​
​March/April 2026

Spring is in the air air. This is a great time to clean up and clean out and get organized. Shoes take up a lot of space in our closets. Here are some tips on how to get them organized.

Organizing Shoes

• Look at every pair of shoes you have.
  • Get rid of uncomfortable shoes.
  • Get rid of shoes that you don’t like anymore.
  • Get rid of shoes that you don’t wear.
• How do you want to store your shoes?
  • Seasonal
  • Keep everything together
  • Work / Garden shoes or kept in the garage
• What type of shoes do you own?
  • Boots
  • Hiking
  • Flip Flops
• Look for shoe organizers that fit the type of shoes you have.
  • Look online at Wayfair, Amazon, The Container Store, Ikea, Target, Etsy, etcetera for inspiration.
  • Measure the space where the container is going
  • Organize by style & color or however you prefer!

Adele Tusson-Gross

Shoe Organizer available at Wayfair.

"Ignorant bliss" works...until it doesn't.

What would happen if you died today?

Would your spouse, partner, or the person responsible for settling your estate know how to access your financial information? Would they know where to start?
It’s a difficult question, but one that every household should ask.

In many relationships, one person naturally takes the lead in managing the day-to-day finances. That may include:

• Paying the bills and knowing which accounts they are paid from
• Negotiating service bills
• Scheduling home maintenance and managing vendors
• Organizing paperwork and digital files
• Maintaining passwords and online account access

This arrangement can work very well—until something unexpected happens.

“Ignorant bliss” works… until it doesn’t.
Over the years, I have seen significant stress and hardship for spouses who were left behind without access to important financial information. The issue has nothing to do with intelligence. Many of my clients are extremely smart people. The problem is simply a lack of shared knowledge and planning ahead for the unknown.

Real Client Experiences

A Husband Left in the Dark
Simple Solution Organizing was contacted by the son of a man who had lost his wife of 50 years. She had handled all of the household finances.
When I began working with him, he did not know where she kept the financial files—either paper or digital. During one of our sessions we discovered that his automobile insurance had lapsed. He had unknowingly been driving for months without coverage because he didn’t know it had lapsed. He also did not know which company they used.
Again, this was not a matter of intelligence. It was a matter of information that had never been shared.

Locked Out of Accounts
In another case, a nephew hired us to help his aunt after the death of her husband. Her husband had managed everything. She did not have access to his passwords, phone, or laptop.
She had been in crisis mode for years.
The couple owned multiple properties, which only complicated matters. It took considerable time to identify service providers for each property and re-establish access to online accounts.

Memory Loss Changes the Equation
I worked with a lovely couple for many years. The husband managed all the finances, and his wife preferred it that way.
However, when his memory began to decline, critical information that should have been shared was lost. During our sessions we uncovered several financial accounts set to paperless statements—including brokerage and college savings accounts the couple had forgotten existed.

We discovered them only by carefully reviewing his email. When both spouses are experiencing memory challenges, even something that sounds simple—like scanning emails—can become extremely difficult.

A Hidden Long-Term Care Policy
In another situation, I was referred by a Geriatric Care Case Manager at the Athens Community Council on Aging to help a client manage her bills and daily finances. Her nephew, who was her Power of Attorney, hired me.
During our work together we discovered a long-term care insurance policy that no one knew existed.
That single discovery saved the client’s estate approximately $200,000.

The Lesson
It’s perfectly normal for one spouse to be more comfortable managing the finances. Many couples prefer it that way. The other spouse may be happy to focus on other aspects of life without the stress of financial management.
But the non-financial spouse still needs basic awareness of the full financial picture.

Every household should maintain and periodically review:

• A list of vital records
• A summary of financial accounts
• A “Money Map” outlining bills and how they are paid
• Locations of important documents (paper and digital)
• Password access procedures
• Names of financial professionals and service providers
• 
  

This information should be reviewed and updated at least once a year.

I am not suggesting that spouses switch roles or divide the work equally. But everyone involved needs to know enough to step in if necessary.
Because life can change quickly.
And when it does, the last thing a grieving spouse needs is a financial mystery to solve. 💙

We can help you with this very important project. Reach out today! 

Adele Tusson-Gross
706-714-1314
[email protected]

December 2025
St. Petersburg, Florida has a great beach to ride bikes on. 
Christmas with Family

January/February 2026 

2026 Is Too Important to Ignore Your Finances

The start of a new year—and even more so the early months of it—is the perfect time to take a clear, honest look at your finances. Not to judge yourself. Not to feel overwhelmed. But to take back control.

