Home Organization Tips Archives - Organized By Catherine

7 Easy Tips for Organizing Your Business Receipts

by Organized By Catherine | Mar 8, 2026 | Home organization services, Home Organization Tips

Hey there, fellow business owner! If you are anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself buried under a mountain of receipts at one point or another. Managing those tiny pieces of paper (or their digital equivalents) might not feel glamorous, but it’s super important for keeping your business running smoothly.

So, let’s dive into seven easy tips to help you organize your business receipts and simplify your life!

1. Set Up a Receipt Storage System

First things first: create a special spot just for your receipts! Whether you like going old-school with physical files or prefer the digital route, having a dedicated place will save you time and stress.

For Physical Receipts: Grab yourself a sturdy file folder or a filing cabinet and label it by month or category (like “Travel or Office Supplies”)

For Digital Receipts: Consider using cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or Evernote. Make folders for different types of expenses and upload your receipts as soon as you get them. This way, your receipts won’t pile up, and you will always know where to find them!

2. Make Documenting a Daily Habit

Don’t let those receipts clutter your desk or wallet! Create a simple routine for handling them. At the end of each day (or week, if that works better for you), take some time to go through your receipts and jot down what they were for—this could be a project name, client, or just what the expense was. If you are using a digital system, snap a photo of the receipt with your phone and upload it right away. This little habit will keep your records organized and make accounting a breeze!

3. Try Out Receipt Management Apps

In our tech-savvy world, you don’t have to tackle receipt organization alone. There are some fantastic apps like Expensify, Shoeboxed, or Receipt Bank that help you capture and store your receipts effortlessly. Most of these apps can even pull important details for you, like the date, vendor, and amount. Using an app can save you tons of time especially when tax season rolls around. Plus, many of them will categorize your expenses for you, making bookkeeping feel way less overwhelming!

4. Sort Your Receipts Into Categories

Okay, time for some fun! Let’s get organized by categorizing those receipts. Instead of throwing everything into one big pile, separate them into meaningful groups. Here are some common categories to consider:

Office Supplies: Everything from pens to paper.
Travel Expenses: Transportation, hotels, meals, and more.
Client Meals & Entertainment: Dinners or events with clients.
Professional Services: Fees paid to accountants, consultants, or freelancers.

Organizing your receipts this way will not only make tax time a breeze but also give you a clearer picture of where your money is going.

5. Schedule Regular Check-ins

Keeping your receipt organization system in good shape requires ongoing TLC. Set aside time each month (or every few months) to review your receipts. During these sessions, make sure everything is documented, categorized, and filed correctly. This will help you catch any mistakes or missing receipts before they become a bigger headache. Plus, you may discover areas where you are overspending that could use a little trimming!

6. Create a Backup Plan

Life happens! Digital receipts can get lost, and physical ones can become damaged or misplaced. To protect yourself, have a backup plan in place. For physical receipts, consider scanning them and storing the digital copies in your cloud storage. For digital receipts, regularly download copies and save them to an external hard drive or USB stick. It’s always comforting to know that your important documents are safe and sound—no matter what life throws your way!

7. Know the Rules

Finally, let’s talk about the legal side of things. It’s crucial to understand the rules governing receipt retention in your area. For instance, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) typically requires businesses to hold onto receipts for at least six years from the end of the tax year. Knowing these rules can save you a lot of stress, especially during audits. Regularly review your documents to make sure everything is in order, and your filing system stays up to date.

By embracing these tips, you will be well on your way to managing your business receipts. Having a dedicated storage system, making documenting a daily habit, and utilizing tech tools will lighten your load. Regular reviews, clear categories, solid backups, and knowledge of the rules will keep you in control of your business finances.

If you have fallen behind with your business receipts or feel overwhelmed by the task, don’t hesitate to consider hiring a professional organizer. Organized By Catherine can help you catch up quickly and efficiently, ensuring your records are in tip-top shape. Remember, getting organized is all about taking small steps toward a more manageable and enjoyable work life. So, take control of those business receipts today—you’ve got this!

