Pack rat

Periodically, go through the house, maybe every 6 months or so, a little at a time - say 30 minutes worth every day for a week or two. As you do this, if you haven't used the item in a year, dispose of it - no, I don't mean to throw out items that have sentimental value, but you might want to move them to some storage area in the attic or garage, so they're not cluttering the cabinet or closet - use common sense. Clothing not used in 3 years would be a candidate for giving to charity. If you see a decorative object that you don't normally notice - a picture on the wall, say - then this is also a candidate for disposal or long-term storage.

Whenever you add something to the house, maybe you should consider removing something else. Maybe you buy a painting for the wall, you could get rid of an old one.

Do not dispose of someone elses things though, unless you've confirmed it with them. You can suggest to them that they get rid of it, but always remember it could have sentimental value to them. If they don't want to dispose of it, suggest that they put it into long-term storage.

Don't hold back on your own possessions. Discard everything that's unused. When in doubt, throw it out. It takes up space, has to be cleaned, and complicates your life. The less things you have, the easier your life is.

More organization tips

• Lists Setting up a calendar and lists to assist in the organization process.
• Message Center Setting up a central place for messages and important information.
• Are you organized? A quick quiz to find out how organized you are, and how much you can do to make yourself more organized.
• Make your own organizer Making your own organizer to track tasks and dates.
• Telephone tips Ways to save time and frustration with the telephone.
• Errands and appointments Making the most out of errands and appointments.
• Using short periods wisely What to do when you only have a few minutes.
• Mail How to handle mail efficiently.
• Housework Make housework more productive and effective.
• Company Preparing for, and entertaining, company.
• Company Kit Setting up a kit for when company arrives on short notice.
• Each evening Preparing for the following day.
• Simple tidying Life can be easier if you set up areas for situations, tyding up the whole house.
• Laundry Ways to save time and money with the laundry.
• Distributing the Burden You don't have to do it all yourself, you can share the load.
• Delegation How to delegate effectively.
• Child's room Keeping your kid's rooms tidy.
• Storage Where to put things.
• Pack rat How to avoid being a pack rat.
• Messy Closet Cleaning out a messy closet.
• Garage Sale How to have a successful garage sale.
• Moving Sorting through your stuff for a move.
• Prevention Some ideas to prevent cleaning chores.
• Odds and ends How to deal with odds and ends that just kind of show up to clutter a room.
• Organizing Your Home Basics of organization.

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