I love being a home organizer! Witnessing  my clients’ sheer joy and relief at finally reclaiming their space always brings a smile to my face. Just the other day, I helped a client empty the storage unit she’d been renting for the past 18 months since moving from her home of 30+ years to a smaller condo…just in time to avoid paying next month’s rent! (We celebrated with a chocolate milkshake…yum!) It’s amazing how much people actually love getting rid of stuff once they’ve made the decision to do it. So what makes deciding to do it so terribly difficult?

Most often, not knowing what to do with excess belongings prevents folks from even starting to clear stuff out of their way. This procrastination leads to an ever-growing pile that eventually just feels too overwhelming for some. The longer they put it off, the more daunting the thought of shifting that enormous pile becomes. So it sits…and sits…and sits…gobbling up all of the available breathing space. 

That’s why I created a guide on how and where to donate, recycle or sell many of the most common items people struggle to divest. It has become the most-visited page on my website and elicits a surprising number of emails from readers wanting to contribute their own suggestions on what to do with all manner of cast-offs. If you haven’t yet visited this treasure trove of information, you’ll find it here in the Free Resources section. I encourage everyone to become part of this collaborative effort and email me if you know of ways to donate, sell, recycle or repurpose in ways not already mentioned.

If you’ve been following my blog or Facebook page for any length of time, you’ve no doubt heard me mention the Buy Nothing Project. For those who are unaware of this enterprise, I strongly recommend visiting their website to learn more and consider joining your local group, especially if you yourself have excess stuff you need out of your way but don’t know how to go about getting rid of it. It's all about neighbors helping neighbors...and who doesn't love that?!! Many items that can’t be donated to charity can be shared with your neighbors who need them through a Buy Nothing group. Some examples include:

• food items
• opened-but-no-longer-wanted self-care items like shampoo/conditioner, nail polish, lotions or first aid supplies
• leftover construction, DIY or craft materials
• clothing or other household items with slight defects
• cleaning solutions
• broken electronics (yes, someone handy may want to fix them or use the parts)
• empty boxes, jars and packing materials.

Heck, one woman in my group was even collecting leftover vegetable peels for making natural dyes!

Many of my clients find it easier to part with their more sentimental objects when gifting them to someone that  they know really needs or wants them than by merely adding them to a donation box without knowing exactly where they will end up. All it really involves is posting a photo and brief description on the group’s Facebook page to be connected to members who are interested in what you have to offer.

If you want to give Buy Nothing a try but aren't sure where to start, request a copy of my free guide to joining and using Buy Nothing. Once you join your local group and understand how it works, getting rid of unwanted items as you go becomes easy peasy and prevents unwanted pileup in your cabinets and closets. It's truly a win for everyone, including the environment!

Nothing feels better than coming together as a community to meet each other’s needs. My need for more space and your need for the items I no longer want that are hogging all of it are a match made in heaven! With a little information on what to do with all that stuff, even reclaiming your space can be easy peasy!

The start of another school year is upon us! 

No doubt you’ve stocked up on pencils and a rainbow of pocket folders. 
The kids have brand-new sneakers or a snazzy new lunchbox or backpack. 
You’ve filled out the endless forms and read notes from your child’s teacher/s. 
Those of you sending them back in person after 18 months of home schooling may even have some champagne on ice for toasting your triumphant return to some well-earned peace and quiet at home during the weekdays. 

But the preparations don’t stop there. I’ve polled teachers at all levels (preschool, elementary, middle and high school) to find out what, beyond the obvious stuff of buying supplies and communicating with the school, parents can do to ensure a successful school year. Even after 13+ years at this school-age parenting thing, I learned a few things I could be doing better.

Here’s what they said:

For younger kids (preschool through elementary)

• Practice using the restroom and other basic hygiene - It may not have occurred to your that teachers cannot always help your child with some of the most basic stuff for a variety of reasons. Teach your child how much toilet paper to use; how to wipe properly; proper hand washing; blowing their nose on their own and disposing of the tissue; and how to approach the teacher if an accident occurs. Go through each step like a tutorial and START EARLY  (preschool) so that they have mastered these things by the time they start kindergarten!
• Teach kids to tie their own shoes and zip their own jackets - Most first- and second-graders should be able to do both. This will not only save the teachers a lot of time (imagine tying shoes and zipping jackets for 20+ kids!), it can also save your child some embarrassment and teasing from their peers when they aren’t able to do it. When my kids were little, someone suggested they practice shoe-tying with a jump rope tied around a table leg. The larger size helped them to first master the mechanics of it before trying it on a smaller scale.
• Make lunches accessible without assistance - Teachers and lunch aides spend a lot of time opening drinks and food packages, and in these days of Covid-19, the fewer lunch items they have to touch, the better for everyone.  They ask that parents make life easier for everyone by practicing at home how to open packages without making a mess (especially inserting straws into drink pouches!) Send in lunches that kids can manage on their own until they’ve mastered those skills. For example, loosen the cap on a water bottle or repackage bags of chips and individually-packaged snacks into easy-to-open containers. Also, don’t forget to include napkins and utensils in the lunchbox. All of these tips will save time, allowing your child more time to eat and socialize during lunch! Teaching them how to properly close and put away lunch items was another suggestion to help lunchtime go smoother for all.

