Declutter For The School Year 2011-1012: Part 4

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 16-20 tips from an article in the January 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens, submitted by Berit Thorkelson.

16. If you're having trouble letting go of clutter, whether it's too many things in your house or too many commitments eating up your time, think about what it requires you to sacrifice.  Less stuff means less to organize and less money spent.  Fewer activities means less running around and more family time.  Laura Wittmann, author of Clutter Rehab

17. "Go clean your room," can mean lots of things.  Give your kids a list of exactly what you expect, and let them check off the task as they are done.  Scott Roewer, professional organizer

18. fit a cardboard banker's box with13 pocket folders.  At the end of the school year, go though your child's artwork and school papers together to select only as many favorites as will fit in one folder.  Memories from an entire school career will fit neatly on a shelf.  Julie Morgenster, author of Organizing from the Inside Out

19. Keep a folder labeled "Tax Documents" where you sort your mail.  As statements come in , slip them into the folder.  When tax time comes, everything you need is in one spot.  Julie Morgenster

20. Perform daily triage on incoming papers and mail.  Set up a desktop file box or wall-mounted file holder, with three folders: To Read, To Do, and To File.  Sort the keepers into one of the categories, then recycle the rest.  Schedule a weekly time to deal with the contents of each folder.