If you’ve been avoiding your bank statements or credit card transactions, you’re not alone. Many capable, intelligent people do. Life is busy. Finances feel complicated. And sometimes it’s easier not to look. But avoiding your finances doesn’t make problems disappear—it gives them more room to grow.

Be Bold. Look Closely. One of the most important steps you can take early in 2026 is simply reviewing your credit card and bank activity—line by line.
Why?

• Fraud often hides in plain sight. Small, unfamiliar charges can go unnoticed for months.
• Subscriptions quietly drain your money. Free trials you forgot about, duplicate services, or subscriptions you never intentionally signed up for add up quickly.
• Mistakes happen. Merchants double-charge, payments process incorrectly, or automatic renewals slip through without notice.

These aren’t financial failures—they’re realities of modern life. The only real mistake is not looking.

Checking Is an Act of Self-CareReviewing statements isn’t about restriction or guilt. It’s about awareness. Knowing where your money is going allows you to make intentional choices instead of reacting after the fact.

When you review your accounts regularly, you:

• Protect yourself from fraud
• Free up money you didn’t realize you were losing
• Reduce stress and uncertainty
• Create clarity for better decision-making throughout the year

And clarity is powerful.

Your Finances Are Too Important Not to Care AboutYour finances touch every part of your life—your independence, your security, your ability to say yes (or no) to opportunities, and your peace of mind.

Ignoring them doesn’t make them simpler. Paying attention does.

If the idea of reviewing transactions, organizing paperwork, or creating a system feels overwhelming, you don’t have to tackle it alone.

We Can Help You Create a Plan, Whether you need help reviewing accounts, setting up a simple system, identifying unnecessary expenses, or creating an ongoing plan to stay organized, we’re here to support you—calmly, confidentially, and without judgment.

2026 deserves your attention.
Be bold. Don’t be afraid of your finances.

They matter—and so do you!
Adele Gross
Wishing you your best year yet!!!!

November/December 2025
​
Client Story: Reclaiming Space and Peace of Mind

My Team Member Sabrina and I are working with a lovely woman to help her declutter, organize, and reclaim her home from a mountain of projects. The projects she planned to complete have taken over every room in her home. She made a very important decision recently: she no longer wants to live surrounded by unfinished projects.

Over the years, the projects she intended to complete — craft ideas, home improvement tasks, organizing efforts — had slowly taken over every room in her home. Recently, she reached a turning point and called Simple Solution Organizing to help her begin a new chapter.

We’re helping her declutter, organize, and sort items by project. Together, we’re identifying which projects are still meaningful — and which ones can be released, donated, or tossed.

After just one session, she already feels more in control of her surroundings and has opened her space considerably.

Sometimes, the hardest part is deciding it’s time to make a change. The rest becomes possible with the right plan — and a little support.

Adele

Organizing Projects: From “I Should Do This” to “I’m Doing This!”

We all have those projects that linger in the back of our minds — the home office overhaul, the photo album we meant to make, or the financial file cabinet clean-up that’s long overdue. But before you dive in (or talk yourself out of it), it helps to pause and get clear about why you’re doing it, what success looks like, and how to make it manageable.

Step 1: Ask Yourself — Do I Really Want to Do This?
Not every project deserves your energy. Sometimes we carry “shoulds” that belong to someone else — or to a past version of ourselves.
Ask:

• What’s motivating me to take this on?
• What will it feel like when it’s done?
• What’s the cost (in time, money, or energy) if I don’t do it?

If the project doesn’t align with your current priorities, give yourself permission to release it. That’s organizing, too.

Step 2: Define What “Done” Looks Like
Projects often feel endless because the finish line is fuzzy.
Instead of “organize the house,” try:

• “Declutter and donate items in the guest room closet.”
• “Scan all important documents into one secure folder.”

Specific goals give you direction — and a sense of accomplishment when you complete them.

Step 3: Break It Down
Every big project is a series of small, doable actions.
Write out each step, estimate how long it might take, and decide which ones you can delegate or schedule in short bursts.
For example:

1. Sort one box.
2. Label folders.
3. Schedule document shredding.

Momentum builds from action, not perfection.

