The true key to clutter control is changing bad habits and replacing them with good ones. Relieve some of the stress, turmoil and chaos in your life by trying some of these.
• Put each item away after each use so you won’t waste time searching for it when you really need it. If you put it down temporarily it is pretty likely that it will stay there for a while and you’ll have a heck of a time trying to find it when you really need it.
• Set up a box in each room and use it for your clutter. Before it overflows clean it out so it’s ready to start collecting more stuff. Don’t make the box so large that cleaning it out becomes a daunting task.
• Make tidying up before bedtime a daily obligation for everyone in the family. No ifs, ands or buts. Schedule this into your day just like you schedule mealtime.
• If something has been broken for a few months and you haven’t bothered to repair it, throw it out or donate it to charity. You know that it is pretty unlikely that you’ll ever take care of it and in the meantime it’s cluttering up your life.
• Use clear containers to store stuff. Seeing what’s inside will save you a lot of time, and clear containers are more environment-proof and animal-proof than cardboard.
• Keep a permanent “Charity” box somewhere in the house and add stuff to it regularly. If you have a permanent container to put these things they won’t turn into a cluttered pile of stuff. Now before it overflows take it to your local donation center.
• Keep a small container in a convenient place to hold keys, glasses and wallets. It’s a great time-saver for busy mornings.
• Collect the day’s change and put it into its own container. Don’t make it too large because coins get really heavy and then they become a pain to deal with. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can accumulate and ultimately save money.
• If you have a partner, talk to them daily about what needs to be done.
• Write things down. If you write it down, you’re less likely to forget it.
• Schedule regular bill paying and paperwork sessions weekly, and keep to the schedule.
• Keep files well categorized, alphabetized and up-to-date.
Bob Farkas is The Clutter Wizard, a “hands-on” home and office professional organizer serving the Santa Clarita Valley.
For more information and to find great hints and tips for staying organized, please call 661-298-9100, visit www.theclutterwizard.com or theclutterwizard@gmail.com