcastReviews Matter!Our #1 Book: Hot Mess A Practical Guide to Getting OrganizedShop our Faves: https://www.amazon.com/shop/simplyborganized