​I am no maths genius but this one is a no brainer.  Consider the real estate that is being used by you or someone you love to store stuff.  A room, a storey, a garage, a storage unit.  Now, what are other options for the very same space?
 
-Rental with you as the landlord
-Space for your family to actually live
-Room to park your cars or someone else to park theirs – willing to pay for the privilege
-Saved money 
 
A professional organising session averages $70/hour.  An average session is 4 hours so $280.  Do the math as far as the value of what you would gain:
 
A room to rent per month at $900 = $10 800 per annum
A storey per month $2500 = $30 000 per annum
A storage unit per month $100 = $1200 per annum
 
Let the facts decide:   $280 v $10 800
                                        $280 v $30 000
                                        $280 v $1200
 
Contact a local organiser and make your money work for you – FOR THE LOVE OF STUFF – you won’t regret it!
 

This is it!  Last task to cross off your list this weekend before La Rentrée.  FOOD.  Yes, the crucial detail that guarantees success! 
 
Let’s start by doing a 10 minute purge of our fridge or most used cupboard.  This is not cleaning just clearing out what is old or will not be eaten.  Add items to your list that you need to replenish. 
 
Choose 3 go-to meals for next week that you know your family loves.  Make sure all the ingredients necessary are there and if not add them to the list. 
 
Now let’s consider school lunches and snacks.  Just the basics, you can get more inventive after the first week.  Right now, the new schedule structure will be enough to deal with. 
 
Ensuring there will be no need for late night shopping trips for a missed ingredient is plenty fine for now.
 
As you are making your list, take a quick trip to the bathroom and see what daily supplies are running low – floss, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, conditioner etc.
 
Armed with your list I suggest going online and ordering what you need.  This way it’s one less errand to run.  Also, it does save money in the long run, even if there is a delivery fee because in my experience you stick to your list without being swayed by specials, your cravings or your kids asking for stuff.
 
Now my friends, you are ready for Back to School.  You have a handle on what you have, what you need, a list to follow and a plan.  Brilliant!
 

Command Centre/Launch Pad/Dispatch Zone – whatever it’s called in your house is a crucial part of staying on top of the day to day.  If your house doesn’t have one then today is the day!
 
This is an area of the home that holds all the things you need to take with you on your way out the door.  Your bag/backpack, permissions slips, lunches, paraphernalia for after school activities or sports, items to return to the store, dry cleaning, items to be repaired etc. 
 
It is also where you train your children to put the things they need you to take care of – school supplies lists, permission slips, and extracurricular activities information. 
 
This area works hand in hand with the tomorrow box.  That’s in their room and the Command Centre is somewhere accessible for all in the household on their way in or out.  In this way your family members can prepare their outfits for the next day and consider what other preparations need to be done so there is less thinking and panic in the morning.  Get their lunches in their backpacks; pull out whatever gear is necessary for the weather – nothing more aggravating then looking for a lone mitten when you’re already 10 minutes late.
 
This kind of organisation is such a simple and easily achieved way of teaching, guiding and helping your children become self sufficient and confident.  You are doing them and yourself a favour.
 
Go for it!