Blog - Getting it Together

Estate Planning Made Simple

Personal estate organizing starts at the time we become an adult. Even if you think you have nothing of value there is still the question of your final wishes. Even if you think you have nothing there is still your bank account or your possible employment benefits etc.

We all know there is no escaping death, however we believe it will never happen to us. When we hear of a famous person’s demise, we are usually in disbelief thinking that somehow, they are exempt from death. And when it is a person close to us, we go into shock, grief and sadness.

This is all real but somehow feels surreal.

Talking about death and dying does not mean it will come sooner. So why is it that we avoid the topic?

There are so many easy ways to be organized for your passing. This in turn will lessen the burden on your friends and family.

Imagine transitioning with grace.

Check out this short video on Estate Planning Made Simple https://youtu.be/mL4MQc2G5o4?t=182 and then read on for the Getting It Togethers Top 5 Tips.

Tip 1: Have a secure place for all of your digital passwords. Even if you use an online service like www.onepassword.com your loved ones still need to know how to get into that site.

Keep a copy in your safety deposit box.

Survivors need access to

Cell phone
Computer
Social media accounts
Home alarm with instructions on how to work it and the pass code.
Hidden spare keys and list of people who might have spare key to your home or vacation property.
Bank Accounts
Online accounts like banking, direct deposits, PayPal etc.

Tip 2: Our stuff is less important to others. Are you saving stuff for your grown children? Do you even know if they want it or not?

I have heard of people having a family dinner where each person can claim certain heirlooms by placing a sticker on the bottom of the item with their name on it.

Or you might have special pieces of jewelry that you want to go to certain people which you will make note of in your will.

More has lost its appeal.

Less represents freedom.

Tip 3: Making special requests for your remains. Do your family members really know your final wishes?

Does everyone agree on them?

It is so important to have this in writing.

Advanced Planning- non legal organizing

Funeral, memorial service, celebration of life
Organ donation plan
Cremation or burial
Obituary (be very careful about identity theft when publishing)
Eulogy
Asset Distribution
Estate Directory – friends, family (have an up-to-date list of all their names and numbers)
List of Doctors, lawyers, financial planner, minister, accountant, insurance agent, employer, godparents, neighbours, kids’ school, babysitter, and daycare. Be sure to update these lists as things change in your life. I suggest reviewing this information once a year.
phone company
banks
credit card companies
volunteer organizations you belong to
Safety deposit box (with location of key) one way to ensure smooth sailing is to have your bank acct and safety deposit box in joint name with one of your survivors.
Anything else you can think of that your survivors would need access to. Like passport, birth certificate and SIN # etc.

Tip 4: Legal Essentials

Will
Power of Attorney
Representation Agreement (living will)
Cash/life insurance, all financial documents
Business Succession Plan (if you own your own business) listing names of employees and their numbers, any contract workers or suppliers.
Any outstanding loans/alimony/child support

Tip 5: In order to process a registration of death for vital statistics and to process a death certificate, the funeral home will need the following

The deceased persons full legal name including maiden name if female
Date of birth
Date of death
Birthplace
Social insurance number
Health care number
Fathers full name
Mothers full name
Full name of surviving spouse
Occupation and for how long
Religious affiliation
Was the deceased a military veteran? This is important to have this information on file.

I am wishing all of my readers a long, happy, healthy, successful life.

When you do pass on, where will your affairs lie in the spectrum between chaos and order?

Please let me help you and your loved ones by making this transition smooth. Let’s get Your Binder together.

Getting It Together is a Professional Organizing company serving Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Langley, Maple Ridge and beyond. Get in touch today. rowena@gettingittogether.ca for a free 15-minute phone consultant on estate organizing. I’ll share with you your first next step.

By Rowena List|2024-12-08T20:46:32+00:00December 8th, 2024|Uncategorized|0 Comments

How To Reduce Paper Clutter Once and For All

Do you suffer from TMPS? Too Much Paper Syndrome.

Where does all your paper clutter come from?

“They” said that with the invention of the computer we would be paperless. Ya right, we have 20% more paper now than we ever had before. Why? Fear. People print things because of the fear of not being able to find it on their computer, or their computer blowing up or, or, or. Why do you print?

Check out this quick video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrB2S0Sk88A and then read on for more.

TOP 5 Tips from Getting It Together on

How to Reduce Paper Clutter Once and For All.

Tip#1 Trust.

There is a level of trust that comes with conquering your paper clutter. You need to believe that if you toss papers and then realize you need it later that you will be able to get the information from someplace else. You also need to trust your computer and how it is backed up.