For older kids (middle and high school)

• Ensure they’re getting adequate sleep - Teachers work hard to create engaging lesson plans, but holding a teenager’s attention can be impossible when they are too tired due to lack of sleep. Insist that they plug in their phones to recharge outside their bedrooms before bed to prevent them from staying up to all hours texting their friends or surfing the web. Teenagers require even more sleep than younger children. Enforcing a reasonable bedtime on school nights is not parental overreach, even for high schoolers.
• Know when to back off and let your child handle it - Many parents step in too soon, others don’t pay enough attention. Encourage your child to self-advocate in a respectful manner and let them try to resolve issues with peers and teachers first, stepping in later if needed. Role-play at home over and over to help your child know when to speak up, what to say, and how to say it so they feel more comfortable doing it on their own.
• Encourage involvement in extracurriculars - One teacher observed that middle and high school students tend to have a happier experience when they get involved in sports, theater tech, clubs and such. This provides them with an opportunity to broaden their horizons, discover new interests, meet new friends, and feel invested in their school, as well as to learn about teamwork.
• Buy them a planner and teach them to use it - I say it all the time...it’s never too soon to teach your kids organizational skills. And what better place to start than with keeping track of their homework, tests and deadlines? (I”ll be covering this in more detail on this blog in the coming weeks.)

For kids just learning English

• Support them with English-language materials at home - If your family speaks another language at home and your child is learning English, provide them with English-language books, educational TV programs, and audio books.
• Learn the language along with your child - If you do not speak English yourself, take available ESL classes and practice speaking English at home. Do not allow your lack of English skills to discourage you from participating in school meetings and events. Your attendance lets teachers know you are participating in your child’s education, and any and every exposure to the language will likely help you learn it faster, even if you can’t follow everything at first. Most school systems have interpreters present at events involving parents, or you can request supporting materials in your native language.

For all age groups

• Teach and model respectful behavior - Remember that you and your child’s teacher/s are a team. Work with them to ensure your child is working to his potential, taking responsibility for his actions, and treating others with dignity and respect. If you disagree with a school or classroom policy or decision, discuss it with the appropriate person privately, calmly, and respectfully. Do not disparage teachers or administrators in front of your child, as this undermines their authority and sends a message to your child that it’s okay for them to do the same. Correct your child’s bad behavior when it is brought to your attention by the teacher/s and insist on good manners and best efforts. Placing an emphasis on effort rather than on grades will alleviate anxiety for everyone, including you.
• Pay attention! - Show an interest in what your child is learning about. Know when they have a big test or project coming up and encourage/help them to prepare. Visit the classroom and participate in parent meetings at the school, such as Back to School Night, whenever the opportunity arises. Join the PTA to stay informed. Let both your child and their teacher know you are there without hovering.
• Provide a dedicated area for studying/homework - Lounging on the couch or bed to do schoolwork can be distracting and sends the wrong signal to the brain. If there is no space for a desk, use a kitchen or dining room table.
• Teach self-advocacy - Help your child feel more comfortable coming to the teacher for help or clarification. I would add that kids with IEPs should be aware of their accommodations, use them, and know how to speak up when they are not getting them. High schoolers with IEPs should participate in all meetings pertaining to their plan. Once they get to college, they will have to self-report and self-advocate 100%, as parents are completely cut out of the process.

And now, the #1 response from all teachers at all levels…(drum roll, please)

• READ!!!  - One high school teacher said, “No homework to do? Family reading time!” Teacher after teacher said they couldn’t stress enough the importance of reading every single day. Many stressed continuing to read to your kids even after they learn to read themselves. Read to them, read with them, let them see you reading...no matter how old or young your kids are...make reading central to their everyday life. Read road signs. Read recipes. Read comics. Read cards and letters. Read subtitles. Read magazines, newspapers and books. Just READ!

