Organize + Energize: 7 Ways You are Wasting Money Due to Your Disorganization
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Monday, October 12, 2015
Kristin MacRae, GoLocalPDX Organizing Expert
People I meet will tell me that they’ve always wanted to get organized, but they just don’t have the money to spend on it. I will always answer with, “How much money have you wasted due to your disorganization?”
If you are disorganized, I can guarantee that you have wasted thousands of dollars due to your disorganization. Is your spouse telling you it’s too expensive and not worth the money to hire an organizer? Look around your home and look at all the money you’ve wasted due to your disorganization.
All of the patterns are the same when talking about wasting money and disorganization. You will realize how much money you have lost once you start decluttering and going through paper piles, kitchen cabinets, and closets. If you are disorganized there is a 100% chance that you have wasted money on the following:
Misplaced cash/checks: If you have paper piles in your home, I am telling you that there is cash and uncashed checks in those piles. If you are short on cash and you are disorganized, I encourage you to rummage through your paper piles and you will find it there.
Misplaced gift card: If you don’t have a system to process your gift cards, it’s time to create one. The holidays are right around the corner and it’s that time of year when you will be receiving them. If there isn’t a system in place, gift cards will be found scattered in junk drawers, closets, spare bedrooms and still inside the gift bag with the card and envelope.
Impulse purchases. You’ll find yourself at the store without a list and you purchase things you really don’t need or you have 3 just like it at home. If you keep a list and plan and prepare, you can save money on impulse purchases.
Late fees: Do you misplace or forget to pay your bills? You will be paying extra in late fees, in turn, your credit score will drop and your interest rates will increase. By developing an organized system to pay your bills, you will never pay a late fee again.
Purchasing duplicate items: When you are disorganized, you will usually have the same items scattered in different rooms. Batteries, light bulbs, office supplies in all forms, food items, are just some of the things that you will waste money on.
Organizing supplies: How much money have you wasted on organizing supplies that just didn’t work? They usually end up in a pile in the basement. Once you have your categories and itemized piles, then you can measure your space and purchase the right container that fits what you need to hold.
Time: My dad, a successful small business owner, had this to say, “Being organized makes you more profitable because you don’t waste any time. Every shot has to count. Meaning, everything you do, you can’t waste time and energy. Put your nose to the grind and get it done right the first time. Time relates to money. Bottom line, the more time you waste looking for things, it turns into money lost.”
Think about how much money you have wasted over the years due to your disorganization. It’s time to put a plan into motion and think about what you are going to do with all of the extra money you will have!
Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. She has appeared on air on Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio and her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start. She is also available for organizing workshops. Tune into her weekly radio show, Organize, Energize! on talkstreamradio.com.
Related Slideshow: 25 Only in Oregon Fall Festivals
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Pumpkin Beer Festival
The Pumpkin Beer Festival offers 25 pumpkin beers, pumpkin-related games, and live street music.
Guests can pair their brews with a pumpkin menu or try a pumpkin cocktail instead.
Where? Green Dragon Bistro & Brew Pub, 928 SE 9th Ave, Portland
When? 11 AM- 12 PM, October 17.
Suggested donation of $5 at the door to benefit Camp Ukandu
More info here
Photo Credit: Joel Olives via Compfight cc
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Pumpkin Regatta Festival
The Pumpkin Regatta Festival is a free race across the Tualatin lake in giant pumpkins, plus a 5K run, pumpkin carving, music, entertainment, kids’ crafts, costume contest, and food and drink vendors.
This year marks the festival's 11th anniversary. The event attracts spectators from all over the Pacific Northwest, United States and Canada, and has been featured on national media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, CNN and the Travel Channel, says the city of Tualatin website.
Where? The Tualatin Lake of the Commons, 8325 SW Nyberg St.
When? 10 AM- 4 PM, Saturday, October 17.
More info here
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Zombie Walk
Want to see thousands of Portlanders walk and dance down the street dressed like zombies? Well then the Portland Zombie Walk is for you.
Would-be zombies are already practicing their dance moves for the walk, and you can join.
The Zombie Walk is an annual event that started as a flash mob in 2006 by private organizers.
