REGINA LEEDS

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

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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

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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

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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/

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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

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Exposures: www.exposuresonline.com (offers albums and scrapbooks)

Michael’s: www.michaels.com (provides arts-and-crafts supplies)

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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