organizing tips


Paper & mail management
  • You don't have to go completely paperless in order to reduce the amount of paper you have to manage. Try a few small measures. Everything helps!
  • Scannable is a great app for taking pictures of receipts, forms, and anything else you want to keep without necessarily keeping the paper. It's incredibly quick and easy, and you can store the pics in Evernote, Dropbox, Google Drive, or wherever you want. You don't have to be an Evernote user to take advantage of this app!
  • Process junk mail RIGHT AWAY. You should have a recycling bin near wherever you sort your mail, so junk doesn't end up cluttering up your space. Ideally you'll dump it before it even gets into the house.
  • Use dmachoice.org to get yourself off mailing lists, and drastically reduce the amount of mail you receive.
  • Designate specific spots for incoming paper according to whatever categories work for you. Bills to be paid, school-related papers, medical documentation should all have specific places to go. Papers pile up because we don't immediately know what to do with them.
  • Need a solution for papers coming into the house and papers going out? Instead of stacking on surfaces, try wall pockets near the door. You can have one per family member, or one for incoming papers and another for outgoing - whatever works for you. Choose metal, fabric or plastic pockets to match your space. 
  • Empty receipts from your wallet, pockets or purse at least once a week. Snap photos or file the ones you need to keep, and trash the rest. Don't carry around what you don't need!

Kid stuff
  • If you have a lot of kids' artwork to display, hang a sturdy string or wire between two nails or small hooks on a long wall. Use clothespins to hang the artwork. It's easy to rotate the "gallery" and does not look jumbled. 
  • Designate a basket or box as a "library box," and keep all the books from the public library and school library in the box. Put the box near the place where you and/or your kids like to read, and always put them back in the box when you're finished with them. When books are due, you won't have to scramble to find them. 
  • Take photos of kids' artwork after finished displaying them, then store in a virtual portfolio on your computer. Can use images to make greeting cards, gifts, etc. - you'll have a stash of fun and seasonal art.
  • For more hanging space in a child's closet, use a second closet rail that hangs from the main rail. You'll almost double your hanging space, and small children will be able to reach the items on the bottom. 

Kitchen
  • If you have a kitchen "command center," try affixing magnetic strips to the inside of a designated cabinet door and using small magnetic clips to hold invitations and event tickets.  They are easily accessible but not on display. 
  • Is the front of your refrigerator covered with stuff? It's visual clutter - and there's no point keeping all your "reminders" there because your brain will tune them out. Keep the front of the fridge CLEAR! Try a magnetic bulletin board if you must...or better yet, have your to-do list and calendar store your reminders and keep the paper notices in a file or binder. 
  • When was the last time you took a good look inside your fridge or freezer? Throw away any food that's expired. Check the dates on the condiments on your fridge door. While you're at it, wipe down any sticky spots or spills on the shelves. The whole process will take no more than 10 minutes and will make a big difference. 
Check back here often 
for tips and information 
that will help you 
get and STAY organized!
(These documents - full of useful tips - 
are a gift to people who have attended one of 
my recent speaking engagements.  
That's why they're password-protected.)

Contact me 
if you'd like me to speak to your group!