Two sisters share the system of organising household chores that they created to make managing a home less time consuming and more efficient, in an updated handbook that explains how to reduce chaos and clutter and achieve organisation in the home.

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If, however, you are a SHE because you're a frozen perfectionist, someone who never cleans because you don't have time to do it RIGHT, this is not the book for you. The card-file is wonderful - except that I'm entirely capable of spending the next 6 months making sure I've got the file system perfect without ever actually doing any of the stuff on it. There's also nothing to prevent you from overloading yourself with nit-picking chores and burning out. If these sound like things you would be prone to, then I would recommend "Sink Reflections" by Marla Cilley instead. She uses much of the same material as Pam and Peggy (she credits them as her inspiration), but her program is specifically designed for those of us who try so hard for perfection we get nowhere.

If perfectionism isn't your problem, then by all means go with Pam and Peggy. They're great fun to read, and however bad your house is, they will understand.

184 of 189 found the following review helpful:

5 Stars for the Concept -- this really worked for me!Nov 29, 2001
By Quaker Annie "reader"
This book was my last resort in trying to put some order in my life. Now that I'm not working, there's no personal assistant to follow me around, reminding me of appointments, locating lost papers and plane tickets, or just generally tidying up around me. Trying to get organized, I'd tried a Palm Pilot, a Franklin Planner, promises, prayers, New Year's Resolutions and was seriously considering electroshock therapy.

When I recently gave up my busy work life to come a work-at-home mom, I thought one of the results would be a neat and organized home. My excuse for a more than slightly disorganized home was that, as a full-time traveling working single parent, two dogs, two cats and a tank full of fish, I was just too busy. My fantasy was that more time at home would cure that.

It didn't -- if anything, my disorganization seemed to expand to fit the free time. Worse, even with all the free time, without spending much time on housework, I never seemed to be able to find the time to do a lot of things I wanted to do. My shelves were filled with home craft materials, but even if I had the time to spend on a project, I couldn't seem to locate what I needed.

But when my fourth grader's teacher told me he was the most disorganized child she'd taught in 7 years, and then showed me his desk overflowing with papers, books and homework assignments completed but never turned in, I realized something had to be done. I was training him to live in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). Visions of my son in the future, opening his high school locker only to be buried alive, prompted me to find a solution for him -- which meant I needed to lead by example.

And so -- since nothing else had worked -- I ordered the book, and dubiously started to read it. Skeptically I forced myself to buy some index cards and filled them out (a rather simplistic and foolish notion, I thought). Feeling silly, I began following the instructions (I skipped over the somewhat goofy stories the sisters tell). Slowly my life began to get more organized.

At this point, my house is consistently tidy. My Christmas presents -- some home made -- are finished, wrapped and sent. Instead of taking up all my precious free time, being organized has given me more free time, and some peace of mind. Best of all, my son (whose homework still gets left behind sometimes) is helping with chores (without being ordered to do so) and working on being better organized.

Despite being so simple -- or perhaps because it is so simple -- this system really works for me. If you're lost in chaos and think nothing will work, try this book. It could change your life!

96 of 98 found the following review helpful:

Helping keep me sane!Jan 17, 2003
By J. D. Fegler
I just love this book! I have been using this system for 2 weeks now, and already I notice a change in my life. I am more relaxed, more organized and can focus on the things I WANT to do. Much of the book is funny accounts of the author's battles with clutter and disorganization. This is entertaining, but I wanted to get right to the heart of things. I am using their 3 x 5 index card plan. Basically, they want you to put all the chores that need to be done on index cards, filed with different colors according to how often they need to be done (daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally). You file the cards behind the appropriate date in an index card box. Each day, you just need to look at the cards to see what you need to do. I find it very helpful in that I get busy right away on what needs to be done and don't worry about other chores, because I have them scheduled for another day. The book has a chart at the back suggesting various household chores that need to be done, and places for you to add your own. Before using this system, I often felt overwhelmed just thinking about all the things that needed to be done, and ended up not doing anything at all! It really helps me to focus on what needs to be done and avoid wasting time. Now I have more time to do the things that I want, and I am happier and better organized. It is an easy system to apply and can be adapted to the areas where you are more or less organized. I highly recommend this book!

55 of 55 found the following review helpful:

Six children/this book saved meOct 23, 2005
By Rhonda Tolle-beaman "rhonda beaman 'book lover"
When I gave birth to my last child, I was going home with the little bundle of joy in my arms with 23 month old twins waiting on me. Also a nine year old and two step children who were at my house a lot...ages five and ten. (I am talking six children in all under the age of ll). As my husband drove me up the lane to our house I cried. He said, "Are you glad to be home dear". I couldn't talk, but if I could have I would have said..."I don't know how I am going to do this".

I have a real problem with distraction. My house was a mess. Three children under the age of 2. Three in diapers. I didn't have my own washer or dryer nor a dishwasher. Couldn't get all the food hot at once because of interruptions. Kept running out of staples..

Then my sister heard about this book on the today show. I took it very seriously. It took me two weeks to read and compile all the cards. I sat in each room of my house and listed slowly and methodically every single chore I wanted to "ideally" do.

Finally after much mental fatigue and work, my card file system was ready. Drum roll please.............

From that day on my house ran like a well oiled machine. Christmas cards and gifts on time, physicals for school scheduled early, grocery shopping done according to menus and everything in order. People often asked me how I did it. I showed up for things on time when parents with only one child couldn't make it.

Since that day I have probably given six of these books away to interested parties. Many people don't actually do the book, they just read it....doesn't help. But if you want a real solution to chaos...you can't beat this book. To this day I use this system. I am no longer as disorganized as I was when my children were little, but I still find it keeps me on track. I have also used it in several jobs I have had, setting offices up on the rotating memory tickler system.

If you have a real need for organization, use this book step by step and you will marvel at the results.

Also, in reading one reviewer, I noticed someone saying that you could get caught up in overload by trying to be to perfect. I did not find that a problem at all. I instead found that I had more time and could actually schedule time off with time to go to the park etc. with my children. It is so much nicer to take time off when you understand that you have a plan that allows for down time and still keeps you in control.

The secret to this book is actually doing it!! If you invest the time and do the upfront work of setting the system up, you will be amazed.

Rhonda Beaman

63 of 65 found the following review helpful:

Life Saver!!!Feb 27, 2002

Since I discovered the Sidetracked Sisters in 1988 I've graduated 3 daughters from highschool, 2 from college and one from medical school. I've given 4 weddings, three of them in cities in which I did not live. I've moved seven times, attended 3 graduate schools, completed a Master's degree and started a Ph.D. I've managed to stay married to the same neatnic for 36 years and now have four beautiful grandchildren. If it were not for Pam and Peggy, I couldn't have survived (literally) one day beyond the day I first picked up this book. The card file grounded me and kept me going on days I feared either flying of the face of the earth or gettly buried in the clutter. By sharing the book with my own sister, we have kept reminding each other to "get back to the box" during times we were less than diligent. The principles shared by the authors are excellent management skills which I employed in my private practice as a counselor and have taught to clients suffering from conditions such as ADHD as well as to parents overwhelmed by what life's pressures are handing them. I've also used the "Happiness File" for years, I reread it every year in January, setting new priorities for the year and reviewing my accomplishments from the previous year. The book is an easy read and funny. Perhaps the greatest testimony to the efficacy of the system is that my pediatrician daughter and busy mother of one of my beautiful granddaughters has asked for a copy recently stating, "I didn't think I'd ever say this but I've got to find a better way to manage all I've got to do and it's worked pretty well for you."

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