Life Made Simple with CarlaRae

Latest Episodes:

#37: How To Organize A Swap Party To Get Rid Of Your Stuff Dec 19, 2016

Show notes

As a Lifestyle and Wellness Coach, and Professional Home Organizer for the last 15 years, and now as the host of this podcast show, I want to help inspire and motivate you to let go of all the clutter in your life that weighs you down. Anything and everything that holds you back from living the life that you you've always dreamed of.

I am on a mission to help individuals and families take control of their chaotic homes and schedules and find the freedom of simplicity in all areas of life. Which is why one of my well known motto's is to Have Less. Do Less. And Be More.

Unfortunately, for a lot of you, when it comes to simplifying your home, you dread the idea of going through all your stuff and sorting out things that you don't love, use, or need... which is probably why many people avoid the process of de-cluttering all together. The fact is, simplifying your life doesn't always have to be hard and tedious. What if I told you that you can actually have fun letting go of all your stuff?

How, you ask? Well... if you want a unique and enjoyable way to get rid of things cluttering up your home, why not have a party? A Swap Party! That's right, you should gather up some friends - along with all their excess stuff that they don't need - and host a fun evening of trading.

Tune in to today's episode and learn a bunch of tips on how to plan and host a successful Swap Party.

Do you know anyone would enjoy listening to the show? Anyone who could use a little motivation and inspiration to simplify their life? Just send them to LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com and they can check out all our previous episodes.

To stay updated on all our new episodes, so you don't miss any, just subscribe on iTunes or whatever podcast app you prefer to use, and of course, it's totally free. If you're new to the whole podcast world, and want more info on how to subscribe, just check out my website for some detailed information on what a podcast show is and the best way to tune in to listen. Just go to CarlaRaeArneson.com/subscribe.

Well, I'm out of time for today. Thanks so much for joining me. I'm CarlaRae and you've been listening to Life Made Simple. Bye for now!

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode37

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

#36: How To Honor What You Collect Dec 15, 2016

Show notes

What do you collect? Coins, baseball cards, antiques, bottle caps, beer cans, comic books, miniatures, postcards, hats, spoons, stamps, thimbles, cookie cutters, teddy bears, frogs, action figures, concert tickets, magnets, or PEZ dispensers… the list goes on and on.

Whatever the collection, in my 15 years of being a Professional Home Organizer, I've seen it all! Some are very valuable and worth a large chunk of change and other collections are simply for fun or nostalgia.

The question is: Where is your collection? Do you keep it buried in a box in the basement? Or, worse, is it piled all over your guest bedroom, master closet, or home office cluttering up your usable space? Either way, how can you really appreciate what you have if it's buried or becoming a burden?

My challenge to you is to find a fun and clever way to display all or a part of your collection. It doesn't necessarily need to be out for everyone to see. Albums of paper objects can be stored on bookshelves. If your collection is too big, consider exhibiting a few items, storing the rest, and then seasonally rotating.

Then again, maybe you've decided that you don't really want those hundreds of beanie babies that you used to love so dearly, or whatever collection you have that you're not as passionate about anymore. Maybe it's time to consider moving on and letting go. Some collections can be sold or donated. If it's too hard to get rid of them, only keep a handful of your favorites as a keepsake and let go of the rest. No sense keeping all of them if the collection is not cherished the way it used to be.

Remember, when it comes to simplifying your home and your life, you need to focus and hang on to what really matters, and somehow let go of the rest!

Know anyone would love listening to the show? Just send them to LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com and they can check out all our previous episodes.

And be sure to stay updated on all our new episodes by subscribing to Life Made Simple on iTunes or whatever podcast app you prefer to use.

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode36

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

#35: (PART 2) Quick Fixes To Double Your Energy Dec 12, 2016

Show notes

Very important, if you don't already know, this particular episode is a Part 2 to last week's show, Episode #33. If you haven't listened to that entire episode yet, go back and push play... you'll definitely not want to miss anything from Part 1!

On this week's Part 2 episode, I pick up right where we left off. I give you a bunch more tips on how to not only boost your energy physically, but also mentally and emotionally.

To stay updated on all our new episodes, so you don't miss any, just subscribe on iTunes or whatever podcast app you prefer to use. You can also go back and listen to as many past episodes as you like. And it's, of course all completely free. If you're new to the whole podcast world, and want more info on how to subscribe, just check out my website for some detailed information on what a podcast show is and the best way to tune in to listen. Just go to CarlaRaeArneson.com/subscribe. Or you can click on the link in my show notes.

Do you know anyone who could use a little energy boost today? Or do you know someone who could use a little inspiration and motivation to simplify their life? Be sure to share this podcast show with them!

