Post your number 1 organizational tip here! - Page 2

[wife&mommy]

Meal planning! I plan meals on Sunday (have a few weeks on hand in case I just want to pick a previous week and not think about it) and then shop on Mondays (only). This really helps organizing and budgeting!

[rainyday]

I wear an apron with big pockets when I vacuum. Then I can stick a lot of the random stuff I find in the pockets to put away all at once when I'm done. That way I'm not stopping all the time to put a block or a train or a pen away!

[AngelBee]

:

[Spring Sun]

Found another thread like this one-it is great. As I am now obsessed with organizing I am going through all the old threads, I will post more as I find them!

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=404281

[CityChic]

"One man's junk is another man's treasure"

Join your local FreeCycle to get rid of those items you just don't need! You can join by going to freecycle.org and finding your area.

Why FreeCycle? There are often items I would not give to a non-profit or thrift store for the simple fact they won't be useful or won't sell. I also don't want to toss them Why not have someone come pick it up from your home, someone that really wants it!

We just started freecycling and so far we have given away:

-2 Old Cell Phones
-2 (non-working) Floor Speakers
-Sample Baby Formula we got in the mail (I plan to ebb)
-3 nice business shirts

Give it a whirl!

[amnda527]

The bathroom and kitchen have their own bottle of cleaner. If I'm in the bathroom and see that the sink is nasty, the bottle is within arm's reach. I don't have to leave the bathroom, get the bottle, take it to the bathroom, clean it, then put it away. I get distracted easily, so I really need this! Also, I'm not the type of person who does one big cleaning on a certain day of the week. I fly by the seat of my pants and do it whenever I feel like it, or whenever it needs to be done.

I also have a lot of lids from tupperware containers that I keep in a basket in a cabinet, so I don't have lids rolling around everywhere. Thats about as organized as it gets around here!

[cuttiebearmom]

Less Stuff = Less to Organize = Less to get into discussions about = Less to Clean = More Fun

I've have way too many friends who have to purchase a zillion things to organize the zillion things that they have. It's really easy to get into that endless cycle!

[nova22]

Originally Posted by cuttiebearmom

Less Stuff = Less to Organize = Less to get into discussions about = Less to Clean = More Fun

I've have way too many friends who have to purchase a zillion things to organize the zillion things that they have. It's really easy to get into that endless cycle!

Amen to that ~ I recently stopped trying to organize clutter and started getting it out of the house. It's so easy to try to make it look organized rather than purging, but it just doesn't work.

[wife&mommy]

Originally Posted by cuttiebearmom

Less Stuff = Less to Organize = Less to get into discussions about = Less to Clean = More Fun

I've have way too many friends who have to purchase a zillion things to organize the zillion things that they have. It's really easy to get into that endless cycle!

Yeah that is so true! I need to get back into the decluttering.

[elelvee]

Originally Posted by kamilla626

Remember - Every time you pick something up and decide, "I think I'll actually hold onto this for now, because..." you are also committing to:

1 - let it occupy space in your house, and your mind.
2 - clean it periodically
3 - find a sensible place to put it
4 - wonder where you put it (10 months later)
5 - pick it up at least a few more times and wonder if you should finally get rid of it
6 - deny someone else the opportunity to use it (via donation, selling, etc.)

Think about the same things before you purchase an item.

[ZanZansMommy]

Originally Posted by zenenlightened

I have a couple.

I open the mail next to the recycling bin. I can just toss the junk mail in. I also toss the envelope and extra envelope and any additional items that come with a bill. I pay my bills online so I only need it for a reminder.

I do this too & it works out great.

[SugarAndSun]

Originally Posted by cuttiebearmom

Less Stuff = Less to Organize = Less to get into discussions about = Less to Clean = More Fun

I've have way too many friends who have to purchase a zillion things to organize the zillion things that they have. It's really easy to get into that endless cycle!

I was just thinking this about the kids' clothes. I think I will downsize tomorrow. The laundry has me going crazy! : I like the idea of making outfits. I am going to make eight outfits for each kids and tos the rest.

[rosie29]

"Don't put it down, put it away."

[bluecutie]

"Less Stuff = Less to Organize = Less to get into discussions about = Less to Clean = More Fun"

This is what my husband and parents are hoping to accomplish. Life is so much easier when you don't have a bazillion things around!

[SugarAndSun]

I like that days of the week thing, but has anyone seen one with all seven days?

[aiccerb]

Originally Posted by rainyday

I wear an apron with big pockets when I vacuum. Then I can stick a lot of the random stuff I find in the pockets to put away all at once when I'm done. That way I'm not stopping all the time to put a block or a train or a pen away!

My Mom used to do this; Im feeling all nostaglic now

My new organization trick is to set outfits for the kids in a hanging sweater container like this

The holder hangs on the back of their bedroom door and is pre-set with outfits, right down to socks/dipes/undies etc. That way Dh can "grab and go" in the am when he's getting the kids ready and our four year old get get dressed on his own. It really speeds up our morning routine and I find its easier for me to keep track of when the kids need new items etc.

[Spring Sun]

The one I got for $5 at big lots has 5 days a week and then one for weekends.

[alsoSarah]

Originally Posted by Spring Sun

The one I got for $5 at big lots has 5 days a week and then one for weekends.

Originally Posted by nova22

As for my clothing, I store it like index cards - instead of stacking everything so I can only see what's on top, I lay it sideways so I can see the edge of every shirt. That way I can easily choose a shirt without putting my other shirts in disarray.

Oooh, I'm going to have to try that!

alsoSarah

[daisymama12]

Do some aspect of laundry every morning. I (or dh) puts the laundry in, or folds & sorts every morning, helps keep the laundry mountain stay reasonable.

[gmvh]

The comment about not vacuuming if it's difficult made me think of this:

When we renovated our house, I had my husband put an outlet in the closet in which our vacuum lives. We have a canister vac and an entirely open downstairs with wood floors so the vacuum stays plugged in and just rolls right out, ready to go. Fortunately the cord is long enough to reach the entire space (no, it's not a long cord, it's a small space!).

Only really doable if you're renovating but it's been nice!


I don't know where I read this but I'm aiming for it. Two sets of sheets per bed. One set on and one set stored under the mattress. Two towels per person. One in use lives in the bathroom and the second lives in the owner's bedroom. A few spare towels for guests. We have no linen closet so doing this will greatly reduce our storage needs.