And speaking of reading, you’ve already taken the first step in helping your child have a successful school year just by reading this blog post! Stay tuned for more Back to School tips over the next few weeks. Here’s to a fantastic 2021-22 school year! [champagne bottle pops]

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How many boxes and bins of stuff are you storing for purely sentimental reasons? How cluttered are your shelves and cabinets with stuff you’re reluctant to part with because of all the memories they evoke? Whatever your answer, you’re not alone. Keepsakes...memorabilia...souvenirs...whatever you want to call them, are often the most troublesome belongings to maintain control over for everyone, myself included...and I can be downright ruthless when it comes to getting rid of stuff I don’t use regularly. As we struggle to figure out where to start in establishing order over it, more trinkets continue to pile up, making the task at hand ever more daunting.

Organizing your keepsakes is no different from any other organizing project. We begin with three primary goals in mind:

1. Reducing volume
2. Creating easy access
3. Preserving and identifying

In that order. 

Let’s take a closer look.

Reducing Volume
First, decide how much space you’re willing to devote to your sentimental objects. Remember that stuffing them into a storage bin in the back of a closet or the deep recesses of your garage won’t allow them to trigger the memories...and that’s the whole point of keeping them, right? With that in the front of your mind, try some of these strategies to reduce the amount of space they gobble up:

• Eliminate the excess - This is obvious...but also easier said than done. Go back and read my earlier blog post, Controlling Your Paper Keepsakes, about how to become a careful curator of your memorabilia for ideas on how to establish meaningful parameters and make intentional decisions about what to keep and what to let go.
• Make it functional - Save space around your home by replacing some of your mundane functional objects with keepsakes that can be used to perform the same function. Not only will you save space, but you will be bringing your past into your present with this approach. (Read my post about Functional Keepsakes for more on implementing this strategy.)
• Display it instead of storing it - This goes hand in hand with making it functional. Using your precious treasures to decorate your vertical spaces not only saves closet/storage space but keeps those memory triggers front and center where you can enjoy reliving those cherished moments more easily.
• Preserve it in another format - Photos, journal entries, scans, videos...today’s technology offers myriad ways to store your memories without having to keep the actual, space-hogging item itself. 
• Cut it down...literally - If you’re never going to donate it, sell it, or wear/use it again in its current form, you may as well save some space by literally cutting out and saving only the most meaningful portions of it. Make a quilt or collage out of meaningful scraps, patches, logos and designs you’ve cut from larger, unwieldy items.

Creating Easy Access
Let’s be honest...how likely are you to dig out those big rubber storage bins and old cardboard boxes from the crawl space in your attic and spend hours pouring over your kids’ old artwork? Yeah...that’s what I thought. So why are you keeping it? While most people neither plan to nor need/want to devote time to regularly reviewing their scrapbooks and photo albums, those options offer the ability to more easily find and share precious memories as long as they are stored within easy reach. The less you keep, the easier it is to create easy access to your memories so that you can pull them out when the mood or opportunity to share them strikes. And you don’t have to be a crafty scrapbooker to do it. The key is to reduce the volume enough that you can store them in an easy-to-reach section of your living space rather than in the basement, attic or garage. Imagine Cousin Sue comes over for lunch and you get to reminiscing. How easy will it be for you to pull out that stack of old letters she sent you from summer camp when you were kids? Make it so.

Consider some of the storage methods below and select the ones that work best for you and your family:

• Scrapbooks
• Photo albums/portfolios
• Keepsake boxes
• Labeled files
• Shadow boxes
• Hope chest
• Apps/Electronic storage options

Preserving and Identifying
Most people keep some combination of memorabilia they’d like to pass along after they are gone and items that carry meaning for no one else but them. Do your loved ones a favor and differentiate between these two categories to make their job easier when faced with the daunting and emotional task of going through your things after you pass. I know it may sound morbid, but knowing you have done your part to make that process a little bit easier for them will ease some anxiety for you now, while also ensuring that you will be leaving them precious memories instead of just more stress to add to their grief. Here are a few loving steps you can take to achieve this:

• Keep together in one box the items whose meaning you know they won’t understand or appreciate. Include a note giving them permission to discard the entire box upon your death. 
• Label/caption your photos, especially if you are one of the few people who will recognize who/what is represented in them.
• Attach notes explaining the significance of particular artifacts, or make a video of yourself with the item telling a funny or meaningful story that reveals why you chose to keep it.
• Pass along heirloom pieces to specific individuals now, or create a list of who should receive certain items after you pass.
• Use archival/protective storage containers and materials to preserve your precious items from moisture, fire and pests. No matter how much your family loves you, they won’t want the unpleasant task of dealing with your moldy old keepsakes and stuck-together photos.

Of all the items you make space for in your home, your keepsakes are really the only ones that can’t be replaced. If they are worth keeping, they are worth devoting some time and effort to preserving with care. While it can be overwhelming to think about that huge stash of old papers, photos and trinkets stashed away in your attic (or wherever), tackling it now and making some intentional decisions to transform it into a more manageable storybook of your life will be some of the most enjoyable and thought-provoking work you’ve ever done. With these three stated goals and the creative, yet practical strategies I’ve laid out over the last few blog posts, even establishing order to your keepsakes can be easy peasy.

