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Getting Organized on a Budget
by Maria Gracia
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Getting organized does not have to be an expensive task.
You may think that you have to go out and purchase all sorts of organizing
baskets, bins, holders and cabinets.
In other words, you may think you have to spend lots of money to lead an
organized life.
But, the truth is, organizing is a PROCESS, not a PRODUCT. It takes skill,
application and motivation. And yes, tools certainly help--but there are many
frugal ways of getting and staying organized, without breaking the bank.
1. DE-CLUTTER
Chances are, you have available storage space in your closets and
cabinets. But, perhaps they're currently filled with clutter.Empty them out
this weekend, and dump or donate things you don't need and no longer
want.It's the least expensive way to gain lots of storage space.In fact, you
may even consider holding a yard sale or selling your stuff online, and
actually making some money!
2. MANAGE YOUR MAGAZINES
First of all, it is very important that you assess your current magazine
situation. Most magazines older than a month, can generally be recycled.If
you want to keep a recipe or article that appeared in a certain issue, tear out
the page and keep only the article; not the entire magazine.Next step is to
pick up a magazine holder. If you're on a budget, most office supply stores
carry very inexpensive cardboard ones, or make your own out of cereal
boxes!Once the box is full, don't allow yourself to put another magazine into
it until you toss one out.
3. USE CREATIVE STORAGE IDEAS
Need to organize smaller items, such as earrings, or extra buttons, or push
pins? Ice cube trays or muffin tins are perfect for keeping everything
sorted.Place some in your drawers, and these smaller items will always be
handy.The cost? Cheap! And readily available at most supermarkets and
home stores.
4. ORGANIZE WITH INEXPENSIVE BOXES
While I generally suggest sturdy, plastic, see-through containers for storage,
for the budget conscious, that may not be an option.If this is your situation,
you can certainly use good old cardboard boxes. Just make sure you clearly
label the contents in each.
5. USE SMALL SHALLOW BOXES AS DIVIDERS
If you have a long, shallow desk drawer, chances are it's filled with an
assortment of paper clips, pens, tacks, loose change, etc.My first suggestion
is to pick up a desk organizing tray. But, if you'd rather save some money,
there is a very frugal solution.Gather small shallow boxes--the type that
jewelry or bank checks often come in. Most people have these floating
around the house. Empty out the desk drawer and line up these boxes
inside, arranging them so that there are no open spaces. Voila! You now
have the perfect sorting system for all of those loose desk items. By the
way, before you put anything back into that drawer, toss out anything you no
longer need, or can no longer identify!
6. HOOK IT
Often, wall space is forgotten about. But you can free up so much space in
your cabinets, on your dresser, in your garage, and so on, if you always
think about how you can use your walls. The solution is to use hooks--very
inexpensive and available at all hardware stores. Hang your pots, pans and
teacups. Hang photo frames. Hang bikes. You get the picture.
7. BABY FOOD JARS CAN COME IN HANDY
Clean out those jars, remove the labels, and you have the perfect storage
containers for nails, screws, nuts, bolts, buttons, loose change, paper clips,
elastic bands, and so much more! And the best thing is, they're see through,
which means you can easily identify everything inside at a glance!
8. USE EMPTY FILM CANISTERS TO ORGANIZE
Empty film canisters are perfect for storing pins, buttons, tacks and other
small items. Sort your things into these small organizing wonders, press on
the top and stick a blank label around the outside. Then, label each
canister to identify the contents. Finally, store these canisters in a box to
keep them all together
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The Original
Get Organized Now!
Website - Since 1997
by Maria Gracia
The Original
Get Organized Now!
Website - Since 1997
by Maria Gracia
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