*The basis for the wonderfully funny and moving TV series developed by Amy Poehler and Scout Productions* A charming, practical, and unsentimental approach to putting a home in order while reflecting on the tiny joys that make up a long life. In Sweden there is a kind of decluttering called döstädning, dö meaning “death” and städning meaning “cleaning.” This surprising and invigorating process of clearing out unnecessary belongings can be undertaken at any age or life stage but should be done sooner than later, before others have to do it for you. In The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, artist Margareta Magnusson, with Scandinavian humor and wisdom, instructs readers to embrace minimalism. Her radical and joyous method for putting things in order helps families broach sensitive conversations, and makes the process uplifting rather than overwhelming. Margareta suggests which possessions you can easily get rid of (unworn clothes, unwanted presents, more plates than you’d ever use) and which you might want to keep (photographs, love letters, a few of your children’s art projects). Digging into her late husband’s tool shed, and her own secret drawer of vices, Margareta introduces an element of fun to a potentially daunting task. Along the way readers get a glimpse into her life in Sweden, and also become more comfortable with the idea of letting go.

Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Award Recipient Professional organizer Barbara Reich offers a life-changing program—focused on decluttering and streamlining your home—that helps families live simpler, less chaotic lives: “Everyone should Barbarafy,” raves The New York Times. Mothers can feel like life is one never-ending loop. Just when one problem or responsibility is overcome, another one trips us up. But help is on the way: Barbara Reich has all the strategies for staying ahead of the curve—and she’s wrapped them up into four easy steps that can be applied to any organizing project: purge, design, organize, and maintain. The keys to Barbara’s success are simplicity and consistency. Room by room, she goes through the most problematic areas in the home—from the tornado-struck play area to the packed basement or storage unit—and approaches organizing in manageable bites. In addition to cleaning and organizing tips, she talks about how to avoid social overload, preaching the power of “No”—for example, when your child wants to attend six birthday parties in one weekend. As the mother of thirteen-year-old twins, Barbara offers insight into the lives of crazed moms as only a mother could. Combining the humor of a sympathetic friend and the no-nonsense advice of a true type-A personality, Reich offers clever, appealing solutions that are genuinely achievable for everyone.

"An examination of strategies for effective organizing"--

"This book won't make you rich, and it won't make your work go away. What it will do, if you have a desire to improve your efficiency, is help you get organized so that you can get done what needs to be done and go on to other things. The most satisfying reward of getting control is that it builds self-esteem, which in turn cultivates energy, enthusiasm, and happiness. Nothing breeds success like success."--Bonnie McCullough The essential guide for getting control of your home. A time-management book for the whole family. Newly revised and updated edition * Training you kids to take care of the house * Easy ways to create more storage space * Time-saving secrets of a professional cleaner * How to create a kitchen of convenience * Conquering the dishes, mending, laundry Bonnie's Household Organizer is an essential handbook for anyone-- mothers, fathers, students, roommates, or working singles-- who wants to get organized at home. More than a collection of helpful hints or cleaning techniques, this remarkable book offers workable systems of organization. It begins by showing how to apply proven principles of time management to the home, moves through work habits, shelving suggestions, methods for training children to work, and ways to save money (especially on food), to the basic problem-solving process as it applies to home problems. Each chapter ends with practical suggestions for applying the ideas and techniques to your particular circumstances. Whether you live in a twelve-room home or a studio apartment, have seven children, or a roommate who never cleans up, you'll find immediate help and direction in Bonnie's clear, practical, enthusiastic advice.

The inside story of the first successful $15 minimum wage campaign that renewed a national labor movement With captivating narrative and insightful commentary, labor organizer Jonathan Rosenblum reveals the inside story of the first successful fight for a $15 minimum wage, which renewed a national labor movement through bold strategy and broad inclusiveness. Just outside Seattle, an unlikely alliance of Sea-Tac Airport workers, union and community activists, and clergy staged face-to-face confrontations with corporate leaders to unite a diverse, largely immigrant workforce in a struggle over power between airport workers and business and political elites. Digging deep into the root causes of poverty wages, Rosenblum gives a blunt assessment of the daunting problems facing unions today. Beyond $15 provides an inspirational blueprint for a powerful, all-inclusive labor movement and is a call for workers to reclaim their power in the new economy.