Travel Organization Archives - Getting it Together

How To Organize A Ski Bag

How many of you love to ski?

It’s a great sport since you can do it well into your 80’s. Yes, I’ve met many a super seniors out on the slopes. So inspiring that’s for sure.

I like to have my bag ready to go at all times.

Check out this short video on How To Organize A Ski Bag. Then read on for more Getting It Together tips.

One thing I didn’t mention in the video was snacks.

I always have a protein bar in my pocket. This is important in the event you run into trouble and need a little energy boost.

I also keep a tea bag in my pocket. That way, I can stop and get hot water for free. Not only are you getting organized but I am helping you save money.

What could be better?

My ski pass is always in my ski jacket pocket. You’d hate to stand in line only to find out your pass is in your wallet or different jacket.

Hope to see you out on the slopes.

PS: No matter what time of the season, be sure to wear sunscreen. Your face will love you for it.

PPS: It has been a long time since we talked or saw each other. Please set up a FREE discovery session to help you get your New Year on track.

Happy, safe, healthy 2022!
www.gettingittogether.ca

By organize|2021-12-14T23:15:06+00:00December 14th, 2021|Travel Organization|0 Comments

Confessions Of A Professional Organizer: Part 4

Most of you know I love to travel.

Sadly, like all of you, we are not permitted to travel internationally unless it’s essential until COVID-19 is under control or unless you are willing to go into 14 days of quarantine.

Many of us have been travelling within our own Province or State and we have been discovering beautiful places.

Where did you go these past few months?

When we do get back to traveling, my travel tote is right ready to go.

Check out this short video on Confessions Of A Professional Organizer: part 4, then read on for the top travel list.

Here’s a list of what I keep in my travel tote.

Passport
Nexus card
Currency from countries I have travelled to and will return to
Travel hairdryer
Refillable travel size containers
A luggage scale
International adaptors for my electronics
Travel size umbrella
Rain poncho
Disposable face cloths
Earbuds

I also have a small suitcase that I keep travel clothes in.

And my toiletry bag is always ready to.

PS: Please join us for this free interactive webinar on Estate Organizing. Tuesday Feb 9th 2021

Sign up in advance by sending us an email to rowena@gettingittogether.ca

Or simply login on Feb 9th at 11 am PST

By organize|2021-01-26T00:08:54+00:00January 25th, 2021|Travel Organization|0 Comments

How to Plan a Successful Road Trip

Depending on where you live and what activities you like to do you might be able to take road trips throughout the year.

Road trips can be filled with adventure. It certainly gives you total freedom to come and go as you like.

You might see a beautiful place to stop for your lunch break or you might be in a place that does not offer what you are looking for so you push on.

Whatever your fancy, you’ll want to follow these guidelines for a successful road trip.

Watch this quick video and then read on for Getting It Togethers check list

Checklist for a successful road trip:

Find out the goals and wishes of everyone who is going on this road trip. Try to accommodate most of them. For example: Do you want to drive for at least 8 hours a day? Do you want to take your time and only see what you see and not worry about the rest? Do you want to hit every “In and Out” burger place in town?
Have a master list of the items you need for your road trip. Surfboard, skis, golf clubs, bike, certain clothing etc
Make sure your car is in good condition, oil has been check and spare tire in good working order
Take your driver’s license, passport if crossing borders, up to date car insurance and registration, roadside assistance card and maps. Google might not work in every small town.
First aid kit
A blanket, pillow for those spur of the moment naps or road side stops under a nice tree
Spare set of car keys that are not left in the car 🙂
A garbage bag for those coffee cups or car snacks
GPS
A couple of things to entertain the kids. Like maybe a favorite toy, book or movie
Portable cooler with water, drinks, snacks and ice packs
Hand wipes and TP
Motion sickness pills
Sunscreen, sunglasses and beach towel
Wear comfortable clothing and wrinkle free
Your favorite music
For safety I suggest you post on social media after your trip not before.
For peace of mind, have a friend or neighbour check on your place while you are away.

Most important to keep in mind, this is your vacation time, family time, so make it as stress free and fun as possible. Safe travels.

PS: For those of you who have enjoyed several successful road trips please leave your comments in the box below. Your tips and additions will be helpful to others. Thank You

By donnap|2020-06-07T20:52:33+00:00May 23rd, 2017|Organizer, Time Management, Travel Organization|0 Comments

Collections VS. Clutter- are they the same or different and how to tell them apart

Did you start the collection or did someone start it for you?

