Top 3 Cleaning Tips When Your Taxes Are Done

Traditionally, today would have been the deadline for filing last year's tax return. However, since April 15th falls on Sunday this year, we get two additional days. Hopefully you've done your taxes or had them professionally prepared by now. If not, you only have until the day after tomorrow. Some post offices may be open late so that those who truly have waited until the last minute can still get their return postmarked and not have to file an extension.

Don't you wish housecleaning was like taxes? You have all year to prepare for it, then the deadline approaches and if you're still not ready, you can just file an extension. Well unfortunately, when it comes to cleaning house, it's not done until it's done. And if you continue putting it off (i.e. filing extensions), it only gets worse. While you won't have any penalties or interest, things will pile up, overwhelm you and get out of control.

Here are three things to do after your taxes are done:

File It
Since tax returns should be kept for a while, it's a good idea to keep them organized and protected. File a copy of your completed tax return along with all paperwork in a fire safe container in a cool dry area.

Save It
If you prepared your tax return electronically, be sure to save it in an accessible format on a CD or backup media instead of your computer's hard drive. You may also want to consider saving other important files/documents as well. This will secure your important documents if something happens to your computer.

Shred It
Periodically shred old bank statements, bills and other papers that contain your personal information. This can protect you from identity theft as well as ensure you have adequate space to keep your current important documents.

For more cleaning tips, purchase your copy of R U Looking? 31 Things To Look For When Cleaning Your Home today!

It's A New Year - Check Yourself

Have you heard the words to the song by Jennifer Hudson, “It's a new year and I'm feeling good'? Are you feeling good? Or did you bring the same feelings you had last year into the new year? Are you emotionally and physically tired? Is your mind cluttered? Is your house cluttered? Are you feeling weighed down and just sick and tired of being sicked and tired?

Well it is a new year. In fact, we are well into the first quarter of the new year. It's time to make some changes. In one culture, the natives comb their hair and dress up, put up decorations and clean their homes in preparation for their new year. If you haven't done any of these things you can still do them starting today! Today can be the beginning of your new year as well as the beginning of your new you!

If your mind is cluttered here's a list of things to do:

1. Get a pen and paper and write down what's on your mind. Be honest and get it all out. Talk to someone and don't be afraid to ask for help.
2. Make a list of possible solutions for these problems or issues.
3. Take action and do something about it and clear your mind for the rest of this year and for years to come.

Once your mind is clear, you can get rid of the clutter that is in your home by doing the following:

1. Look around your home with open eyes so you can see what's really there. Be honest with yourself. If you need help ask for it.
2. Make a “to do” list of things that will make your house the type of home you want. Include those things that may not be possible right now.
3. Prioritize your list.
4. Start at the top of your list and put into action what needs to be done. It may be as simple as organizing your closets or drawers and getting rid of stuff you haven't used in a while.
5. Once you get started, it will become easier and before you know it, your home will be all that you want it to be.

Make a decision and do something different if you want something different. Remember, your new year can start today! Get your copy of R U Looking? for more cleaning tips for your home.

Wannie and Lillie

10 Often Overlooked Areas of Dirt in Our Homes – The Seen and the Unseen

Sometimes, we have to go the extra mile when cleaning our homes. This simply means those areas that we forget to clean, don't want to clean or thought we did not need to clean may need some extra attention. But don't be alarmed, as stated in R U Looking? these overlooked areas don't have to be cleaned on a daily basis. In fact, some will only have to be cleaned twice a year. But once you do them, they will have a tremendous impact on the appearance of your home. These “dirty” places fall into two categories: The seen and the unseen:

The seen:
1) Clutter
2) Light fixtures, wall hangings and ceiling fans
3) Basements and laundry areas
4) Windows and window sills
5) Corners and baseboards

The unseen:
1) On top of the refrigerator
2) Behind furniture
3) Underneath appliances (stove and refrigerator)
4) Throw rugs and area rugs
5) Clutter

For more detailed information regarding these areas, get your copy of R U Looking? today!

