One of the things I'm trying to do when I go through all the boxes & rooms is to immediately take things to where they will live permanently or at least put them with related items. Craft/art supplies go into a box in the room where I hope to eventually craft & art things. Gift wrap & supplies get piled together. Home improvement supplies & tools go down to the project room in the basement. Etc. My hope is that when I'm done going through things (or even during the process itself), that I will know where all the things I kept are. These things will still need further organization but at least I'll know what I have. And I think when trying to get organized, knowing what you have is the first place to start.
One place I'm already running into a problem is with the stuff I'm getting rid of... it's just sort of cluttering up my living room right now waiting for judgement day. So here are a few rules I'm setting to keep this problem in check:
- Immediately decide which catagory the object fits into: keep, trash, recycle, sell or donate
- Keep - Put it where it goes or will go. Keep related items together.
- Trash - Bag smaller items. Place larger items that are accepted at curb next to trash bins in garage.
- Recycle - Items accepted at curb go into bin. Electronics go into a box until I find programs to accept each item. Misc. items will be dealt w/on a item to item basis.
- Sell - Garage sale items go into designated area in basement storage room.
- Donate - Goodwill box in garage. Larger items next to box.
- Deal with items immediately or on schedule.
- Shred pile goes into box. Shred entire box weekly - Monday night.
- Take trash/recycling out weekly - Tuesday night.
- Empty boxes get broken down & added to recycling bin.
- On the last Sunday of each month, tag new garage sale items with price.
- Take donations to Goodwill on weekly trip to Dad's house - Saturday or Sunday.
- Everything that isn't sold or given away at the garage sale immediately goes to Goodwill.