If you would like some support getting your filing in order, you can start with my Try Me Package

10 Tips for Fall Home Organizing for People with ADHD and Anxiety

by Organized By Catherine | Oct 20, 2025 | Home Organization Tips, Tips from a Professional Organizer

As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisper, it’s natural to want to usher in a sense of order and calm in our home. However, if you have ADHD or experience anxiety, the thought of organizing your space can be overwhelming and stressful. The good news? With the right strategies and mindset, you can create a more organized and peaceful environment. As a professional organizer who has worked extensively with clients who are neurodivergent, I’m here to share ten essential tips to help you declutter and organize your home this fall.

1. Start with a Plan

Before diving into organizing, take a moment to sit down and create a plan. This can help reduce anxiety and worry about where to start. Write down the areas of your home that feel most chaotic and prioritize them. Consider breaking this list down into smaller, manageable tasks. For example, instead of “organize the living room,” you might list “declutter the coffee table” or “sort through children’s toys.” A solid plan can set you up for success while keeping overwhelm at bay.

2. Set a Timer

For individuals with ADHD, extended focus on a single task can feel daunting. To help manage this, set a timer for 15 or 20 minutes and commit to decluttering during that time. When the timer goes off, take a break! This technique can make organizing feel less like a marathon and more like a series of manageable sprints. You might be surprised by how much you can accomplish in short bursts of focused work.

3. Use the Four-Box Method

One effective way to reduce clutter and streamline the organizing process is the four-box method. Grab four boxes and label them as: Keep, Donate, Trash, and Relocate. As you go through items in a particular space, decide on which box each item belongs to. This method not only helps in decluttering effectively but also reduces decision fatigue. By physically seeing your choices in front of you, it can ease the anxiety that comes with making decisions about your belongings.

4. Involve Your Children

If you have children, consider turning organizing into a family activity. Engaging your kids not only helps lighten your workload but also teaches them valuable lessons about organization and cleanliness. Set up a game where they can choose toys to donate, explaining how their old toys could benefit other children. This collaborative approach can make the process feel less overwhelming and promote a sense of teamwork and accomplishment.

5. Designate Donation Days

Another effective tip for fall organizing is to schedule regular donation days. This can help create a habit of decluttering and make it less of a monumental task when it comes time to organize. Pick a specific day each month to go through your belongings and decide what can be donated. Making it a routine can also reduce stress around what to do with items you no longer want or need, minimizing the worry of holding onto excess clutter.

6. Create a System for Your Pets

Pets can add joy to our lives, but they can also contribute to clutter. To combat this, create a designated area for pet supplies, such as leashes, toys, and food. Utilize bins or baskets to keep everything organized and easy to access. This approach not only declutters your living space but can also help ease anxiety by providing a clear, organized system for your pet’s needs.

7. Simplify Your Storage Solutions

When organizing, the goal is to simplify, not complicate. Look for storage solutions that are easy to use and maintain. Clear bins can help you see at a glance what’s inside, while labeled boxes can provide clarity and reduce the stress of searching for items. When items are easy to put away, it encourages consistent organization, making it less likely for clutter to accumulate and alleviate the anxiety that often follows.

8. Use Visual Aids

For individuals with ADHD, visual aids can be a game-changer. Consider creating checklists, charts, or mood boards to track your organizing progress. You might also take “before” and “after” photos to celebrate your achievements and visualize the transformation. Having a tangible representation of your efforts can boost motivation and reduce the feelings of overwhelm, serving as a reminder of what you can achieve.

9. Break it Down by Category

Instead of tackling an entire room, focus on a specific category of items, such as clothing or kitchen gadgets, for each organizing session. This method minimizes overwhelm and allows you to see immediate results. You may find it easier to declutter when your categories are more defined. After all, we often accumulate more than we realize in specific areas of our homes, and addressing categories one at a time can ease anxiety.

10. Celebrate Your Progress

As you embark on your organizing journey, don’t forget to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Acknowledge the effort it takes to declutter and organize, especially if you’re navigating through ADHD or anxiety. Reward yourself each time you complete a section or a task. Whether it’s treating yourself to a favorite snack or taking a relaxing evening off, recognizing your hard work can motivate you to keep going.

Conclusion

Fall is the perfect time to embrace organization in your home, but if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Taking on the challenge of home organization, especially as someone with ADHD or anxiety, can be incredibly daunting. The tips outlined above aim to provide structure and manageable steps to help you tackle clutter and create a serene environment.

However, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. If you feel stuck or overwhelmed at any point during your organizing project, consider hiring a professional organizer. With expertise in working with clients who are neurodivergent, a professional can offer personalized strategies and support tailored to your unique needs. Taking that step can not only relieve stress but also transform your home into a haven of organization and calm.

Why Spring Cleaning Often Falls to the Wayside and How a Professional Organizer Can Help

by Organized By Catherine | Apr 14, 2025 | Home Organization Tips, Spring Cleaning Tips

Catherine sweeping in garage As a professional organizer, I often hear people lament about the notorious spring cleaning season. For many, it’s a time that promises renewal and a fresh start, but inevitably it arrives with a heavy sigh accompanied by the mental weight of what needs to be done. Many people find spring cleaning to be quite the chore rather than a refreshing experience. So why is it that so many people dislike the idea of spring cleaning?

Let’s delve into the reasons why spring cleaning is dreaded and look at how a professional organizer can transform spring cleaning into a manageable task.

The Burden of Clutter

One of the primary reasons people dread spring cleaning is clutter. Over time, it accumulates in various forms: outdated clothing, forgotten gadgets, old paperwork, and even items we’ve inherited and never used. This clutter creates a sense of chaos, making the thought of tackling it feel overwhelming. For many people juggling work projects, family responsibilities, and social commitments, the very idea of spring cleaning feels overwhelming.

Another obstacle to spring cleaning stems from the emotional attachments we develop with our belongings. Items often hold memories or represent significant life events, making it challenging to part with them—even if they’re just adding to the clutter. Many individuals struggle with the “what-if” mentality:

“What if I need this someday?”
“What if my children resent me for discarding an item they once loved?”
“What if discarding an expensive item causes me upset about losing money?”

This leads to an accumulation of possessions that ultimately weigh us down rather than lift us up.
Clutter doesn’t just take up physical space; it can also drain mental energy. The mess serves as a constant reminder of unfinished business, contributing to stress and anxiety. As a professional organizer, I understand the emotional toll that clutter can take. You might be asking yourself, “Where do I even start?” The answer is simple: take it one step at a time.

How a Professional Organizer Can Help

When clients work with me, I introduce them to strategies that make spring cleaning and decluttering achievable. Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable parts can streamline the process. Instead of dedicating an entire weekend to cleaning out the garage, for example, we commit to spending 2 – 3 hours on a specific area—such as a small section of the garage, or the area closest to the garage door. Over time, these small efforts add up significantly, leading to impressive results without the stress of a marathon decluttering session.

Emotional Obstacles

As a professional organizer I also help clients navigate emotional obstacles. I encourage clients to consider their relationship with their belongings. For example, I ask:

“Do you use this item?
“How often do you use it?
“Is it sentimental?”
“How important is keeping this item to you today?”

These questions can help clarify what is truly valuable and what is ready to be let go.
Working with a professional organizer provides relief from mental overload. Besides offering practical organizing solutions, such as setting up an efficient filing system or creating storage solutions tailored to your needs, I act as your accountability partner. I help you establish a timeline, set goals, and follow through, transforming the daunting task of home organizing into a structured and manageable project.

Mindful Decluttering Practices

One strategy I use with my clients is the “Four-Box Method”: label four boxes as “Keep,” “Donate,” “Sell,” and “Trash.” As we review your belongings, we sort each item into the appropriate box instead of overthinking every single piece. This system not only helps streamline the decision-making process but also makes it easier to visualize the amount of clutter you’re reducing, and easily remove it from your home at the end of our session.

As a professional organizer, I advocate for eco-friendly decluttering strategies. For example:
Delivering your unwanted items to local charities that need them.

Participating in community swap events, such as Durham Region’s Curbside Giveaway Day.
Recycling whenever possible by selling your items locally.
Not only does this help the environment, but it also gives a more positive spin to the often-tedious process of spring cleaning and decluttering.

