10 Things...You Can Organize in Less Than 15 Minutes & A GIVEAWAY

Get Organized in 15 minutes or less?

You bet! By focusing on one small area at a time, you can be organized in no time!

Ready? Set your timer..... Let's go!!

1) Purse -- Enter receipts into your checkbook. Throw out gum & candy wrappers. Write reminder dates (from the business card you got today from the hair stylist, doctor, etc.) on the calendar. Put all miscellaneous items (read: your kids' stuff) that inevitably end up at the bottom of the purse where they should go. Put the essentials back in & you're ready to go!

2) Coat Closet -- Hang coats facing the same way, adult coats together & kids coats together. Give each family member a basket or bin to hold personal items like scarves, gloves, ball caps, purse, etc. Put the shoes that are currently just tossed on the floor into another big basket or line them up on a large old baking/cookie sheet (with sides to prevent wet, muddy shoes from messing up the floor), and put extra shoes where they go in the bedrooms.

3) Junk Drawer -- Pull everything out. Put in an adjustable utensil organizer. Throw out the real junk & trash, and file the papers you need to keep where they should go. Put similar items into one "space" in the organizer...pencils & pens together, tape & scissors & glue stick together, paper clips in one space, sticky note pads in another. Close the Junk Drawer, you're done!

4) Pet Items -- Give your pet a basket or bin with dividers to hold all of their things. Place toys, scarves or sweaters, treats, shampoo, & brush inside. Hang a hook to hold your pet's leash near the door where you take them "out".

5) Magazines -- Start with last month's issues. Chances are that you don't need to keep the entire issue, so just pull out the pages with ideas that inspire you. (Hint: When reading a magazine if you think you may want to reference a page again for a recipe or decorating inspiration then fold down the corner of that page. Then it's super easy to find & tear out that page when going through your magazines!) File in your recipe box or inspiration folder, and recycle the rest of the magazine! Do this every month when your new issue arrives!

6) Car Console/Glovebox -- Throw out the trash & add in some needed items: Your car's manual, tissues, wipes/hand sanitizer, maps, breath mints, extra napkins you get from the drive thru, a plastic bag (for messes), and whatever else your family needs.

7) Paper Pile -- We all have one...the dreaded pile on the kitchen counter! Think about what ends up in this pile the most. Kids school papers? Create an in-box for each child. Dates or events you need to remember? Write them on your calendar, or post on a small bulletin board. Coupons go in a small envelope/file. Create a folder for take-out menus. When you create a place for the papers to easily go for future reference, then the paper pile disappears and you get your counter back!

8) Under the Kitchen Sink -- Pull everything out & wipe down the inside of the cabinet. Place dish soap, scrubbies, and cleaners in a plastic bucket or bin to minimize the mess of spills. Spray & wipe out your trash can and put a clean trash bag inside. If you keep a dish towel under there then hang a hook or rod inside to hang the towel on to dry better. Put an extra roll of paper towels underneath, and you're done!

9) Entry Table -- This tends to be another "dumping ground" for most families. Make it a pretty spot & you'll be less likely to want to see it full of clutter! Make a place for keys -- either a hook by the door, or a pretty dish on the entry table to toss them onto. Remember, "A place for everything, and everything in it's place"! Have a specific spot for your keys & never go searching for them again! Sort mail right away, tossing/recycling the junk mail and putting bills, magazines, and invitations where they belong. Shine up the mirror or glass on your artwork & put some fresh flowers there to enjoy!

10) Powder Room -- Place extra rolls of TP under the sink or in a pretty basket. Put extra trash can liners at the bottom of the trash can so it can easily be emptied and replaced with a new liner. Hang a clean hand towel, and put some new soaps in a dish. Keep sink cleanser and paper towels or a rag in the cabinet (if you don't have young children) to quickly wipe down the sink and counter. A fresh flower in a little vase is a lovely extra touch!

There you go! A more organized space in only 15 Minutes!!!

Here's a little something to get you inspired:


A GIVEAWAY!



How do you enter?
Leave a comment on THIS post by this Saturday at Midnight (central time)!

and you are entered to win:
"BHG's Secrets of Getting Organized" Magazine
my favorite shopping list of all time from Real Simple
&
a set of 6 chalkboard tags for fun labelling!

That's it! :) Easy-peasy!!
Good Luck!