I suspect that 2 things have happened at Montgomery Ward and their email program.  Either it is run by a group of monkeys and they get free bananas if they push a button or they happened to pick out this one poor soul at a meeting and say “hey you…you have marketing experience…run our email program..I mean how hard can it be?”

This is quite possibly the worst sign up and user experience I have ever had to go through from a major company in many many years.  It is as if Montgomery Ward is stuck in 1996 in the way the are doing email and I am fearful to even get their first promotional email.

Forget about a welcome strategy or even a welcome email, because I am still waiting for mine.  In figure 1 you will see that at the bottom of their page is where you can sign up for email.  First off….bottom of the page…..hello?  In figure 2 you will see the page I am taken too when I enter in my email address from Figure 1.  Not that bad, but I have a pre-checked box and I have to enter my name.  Nothing more..nothing less.  I can accept that.  However, here is where it gets just plain bad.

Look at figure 3. I am taken to this page after I enter my information on figure 2.  No branding, no link back to the site. I either have to close out my browser or tab.  Horrible horrible customer experience.  Figure 4 is my confirmation email……with images turned on in gmail. With images turned on!!!  No branding..no M.W. logo, nothing.  Pathetic.

While I admire that they have a double opt in process and send me a confirmation email, here is where it gets even worse.  At this point, I want nothing more than to take a baseball bat to my head and have someone put me out my misery.   In figure 5 you will see the confirmation page I am taken to once I click to confirm from the disastrous confirm email.  Again, no branding, no link to site….nothing. A wasted opportunity.

Montgomery Ward…please for the love of God, go and hire a professional email marketer or consultant to help you through this thing.  You have a decent name, but yet you serve it up via an email experience that is about as fun and inviting as my next kidney stone.

By the way….its been about 6 hours…..and no welcome email.  Oh well…guess you don’t want me to shop there or welcome me into your program.

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Now that you’ve heard their stories, it’s time to pick a winner! You can either view all finalists and their furniture photos or read about each of our finalists:

• Finalist #1: ‘Someone’s Trash Is Somebody’s Treasure’
• Finalist #2: Fond Memories
• Finalist #3: ‘No Longer Safe to Use’
• Finalist #4: ‘Ugly, Ugly, Ugly!’
• Finalist #5: ‘Shabby But No Chic’
• Finalist #6: ‘They Look for Another Place to Sit First’

Vote now — and don’t forget, three lucky voters will be randomly selected to win a $100 Montgomery Ward gift card!

This is part three of a six-part feature, highlighting our six finalists in the “Ugliest Patio Furniture” contest. See all of our finalists and vote for your favorite!

Finalist #2

We asked finalist #2 about the patio furniture (shown at right) and here’s what we learned:

Q: Where did you get your patio furniture from and when?

A: I got this set from my parents’ house 18 years ago.

Q: What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about your patio furniture?

A: My favorite thing about having this furniture in my back yard is that it brings back memories of watching my mom and my aunt sitting on this set on our deck, sharing endless cups of coffee while solving all their problems. I also remember the memory of Mom’s great joy picking out her first new patio set. Until we were grown, she did not spend much on herself.

My least favorite thing about this set is that it is no longer functional at all.

Q: Do you have any stories or interesting facts you’d like to share about your patio furniture?

A. This set belonged to my deceased mother. As we were cleaning out our childhood home, I could never bear to part with it or throw it in the trash. It has been in my yard for over 18 years now.

Check back tomorrow for the next part in our six-part feature, highlighting our six finalists in the “Ugliest Patio Furniture” contest. See all of our finalists and vote for your favorite!

This is part two of a six-part feature, highlighting our six finalists in the “Ugliest Patio Furniture” contest. See all of our finalists and vote for your favorite!

Finalist #5

We asked finalist #5 about the patio furniture (shown at right) and here’s what we learned:

“I have a very nice patio that my father built himself and I use it often to entertain. Recently, however, several of my well-meaning friends have mentioned that I might want to think about making some changes.  During a recent get-together on the patio, the discussion turned to different styles of furniture and trends and how things have changed over the years.