Is the collection something that you love to look at?

Do you use the collection?

Did the collection happen by accident and then get completely out of control?

Check out this short video on Collections VS Clutter and then read on to find out the difference.

Collections and clutter are 2 different things.

Clutter is an untidy collection of things where as collections are several “like” items intended for display or investment. A collection can be untidy if it is not stored, displayed or cared for properly.

* Is this collection something you started? In the case of Mary. NO! Her parents thought it was a good idea for her to have an owl in her office. Then a friend and then another friend. Never once did my client buy herself an owl. She did not start the collection nor did she ever intend to have an owl collection. This is important to note.

* Do you like the collection? My client thought it was ok to have one or maybe 2 owls in her office however by the time I started working with her she was not happy with the takeover of owls. They were everywhere and it was looking too cluttered. This is where a collection starts to become a problem. Another client of my inherited a salt and pepper shaker collection. She had at least one hundred pairs and only used one!

* What to do with the collection? In the case of Mary she was ready for a change in her office. She had enjoyed the owls for many many years. We decided to keep her top 3 favorites. The one from her parents and 2 other neat looking ones. The rest we put in the hallway of the university with a sign that said “free”.

* What happened next? The interesting thing is that all the people walking past her office door thought she was leaving the campus. They did not understand why all of a sudden she wanted to get rid of the owls. It made them a little uncomfortable at first until they heard she was just going for a change.

All the “free’ owls were gone by the end of the day. They each got a new home in several other offices. Mary can go visit her owls any time she likes!

* How to stop a collection. If you no longer like the items you are collecting (or someone started collecting for you) or if they have taken over, it is time to put a stop to it. This can be a little delicate especially if family and friends have always bought you something to go with your collection. It is an easy gift giving idea for them and now what will they do? You will need to let EVERYONE know that you are no longer collecting XYZ. Instead you would prefer they give you consumable items or donate to a charity of their choice in your name. Let them know you are downsizing. This might even give them permission to start downsizing too.

Some collections can be sold on EBay, Craig’s List or at consignment stores. Some collections can be passed down to other family members. Unfortunately some collections end up in the land fill. Be careful what you start to collect. Be mindful of what type of collection you start for others. Is it something you will enjoy for years, does it have a purpose or value? Once it starts to take over, become a dust collector or not serve you any purpose it is time for it to go.

Check out these two pictures of collections nicely displayed and enjoyed by the owner.

I like to collect interesting people, memories and cash! How about you?

Hoo Hoo Hoo do you know who has not had their FREE 15 minute phone consultation?

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www.gettingittogether.ca

By donnap|2020-06-07T20:52:35+00:00October 12th, 2016|Home Organization, Travel Organization|0 Comments

Downsizing Your Memorabilia

Are you a sentimental kind of person?

Have you saved everything and I mean everything from your children’s past?

Would you like to get a handle on your memorabilia?

Check out this short video for some very quick simple tips on downsizing your memorabilia.

and if you like it please click the” like” button and then pass it on to your friends and family.

Then read on for Getting It Together’s Top 3 Tips on downsizing your memorabilia.

We all go through different stages in our lives. At one point you may have kept everything that had any sentimental value to you. Then as time moves on you may have thought that some of this “stuff” was holding you back. Or maybe like me you were forced to downsize and decided that you were not going to move all of your memorabilia with you yet again.

How many of us really even have the extra time to go through our memorabilia boxes? The only time I ever have is when I was getting ready to move.

Oh ya, I hear you. You are waiting until you retire or until you are in a senior’s home and then you will go through it all. I have yet to meet a senior who has any more time now then when they were working full time. Funny how that works isn’t it. Well that is because activities fill the time we allot them. You have 5 minutes to tidy up your kitchen before guests arrive and you can get it done. If you have all day you might procrastinate a little. This is human nature.

Tip: 1 Have one medium size rubber container per person in your household. That is the limit of stuff you will save for them or for yourself. If the container gets full then it is time to go through it and pull out some less important items. You will see as time goes on how certain items do lose their priority.

