Lisa J. Shultz's Blog, page 4

Lighter Living Task #4 Taxes

Lighter Living is more than a book. Lighter Living Tasks are weekly suggestions to make progress on decluttering, organizing and simplifying your life. By working on parts of your home each week, you will breaking big projects into small, manageable tasks.

This week we tackle tax prep and old tax returns. First let’s talk about old tax returns. A few years ago, I cleared out my mom’s house when she moved to an assisted living facility. In her basement, I found old tax returns from the 1980’s....

Lighter Living Task #3 Family Treasures

Lighter Living is more than a book. Lighter Living Tasks are weekly suggestions to make progress on decluttering, organizing and simplifying your life. By working on parts of your home each week, you will breaking big projects into small, manageable tasks.

This week, find a family treasure and make sure the story is recorded about its significance. Record in writing and tell a family member as much as you know about it.

My dad told me the story of a ball knit by his grandmother, my...

Lighter Living Task #2 Closets

Lighter Living is more than a book. Lighter Living Tasks are weekly suggestions to make progress on decluttering, organizing and simplifying your life. By working on parts of your home each week, you will breaking big projects into small, manageable tasks.

This week, pick a closet, any closet. Grab some trash bags or empty boxes and set some time aside to tackle this project. First, empty it. Take every item out and then clean the closet by vacuuming or dusting.

Before putting anything back...

Lighter Living Task #1 Refrigerator and Pantry

Lighter Living Task #1

Lighter Living is more than a book. Lighter Living Tasks are weekly suggestions to make progress on decluttering, organizing and simplifying your life. By working on parts of your home each week, you will breaking big projects into small, manageable tasks.

This week we are in the kitchen and in particular, the refrigerator. Begin by removing every item and washing off the shelves and drawers. Then before any item goes back in, check the expiration date and look for...

Favorite books of 2019

I am a voracious reader and read over 50 books in 2019. Some books are for research for my own writing. Other books were a selection for book clubs I belong to.

I have a picked just a few favorites as I do every year for you to consider if you are looking for your next good read. I review every book I read and if you want to follow my reviews throughout the year, be sure to click “follow” on my Goodreads profile and you will be notified of each review shortly after I post one.

This Tender...

Baby Steps to Lighter Living

If you have decided to downsize or declutter your home, you may feel overwhelmed. Clearing clutter is best done in smaller steps on a regular basis. You may also want to schedule days to work on thinning out your stuff. Mark it in your calendar!

In the movie What About Bob, there is a fabulous scene about Baby Steps.

For those who have collected a lot of stuff, where to begin can be a challenge. Coming soon I will give weekly ideas to tackle reducing the quantity of your things.

In the...

Giving is a Gift-Write a Review!

Giving is so easy to do but also so easy not to do. Remember that when you give a review, you may be making someone’s day and giving them hope. There are so many ways to give if we just take the time!

I recently went to California and found a coffee shop/juice joint that I loved and went to three times in the course of a weekend! I went wild and gave them reviews and raves on Yelp, Trip Advisor, Instagram and Facebook. The owner and worker bees were thrilled and so grateful. In particular I loved...

Lighter Living: Declutter. Organize. Simplify.

My latest book is now available on Amazon!

Clearing clutter is much more than cleaning out a closet crammed with things or getting rid of the contents of boxes piled in your basement, attic, or storage unit. Most of us have unfinished business that might make us feel like we walk around dragging a heavy ball with a chain connected to our ankle. When you declutter and possibly downsize, you can free yourself of weighty matters that tie you down physically, mentally, emotionally, and spirituall...

Tiny House Living

In an effort to bring awareness to benefits of living in smaller spaces, I interviewed Molly King about her recent move to a tiny house. ~ 1. What event or situation prompted you to think about living in a tiny home?   I recently realized that my love of tiny homes and cozy spaces, in general, can be traced back to my love of the Boxcar Children books. I always loved the concept of running away and living in a “found space” away from the normal lives of other people. I grew up building forts...

In Search of the Superfluous

I love the word superfluous. It is an adjective and according to dictionary.com, it means being more than is sufficient or required; excessive. It also means unnecessary or needless. But wait, there is more! Obsolete, possessing or spending more than enough or necessary; extravagant.

When I grabbed onto this word, I began to use it in many ways. I walked around my home opening every cabinet, cupboard, drawer, closet and box. I evaluated the contents of every nook and cranny in my house in sea...