Getting Organized

This is the year! This is the year that I will conquer the clutter. I have been working on this for some time, and I have been making progress, but in the past few weeks I have really kicked the process into high gear. Files are being organized, unneeded papers are being shredded or tossed, items that my kids no longer play with, use, or read are being sorted and are finding new homes, and soon the closets will be cleaned out. The more I get done, the happier I am. Being surrounded by too much stuff is stressful.

While I was sorting through some files, I came across a purple folder that I received at a workshop at a Seaboard Region conference years ago, from a consultant who was invited to talk to us about leading an organized life. In the folder are helpful hits for dealing with clutter. Obviously, I didn't pay enough attention to the hints in the folder since I still have it! But, I plan to share them with you here, and then I will toss the folder!

Below you will find hints and tips, a keep or toss checklist, and a records retention guide. Thank you to Ellen Newman of Clutter Rx for providing these to me all those years ago!

Hints and Tips for Staying Clutter Free

Imagine that you are moving and ask yourself if it's worth the effort and expense of moving an item. If not, give it a new home.

Make an uncluttering appointment with yourself on a daily, weekly or bi-weekly basis.

Start with the easy stuff like expired coupons, old flyers, catalogs, broken items not worth fixing, expired medicines, etc and throw them away.

Pare down before you buy any organizing products.

Label all containers.

Don't put things down, put them away.

Simplify your life with the 80/20 rule. Most of us use only 20% or what we own. The other 80% takes up space, creating clutter.

Limit the amount of incoming paper. Immediately get rid of junk mail. Only subscribe to a reasonable number of magazines.

Should I Keep It or Toss It? Ask These Questions:

Have I, or has anyone else in my home, used this item in the past year?

Do I have a definite use for this in the near future?

If it's broken, is it worth fixing?

Does the item serve a worthwhile purpose?

Do I need it for legal or tax reasons?

Is it more important to keep the item than it is to have the space it takes up?

Do I, or does someone else in my household, love it?

Would it be difficult or expensive for me to get another one?

Guidelines for Record Retention - Always check with an accountant when in doubt

Keep these items forever:

income tax returns
income tax payment checks (I am assuming this means the stub from the check)
investment trade confirmations
retirement and pension records
adoption papers
birth and death certificates
citizenship papers
copyrights/patents
marriage certificates/divorce decrees
power of attorney/wills/instructions to executor or heirs
passports/vaccination records
social security records

special circumstances

automobile titles, registration, repairs - until car is sold
credit card receipts until verified on your statement
insurance policies - for the life of the policy
pay stubs - until reconciled with your W2
sales receipts on appliances, electronics, etc for the life of the warranty
Utility bills - current year or longer if considering selling the house to determine usage patterns.