Organizing Tips

Since posting photos of the house, several friends have asked me to come and help them organize their homes. Many years ago my friend DG suggested that I start a consulting business, but I told her I was afraid of trying something like that. Mainly, it's difficult to tell other people what to throw away. I am a very sentimental person, but I'm attached to people more than things. I use photo albums to record many events and throw away most other memorabilia. I know I may live to regret that. With children, it gets more complicated. Throwing away, recycling or donating my used items is one things. Getting rid of their things and being asked "Mommy, do you know where my _______ is?" looking into those pleading eyes...Another issue all together. I will share with you a few tips I've used over the years. Use what works for you, throw out the ideas that don't. I may update this post from time to time as new ideas com to me.

Daily

*When you bring in the mail each day, immediately throw out any junk mail and file bills in one preset location. I have a small spice storage container that I picked up for about $3. It sits on my dining room table, hidden behind a photo. I can see it, no one else can.

*Keep email inbox empty. Delete text messages as soon as you respond. Delete messages on voice mails as soon as you reply.

*Decide which completed chores make you feel relaxed. For me, keeping the living area of our house clean is essential. We have a small home, so if one item is out of place it can make the entire house feel messy. I like to have the front rooms tidy in case someone stops by. A clean kitchen also makes me happy. D has learned this and helps to keep the dishwasher empty for me. That means the world to me. Years ago a pastor friend shared this "I asked my wife what she needs to have done each night so that she can face her new day with a smile." For me, the clean kitchen is a must.

*Determine a good plan for laundry. Ugh. We all hate this one. Laundry, along with dishes, cooking, vacuuming, dusting, looms over our heads constantly. Each of us must determine a plan that works for us. At our house, I wash clothes two or three times a week. My new challenge is getting them all the way to the dresser/closet on the same day I wash them. Since we reshuffled, we have better dresser/closet space, so that helps a lot. I feel so overwhelmed when I can see baskets full of clothes.

Weekly

*Choose one project each week to focus on. Determine which room/closet/drawer you use the most or the one that makes you shudder the most. For me, that would be the "junk drawers" in the kitchen or the "misc. closet" that catches all the items I don't know what to do with.

Suggested Projects--
***Children's toy/game closet. Group items according to size, they will stack easier and stay put on a shelf. Store with labels facing out, going one uniform direction.

***Kitchen cupboards. Use Tupperware's Modular Mates to keep food fresh and accessible. Check with a local consultant to find out when these are a hostess special, as they can be very pricey. Putting groceries away will take more time, but it's so nice to have these items right at your fingertips.

***Clothing closets. Less is more. For so many reasons, it's a good idea to keep only what you need. If you have not worn an item in the past year, put it in a pile to donate. If it doesn't fit, someone else can enjoy it now. By the time I lose enough weight to fit into it again, it will be out of style. I have several friends who benefit regularly from my in/out cycle. Most clothing items that I buy are under $5, so if I wear it for an entire season and it shrinks in the dryer (100% cotton is my favorite), then I got my money's worth and now someone else can enjoy it. This also goes for shoes, handbags, etc. We only need 5-6 outfits/season. Really. That's all we need.

***Organize CD's and DVD's in portfolio binders. When they are inserted into these cases, they take up very little space. I did choose to hang onto the cases, but stored them in the attic in case I ever need them. Alphabetize if you want. Yes, that's right. I am that crazy, but I can find what I need in a hurry!

***Children's art/schoolwork. Ah. This is a hard one. For now, I have a box for each boy that holds a sampling of their work from each year of school. I tend to hold on to a lot, then prioritize at the end of each year. I do not suggest having them help with this process, but that is up to you. My boys are very attached to everything they have ever created and it would take over the entire house in no time. Some have suggested taking photos of special projects before getting rid of them. Great idea, but at our house, the boys then see the photo and run to find the project. Ouch.

***Children's toys and books. I just had a discussion with a dear friend today that reminded me of this one. Since the day my boys were born, I have limited how many toys they have access to at any one time. I use the 12 quart clear boxes with lids to store books, blocks, toy cars, plastic animals, you name it. I stored the boxes in closets above the reach of little ones. They can ask for one box at a time and messes are kept to a minimum. This also helps when other children come to play. If there is a child who is prone to dump and pile toys all over, this prevents that from happening. When children come to play, they know the house rules, "One thing at a time and clean it up before you get out something new." Most of our games have all their pieces, if you clean them up as you use them, you can count the pieces and search for missing ones before you store it away.

***Children's nick knacks are by far the hardest type of clutter to contain in our house. Every bouncy ball, whistle, cheap plastic car, stretchy rubber spider, etc. that comes from birthday parties, Chuck E. Cheese or the fair ends up collecting in my son's bed...Yuck. Imagine how fun it is to change the sheets...I gave them each two Spacesaver boxes (50 cents-$1) to keep their "treasures" in. Once those are full, they get to go through and decide what stays and what goes.

*Purchase a plastic storage container or decorative basket each time you go to the store. This way you will not be too freaked out by how much you're spending. In the long run, being organized will save you valuable time, so see it as an investment in your sanity and the longevity of your life. Uniform storage is important. I have purchased many Sterlite 12 quart clear boxes for the boys' toys and art supplies. I think they cost about $2 each.

Once/Twice Monthly

*Recycling. I have started to recycle more, trying to make an effort to improve our environment but not wanting to be a slave to washing and storing every piece of trash. I have focused on items that can be reused for children's craft projects--2 liter bottles, shoe boxes, sturdy cardboard, toilet paper rolls, etc. I keep a box inside the game closet and when that fills up, I cart some off to the local children's museum. Don't horde supplies like this, in a short time you will have more. In the meantime others can enjoy the items.

*Bills. Another big ugh. I use a free Hallmark pocket calendar to keep track of when bills are due. I write the due date in about three days prior, because it helps me pay them on time. Because I file each bill as soon as I receive it, I rarely misplace one. This is very helpful.

*Balance checkbook. Ugh. This is one of D's responsibilities. Since I pay the bills, it's good for him to take time to balance the checkbook and see where our money goes. Staying on top of this helps to avoid costly mistakes with overdrafts, etc.

Bi-Annually/Annually

*Every January, I do an overhaul on each closet, cabinet, drawer and bin. Even though I keep things organized, we still have too much junk in this house. Just before Christmas, I go through the boys' toys/games/art supplies. I take out one item for each one I think they will be getting for Christmas. At some points, I ask for their input. "Who do you know that would like this book that you no longer look at?" "Which cousin do you think would enjoy this toy?" "_____ is going on a missions trip, can we send this with her?"

*Donate. There are plenty of local thrift stores. If you know of someone who needs children's clothing, pass it on. Bless them. We enjoy getting hand-me-downs for our boys, but I've also become a contact person. When people have clothes to get rid of, they pass them on to me and I sort out the ones that are in good shape and think of who could use them. Stained, ripped, worn items are taken within that week to a thrift store. I don't let piles gather in my house, I take them to the vehicle so I'll be a step closer to my goal.

*Yard sale. We don't do this every year, as it takes a lot of time and work. About once every three years, we unload the attic storage and cart everything to my dad's house to hold a yard sale. I hope to make enough this year to pay for several mini-vacations.