More Readers' Best Organizing Tips

Being organized saves time, reduces stress and simplifies life. In our busy, multi-tasking world, it is particularly important for each of us to find systems that make life easier. I’m excited to share some of my readers’ best organizing tips with you. Thanks to all of you who contributed these great ideas. I hope that at least one of these tips helps make your life a little bit easier!

After School Tips

Immediately after school, the kids and I sit at the table and get homework done. I go through their folders while they start their homework. I'm able to read all papers and notes from the teacher and sign whatever papers need to be signed while they complete their homework. We are all together, so if they need any help I'm right there. When they are done, I check their homework, we place everything back in their folders, folders back in backpacks, and set the backpacks by the front door where they are ready to grab for the next day at school.  Tammy S.

I have a friend who has assigned "in" and "out" boxes for each of her children's homework, permission slips, etc. She said it works so slick and helps her keep on top of what needs to be done.  Renae P.

Each evening, I empty the kids folders of completed and reviewed work/projects and immediately deposit them into a box for each kid. I keep one for each kid for each school year. At the end of the year, I go through it and toss and keep the "memory makers" or stuff I want to put in their scrap books. The Homelink books always get put away in the same place each night. Robyn M.

Kids’ Stuff

I have an abundance of children's clothes from hand me downs, bought on clearance for the next year, etc. To organize them - I bought some of those clear plastic bins with covers from Target and had my husband build me shelves in which I can stack 3 bins on each shelf. I sort the clothes into bins by child and size. I write the child's name and size range (Hannah 6-9 mos)on a piece of paper and put it between the clothes and the side of the bin. That way I can see the sign and I don't have to mark the actual bin. It also helps when the child starts needing a bigger size I know exactly what I have in the new size. I also take the paper from the bin after they move into the new size and tape it to an apple box and keep it in my child's closet. That way as they outgrow their clothes, I put the outgrown clothes in the box and then they are all organized and ready to be handed down to another child.  Renae P.

The best organizing idea that I've developed is for the winter clothing accessories such as mittens, gloves, hats and scarves.  I hang up a multi-pocket hanging shoe holder on the back of the door (I put mine on a door leading to the garage, so it's sort of out of sight), and the kids can see what's inside, and remarkably, the pairs of mittens and gloves seem to stay together and not get lost!  Kathy H.

Who says glasses always have to be put in the upper cupboards? I put toddler cups in the corner lazy susan so my kids can easily get a cup and water from the frig dispenser without always asking me to get it for them. Connie B.

Home Tasks

My best tip - the thing that helps keep me the most organized is handling my home tasks just like I handle my work tasks. The most apparent application of this approach is that I track all my home projects in Microsoft OneNote (http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-OneNote-Home-Student-2007/dp/B000HCVR3U/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-7758613-9729535?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1190828437&sr=8-2)
alongside my work projects. I have a tab for HOME and on it I create pages for different items such as - Home To-dos (Errands), House Projects, Books I want to Read, School notes, Doctor office notes, etc. I like that I can search the entire file. I also think that it helps me to have my home and my office action items in the same place. It helps for work/life balance - they are both priorities.  Paula W.

General

One thing that has helped my (at work, mostly) is "if it will only take two minutes to do, do it now". You'd be surprised at how great you feel just getting those "little" things done.  Sandy R.

We throw out, recycle, or donate stuff periodically to cut down on clutter around the house. Nadya S.

All my important phone numbers are written on a sheet taped to the inside of a cabinet. For our eyes only! Nadya S.

In the car, I usually keep: a. Blankets b/c the kids use them in the winter if the car is not yet warmed up or at a soccer game for the kids to sit on if they want. (Also good to have in case your car dies in the winter.) Kristen actually used them camping last weekend because she forgot her sleeping bag. b. Books in the back of the front seats and stuff to draw with. c. Handiwipes. d. Extra napkins in the glove box. Robyn M.

Bedtime Tips

I have my kids pick their clothes the night before, and lay them out Karen B.

At night, check the weather forecast and lay out each child's clothes for the next day. Jason S.

I pack the snacks for the following day the night before, either when making dinner or during clean up. Robyn M.

Morning Tips

I tape the daily elementary school lunch menus to the inside of the cupboard containing the cereal. (It is a low cupboard.) That way, the kids know what their choices are each day and always know where to look. Robyn M.

Meal Tips

When I cook, I double the quantity and freeze the extra. Miriam B.

Make a large meal on Sundays so there are left overs for the week. I try to plan my meals for the week on Sundays so I have everything I need and don't end up going to the store during the week. Trish P.

Routines

We set an egg timer to help our daughter complete her tasks in a timely manner. She enjoyed "beating her time." Michelle R.

Scheduling Tips

I have a small area in the kitchen where I keep a mini hanging folder for flyers, etc. that are time bound. Once the date has passed, the event is over, the sheet gets tossed into recycling. Nadya S.

Immediately calendar everything. I keep one master calendar with both work obligations and kid/family activities. It allows me to see when I need to trade parenting/carpooling or dinner responsibilities. Robyn M.

Activity Tips

The school district calendar is on the side of the fridge. Nadya S.

Housework Tips

I feel it is easier to do small loads a few times a week, rather then 1 laundry day with so many items to iron. Miriam B.

When a bill comes, I immediately write the due date on the outside of the envelope if it is not automatically paid and take it to my office where I pay bills on my lunch hour. Robyn M.