1. MINIMIZE YOUR BELONGINGS. Every few months go through clothes, toys, books, games, and even furnishings. Give away things you don’t use.
2. CAREFULLY CONSIDER YOUR PURCHASES. The more you have, the more time, space, and energy is required from you to maintain those purchases. Whenever you purchase something new, discard an old item.
3. CREATE A RECYCLE CENTER. You can purchase a variety of systems or create your own. Locate an easily accessible place to put paper sacks- one sack for each type of recyclable material.
4. GO THROUGH YOUR MAIL RIGHT AWAY. Use an accordion file folder labeled with your various household bills. Include a “To Be Paid” section. When you pay your bills move receipts to correct category. Include a “Tax Info” section to file tax information and receipts.
5. RECYCLE JUNK MAIL. Don’t waste time opening it. Tear or shred credit card opportunities to avoid theft. Request that catalog companies not sell or rent your name.
6. RECYCLE MAGAZINES. If you are saving magazines because of good articles, file the articles in a three-ring notebook by category and recycle the magazines. (My note: If your area does not have the means to recycle magazines, donate them to doctors offices to be placed in waiting rooms.)
7. ORGANIZE CHILDREN’S HOMEWORK. Purchase large three-ring notebooks with a clear cover and spine. Let each child design their own notebook. Include grade level, school year, and other pertinent information. Divide the notebook by subjects.
8. CREATE AN “INFORMATION CENTER”. Install some cork on the inside of one of your upper kitchen cabinets to keep all your ‘notes and loose paper’ information.
9. IMPLEMENT “THE BOX”. Find a box that will fit in a closet or some other enclosed space. At the end of each day collect items your family chooses to leave lying around and put them in “The Box”. Items can be earned back by doing extra chores. If they are not redeemed within a week, the items are yours to do with as you please.
10. GIVE TO CHARITY. What is extra or unused might be needed by someone else. Teach children to give away extra toys. Let them choose the charity and go with you to drop them off.
From the book, Lists to Live By, compiled by Alice Gray, Steve Stephens, and John Van Diest.
[...] 10 Steps in Overcoming Clutter-Life Lists This article offers some helpful advice for reducing clutter in your home and office and, as a result, reducing stress in the process. Some suggestions include minimizing unnecessary belongings, carefully considering purchases and creating a recycling center. [...]