The other tip from her is 27: Find 27 things to fling (or recycle or donate) and then stop.

My personal tip is that if you have things you need to say–say you are buying baby and toddler clothes and toys this summer at garage sales–get a whole bunch of identical boxes for storage. I like to use paper boxes (I can get lots from work, also check out places like Kinkos). It’s so easy to stack them up since they’re all the same! Be sure to label everything. I have a box for each size, gender, and season (2T G W (2T girl winter) or 12 mo B S (boy summer)). It’s easy to find the next size when you need it. I also put my off season clothes in the same size boxes now.

..and a book by the site’s editor, Cynthia Townley Ewer, Houseworks.

Also, there are a lot of great blogs with organizing tips and ideas. Try this one:
orgjunkie.com

Most “experts” will tell you that decluttering (getting rid of what you don’t need) is the very first step to organizing. Then, you deal with what you have left.

Also – when it comes to buying containers or shelves, take some time to think about what you really need before you buy stuff, because its really, really easy to waste money that way.

You might want to check out the Container Store – the store’s products can be pretty expensive, but its a great way to get ideas on things you can find much cheaper at thrift stores, yard sales, and stores like Ross.

Good luck!

Kristy’s last blog post..102.

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If you have a lot of emotional attachment to stuff you don’t really need, take a picture of it before you toss/donate it.

Organize based on frequency of use for items, not just general categories that you think go together. Make it easier to access the stuff you use most, and stuff that is usually hard to find.

And get rid of as much as you can! It’ so relaxing not to have so much stuff around! In the future, (esp. with clothes) get rid of one or two things for every new thing you bring into the house.

Good luck and have fun, I love your blog!

I have launched several de-clutters the last couple of years, and it’s freeing, I tell ya! My motto: Be ruthless.

You’re having a baby…the fish tank? Outta here!

The clothes…thin ‘em down to a dozen or so outfits each. Winter clothes in the back, summer up front; go through all those shoes – have two large outdoor garbage bags at the ready, fill ‘em up, and drop ‘em off that very DAY at Goodwill!

Right around holidays (4th of July comes to mind), home-style department stores and Wal-Marts tend to put their storage containers on sale. Be on the lookout for them.

Meanwhile, tackle one area at a time – get it clean, and protect it with your life. With an apartment, I think you could commit to yourself the next 6 days and, without stopping, get every single room and closet DONE. It would probably, if you don’t work outside the home, only take 3 days with solid work. And then you have a clean, organized home! It is SO worth it…trust me.
:-)

Don’t be afraid to toss stuff, either. Just think, if the place burned down, would you shed tears over x, y, or z? Treat your treasures well, and lose the rest. Living without clutter is an AMAZING thing. And then you can welcome your baby with all the bells and whistles you want to!
:-)

Bless you,
Karen