Have you liked what you heard so far? If so, I would love to hear about it! If you could, please take a minute and leave the show a quick rating and review on itunes. I would appreciate it more than you know!

FREE Downloads Mentioned in this Show:

Free Nutrition Guide: "CarlaRae's Nutrition Guide"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word NUTRITIONGUIDE

Free Download: "How To Exercise Without Really Exercising"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word MOVEEVERYDAY

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Previous Episodes Mentioned in this Show:

Episode #7: The Ultimate 3-Day Jumpstart to Good Health

Episode #9: Why You Must Make Personal Development A Daily Habit

Episode #23: How to Exercise Without Really Exercising

Episode #29: Be A Force For Good With Contagious Kindness

Episode #33: PART 1 - Quick Fixes To Double Your Energy

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode35

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

#34: Have You Adopted A Power Phrase Yet? Dec 08, 2016

Show notes

Can you believe that it's December already?!? Seriously, where did the year go? We are in the homestretch of 2016... and 2017 is just on the horizon! I'm sure you've already started to hear a bunch about New Year's resolutions. It seems that everyone jumps on the whole New Year, New You movement. And don't worry, I'll definitely be covering that topic in the upcoming months.

I recently saw a funny quote that said, "My goal for 2017 is to accomplish the goals I had in 2016, which I should have done in 2015, because I made a promise in 2014 after planning them in 2013." Can you relate?

If you tend to cringe at the idea of making New Year's resolutions, or maybe you like them but - if you're honest with yourself - you have a hard time following through with them, then let me share an idea with you...

While we're closing out this current year and starting fresh with a new one, use this time to definitely reflect on your specific goals and intentions, but then take a step back from the list and adopt a power phrase for this season of your life.

Check out today's episode to learn why you should have a power phrase. I also give you specific examples to inspire you.

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode34

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

#33: (PART 1) Quick Fixes To Double Your Energy Dec 05, 2016

Show notes

We can try to get all the areas of our life in order (like our home, our finances, our to-dos and relationships), BUT if we don't learn how to manage healthy habits - if we don't feel good physically - how can we really enjoy our day to day life, whether we find the freedom of simplicity or not? Which is why every once in awhile we have an entire episode dedicated to your health.

On today's episode of Life Made Simple, I give you a whole bunch of quick and easy tips on how to feel good. Specifically, I give you some strategies and techniques on how to double your energy. Super easy things that you can do today, to boost your mood and help you to feel like you can conquer the world!

Some tips may seem obvious, but you may not actually be in the habit of doing them yet. And some things, you may not have even thought of before.

I actually have so much I want to talk about on this subject, that we decided to break it up into two different episodes. So first check out this week's Part 1 and then you can tune in to next week's Monday episode #35 for the rest of it.

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE

MindBell: App for Android

Insight Timer: Alternate Mindbell App for iPhone

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode33

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

Previous Episodes Mentioned in this Show:

Episode #7: The Ultimate 3-Day Jumpstart to Good Health

Episode#23: How to Exercise Without Really Exercising

Episode #9: Why You Must Make Personal Development A Daily Habit

#32: It's Time To De-Clutter Your Holiday Decorations Dec 01, 2016

Show notes

If you're listening to this episode on the day that it was released, then you know today is December 1st. Thanksgiving has passed, and it's now time to officially dive into the Christmas holiday season! And I know for some of you out there, you took that dive somewhere in the beginning of November.

It seems like these days, people get so excited about Christmas they just can't help themselves... the Christmas lights down our street keep popping up sooner and sooner each year. And for some of you, your decorations from last year have yet to come down. But ya know, to each his own!

On today's episode I give you a little inspiration to de-clutter and clean out your Christmas decorations. And keep in mind, even if you and your family don't celebrate the Christmas holiday, you can still apply these tips to pretty much any holiday throughout the year!

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode32

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

#31: Urgent vs Important - Is It Important? Or Just Urgent? Nov 29, 2016

Show notes

Do you ever feel stressed, overwhelmed, with way too much to do and not enough time to do it? Are you constantly putting out fires, just to turn around and find a new one starting right up?

At the end of a hectic day, do you sit down, completely drained and find yourself thinking of all the things that you tackled but for some reason you don't feel like you truly accomplished anything. Cause your to-do list is still a mile long? And let's be real, some of those things have been on that darn list for weeks, even months now. Am I right?

But it's not like you sit around doing nothing! For most of you, you really do keep yourself extremely busy, right? Do you ever ask yourself, "If I'm doing so much, why do I feel like I'm going nowhere?"

Well, then this episode is for you!

On today's show I introduce you to Eisenhower's Urgent vs. Important Principle. I also directly apply it to Stephen Covey's Time Management Matrix (see the picture below for reference), a framework for prioritizing to-dos in regards to how important and urgent they are.

