I’m currently assisting with a new home purchase and the work that needs to be accomplished to make the buyer happy.It can be overwhelming when starting to look at the whole project.I recommend starting small with ways to improve while not breaking the bank. Then look at any major projects and plan out a timeline for when you want each part to be completed by.
Don’t rush so much that you go with the first quote for a job. It is smart to get one or two additional bids in an effort to have things to compare and negotiate as well as to feel as though you are not being taken advantage of.
To keep from feeling overwhelmed go room by room. Bring a notebook and dedicate a page per room. Make a circle next to the items to accomplish and you can check them off as you complete tasks.
If it is still too much to handle don’t forget you can always Just Ask Jen.
*TECH TIP*
Use the notes program on your phone to keep notes and ideas as you think of them.
*ORGANIZATION TIP*
I like to create Excel Spreadsheets to keep myself and my clients organized.
This time of year is hectic.Between spring break and then the holidays it seems as though the planning never ends.
To help ease the workload, plan your vacation six months in advance if possible.Airfare, hotels, rental cars and event tickets will be less expensive and have more availability.Whether you have kids or are a student and want to plan your trip it is helpful to handle this early to alleviate financial and time burdens. This will give you more time to pack, plan activities and meals in the time leading up to the break.If you are staying local, it is still good to plan ahead by securing reservations and/or tickets early.
The same concept is good for planning the holidays, especially if you are hosting.You will not need as long of a lead time, but you can start a few month in advance if you would like.Planning guest lists, menus, venue and decor can be time consuming so giving a week or longer per task to get arrangements made will allow you to be more creative and cost effective.
If you feel overwhelmed with planning and want help never forget you can always Just Ask Jen.
I recently went to a production that I had seen 3 years ago. And although the show had been slightly altered it was still as funny, entertaining and just as enjoyable if not more so than it was originally!If you are in any of the places lucky 🍀 enough to have this show, I highly recommend you plan a night out.
Mr. Swindle’s is a combination of comedy, live acrobats, circus talent and debauchery all mixed into a 90 minute show set in a small traveling tent with a fun outdoor under the stars drink garden to enjoy before, during and after the show.
It is not a show to bring the kids to.So plan a night out and prepare to laugh and be amused.
In the spirit of Valentines Day let’s spread the love this year.Start with a new habit of complimenting at least one person a day. It helps build confidence and boosts moods.
Another way to spread love is by writing thank you letters. A lost art, but a much appreciated touch when receiving something from someone else. Whether it be help they gave you to accomplish a task or a gift they gave for a special occasion. It is always nice to let someone know you appreciate the time they took for you.
These may seem like simple tasks and they are. But there is a lack of these things happening these days and if I encourage even one person to do a random act of kindness I consider it a success. Smile and be happy!
Start the new year out strong. Make a resolution to be less stressed by planning better. Look at the year ahead and see what occasions call for celebration. Make a list and head to the store to get all the cards/gifts needed so you have them on hand. I tend to buy gifts for people as I find them throughout the year, then I wrap and place them in a closet I have for gifts and supplies. I find I am never running out at the last minute to get this done and it is such a stress reliever.
If you have any upcoming parties or events you want to plan, start that early as well. Vendors are better able to accommodate all your needs/wants the longer you have to plan. This helps to alleviate any disappointments while planning.
Another idea that helps with stress relief is planning any trips for the year ahead. It can relieve stress by helping to be financially smart as there are no last-minute rate hikes or shortages when booking. I find a year to six months is long enough out to get good rates and desired accommodations at a reasonable price.
*TECH TIP*
Planning travel, use sites like Expedia and Hotels.com to price compare accommodations, you want to search as early as possible for the best accommodations and pricing.
*ORGANIZATION TIP*
Keep a digital and a paper calendar. It is helpful to write out the monthly paper calendar halfway through the month prior, that way you can plan out any celebrations with friends/family, and it serves as a reminder for you as to who you need to send cards/gifts to so that they arrive on time.
As Thanksgiving week wraps up and the end of year holidays rapidly approach, I thought it was important to stop and give thanks. I feel very blessed that I have been able to turn hobbies and talents into a thriving business and am hopeful that those who only read this blog gain some useful tips that help make their life easier. I am thankful that my clients are always willing to learn and grow with me in the learning process, and I appreciate all that they have taught me that has gone on to become a part of my daily life.
I also want to thank all of you for being a part of the Just Ask Jen community. I have been very fortunate to gather a wonderful group of clients and vendors. This holiday season find what and who you are thankful for and let them know how they make your life better.
I’m an avid believer in constant self-improvement and learning. It keeps you sharp and staves off brain deterioration. When new projects come up it is my job to familiarize myself with everything, assess a plan and then get to work. Sometimes that means I need to learn something new. I do not let it get me discouraged, instead I look at it as an asset and apply my new knowledge or skill to existing projects or it may even lead to finding new clients who need help with this newly acquired talent.
