Your Loved One Deserves the Right Care

Sometimes my organizing clients are less-than-thrilled when they realize that they are going to need to invest some money to get organized. Often, they have the double-whammy of realizing that 1) theyve already spent a lot of money on things they dont want or need and 2) they need to spend more money on services like professional organizing and junk hauling to get their place organized. I feel their pain. When I got organized myself about 10 years ago, it hurt when I thought about how much money I had spent on clothes that were headed to Goodwill. I called 1-800-GOT-JUNK to clear out my garage, and I couldnt believe that my bill was over $1,000. Who knew trash hauling was so expensive? You know the saying no pain, no gain? When it comes to organizing, I believe a little bit of pain is actually a good thing, because it motivates us to create lasting changes. My own painful experience with decluttering has helped me stay organized for years, and inspired me to become a professional organizer. Although there are some upfront costs to organizing, getting organized can be a money-saver over the long term. So if you are thinking about getting organized, its actually a long-term investment that is going to save you money over time. Heres how:  Eliminate expensive storage unitsThere has been a boom in self-storage units in recent years. Storage units can be helpful resources if you have a short gap between moving out of your old place and into your new one. But if you are using a storage unit to store extra stuff for more than a few months, the cost can really add up (this article estimates that it costs an average of $2,000 a year to keep your stuff in a small storage unit). Ive helped clients clear out their storage units, which immediately starts saving them hundreds of dollars a month.     Stop buying things you already have Have you ever run out and bought a roll of masking tape, then later found six more rolls stuffed in a drawer somewhere? Weve all been there. Americans collectively spend an estimated $2.7 billion a year replacing lost items. Organizing makes it easier to find and use what you already have, so you dont have to waste your time or money buying duplicates of things you already have.Cut down on fees and convenience costsSomething that surprised me about getting organized was how much time it saved me. Once I could easily find the things I needed to get out the door in the morning or whip up a quick dinner, I was less rushed. And having a little more slack in my schedule meant that I could take public transit instead of an Uber, or make dinner at home instead of ordering takeout, which ended up saving me money. If you struggle with paying late fees because you cant find your bills or remember when they need to be paid, getting organized can help you eliminate those  unnecessary fees.Change your shopping habits for goodAfter going through my own painful decluttering experience, I realized that the way I was shopping led me to over-buying, which was not only cluttering my house, but wasting money. (I wrote a whole blog post about how I started shopping differently after getting organized, if you want to learn more about how organizing can change your shopping habits.) Since then, Im much more critical about what I decide to buy because I dont want to have to do a massive decluttering again. Resell unused itemsWhile decluttering, a lot of my clients come across unwanted items they can resell. While its not exactly a way to make money (because items sold secondhand usually sell for much less than their original price), reselling can help you recoup some of your original expenditure. I even had one client who offset most of her organizing costs by having me sell things she didnt want anymore. If youre not sure where to start when it comes to reselling, I can help you. If organizing feels daunting or too expensive, remember that clutter has a cost, too. In the long run, decluttering and creating systems that work for you will save you time, money, and your mental health. If youre ready to get organized, book a free consultation with me. 

Hey there! Do you already have your holiday decorations put away, or will your Christmas tree be up until February? To be honest, I can be either person, depending on the year. This year, Ive been a little slow to pack up my garlands and lights, but thats ok. Organization doesnt mean being perfect all the time.The holiday season can bring fun and joy, but it can also bring chaos to the systems in your home. Theres a proliferation of stuff -- cards, packages, gifts of all kinds, decorations, wrapping paper, social engagements, emotions. After all the partying is over, we can be left with a feeling of overwhelm. As a professional organizer, here are my tips for how to handle all of the stuff that came into your house over the holidays and bring (a little more) peace to your home and heart:  Decide what to keepThis is really the first (and most critical) thing to do as soon as youre ready to move on from the holidays. Take a look at everything that came into your house during the season and keep only what you truly want to have. I dont recommend keeping anything you dont love, need, or want, even if it was a gift (more on that below). If you shove that ugly sweater in a closet, forget about it, and discover it two years later, youll still have to make the same decisions about what to do with it. Decide what to do as soon as you can.  Find a home for everything youre keeping (and put it there right away). If you are keeping a newer/different version of something you already own (for example, you got a nicer coffee maker for Christmas), consider donating or discarding your old item. In other words, follow the one-in, one-out rule if its appropriate.Let go of unwanted gifts   Something I hear all of the time from clients is I dont really like this, but it was a gift and I feel guilty about giving it away.I know that gifts can be tricky. I think honoring the intention of the gift given to us is actually more important than holding onto the actual physical object. Usually, someone gives you a gift to show you that they care about you or because they hope youll enjoy it, not because they expect you to become the permanent caretaker of that object. (And if someone gives you a gift receipt, they dont mind if you return it dont feel guilty!)So how do I handle gifts I dont love? I go out of my way to thank the giver in a way thats sincere. I dont tell someone I loved a particular gift if I didnt, but I do thank them for thinking of me and for their generosity. If I dont want or cant use a gift, I pass it on to someone who can enjoy it more than me. That may mean donating it to a charity, giving it away through my local Buy Nothing group, or regifting to someone who I know would appreciate it.  Sort the trash and recyclingYou probably ended up with lots of boxes after Black Friday. Go through any extra packaging and recycle, throw away, or give away what you cant use immediately. My clients often have a ton of empty boxes they are saving for someday, but those boxes can take up a lot of space (and its likely that more will come into your home soon). Getting them out is one of the easiest ways you can make your home feel less cluttered immediately. If you have boxes in good condition, you can post them on your local Buy Nothing or neighborhood social media group for someone who is moving. Take another look at your holiday cardsBefore you shove them into a box, look at each card individually. Is this specific card something that will be meaningful to you in a year? 10 years? If its not, appreciate the person who sent it to you and recycle the card. If it truly is a keepsake, save it in an album or memory box.  Evaluate your holiday decorMany of my clients struggle with accumulating and storing holiday decor. I recommend thinking about any decor you didnt put out this year will you put it out next year, or are you over it? Do you have more than you can use? Set aside anything you no longer love or want to donate next fall before the holidays (generally, thrift shops do not have space to store out-of-season items for long periods of time). And make sure to carefully store the items you do love and so you can enjoy them next year 

