Do you ever lose or misplace things in large piles of miscellaneous stuff? Have you ever missed an important event because you could not find the invitation? Do you waste time and money buying items that you know you already own, but have misplaced? Do you feel that you need more hours in a day? Are you embarrassed to have company over because your house is a mess? I’ve created a quick list of some of my most effective organizing tips to help you save time and money. Many of my clients are pleased with my tips and I often receive comments such as “Wow, that makes sense!” and “I didn’t think about that.”

So, here are my favorite 15 organizing tips to get you and your home in order!

15 Favorite Organizing Tips:

1. Put things away. When you come home, don’t leave your shoes in the hallway. When you finish reading a magazine, don’t leave it out. When you finish eating a snack, don’t leave the wrapper in the living room. If you put things away right away, you can avoid a big mess.

2. Group like items with like items. For example, cleaning supplies and office supplies should go in specific locations so that you know where to find them. Another example, you could keep your coffee supplies in a cabinet by the coffee pot. Think of it as a store: you will find that pens are on one aisle, while paper may be on another aisle. Use this same type of system for your home or office.

3. Assign a home. Every item should have a home. If an item has its own place and you put things away, you will always know where to find it.

4. Delegate. If you don’t have time to do everything on your own, then delegate tasks that others are capable of doing. Also, consider sharing tasks with family members or your neighbor.

5. One a day. Complete one chore or wash one load of laundry a day. This will prevent the housework from piling up into one big chore day.

6. Multitask. You can exercise or fold a load of laundry while watching TV or helping your children with their homework.

7. Things to go. Have a pretty container at the door for items to be returned, gifts to give, or anything needed for your next trip or errand.

8. Donations. Have a box in your closet for items to be donated. This can be clothes that you no longer wear or items you no longer use. When the box is full, make one trip to the donation center.

9. Is it broken? If an item is broken and you are saving it because you know you will fix it one day, ask yourself this question, “Is it really worth the time and cost that it would take to fix it?”

10. Maintenance. Set aside time once or twice a year to clear out a closet or file cabinet. Take the time to empty it of all of the items that are no longer used or needed.

11. Take something with you. When you exit your car or leave a room, take something with you. For example, it is easier to take the trash out of the car as you are exiting than it is to go back later to empty the trash. It takes less time to bring laundry into your bedroom when you are going there to read a book than it does to go back later.

12. Purge. When you acquire something new, consider getting rid of something older to avoid excess clutter. How many calculators do you need? Do you remember where the other calculator is? Do you have room to store them? How many pairs of black shoes do you need?

13. Pack your bag. Whether it is a briefcase or a diaper bag, keeping your bag packed with the necessary items can save you time when it’s time to leave the house.

14. Use lists and calendars. They will always help to remind you of things you need to do. If you need to call someone, attend a meeting next week or you are out of milk, then write it down.

15. Mail. Go through mail as soon as it comes in and toss the trash. Sort the rest into three possible categories: To be filed (ex. receipts). To do (ex. pay a bill). To Read and Coupons (ex. things that do not require our immediate attention). Whatever mail lands in the “to do” category, make sure you record the day that action needs to be taken in your calendar. I do not recommend leaving the paperwork in piles but choose your favorite type of storage container. Some clients prefer vertical filing while others prefer horizontal filing containers.