Book Review - Unf*ck Your Habitat: You're Better Than Your Mess

Ever go visit a friend and walk into a spotless house? Everything is dust free, counters free from dishes, papers filed neatly away, no cat or dog hair anywhere. You leave feeling depressed and anxious about your own home. How do people have time to clean? Rachel Hoffman has written UnF*CK Your Habitat – You’re Better Than Your Mess. Cleaning and organizing tips for real people with busy and complicated lives. A simple and easy guide on how to house clean without anxiety.

Ms. Hoffman writes in a friendly and easy to read style. She recognizes that everyone has different family situations and different limitations. She mentions that people deal with depression, ADHD, mental illness and some live in chronic pain. Her suggestions are realistic, adaptable and attainable.

To start, the author recognizes that traditional housekeeping systems with rigid
structures and routines do not necessarily fit into the world in 2018. She suggests
that we should fit our cleaning routines around our lives instead of vice versa.
Traditional gender roles of cleaning and organizing have typically been a women’s
role. She says “bullsh*t” to that idea. Now that men and women all work outside
the home, “it’s time for us to change the way we look at domestic work and the
people who perform it. By seeing and acknowledging the amount of labor
involved, we can start to realize that a more equal division of labor in our own
homes is inherently fairer than expecting it all to fall under the umbrella of
women’s work,” writes the author.
                                                                                                                                                           UFYH, discuss why “marathon cleaning,” cleaning non-stop for a few days will
not work. Marathon cleaning will not help you build habits you need to maintain
your home. They key focus of the book is learning the 20/10’s. “A 20/10 is twenty
minutes of cleaning followed by a 10 minute break. The break is not optional,”
says Ms. Hoffman. You may ask how can I get all my cleaning done in 20
minutes? Well, you probably can’t. Larger projects may need a few 20/10’s.
However, the author points out that a lot can be accomplished in 20 minutes. By
following the 20/10’s, you will be able to keep the house up to speed without ever
falling into the marathon cleaning rut. You will be happier because you won’t feel
as if you are spending all your free time cleaning and organizing. Some people may wonder, do I have 20 minutes? UFYH points out that most people have 20 minutes to spend on social media or Netflix. Certainly, if one prioritizes wisely we all can find 20 minutes to clean.

Multi-tasking is also mentioned. “There are a million little things we can do while we are waiting on other things,” says the author. While the coffee is brewing unload the dishwasher. Dinner in the oven, wash your prep dishes. Something heating in the microwave, wipe down your surfaces. By using your time wisely, you can accomplish quite a bit.

At House to Home Organizing, one of our main tenants is “a place for everything with everything in its place.” The book stresses to put things where they belong instead of leaving them on the counter, on the hallway floor or hidden in closets. This will keep chaos from escalating and most importantly keep your surfaces clean.

Make your bed! A messy bed makes a room messier. A made bed helps you to start
the day fresh, and will keep you from getting back in! At night try to prep for the
morning. “Doing 20 minutes’ worth of work before bed can save you endless
aggravation in the morning,” says the author. Layout your clothes, clean the sink,
prep for breakfast and lunch, prep your vitamins, are a few of the suggestions for
preparing for the next day.

Take photos. At H2H, we always take before/after photos of our work.
You should too! Many times people are so exhausted by cleaning they can’t
remember what it looked like before they started. By taking photos you will see
proof in what you have accomplished. When things get messy and dirty again you
can look at the after photo and know you did it once before so certainly you can do
it again!

Oh no, your parents or best friend will be stopping by tomorrow. Your home is a
mess! Ms. Hoffman delves into emergency cleaning with gusto. She suggests put
on great music, get a non-alcoholic beverage of your choice and put the laptop and
tablets away as you don’t want any distractions. Make you bed, get your cleaning
supplies together and away you go! There is a step by step guide as to cleaners to
use, and a how to guide as to where to start and finish.

In addition there is an entire section on moving tips, unf*cking your digital habitat
and how to use the 20/10’s for school work and your real work. This book is a font
of information for the average person who needs some support and guidance trying
to maintain a clean and clutter free home. There are lots of practical
housecleaning/organizing books on the market. What really makes UFYH stand
apart from the others is that it is written for a multitude of people with different
lifestyles. Men, women, single people, people with roommates, people with physical and mental limitations and people who never learned how to clean can all benefit and learn easy and doable cleaning/organizing strategies.

Unf*ck Your Habitat: You're Better Than Your Mess

By Rachel Hoffman

Buy on Amazon

Please note: If you choose to purchase the book using our Amazon link, H2H receives a small commission designed to help keep our rates affordable.

Interview - SWCAA

At House to Home Organizing,  we have helped many families in multi-generational homes who are either transitioning to the next life stage living situation or have loved ones who are downsizing. Often, our clients tell us they are overwhelmed and don't know how to begin. We spoke with Sharon Gesek, Director of Programs at The Southwestern CT Agency on Aging to help provide solutions to some of the challenges that older adults face.

For the busy person, what is the best description for Southwestern CT Agency on Aging?

