RESOURCES
The Zen Organizers Personal Favorites!
Clothing and Household Items
Access Books: www.accessbooks.net (provides books to schools, classrooms, and community libraries in Southern California)
Big Brother Big Sister Foundation: www.bbbsfoundation.org (accepts donated clothing in good condition)
Career Gear: www.careergear.org (provides professional attire for job interviews to disadvantaged men)
Cinderella Project: www.cinderellaproject.net (gives donated formal dresses to teenage girls who can’t afford to buy a prom dress)
Dress for Success: www.dressforsuccess.org (provides professional attire to disadvantaged women for job interviews)
Give the Gift of Sight: www.givethegiftofsight.com (provides free prescription eyewear to individuals in North America and developing countries around the world)
Goodwill Industries International: www.goodwill.org (sells clothing and household goods)
Half: www.half.com (helps you sell your stuff)
Hungry for Music: www.hungryformusic.org (distributes used musical instruments to underprivileged children)
One Warm Coat: www.onewarmcoat.org (collects and distributes coats for free to those in need)
Operation Paperback: www.operationpaperback.org (sends gently used books to American troops overseas and to veterans and military families at home)
PaperBackSwap: www.paperbackswap.com (provides an online service for swapping books with others)
Planet Aid: www.planetaid.org (recycles used clothing and shoes and promotes environmental protection and sustainable development)
Reader to Reader: www.readertoreader.org (accepts books for children and teens and distributes to school libraries nationwide)
Salvation Army: www.salvationarmy.com (sells donated clothing and household goods)
Suitcases for Kids: www.suitcasesforkids.org (provides luggage for foster children who move from home to home)
ThreadFlip: www.threadflip.com (connects buyers with sellers, offering women a simple way to convert their closets into boutiques)
ThredUp: www.thredup.com (provides an online thrift shop for buying and selling quality used clothes)
Vietnam Veterans of America: www.pickupplease.org (accepts clothing, shoes, and accessories in good condition for children and adults)
Yerdle: www.yerdle.com (connects donors with grateful receivers)
Computer Technology
Computers 4 Kids: www.c4k.org (provides caring mentorship, structured computer training, a vibrant learning environment, and access to a computer at home for low-income youth)
National Cristina Foundation: www.cristina.org (helps donors of used computers and other electronic hardware to select a local charity or school in their area to receive their equipment)
Techlicious: www.techlicious.com (discusses the latest trends, apps, and products in the tech world)
World Computer Exchange: www.worldcomputerexchange.org (provides tested used computers to schools and community organizations in developing countries)
Financial
Finding a Financial Professional
Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards: www.cfp.net (grants CFP certification, the recognized standard of excellence for competent and ethical personal financial planning)
CFA Institute: www.cfainstitute.org (promotes the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence)
Financial Planning Association: www.fpanet.org (advocates for transparency, clear information, and high standards of conduct among financial planners)
Finances & Emotions: https://finty.com/resources/managing-money-pressures/
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors: www.napfa.org (provides a database of financial planners with a proven a level of competency)
The Simple Dollar (lots of information on how to educate children about finances:
https://www.thesimpledollar.com/how-to-teach-kids-about-money-from-toddlers-to-teens/
Managing Your Money Day to Day
Children's Financial Learning: https://www.interest.com/savings/kids-guide-to-saving-workbook/
Dinkytown: www.dinkytown.com (provides free financial calculators)
Expensr: www.expensr.com (provides a free online personal finance application)
Mint: www.mint.com (allows users to track bank, credit card, investment, and loan transactions and balances, make budgets, and set goals)
Moneychimp: www.moneychimp.com (provides articles and interactive features that explain finance and investments in Roth IRAs, stocks, and bonds; provides calculators and definitions of investing terms)
Quicken: www.quicken.com (provides budget and money management software)
Obtaining Credit Reports and Reporting Identity Theft
Equifax: www.equifax.com; 1-877-576-5734 (provides credit reports)
Experian: www.experian.com; 1-888-397-3742 (provides credit reports)
Free Annual Credit Report: www.annualcreditreport.com; 1-877-322-8228 (provides credit reports)
Identity theft: www.consumer.gov/idtheft (provides detailed information about reporting identity theft)
TransUnion: www.transunion.com; 1-800-680-7289 (provides information about obtaining or disputing your credit report)
Inspiration and Instruction
DNA test kits information: https://knowyourdna.com/guides/which-dna-test-is-the-most-accurate/
eHow: www.ehow.com (offers instruction for all aspects of life, including how to pack a box)
Houzz: www.houzz.com (provides design ideas and how-to instruction from organizers, designers, contractors, architects, and so forth)
Instagram: www.instagram.com (lets you check out photos from your favorite designers, organizers, and architects to see what’s trending).