I am constantly applying this in my personal life as well. I am terrible at art, so last year I decided to start doing a family art class. I would get 20 minutes into the project and want to throw my brushes down and storm off, but I resisted that urge and am usually quite happy with the result. Something that used to frustrate me now brings me joy. Pictured above on the left was our first class a year ago and the picture on the right is from last month. I stuck with it and now I have an entire collection of art hung all around the house.
Try something new today to keep your brain and heart growing. If you are not sure where to start, pick up the phone or fire up the computer and Just Ask Jen to assist you in the process and make learning more fun.
What are your plans this fall? It has always been my favorite time of the year and I love the change of seasons. It is such a busy time and starts off the months of holidays ahead.
Picking apples and pumpkins seem to be two of the more traditional things to do in fall. When planning think of what you want to do, when and with who.
You could pick apples at the beginning of September. Apples are a ceremonial item for the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, you could bake and take mini apple pies to a dinner or freeze them to eat in the future. Something I just tried was the Fall Apples cooking class at Sur La Table. All the dishes used apples, were delicious and easy enough to make at home giving us a bunch of ways to use up our apples we picked.
You should plan on getting pumpkins at the end of September, so they last until Halloween, but you get to enjoy them for the month leading up to it. Do not plan on carving for Halloween until a few days before the holiday if you want them out for Trick-or-Treaters to marvel at. And then you can cook the pumpkin seeds and enjoy them for the holiday.
If these are not things that interest you and your family you can find holiday plays or lightshows, the internet is full of ideas that will satisfy everyone. Enjoy fall y’all.
*TECH TIP*
Look on-line for Pumpkin patches and Apple Orchards to visit and then search for a cooking class at a place like Sur La Table to find new ways to incorporate those seasonal items into your meals.
*ORGANIZATION TIP*
To make sure you are prepared for picking season be sure to plan and organize your trunk with boxes and/or garbage bags and towels to keep the items together and from creating a mess.
School is starting and it can be daunting to prepare for, making a to do list can save you both time and money.
Your list should look like this (add or subtract items according to your needs).
Books
Backpack
Clothing/Uniforms
Lunchbox/Snack-pack
Supplies (pens, pencils, notepads, etc.)
All of this can add up quickly, so pick up items on sale throughout the year.
A nice way to say goodbye to summer and hello to the school year is by taking a vacation the week before it starts. You come back refreshed and ready to tackle another year.
*TECH TIP* You can look on-line to find sales for the school items you need and for vacation deals. It is also a good way to locate hard to find items/supplies.
*ORGANIZATION TIP* Label a box/bin and place it in a closet. You can place the items you pick up throughout the year in it making it easier to locate all your supplies when school starts.
Party/Event planning has always been a favorite thing of mine to do. Especially when I am given the freedom to plan on my own as I believe in not overlooking a single detail. It may be overkill to some, but to me it would seem incomplete without all aspects planned. Here are some steps to get you planning:
Initial Brainstorming & Gust List: Be creative, begin by coming up with a fun and catchy theme. A play on words is usually the way I go here. For example, for a kid’s birthday party you could go with “Young, Wild and Three”. This is also a good time to put together your guest list and make sure you have all contact information.
Venue: Find a place that fits your theme, or just a favorite place. Some places will do most of the work for you. Once you confirm they have the date available you can begin planning all the other details.
Invitations: Get them out 6 weeks prior to the party so that you guests can plan ahead. I prefer the old fashion way of mailing out paper invitations (my age is showing here), but there are plenty of on-line options that will help you to create an invitation as well as keep track of your guest count.
Décor & Food: All things theme related. If you get stuck, search on-line for ideas. Flowers and food can be used in a creative way and incorporate the theme. Be sure to think of your guests’ preferences and allergies when planning the menu so that everyone has something to eat. Have fun with the cake, I always like to tie that to the theme as well. Most grocery stores these days make incredible cakes or search online for a local bakery and see what they have.
Party Favors: Try and do theme related favors that will be used and looked at fondly as a memory of the event. For example I love using frames for event gifts so guests can put a picture from the party in it and remember the good time they had.
*TECH TIP* Zazzle, Evite, Paperless Post, Punch Bowl, Shutterfly & Minted are a few of the sites I go to for invitations. They have paper invitations as well as digital invites with a ton of free templates.
*ORGANIZER TIP* Start to plan early. Like 6 months early. One month select a theme, next month a venue, invites the next month, party favors and the cake the next month, and any other details in the remaining time prior to the party. Planning this way, you will never feel rushed, and you will have time to plan every last detail.