“Back in the day, there was the Victorian look, Italian Renaissance and the minimalist Scandinavian trend. We discussed the modern look and the ever popular ‘Early American’ styles. One of my friends looked around my patio and said, ‘Rose, you could start a new trend with your patio furniture. We could call it, “Early Slum”.’

“I was a little disconcerted by her remark and I took a good look at the ambiance my patio provided. The picnic table, acquired from neighbors when they moved away two years ago, is a little old and weather-beaten, but serviceable. The fact that is has little holes where insects have used it as a feeding trough gives it a certain character.

“The rocking chair came from someone’s trash and is a little rickety. This is my favorite piece of patio furniture and a great dumpster-diving find.

“My lounge chair has a small amount of sentimental value, as it was the one my mother used for sunbathing in the 1950’s. The original cushion, complete with a few rips and faded, is probably the one that came with the lounge.

“I looked at the metal tub which was part of my parent’s old washing machine and marvel at its potential. I could use it as a table, a fire pit or a trash can.

“I rescued my mother’s old sewing machine table from the trash and it sits on the patio, ready to accept platter of food and snacks. I admit it is not a pretty sight.  This is my least favorite piece of patio furniture because if I was not using it outside I could clean it up and bring it inside.

“My friend said that my patio furniture did not qualify under the ’shabby chic’ category since it had an abundance of shabby but no chic. I sighed and admitted the furniture was detrimental to my social life. I have noticed my friends arrive with paper towels, disinfectant wipes and disposable table cloths and covers. My daughter has stopped inviting her friends over in the summer, apparently embarrassed by the ‘Sanford and Son’ look imparted by the furniture.

“While I pride myself on using innovation and creativity in my decorating efforts, I have to admit the patio furniture has crossed the line between eclectic and junk. Perhaps the patio furniture fairy will magically appear and transform my back yard into an area that will enhance the patio so lovingly constructed by my father.”

Check back Tuesday for the next part in our six-part feature, highlighting our six finalists in the “Ugliest Patio Furniture” contest. See all of our finalists and vote for your favorite!

This is part one of a six-part feature, highlighting our six finalists in the “Ugliest Patio Furniture” contest. See all of our finalists and vote for your favorite!

Finalist #1

We asked Finalist #1 about the patio furniture (shown at right) and here’s what we learned about this unique ensemble:

Q: Where did you get your patio furniture from and when?

A: I got the table in June 2006 from the trash and found the pink and red chairs in the trash after a flood in August 2006. The plastic chairs came from my sister-in-law back in 1994-1995, when she left her husband before she moved to Arizona. The blue chair was a gift from my husband on his birthday three years ago and I keep them covered with a tarp.

Q: What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about your patio furniture?

A: My favorite part about this furniture is that they are strong and will not break like the plastic chairs. We just had a wind storm and I had to run and chase the plastic chairs but not the brown table and the pink and red chairs — they stayed in one spot and I didn’t have to run to catch them.

Q: Do you have any stories or interesting facts you’d like to share about your patio furniture?

A. They say someone’s trash is somebody’s treasure!

Check back tomorrow for the next part in our six-part feature, highlighting our six finalists in the “Ugliest Patio Furniture” contest. See all of our finalists and vote for your favorite!

It’s time: you can now vote for your favorite in the Ugliest Patio Furniture Contest! …and don’t forget you can win, too: three lucky voters will also receive a $100 Montgomery Ward Gift Card.

See photos of our six finalists and be sure to check back again soon, as we’ll be sharing stories and telling you more about each of the entries.

Here are the finalists:

finalist #1

finalist #2

finalist #3

finalist #4

finalist #5

finalist #6

You know who you are: your favorite sounds of summer include the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd. The smell of roasted peanuts and hot dogs is the ultimate comfort food. If you count the time between games in hours, not days, you’re a true baseball fan and this is your favorite time of the year.