All in all, on today's episode, we talk about how to focus only on what's really important and how to let go of the rest.

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode31

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Other episodes about willpower and discipline:

Episode #2: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode2

Episode #3: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode3

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

#30: Get Ready For Small Business Saturday! Nov 24, 2016

Show notes

So, what is Small Business Saturday? Well, in 2010 American Express invented it as a shopping holiday to support small businesses. In the last few years, not only has Congress officially sanctioned it as a national day, but it has completely evolved into a "shop local" movement that gives retailers nationwide a considerable sales lift.

Now I know when you have shopping to do with a long list of presents to buy, it's tempting to take the easy route and head down to the mall and shop at one of the big chain stores. And I'm definitely not against doing that sometimes. But why not shop small every once in awhile?

There's really no denying that small businesses are essential for healthy local economies. Did you know there are currently 28 million American small businesses, which account for 54% of all U.S. sales? But unfortunately, they can at times get overshadowed by major corporations and Black Friday madness. Especially since Mom-and-pop shops don't have the resources to pull off million-dollar promotions.

So why buy from small businesses? Well, not only can they offer one-of-a-kind unique products and services, but they usually have exceptional customer service that many big companies often don't have.

By shopping small, you also get access to experts in the industry. I know from experience, that small business owners have sacrificed time, money, and more to build businesses out of their passions. They want to offer you their expertise. You technically have a better chance at getting knowledgeable answers to any questions you might have about the products or services.

Also, buying small means supporting your local community... circulating money in the same locality helps that community thrive.

American Express has created an amazing interactive map to help shoppers locate small businesses right in their neighborhood. The map can be used to search by business name or ZIP code. Shoppers can also filter the search based on dining, shopping, entertainment, travel or services. I'll include a link to the map in my show notes for this episode.

And remember, you don't have to limit your support for small businesses to just one day a year. Try shopping and dining at small businesses as often as you can. And keep in mind, there are many online small businesses as well.

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Interactive Small Business Map: "Shop Small Now"

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode30

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

#29: CHALLENGE - Be A Force For Good With Contagious Kindness Nov 22, 2016

Show notes

Today, I'm keeping it real. I know that this week is Thanksgiving, which is traditionally our time to give thanks and gratitude for all that we have in life. But if you really stop and think about it, do we really always feeling so grateful and thankful?

Just because we take the time to show our thanks during this annual holiday (and we really do intend to show our gratitude) it doesn't mean we actually do. Are we really counting our blessings? Or are we just kinda going through the motions?

The fact is, it's the end of the year, Christmas is only a month away, some of us are still recovering from the craziness of Halloween. In my family, I'm not totally sure what even happened to the month of October... it was just totally gone before I knew it was even there.

Then there were the recent elections. And oh my goodness, talk about craziness!

At this time of year, we tend to glance back at how this past year has treated us... we ponder all the ups and downs that we've been through. And you know, if you look around some people are really struggling right now. You might be one of them.

Life can be so stressful! To-do lists are never ending and there's always a fire to put out or a problem to solve. Some of you may be struggling with finances, your job, or relationships.

If we were honest with ourselves, it's sometimes just too easy to get caught up in our hectic lifestyle, that we end up missing all the good in our lives. We INTEND to be thankful, especially on Thanksgiving, but sometimes it's hard.

So, during this traditional season of Thankfulness, how can we take our focus off of our problems in life? How can we take time to focus on the good in life? How can we genuinely and authentically feel thankful?

Well, I have a challenge for you today. Tune in and listen to today's episode and I'll tell you all about it!

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode29

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

Full Transcript of this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/transcript29

#28: Clean Out Your Fridge & Pantry Nov 17, 2016

Show notes

In one week, all across America, family and friends will join together to celebrate one of the most beloved holidays: Thanksgiving. And how do we celebrate our thankfulness? We cook up a glorious feast, of course!

With Turkey Day – ahem – I mean Thanksgiving Day just around the corner, it's time to make room for one thing that I know we can all be thankful for… leftovers! That's right, it's time to clean out your fridge and make room for a whole bunch of tupperware containers filled with leftover Thanksgiving dinner!

Sadly, Americans waste roughly 14 percent of their food purchases. All too often, food items get buried and forgotten about, particularly in refrigerators. My challenge to you this week is to spend a few minutes taking inventory of all your food items in your fridge, in your cupboards, and even pantry.

On today's episode, I give you some ideas of how to do just that. I also give you a helpful website you can refer to when figuring out what to toss, as well as a website that can give recipe suggestions to use up some of the food that's been sitting around too long.

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode28

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

Full Transcript of this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/transcript28