Step 4: Create Accountability
Tell someone your goal — a friend, colleague, or Daily Money Manager/Professional Organizer. Accountability adds structure and motivation. You can even set reminders or weekly check-ins to track progress.

Step 5: Celebrate Small Wins
When you complete even one step, notice it. That sense of completion fuels your confidence for the next project.

Final Thought
Organizing projects isn’t just about tidy drawers or neat spreadsheets — it’s about aligning your time and attention with what truly matters. Start small, stay realistic, and give yourself credit for the progress you make.

Need Help Getting Started?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by financial papers, bill management, or other organizing projects that affect your daily life, we can help.

We work with clients both in-person in Athens, Georgia and Miami, Florida and remotely across the U.S. You don’t have to live nearby for us to work together — we make the process simple and secure.

And if you know someone who could benefit from support getting financially or organizationally “unstuck,” please feel free to share this post with them.
Sometimes all it takes is a little clarity — and a helping hand — to turn “someday” into “done.
​Adele

September/October 2025 In this Newsletter: 

5 Workspace Organizing Tips to Boost Productivity & Accountability&Planning Ahead with Confidence how a (Certified Daily Money Manager® (CDMM®) complements the work of your Financial Advisor). 

5 Workspace Organizing Tips to Boost Productivity & Accountability:
Your work area has more impact on your productivity than you might realize. The space you sit down to every day sets the tone for focus, motivation, and even accountability. A cluttered desk can drain your energy before you’ve even started, while a well-organized environment can act like a silent coach, nudging you to stay on track. 

Here are some strategies to design a workspace that fuels both motivation and accountability:

1. Start with a Clean SlateTake everything off your desk and wipe it down. Sort through papers, supplies, and miscellaneous items. Ask yourself: Does this belong here? Do I use it daily? If not, store it elsewhere.
2. Keep Only What Inspires ActionHave the essentials—laptop, notepad, planner, pen—readily accessible. Add one or two motivational items: a photo, an inspiring quote, or a small plant. Too many personal items can become clutter and distractions, so choose with intention.
3. Create a System for Papers and ProjectsUse trays (works well for projects), folders, or digital systems for “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Completed.” Visual cues remind you of what needs attention and give you the satisfaction of moving items from one stage to the next.
4. Make Accountability VisibleKeep a To Do List in your calendar (paper or digital), or a notebook nearby where deadlines, goals, and priorities are clearly written. The act of checking things off provides a built-in accountability system. Consider a whiteboard for project planning outlines and deadlines.
5. Align Your Workstation with Your EnergyNatural light boosts mood and productivity. If possible, position your desk near a window. Otherwise, use a bright desk lamp to keep your space energized.
6. End Each Day with a ResetBefore shutting down, spend five to ten minutes putting things back in place. Walking into a neat space the next morning sets you up to dive in with motivation and clarity.
✨ Bottom line: An intentional workspace isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a tool that keeps you motivated and accountable. By setting up your environment to support your goals, you’ll find it easier to stay on task and follow through.


Planning Ahead with Confidence:

We help Solo Agers and Older Couples strategize for their future. Our work complements what your Financial Advisor provides. While Advisors run longevity reports and ask questions like, “What amount are you comfortable living on each year after retirement?”—the truth is, there are many unknowns behind that number.

My husband and I recently went through this exercise with our own Advisor. When asked, “Do you think you can live on…” (fill in the blank), I quickly realized: that’s a great question—but one that requires digging into real numbers. That’s where a Certified Daily Money Manager® (CDMM®) comes in. We analyze your actual spending to help determine what’s realistic and sustainable. Most Financial Advisors, including my own, don’t do this type of detailed research. If yours does, consider yourself fortunate!

One of the most meaningful projects we assist with is evaluating the true cost of staying in your current home versus moving into Independent Senior Living. Beyond mortgage or rent, we look at maintenance, transportation, meals, utilities, and access to social and medical support.

Our goal is to bring clarity and confidence—so you can make informed choices that reflect both your values and your future needs.

We work in-person in Athens, Georgia and Miami, Florida, and remotely with clients nationwide. This allows us to support Solo Agers and Older Couples wherever they may be.
If you—or someone you know—are navigating this season of life or planning ahead, let’s talk.
​
Adele Gross
Certified Daily Money Manager® (CDMM®) & Professional Organizer

July / August 2025
Surviving the summer? In this newsletter: Organizing Tip: How to Organize a Storage Closet and find your stuff easily. Money Tip: Break the Overspending Cycle. 

