Things You'll Need:
- Safe-deposit Boxes
- Address Books
- Palm Handheld Organizers
- Cardboard Boxes
- File Cabinets
- Garbage Cans
- Large Plastic Storage Boxes
- Calendars
- File Folders
- Hanging Files
- Personal Organizers
- Cardboard boxes
-
Step 1
Survey your belongings: Examine what you have and how you store it. Throw out, sell or donate what you don't use.
-
Step 2
Keep things you use frequently in easily accessible places.
-
Step 3
Get boxes for items you use only seasonally or will be storing, such as holiday decorations or sports gear.
-
Step 4
Set up a box for items that need repair.
-
Step 5
Keep important papers (birth and marriage certificates, citizenship papers, real estate deeds) in a safe box.
-
Step 6
Create a file for personal documents such as insurance policies, credit reports, Social Security cards and the like.
-
Step 7
Develop a finance file for unpaid bills, bank statements and income tax papers.
-
Step 8
Store home-maintenance papers (warranties, receipts, manuals) in another place.
-
Step 9
Carry a complete address book, taking care to keep it updated. Electronic organizers (such as Wizards or Palm Pilots) can also be very convenient.
-
Step 10
Create consistent, regular "systems" for who will do what and when. Divide household chores, and schedule when they should be accomplished.
-
Step 11
Assign certain days for paying bills.
-
Step 12
Manage your time efficiently by planning activities on a calendar and making to-do lists (see "Make a To-Do List, " under Related eHows). Include daily and long-term projects or goals.
-
Step 13
Try keeping ongoing lists of books to read, movies to see, restaurants to try and gifts to buy.










Comments
omghow said
on 8/6/2009 Thanks for the suggestions.
gartengrl said
on 3/30/2009 These are some great ideas! I am a big fan of the hook by the front door for hanging keys and my purse. And a basket or two for hat's and gloves, and back packs.--GartenGrl
AnneZ said
on 3/4/2009 Great article and incentives! I'm getting there though!
sjgdw said
on 1/14/2009 You've heard it before. "DON'T PASS IT UP, PICK IT UP!PUT IT AWAY, GIVE IT AWAY, THROW IT AWAY!" Learn to be satisfied with "looks" good. Things don't always have to "be" good. In other words, don't let yourself get bogged down or overwhelmed with "perfection". Once things start to look good and are kept that way, you'd be surprised how much time you have to perfect your organizational skills. PACE YOURSELF. Things didn't get out of order overnight. Start with one project and keep it up. Add another every other week or two. Making lists really works!!!!
georgiarealtor said
on 9/4/2007 This is a great article, now I have to put it to use and stick with it.