Get a head start on decluttering, organizing and simplifying your life with these tasks you can complete in just a couple of days.

The one year rule. Pick an area in your home — your closet, cupboards or bookcase — and apply the one year rule. If you haven’t worn it or used it in any way over the last twelve months, donate or toss it. You can make an exception for souvenirs or sentimental items.

Organize your entertainment. Sort your books, magazines, DVDs, records, and games in a way that makes sense for everyday use. Put those for the kids on lower shelves for easy access, and sell or donate any they (or you) have outgrown.

Monitor expiry dates. Check your medicine cabinet, beauty products and kitchen for expired items.

Clean as a team. Involve the family to quickly deep clean a room or two, going into all the nooks and crannies that everyday cleaning misses. Get all the doorknobs, handles and light switches, and move furniture and items in back corners to clean accumulated dust.

Go paperless. Have you ever gone through paperwork and found a cheque you forgot to cash? Avoid having to tidy up your home office next year by making the move to paperless — in banking, shopping and government payments.

Receive your federal payments — including your pension benefits, the Canada Child Benefit and other tax-related payments such as the GST/HST credit — straight into your bank account by signing up for direct deposit. It’s the fastest, safest and greenest way to get your payments. Visit your financial institution or go to directdeposit.gc.ca for more information.

Have mortgage questions?  I’m here to help you! Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.  It would be a pleasure to assist you or any one of your friends or family members!

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