Can’t get enough of the home team? Here are some of our favorite picks to help you cheer on the team from the comfort of your own home:

• Major League Baseball Woochie Pillow (shown at right)
• Perfect for the ballpark or at home, stay warm on chilly nights with these Major League Baseball Blanket Throws
• Bring some team spirit to your home office with a MLB desk lamp
• Greet your guests in style with a MLB team logo door mat for your front door
• …and more! Find your favorite team in our MLB Team Shop at wards.com

Last chance: contest ends tomorrow!

Send us a photo of your ugly patio furniture for a chance to win up to $1,000 in new outdoor patio furniture and accessories from Montgomery Ward! View complete rules and entry details here.

It’s the middle of summer and, unless you’re lucky and have a summer birthday or anniversary, there’s no gift-giving occasion in sight. Which is really unfortunate because we’re in love with these fun, whimsical diamond accent necklaces.

Perfect for summer, this diamond flip flop (sandal) pendant is definitely one of our favorites. It’s fun, under $100 and unique. We also can’t help but love this retro eyeglass pendant necklace with diamond accent. One last sea-themed pendant to tell you about: this diamond accent starfish pendant.

Know someone who’s stylish and loves a good cosmo (the drink, of course)? She’ll really appreciate the style of this diamond martini pendant.

Need some good luck? Whether you’re starting a new job, getting married or just need an extra boost of luck, it never hurts to take your lucky horseshoe with you every day — this lucky horseshoe pendant necklace may be just the thing you’re looking for. Good luck!

(More diamond pendants also available online at wards.com. …and don’t forget: $100+ orders qualify for deferred billing so you can bling today, pay later!)

Contemporary styles aren’t limited to high dollar downtown lofts with sweeping city views. Whether you’re in the suburbs, city or country, there are simple ways to bring contemporary style into your home.

In the bedroom, it’s easy to start with a simple platform bed for a clean, sophisticated contemporary look. To complete the contemporary effect, keep “stuff” and knick-nacks to a minimum and don’t be afraid to experiment with bold pictures for the wall. We love the bold colors in these Festival Paintings and the simplicity of this Echotone Painting.

Another great way to bring some contemporary flair to your home is with contemporary rugs. A true contemporary rug can be simple, wild (think lion or zebra print rugs) or unique (this post-it rug style is a great example).

Whether you’re decorating your bedroom, family room or even a bar in the basement (we’re secretly pining for this great bar) be sure to follow these three simple guidelines for contemporary decorating:

• keep it simple: remove extra clutter
• embrace neutral colors with a splash of color: stick primarily to beiges, browns, tans, etc. and then add a splash of something bold
• less is more: stick to basics

Q: My 13 year-old daughter told me she wants a “wild” and “funky” room but I don’t want to spend time and money on something she’ll outgrow (or get sick of) in a year. Do you have any ideas of a compromise so we both can be happy?
-Beth L. (Lubbock, TX)

A: Our advice, Beth, is simple: keep the wild and funky elements to a minimum. Either stick to basics for bedding (ex: solid colors, ultrasuede one-color comforters, etc.) and opt for a few splashy and fun accent pieces or go all out with a wild bedding pattern and more simple, solid-colored accents.

Wild Accents: This roundabout chair is an example of accent furniture that can go either direction – it comes in a funky gray and orange print but also comes in solid and neutral colors. Some of our other funky favorites include a pink cheetah or black zebra print shoe chair, colorful wall decals and even their own bold circle rug.

Room Idea #1 - Basic Bedding, Funky Accents: Starting with the bedding, we would recommend something neutral like the soft-as-suede comforter set (even comes with bonus pillow!) or these solid-colored shaggy Gatsby comforter sets in hot pink, blue, orange or purple.