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As we wrap up Organizing for Dollars month, I want to share with you the many ways paring down your belongings can actually save you money. After all, who doesn’t want more of that? 

The less you own, the easier it is to keep your home tidy, organized, and accessible, meaning:

• Fewer purchases to replace lost or damaged items
• Smaller likelihood of impulse purchases
• Less duplication of items you forgot you even had
• Less time wasted looking for things, organizing and decluttering, and general maintenance (remember, time is money!)
• Less space required to store everything, which means you could downsize to a smaller, less expensive home or eliminate that storage unit you’re renting
• Less hired help required to keep up with organization, cleaning or repairs
• Less procrastination on needed repairs due to inaccessibility, which can lead to worsening damage that is more expensive to fix
• Fewer pest control issues requiring money to fix
• Better mental and physical health, which ultimately lowers medical or mental health expenses
• Clearer focus, making you more efficient and productive (both of which can save or generate more income)

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If you take some of the advice I’ve shared this past month on using items you already have on hand to fulfill a need or creating your own inexpensive organizing solution, you’ll save even more money. Making wise purchases that serve as multi-taskers means buying and storing less. Add all of that to the time you’ll save from having less to manage and navigate around at home, and you can see that less really is more...more time, more space, more peace of mind and yes, more MONEY!

And if that’s not enough, you now have a chance to score a $15 gift card just by visiting my Facebook page and commenting on the 1-Day Challenge post at the top telling us something you had been planning to buy and what you ended up using that you already had instead. Everyone who answers both parts of the question in a comment by July 31 will be automatically entered into the prize drawing. Easy Peasy!

Stay tuned next week, because August is Keepsake Organization month. I’ll be sharing tips on how to add functionality to your sentimental objects, curate your keepsake collection to tell your story, preserve memories without having to keep a pile of stuff that triggers them, and organize the precious items you save.

Living life seems to require a lot of stuff. We need stuff to wear...stuff to cook and cook with...stuff to sit, sleep, eat, and work on...stuff to entertain us and stuff to help us entertain others...stuff to help us work more efficiently...stuff to read, write and communicate with...stuff to decorate and create with...stuff to keep us safe and healthy...stuff to make us more comfortable...stuff to keep us smelling, looking and feeling our best...stuff to help us relax...stuff to give each other and stuff to wrap it up in...stuff to keep us warm and stuff to keep us cool...stuff to fix and clean all our other stuff with...and stuff to keep all this stuff organized and accessible when we need it. And every single piece of stuff we own comes with a price tag...not just a financial price tag but also a time, space, effort, convenience and opportunity price tag. Reducing the amount of stuff you own also reduces your overhead costs. Minimalism is about getting by with less stuff so that you can focus more on all those other things that really matter in life. But you don't have to be a minimalist to benefit from making do with less.

July is Organizing for Dollars Month, so today I’m going to share a few strategies for shrinking your pile of stuff to save you money...plus a whole lot more.

One reason we get so overwhelmed by all of our stuff is that most of us own waaaaayyyyy more than we need or have room to accommodate. We go through phases where we get so fed up we decide to weed out our closets and donate our excess...and it feels pretty great for a while. But eventually, we end up right back where we started, because we never changed our thinking about what we really need versus what we just want. To change your mindset, you must begin challenging yourself to stop acquiring something new to fulfill every new need that arises. With a little resourcefulness and creativity, you can meet most of your needs by shopping in your own closet. If you don’t believe me, why not try imposing a moratorium on new purchases for one whole week and see for yourself how well some of these seven strategies can work:

1. Use up what you have first before replenishing
How many skincare samples, hotel shampoo bottles, and still-in-good-shape gift bags are you hoarding? For what? Start using them. Get them out of your way before you buy more of the same. Plan meals around the food that’s been in the back of your pantry or freezer and needs to get eaten. (Read this great article on the myths of food expiration labels before you pitch it.) Use items in your craft supply stash or some of those leftover DIY materials in the garage to create something you need rather than pulling out your wallet to buy it. You’ll be amazed how much money and space you’ll save just by using up the various odd bits and pieces that are currently filling up your cabinets and drawers.

2. Review your stashed decorative items
Are your closets and storage areas filled with framed photos or artwork you took down but may want to use again...someday? What about all those cute tchotchkes you’ve been saving in some bin somewhere because they have sentimental value but no good spot to call home? Review these with a critical eye and make some decisions. Perhaps some can be made into functional objects or to freshen up your current decor. Others may make wonderful gifts. If you’ve been meaning to hang it up, then do it now! You’ll free up valuable storage space and fulfill a need without spending a cent.

