Click on this link to access the Organizing Tips: Dealing with Receipts -September 2011 newsletter.

PROBLEM: I wish I’d have a bit more space in my
kitchen drawers.

SOLUTION: Change the direction of your utensils.
If all the handles are pointing in the same direction
there is excess space with the handles and not enough
space with the heads.

HINT: You can use this concept with all sorts of things:
garden tools, shoes, and forks and spoons.

PROBLEM: I hate to use dressers. I also don’t
like to fold my laundry. My clean and dirty
clothes end up getting mixed up because I
don’t like to fold my clothes and put them in
the dresser. Everything just ends up on the
floor, on top of the dryer, or in the laundry
basket.

SOLUTION: You can hang the clothes that you
don’t want wrinkled and for everything else
create a crate, box, or basket system. You can
put t-shirts in one and sweatshirts in another
- make the categories fit your needs.

HINT: Labeling the container can be helpful for
some people.

PROBLEM: I like my paper trays but I would also like
a place close by for some files.

SOLUTION: Slide the “arm” of a bookend under the
paper tray. The bookend will now support your
files.

PROBLEM: When I put away my groceries I notice that
the cloth bag is dirty so I start a laundry load of grocery
bags which takes me to the basement where I remember
that I need to change the bulb and as I get the bulb I
walk by a picture of my niece whom I call because today
is her birthday. A few hours later I see that I still haven’t
put away my groceries but more importantly I realize that
this way of working at things just isn’t effective.

SOLUTION: Decide on the the task that you want to be
working on – your goal. As other tasks pop into your
head, write them on a piece of paper. Establish a time
when you can look through these tasks to evaluate their
importance and if and when they are going to get done.

HINT: Write out your goal as a reminder of what you are
working on. Put or post it where you can see it.