Tip: 2 Ask yourself the purpose of keeping each item. Is it sentimental? Is it from a family member who really wanted you to have a certain item? Is it from a vacation? If you do not have a concrete purpose of keeping the item then it is time to ask yourself why. Why am I keeping it?

Tip: 3 Keep your memorabilia box up high on a shelf. You do not want it to get water damage if you happen to have a flood in your basement of crawl space.

How about you? Where do you stand on the sentimental stage? Love to hear from you in the comment box below.

Enjoy your precious memorabilia items. I sure do.

PS: Did you know I offer over the phone coaching services? If you would like to live more on purpose and passion or would like a better handle on setting boundaries then please contact me for a FREE 30 minute discovery session.

Go to www.reclaimsession.com to book your session now.

By donnap|2020-06-07T20:52:36+00:00November 18th, 2015|Home Organization, Organizer, Organizing to Move, Travel Organization|0 Comments

How To Have A Stress Free Vacation – Part 2

Whistler, BC

After reading part one of how to have a stress free vacation I am sure you are anxious to get going with part 2.

Are your bags packed?

Do you know where your passport is? It is up to date?

Because I love to travel I like to be ready at any given moment to be able to take off. You just never know when you will get the call….hey I have a spare ticket to Bali, want to come? Ok, I am dreaming of this call.

In the mean time check out Getting It Together’s Top 5 simple tips on how to have a stress free vacation so you’ll be ready to go at the drop of a hat too. Please share the love by sharing the link to this video and blog post.

Tip #1: Have a travel bin. Keep your passport, airplane headsets, detailed packing list, left over foreign currency, travel size toiletries, travel meds like gravel, bear bell if you are biking in Whistler BC Canada, travel jewelry roll up, travel pillow and blanket for the plane, portable travel scale to make sure your suitcase is not over weight, plug adapters, and travel books/maps and brochures of places you have been to and will return to or places you would like to go to.

Can you think of anything else?
If so, please leave your comments in the box below.

Tip #2: Travel medicine bag. Have one ready to go at all times. Carry things like band aids, pollysporin, tea tree oil, and peppermint oil for rejuvenation after a long flight, vitamin c so you can nip a cold in the bud, headache relief pills, and any allergy medication you might need.

Tip #3: Plan your return. Avoid the stress of rushing back to work by coming home from your vacation one or two days before you need to return back to work. Nothing makes a person lose vacation mode more than by running in the door late on a Sunday night and having to be in the office first thing Monday morning. Not to mention you will have nothing in your fridge unless you have a magic elf filling it for you.

Tip #4: Catch – up day. Use that first day back home to catch up on laundry, returning phone calls, opening and dealing with mail and emails. Get back into the groove slowly. Savor the vacation mindset. Look at your photos and savor the memories.

Do you have the luxury of having a catch up day at work? That first day back after vacation can seem overwhelming. Look at your tasks and bite them down into manageable to do’s. The last thing you want is to be exhausted after your first day back to work when returning from a fun filled vacation.

Tip #5: Look at your bucket list. We can all be prone to vacation let down. Back to reality, work, and life in general. So why not look at your bucket list and start thinking about your next vacation.

Where is your most favorite travel destination? Please leave it in the comment box below.

In the mean time if you have not taken advantage of your FREE 30 minute call why not do that today? We could do a little vacation dreaming and come up with a plan of action for you.

Simply go to www.reclaimsession.com to book your time now.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:39+00:00March 17th, 2015|Organizer, Time Management, Travel Organization|0 Comments

How to Have a Stress Free Vacation – Part 1

How many of you dream of a nice hot sunny vacation?

Do you think “I have too much work to go away?”

Or “I don’t have the time”

We all know it is extremely important to have breaks. Whether they are short breaks throughout the day or a day off once a week or a much needed vacation. A British survey found that 40% of workers return to work feeling more stressed than before they left on vacation.

Yikes! Why is that?

Check out this short video on how to have a stress free vacation to find out

Tip #1: Disconnect. We all need a break from our electronic devises at some time or another. I know most of you are saying “ya but then I return to 100”s of emails, I would rather deal with them while on vacation”

The challenge with this is that it does not give your brain a chance to fully turn off and get into vacation mode. You could end up reading a work related email that requires your attention. Then what? Interruptions to your family time, your relaxation time and fun time. What did we all do before we were so “addicted” or connected to our technology?