MapQuest: www.mapquest.com (offers maps and point-to-point directions)
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com (lets you make online pin boards to collect ideas for all types of projects, including images from fellow pinners or anywhere on the Internet)
YouTube: www.youtube.com (provides how-to videos about all aspects of life, including the art of moving and organizing)
Mind, Body, and Spirit
Alcohol Effects, Addiction Treatment, and Resources https://www.addictiongroup.org/rehab/
Alcohol Rehab Help: alcoholrehabhelp.org/treatment/prevention/
Drug Rehab: https://www.drugrehabconnections.com/
Recovery.org and Rehabs.com https://www.recovery.org/browse/los-angeles-ca/ and https://www.rehabs.com/local/los-angeles-ca/
Health Journeys, from the Belleruth Naparstek Guided Imagery Center: www.healthjourneys.com (offers guided imagery, hypnosis, and other mind-body products, research, and information)
Mysteries: www.mysteries.net (provides information about meditation and yoga)
Self-Realization Fellowship: www.selfrealizationfellowship.org (provides information about meditation and yoga)
Transcendental Meditation: www.tm.org (provides information about meditation and yoga)
Memorabilia & Photograph Supplies
Exposures: www.exposuresonline.com (offers albums and scrapbooks)
Michael’s: www.michaels.com (provides arts-and-crafts supplies)
Movers and Moving
ApartmentGuide: www.apartmentguide.com (provides apartment rental listings nationwide)
Cheat Sheet: https://www.mymove.com/moving/guides/packing-checklist/
Delancy Street Movers: www.delanceystreetfoundation.org/hireus.php (trains ex-convicts and recovering addicts as teachers, general contractors, truck drivers, and movers)
Moving: www.moving.com (provides easy-to-use resources and tools to help with local, long-distance, and international moves)
MovingScam: www.movingscam.com (provides assistance finding a reputable mover)
MyMove: www.mymove.com (provides moving tips, checklists, and deals)
Packing Guide: https://www.storageunits.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-packing-the-right-way/
PadMapper: www.padmapper.com (helps with home and apartment research)
ProtectYourMove: www.protectyourmove.gov (provides a user-friendly database of interstate moving companies searchable by state or name, as well as consumer complaint histories and on-road safety performance records)
Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) System: www.safersys.org (offers company safety data and related services)
Self-storage in Los Angeles: https://www.storageunits.com/los-angeles-ca-self-storage/
Self-storage around the U.S.: https://www.neighbor.com/self-storage
Trulia: www.trulia.com (helps with home and apartment research)
Zillow: www.zillow.com (helps with home and apartment research)
Office and Filing Supplies
Day Runner: www.dayrunner.com (provides a calendar system)
Exposures: www.exposuresonline.com (offers binders, magazine holders, and so forth)
FitterFirst: www.fitter1.com (offers ergonomically correct products)
Google Docs: docs.google.com (lets you create and share your work online and access your documents from anywhere)
Levenger: www.levenger.com (offers binders, calendars, magazine holders, and more)
Office Depot: www.officedepot.com (provides office supplies and furniture)
Office Max: www.officemax.com (provides office supplies and furniture)
Relax the Back: www.relaxtheback.com (offers ergonomically correct office furniture)
Staples: www.staples.com (provides office supplies and furniture)
Online Assistants
Elance: www.elance.com
oDesk: www.odesk.com
VirtualAssistant: www.virtualassistant.org
VirtualAssistants: www.virtualassistants.com
Online Auction and Sales Sites
Cash for CDs: www.cashforcds.com (lets you sell your CDs, DVDs, vinyl LPs, and games)
Craig’s List: www.craigslist.com (provides free classified ads with sections devoted to jobs, housing, items wanted and for sale, and so forth)
eBay: www.ebay.com (offers items for auction online)
Online Photo Management and Sharing
Flickr: www.flickr.com
Picasa (from Google): picasa.google.com
Picasa Web: www.picasaweb.com
Shutterfly: www.shutterfly.com
Snapfish: www.snapfish.com
Organizational Apps
