Tuesday Tip: Small Ways to Get Organized

Getting organized is always a top New Year resolution, but it’s also one that can overwhelm. Where to start?

Well, in the spirit of just begin, let’s start with just a few small things. 

When in doubt, read the directions.

Got lots of new toys, electronics, small appliances this holiday season? Get a 3 ring binder and fill it with plastic sheet protectors. Insert owner’s manuals/instruction booklets (with the sales receipt, if you have it) for all your stuff into a sleeve. One central location, neatly organized, makes finding like items a snap.

I saw this great recipe somewhere...

Another great use for a binder with plastic sleeves: recipes. Whenever I cut a recipe from a magazine, I slip it into a sheet protector. When I find a recipe I want to try on the web, I’ll print it and slide it in a sleeve. If you really want to go crazy, make yourself a weekly meal template, slide it in a sleeve, and use a dry erase marker to plan your menus for the week.

Tangled up, run  down.

Another frequent source of frustration for me was keeping up with all my gadgets and chargers. I’ve started using a zippered pouch to corral all my cords. I keep chargers for my phone, my iPod, my Kindle, as well as adapters, ear buds and maybe a spare flash drive and memory card all together in one pouch. I have also designated a spot that I put my phone and my pouch each evening at home so I can make sure everything is charged up as needed.

I could have had a free cup of coffee by now.

Just about every grocery store, sporting goods store and coffee shop has a loyalty card of some sort. I look forward to these all living in my smartphone somehow, but until then the easiest way to keep up with them (and actually have them when you need them) is to keep them on a ring. Many already have key ring versions, but if not, punch a hole in it yourself and put them all together on a single ring which you can attach to your  key ring (or not if you prefer to travel light). Just pay attention and don’t do like I do and try to swipe your Hair Cuttery card at the gym.

Get in a routine.

The single best piece of advice I have for any organizing is to actually have a place designated for everything, and make putting things in their place part of your daily routine. This simple step will solve lots of your organizational issues. (Now if I could just get my husband to understand this.)

I know Daily Dish readers are some of the most efficient and organized people on the planet, so tell us: What are your top tips for keeping things organized?