Organizing Your Life on a Shoestring Budget
"I don't know about every one else in the world, but when it comes to all of those fancy storage containers and cutesy little baskets for organizing I cringe at the thought of the extra expense and the dent it is going to put into my budget.
Who can afford all of that stuff at one time? Gosh, by the time I made my list out, if I did not pay any bills and eat, I could only afford to by two-thirds of what was on my list. Help me; give me a clue how to organize within my budget!"
This is what a reader wrote to me last week. I understand completely, it can get expensive if you are going to purchase all of the cute little organizers and storage containers. However, who said you had to? There are so many ways of organizing and staying within your budget that you will wonder why you didn't think of some of these earlier.
First of all, check out your local dollar stores, the only problem here is that with some of the things you will have to purchase them right away because it isn't an in-stock (all the time) item. They usually have baskets and plastic storage containers in stock all of the time, so leave those for later. This is also a good place to get your notepads, pens, pencils etc.
Usually when I am talking to a client for the first time or I am going to do an in-home evaluation I tell them to NOT purchase anything until we know what we need, how big and if it is something that is going to change in the amount that is stored in it rapidly. Sometimes it is wiser to use a cardboard box (you can decorate it if you want to with contact paper).
Instead of purchasing an extra storage cabinet is it possible that you can just add shelving to a closet that isn't being used for anything. Look for all of the hidden storage areas in your home, once you declutter your home, you may find a lot more.
Can you pack away out of season clothes instead of them hanging in your closet and taking up valuable space? This is often times overlooked by people and the storage space on the shelving above the closet rod can be used for this. It will remain handy, but out of the way for your organizing progress.
Disorganization costs you more money in the long run. Do you realize how many things you have misplaced due to disorganization in a years time, just to find out later that you have to go out and purchase it again? How often has it been that after you did this, a week or two later, you found what you were looking for just to make the mistake of loosing it again because you weren't organized? That extra money could have been spent on organizing solutions for your home.
Make use of hanging shoe organizers (at the dollar store), they hold a multitude of things that are too small to organize properly. They are not only handy for organizing but they can be stored on the inside of closet doors or in the closet behind clothes; make sure that you take the time to label the little pockets.
Create a system that is easy for your life and situation, it will make it a lot easier for you to maintain.
Look for double duty ways of organizing your life; envelopes work well for keeping in your purse or glove compartment for coupons, hang a scissors on your refrigerator or in the inside of a kitchen cabinet for opening packages and keep a calendar next to the phone for appointments.
Organizing does not have to be expensive!
Jan Hayner is creator of Easy Home Organizing where she offers tips and hints on home organizing and house cleaning shortcuts to help to save you time and money. Get her free pamphlets through her website; 50 Things to Organize in 10 Minutes or Less, Guilt Busters for Working Moms and 50 Cleaning Shortcuts.
