Family

Organization tips for the home

• Create a place to sort through mail. Shred junk mail every day when it arrives.
• Put your shredder and a paper recycling container in the mail-sorting area. Avoid piling unwanted items and creating more clutter.
• Use a calendar to organize yourself and your family. Use a color coding system for multiple people.
• Every evening, take a look at tomorrow's calendar every evening for the following day. Save time and stress by getting everything you will need together in one place.
• Running errands? Go ahead and put the things you will need in the car; don't spend time running around trying to locate items when you are running out of the door.
• As soon as you get home, go through your purse, briefcase, diaper bag or backpack. Remove unneeded items, including receipts, and restock for your next outing.
• Before you buy something for your home, avoid buying something that only has one purpose or will only be used one time. Space is a commodity – spend it wisely!
• Always look at what you have before you purchase something new.
• Keep a list of items you honestly need for your house. Keep it with you when shopping to keep impulse buying at bay.
• Just because "it" is on sale does NOT mean you should buy it.
• It is not your job to bargain shop for others.
• Avoid the eternal clean laundry piles – "to be folded" or "to be put away." There is never any encouragement to keep going.
• Keep empty hangers in a predefined hanging place in your closet. As you take a load of laundry to the washer, grab hangers and carry them with you. Use them right after the drying cycle has completed to avoid spending time ironing later.
• Utilize "to-your-door" dry cleaning services whenever possible. Many areas offer it at no additional charge.
• Keep dry cleaning in its own place and not with other washable laundry. Some cleaners will provide you with a bag to keep dry cleaning in.
• Set a schedule for drop off and pick up of dry cleaning.