Must Have Organizational Tools

What a difference a basket or container could make when it comes to getting organized. Here are 8 organizing tools that would benefit most anyone.

1. Checklists: A checklist is the best way to get organized for any event. Most of us make a grocery list before going to the store, why not make a list for everything else in life? The benefits greatly outweigh the time that it may take to make one. The more checklists that you make, the faster you will get at it. So what kind of checklists should you make?

• Household maintenance: Develop a household maintenance list divided into months. Check the list a few months in advance to see if you need to schedule specific maintenance people to do a job for you.
• Christmas preparations: This could include special dinner preparations, gift shopping, Christmas Card Mailings, etc. This will alleviate a lot of stress for you during the hectic holiday time.
• Packing list: Packing for vacation or for just going on a business trip can seem like a daunting task. Make a list of everything that you need to pack. Include on your list things that you need to arrange before leaving on vacation such as stopping your mail, giving the neighbor the needed information, turning down the thermostat, etc
• Weekly cleaning list: A weekly cleaning list should be developed and hung on the wall for everyone to see. Beside each job include the person's name that is responsible for the job that week (We had one that went on the refrigerator growing up, a great tool for parents!). Make sure they mark through the job when completed.
• Weekly To-Do Lists: This can include anything you need to action, or simply remember. It can include anything such as grocery shopping, making phone calls, paying bills, sending emails, etc.

Developing checklists for your life will go a long way in reducing stress. Having a list will also make it easier to delegate tasks to other people in your household. The great thing about these checklists is they can all be stored on your computer and printed out as needed. Or if you prefer, create a special binder for all of your checklists. Once you start making checklists, you will wonder how you ever lived without them


2. Notepads: These are wonderful!!

• Magnetic notepad - Always handy because you keep it on the side of the fridge. You can use it to write things throughout the week to build your grocery list. You can also use it to keep track of your to-do’s for the week. I do both!
• Small purse notepad – Ever been in a store and want to write down a website on a package, a quick recipe, or a phone number when you receive a call on your cell? With a small notepad always in your purse you can easily have a place to make these notes and know exactly where to find it when you get home!
• Journal/Bigger notepad – Part of a bible study? Maybe belong to a reader’s club, or a Ministry Team? Chose ONE Journal/Notepad that is strictly used for that project, or purpose. By having one book specifically for that area in your life, you have a collection of notes to reference, a history of events and to do’s for the group, and a reflection of your experiences all in one place.

3. 3-ring binders: These are perfect for keeping similar themes of paperwork together in one place. Three possibilities are:

• Home Decorating Binder: Add tabs to make a section for each room and insert blank pages to jot down tips you read, pages from magazines and furniture or art from catalogs that you'd like to order.
• Warranties Binder: Include all of your household warranties for furniture, appliances, games, tools and electronics.
• Recipe Binder: Do you have a ton of recipes that are scattered or in a pile in your cupboard or drawer and you always spend 10 minutes finding the one you need. Or if you were like me you bought one of those cute little recipe boxes and never used it, or your recipes were too many different sizes and did not all fit in the box. By using a binder for your recipes you can easily use tabs to categorize such as Desserts, Appetizers, Main Course, etc. You can also use Sheet Protectors and tape or copy smaller recipes onto blank white paper in case you want to keep the sentimental recipe that was in Aunt Mildred’s handwriting.

4. Pocket Calendars: Never again miss an appointment, or double book your time.

• Keep a purse size pocket calendar with you at all times, so you always have your appointments handy.
• They can be used to enter in events, doctor visits, deadlines, reminders, etc.

**Very Important Rule! – NEVER keep more than one calendar! It is inevitable that the calendars will not always match and it will totally defeat the purpose of keeping your schedule in one place to stay organized.


5. Plastic Storage Totes: What better way to keep a room or a closet organized, than with these essential tools. Try them for:

• Rummage Sale Stuff: Store everything you plan to sell at your upcoming rummage sales in these storage totes. Have one for each category, such as Clothes, Toys and Kitchen Items.
• Make a Rainy Day Box: Include toys, crafts and activities that your kids only play with when the weather is not nice enough to play outside. The contents will be more special because they're not seen on a daily basis.
• Holiday Kits: Get one plastic storage tote per holiday that you normally decorate for. Label each with the particular holiday such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter, or use more general categories if you wish, such as Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Include your seasonal decorations in the appropriate boxes.

6. Baskets: Since these come in so many different sizes and shapes, there are baskets to fit every need and style. Three basket thoughts are:

• Sewing Repair Basket: Hold anything you need to set on a button, mend a tear or make a hem.
• Reading Basket: Hold bookmarks, your reading glasses, a dictionary and sticky notes to tag pages when necessary.
• Pet Toys Basket: Corral all pet toys for your furry friend in one basket so they're not lying all over your house.

7. Portable File Keepers: These containers with lids and handles hold your hanging file folders, so you can transport your important paperwork from one place to another. Three ideas:

• Office-on-the-Go: If you're regularly on-the-road to get from one business appointment to another, these can work nicely for you. You can keep anything from contracts, to proposals to price sheets organized and a cinch to locate.
• Student Paper Finder: Have kids who are always bringing home papers that need to be signed, notes about upcoming school events or weekly lunch menus? If you use one of these file boxes, you'll never lose another important school-related paper again.
• Event Holder: Keep all aspects of your child's birthday party, your parents’ upcoming anniversary party or your wedding contained in one place.

8. Shelves: Wall space is so often forgotten about, but if you use it properly, you can free up tons of space. Wall shelves help do the trick. Here are three uses:

• Display Shelves: Get your family photos and decorative figurines off coffee tables and dressers, and onto display shelves. They're less likely to get damaged when your friend's little angels come to visit.
• Shelf with Pegs: Display your kids' trophies and special awards proudly. Shelves with pegs serve double-duty. They allow you to hang caps, umbrellas and other essentials underneath the shelves.
• Bathroom Shelves: Add some pretty glass shelves to your bathroom wall, and you have the perfect place to keep a waterproof radio, your toothbrush holder or cosmetics.

The beauty of organizing is that you can use whatever you want! Be creative! One thing is for sure, use any or all of these tools and you will be well on your way to having a more organized, and peaceful environment!