Wannie and Lillie

R U Looking? 31 Things To Look For When Cleaning Your Home Book Release

R U Looking? 31 Things To Look For When Cleaning Your Home outlines tried and true tips for having a clean home at all times. You will learn how to do simple things on a daily, weekly, monthly, semi-annually or on an as needed basis that will transform the appearance of your home. Get your copy today for only $10 plus shipping and handling!

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Spring Has Sprung: Time to Deep Clean

As the season changes and the days become longer, we tend to open the windows in our homes and let the sunshine come in. As we enter into March, we want to remind any of you who made resolutions to de-clutter this year to get back on track. This time of year is a great time to begin spring cleaning.

Major “underneath” cleaning should be done twice per year and spring is usually the first time of the year that we roll up our sleeves to do it. Some things on the “to do” list can range from washing and painting baseboards, stripping floors and applying a new coat of wax to moving and cleaning underneath appliances and large furniture.

In our book, R U Looking? you will find a list of other things to consider when spring cleaning. The list is not exhaustive and you may not have to do everthing that we suggest. As you go through the list however, you will learn to see what's really in your home and you can identify any problem areas and begin to transform the look of your home from floor to ceiling!

Get your copy of R U Looking? today and let the sunshine come in!

Wannie and Lillie

3 Ways to Clean Up Your Attitude (Excerpt from R U Looking?)

Now that your mind is clear and the weight is off, it's easier to see that it does not always matter how you do something, but the attitude you have while doing it makes all the difference in the world.

1.Check yourself before you wreck yourself! Do a self-examination and let go of unnecessary burdens. If it won't matter in five years, it shouldn't matter today. Be grateful that you have someone to pick up after!

2.Focus in on what you have to do in your home and with the right attitude, you won't believe what you will get done. Now put on your favorite music and dance or sing your way to a cleaner home.

3.Make a conscious decision to choose a positive attitude every day because it can take you many places and open numerous doors for you. A clean home means less stress, opportunities for entertaining and no more clutter!

Clean up your attitude and you'll be able to clean up your home!

R U Looking? Are You Seeing What's Really There?

Get the Weight Off and Love Again

February is sometimes called the LOVE month. It's here and in full swing and love should be in the air! But maybe love is not on your mind because you're feeling helpless and the issues of life are weighing you down. The motivation of your new year's resolution is fleeing and you don't feel like doing anything at all – especially cleaning your home.

Hebrews 12:1 says “let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” We have to do just that. There are some things in life that we simply cannot control and we have to stop worrying about those things. We literally have to lay them aside because they are out of our hands. But the things we can control and do, we must DO THEM. We have to endure so that we can see the end of it! Follow these steps to make your home a home that you love again.

1. Clear your mind
2. Look around your home
3. Identify your problem room
4. Think about what you need to do in that room
5. Focus on that
6. Now get ready to work

With a clear mind, the weights of life set aside and off your shoulders, you can focus on what must be done in all areas of your life. Choose today to make it your best day. R U Looking? Are you seeing what's really there? Remember, things always look better in a clean room!

Wannie and Lillie

More tips coming soon!

3 Steps to Win the Battle Against Clutter

What exactly is clutter? We found several definitions such as untidy mess; state of disorder; litter; things left around untidily; to disorder and to make untidy. Have you made any progress in your decluttering projects? What state are you in? Are you an "untidy mess" or do you choose to live untidily? Do you find yourself hoarding things or holding on to stuff that you refuse to let go?

In this new year, make an honest decision to live clean and free from clutter. Learn to let go of things that are not important. Don't allow things to become more important than life. You will find that when you let go of things, it not only frees you of clutter physically, it can also free you mentally. As you let go, you will feel a weight being lifted off. And as you clear the inside of your home and yourself, the outside will be better. You will find yourself happier and free!

Let us know what's on your mind and as you go through your clutter, follow these three steps to win the battle:

1. Pace yourself. Once you've chosen the area to declutter, do a little each day. Remember, life by the yard is hard, but life by the inch is a cinch!
2. Don't get too overwhelmed thinking of all the things you have to do because you end up procrastinating and not doing anything at all.
3. Try and get everyone in your home on board. Otherwise you might find yourself fighting a losing battle.

Open your eyes and win the battle! R U Looking? Are you seeing what's really there?