Organization Secrets

Getting organized is a multi-billion dollar industry. Before you hire a life coach or get yourself yelled at by a talk show host, read this lens. In fact I want to help YOU get organized so badly I will even tell you the #1 SECRET for getting organized absolutely free right now. No strings attached, no book to buy here it is.

The number one secret to getting organized is...

Be rich.

The richer you are the bigger your house can be, and the bigger your house, the more places there are to put your stuff. You need to try to be rich enough to have at least one room where you can throw all that extra stuff then close the door and pretend it doesn't exist. You also need to be rich enough to be able to easily replace anything that gets lost in the room. Should you one day by mistake walk into that room you need to be rich enough to hire that designer organizational guru you saw on Oprah. The richer you are the more shelves, armoires, racks, desks, drawers, designer storage boxes, antique maple chests, complete closet systems, garage cabinets, and pull out cherry hampers you can purchase. If you are too lazy to purchase these things you can always buy a fleet of rental storage lockers and hire people to fill them with your stuff. Or you can by another house and convert your old place into a warehouse for your extra stuff.

What, you mean to tell me you are not rich? You live in Mom's basement or a dorm room based on the same plan used for a series of state correctional facilities? Yet you still think you deserve some organizational tips beyond get rid of all your stuff? Geez fine here you go.

1. Avoid stores just for home organization. There is a chain just for home organization. I don't live near one, but even if I did I wouldn't go there because it is overpriced. How do I know? The one time I went in there I saw a hamper for 100 dollars. A hundred dollars. For a hamper. It wasn't even solid gold. Now this is just my opinion but if you are spending triple digits on hampers your priorities are out of whack. I mean come on-there are starving people in the world. Only make this store your last stop.
Here are some places you should shop instead

Big Lots

Big Lots has much better prices. Check the quality and see if it will work for you. A wire rack from Big Lots might not hold the engine you took out of that car you are restoring, but it would probably be ok for some shoes. Big Lots is a good place to get plastic bins cheap. They are great for Christmas stuff and the bottoms don't get water damage from the floor of your garage.

Target

Target sometimes has seasonal stuff like their world stuff they come out with in early winter. It eventually all goes on clearance to make room for Spring and Summer Patio stuff so if you time it right there can be deals to be had.

Walmart

Some people hate it others love it. If you are pro Walmart then go for it.

Kmart

I haven't been in one in years because there are none near me, but hey it's Kmart so the prices have to be better than any containment store.

The Dollar Store.

Dollar stores are especially good if you have little stuff that need organizing. You are not going to find a cabinet for a dollar, but they have a lot of little boxes. Those multi pocket shoe organizers can also be used for little things and they have very convenient bags for sorting and hauling laundry. Once they rip get another one. It's only a dollar.

Craft Stores

They are pricey on a lot of stuff but you can find some things like tote bags cheap.

Hardware Stores

Just one caution. The gigantic red rolling tool drawer may not look that hot in your living room.

Thrift Stores

If you have time and are a treasure hunter you might find something great at the local thrifttorium

Ross or Marshalls or TJMaxx

If you want to get organized but are out of closet space to hide your big grey bins from Big Lots then try one of these store's household sections. They have tons of those cute hatboxes, chests and other stuff.

Pier 1 or Cost Plus

All the third world tchotkes you could ever need without having to actually travel to a third world country.
Bed bath and Beyond, or Linens and things or The Drug Store by your house.
Not the most affordable option but if you don't have a lot of time.

2. Re-purpose and dual purpose stuff

Never buy a regular ottoman when you can get a storage ottoman. In fact get a couple, put them together and make a coffee table you can put your feet on.

Try to reuse what you can. Get the lunchmeat in those little plastic tubs then re-use the tubs. Buy candles in nice jars so when your candle runs out you have a nice place for cotton balls of q-tips. I have an old candle jar that looks exactly like one of those 20 dollar apothecary style jars from Pottery Barn. I think it cost 2 bucks because it was on clearance. Shoeboxes are another old standby.

3. Get rid of your stuff.

Only resort to this when you have tried everything else. I still regret giving away my sixth grade jean jacket and I wish I could pull my resume out of a 1983 Trapper Keeper at my next interview. That would totally get me the job, but no I got rid of all my trapper keepers and lunchboxes and NKOTB cassettes for the sake of organization. What was I thinking?

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