Tip#2 Go Paperless.

Stop paper from coming into your home by switching to online bill payments.

Put a note in your mailbox to stop all junk mail.

Tip#3 Systems.

Do you prefer to have everything on your phone or do you like to have a system for jotting down to-dos, notes to family members and phone messages. Pick one method and stick to it.

Tip#4 Shred it.

Get yourself a small shredder. Make sure it crosscuts to protect your privacy. Get one that can shred about ten sheets of paper at once. You might not need that right now, however down the road it is one of the better shredders to have. Shred all unnecessary papers in your home that have any of your personal information on it. Keep in mind that you only need to keep important documents for 7 years.

If you have years and years of documents, a professional shredding company will come to your home and do it right before your eyes.

Tip#5 Take 15.

Take 15 minutes each day. Take a small handful of papers. Sit down. Handle each piece of paper ONCE. Deal with that piece of paper. Does it need to be tossed, shredded, or recycled? Is it a bill that needs to be paid? Set it up on automatic payment and go paperless while you are at it. Are there school notices, kids’ art work in those piles? Deal with each piece of paper ONCE.

Going through papers is not that much fun. Why not treat yourself to hands on organizing session with me. We can conquer your paper clutter once and for all.

Before we book an appointment, you get a FREE 15-minute phone consultation. In that consultation we will discuss your needs and concerns. I’ll give you some tips on how to move forward with clearing the paper clutter prior to us getting together.

Getting It Together is a Professional Organizing company serving Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Langley, Maple Ridge and beyond. Get in touch today rowena@gettingittogether.ca

By Rowena List|2024-11-15T23:50:52+00:00November 15th, 2024|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Top Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life

Top Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life

Take time for 10-30 minutes of exercise everyday like yoga, Thai chi, run or walk. And while you do it, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. If you don’t carve out “white space” every day, it could lead to burnout.
Tape your late-night shows and get more sleep. Or better yet, give your TV away. Radical, I know. I haven’t had TV for over ten years and have not missed it once.
When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
“My purpose is to __________ today.” And replace “have to” with “get to”.
Live with the 3 E’s – Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
Play more games and read more books than you did last year.
Treat everyone like you want to be treated.
Be decisive even if it means you’ll sometimes be wrong
Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.
Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six. (Not just people who ACT like they are over 70 or under the age of 6.)
Dream more while you are awake.
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class…but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Eat breakfast like a king or queen, lunch like a prince or princess, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed-out charge card (who doesn’t have parents paying the bills). J
Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away. Dad jokes are the best.
Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Ladies — Go on and burn those “special” scented candles, use the 600
thread count sheets, the good china and wear your fancy lingerie now. Stop
waiting for a special occasion. Every day is special.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Reframe every so-called disaster with these words: ”In five years, will this matter?”
Forgive everyone for everything.
What other people think of you is none of your business.

Hug at least one person per day!
…AND LAUGH SO HARD YOU WET YOUR PANTS!

For more information on this or any other subject, contact Rowena.

Announcements

Referral Program

Whether you are a client or not, Rowena would like to thank you for your referrals by offering a referral fee for any new client you send her way.

She’ll give you a cheque for 5% of the total bill or that same amount off your next newly booked session with her.

This offer is time limited so don’t wait…refer away.

Getting It Together is a Professional Organizing company serving Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Langley, Maple Ridge and beyond. Get in touch today.

www.gettingittogether.ca

Rowena List, Professional Organizer
rowena@gettingittogether.ca
604-520-9550

By Rowena List|2024-11-15T23:25:32+00:00November 15th, 2024|Uncategorized|0 Comments

What To Do With Your Old Greeting Cards

Do you love to save every greeting card you have ever received?

What plan do you have for them?

Do you have boxes of greeting cards that you have received?

Check out this short video on “What To Do With Your Old Greeting Cards

https://youtu.be/IWOsNytoa9w?t=50 and then

read on to get the TOP 5 Getting It Together’s TIPS on What To Do With Your Old Greeting Cards.

Tip#1 Decide if you are an Ecard person or a paper card person. Pick one method and stick to it. Some people are NO card people. Maybe as a family they have decided to not send any cards. (You might decide to put the money you would spend on cards and donate it to a charity of your choice) Then there is the “send out card” company. They do all the work for you once you have given them all your details.

