"My Shopping Addiction"

April Benson has a website called ShopaholicNoMore.com and I follow her regularly. I see over-shopping as an issue for many of my clients and I like to learn all I can about the struggles that affect the clients I serve.

Just the other day, April announced a new show coming to reality TV - "My Shopping Addiction" on Oxygen beginning on October 15th.  According to the show's website:

          "From an heiress who spends an average of $30,000 per month to a woman who packs her      home full of products from the 99 cent store, this series will capture an intimate look into the lives of young people facing a crisis brought on by a dangerous addiction to shopping. Viewers will witness what happens when their obsession causes their finances and lives to spiral out of control."

I don't often see the extremes of shopping that will likely be featured on the show, but I look forward to some attention in the area of compulsive buying/addictive shopping.  One of the common causes of clutter is definitely over-shopping and if a person can learn strategies to step away from the temptation of shopping, their homes and their budgets will dramatically improve.

The show airs at 11 pm EST and I invite you to watch the show and let me know what you think. Pop me an email at cindy@aim4order.com.

Warm woolen mittens.....

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

I just came in from walking the dog and realized that it’s already time to pull out the winter wear and get everything organized. There’s nothing more guilt-producing than your child asking for gloves because they’re freezing during recess! Just follow these simple guidelines and YOUR child will be the envy of the playground (or possibly share one of their gloves with a friend).

1.  Gather/find all the scarves, hats, gloves, mittens and boots in the house.
Invite (or order) each family member to try on their boots hats and gloves to make sure they still fit.
2.  Toss all the unwanted items in a donation bag (and either place in your car for a drop off or contact a charity to pick them up or check out a consignment store). Just heard about a great on line store Dashing Bee.
3.  If your children are ‘particular’ and not into sharing their items, then take a giant zip lock bag or lidded box or even a plastic case that your new blanket came in, and label it and put that child’s mittens, gloves, hats and scarves in there. Another option is to have 1 bag for scarves, 1 bag for gloves, 1 bag for hats and 1 bag for gloves and mittens. Main thing is that when they are sorted by sex or size or type, it’s a lot faster and easier to get them.
4.  Store boots in a large clear box or large clear zipper bag, but be brutal in limiting how many pairs per person. The more options you have, the more stress you get. Less is more in all matters relating to winter wear, toys, clothes (catch my drift here?).
5.  Find a place to store the winter stuff - a place that’s near the morning departure location (mud room, laundry room, hall closet) and if you don’t have a place, think about finding a piece of furniture that may house the items.
6.  Enjoy the peace and serenity that will come on the next chilly morning when you can direct your children to their bag or box of stuff while you sip happily on your hot tea.