Organizing Your
Home

1. Create a home binder to be kept by the phone.

It should have phone numbers and home information such as maintenance, costs, and quotes. Include calendars, family identification numbers, phone numbers (dentist, doctors, vet, school/college, hospitals, ambulance, police, taxis, bus info, plumber/handy man, etc.), emergency information, renewal schedules, routine servicing, take-out menus, etc. When family, friends, babysitters or houseguests come over they should know what it is and how to use it.

2. Keep a filing area for bills, insurance, contracts, wills, passports, receipts of expensive items, warantees, important documents, children's drawings/school work, etc.

Make sure they are clearly labeled. Have one file as a place to hold the papers until you have time to properly file them. Save time, money and energy by paying bills through direct deposit. Having your bill payments equalized helps even out your budget and prevents surprises.

3. Lists are just as important at home as they are at work and school.

Have a binder of lists in various categories: Gift Ideas, Books to Read, Clothing Needed, I.D. numbers, Miscellaneous, Wishes and Dreams, etc. They give you clear daily reminders of what needs to be done. Remember if your home life is unbalanced it will carry over into your school or career life.

4. Have a cleaning system that works for you and your lifestyle.

Doing a routine on a daily basis will never get all the work finished but it will stop it from piling up. For example on the weekend make sure everyone in the family has enough clean clothing for the week. Also plan the menu for the following week. This will cut down on decisions, save time and energy, and ensure you are not always eating processed or fast foods.

5. Keep an on-going grocery list on the fridge.

People can just check off regular items that need to be replaced. They can also fill in an new items that are required. This will help make sure you only need to shop once a week. If you can, save time, money and energy by shopping by phone or internet.

6. Have a family calendar on the fridge as well.

Have schedules and activities written down. Everyone should make sure they refer to it daily and add any upcoming activities and events.

7. Make sure everything has an assigned place in your home.

You should be able to find anything in under a minute. For example your keys should always be on the key hook and your glasses should always be in their "special" place. A little organization can decrease the amount of "I can't finds" in your home. This will save you and others hours of frustration.

8. Get rid of the clutter if you want to be more productive, efficient, and organized.

Just by thinking about clutter you lose energy. Do you really need twelve jackets? Are you really going to get that discman fixed? When are you going to get around to reading those magazines? Is that exercise equipment ever going to get used? Come on! De-clutter ask yourself, "Is it really something I use on a regular basis?" "Could I live without it?" "Do I love it?" "Do I get energized when I think about it or does it add to my stress?" If you don't like throwing things out you can try selling it, donating it, storing it or giving it away.

9. Give people the gift of doing things for themselves.

Every person can contribute to household responsibilities. Ask yourself "What can they do independently?" "What responsibilities should be theirs alone?" "What do they like or like more than other chores?" "Am I willing put in the time to train them properly?" "Am I prepared to be constructive and not critical of their efforts?" By allowing them to contribute from an early age you add balance to your life by sharing the load.

10. Sometimes the best way to organize a physical space is to begin by clearing your mind so you can think organized thoughts.

Once a day get out of the house and go for a walk. A brisk five minute walk relieves tension and energizes you. You can take the time to really think about the way you do things. With an uncluttered mind you can think up better ways to organize and improve your home life.