AboutOne: www.aboutone.com (provides a space for managing memories and household information)
CareZone: www.carezone.com (helps keep everyone coordinated)
Cozi: www.cozi.com (lets multiple family members manage appointments and schedules)
Evernote: www.evernote.com (provides a workspace for collecting lists, webpages, documents, and so forth)
Genius Scan: www.thegrizzlylabs.com (puts a scanner on your cell phone)
Google Calendar: www.google.com/calendar (allows users to create multiple online calendars)
Pet Master Pro: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.petworks.android.petmaster.b (provides an organizer for pet health and details)
Red Cross’s free Pet First Aid: www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/pet-first-aid-app (puts veterinary advice for everyday emergencies in the palm of your hand)
Two Happy Homes: www.twohappyhomes.com (provides an organization tool for parents living in separate households)
Professional Associations
Clutterers Anonymous: www.clutterersanonymous.net (provides assistance with weeding out your clutter based on the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous)
Codependents Anonymous: www.codependents.org (provides assistance with anxiety based on the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous)
Messies Anonymous: www.messies.com (provides assistance with organizing your life based on the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous)
National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO): www.napo.net (provides a database of local professional organizers)
Recycling and Green Saving
1-800-GOT-JUNK?: www.1800gotjunk.com; 1-800-468-5865 (removes just about anything—furniture, appliances, electronics, yard waste, and renovation debris—and makes every effort to recycle or donate items) Here are links for Los Angeles and New York City:
https://www.1800gotjunk.com/us_en/locations/junk-removal-los-angeles
https://www.1800gotjunk.com/us_en/locations/junk-removal-new-york
Battery Solutions: www.batteryrecycling.com (recycles all battery types nationwide)
Environmental Defense Fund: www.fightglobalwarming.com/carboncalculator.cfm (provides an online quiz to calculate your personal energy impact )
Environmental Protection Agency: www.energystar.gov (provides information about energy-saving upgrades that might earn you a refund at tax time)
Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC): www.call2recycle.org; 1-877-273-2925 (recycles used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones)
ReuseIt: www.reuseit.com (provides expertise in sourcing merchandise from communities to benefit local nonprofit organizations while responsibly recycling to help the environment)
Freeycle: www.freecycle.org (helps users give and receive items for free to keep these items out of landfills)
Worldwatch Institute: worldwatch.org (provides globally focused environmental research)
Reducing and Stopping Unwanted Mail
Direct Marking Association (DMA): www.the-dma.org (reduces the total volume of mail for individuals who register for its Mail Preference Service)
Smart Saving and Spending
Auto Club: www.autoclub.com (provides multiple benefits, such as trip planning and low-cost insurance, with a paid membership)
Suddenly Frugal: www.suddenlyfrugal.com (shares ideas for selling castoffs to make money, offers coupons, and more)
Union Plus: www.unionplus.org (offers discounts and advice to union members)
Shopping
Amazon: www.amazon.com
Bed Bath and Beyond: www.bedbathandbeyond.com
Costco: www.costco.com
Crate & Barrel: www.crateandbarrel.com
Jouer Cosmetics: www.jouercosmetics.com
IKEA: www.ikea.com
Pottery Barn: www.potterybarn.com
Pottery Barn Kids: www.potterybarnkids.com
Solay Wellness: www.natural-salt-lamps.com
Target: www.target.com
The Container Store: www.thecontainerstore.com
Wal-Mart: www.walmart.com
Williams-Sonoma: www.williams-sonoma.com
Tax Forms and Tax Help
1040 or 1040EZ forms: http://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide
IRS guide to keeping records: www.irs.gov/efile: www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/How-long-should-I-keep-records
A harmonized mind produces harmony in this world of seeming discord.
Paramahansa Yogananda