Summer has arrived, which means spending more time in our cars taking the kids to their various activities, trips to the beach or mountains, vacations and errands around town. Now the question becomes, “Is all that clutter that’s been accumulating over the past months crowding you out of the driver’s seat?” If so then you have car clutter!
Don’t despair — In just two hours you can turn your mobile taxi-office-catch-all into a lean, mean transporting machine!
1. Conquer the clutter: First, divide your car into 4 sections.
• Front Seat/floor, Back Seat/floor, Glove Compartment & Door Pockets and Trunk.
• Pull everything out of one section at a time. Toss all the trash and sort what’s left into like piles.
• Take stock of what’s left then start with the glove compartment and stock it with current insurance, registration and inspection information; owner’s manual and accident forms along with emergency numbers. A gallon zip lock baggy makes a great container.
• In the door pockets on the driver’s side put your maps, and on the passenger’s side put wet wipes, trash sacks, etc.
• Put loose coins in the coin tray for little emergencies.
2. Think Containment:
• Get a protective case for your CDs, audiotapes or DVDs.
• Make a home for your garage door opener, cell phone, iPod and sunglasses that is convenient and easy to access.
• If your car is also your office on wheels, check out the car organizers that are available from auto supply stores, dealerships, box stores, or online. They also make a mini lap desk designed for the passenger seat or use a portable file box. This will keep your business papers organized and at your fingertips. Have a special envelope handy for business receipts and file these receipts every week.
• While chauffeuring the kids around, have a holder for water bottles and snacks that hangs on the back of the front seats.
• For trips, have a small box for books & games that fits under the front seat along with a container for shoes, sweaters and towels that will be otherwise thrown on the floor.
• Be sure to have a bag for trash by every row of seats and empty each one often!
After each trip or at the end of every week, clean out and restock your car. You won’t believe how roomy your car can be till you clear the clutter and get it organized!
If you have questions for “The Mess Doctor” or if you need professional assistance to get organized, contact Barbara Ricketts at messdoctor@mac.com or call 661-263-0124.