Tip#2: Purpose. What is the purpose of keeping a card? If you give someone a card do you expect them to keep it FOREVER? Probably not. Just like if someone gives you a card, they do not expect you to keep it forever. I heard of a lady who kept every card she had ever received. She thought she would re-read them all one day when she was in a care home. She wanted to remember all the kind things people had said to her. I visit an extended care home once a week, there is no room in those places for a lifetime supply of greeting cards.

Tip#3: Keep the very special ones. You decide that yes indeed you would like to keep the very special cards. After each Birthday, Anniversary, festive holiday season sit down with a cup of tea. Look over all your cards and select your 2-3 most precious ones. I put one or 2 of my most special greeting cards in random places in my “working” binder. When I open a page, I get a warm fuzzy feeling from the person who sent me the card.

Tip#4: Store them properly. Once you have narrowed down your cards, store them in a plastic shoe box. It would be fair to have one box per person in the household. If the box is overflowing, it is time to revisit the cards and purge some. This is not the time to buy a bigger box. J

Tip#5: Recycle, repurpose. Please be sure to recycle all greeting cards you are not keeping or repurpose them. One way is to turn your old greeting cards into gift tags. Cut out part of the pretty picture, punch a hole in the upper corner and put a ribbon through it. Check in with your local school or senior center to see if they would like cards for craft projects. I knew one lady who could take a greeting card and turn it into a box. She then put small candies or a piece of jewelry in it and gave them away.

PS: This picture is of the system I use to store new greeting cards. This box has dividers in it for all of the special occasions. Once I buy my cards, I simply file them under the appropriate occasion. I also use my perpetual calendar

Getting It Together is a Professional Organizing company serving Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Langley, Maple Ridge and beyond. Get in touch today. rowena@gettingittogether.ca

By Rowena List|2024-08-15T20:32:18+00:00August 10th, 2024|Home Organization, Organization Tips|0 Comments

Getting Your Renovations Together

How long have you lived with a kitchen that’s bugging you?

Is your bathroom from the 80’s?

Are you sick and tired of the chaos?

As a Professional Organizer, I can take a lot of the stress away from your renovation or new build!

See my Renovations Help page for more details and to see what my clients are saying!

Getting It Togethers Top 5 Tips for Renovating.

Tip1: Downsize first. Clear out all the unwanted items. I will help you with getting ruthless!

Tip 2: Know your pain points. Are cabinets too high for you to reach, is the counter too low for you, do you want a storage cubby for each of your kids? And what have you always wanted but thought you couldn’t fit it into your space to meet your needs?

Tip 3: Have a budget in mind, also knowing that there can be unforeseen expenses.

Tip 4: Know your Strata rules and bylaws; get necessary approvals and any needed permits in advance.

Tip 5: Be open to suggestions. Keeping an open mind is key, as is visualizing enjoying your new space.

I can jump in and take your stress away if you’re already working with a contractor, or my quality Italian contractor and team can help from start to finish. We work on only one project at a time to ensure your project is done in a timely manner. Our quote is firm unless there is an unforeseen situation. All materials are purchased in advance.

We guarantee our quality work.

Getting It Together is a Professional Organizing company serving Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Langley, Maple Ridge and beyond. Get in touch so we can discuss how I can help you with your renovation today!

Rowena List, Professional Organizer
rowena@gettingittogether.ca
604-520-9550

We chose Rowena and Davide to renovate our kitchen and could not be more pleased with the result! After meeting with them and deciding on a clear plan, we arranged a date for the work to begin and then left town. Rowena oversaw the project and kept us informed with photos and details. Davide’s work is amazing and they completed the work earlier than expected. I would definitely recommend Rowena for any project you are thinking of. She meets and exceeds expectations!

Valerie & David, Burnaby BC Canada

Happy client’s bathroom – Before and After
BEFORE	AFTER {not yet styled}

By Rowena List|2024-07-18T17:47:26+00:00July 9th, 2024|Home Renovations|0 Comments

Top Three Common Mistakes Noted by Professional Organizers

Do you feel like you are the only one who is disorganized?

Is your clutter causing you stress?

Would you like to downsize?

Check out this short video on the Top Three Common Mistakes Noted by Professional Organizers at almost every home. And then read on for more tips.

Mistake #1: Waiting until you can devote an entire weekend to decluttering. Clutter didn’t happen overnight; therefore, it is not going to get cleared overnight and certainly not in one weekend.

It is better to break your decluttering project down into bite size pieces. Start with 15 minutes a day. I call this “15 minutes to freedom”. You will find several tips on my site at www.gettingittogether.ca/blog

Why not start by clearing out all the recycling. That is all the bottles, papers, cans, glass, Styrofoam etc.

