The Posh Blog

Here’s a quick tip to help you simply your life a bit.  When I first moved into my home I was throwing a party and I created a document in Microsoft Word with directions to my house.  I had two sets of directions one for people traveling from north of town and one for people traveling from south of town (that’s just what worked best for me and the location of my home).   

This was one of the best things I could have done.  I have used these directions countless times!  Rather than having to write out directions each time someone needs them I simply cut and paste the directions into an e-mail and hit the send button.  It takes about 15 seconds.  It has been such a time saver!   

Be sure to include your address at the top of the directions, the directions, repeat your address, and then include your phone number.  This way, you and the person you are giving the directions to have everything in one place. 

Enjoy the good life with a little more time,

Angela 

Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com. 

   I have a client named Kay who is truly an inspiration.  From the first moment we met I was impressed with her.  That’s Kay and me pictured above. 

Kay has an incredible spirit for life.  She enjoys traveling and having fun.  But what really struck me was Kay’s readiness to reduce and let go of the things she didn’t need any more.  Kay told me that she knew someday someone else was going to have to deal with all her stuff and she didn’t want to put that burden on them.   

I have talked to many people who have been in situations where they are dealing with a loved one’s belongings.  It can be overwhelming and sometimes paralyzing to a person.   

So why wait?  Why should we let someone else decide what is or was important to us?  You shouldn’t!  Be inspired by Kay and make a decision to start reducing your possessions now.   

Here’s a few of my tips for reducing some of your clutter:

1. Only keep what is really important to you, let the little stuff go.
2. Don’t keep anything that brings you down.  Your possessions should inspire you they should not bring negative feelings.
3. Don’t keep anything that is broken; you can give it away, donate it, or get it repaired within 30 days.  If you don’t get the item repaired in 30 days it’s time to let it go.
4. If you don’t use it let it go so someone else can.  There may be someone who could really use the item that you have and are not using.

 Remember your stuff is NOT the experience you had, or the person you knew, and typically it is easily replaceable.  Wouldn’t you love to live your life in your home with only the things that matter most to you?  So what can you do today to begin reducing your possessions?  Can you let go of 10 items?  How about one trash bag full of stuff?  Let us know what has helped you reduce your clutter.   

Enjoy the good life with less stuff!

Angela Ploetz  

Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com. 

  I just learned about this product and wanted to pass it on to my readers who travel or who frequently use a laptop.  The MoGo Mouse BT is a wireless Bluetooth® enabled mouse the size of a business card.  When not in use you can store and recharge this tiny mouse inside your laptop computer’s PC card slot.  

  Now you will never forget your mouse again and what’s even better is that it does not take up any additional room in your laptop bag or carry on!  Love this!  There are two different versions of the MoGo Mouse and the price ranges from $69.00-$89.00.   

Never forgetting your mouse on a business trip, how sweet it is. 

Enjoy the good life,  
Angela  

Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com. 

In Texas this weekend, August 15-17^th, is a Tax Free Holiday on clothing and apparel.  IF you are going to brave the crowds here are a few tips to help make your shopping trip a more productive one and help you keep your sanity. 

1.  Visit Texas Sales Tax Holiday Site for a complete list of items that are exempt from sales tax this weekend. 

2.  Shop early.  Call your favorite stores now to find out what time they will open so you can arrive right when they open.  This will help save you time fighting the crowds.

3.  Know your child’s school requirements and restrictions.  Call your child’s school or visit the school district web-site to find out if certain clothing is not allowed before you make your purchases.  After all, we want to keep returns to a minimum with the high gas prices!

4.  Take a quick inventory of what your child currently has that still fits, is still in good shape, or that he or she will still wear.  Then make a list of the things you need to purchase.  Estimate how many pants, tops, sweaters, shoes, socks, etc. that you would like to find.

5.  Last but not least, determine a budget.  AHH…the dreaded “B” word!  Having something to aim for is a great way to keep you and your child focused on what is important and to keep from being easily swayed by the illusive “SALE” signs.   

One more bonus tip:  Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water and a few protein snacks like a protein bar or even Peanut M&M’s.   

Happy and productive shopping! 

P.S. Don’t forget to donate any clothing that does not fit your child anymore, this is critical to maintaining an organized home. 

Enjoy the good life,

Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com. Angela Ploetz

Have you had a chance to be inspired by the Last Lecture:  Achieving Your Childhood Dreams by Randy Pausch?  If you are not one of the more than 5 million people who have viewed the Last Lecture on YouTube I hope I can inspire you to watch it.     

Randy delivered the traditional last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University in September 2007 after learning that his battle with cancer would soon be coming to an end.  In his lecture Randy talked about the life lessons he had learned and the importance of living your childhood dreams.  In fact Randy was passionate about inspiring others to live their dreams.   

Randy talked about how sometimes on the way to a dream we run into a brick wall.  He says “The brick walls are there for a reason.  The brick walls are not there to keep us out, the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.  The brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.  They’re there to stop the other people.”   

How have your dreams and challenges impacted your life?  Have you run into some brick walls?  How did you handle them?  What can you do today to make some of these dreams possible?   

Take a few minutes to think about what your childhood dreams were.  I did and it was fun and enlightening.  I thought about things that had not crossed my mind for years.  I update my goals annually and after revisiting my childhood dreams I realized how relevant many of my childhood dreams were to what I do today and what I want today.  Isn’t that funny?  All those tests you take in school to determine what you should be when you grow up are really relevant.  Who knew?!  So for me this has sparked me to add some of my childhood dreams, which have not been accomplished, to my current day goals.   

Are your dreams still relevant?  Can they still be achieved?  Is it something that you want to achieve?  What is one action you can do today to help you reach your dream?  Are you are brave enough to post a comment with five of your childhood dreams?  The first person to post a comment with five of their childhood dreams will receive one of my “Favorite Products Guides” (a value of $24.95).  If you are the second or third person to post a comment I will send you a Levenger Recpeit Holder (a value of $3.20).  

I hope you take a look at Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture; it may be just what you need to achieve one of your childhood dreams.   

In case you want a good chuckle, here are a few of my childhood dreams:

1. Become an Interior Designer (no surprise there)
2. Have two children and a wonderful husband-Yea!
3. To own a label maker (mission accomplished!).
4. Become a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader (I was going to audition in 2002, but decided to race in a triathlon that took place at the same time as the auditions-sometimes we find new dreams)
5. Become a New York City Rockette (do you see a theme here?).
6. Own a Gucci purse (I know it’s superficial, but that goes way, way back).
7. To surf in Hawaii
8. To be the woman in the “I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan…Because I’m a WOMAN…” commercial.  I wanted to bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, wearing heels and look fabulous doing it. (Similar to I’m A Woman by Peggy Lee)
9. I wanted to be the first woman to own a major league baseball team.  (I know that one is not possible now, but maybe I could be the first Hispanic woman to own a baseball team).
10. To have a bear as a pet.  (not a teddy bear, a real live bear).
11. To be a public speaker (Go me!  I’m still looking to expand this if anyone’s interested)
12. To be an entrepreneur.  Although I didn’t know what an entrepreneur was or how to spell it for that matter, I was functioning as one at a very young age.

 Enjoy the good life,

Angela

Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.