Now comes the fun part: have fun with accents like a wild print rug or a fun lamp like this retro table lamp. Even if she gets tired of her room in a year, all you need to change is a few accents (not the entire room).

 Room Idea #2 - Funky Bedding, Basic Accents: Starting with the bedding, throw all caution to the wind and let her choose her favorite patterned set: pink or purple animal print comforters, pink camo comforters or even a traditional black and white zebra animal print bedding set.

Depending on which comforter you choose, you’ll want to start picking out your basic accents. Remember: basic doesn’t have to be boring. You can pair a wild zebra animal print comforter with a bold red lips (smooch) chair. Pair your bedding with a coordinating sequined pillow, retro circle table lamp or even this fuzzy wiggle accent lamp.

Good luck with your project – be sure to send us photos and let us know how it turns out!

We always get excited about new products and wanted to share these new arrivals with you. Here are some of our favorites – be sure to check out the entire list of new products online at wards.com:

• double treat ice cream maker: this ice cream machine lets you make two different flavors at the same time. Just add ingredients, put in the freezer and enjoy in a few hours!
• retro bar accessories and appliances: like your martini shaken, not stirred? You’ll love this retro martini shaker (makes a great holiday or birthday gift)! We also love the look of this bright red retro ice maker. Since we’ve got retro appliances on the brain, we couldn’t help but add this nostalgia doughnut maker to the list.
• a smarter chip and dip tray: we think this one is pretty smart, since it can either keep cold dips cold or hot dips hot for long periods of time.
• perfectly pink girls storage collection: we love this collection, including underbed storage bag, over the door shoe organizer, hanging shoe organizer and hanging accessory shelves.
• custom sized (made to measure) roman shades: these 100% silk roman shades can be made to measure (up to 72″ in length) and are cordless for extra safety. Available in nine colors, they’re available in both inside and outside mount.

Annoyed by allergies, I’ve been looking into finding an air purifier to help keep the air indoors cleaner. I’ve been discouraged, though, because it seems like each purifier I found was another large boxy, bulky contraption that I’d have to find a place for in the house.

Thankfully, I found something that not only works, but doesn’t look like an air purifier. Disguised as a ficus tree, this purifier filters air through a five layer filter to remove smoke, pollen, dust, etc. from the air. 

More good news: not only is the filter washable and won’t need replacing, but this is one plant you don’t have to worry about watering! (Which is perfect for me and my non-green-thumb.)

In honor of the official start of summer tomorrow (Friday, June 20), here are our top 10 essentials for the ultimate summer:

10. Frozen Drink Machines: Whether mixing up margaritas or fruity smoothies, we couldn’t imagine a better way to spend some time in the sun than with a cool beverage in hand.

9. Pool Toys: Inflatable chairs, bumper blasters with water guns, even inflatable ducky baby seats — what else do you need for a day at the pool?

8.  Sturdy Folding Sports Chairs: Summer means sports…and lots of it. Whether you’re watching kids’ soccer, coed softball or just relaxing at the lake, you’re going to want a comfortable chair. These folding chairs are lightweight, come with a bag for carrying and easily fit in the trunk of your car.

7. Patio Furniture: Enjoy dinners outside on the deck and get ready for summer BBQs and entertaining with a patio furniture set. A portable patio set is perfect for small spaces and the folding chairs also make it easy for indoor storage.

6. Ice Cream! Nothing compares to the taste of homemade vanilla ice cream in the summer. It doesn’t matter if you make it yourself or buy it, all that matters is that you get an extra scoop with sprinkles.

5. Keep Cool: Ceiling fans, outdoor fans, dehumidifiers – whatever works for you, be sure it’s working and on-hand when the hot days of summer creep in.

4. Curbside Lemonade Stand: OK, so this one only works if you’re a child (although we’d love to see photos of some grownups with a lemonade stand if you decide to try it out!).

3. An Evening Boat Ride: Whether you have a friend with a yacht (we wish!) or if you rent a row boat to go out and watch the sun set, be sure you enjoy a relaxing evening out on the lake at least once this summer.