That is easily a 15-minute task. Staying focused is the key.

If you have a challenge staying focused, then best to hire me. 🙂

Mistake #2: Relying on a storage unit or the extra space you have in your home. Keeping unwanted things in storage is “deferred decision making”. And just because you have space in your cupboards or closets doesn’t mean you have to fill it.

Keep only what you use, love and need. Pass the rest on with love.

Mistake #3: Keeping partially used beauty products even though you don’t like them and therefore don’t use them. People keep these items and many more because they paid for them and it feels like it’s a waste if they get rid of them. Storing them is not going to bring the money back into your account. Look at it as a “purchasing mistake”. We all do it and have done it. Pass those beauty products on to your local women’s shelter.

Getting It Together is a Professional Organizing company serving Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Langley, Maple Ridge and beyond. Get in touch so we can discuss how I can help you with your renovation today!

Rowena List, Professional Organizer
rowena@gettingittogether.ca
604-520-9550

How would you like a 15-minute free over-the-phone discovery session?
Contact Rowena at 604-520-9550 to book yours or go to www.gettingittogether.ca

By organize|2024-07-09T19:10:13+00:00June 26th, 2024|Home Organization, Organization Tips|0 Comments

Get Organized: Your High-Tech Self

Do you feel like technology changes faster then you can change your underwear? How is a person to keep up and keep it all “together”? Take a ‘byte’ out of personal systems overload – try these 5 simple tips.

Getting It Together’s Top 5 Tips for the High-Tech Self

TIP #1 – Do not and I repeat – do not – answer your phone unless you can talk and/or fulfill any tasks that might come from the conversation. That means if you are in the shower, bathroom, having dinner or in a coffee line – the calls can wait. Voice mail is your friend. People everywhere feel like they’re working harder and achieving less. The discipline of checking voice mail can therefore give you the boundaries you need to put some personal sanity back into your harried day. So savor that meal. Enjoy that conversation. Respect your family. The personal dividends repaid for not answering every call far out weigh the ‘just in time’ panic cultivated by a cluttered life.

TIP #2 – Text or DM (or IM or whatever!) when you’re in private. Enjoy the moment and the people you are with while you are with them. I know what you are thinking, “yeah, but what does she know about my life and business? I have to answer all calls and texts.” That’s fine. But do it in private. Make the people you are with feel important and special. Business is about relationships. If you can’t respect the time of the people you’re with, how can they respect you?

TIP #3 – Be selective as to what you forward. You might think the email is funny but will the recipient? Ask in advance if they would like to receive jokes etc. Your friends, family and co workers might be trying to cut down on the clutter in their inboxes, too!

TIP #4 – Spell check was invented for a reason. Use it even if the email is to a friend or family member and especially in all work related correspondence.

TIP #5 – Turn off all electronic messaging devices in meetings, movies or public places. I bet you would hate for the phone to ring if you were a guest speaker at an event or trying to watch a movie while on a date. While you’re at it, use a “normal” ring tone. Nothing is more annoying than a quirky ring tone and hearing several of them at once.

Getting It Together is a Professional Organizing company serving Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Langley, Maple Ridge and beyond. Get in touch so we can discuss how I can help you get more organized today!

Rowena List, Professional Organizer
rowena@gettingittogether.ca
604-520-9550

By Rowena List|2024-06-24T17:44:15+00:00June 24th, 2024|Organization Tips, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Three Easy Steps To Getting Your Closet Organized

Less Stress, Frustration and…Dust

Is your closet a nicely organized one or is it one that looks like it has been hit by a tornado?

Every time you go into your closet do you look at the clothes and find yourself saying: “I have to get rid of these, I never wear them”, “It’s been so long since I wore this, maybe tomorrow or “I know I’ll fit into this next summer after I lose weight”.

Do you find yourself having a hard time choosing what to wear?

Are you having trouble finding items in your closet, or worse finding room for all your clothes?

With an organized closet you always find what you want right away – everything flows smoothly and quickly!

A disorganized closet can store a lot more than clothes and shoes. Stress, frustration, anger and a loss-of-patience can also be hiding in there. And don’t forget the dust!

Check out this short video on Getting Your Closet Organized

and then read on for the….

Top 3 Easy Steps on How To Get Your Closet Organized

Step 1

Would you agree that we generally wear our newest clothes; the clothes that fit us comfortably and the outfits we feel good in? In a disorganized closet, these clothes usually only add up to about 20% of our wardrobe! So why are you keeping the rest? For those “when I lose weight” or “I know I’ll wear it someday” excuses?

