Three House Rules that Will Eliminate Clutter

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

03 May 2009 06:16 AM

Having these house rules in place will make sure that certain clutter just pretty much takes care of itself.

I've been on a kick to eliminate clutter and keep things organized. Being less than a hundred percent lately showed me how quickly a home can build up the clutter without constant vigilance. Fortunately, having some house rules in place can keep the clutter down on a daily basis.

Kids Artwork

When new artwork is completed or brought home from school, post one or two to the fridge, bulletin board or wall. The old artwork should be taken down and then either filed away to keep or tossed. One trick I learned is to have an envelope or paper bag tucked under my desk in the home office. Artwork and school papers that we are not keeping go in there, to be later give or mailed to the kids' grandparents.

Newspapers and Magazines

Invest in one or two magazine holders that can be placed on a bookshelf (or make them yourself out of cereal boxes). Current magazines can be placed in the holders until read. Once they are read, the magazines should be recycled or donated. If a new magazine comes in but your holder if full, then you will need to pull an old magazine out to recycle. Newspapers should be read on the day they come in (old news isn't worth too much these days) and then recycled immediately.

Mail

Mail must be sorted the moment it comes in the door. This rule will eliminate a huge chunk of clutter. I do this even before I take off my coat. Junk mail goes immediately into the recycling bin, bills and statements go into a folder for that purpose, and current coupons or sales flyers get filed in a kitchen pantry drawer (since I do my coupon cutting in the kitchen). Your system for dealing with the mail may be different, but it is important to have one in place.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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