2. Read! It doesn’t matter if it’s The Odyssey or the latest issue of People magazine – as long as you read something. Of course poolside or beach reading is our favorite, but even just taking a book out and reading on the front porch, balcony or deck is much more relaxing than an hour of re-runs on TV.

1. Relax in a Hammock: After a long day at work (or after a long day of yard work), relax in a hammock and you’ll feel like you just went on vacation. Close your eyes, listen to the sounds of summer and enjoy…

Special thanks to Judy from Parker, KS for sharing her Montgomery Ward memory with us. Judy will receive a $50 gift card to wards.com for sharing her story. Don’t forget: you can also share your Montgomery Ward story or memory with us!

“A strange event happened several years back. When my office closed, I chose to try out other avenues of livelihood (since I was commuting 115 miles each day to my office in the city.) With the closure I decided to look locally and soon I began ‘multi-tasking’ as I took on several positions that did not involve time clocks. Among them, I am a reporter for the local county newspaper, an eBay seller and a housekeeper with several clients in my rural area.

“One client of mine is a retired dentist from the Kansas City area. I have worked for his family for nearly five years. About two years into the job, I was cleaning a mantel clock and noticed that the clock was an award to my client’s father for his past service with Montgomery Ward! I was very excited and asked him just exactly what his father had done with the company. I was astonished that his father had been regional manager for the retailer and had actually been over the small store that I began my career at in Jefferson City, Mo.!

“His father has been gone now for many years, but the concept of the old saying that it really is a ’small world’ comes to light! To come to a small town of nearly 200 people and have connections from over 25 years ago – all from Montgomery Ward!”

–Judy K.
Parker, KS

Do you have the ugliest patio furniture? Are your friends and family dropping hints that your outdoor furniture needs some help? Is the duct tape starting to come loose again?

You may be in luck – Montgomery Ward is sponsoring a contest to find the Ugliest Patio Furniture Contest in America. The winner will receive up to $1,000 in new patio furniture and accessories from wards.com!

It’s easy to enter – send a photo of your ugly patio furniture to blog@wards.com and be sure to include your name, address and phone number as well as any stories or interesting facts about your patio furniture!

All photos must be received no later than July 4, 2008. After July 4, we will select our finalists and open the contest up for voting. The ugly patio furniture with the most votes will be the winner!

Good luck – we can’t wait to see your photos!

Official Contest Rules

PRIZES

One (1) grand prize: one patio furniture set and accessories (up to $1,000 value) from Montgomery Ward. Three (3) second prizes: $100 Montgomery Ward Gift Card (Value: $100 each). 

DEADLINE

All photo entries must be received before July 4, 2008  at 11:59 p.m. CST to be eligible. Voting, to select winning entry, will be held between July 9-29, 2008.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN!

Void where prohibited or restricted. You may enter online by sending a photo of your ugly patio furniture online to blog@wards.com. Limit one entry per individual. No illegible, incomplete, forged or altered entries or computer automated entries permitted. Entries containing obscene, defamatory or inappropriate language will be disqualified. Montgomery Ward is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, incomplete or illegible entries, technical or software malfunctions, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete or delayed electronic communications. Each entry will be deemed submitted by the record holder of the e-mail account from which the entry originated. All entries will become property of Montgomery Ward and will not be returned.

ELIGIBILITY

GIVEAWAY OPEN TO INDIVIDUAL LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE FORTY-EIGHT CONTINENTAL STATES OVER THE AGE OF 18. Montgomery Ward reserves the right to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process, the operation of the Web site, or otherwise in violation of the rules. Online entrants must participate by way of an Internet Service Provider or other method of Internet access and have a personal e-mail address. Employees (and their families and members of the same household) of Montgomery Ward, Direct Marketing Services, Inc (DMSI) and its respective affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotional agencies are not eligible. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited and restricted by law.