A simple way to clear your closet clutter is to first ask yourself:

1.”Would I buy it again?”

2.”Have I worn it in the past year?”

3.”Does it fit?”

4. “Do I feel fabulous in it?”

Any clothing item that received a “No” answer has got to go!

Step 2

Take it out of your closet and pass it on, with love, to a charity, to a friend or even take it to a consignment store and have it sold for you.

*** Eveningwear and/or special-occasion outfits are the only exception to the “one-year” rule.

Step 3

For the items you are keeping:

Ensure that outfits can be coordinated with as little effort as possible. Try to make sure that most of the items remaining in your closet can be paired with at least three other items.
Separate your wardrobe into tops, bottoms and jackets so that you can quickly and effortlessly mix and match the items to make a variety of fabulous outfits. If you choose to organize your clothes in this fashion, your closet will appear clean, tidy and full – but not overstuffed! Just imagine how fast and easy getting dressed will be?

Together Tips

Use the same style of hangers throughout your closet and have them facing in the same direction. You’d be surprised at the difference this makes!
What about purses, belts and shoes? How many black bags and black strappy heels does a girl need? That depends on your lifestyle. Just make sure that all handbags, purses, belts and shoes that you keep are in good shape, are comfortable and are in style. A good quality handbag and a pair of shoes can really complete the look of an outfit.
When buying new clothing take out three items from your closet for every new item that is purchased. Why three you ask? Because if your closet is not organized, there are definitely three items that are good to go!

So, what are you waiting for? We all know how valuable free time is in today’s world. Free time is time when you are feeling NO STRESS and NO FRUSTRATION – only calmness & confidence!

The more organized your closet is the less stress you will feel. You won’t catch yourself getting frustrated because you can’t find anything in your closet, or because you simply can’t decide what top to wear with what bottom…and then what shoes and purse to match with it!

Organizing your closet can be fun and fulfilling. However, if after reading this article, you just don’t know where to start or it is too overwhelming and you would like some assistance, please contact Rowena here or call (604) 520-9550

By organize|2024-04-29T16:39:49+00:00April 29th, 2024|Home Organization|2 Comments

CHAOS – Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome

As we reflect on our year, what is a highlight for you?

For me, most definitely the hiking trip I took to Zion and Bryce in Utah . I was blown away by the scenery and the vastness of that State.

If you are a hiker or enjoy sightseeing, I’d highly recommend this trip.

Check out this short video on CHAOS by Getting It Together then read on for more top tips.

Why get organized?

Time. Money. Health. Relationships. Stress.

What are some common organizing barriers?

Not knowing what to do with the stuff you don’t want.
Not staying focused.
Not creating good habits.
Overthinking.

The three deadliest words. “Just in case.”

Where to begin?

The area that is bugging you the most.
The area that is holding you back.

Keep in mind. There will usually be a storm before the calm. Things get worse before they get better.

It’s a process getting organized and a habit staying organized.

What to save?

Only items that you use, love and need.
Items you would replace if they were lost in a flood or a fire. Sentimental items if you have them displayed properly.

The key: be ruthless.

May you find peace, joy and happiness at this time of year and always.

Wishing you a very happy Holiday season and a Merry Christmas.

All the best for a clutter free 2024

P.S. If you are drowning in clutter and would like to downsize, please reach out

www,gettingittogether.ca

Rowena 604-520-9550

By organize|2023-12-18T19:03:03+00:00December 18th, 2023|Organization Tips|0 Comments

Something New For You from Rowena List of Getting It Together: Home Renovations

Despite everything that is going on in the province of British Columbia and the world, I hope that each of you had an opportunity to enjoy your summer. And I trust that you are all safe.

I had the pleasure of being in Italy and Croatia before the heat dome. It was a fantastic trip. I’ve included a few photos.

Feel free to reach out to hear more.

For those of you that follow me on social media, you will have noticed an additional department to my company. We are now doing home renovations. It’s a very natural fit. As we are downsizing and clearing the clutter, it makes room for better systems, and an updated look to your current space.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

I’ve teamed up with a professional contracting company. I assist with the design and functionality to maximize your space. Once the renovation is complete, I work with you to put your space back in order. It’s a whole lot of fun. I’ve included a couple of photos of our most recent jobs. To see more, please follow me on social media.

https://www.facebook.com/rowenalist

If you have any questions, or would like a quote, please reach out.
www.gettingittogether.ca

By organize|2023-09-27T19:45:44+00:00September 26th, 2023|Home Organization, Home Renovations, Organization Tips|0 Comments