SWCAA is a private, not-for-profit organization, designated by the federal government (according to the Older Americans Act of 1965) as an Area Agency on Aging, SWCAA is a funding source for federal and state dollars for the elderly in a fourteen town region of southwestern Connecticut.

Funding supports services such as in-home care, nutrition, legal, health, adult day care/respite, transportation, senior centers, outreach/social support and Information and Assistance.

What are the common challenges for older adults in Connecticut? 

Connecticut isn’t all that different than other states with one of the most challenging obstacles for adults as they age, navigating a complex, and at times confusing landscape of Long Term Services and Supports.

You offer numerous programs, what are the ones most in demand?

Access to In-Home Services and Supports to delay or prevent institutionalization, Caregiver Resources, Information and Assistance with Health Insurance Options and Medicare and Grant Opportunities to the Community.

For new caregivers of older parents, what areas should they focus on to get them started?

That’s a tough questions because each family situation is a bit different. I would start with calling a CHOICES counselor at one of five CT Area Agencies on Aging to get individual options that suit the caregiver and care recipient. An Information Specialist will need to get personal information and will then review available options to you and offer assistance in accessing the services you feel are suitable for your loved one. 

It could be connecting an individual with the VA, respite for the caregiver, or possibly in-home services through the CT Homecare Program for Elders.

You help older adults avoid scams, can you discuss the program?

SWCAA has an Informational Specialist who coordinates the Senior Medicare Patrol Program.  This is a nationwide program that provides one-on-one counseling and assistance to people on Medicare help them better understand their Medicare summary notices and understand billing and other paperwork that may be confusing or overwhelming. If there is a suspicious case or circumstances, the SMP Coordinator or a trained volunteer, can help beneficiaries report fraud to the proper state and federal authorities. Community SMP presentations  are offered at a whole host of area sites including libraries, Senior Centers, Community Centers, and faith based organizations. SWCAA will work with any organization that is willing to sponsor a community presentation to alert beneficiaries how to; Prevent, Detect and Report fraud and scams. 

Now that Spring has Sprung

Now that spring has sprung, it is time to start thinking about getting your house in order. Does that mean de-cluttering? Deep cleaning? Maybe both?

People tend to get confused as to the difference between a cleaning service and a professional organizer. A common misconception is that they are one and the same. Incorrect. Cleaning is about getting out the mops, sponges, bucket, vacuum, and removing the mold, dirt, pet hair and grime. Organizing is about reducing clutter and developing and maintaining systems to keep your home and ultimately your life organized. So before you start your spring cleaning you may want to consider decluttering, either by yourself or by hiring a professional organizer.

At House to Home Organizing many times we hear people say “all I need to do to get organized is to throw things out.” Incorrect again. Decluttering is not about throwing things out. Decluttering is about the following:

-picking an area of your house you want to organize

-gathering all the like items together

-reviewing all of them

-making decisions as to what to keep, donate, sell, recycle or trash

-figuring out where and how to store what you are keeping (shelving, bins, baskets, drawer organizers etc…)

Sounds easy right? However, for many this can be a daunting task. For example, think about your attic. Years of build-up, and out of sight out of mind items have accumulated. Who really wants to work in the attic reviewing years of keepsakes, holiday décor, gifts from relatives and old papers? This is where hiring a professional organizer can really make an impact.

Closets are another area that can be a big challenge. Switching out seasonal clothing may be a time to ask yourself a few questions. How long has it been since I wore it last? Realistically will I ever wear it again? Is there a reason it has been tucked away hiding in the back of my closet? Maybe it is time to purge and donate. Also, anything with a rip, tear or stain should go to fabric recycling.

Spring is also the time to consider organizing remote areas like the garage. The garage is an easy catch all for accumulation and clutter. Many homeowners end up with multiple tools, excess gardening supplies, buckets of old toys, automobile accessories etc… For example, sometimes there is so much clutter that homeowners end up purchasing multiple tools they already own because they just can’t find the first one. Hence, 10 hammers, 17 screwdrivers, 20 beach shovels and buckets, you get the point. By organizing and purchasing systems like garage shelving and plastic bins  you can create dedicated areas in the garage and you will be able to easily find what you need.

Organizing is about time. Something busy home owners do not have a lot of. Hiring a professional organizer will give you a jump start and teach you methods to properly declutter without regret.

Buy on Amazon

If you want to try it yourself here are few tips:

-start slowly. Maybe start in a small area and dedicate 2 hours

-keep a trash bag and donate box nearby (save trips for the end so you can stay focused)

-things you are keeping put in clear plastic bins so you can see what is inside

-label the outside of all the bins (use labels or notes with tape so you can reuse the bin later)

-working with a family member can be difficult. Maybe ask a friend who likes to organize if it is something you don’t want to do alone

- make it fun put on some music!

Reward yourself when done, maybe a cup of coffee, ice cream cone or a new shirt to replace the one you just donated.

Smile and happy organizing!

