VIDEO: New Year's Resolution; Get Organized!

De-clutterista, Tracy McCubbin, owner of dClutterfly was featured on Good Day Sacramento and shared her secrets on how you can get organized in 2012!

VIDEO: Pet Problems Solved

Pet expert and owner of Pets In the City was welcomed back on "Good Day Sacramento" to answer viewers' questions. Got pet problems? Aaron has answers.

New Years Resolution: Get Organized!

New Years resolutions are nothing new – literally.  Each year we make the same resolutions only to find they’ve gone to the way-side a few short months, weeks, or even days later.  Right behind “getting in shape” is often, “getting organized” but founder of dClutterfly and home organization pro, Tracy McCubbin says just having it on your list isn’t enough. 

“ ‘Get organized’ is such a broad and unspecific goal that it’s almost destined to fail. Our resolutions are only as good as our plans to put them into action, so the first step is to purge.”

McCubbin says the easiest way to have less clutter is to have less stuff.  She encourages everyone to really pay attention to their wants versus their needs.  Additionally, just like with your resolution to lose weight, you’re not going to get organized overnight.

“Starting with one task in one room is the way to go,” encourages McCubbin.  “Having one desk completely organized is better than having three rooms torn apart because they are in-progress.”  

6 Home Organization Resolution Solutions

Resolution #1: To live in clutter free home.

How to keep it:  Start with the items that are easy to toss, donate or recycle.

• Recycle old magazines and newspapers.
• Donate clothes you’ll never wear and toys your kids don’t play with anymore. 
• Start with 15 minutes a day and start in a specific room working clockwise. 

Resolution #2: Reduce the paper clutter.

How to keep it:  Know what to keep.  The biggest cause of paper clutter is over-retention. 

• Start with a phone call to your accountant and ask what you need to keep for tax purposes. 
• Shred old bills and any unneeded sensitive material.
• Store a handful of your favorite school projects or art pieces from your child, toss or recycle the rest.

Resolution #3: Create a filing system.

How to keep it: Develop a simple, easy to follow filing system.

• Use clean, neatly labeled files.
• Show others in the family how to use your system.
• If you already have a file system, go through and purge all of the unnecessary paperwork from 2011. 

Resolution #4: Give everything a “home”.

How to keep it:  Stick to the old adage, ‘a place for everything and everything in its place.’ 

• Put a hook by the door for keys.
• Place a basket on the desk for incoming mail.
• Take the time to put things away when you’re done with it.

Resolution #5: Purge the closet.

How to keep it:  Realize you that you wear 20% of your clothes 80%  of the time.  

• If you haven’t worn it this year, you’re not going to wear it next year.
• For every new item you buy, donate three old items
• Color coordinate wardrobe.

Resolution #6: Streamline morning routine.

How to keep it: Spend your time preparing for the day instead of wasting your time rushing to get it started.

• Pack lunches immediately after dinner.

• Put work bag, backpacks and gym clothes in the car the night before.
• Do dishes before going to bed.  A sink full of dishes is visual chaos and cause unnecessary stress.

Tracy McCubbin is the founder of dClutterfly (www.dclutterfly.com) and award-winning home and office organization expert.  She is based in Los Angeles and travels across the country helping clients develop livable organization in their lives.

Help Santa Pick the Perfect Pet for Your Family

While toys and technology are surely on your family’s wish list this holiday season, so too may be a new furry family member. 

Whether you’re looking for a small dog or a miniature horse, professional pet trainer and owner of Pets in the City, Aaron Hill, suggests families think long and hard before opening the doggie door to their home. 

“There are as many options for selecting the right pup for your family as there are types of families and living situations.  A family with older children on a farm in Virginia will be looking for a different kind of dog than a young couple with a newborn in New York City. “

Being honest about your family’s needs as well as the dog’s needs is the first step in finding the right pet for you.  Once you’ve seen those puppy dog eyes it will be hard not to welcome him home, so Hill is helping narrow your search with the following guide.

Kid-friendly dogs:

·         Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever – Retrievers have long been held as one of the best family dogs around.  They are easily trainable with positive reinforcement, highly intelligent and very sweet.

·         Newfoundland – These dogs are great for families with kids of all ages.  They’re very patient and docile and don’t need a lot of exercise.  But, Newfoundlands are very big dogs, so be sure you have some space so they can spread out.

·         Basset Hound – This pooch is fantastic with other dogs and kids of any age, though little ones need to be reminded not to tug on their droopy ears or put pressure on their long backs.  Bassett hounds are great indoors but need access to sniff outside and exercise. 

Independent dogs:

•  Pug – This breed is a well-tempered and sturdy little dog with lots of personality, very playful and confident when left alone, making it a good fit for a busy family.  Typically, pugs are not barkers so you don’t have to worry about driving your neighbors nuts while you’re at work.
•  Mutt – Some of the easiest dogs to take care of are mutts.  They generally have fewer health issues than purebreds and will likely live longer.  As an added bonus, they combine some of the best traits of many different breeds.

City dogs: 

• Maltese – These little fluff balls are full of personality and wonderful in small spaces, making them a good fit for a family that lives in a small home or apartment.  But keep in mind they will still need some exercise.
•  Papillon – This breed may seem like the perfect lap dog, but in addition to being cute these pups are also a highly intelligent and playful.  They are one of the most obedient and responsive of the toy breeds.

 Once you’ve determined what kind of dog you want, its time to determine where you’ll find it.

• Animal Shelter / Adoption Agency – Many shelters have more animals than they can handle so when you’re adopting a dog you’re literally saving a life.  Most of the pups in shelters are mutts, which is actually a good thing because they have fewer health risks than purebred dogs.

• Rescue Groups – If you have a specific breed in mind that you really want, do some research to see if there is a rescue group in your area.  You may have to do a little more work to find the exact age or sex you want, but it’s worth it because just like shelters, you are giving a pup a second chance at finding his/her perfect family. 

• Online Breeder – If you choose to use a breeder they must be licensed.  Be sure to visit the breeder’s home and check references to make sure you are not supporting a puppy mill.

• Pet shop – Unfortunately pet shops have a long history of getting their pups from puppy mills.  Before making a purchase from a pet store, check their credentials and ask where they get their puppies.  You should only shop at stores that get their pups from rescue shelters.

The last thing puppy parents need to keep in mind is that they’ll need as much training as the dog.  A reputable, professional trainer who uses positive reinforcement can help make the transition for everyone as smooth as possible.

Aaron Hill is a certified professional animal trainer and the owner of Pets in the City (www.petsinthecity.com) a premiere Dog Walking / Pet-sitting/ Training service in Los Angeles.  He is certified in pet first-aid and CPR and is a member of Pet-Sitters International.