Declutter For The School Year 2011-1012: Part 1

There is nothing more frustrating then clutter.  As the new school year begins you and your children can get started on organizing your lives.  Clutter can cause tardiness, anger, frustration, and depression. Why not get on a program to declutter you and your family's life by taking tips from the experts.  Below are the first 5 tips from an article in the January 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens, submitted by Berit Thorkelson.  

1.  Every three months or so, reserve one Saturday morning for a family clean out.  Set a timer for 30 minutes and have each person find things in his or her own space to donate or throw away.  Box up the donations and drop them off right away, then reward yourselves with lunch out.  Meredith Schwartz, penelopelovelists.com

2. Avoid zigzag organizing.  Scattering your efforts over multiple rooms prevents you from seeing progress.  For visible, dramatic results, work one room at a time, one section at a time, completing each area before your move on the next.   Julie Morgenstern, author of Organizing from the Inside Out

3. When you're trying to decide whether to keep something, ask yourself three questions: Do I love it? So I use it? Could someone else use it? Claire Kurtz, thewellorganizedwoman.com

4. A system that's a natural extension of your habits is easier to stick with than one that forces dramatic change.  So set up solutions right where clutter collects, such as a labeled pail for each family member's shoes and other equipment, in a bookshelf right by the front door. Aby Garvey, simplify101.com

5. Give frequently accessed paper (take-out menus, sports schedules, phone directories) a dedicated spot, rather than in a pile on the counter or stuck to the fridge.  Three-hole-punch all that paper, and store it in a pretty binder with labeled tabs. Aby Garvey, simplify101.com