3. Gift/regift new items you know you’ll never use. 
Rather than spend valuable space on something you don’t need/want, give it to someone who would. You’ll save time and money on gift shopping, not to mention space!

4. Gift wrap creatively
Instead of buying special occasion-specific wrapping paper, you’ll get more mileage out of it if you use neutral gift wrap suitable for any occasion and embellish it with items from your garden or leftover craft supplies. Reuse gift bags that are still in good condition or re-purpose all manner of materials as creative wrapping. An old sweater you’ll never wear plus a needle and thread and some ribbon are all you need to make a one-of-a-kind gift bag for Christmas. 

5. Furnish your home with “double-duty” pieces
Look for opportunities to double up on the functionality of your high ticket items, like furniture. Some examples are using a storage trunk or ottoman for a coffee table; turning a narrow cubby-style bookshelf on its side and adding a seat cushion to the top to create seating with book or toy storage; mounting a small ironing board to the top of a rolling storage cart. Look for end tables with drawers, console tables with shelves underneath, and desks with built-in filing drawers. 

6. Rely on multi-taskers when entertaining
Instead of overstocking your kitchen and dining room with specific serving pieces and party supplies, try some of these substitutions using what you already have on hand:

• Flat sheet for tablecloth
• Thin scarf for table runner
• Plate attached to candlestick holder with floral putty instead of cake stand
• Pitcher for vase
• Platter/large plate and small bowl or hollowed out bell pepper for chip and dip set
• Large picture frame or a baking sheet fitted with a decorative placemat for serving tray
• Baskets lined with tissue or large paper bag with top rolled down for chip or popcorn bowl
• Juice glass for serving sherbet/ice cream, dip, nuts, or condiments
• Mason jars as drinkware, silverware caddy or votive candle holder

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7. Give your kids experiences as gifts
Let’s face it: raising kids is expensive, especially if you want them to experience life to its fullest. Instead of spending money on tangible gifts you’ll just need to find space for, use it to splurge on a fun trip or activity you may not otherwise be able to afford to celebrate a special occasion or holiday. One bonus is that these gifts are a lot easier to wrap too! 

Obviously, the more organized your home is, the easier it will be to fulfill a new need with an old purchase, because you’ll have a better handle on what you already own and know where to find it.  And the less you own, the easier it is to keep everything organized and accessible. If you’re drowning in belongings, the first step is to turn off the tap and stop acquiring! Once you get used to looking for a solution in your own closet instead of a store, it will become a habit. 

In case you missed it, this month’s EasyPeasy 1-Day Challenge is to substitute something you already own for something you were planning to buy. To enter the monthly gift card drawing all you have to do is visit my Facebook page by July 31 and comment on the July 1-Day Challenge post at the top of the page telling us 1) What you were planning to buy and 2) What you found in your own home to fulfill the need instead. You must include both parts to be entered into the prize drawing. I can’t wait to see how clever and resourceful you all are!

Home stores are making a killing marketing tools and gadgets to help you save space and organize your cabinets, closets and drawers. The problem, aside from their pricetag, is that many of them turn out to be uni-taskers, that is they can only be used for a single purpose. When your needs change, many of these specialized items are no longer useful and merely clutter up your home...which is the very last thing you need when trying to restore some order.

This week, I want to share with you just a few of my favorite DIY organizing tools that are not only helpful space-and-sanity-savers but also very easy and economical to make yourself. These are just a few examples. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can come up with more of your own just by looking through your pile of excess stuff with an inventive eye. 

I am listing the materials I used for each of the projects below and have estimated what it would cost if you had to purchase them all. However, it is my hope that you will be able to use whatever you already have on hand or acquire items for free from friends or neighbors who may have some to spare to reduce your costs...perhaps down to nothing. Substitutions are encouraged! Your local  Nothing Project or Freecycle groups can be great resources for scoring free materials.
(See the photos above for reference.)

Jewelry Organizer
Keep jewelry easily visible, accessible and tangle-free while saving boatloads of space in your bedroom with this simple DIY organizer you can hang on the inside of your closet door.
Cost: Approximately $10
Materials:

• 2 strips of wood (roughly 2”w x 36”h x ¼” thick each)
• Strips of white wire hooks (I found mine for $1 apiece at the Dollar Tree)
• Zip ties
• Screws and drywall anchors
• Shallow wire baskets (I found 3 for $2 from Dollar Tree)

