10 Tips To Avoid Clutter In Your Home

1. Mail—The biggest culprit of clutte
• Try to touch or “make decisions” about your mail once.
• Throw out all junk mail and rip up all credit card offers (two or three times).
• Put bills in a place close to where you pay them.
• Place papers to be kept or filed (no envelopes) in one place and file once a month.
• Throw out old catalogs when new ones come, keep in one place alphabeticallyn • Keep invitations, things to take care of, and calls to be made, etc. in one place.
2. Errands—Need to be taken out often, just like dogsn • Dry cleaning, items to return to stores or people, banking, mail, repairs, etc.
• Place things in a basket by the door you exit to take out to the car.
3. Free or Cheap or Bargain!
• Just because it’s free, cheap, or a bargain doesn’t mean you want it or need it.
• Learn to resist this huge cause of clutter. Yard sale buyers beware!
4. Holiday/Birthday giftsn • Make memories instead of buying or getting stuff.
• Suggest dinner, a movie, a museum, or a Broadway show.
• Regifting is a great idea, once it’s yours, you may do with it what you wish.
5. Donation Boxn • Keep a permanent donation bag/box handy to put unwanted items into.
• Take it to the nearest charity when it’s full and get a receipt for a tax deduction.
6. New in/Old outn • When you buy anything new, throw out or donate the old model/item.
• Do not put it in the attic, garage, basement or extra room.
7. Clothingn • Take out of your closet whatever doesn’t make you feel good or doesn’t fit.
• When you buy new, get rid of something you’ll no longer choose and don’t buy any new hangers.
8. Keep Lists
• Lists save money and time.
• Take a list for all shopping including clothing, household items, food, etc. with details of the item (sizes, dimensions, etc.).
9. HSN, QVC and catalogsn • Beware of these “home invaders”. They want to sell you something you don’t need, don’t have money for, or don’t have the room for.
10. Maintenance!
• Make sure there’s a “home” for everything.
• Do a little each day in order to keep it that way. Taking a few moments now will save hours later. Have respect for yourself, your time and your home! n