Hey y'all! How was the kitchen de-clutter? Things looking better?

​Let's move on to the next big challenge - the living room!

Let's start with things we can clear out:

Now let's look at some effective ways to organize your living room:

* Use a coffeetable or ottoman that has internal storage. Store extra blankets, games, toys, and anything else to keep it out of the way.

* Use a under-couch storage unit to store CDs, DVDs, Video games. It's easily slide out for access and pushed back and out of the way.

* Instead of having a bunch of end tables for people's drinks and extras, use a sofa side table that's small, convenient and doesn't take up much room.

* Get the Rooms App to help find the best layout for your space. Just enter your dimensions and arrange and rearrange furniture and layouts to find a nicer layout to optimize the space.

* Think about an items use. Does it really belong in the living room or can it be stored elsewhere?

* Go vertical - instead of having storage, lighting, and anything else taking up floor space, go vertical. Store stuff on the wall. Shelving, baskets, hooks and such. But don't go overboard as then your walls start looking cluttered.

I hope these ideas get your cleaning and storage ideas flowing. For other ideas check out this great book.

It's time to tackle the rooms! Let's start with the kitchen today. Remember during any of the de-cluttering steps to ask yourself questions if it needs to stay or go.

​Let's get started:

Let's start with the Bakeware and things we bake with:

A typical inventory for the family cook and occasional baker would be:

Everything else can be sold, donated, or tossed.

What do we really need for our everyday cooking?

Don't we just love small appliances? We end up buying specialty appliances that will "make our lives easier". But you and I know they end up in the back of the shelf or collecting dust in the corner.

Let's go through what we really should have:

• Blender
• Food Processor
• Mixer
• Toaster Oven (if used a lot)
• Coffeemaker (and Coffee Grinder if used)
• Toaster
• Rice Maker (if used)
• Slow Cooker (great for busy families)
• Specialty Appliances (ice cream maker, spice grinder, etc.)

Think about how often do you use these items? If it's been more than 6 months, maybe it's time to clear it out. There are also other ways to accomplish the same cooking process, for example, I cook rice in the pot and not a specialty cooker. You can also get a combo food processor/blender that uses the same base - this would save on a lot of room.

Now let's go through our cupboards and pantry:

• Extra Coffee mugs - we all have these that were given as gifts, brought home from somewhere and such. Cut down on the number and donate the rest.
• Tupperware - it's forever a mystery how we end up with 4 containers and 200 lids. - match the ones you have and toss the rest. (Or toss them all and get a new set).
• Go through all your canned foods and spices - toss the ones that are past their expiry dates. Donate the ones that you keep pushing aside (won't cook with/won't eat).
• Any stained and tattered washcloths and towels.
• Almost empty boxes (cereals, crackers, etc.). C'mom Moms, you know what I mean, either pour these into storage containers or toss them altogether.
• Extra magnets on the fridge, old coupons, old take-out menus, and anything else unimportant stuck on the fridge
• Clear out the junk drawer and either give the items a proper home or toss it.
• Anything that you haven't seen or used in a while, if you didn't use it or miss it, you don't need it.
• Things you're saving for a "special occasion" and it's never arriving. Use it or lose it.

Don't forget I did post about de-cluttering your fridge.

I think that does it for the kitchen! Good luck!

Hey y'all! Sorry this is late, I actually thought it was Saturday - yeah it's been that kind of week.

Since I will be starting on the big de-cluttering jobs over the next few weeks, I wanted to prepare with the right mindset.

Earlier this week I showed you the list of questions to ask yourself when you're cleaning up, but now I'm going to tell you how to prepare mentally for a de-clutter challenge.

Think these things over and over again while cleaning things out. If you just "can't part" with something, that's okay, set it aside and try again another time. If this becomes serious, please seek out help and advice for the "root" problem.

1. I have what I need in my life. Some hold on to extra items for fear of poverty, loss and sometimes regrets. They were once without, now they have the means to own things so they start stockpiling. The point you miss is that it doesn't help with the financial gain. You fear going poor again, yet you're spending all this money on things. Just think of things you need for the present, not for "just in case" or "I wanted this when I couldn't before" and so on and on.

2. Think of the present.  We've all said "I'll use it someday", but that someday never arrives and we have stashes of stuff for "future projects", and "I'll fix it later" and it just sits collecting dust. Sell them or toss - you could use the money for something you want today.

3. I have the memories. Some people have sentimental and emotional attachment to things, which is fine if you ask me, but as long as those are happy reasons. Anything that stirs up negativity should be tossed - no ifs, ands, or buts.

But really, you have the memories, you don't need to keep a teddy bear from the 1984 State Fair 'cuz that' where you got your first kiss. Remember the kiss - toss the bear.

4. I have room. Sure, you may have room to store stuff, but try this, take a before picture, de-clutter the room, then take an after picture. See the space? Neatness? Feel less stressful?

​As the video below shows - less stuff = more happiness.

5. I will follow through. How many times over the years have we collected clothes or old toys to donate and those bags and boxes sit in our garage or car for months before actually going out? Yeah, so schedule donation drop offs, classified listings, and dump visits regularly throughout your de-clutter challenge.

6. I'll reward myself. After cleaning a large room and actually getting rid of the stuff - give yourself a small reward: a meal out, a treat, or a move. Don't go shopping and get more stuff to fill in "the new space".

I hope these pointers help prepare you mentally for the big de-clutter challenge coming ahead!

You might have notice I'm starting small this week, just to get the habit started. The next few weeks I'll be going from room to room.

​But for now, let's do a small but important area - our purse, briefcase, wallet, planner - whatever you carry around with you on almost a daily basis.

