Household Hints
Organizing Tips for the Inner Pack-Rat
By
Oct 19, 2006, 19:34

(NewsUSA) - Resolving to clean up your clutter? Easier said than done for those not willing to part with their much-loved "stuff."

"De-cluttering doesn't just involve throwing away, it's a combination of letting go and effectively organizing," says organizing expert and motivational speaker Monica Ricci. "It's about smarter storage and products specifically designed for the compulsive collector in us all."

So don't break that organizational resolution yet. Even those with best intentions may not be able to de-clutter completely. Ricci offers easy tips to help closet pack-rats find more space to organize -and hide - their must-have clutter.

* Clear the floor. More than half of garage owners admit there is little room for cars in their garages. Organization systems like Rubbermaid FastTrack create instant storage space on the wall for bikes, sports equipment, gardening gear and tools. Affordable and simple to install, garage systems offer accessories, shelves and cabinets to reposition for endless flexibility. Or take control of your workspace with a Bulldog Hardware Pegasystem featuring durable plastic pegboard panels that slide together to customize and organize.

* Get the skinny. Seek out products that won't take up space. For example, Graco's Contempo Highchair offers the industry's slimmest fold - up to 42 percent slimmer. Easily stored in a closet or against a wall, its feet gliders allow it to stand upright when folded.

* Corral your clothing. Group clothing by style and then color and adopt a "one in, one out" policy when purchasing. For easy, economical closet wizardry, try Rubbermaid Closet Configurations, the first custom closet in a box. It's easy to install, with no cutting, trimming or pre-measuring necessary. Features include add-on accessories, such as shoe racks, wire baskets and tie and belt organizers.

* Play your cards right. CardScan's portable business card scanner quickly and accurately turns business cards into a sortable, searchable address book on your computer. Or, try Rolodex's fresh take on its classic rotary card holder in pink, blue, yellow and white bases and neon and pastel-colored card inserts.

* Label it. Personal label makers are a pack-rat's best defense. The handheld Dymo Personal LabelMaker features multiple fonts and sizing, underlining, bolding and more. The palm-size labeler features simple keyboard and color prints on 1/2-inch-wide paper, plastic, iron-on, metallic and magnetic labels. For on-the-spot labeling, use Sharpie Retractable markers. One-hand click convenience lets you mark labels quickly and permanently.

* Scale the paper mountain. Get personal papers in order by understanding what to keep and what to shred. Anything tax-related should be kept for seven years. Bills can be shredded once your payment clears. Paycheck stubs are only important until your W2 comes at year's end, but keep actual tax returns grouped together in a safe place forever.

Most of the stuff we keep, in reality, isn't highly important, but a pack-rat's sentimental side says otherwise. If you have a hard time paring down or organizing, remember to ask what you value more - the item or the space you'll be freeing up. And if you have a hard time throwing away, you can always give to charity and get the tax deduction.

To get and stay organized, determine what is clutter; move items out faster than they come in; and create a home for everything. For more organizing solutions, visit www.newellrubbermaid.com.

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