| "Leave room to grow. You are only going to get more things, so leave extra space when organizing." — Jamie Novak
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Now that you're organized, stay that way!
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Organizing guru Jamie Novak gives you some easy ways to keep your home just as tidy as the day you organized it.
- Follow the two-minute rule. If you can do it in two minutes or less, do it right now! Hang up your jacket, reply to that e-mail, wash the dirty dish and so on.
- Get your family involved. Why should you be the only one to fight clutter? Teach your family your new organizational system and have them help you stick to it.
- Make a monthly donation. Post the phone number to at least one local charity by your phone, fill a bag a month and make a drop-off or schedule a pick-up.
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When your home is organized, "you feel more in control and you can focus on the important things in life," says Jamie Novak, national speaker and best-selling author of "1,000 Best Quick and Easy Organizing Secrets." "People can pop by unannounced and you get your social life back — you can finally join that book club that meets in members' homes."
So let's get to it! Check out our easy, new ideas to simplify your life — all without cleaning out your bank account.
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Start with your entryway.
It's the first thing guests see, and unfortunately, it's usually the first place clutter lands. Make it easy to hang things up and put items away — even after a long day. Novak says, "Organizing the entryway offers an immediate and measurable impact." She suggests you:
- Have a bin by the door for shoes.
- Designate a basket for incoming mail and bills.
- Place hooks on the back of your closet door for keys, umbrellas and everyday jackets.
- Collect loose change in a jar wherever you empty your pockets.
- Use a decorative box as a receipt receptacle.
- Contain outgoing items on a single shelf near the door so you remember to take the bills to be mailed or the library book to return.
Leave room to grow.
When organizing, don't just get rid of enough stuff to walk into the closet. "Leave room to grow. You will only get more things, so leave extra space," says Novak. After you clear out a space, scrutinize what you add back. Stick to your list when shopping. If you don't know where you will keep an item, don't buy it. Creating more space will reduce stress and increase the time until your next cleaning is needed.
Get more out of your storage.
To simplify your home and make it clutter-free, have a place for things you use every day and a storage area for everything else. Novak recommends, "Always keep extras or spares elsewhere; no one needs all six rolls of tape in the desk drawer." When storing items, be sure you don't overfill containers. Also, use clear storage bins so it is easier to see and use items.
Streamline your car.
Between going to work, running errands and all the other things you have to do, it's no wonder your car has become like a second home. Make it more comfortable and functional by:
- Organizing all your car information, insurance papers and maintenance receipts in one spot
- Updating your emergency kit
- Getting a new air-freshener
- Designating a space for trash
- Stocking up on healthy snacks in the glove compartment
Try keeping a rag or wipes inside the car. Give your car a quick dusting while waiting to pick up your kids or when you're stuck in traffic. Having an organized car with everything you need will save time and extra trips.
Unclutter your schedule to make time for you.
Is your day just as cluttered as your house? Unclutter your schedule by organizing the time to which you've already committed. Sort all your commitments and activities into an A- and C-list. Sandra Felton, author of "Organizing Magic: 40 Days to a Well-Ordered Home and Life," says, "Say no to less-important, C-list priorities. Shout a resounding yes to a few, well-selected activities in your life — your A-list priorities." On your A-list, adopt one thing for the new year to do for yourself and make it a priority. For example:
- Write in a journal or write a letter to a friend.
- Take a walk.
- Have lunch with a friend.
- Enjoy five minutes of complete silence. (When was the last time you did that?)
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