Organize Tips

Storing Canned Goods in the Pantry

If you have limited space, storing canned goods in the pantry can seem like a difficult task. However, there are a few ways to combat this that will not cost a fortune.

First, consider investing in a soda can rack from your local chain retailer. (Walmart, Target, etc.) These are most often wire but can be made of plastic or other material. Most soup, vegetable, and fruit cans will easily stack in this type of holder keeping your pantry space neat.

Second, always know what is in your pantry. Keeping a list and marking off what is used and what is bought as you go can help keep you from purchasing more than you need, thus saving space. This list should easily be able to be posted on the inside of the cabinet door for use.

These are just two of many different ways you can help keep canned goods stored in your pantry efficiently!

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Hair Pin Organizer

Tired of hair pins becoming scattered throughout your bathroom space? Consider making your own hair pin organizer! This simple project recycles items that you probably already have within your home.

To create this project, you will need:

- A metal mint container (Altoids tins work best)
- A business card size magnet (like the promotional ones you obtain from restaurants, doctors, etc.)
- A hot glue gun

Begin by making sure that the magnet will fit down inside the tin If not, trim it with a pair of scissors. Add a bit of hot glue to the printed side of the magnet. Adhere the magnet side up and the printed side down in the bottom of the mint tin. Decorate the exterior of the tin, as desired. Add the hair pins inside the tin. The magnet portion will help keep them in place. Enjoy!

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Storing Photos for Easy Taking in an Emergency

In the event of an emergency evacuation, deciding what and what not to take with you can be heart wrenching. Luckily, there are a few ways you can store photos that allow you to not risk losing precious family memories.

First, make sure all photos are contained in an easy tote or box for removal. This can be a cardboard or plastic filing box, available from most major chain stores. Remember to keep an extra copy of any photos you have framed on the walls, as trying to carry photo frames with you during an evacuation can be tough.

For digital memories, be sure to keep a backup either online or via an external hard drive unit. If choosing the latter, keep the external photo storage in the same box as the rest of your photos so that it will not be accidentally left behind.

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Closet Clean Out - Monthly

Cleaning out your bedroom closet monthly can be one of the easiest ways to stay organized. By consistently knowing which items are in there, there is little guesswork when it comes time to find something specific. Here are a few hints on how to make this possible.

- Set aside an hour or two to do your monthly closet clean-out the first time. The more consecutive months you actually stick with doing it, the less time it will take. (Cleaning in the future will be quick and easy!)

- Remove any clothing that is out of season, outdated or no longer fits. If you still want to keep items for later, store them in plastic totes or other similar storage containers. If you are ready to get rid of a few pieces, donate them.

- Place other miscellaneous items, including keepsakes or anything else you have stashed on shelving, in plastic shoebox totes. (These are usually available at your local chain retail store for under a dollar each.) Label each container. During your monthly closet clean out, evaluate what can be kept and tossed.

Again, the more consecutive months you do this type of clean-out, the easier each step becomes. And remember, just because you kept an item during the previous month's clean-out does not mean it is necessary to keep this month! Continually examine and reevaluate items as you do your monthly task.

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Grocery List

We all make grocery lists of some sort to help us when shopping, and most of us actually use the list. By making a grocery list in advance you can save time and money.

First start with a basic list of your needs, write down the items that readily come to mind. Then go through the coupons and store advertisements (see below under save money), determine if any of the sales are right for your particular needs. Finally, go to the refrigerator, cabinets and pantry to see what you are running low on. Add all items that you are out of or running low on. By using a well prepared list you will find your shopping experience is less hectic and more enjoyable.

Save Money:

Save money by going through your coupons and grocery fliers to determine what's on sale that you might actually need. Remember using the grocery fliers and coupons sometimes add to our expenses because we determine we want something just because it's on sale, not because we actually need it. The best thing to do is be frugal and try to remember what you or your family might actually need versus desire. It's ok to splurge and enjoy your desires, as well, provided you have the funding to support them. Using the various coupons and fliers you can determine where you may want to shop for your groceries.

Save Time:

By writing out your list of needs in advance your shopping trip becomes less hectic and more organized. You won't be running up and down the aisles because you just remembered something you "think" you need. Also, you won't be making several trips back to the store because you forgot something. Keeping your trip organized keeps your stress level down and the trip more enjoyable.

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