Conclusion

Spring cleaning presents an opportunity for renewal. It’s a chance to refresh your space and invigorate your mind. As a home organizer, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of decluttering and organizing. Creating an orderly environment can lead not only to physical clarity but can also clear mental pathways. After working together, you’ll find that home organizing doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore; rather, it can become a fulfilling process with lasting benefits. Imagine walking into your home after a successful organizing session – everything has its place, and you can breathe easy knowing that your spaces are functional and pleasant to live in.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let Organized By Catherine transform your cluttered spaces into the dream sanctuary you deserve. Together, we’ll welcome the season of renewal with a fresh start and renewed energy!

Catherine Davis
Professional Organizer
Organized By Catherine

10 Tips For an Organized Christmas Season

by Organized By Catherine | Nov 20, 2023 | Home Organization Tips, Organizing

The Christmas season is a joyful time of year, one that many people look forward to with anticipation. But it is easy to understand why many people feel overwhelmed and stressed out by the busyness of the season.

Not only is there pressure to find the perfect gifts, there is worry about spending too much money, the expectation that you will fully decorate the interior and exterior of your home, the time commitment required for baking and planning special meals, the scheduling of multiple parties and get togethers, the obligation to send Christmas cards, visiting all your relatives, and when it’s over, you still have the enormous task of packing up all the decorations for next year. If you are feeling a little overwhelmed just thinking about it you are not alone. But there is hope! By following these few simple tips, you can have a more organized Christmas and avoid that feeling of being overwhelmed.

Schedule to Avoid Conflicts

Many of the activities we do around the holidays involve coordinating multiple family members and their conflicting schedules. Scheduling activities in advance can cut down on your stress level and make for happier family relations. To do this, print a large calendar for the month of December and tape it on or near the fridge. Instruct everyone to add their December events to the calendar so that everyone in the family can easily tell at a glance the comings and goings of each family member. For example, by letting your family know that the second Saturday in December is reserved for Christmas baking, or that December 20th is reserved for classic movie night, it allows everyone to schedule their other events around those of the family, thus avoiding hurt feelings and disappointment that comes from missing an event due to a conflict. Use the December calendar to schedule both family and work events, party obligations, get togethers, and volunteer commitments.

Stress Free Decorating

Does holiday decorating stress you out? Between work and your busy schedule when will you ever find the time to haul out Christmas boxes, sort decorations, set up the tree, hang exterior lights, and set up the lawn reindeer? Whew! I get tired just thinking about it! But there is a way to avoid all the stress and hassle that is associated with Christmas decorating. Break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Smaller tasks are easier to complete and give you a sense of accomplishment, making the entire project less daunting and more enjoyable.

For example, just finding and hauling out the Christmas boxes from storage can be a daunting task, never mind unpacking everything and decorating the house. The solution is to break the job down into smaller, manageable tasks.

Task #1 could be “Find and bring Christmas boxes to the main floor”. This task can be completed a day in advance of any decorating; that way you won’t feel tired from hauling boxes.
Task #2 could be “Move Christmas tree and tree decorations to the main room”.
Task #3 could be “Decorate the Christmas Tree”.

The idea of breaking the job into smaller, manageable tasks is not to exhaust yourself by trying to do it all in one shot. Space out the work and as you complete each task think of mentally crossing it off of your to-do list. Maybe you are up for completing two tasks per day, or even three. The point is to go at a pace that is fun and manageable for you. This might mean a straight weekend of decorating where everyone pitches in and every task gets completed. Or, it could mean that you complete one task per day and complete decorating over a period of two or three weekends.

Take Stock Before You Bake

If you are like most people, you probably have some special recipes that only get made once a year for the holidays. You may even have a tradition of setting aside a day to bake or inviting family members to share in the ritual of preparing a special family recipe. Whatever your tradition, avoid stress on baking day by checking your recipes a week in advance to see what ingredients you need to stock up on. You may have forgotten that Aunt Mary’s shortbread recipe requires 4 pounds of butter, or that 2 dozen eggs are required for multiple batches. This is also a good time to check the pantry for ingredients you have on hand but may not be fresh. Brown sugar is notorious for going hard, and if your flour is years old it won’t perform as well as a fresh bag. Avoid that last minute panic of running out to buy key ingredients by checking your recipes and pantry a week or two in advance and shopping for all the ingredients beforehand.