How to Organize a Storage Closet (and Actually Find What You Need)
Storage closets often start with good intentions — holiday decorations, extra paper towels, off-season clothes — and somehow end up as black holes of forgotten items. If your storage closet feels more chaotic than helpful, here’s a simple system to bring order back to your space:

1. Start with a Full Emptying
Take everything out. Yes, everything. This allows you to:

• See exactly what you have
• Clean the shelves
• Mentally reset the space

2. Group Similar Items
Sort items into broad categories:

• Holiday décor
• Tools
• Office supplies
• Paper products
• Keepsakes

This makes it easier to assign zones once you start putting things back.
3. Purge the Unnecessary
Be honest: Do you need 17 extension cords? Are those broken picture frames worth fixing? Let go of duplicates, damaged items, or things you haven’t touched in years.
4. Invest in Clear Bins & Labels
Clear containers allow you to see what’s inside without opening every box. Use large labels — both on bins and on shelves — so anyone can find (and put away) items easily.
5. Store by Accessibility

• Frequently used items at eye level
• Heavy items on the floor
• Light, rarely used items on top shelves

6. Review Regularly
Make it a habit to assess your storage closet every 6-12 months. Things creep in over time — stay ahead of the clutter!
Pro Tip: If you dread the project, hire us. Sometimes an outside perspective makes the decisions easier.

Breaking the Overspending Cycle:
Simple Habits to Help You Spend Smarter
We’ve all been there: You check your bank account and wonder “Where did my money go?” Overspending can sneak up on anyone, whether it’s impulsive online shopping, too many dinners out, or small daily purchases that quietly add up.
The good news? Overspending isn’t a character flaw — it’s often a habit. And like any habit, it can be changed. Here are some simple, practical ways to create healthier spending habits and take control of your finances:

1. Know Your TriggersStart by identifying when and where you tend to overspend:

• Late-night online shopping?
• Emotional “treat yourself” moments?
• Sales and “limited-time” offers?
• Subscription renewals you forgot about?

Once you recognize your triggers, you can put systems in place to interrupt the pattern.
2. Practice the 24-Hour Rule

• Before making any non-essential purchase, wait 24 hours.
• This pause allows emotions to settle.
• You may realize you don’t actually need the item.
• Keep a “want list” — write it down instead of buying immediately. Many items will naturally drop off the list over time.

3. Create and Use a Budget (That You Actually Like!) You don't have to use one!! If you do want to here are some tips.

• A budget isn’t about restriction — it’s about making sure your money is going where you truly want it to go.
• Build in fun money so you don’t feel deprived.
• Use apps or simple spreadsheets to track spending.
• Review your spending weekly to stay aware of patterns. *******This is a must! Budget or no budget you need to review your spending weekly.

4. Simplify Your AccountsThe more complicated your finances, the easier it is to lose track. Try:

• Automatic bill pay for recurring expenses.
• Cancel unused subscriptions.
• Use one primary credit card so you see everything in one place.

5. Use Cash or Debit for Discretionary Spending

• Studies show we spend less when using cash.
• Set aside a weekly amount for things like dining out, shopping, or entertainment.
• Once it’s gone — it’s gone.

6. Make Savings Automatic

• Treat savings like a bill:
• Schedule automatic transfers to savings or investment accounts.
• You won’t miss money you don’t see.

7. Build Mindful Shopping Habits
Ask yourself:

• “Will I still want this in 30 days?”
• “Do I already own something similar?”
• “Is this purchase aligned with my long-term goals?”

Sometimes simply slowing down your decision-making is enough to avoid unnecessary purchases.
8. Get Support if You Need ItIf overspending feels out of control, don’t hesitate to:

• Work with a Daily Money Manager (like me!)
• Ask a trusted friend or partner for accountability
• Speak with a financial counselor or therapist

The Bottom LineOverspending doesn’t happen overnight — and neither does financial discipline. The key is building small habits, practiced consistently, that add up over time. By becoming more intentional with your money, you’ll create peace of mind and a stronger financial future.

Adele Tusson-Gross, CDMM®
Certified Daily Money Manager® & Chief Executive Organizer
Simple Solution Organizing LLC
Daily Money Management | Professional Organizing & Downsizing
706-714-1314