Clutter Busting: The Clever Parents Guide to Avoiding Clutter Build-Up

Tips for Avoiding Clutter Build-UpWe have spent the month working on getting a filing system, but now we need to work on how not to let clutter build up in the first place.

• Identify Problem Areas and Source of Clutter. First you need to see where you find paper clutter accumulating. Next, determine what papers consists of this clutter. For me, I found that the clutter was mostly my daughter’s school papers. What works best is I have a basket on top of the fridge to put papers that I don’t want to throw away. I am also quite critical of what I keep, and throw away most everything (much to my daughter’s chagrin). Every month I go through this basket and toss some but the rest I add to the bin I have of her art projects.
• Mail. When you get the mail, immediately sort it out. Open bills immediately and place in the unpaid bills basket. RSVP any invitations immediately, place the date on your calendar, and place the invite into your Household Manual. Toss out junk mail immediately and file the rest.
• Magazines. Another problem I had was magazines. I love home decorating magazines and I also have a couple subscriptions to women’s magazines. Now what I do to reduce the magazine clutter is if there is a picture, article or recipe that I want to keep, I cut it out immediately, three whole punch, and place it into a binder that I have designated for this. The rest of the magazine gets tossed or given away.

For the rest of the week, focus on the rest of your home office. Whether you have an entire room or just a desk, make it a place where you like to be. Clutter can often make us feel out of control and overwhelmed. Nowhere in the house is this truer than in the home office. Once all the paper clutter is filed or thrown away take the time to beautify your workspace. I’m certainly not saying to go out and buy all new office supplies!! Rather add some finishing touches from throughout the house. A picture frame of your family, potted plant, flowers, candle, a pretty mug for your pens, will all do the trick!

As with all of the projects I have discussed in the past, and the ones I’ll be posting in the future, it is of utmost importance that the systems you create work best for you and your family. These Clutter Busting challenges are designed to save you time not frustrate you. In order to truly de-clutter your home you need to start with finding out why it got cluttered in the first place and create strategies to overcome these hurdles.