| Organization is the key to sanity. Well that might | | | | stored away out of view, utilize that. Make sure |
| be a little dramatic. At the very least its a great | | | | to keep it near the front so that is easily |
| first step. When your home is organized, | | | | accessible. Finish with the ?Not Sure box. |
| everything else seems to flow a little better. | | | | Remember the rules above when sorting. |
| Items in their proper places tend to be easier to | | | | Congratulations! You've finished one area. Before |
| find which results in a lot less stress during those | | | | you move on to the next area, take a nice, |
| fruitless, last minute searches for school papers, | | | | relaxing break. Try to do it while looking at the |
| keys or the bill that was due last week. And we | | | | space you just completed because it will give you |
| certainly cannot forget the lost mittens, shoes | | | | a sense of accomplishment and pride at your |
| and the library book you borrowed sometime last | | | | work. |
| year. Getting your house organized will definitely | | | | Kitchen |
| ease a lot of things. So what is the easiest and | | | | Repeat the labels except for the ?Not Sure box |
| cheapest way to get it done? | | | | will now become the Food Donate box. Start with |
| Well if you are severely disorganized, it probably | | | | the counters and then move on to the pantry. |
| won't be quick. But the process below will certainly | | | | Cupboards and drawers are next. Repeat the |
| make it simpler. | | | | process above by removing the Sell/Donate, |
| There are a few items that you will need. | | | | Throw/Garbage and Food/Donate boxes to |
| 5 medium to large cardboard boxes (You can get | | | | another room. Wipe down and put everything |
| free at your local store; just ask) | | | | back in their proper place as instructed in Storage. |
| Garbage bags | | | | Don't forget about the refrigerator doors. Clutter |
| Marker | | | | on the appliances always makes a room look |
| Soap & water | | | | disorganized. Pick out one or two things to keep |
| Some handy tips to organizing: | | | | here. Try to keep the counters and open spaces |
| If you have not used it for more than a year you | | | | as clutter-free as possible. If you do not use an |
| probably don't need it. | | | | appliance every day, find a place to store it that |
| Sentimental value does not constitute usefulness. | | | | has easy acces |
| Keep the saver away from this process. If its | | | | You are now ready to tackle those other areas. |
| you, get the thrower involved and let them be in | | | | Complete each space the same as above. If you |
| charge. | | | | are going to tackle multiple rooms in one session, |
| Do one room at a time. It is probably best to | | | | you may need to have more sorting boxes and |
| start in storage areas to free up space. (garage, | | | | garbage bags. |
| closets) | | | | Here are some other helpful tips to help you stay |
| Kitchen should be the next room. | | | | organized. |
| Storage Areas | | | | When you get a new item, get rid of an old one. |
| Label your boxes: Keep & Store, Keep | | | | Train your family-There is a place for everything. |
| & Use, Sell/Donate, Throw/Garbage and | | | | (This is actually harder than the organizing) |
| ?Not Sure Yet. | | | | Keep a bin or box in a central area and label it |
| Start filling boxes. It is best to start with counter | | | | Donate. When the box or bin is full you can take |
| and open spaces. Make sure you put everything | | | | it to your local charity. |
| within size into a box. Do not forget about those | | | | Get small boxes and label them Schoolwork. Have |
| little drawers and containers that are filled with | | | | the kids decorate them. When they bring home all |
| 'something!' | | | | those amazing things from school you can keep |
| As soon as you have everything sorted, wash | | | | them in these containers. |
| down all areas. Remove the boxes labeled Sell | | | | Designate a drawer or container for incoming mail. |
| Donate and Throw/Garbage to another room. | | | | Sort once a week. (A shredder is a great |
| Start putting back the Keep & Store box. | | | | investment) |
| Make sure to place larger items first. This will give | | | | A fireproof lock-box is crucial for important |
| you another chance to evaluate the need for | | | | papers. (Wills, birth certificates, insurance policies) |
| them. They can go in the ?Not Sure box. Move | | | | Have a container to keep bills and important |
| on to the Keep & Use box. If it can be | | | | papers that need accessibility. |