Get Organized!

Getting organized Now!   Isn't that sometimes the hardest thing for a mom!  So much stuff and not enough room to go with any of it.  There's toys, clothes that are too small, toys, clothes waiting for the next child to fit into them, toys, holiday decorations, oh and did I mention toys?!

Finally organize your coupons, your make up, the crayons and markers and everything else that's just laying around looking for a home.

Altoid containers - perfect for safety pins, tacks, rubberbands and paper clips.  Also Great for little girls hair accessories: barrettes, pony tail holders and clips.  I keep one in my purse to hold small candies in case one of my kids decides to act up while we're out.  Also great for spare buttons!

Baby food jars/containers - I use the plastic ones like tupperware, for storing cheerios and tossing in my purse.  Also great for small office supplies since they are stackable and easy to label.  The jars are great for out in the guys workshop for nails, screw, bolts, etc.

Large baby wipe tubs - Perfect for storing crayons, markers, pencil colors and paints and stacking them all up.  

Silverware separators - organize your "junk drawer" with these.  Keep the scotch tape, a ruler, pens and pencils, calculators, a spare screwdriver (for quick battery changes), the batteries, glue, etc.

Shoe organizer cubes - once they're hanging in the closet you can organize anything.  I have one in each closet in each bedroom to organize shoes, hats, books, certain clothes, hats, gloves etc.  This way each child can always find his or her things and it keeps it all off the floor!

Old laundry baskets - I keep some out in the garage for keeping balls, frisbees and other smaller toys all together.  If you have a big enough garage they can also be nailed in place on the way to make more storage room (just don't nail them up too high so that the kids can't reach them).  Also great for keep wet boots and dirty shoes in one spot instead of right at the bottom step.  Organize your outdoor decorations in laundry baskets so that you can find them easily each season.

Diaper Bag or large hand bag - cut apart a cheap plastic shoe organizer (like those ones you can pick up at the dollar store) and velcro each "pocket" onto the inside of the bag.  Now you can always find the diaper wipes and your lip gloss!

Ice cream pails - my favorite!  What can't you put in ice cream pails?!  Organize painting supplies, crafting supplies, markers/crayons/etc/, spare candles, pet supplies, cleaning supplies, note cards, matchbox cars, small dolls, doll clothes, car cleaning stuff - get the idea? ;)   Pails are great because they can be used with or without the cover and they can be stacked!

Applesauce jars - I clean them up and use them as banks for the kids; one to "save" and one to "spend".  Great for keeping a spare change jar (the cover keeps the fingers out easier!).  Easily store extra pens and pencils and crafting supplies such as small beads and gems.

Baskets - I'm a basketaholic!  The neat and nice sized ones I keep all around the house.  Baskets are great little toy boxes because they don't have covers that can slam shut on little fingers and when you need to clean up in a hurry you just toss everything in!  In our basement we have this big wooden shelving unit.  I pounded long nails into the outside of the shelves and then I have baskets hanging on them to organize more stuff.  It keeps the baskets off the floor since they can't be stacked and out of the way.  Plus, I can easily look in each basket for the thing I'm looking for!

3 ring binders - great for keeping bills in one place (use a piece of colored paper to separate into categories).   I also have a small binder that I filled with paper and let the boys keep their sticker collection in it.  I have a few of them for the business to organize my thoughts, income/expenses/ , receipts, etc.

Small baby wipe containers - these are great for keeping coupons organized and they usually fit great in a purse.  

Plastic bags - like the ones from walmart.  I save almost every one and use them for the really stinky dirty diapers!  

Over the door organizer - usually seen as a shoe organizer too, but they're more like slots than a cube.  Great for kids rooms to organize toys such as barbies, trucks, coloring books, stuffed animals, books, just about anything!  Great in the bathroom for organizing make-up, jewelry, hair items, curling irons, hair sprays etc.

Over the door hook - also great for holding bathrobes and clothes that's been tossed on the floor.  I love mine to keep my purse up and out of the way (and kind of hidden).  I keep one in the laundry room with the clothes that needs to be ironed on it.

6 Pocket folders - these are especially great for organizing all your receipts.  Label each pocket with a favorite store and save one for miscellaneous.  Now you'll always be able to find your receipts.

Film containers -  these are perfect for holding sunscreen / shampoo/ conditioner / lotion when you are traveling.

Makeup sponges - great for keeping all of your earrings together in one place so you don't loose 'em.