Position one strip of hooks against the vertical surface (wall or inside of a closet door) where you want to hang your jewelry organizer. Make sure it is level before marking the screw holes with a pencil. Then attach the two wood strips vertically to the surface so that they are parallel, with each strip centered over one of the two markings. Now screw your first strip of hooks into the vertical wood pieces at the desired height, making sure it is level. Use your longest necklace, your bracelets, and your scarves (if storing here) to determine the appropriate positioning of each additional strip of hooks. Your bottom strip should be high enough off the ground to ensure that the items hung there will not hang down too low or drag on the floor. Screw each strip of hooks into the wood strips at the appropriate intervals. You can double the number of necklace hooks on one strip by laying a second strip of hooks on top of one of the attached strips so that the hooks are slightly offset; then zip tie the two strips together in several places. Pull the ties tight and trim off any excess tie. Create a grid for hanging earrings by attaching the small wire baskets to your vertical surface by the rim of the basket, with the bottom facing out. Hang up your jewelry and scarves as desired.
 
Cabinet Door Rack
Increase storage space in the kitchen and bathroom for as little as $1 with this quick and easy project. You’ll want one for every cabinet in your home.
Cost: under $5
Materials needed:

• Inexpensive cooling rack (I got 2 for $1 at the Dollar Tree)
• Picture hangers
• Thin cardboard (old cereal boxes are ideal) or packing tape
• Stapler with staples

Turn the cooling rack upside down on a flat surface and lay a sturdy ruler on top of it so that one edge of the ruler is parallel to and pressed firmly up against the center wire of the rack. Bend one side of the rack up against the other edge of the ruler at a right angle so that the cooling rack now forms an L shape. Reposition the ruler so that it now rests against the other side of the center wire and bend the opposite side of the cooling rack at a second right angle. The cooling rack should now form a flat-bottomed U shape. Continue bending as necessary to define the angles and create as flat a bottom as possible until the cooling rack can stand up relatively straight on its own. Next, cut the cardboard into strips about 3 inches wide and long enough to wrap around the wires at each end of your shelf to close off the ends. Staple the cardboard together in several spots to hold it securely in place. If using the packing tape, simply wrap it several times around the wires at each end of the shelf to close off the ends. Use the picture hangers to hang your shelf by two corners flush against the inside of your cabinet door. Be sure to allow enough space above the shelf to store items without obstructing closure of the cabinet door. You can hang a second shelf below it, if desired, to create even more storage space..
Tip: Increase the versatility of these wire door racks by fitting them with small plastic cups or jars that can hold items that would otherwise slip through the wires.

Garbage Bag/Paper Spool
This clever trick keeps rolls of garbage bags, food wraps, paper towels, and wrapping paper at your fingertips and saves space in your overflowing cabinets!
Cost: You can make several for about $7 total
Materials needed:

• ½-inch wooden dowel about 3 inches longer than the roll you are hanging
• Two ½-inch wood dowel finials
• Two curtain rod brackets or ¼-inch x 3 ¾-inch thread screw hooks
• Wood glue
• Drywall anchors

Measure the roll you are hanging and add about 3 inches. Cut a length of dowel equal to this number. Determine the vertical surface where you wish to hang your spool. This can be a wall, the end of a cabinet, or a cabinet/closet door. Install the curtain rod brackets or screw hooks so that the distance between them is about 1 inch less than the length of your dowel, making sure they are level and using drywall anchors if needed. Glue one of the wood finials onto one end of the dowel and allow it to dry. Insert the opposite end of the dowel through the center of your roll and then insert it into the other finial. Do not glue the second finial but make sure it fits snugly onto the dowel so that it will not fall off. Rest each end of the dowel onto the bracket or hooks When you need to change the roll, simply take the entire dowel off the hooks and remove the unglued finial before replacing.

Chalkboard Wall
Keep everyone in your household on the same page with a fun chalkboard wall. Why limit yourself to one chalkboard when you can have an entire wall to write messages, share important info, and keep track of upcoming events, all in a central spot in your home.
Cost: About $8
Materials Needed:

• 1 can chalkboard paint
• Painters tape
• Chalk

This couldn’t be easier! Simply paint any small wall (or section of wall) in a central location of your home with two coats of chalkboard paint, allowing it to dry completely between coats and for at least 24 hours after painting. Then rub chalk all over the entire board and erase it to “cure” it. It’s now ready for your messages, lists, menus, and doodles.

Coffee Station
Set up a cute coffee station in your kitchen or dining room to save oodles of kitchen cabinet space and make it easy for guests to help themselves to hot beverages when you entertain.
Cost: varies

• 1 or 2 boards of equal lengths (approximately 8 inches wide and ½ inch thick)
• 2-4 sturdy shelf brackets
• Screws and drywall anchors
• 8-10 screw hooks
• Counter height bookshelf, small table, or cabinet (if not installing above a counter)
• Variety of jars and/or baskets to hold coffee and tea supplies (hint: save your large empty glass jars for this)

Mount shelf/shelves to the wall above the counter, cabinet, bookshelf or table that holds your coffee maker using brackets, screws and drywall anchors, if needed. Be sure to allow enough clearance beneath the bottom shelf for your coffee mugs to hang below it. Install screw hooks at even intervals on the underside of the bottom shelf and hang one mug from each hook. Store coffee/tea supplies in jars and/or baskets on shelves.
 
