Organization Checklist: 4 Tips for Getting It All Together

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The key to Organization?

It should be no surprise that the secret to getting organized is to take an orderly approach.

Prune away the excess, stow what's left in logical places, and resolve to keep clutter from building up again.

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1 What Should I Keep?

Ask yourself:

* Have I used or enjoyed this recently?

* Does someone in the family value this?

* Will I need this later?

* Would I save it if the house was burning down?

(If you answered `yes' to one or more of the above, keep it!)

2 Where Does It Go?

Place articles in five bags or boxes labeled:

1 Other rooms.

2 Give away.

3 Toss or recycle.

4 Storage.

5 Garage sale.

3 How Should I Maintain the Keepers?

Use these streamlining principles for stashing the stuff you're keeping:

1 Create a place for every item.

2 Store things near where you'll use them.

3 Place least-used items on top shelves.

4 Keep like items together.

5 Corral small objects in baskets.

6 Stack stored items in similar size boxes to maximize space.

7 Label each storage container. (Learn how to make a long-term storage system work in your home here.)

4 How Can I Control Clutter In The Future?

Make these strategies a part of your life:

1 Place a catchall basket in your home's busiest rooms to hold keys, receipts, mail, and other items until you can get to them.

2 Place baskets at the bottom and top of the stairs to hold things that belong on another floor. Take one or more items with you when going up or down.

3 When you bring home a new shirt or toy for the kids, resolve to store, recycle, give away or toss another item that's past its prime.

4 Make putting away playthings a part of your child's nightly bedtime ritual.
,br>5 Spend an extra minute nightly to hang up your coat, fold your T-shirt or sweater, put away your jeans, and stow your heels in your closet.

6 Keep other family members current on important appointments, school information, bills due, and invitations to respond to, by putting the papers in a special folder or "hot-stuff" basket.

Organizing 101: Where to Start

Tips for Your Long-Term Storage

From Organization Checklist: Return to Get Organized

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