DRAWING AND PRIZE FULFILLMENT

The grand prize winner will be determined by the photo receiving the most votes online. Second prize winners will be determined in a random drawing from all eligible entries received (the “Winner”). Drawing will be conducted by Montgomery Ward. The drawing is final and binding. The Prize is not transferable. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The Winner will be notified by e-mail within three (3) days after the drawing, provided that the Winner is available at the e-mail address supplied by the Winner on the entry form. The Winner will be required to sign and return by regular mail an Affidavit of Eligibility and Publicity/Liability Release form within fourteen (14) days of notification. Failure to sign and return the affidavit and release within 14 days, or to comply with any terms or condition in these Official Rules, may result in disqualification and an alternate winner will be selected. 

PARTCIPATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF RULES

By participating, entrants agree to the official rules, accept decisions of Montgomery Ward and warrant that they are eligible to participate in the giveaway. By participating, entrants are also authorizing Montgomery Ward to use the submitted photo online for contest promotional purposes. Entrants who also opt in to receive e-mail marketing from Montgomery Ward agree to allow Montgomery Ward to periodically send notification of special offers and promotions via email. If you do not wish to continue receiving e-mails, you may opt-out at any time by following the instructions included in the e-mail.

LIABILITY

If, for any reason, the giveaway is not capable of running as planned, including infection by a computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized, intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Montgomery Ward which corrupt or affect the administration, security fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this giveaway, Montgomery Ward management reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the giveaway.

All federal, state and local taxes associated with the acceptance of the prize are solely the responsibility of the winner.

No cash redemption, substitution or transfer of prizes allowed. This giveaway will be governed by the internal laws of the State of Illinois. Any and all legal actions or claims arising in connection with this giveaway must be brought in the State or Federal Courts in Chicago, Illinois.

By participating in the giveaway, each participant agrees to release and hold Montgomery Ward and its employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, representatives, its parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising, promotion, and fulfillment agencies, and legal advisors, harmless from any and all losses, damages, rights, claims and actions of any kind in connection with the giveaway or resulting from acceptance, possession, or use of any prize.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Montgomery Ward friends and families living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The Montgomery Ward customer service center, located in Cedar Rapids, was closed early this week when evacuations began in the city.  (In fact, this photo is just a few blocks away from our offices in Cedar Rapids.)

In the interim, Montgomery Ward customers are being asked to be patient – we are responding to your customer service questions as quickly as possible.

Our buyers just told us about this cool new product - inflatable headboards!

Options include upholstered, faux leather and microsuede finishes but here’s our favorite part: the price is much lower than traditional headboards and they’re easy to assemble.

These durable headboards rest on the mattress and attach to the wall with easy-to-use (no tools required) Velcro wall tabs.

Did we mention no tools are required? Everything you need comes with the headboard: air cushion, electric pump and wall tabs. Check out these inflatable headboards and tell us what you think!

Congratulations to Tracy M., the winner in our High School Musical giveaway contest!

Tracy will receive a High School Musical quilt, full size sheet set and sham. Congrats, Tracy!

Also, we will feature Tracy’s decorating question later this week so stay tuned for her question and our designers’ answer. (We’ll give you a hint: the question relates to decorating a pre-teen girl’s bedroom!)

There’s still time to enter! Don’t forget: you can enter to win a High School Musical bedding set from Montgomery Ward.

It’s easy to enter – just send us an e-mail with a decorating question to blog@wards.com for a chance to win a High School Musical quilt, sheet set and sham!

Hurry! Contest ends on June 5, 2008. Good luck!

If you love shopping with the Montgomery Ward catalog, you’re going to love shopping at wards.com. Not only does the website have all of the products from our catalog, but we have, literally, thousands more products online that you can’t find in the catalog.