These projects are just the tip of the iceberg. Unleash your creativity and see what you can create to suit your organizing needs using stuff you already own. Convert a storage trunk into a filing cabinet or a piano bench into a giant jewelry box. Make a scarf hanger by taping shower curtain rings onto a hanger. Send photos of your creations to valerie@easypeasyliving.com or tell us about them in the comments. 

Visiting Pinterest for ideas before ordering fancy organizers online can save you lots of money you can use on something way more fun than organizing your closets or pantry!

Don’t miss next week’s blog, where I’ll tell you how to shop smart and get more bang for your buck out of the stuff you own so that you can own less stuff.

If you’ve ever been inside The Container Store or gone shopping for new food storage bins for your pantry, you know just how overwhelming -- and expensive! -- it can be to purchase the tools all those home magazines say you need to get organized. It’s enough to scare off even the best-intentioned from getting started. So my first piece of professional advice when it comes to shopping for baskets, bins and drawer dividers to create order in your home is...just don’t. At least, not yet. And maybe never.

For starters, acquiring more stuff, no matter what it is, is probably the very last thing that will improve your situation. Most people already have way too much stuff, which is a primary factor leading to the current disorder in their homes. Purchasing more will only exacerbate the problem. Secondly, you can’t possibly know what to buy until you know how and where you will be using it. Guessing (and likely guessing wrong) will cost you time and money you may not have and lead to greater frustration. I’m assuming you already have plenty of that, am I right? Finally, your shopping excursion will feed into the false notion that it is a lack of organizing tools that has created the disorder in your home rather than the lack of an organizational plan. I’m sorry to tell you that there is no magical invention sold in the home goods section that will transform your chaos into calm without a solid understanding of how you use your space and a plan that reflects this.

Now that we’ve dispensed with what you shouldn’t do, let’s turn our attention to what you should. Obviously, you’re going to need a place to put all your stuff once you’ve purged your excess and sorted it into tidy categories. The good news is that with a little resourcefulness and a smidgen of creativity, it doesn’t have to cost you a single red cent to organize your home. 

Start by raiding your recycling bin for jars, boxes (shoe boxes are great), plastic containers of varying sizes, and old shopping bags. Gather some ziploc bags, scissors, tape, a stapler, a few labels (or blank paper if you don’t have any) and a marker. You are now ready to begin purging your excess stuff, sorting what’s left into categories and designating homes for each category according to how you use it and how accessible it needs to be. 

Once you know where you want to store your items, select or create holding spots or dividers as needed to keep them neatly separated and labeled using the materials you’ve gathered. Need drawer dividers? Make some using strips of cardboard and some tape. No crock to hold all your large kitchen utensils? No problem. Just grab a large jar, flower pot, or an old pitcher. Lots of earrings but no jewelry box? Repurpose a box grater to hold the danglers and a small glass dish for your studs. You are limited only by your imagination.

Yes, I hear you...you want a pantry worthy of Instagram, with matching jars labeled using trendy fonts. The good news is that if that’s your thing, you can still have it. The even better news is if that’s not your thing, or if you can’t afford that level of luxury, you can keep your homespun organizing solutions until you can...or forever. The functionality will still be there, and if the cardboard tears over time, there’s plenty more where that came from. Either way, you end up saving money by testing out your new organizing system without investing any money in pure aesthetics. If you plan to upgrade later, start making a wish list now of the organizing tools you want to purchase. Include specifics like what size, shape, material, color you want that will work in your space. If you used a transparent container to store something but are bothered by the visual noise, make a note to purchase an opaque version. If stacking your open bins would save more space in the cabinet, consider buying ones with lids. The longer you wait to go shopping, the more likely you’ll make wise choices to suit your needs once you do.