Christmas Cards Made Easy

Like to send Christmas cards but don’t have time to write a personal note in each one? Consider typing a one-page letter detailing the highlights of your year. Can’t remember what you had for breakfast last week, let alone what you did at the start of this year? Use your calendar to help you recall events that happened this year and write about them. If you have time, purchase Christmas letterhead to print your letter on. This will give it that extra special touch and make your letter appear more in line with your personality. (Note: There are some funky Christmas letterheads out there!) Ensure the content of the letter is generic enough that its suitable for all friends and older relatives. And if you find postage costs prohibitive, or you have left card mailing too late, consider sending your letter by email or text to those who prefer electronic communications.

Preparing For Guests

With COVID-19 travel restrictions being eased, many people will have more guests for the holidays this year than last year. Chances are, the space in your home that was previously designated as a guest room has been repurposed during the last lockdown. Your guest room may now serve as your full-time home office, a home gym, or a catch-all room for kids toys and older furnishings. But there are some simple steps you can take to make this space welcoming for visitors again.

First, clear any horizontal surfaces of papers. This could be as simple as placing an elastic band around the piles and moving them to the floor under your desk or to another room that your guest won’t see. All guests appreciate a clean, flat surface to place a few items on, be it their medication or toiletries.

Next, ensure the floor is clear. Remove any tripping hazards such as toys or boxes so that guests have a clear path to the bed. Last but not least, pull out your guest linens and towels and give them the sniff test a week ahead of any guests’ arrival. If they smell musky, you will still have time to run a load of laundry before your guest arrive. (Note: To refresh clean towels, skip the wash and place them in the dryer with a scented dryer sheet.)

Gift Wrap Storage

To save time and cut down on frustration when it comes to wrapping presents, create a storage zone for all your gift- wrapping supplies. Keep everything you need for wrapping presents (scotch tape, a pair of scissors, bows, ribbons and name tags) with the Christmas rolls so you don’t have to search for each item when you are ready to wrap. Designate a convenient spot for all these supplies that is large enough to store them together. This could be a tall cardboard box stored in the basement, an under-the-bed storage box, or a garment bag hanging in a spare closet. It is also a good idea to keep an extra box of Christmas cards with your Christmas wrapping supplies to have on hand for any last-minute gifts.

It’s OK to Say No

Too many times we agree to take on roles that we simply do not have the time for in an effort to be seen as accommodating. Did you agree to become chairman of a committee at your church because no other volunteer stepped up? Did you commit to drive for a local charity because they didn’t have enough drivers in your area? Did you agree to bake gingerbread men for little Suzie’s entire class because somebody heard you are a great baker? If these voluntary obligations keep finding you and you are negatively impacted by them, it may be time to set some limits on what you agree to take on. Remember, it is okay to say no if the task ends up causing you stress, disruption to your routine, or has other negative consequences. Think about what you can realistically handle. Perhaps you can commit to attend a meeting, but not be its chairperson. Or, you can agree to drive for the charity on an occasional basis but not once a week. Do your best to accommodate requests but don’t stretch yourself too thin.

Priceless Gift Giving

Christmas is a time of year that budgets get thrown out of the window. There are so many people in your life who you would like to shower with gifts. Gift giving has become synonymous with appreciation, caring and love. The problem is, we all have a limited amount of money and no one who cares for you would want you to go into financial hardship for the sake of a gift. So how do we treat a multitude of people to gifts without breaking the bank? First, make a short list of people who absolutely need a store-bought gift and budget for those people. Next, make a list of all the remaining people you would like to give a gift to but would appreciate a personal gift that isn’t store bought, such as preparing a homecooked meal or baked goods, offering to babysit or house clean, or volunteering at a loved one’s favourite charity. The gift of your time is very valuable. It cannot be purchased but its value outweighs any gift card.

Online Shopping Tips

If you have ever ordered something online, you understand the frustration of waiting for something to arrive that you desperately need. While Christmas presents generally do not fall into the category of “desperately need”, you don’t want to disappoint a child or be without a gift for your spouse because you are waiting for a delivery. Delivery times have already been impacted by shortages in the supply of microprocessors (used in many electronics) and shortages in labour forces. To avoid disappointment, order your gifts well in advance of December 25th. If you require a deadline to motivate you, pretend November 25th is Christmas Day and make a game of it to see if you can have your online orders arrive by November 25th.