If you have two homes, you know that it can be a challenge to stay organized. You have to remember two sets of passwords and entry codes, keep track of two sets of bills, and make sure that both homes are always stocked with the essentials. But it doesn’t have to be this difficult! With a little planning and organization, you can easily manage two homes without feeling overwhelmed.
10 Tips To Help Snowbirds Organized
Use A Digital Notebook
Use a digital notebook or planner to keep track of everything. iStratus can help you keep all of your important information in one place, and you can access it from anywhere. This is actually one of the reasons we created the app. We were tired of having to go to six different apps to do everything we needed to do to run a home.
Manage Your Passwords
Stop trying to remember passwords and entry codes. Stop writing them down and losing them. Stop using the same password for everything you have. In this day and age, you have to take extra precautions to protect your passwords. Our password vault is a great way to keep track of all your passwords in one place and stop feeling the stress of trying to remember your passwords.
Automate
Set up automatic payments for your bills. This will help you avoid late fees, keep your finances in order, and give you more time to do the things you want to do. You can set up automatic payments for your bills through your bank or credit card company.
Create Checklists
Create a checklist for each home. This will help you make sure that you don’t forget anything when you’re traveling between homes. Your checklist could include things like:
- Make sure the doors are locked
- Turn off the lights
- Unplug appliances
- Pack a bag with essentials
Duplicate
One of the best parts of having a second home is that you don’t have to pack every time you head from one home to another. Instead, buy toiletries, food essentials, and even some clothes for both places. In the beginning, you may want to take photos of the things you are keeping at your second home so that you remember what’s there.
Label Everything
Label everything. This will help you find what you need quickly and easily, especially if you have two homes that are very different. Labeling your belongings will help you avoid losing things and help you see whether you accidentally brought your second blowdryer to your first home.
Declutter Regularly
Oh my goodness, things do pile up and it’s even worse when you own two homes. Decluttering will help you keep your homes organized and free of clutter. More importantly, it will allow you to enjoy each home without always having to straighten up and reorganize. Decluttering can be a daunting task, but it’s worth it in the long run. Start by decluttering one room at a time.
Delegate Tasks
Hiring a part-time assistant or caretaker is a good idea. While you may be happy to maintain the yard in your first home, it may be easier to hire someone for that task in your new home. Or if you are spending your winters in a warmer location, you may want to arrange for someone to shovel your sidewalks and driveway in your other home. Having these tasks arranged ahead of time can save you a lot of headaches.
Following these tips will help you stay organized and stress-free when you have two homes. So what are you waiting for? Start implementing these tips now!