Save big bucks and add a personal touch to your space by repurposing purely sentimental objects into functional ones. This is an excellent way to place the object in your path where it will trigger all those wonderful memories instead of consuming valuable storage space in the back of a closet where you will rarely encounter it.
You’ll be amazed how easy it is to divide your spaces, create holders for items both large and small, establish zones, extend your storage, and make items more accessible by using everyday objects you already have lying around your home. Here is just a smattering of examples:

• Store small objects like paper clips, thumbtacks, safety pins, or jewelry in ice cube trays
• Keep chargers and earbuds tangle-free in old prescription bottles
• Maximize your vertical space by attaching magnets to small containers and hanging them from the fridge
• Use extra coffee mugs, old tin cans from your recycling, or mason jars to hold pens and pencils, makeup brushes, or art supplies
• Corral all your electronic devices neatly in an old letter holder-turned-charging-station

Don’t let a lack of fancy organizing tools or funds to purchase them delay you from getting started in restoring some order to your home. Visit my Organizing Outside the Box board on Pinterest to get more ideas for using everyday objects instead. If, after that, you still need to acquire something to get the job done, don’t overlook your local neighborhood giveaway groups, yard sales, thrift shops and dollar stores as viable sources. Remember, you probably won't be giving your guests a tour of your drawers and closets, so save your money for decorating the areas they are more likely to notice. 
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Next week, I’ll share some of my favorite easy peasy and economical DIY tools for creating more space and order in your home. Until then, keep it easy peasy!

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Is the state of your bathroom stressing you out? For most of us, the bathroom is the first room we spend time in after waking up, and nothing is worse than starting the day by facing a stress-inducing mess. To wrap up Bed and Bath Organizing Month, I’m sharing my favorite tips for keeping your bathroom orderly and your countertops clear and clutter-free.

Between makeup and makeup brushes, hair care items, dental care supplies, nail and skin care products, shaving tools, and possibly even medications, there’s a lot going on in what is likely the smallest room in your home. And if you share a bathroom with others, multiply all of the above by two or more. Yikes! It’s no wonder your bath feels anything but spa-like. The good news is that with these five simple tips and some minimal maintenance, you’ll be able to keep it tidy, organized and functional.

#1 Streamline - Clear away all those excess bottles of...whatever. Get rid of the half-used conditioner you no longer use, empty bottles of lotion, expired eyeshadow and lipstick, and horrible hues of nail polish you will never wear. If you’ve been following me on Facebook, you know that I issue a simple 1-day (more like 1-hour) challenge each month...a simple task to put you on the path toward more orderly living. The June challenge is to perform this very task. Keeping half-used bottles of products you no longer use is not going to make you miraculously use them up. It’s going to make you lose your mind from having to navigate through the clutter they create on a daily basis. 

(Aside: Once you’ve completed this step, go to my Facebook page and add a comment, photo or GIF to the pinned challenge post at the top for a chance to win a $15 Amazon gift card in the monthly prize drawing. You have until June 30th to enter.) 
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#2 Categorize - Once you’ve cleared your clutter, divide what’s left into some basic categories:

• Hair care (brushes/combs, hair dryers and curling irons, hair products and hair accessories)
• Nail care (polish, clippers, files, remover and accessories)
• Shaving (foams and gels, razors/blades, cleaning cartridges, trimmers)
• Dental (brushes, replacement heads, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash)
• Skin care (lotions, toners, moisturizer, cleansers, masks)
• Eye care (contact lenses, cases and solution; glasses cleaner/cloths)
• Makeup (including brushes and other implements)
• Medications/first aid
• Travel/sample sizes (keep in a small basket with your travel stuff and/or gym bag)

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#3 Take stock - It’s okay to stock up on your favorite products to ensure you don’t run out, but take note of what you have before you purchase more. If you decide to switch brands, use up what you have first or otherwise eliminate the old brand so that you don’t end up having to repeat #1. Also be sure to organize to allow adequate space for storing your stockpile, and try not to exceed it.

#4 Think Vertically - Most bathrooms have limited space, so maximizing your vertical storage options can make a huge difference. Here are a few examples:

• Place items in magnetized baskets or containers that can be hung from a mirror or the side of a metal medicine cabinet.
• Hang shelves on the wall or over the door to hold rolls of toilet paper, towels, jars of Q-tips and cotton balls, or baskets of makeup or toiletries
• Use corner shelves or hanging caddies in the shower to hold shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors and other shower products and keep them off the ledges where they can create clutter and get knocked over easily
• Install hooks for towels or hanging baskets/totes on the wall or behind the door
• Store all manner of products in transparent shoe pocket organizers hung on the back of the bathroom door
• Add door racks to the inside of closet or cabinet doors. (Check out my video tutorial on making your own for just $1!)
• Utilize otherwise unusable space with over-the-toilet shelving

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#5 Clear countertops daily - Put everything away after each use to reduce surface clutter. One easy way to do this is to place all of the items you use each morning in a single basket or tote you can pull out of a cabinet, closet or off a shelf when you’re getting ready and then put the whole basket away when you’re done. Easy peasy! 

Following these five strategies is guaranteed to de-stressify your morning routine. What are your favorite bed and bath organizing secrets? Please share them in the comments or email valerie@easypeasyliving.com!