First let's get rid of some things we have:

• Expired Bank and Credit Cards - Get new ones and cut up the old ones
• Old Membership cards - Yeah it's time to toss that Blockbuster card
• Receipts - file the ones you need to keep in your filing cabinet and toss the rest
• Expired Papers - Old coupons, vouchers, flyers - you know what I'm talking about
• Seasonal Stuff - It's summer and you still have a pair of gloves in there
• Papers - find last year's grocery list buried in there? Toss all miscellaneous papers
• Keys you no longer need (or keep the infrequently used ones on a separate key-chain at home.
• Extra pens and pencils - keep 1 or two and either put the rest in your office or donate to your favorite restaurant server
• Extra loose change - keep a little bit for that parking meter or vending machine but put the rest in a savings jar
• Anything else not relevant today 

Now let's organize to help find things easier:

• Keep a small change purse separate from your wallet if you use change a lot.
• Keep a small makeup bag for your touch up makeup and lipstick so you don't have to keep digging around.
• Dedicate a pocket for Kleenex, cough drops, hand sanitizer, pain meds and similar items.
• Use a zip-lock bag for snacks or lunches to keep crumbs and spills out
• Use a business card organizer to keep your cards in one place - a pocket won't do (I know this from experience)
• Have a bag for hair brush, hair ties, and other hair necessities

Once everything has it's own place and designated bag it's so much easier to reach in and grab the specific item. For an extra boost - make the organizers different colors.

Then if you're one that changes purses to match outfits or events, this organization system would make switching out a breeze.

Today let's tackle that old filing cabinet (or whatever filing system you're using.

Is it hard to insert new papers into it due to overcrowding? Is it hard to find what you're looking for?

Time for an overhaul and here's how:

Let's de-clutter our filing system:

1. Get a Shredder
First things first, get a good shredder that can really cut up your old bills and any confidential information on paper. One that can handle multiple sheets is great!

2. Start shredding old documents

Start throwing out old outdated papers. Here's a list of how you know it's outdated:

• Tax documents - Older than 7 years is a safe bet, or older than 3 years from the tax filing date if you have no problems (and were honest).
• Home & Mortgage - Records of your home plus all property taxes and any home improvements should be kept 6 years after you've sold it.
• Renters - After you've moved and the landlord has returned your security.
• Loans (Student loans, car loans, etc) - After you've paid them off in full. But it's safer to keep them indefinitely in case there's a challenge. (I keep the $0 balance (paid-off) statement as "proof").
• Bank Records - After a year (after you've gone through them to make sure no tax claims are needed). After you've closed the account
• Pay Stubs - After a year (after verifying they match your W2 information)
• Credit Card Statements - If there weren't purchases that need to be claimed on taxes, they can be shredded after verifying purchases and payments. (I keep them for a year just in case).
• Bills - Keep the big item bills in case of warranties or insurance claims, but all the small ones can be shredded.

3. Organize the files

Start organizing the files into groups and importance. You could buy different color files to represent different areas such as - family related (health, school, insurance, memberships), Housing information - mortgage/rent loan information, insurance, payments, car insurance, taxes, etc.), Utilities, Bills, Tax information, and so on. In my filing cabinet I put the bills and statements that occur the most at the top and front and the less important or least needed go on the bottom.

4. Create a binder of information

If you're a mom, you're quite familiar with the annual school year bundle of paperwork to fill out. Instead get a binder and have a section for each family member and fill out information on each person - contact info, doctor address and phone numbers, emergency contacts and everything else the school, doctor's office and any other official needs. Instead of scrambling to pull out individual files (or looking up numbers online) it's all in one convenient place to flip through.

Include a section of other important information - insurance policy numbers and company contact numbers, employer contacts, and any other important contact numbers.

5. Have a "catch all" file

I mentioned in my productivity post that I have a file holder on my desk for the incoming mail. One of the files is for "to file". Then once in a while take that file and file it away in your filing cabinet properly.

If you don't want to go that route, you can simply keep an empty file folder in the front of your filing cabinet as a catch all and label it "Needs a Home" and when you have a free moment, take that and file everything properly.

Hopefully, you're filing system looks a lot thinner and more manageable which saves you time and energy. 

​Do you have any other filing ideas to use?

Let's start de-cluttering our house, office and other parts of our life.

I want to start with a list of questions you need to ask whenever you pick up an item - whether it be an item of clothing, a book, a knick knack, collectible - anything and everything.

If you're unsure if you should get rid of something, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Have I used this in the past year?

2. If I was shopping right now, would I buy this?

3. Am I holding on to this for sentimental value?

4. Does it fit me or my living space?

5. Is this something I use regularly?

6. Do I have a realistic goal for this?

If you answered NO to these questions - it's time to get rid of it.

1. Could I use this space for something else?

2. Am I holding on to this broken item to fix "someday"?

3. Do I own something different that serves the same purpose?

4. Am I keeping this out of obligation or "expectation"?

5. Does it bring me negative emotions or memories?

If the answer is YES to any of these questions - time to let them go.

There it is, it's that plain and simple. 

That's what our brain tells us, but we all know our heart is set on the emotional value and sentiments and all the other emotional reasons. But I'll tell you, you'll be more at ease in a clearer clutter-free place and leave the past in the past.

You don't necessarily have to "toss it", here are other options:

• ​Have a garage sale and make some cash
• Trade in your old electronics on Amazon
• Give family "valuables" to other relatives
• Bring your clothes to a consignment shop for some money
• Use BookScouter to sell used books and textbooks.

Now you have a mental list of questions to begin the clean up process I'll cover over the next few weeks!