Here’s the great news: now it’s even easier to shop our online only web products. When searching at wards.com or browsing through our categories, you will automatically see both our catalog and Internet products. Now, in addition to refining your results by price, size, color, etc. you can see just the ”Web Only” items by selecting the “Web Only” criteria on the left hand side of the page.

Happy shopping!

Looking for a way to add some contemporary style to your home?  We’ve been inspired by this room, featured in the June Montgomery Ward Catalog.

If you’re looking to add some contemporary style to your home, a great place to start is with clean, simple furniture. We love the punch of color that this red Easy Rider Furniture adds.

It’s been awhile since I heard anyone say “I really love that shag carpeting!” but, in small doses, shaggy carpeting is making a comeback. This black, shaggy flokati rug is anything but basic and boring.

The key to contemporary decorating is to keep it simple, then add a punch of color, a funky rug (even a zebra rug!) or bright, abstract artwork.

Hundreds of new items were just posted online at wards.com and I couldn’t wait to show you some of our favorites…

Club Chair and Footstool: Only $199.99 for the pair (!), this gorgeous set is perfect for a corner or even as extra seating in an office or reception area.

Ice Cream Cupcake Pan with BONUS Mix: I have already confessed my cupcake addiction but this special pan is perfect for kids birthday parties or something fun and different for your next party. These butterfly and beehive cake pans are also fun alternatives to a round cake.

Perfect Pink Teen Comforter Set: Available in twin, full and queen sizes, this comforter set is perfectly pink and great for a teen girl’s bedroom!

Summer Essentials: Cool Pool Toys. Don’t start summer without it – a fun inflatable pool toy is a must for a visit to the pool or the beach. Of the new styles and designs just made available today, this Water Caterpillar Inflatable Pool Toy is definitely our favorite.

Want to see what else is new today at wards.com? Feel free to browse our selection of new items just added today!

I have a problem of the worst kind: too much stuff that I don’t want to part with and not enough space for it all.

But it gets worse: I have already updated my closet to maximize space, got some bed risers so the underbed storage boxes fit, etc.  Not quite ready to install overhead garage storage in my bedroom, it’s time for some serious help and some serious storage solutions.

Step 1: Sort, Clean, De-Clutter
Not only am I a pack rat, but I’m also a paper person who stores anything that I think I might need some day. The first step is figuring out what I really need — instead of keeping all of my paycheck stubs, I have shredded everything but the last year’s papers. ‘Adios’ old utility bills, receipts for clothes I purchased over six months ago and magazines that I have already read.

Step 2: Put It All Somewhere
Not only am I a pack rat, but I’m unorganized. Now that I have cut down on the amount of papers I’m storing, now it’s time to put it all in one place, in a two drawer file cabinet.

Step 3: Conquer Closet Space
No matter how large or small your closet is, there’s no such thing as too much closet space. Conquer your unruly closet with these helpful closet storage tips:

• Hide it under the bed: Store winter clothes under the bed during the summer months, for example, with a spacemaker bag. The air-tight plastic bag will help keep clothes fresh and dust-free during the off seasons.
• Instead of storing jewelry in countless boxes or even in multiple places, organize your family jewels with a jewelry armoire. Not sure if you have enough jewelry to fill an armoire? You don’t need to fill it – in fact, the extra space is great for scarves or even keepsakes that you’re not sure what to do with.
• Place a storage bench at the foot of your bed for extra clothes or even shoes.
• Donate! If you haven’t worn it in a year, donate it to good cause and not only will you enjoy having the extra space, but it will also help with taxes next year, too. Also don’t be afraid to clean out your bookshelf –  if it’s not a book you absolutely love, donate it to your local library.

Good luck conquering your clutter!

We want to hear your success stories – send us an e-mail and be sure to include “before” and “after” photos of your project. If your project is featured, we will send you a Montgomery Ward gift card!

Our buyers just marked down some more products for an even bigger clearance sale! New additions include bedding (quilts, comforters and bedspreads), window treatments and more.

Shop early for best selection – quantities are limited. Enjoy!