How to Organize Your Wardrobe

Text by Heather Seftel-Kirk

Organizing your wardrobe is a challenge best tackled at least once a year. Thinking it can be put off from year to year and season to season only adds to the job you’ll have to do eventually.

The first thing to do to organize your wardrobe is to see it – all of it. Take everything out of your closet, drawers, dressers or whichever corner you happen to be working on. Lay it out where you can see it. Then How to Organize Your Wardrobe Article Imagedecide on categories – keeping, haven’t worn lately but really love, needs fixing or tailoring, haven’t worn and hate, throw out. This latter category may include pieces that are stained or damaged beyond being fixable.

The keeping pile is easy; it’s for all of the favorite pieces you wear regularly and rely on. Haven’t worn lately but love is for exactly that. The way styles change and things go out of fashion only to come back in, this category will help you sort and store away things you’ll miss if you give away. How many times have you thought…. “If only I had kept that sweater from 10 years ago. I loved it and it’s back in style again.” Pack these items away under the bed or in the basement in well labeled boxed so they’re easy to find when you want them.

Things that need fixing or tailoring include pieces needing buttons that won’t be worn until they’re fixed or pieces that just don’t fit the right way anymore but could with a little tailoring. Get them repaired and perhaps you won’t have to go shopping this season.

Anything that gives you a sense of, what was I thinking; gifts you were given that never really made your day; styles you hope never come back; or pieces that make you look too anything are all bound for the donation pile. What was once your mistake can one day be someone’s treasure. If you can’t think of a place to donate your items, shelters for women in many areas are happy to take gently used clothing for both women and children. Remember though, if it’s stained or damaged to the point you don’t want it, no one else will either.

Once your wardrobe is sorted, and I mean right down to shoes and lingerie, you’ll have a much better picture of what you have and what you might need. Now, before you put it all back consider whether your closet is organized the best it can be. If things are hidden or packed too tightly you may lose track of some of the great finds you’ve rediscovered. Perhaps some closet organizers or space savers can help you keep track of your clothing better.

As you put things back, try to keep them organized by season, style and usage. This will make it easier to find things when you want them and will make it less likely that things will be forgotten.

Once your wardrobe is organized and well sorted out you’re ready to take on the season ahead – perhaps with a little shopping along the way to fill in what you now know are the missing elements.

Purchasing a New Home?

Text by Wayne Shotton

The excitement is building as you have finally found your new home!

One of the least exciting things (next to packing), is arranging insurance for your new purchase. This insurance needs to be taken care of well in advance of your possession date. Your lawyer and your mortgage holder will require proof of insurance to enable the purchase to take place. And for you to receive your keys!

Whether you are transferring insurance from a previous residence or if this is your first home, the procedure remains the same. Your insurance broker will require details of the new residence in order to calculate a reconstruction cost of the building. The purchase price or real estate value do not factor into this.

Dwelling information required includes the age of the building, square footage per floor, outside wall covering and interior details such as flooring (type and amount), number of bathrooms, ceiling height, etc.

If the building is built prior to 1970, your broker may also need to know when updates were done on the shingles, heating, plumbing and electrical. (Fuses and/or breakers?)

If there is a woodstove in the house or garage, your broker will need complete details of the unit. There should be a label affixed to the stove indicating floor and wall clearances and protection required. Be aware that a woodstove could increase the cost of your insurance by at least 25%.

Last but not least is the protection of the property such as burglar/fire alarms, hydrants and the distance to the local fire hall.

With all this information, a broker can quickly determine which of the companies they represent best suits your needs.

Things to consider with respect to your insurance coverage:

Broad Form vs. Comprehensive

Water Escape/Sewer Backup

“Guaranteed” Replacement Cost

Reduced Glass Deductible

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