1. Start small - Organize just one area, drawer or cupboard at a time. Start with the junk drawer in the kitchen.

2. Set aside time - Even 15 - 30 minutes a week will get you on your way to feeling organized and in control!

3. Set a goal - After you clear out the excess, have a garage sale and plan what you are going to spend the money on - A weekend away, a night out, a new pair of shoes, etc.

4. Create and maintain a master grocery list - Any time an item is used up or is almost gone, add the item to the list.

5. Set up a computer file system - In as little as 15-20 minutes you can create folders for general topics and move files and programs to them to eliminate the time and frustration of trying to find a file when in a hurry!

6. Make a “chore chart” - (Kids, husband, wife, teen)

7. Remove old or outdated clothing from your closet - Check all closets and drawers for those items that are no longer in style, don’t fit or you just never liked after you purchased them…and yes ladies if you must save some clothes so when you lose those few pounds you can get back into them, go ahead but not all of them …You’ll be amazed at how much room you have.

8. Throw away all your mismatched socks - Replace thrown away socks with one or two bags of the same brand and style – never worry about matching socks again!

9. Replace all your hangers with matching ones - Throw or give away all miscellaneous hangers and replace with
matching ones.

10. Make a cleaning supplies bucket – Put all bathroom supplies in one place…Saves time!

11. Throw out all your outdated makeup – Use the extra room for something else.

12. Buy a small decorative basket - Fill the basket with travel sizes of toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner etc. Leave the basket in your guest bath in case someone forgets something. Little things can make your guests feel more at home!

13. Fold the fitted and flat sheet as a matching set - Insert the flat sheet into the fitted sheet. Consider putting pillow cases in there too or just put away as a complete set so there’s no hunting when selecting clean sheets.

14. Clean out your pantry - Throw away any food that is outdated.

15. Call Carolina Closet Connection to simply and organize your life and storage spaces – closets, pantries, laundry areas…

16. Find and destroy old empty boxes – Flatten and keep only a small number of just a few sizes‘ just in case’ but do throw out that old TV or Play Station box..

17. Move pet food - Move the cat and dog food next to their bowls.

18. Store pet food- Use a cleaned, empty litter bucket or 5-gallon pail to put pet food in. The lid will help to keep it fresh…large amounts save time and money!

19. Find and organize pens/pencils - Find all your pens and pencils; put them into one drawer near your phone. Test them. If they don’t work – throw them out.

20. Buy large clear bins and labels - Organize like items: 1) drills and bits 2) hand sander and sand paper 3) painting supplies, etc. Stack in a corner of the garage so you can always find the supplies you need or CALL Carolina Closet Connection and we’ll create a custom storage system for your garage.

21. Create a snack bin – Fill a bin and keep in a cabinet with snacks so that kids can grab something by themselves.

22. Turn a fridge drawer into a snack drawer - Fill drawer with refrigerated items like snack size puddings and yogurt cups.

23. Make a mail center – a small basket with envelopes, stamps, address labels and a pen.

24. Create a “catch all” area – Drop your wallet and keys into the same bowl/basket/drawer every day – saving time and aggravation.

25. Set aside a wrapping paper area – Consider replacing your small parcels of wrapping paper with plain white or brown paper and bows or create a storage area and keep small amounts of each type of wrapping paper (birthday, baby, wedding style etc.)