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How to Organize your Stuff Making Life Easier by Nikki Willhite Is there anything more frustrating that not being able to find something when you need it?  How much time do you spend looking for things you need? If you are not organized, you are wasting time, and it is not only looking for things.  I’ve heard that if your home is cluttered, you spend 40% more time cleaning it. There are many ways to become more organized, and it doesn’t take much money.  We buy so many things with packaging that can be repurposed for storage. There are also an abundance of storage containers available for purchase in different sizes and at different price points. Here are some ideas to store your stuff. CONTAINERS Baskets -  Baskets are so versatile and a favorite for most people for storing everything from household linens to toys.  They range from fragile to sturdy, and you can get them in shades of wood, or bright colors.  If you need to display storage, they are an attractive choice for every room in the house. Plastic Containers -  Purchased plastic containers work well in closets, as you can easily see what is inside of them.  They are not decorative, so most people like to put them behind doors.  I have a few of the under-the-bed variety in my home.  They are large and have wheels for easy access. Other plastic containers come from ice cream buckets, and large containers that had things like nuts in them.  We find them useful for storing other food.  They would also work great for small items like little toys. Suitcases -  Leaving your suitcases empty when you are not using them is wasting storage space in your home. Trunks -  Trunks work well in the living areas of your home. Depending on the age and style of the trunk, they can add character to your home.  They can serve a dual purpose as a coffee table.  You can also put them at the end of your beds, and store the extra linens and quilts for your bed right where they are needed. STORAGE IDEAS Clothing Storage - If you live in a cold climate, you need a place for warm weather clothing like hats and gloves.  Put baskets or other container near the entrance to your home, and have everyone put their items in these containers as they enter the house. Duffle bags - Duffle bags are easy to make.  They are just large rectangular pieces of fabric with a drawstring at the top.  Large ones can be used to store clothing or as an alternative to a hamper.  Small duffle bags can also be used for lightweight collections of toys or puzzle pieces. Emergency Storage - You don’t have to panic when the power goes out if you know where you keep the emergency supplies and can easily find them.  You should keep flashlights handy, but if you have a designated place for candles and matches, you can easily find them in the dark.  Choose a spot easily accessible, such as a hall closet, and put the container up high, out of the reach of small children.  It is also a good idea to put in emergency phone numbers and instructions on where to find first- aid supplies.  Be sure your children and babysitters know what is in the box and where to find it. Financial Records – Have a good system to store you bills and other financial papers.  I highly recommend keeping a Financial Notebook. A Financial Notebook has copies of everything from investment accounts to utility bills.  It is not only for your convenience and organization, but if something should happen to you, it makes it easy if someone else has to step in and take over for awhile. Health Records -  Keep a file folder, or a notebook with the health records of your family members.  You need to keep all immunization records.  You will also find it helpful to keep copies of lab results and doctor visits.  You are lucky if you get 5-10 minutes when you visit your doctor, and if you have a quick reference before your visit, you won’t forget the things you need to ask your doctor.   Household Keys - Some people are always losing their keys.  Be sure and have a flat surface near the entrance of your home to place keys.  If you don’t have room for a small table, put up a floating shelf. Library Items - If you regularly go to the library, make it a point to always check out the same number of books and other materials, and you will never get confused when you take them back.  Pick a shelf on a bookcase somewhere in your home, and always return your items to that spot when you are done with them. Magazines - If you want to display your magazines, you probably want to pick up some magazine holders at a store like IKEA. However, if you plan on keeping them behind doors, cereal boxes work well.  Just cut off the flaps, and down the front of one of the sides.  Some people cover them with contact paper, but I would do a cost comparison with a purchased holder. Manuals – Keep all your manuals together, and keep the receipts from your purchased items either taped in the manuals or near them.  If something breaks, you are going to be aggravated enough without realizing you have no idea where either the manual or the receipt is located. Instruction Manuals and Small Accessories - Many items we buy come with instructions that are often referenced and need to be kept handy.  Usually these items are for the kitchen, laundry room, or garage.  Purchase an inexpensive notebook for each room. Put each manual, and any accessories for that item, in a plastic bag. Seal the big, then use a hole punch, and put it in the notebook. Pillows -  Sham style pillow covers can be removed and the interior can be used to hold an extra blanket. Shoe Boxes - These were the “original” storage containers everyone used.  They are not made as sturdy as in days gone by, but are good for storing light weight items. Toys - Toys can be stored in any kind of container.  You can put everywhere from ottomans that have storage, to plastic trash bins.  Just be sure and keep items with small parts or pointed items like scissors out of the reach of children. There is just no way to hide toys.  They are just too large.  All you can do is try and keep similar items together, and make the storage as neat as possible. When you bring new items in your home, always remove the packaging carefully, and think about ways that you can use it to store and organize items in your home.  Even the smallest piece of plastic can often be put to good use.   You paid for the packaging with your item, so finding a way to recycle or repurpose it always saves money.   About the Author: Nikki Willhite, mother of 3 and an interior design graduate, has been writing and publishing articles on the topic of frugal living for over a decade. Visit her at www.frugalhappyfamilies.com - where you will find hundreds of frugal living tips and articles. Frugal Happy Families- more than just money!

 

 

 

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