For many veterans in Fort Collins, staying independent at home is about more than comfortits about maintaining dignity, pride, and a sense of belonging. After years of service and structure, adapting to the challenges of aging or injury can be difficult. Thats where nonmedical caregiving can make a meaningful difference.At Homewatch CareGivers of Fort Collins, caregivers provide personalized assistance to support veterans in their day-to-day lives. Their work goes beyond physical help; its about building confidence and helping each person continue to live life on their own terms.What Is Nonmedical Caregiving?Nonmedical caregiving focuses on supporting individuals with everyday activities that do not require medical training. Its designed for those who want to live safely and comfortably at home while receiving help with essential tasks.For veterans, this type of care often includes: Personal care assistance, such as bathing, grooming, and dressing Meal planning and preparation to encourage healthy nutrition and maintain a daily routine Light housekeeping and home organization to promote safety and comfort Transportation to appointments or community events Medication reminders to help maintain consistency Companionship and conversation to support emotional well-being This well-rounded approach helps veterans maintain independence and quality of life while providing reassurance to family members who may not always be nearby.Why Veterans in Fort Collins Benefit from In-Home SupportEvery veteran has a story, and every story deserves respect. Veteran care in Fort Collins is about meeting people where they are and recognizing the skills, discipline, and resilience they bring to daily life, even as they face new challenges. In-home caregivers help veterans maintain a sense of control and familiarity by supporting them in their own homes. Many veterans prefer the comfort of home over institutional care, and nonmedical caregivers can help make that possible.Equally important is the companionship aspect of caregiving. Veterans can develop strong bonds with their caregivers, especially when they find someone who listens, understands, and values their experiences. These relationships can help reduce feelings of loneliness and support emotional well-being.How Homewatch CareGivers of Fort Collins Makes a DifferenceOur caregiving team at Homewatch CareGivers of Fort Collins is dedicated to building trust through genuine connection and reliable service. Each caregiver is trained to approach their work with patience and respect, ensuring every veteran receives thoughtful, individualized attention.We develop customized care plans that adapt to each client's needs, whether that means a few hours of weekly assistance or full-time support. Our goal is to help veterans live safely and independently while also providing peace of mind for family members.Our approach emphasizes overall well-being, recognizing that quality care extends beyond physical needs. Emotional connection, companionship, and encouragement are also important parts of every care relationship.Encouraging Independence and ConnectionNonmedical home care in Colorado is about enabling independence, not replacing it. The right caregiving partnership can help veterans maintain the confidence to remain active and engaged in their communities.Whether its preparing a favorite meal, organizing the home environment, or sharing a conversation over coffee, caregivers bring consistency and support to the everyday lives of those they serve.Trusted Care for Fort Collins VeteransFor families searching for compassionate, professional caregiving, Homewatch CareGivers of Fort Collins provides dependable support rooted in community values. Our caregivers are background-checked, trained, and dedicated to improving the lives of veterans through attentive, personalized care. Through respect, empathy, and consistent communication, we honor those who have served by helping them live comfortably and independently at home.To learn more about our in-home care services for veterans, reach out online or call (303) 444-1133.