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How to Get Organized

Getting organized is basically a matter of developing good habits. Organize your time, home and work space for more productive living.

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    Difficulty:
    Moderately Easy

    Instructions

    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
      • 1

        Survey your belongings: Examine what you have and how you store it. Throw out, sell or donate what you don't use.

      • 2

        Keep things you use frequently in easily accessible places.

      • 3

        Get boxes for items you use only seasonally or will be storing, such as holiday decorations or sports gear.

      • 4

        Set up a box for items that need repair.

      • 5

        Keep important papers (birth and marriage certificates, citizenship papers, real estate deeds) in a safe box.

      • 6

        Create a file for personal documents such as insurance policies, credit reports, Social Security cards and the like.

      • 7

        Develop a finance file for unpaid bills, bank statements and income tax papers.

      • 8

        Store home-maintenance papers (warranties, receipts, manuals) in another place.

      • 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.

      • 10

        Create consistent, regular "systems" for who will do what and when. Divide household chores, and schedule when they should be accomplished.

      • 11

        Assign certain days for paying bills.

      • 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.

      • 13

        Try keeping ongoing lists of books to read, movies to see, restaurants to try and gifts to buy.

    Tips & Warnings

    • Put things back in their proper places - think of them as the items' "homes" - after you've used them. Get in the habit of cleaning up after yourself immediately.

    • Handle each item exactly once; when you're sorting through your mail, don't look at an item briefly and leave it on the counter "for later."

    • Throw away junk mail immediately; file bills in the appropriate bin or folder; put bank statements in your finance file.

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    Comments

    • omghow Aug 06, 2009
      Thanks for the suggestions.
    • goodselfme Apr 16, 2009
      great organizational tips.
    • gartengrl Mar 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
    • gartengrl Mar 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
    • stjohnswood Mar 28, 2009
      Great ideas thanks

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