If you feel you simply cannot go without checking work emails then have a strict schedule. Say 15-30 minutes first thing in the morning and that is it.

Tip # 2: Plan in advance by letting your major clients knows that you will be away. Have an out of office reply on your email, and voice message.

Tip #3: Save the day before you go away to tidy up all the loose ends. Have you ever found how highly productive you become those few days before going on vacation? You work with a sense of urgency like never before.

Tip #4: Budget ahead of time. The best vacations are the ones that are paid for before you even leave. Then your only expenses are food and entertainment. Check online for FREE activities. Most places have several to pick from.

Tip #5: Be pet smart. Make arrangements in advance for Fido. Are you going to be travelling with your pets or will you be leaving them at home? This is one task that can be taken care of long in advance so it is not being left to the last moment.

See you under a sun umbrella or the ski slopes. What type of vacation do your prefer? Leave your comments in the box below.

PS: Do you need a system for your travel items? Call today for the latest organizing tips.

www.gettingittogether.ca

And if you love this video and tips please share the love by sharing the link. Thank you.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:39+00:00March 2nd, 2015|Organizer, Travel Organization|0 Comments

Handy Travel Tips

Golfing By now you all know how much I love to travel. I love the different types of food, seeing the amazing countryside, architecture and meeting new people. Some trips are pure relaxation like going to Hawaii, golfing, some are more adventurous like skiing in the Alps, and some are road trips for a quick weekend getaway. I never find it challenging getting ready for a trip because of being organized and because of using these handy travel tips.

How would you like to be ready to go on a vacation at the drop of a hat?

Do you work like crazy prior to going on a vacation? How would you like that to be different?

Here are some general rules of thumb. Please let me know what handy travel tips you have and we can add them to the list.

Tip#1: First Aid Kit. Have a first aid kit packed at all times. Upon returning home from a vacation refill your first aid kit before putting it away. You want to be ready at the drop of a hat. Make sure your kit has any specific medications you take, pain meds, sunscreen (even if it is a ski trip you still need it), Band-Aids, cold/flu medication, and essential oils like tea tree, lavender and eucalyptus. Store your first aid kit in your suitcase when not traveling.

Tip#2: Toiletry Bag. This is another bag that you can have ready to go at all times. Again as soon as you get home refill any empty containers before storing your toiletry bag in your suitcase. I highly recommend using travel size shampoo, conditioner, cleaners and face creams. I have seen so many oversized containers of very expensive lotions in the security bins. One ounce is the maximum for carry on. Have a complete collection of make-up prepacked too. I take my half full containers and use these for travel. For example mascara is good for 3 months. After 2 and a half months I put my mascara in my travel make-up bag.

Tip#3: Pack Light. How many times have you arrived at your destination unpacked your case and only worn half of what you packed? Come on be honest! Travel with a colour theme. It might be black and white or it might be brown and orange. You know orange is my favorite colour. Make sure each item goes with at least 3 other items in your case.

Tip#4: Re-useable bags. Leave a few re-useable bags in your suitcase. These bags come in handy for shopping and dirty laundry. I like to leave a few ziplock bags in my case as well. They work wonders for wet swimsuits, any snacks you might take on the road, or dirty shoes.

Tip#5: Be prepared. Well in advance of any vacation make sure your passport is up to date. Check and see if you need any specific shots or visas. Have a house sitter lined up along with a backup plan. Did you know your house/condo insurance may not be valid if you do not have a house sitter or at least have someone checking on your house every other day? Do you have pets? Don’t wait till the last minute to deal with them. Get any foreign currency needed.

Look forward to meeting you on the train station platform!

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:40+00:00December 1st, 2014|Travel Organization|0 Comments

How to organize travel photos

Do you love to travel?

Do you love to take photos?

If you are anything like me I’ll bet you like to do both. In fact I LOVE to do both. I started traveling at a very young age. I use to collect pop/soda cans, return them for cash and put the money towards traveling. Well, okay in the early stages it was for camp, however when I turned 12 I had an opportunity to travel to Peru in South America for a month. The deal was that I would save the money for the flight and the rest of my expenses were covered. I got the travel bug right then and there. On that trip I took several photos. Now remember this was long before digital so I was mindful of not being to snap happy. With one of the best inventions … digital, we can all be as snap happy as we like. I wonder what will be next in the camera world. 🙂

Check out this short video on how to organize travel photos and then read the quick easy Getting it Together top 5 tips.