Where? Hollywood Vintage Theater, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97212
When? October 31, 2 PM- 6 PM
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Photo Credit: Gianluca Ramalho Misiti, Zombie Walk 2012
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Thriller Dance Portland
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More info here
Event: 3:00 PM, Saturday October 24 at Irving City Park, North East Freemont St., Portland
Dance Practices: 6-8 PM on Friday Evenings: October 9, 16, 23, and 2-4 PM Sunday afternoons: October 11, 18.
Photo Credit: iStock
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North West Cider Festival
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Ciderfest is a collaboration of the local Muscular Dystrophy Association, and proceeds will help fun MDA's clinics at Shriner’s Hospital and OHSU Medical Center as well as Oregon Neurology Associates and Sacred Heart.
Where? Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave., Portland
When? 10 AM-8 PM, October 10 and 11
More info here
Photo Credit: iStock
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Apple Tasting
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Enter the scarecrow contest to win a $100 Portland Nursery gift card. All entrants get a free five-pound bag of apples.
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When? 10 AM-5 PM, October 10-12, and 17-19
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Photo Credit: iStock
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Haunted Graveyard
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Where? 8703 South East 43rd Ave. Milwaukie, Oregon 97222
When? October 1-31, Monday-Thursday & Sat-Sun dusk-10 PM, Friday, dusk-11 PM
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Photo Credit: Davis Graveyard website
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Halloween Fantasy Trail
The Halloween Fantasy Trail is a fun event for families. The lighted trail includes a decorated castle, suspension bridge, tunnel, and maze at Wenzel family farm. The trail costs $5 for adults and $4 for children 12 or under
Where? Wenzel family farm in Oregon City
When? Oct 1-Oct 30, 12 PM-5 PM everyday and 7 PM-10 PM every night.
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Portland Coffee Crawl
Warm up the fall with coffee, coffee, and more coffee.
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Where? Several Portland Coffee Shops, see a list of participating shops here
When? October 21
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13th Door Haunted House
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Where? 3855 SW Murray Blvd., Beaverton
When? October 1-31, weekdays 7 PM-10 PM, weekends 7 PM-11 PM, and 7 PM-Midnight on Halloween.
More info here
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Photo Credit: Paul Bearers, 13th Door website
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The Squishing of the Squa
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Where? The Oregon Zoo
When? 10:30 AM, Friday October 30
More info here
Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo website
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Howloween at the Zoo
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Where? The Oregon Zoo
When? 9 AM- 3 PM, Saturday, October 31,
More info here
Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo website
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Halloween Dance Party
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Tickets cost $12 in advance and $15 day of.
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All About Fruit Show
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When? October 17- October 18 from 10 AM to 4 PM
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Corn Maze
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Tickets cost $12.
Where? 16511 North West Gillihan Rd., Portland, (On Sauvie Island at
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When? 10 AM-6 PM October 10- November 1
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Photo Credit: iStock
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Halloween on a Farm
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Where? See a list of all farms offering Halloween activities here
When? October 1-31
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Zombie Zip Line
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When? October 24-25
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Killer Beer Week
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Where? Various locations in Portland
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Fright Town
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More info here
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Photo Credit: iStock
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Trick or Treat Alberta
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Where? Alberta St. in North Portland
When? 3:30-6 PM, Friday October 31
More info here
Photo Credit: iStock
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Corn Maze in the City
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Where? 8433 NE 12th Ave. in Portalnd.
When? October 1- November 19
More info here.
Photo Credit: Fabio Farms Website
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Fall Kite Festival
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Where? D-River Wayside State Park
When? October 10- 11 10 AM to 4 PM
More info here.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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Yachats Village Mushroom
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Where? Yachats Commons
When? October 16-18
More info here.
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Eek Week
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Where? The Portland Children's Museum. 4015 SW Canyon Road in Portland.
When? October 25- October 31
More info here
Photo Credit: The Portland Children's Museum Facebook Page
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Halloween Jazz Party
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Where? The Secret Society, 116 NE Russell St. in Portland
When? Saturday October 31 at 9 p.m.
More info here.
Photo Credit: The Midnight Serenaders' Facebook Page
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