Declutter For The School Year 2011-1012: Part 3

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 11-15 tips from an article in the January 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens, submitted by Berit Thorkelson.

11.  Tackle your junk drawer first.  Remove anything you don't use at least monthly, then sort what's left into the compartments of a drawer organizer that completely fills the drawer.  You won't have room to stash things that don't belong there.  Janna Lufkin, stylist

12. Every time you arrive home, clear the car of anything that doesn't permanently belong in it.  Keep a tote or basket in the car for this purpose, and draft your passengers to help - nobody leaves the car empty-handed! Stay vigilant, and it'll become second nature. 

13.  Make clutter-busting a family game.  Write task on Ping-Pong balls.  Each person chooses a ball, completes the task, then chooses another one.  After 30 minutes, whoever has the most balls gets a prize, like a no-chores day or control of the TV remote.  Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch, authors of Pretty Neat: Get Organized and Let Go of Perfection

14. Get creative with storage containers.  Try a ceramic egg tray for paper clips and rubber bands; a tackle box for craft supplies; a napkin holder for incoming mail; and a garden tote for kid's art supplies.

15. Make two coffee dates with a good friend.  On the first one, go through her kitchen cabinets to identify and get rid of clutter (lidless plastic containers, mismatched glasses, petrified spatulas, etc.). On the second date, do the same in your kitchen.  Alicia Rockmore and SarahWelch