Tip#1: Volume. I hear of people that go on a trip and take 4000 photos.WOW! That is a lot of photos to try and manage. Even more to look at and even more to organize. Be mindful of the number of pictures you take. How many photos do you need of the Pyramids? I know it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of being in a country and wanting to capture all of the fun times there.

Tip#2: Organize as you go. When I travel I love sitting down at the end of the day and looking at my photos from that day. I delete any of the not so good ones or duplicates. The one thing I find with digital cameras is that you cannot always see what you are taking photos of. If it is really bright or sunny my view screen goes black. I would say that is the only downfall with my camera. How do you handle this? Please leave a comment in the box below.

Tip#3: Right away. Within the first week of being home, download your photos. Make sure you give each trip a “folder” that is properly labeled. For example “Egypt October 2010”. Be sure to back up your computer. I also put all my photos on Facebook. What I love about Facebook is that I can write comments beside each photo. I can also access my photos from anywhere in the world.

Tip#4: To print or not to print. Do not print because of fear. Print because of pleasure. I meet people all the time that print off hundreds of travel photos in fear that their computer will crash, get stolen or something like that. This is not the right reason to print photos. If you back up your computer you will always have access to them. Print your travel photos only if you are the type of person who likes to make a memory photo album for your own pleasure. These photo albums are your memories and not anyone else’s. That means that probably no one else will ever want your albums when you are gone. Ya, your kids might flip through them, but those are your memories and they have their own travel memories.

Tip#5: Take time. Did you know the average person takes only 7 minutes to look at their travel photos? Once or twice a year grab yourself a nice cup of tea and sit with your travel photos. Flip through your computer or hard copy photo albums. Relive the happy memories of those trips. Better yet, put some of your favorite photos up as a screen saver slide show.

Safe travels. I hope our paths cross somewhere out there in this old world.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:41+00:00May 26th, 2014|Organizer, Time Management, Travel Organization|2 Comments

Handy Travel Tips

How would you like to be ready to go on a vacation at the drop of a hat?

Do you work like crazy prior to going on a vacation?

Would you like that to be different?

Check out this short video on handy travel tips to find out how you can be more organized and travel ready.

Here are Getting It Together’s Top 5 Tips:

Please let me know what handy travel tips you have and we can add them to the list.

Tip#1: First Aid Kit. Have a first aid kit packed at all times. Upon returning home from a vacation refill your first aid kit before putting it away. You want to be ready at the drop of a hat. Make sure your kit has any specific medications you take, pain meds, sunscreen (even if it is a ski trip you still need it), Band-Aids, cold/flu medication, and essential oils like tea tree, lavender and eucalyptus. Store your first aid kit in your suitcase when not traveling.

Tip#2: Toiletry Bag. This is another bag that you can have ready to go at all times. Again as soon as you get home refill any empty containers before storing your toiletry bag in your suitcase. I highly recommend using travel size shampoo, conditioner, cleaners and face creams. I have seen so many oversized containers of very expensive lotions in the security bins. One ounce is the maximum for a carry on. Have a complete collection of make-up prepacked too. I take my half full containers and use these for travel. For example mascara is good for 3 months. After 2 and a half months I put my mascara in my travel make-up bag.

Tip#3: Pack Light. How many times have you arrived at your destination unpacked your case and only worn half of what you packed? Come on be honest! Travel with a colour theme. It might be black and white or it might be brown and orange. You know orange is my favorite colour. Make sure each item goes with at least 3 other items in your case.

Tip#4: Re-useable bags. Leave a few re-useable bags in your suitcase. These bags come in handy for shopping and dirty laundry. I like to leave a few ziplock bags in my case as well. They work wonders for wet swimsuits, any snacks you might take on the road or dirty shoes.

Tip#5: Be prepared. Well in advance of any vacation make sure your passport is up to date. Check and see if you need any specific shots or visas. Have a house sitter lined up along with a backup plan. Did you know your house/condo insurance may not be valid if you do not have a house sitter or at least have someone checking on your house every other day? Do you have pets? Don’t wait until the last minute to deal with them. Get any foreign currency needed.

Look forward to meeting you on the train station platform!

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:41+00:00May 12th, 2014|Organizer, Travel Organization|4 Comments