Guest Post - How To Store Your Golf Clubs At Home

How To Store Your Golf Clubs At Home: 3 Strategies To Reduce Clutter and Free Up Space

We all know space around the house is limited - and finding appropriate space to store golf clubs is no exception to this rule.

There are generally two issues that will occur: finding enough space and making sure the golf equipment is stored safely, so the golf clubs stay in mint condition. Overall, the general consensus is to store golf clubs in a dry room at moderate temperature.

Yet this is often easier said than done: we all know that it can be much more complicated than that, especially if you have a lot of clubs. In this article, we will share our top three tips on storing golf clubs, and how you can make the most of your home’s storage space.

Let us begin with the first one.

Only Store at Home an Optimized Amount of Golf Clubs

The first mindset you should have on golf club storage is that you are only allowed to bring 14 different clubs to a golf course. So, arguably the best way to optimize club storage at home is to first, only purchase and bring home the clubs you will actually need. Yes, some golfers might need different club sets for different courses, but doesn’t mean you need to have over 50 clubs stored at home.

With so much new equipment released virtually every day, it is understandable that the temptation to expand your collection is high. If you do have unlimited budget and unlimited storage spaces, that shouldn’t be a problem. Yet, we all know that’s not the case for the most of us.

So, what’s the optimal club sets we should have (and store at home)? Here is how I will recommend it:

For Beginners/High-Handicappers

A very forgiving driver or a 3-wood, as most high-handicappers can’t hit a driver and they can replace it with an easier to hit 3-wood

7-, 8-, 9- irons

4-, 5-, 6- hybrids to replace the hard to hit long-irons

Putter, a mallet one with plenty of forgiveness

A pitching wedge

For Mid-Handicappers

A driver

A 3-wood

6- to 9- irons

4- and 5- hybrids to replace two long irons

Sand wedge & pitching wedge

Putter

For Low-Handicappers/Tour Players

A driver

A 3-wood, or you can replace it with a more versatile 2-hybrid

3- to 9- irons

Gap wedge

Pitching wedge, lob wedge, sand wedge

Putter

Store Your Clubs In Your Bedroom

The first places that come to mind to store your golf clubs might be your pantry, your garage, or other dedicated storage spaces. Yet, there are several disadvantages with this practice which make us actually strongly recommend other, more appropriate places around the house.

Our recommendation is to store your golf clubs in your bedroom, a study or other rooms with enough storage spaces you frequently use.

Why? There are three things you should definitely avoid with golf clubs: physical scratches, heat, and moisture.

If you store your clubs in a warehouse or even worse, your car trunk, the clubs can pick up physical dent or nicks from bumping with each other or with other things inside the warehouse.

Heat is also an issue if you are storing your clubs in your car trunk, especially if you park your car outside. Heat can cause the glue under your grip to break down. A garage, on the other hand, often has issues with build-up moistures.

If you have a  big collection of golf clubs (which we don’t recommend, see our first tip above), you might also forget some of the clubs stored in your garage or warehouse, since you don’t visit those rooms often.

So, storing your clubs in a room you frequent has two main benefits : first, you won’t forget about them and can check their condition frequently. Second, by having your clubs where you can see it, they can remind you to play more often.

Choose a Proper Golf Bag

No matter where you store your golf clubs, you will obviously need a golf bag to place your clubs (or several, if you have more than 14 clubs). Since we have agreed that storage spaces are limited and hence, valuable, the ideal golf bag is the one that allows you to store as many golf clubs as possible, yet has the least volume.

Here are some we will recommend:

Callaway Golf 2017 Org Cart Bag

A relatively compact golf bag with 12 x 10 x 35 inches dimension and only 5.8 pounds of weight (without your clubs), yet offers plenty of storage spaces and pockets with Callaway quality.

The most interesting quality of the Callaway 2017 Org Cart Bag is the 14-way organization system, complete with full-length club dividers. So, you wouldn’t have to worry about clubs banging with each other during transportation or storage.

Ogio Golf 2017 Press Cart Bag

A key highlight of the Ogio Golf 2017 Press Cart Bag is how it is very reasonably priced, so it is an excellent choice for those with limited budget. Yet, the bag offers plenty of storage with eight-way organization and full-length dividers.

Regarding compactness, it is only 8-ounces with 10.5 x 13 x 37 inches of dimension. There are also 9 additional pockets to store other golf equipment.

PING Golf Men’s Traverse II Cart Bag

PING is of course, one of the most prominent names in the world of golf equipment, so quality is definitely not a question with the PING Traverse II Cart Bag. As with Callaway Org Cart Bag above, it also offers 14-way organization system, and the full-length dividers are made from air-meshed and cushion polypropylene material able to withstand high impact.

It is still relatively compact at 36 x 10 x 14 inches, but is slightly heavier at 8 pounds. An excellent choice for those looking for a high-end golf bag.

Jordan Fuller is a golf enthusiast who loves to spend days on the green, interacting with other players. For the last 25 years, he's been a key member of the Nebraska golf community, helping and assisting players of all levels near his home course near Omaha. Recently, seeing that many golfers were facing the same challenges, he started his own golf website to help golfers become better players.