| p>The uncertain economy has caused us to become | | | | The next time you need something, rather than |
| more budget conscious. One positive aspect of this | | | | automatically driving to the store to purchase it, take a |
| shift is that we are buying more consciously and less | | | | moment to consider a less-expensive, clutter-free |
| impulsively. We are making serious efforts to reuse | | | | alternative. Try a rental store, a library, or ask friends |
| what we already have. This will impact our planet in a | | | | family to borrow the item. That way, you don't have to |
| powerful way, reducing waste in the landfills and clutter | | | | store it forever. |
| in our homes. That is certainly something to look | | | | Save the trees. |
| forward to, but in the meantime, many households are | | | | Want to reduce the amount of paper piling up in your |
| packed with items accumulated over the last few | | | | office, and save trees and money as well? Pull the |
| decades. The good news is that there are simple | | | | paper out of your printer and store it in a file folder |
| ways to cut clutter and save money in the process. | | | | across the room. Although this may seem |
| Use what you have. | | | | counter-productive, you will actually be saving time in |
| Storage solutions don't have to be expensive; just get | | | | the long run. By making it less convenient to print, you |
| creative. Before rushing out to buy bins and baskets, | | | | will begin to print more consciously and less often. As |
| look around your home for containers you can | | | | a result, you'll have fewer papers to pile, sort through |
| repurpose.o Egg cartons or ice cube trays can be | | | | and file later, and you'll spend less money on print |
| used to organize earring sets, cufflinks, or hair | | | | cartridges and paper. |
| accessories.o Plastic baby wipes containers stack | | | | Dress for less. |
| easily on a shelf and can be used to store crayons, | | | | Before you go shopping, eliminate the clothes you don't |
| markers, first aid materials or sewing supplies.o Baby | | | | wear to make room for new additions to your spring |
| food jars can be used to keep touch up paint, spare | | | | wardrobe. Use the one/in one/out rule: for every item |
| buttons or screws and nails.o A mug holder can be | | | | you bring home, let go of one. You will spend less |
| repurposed into a scarf or baseball hat holder.o Empty | | | | because you'll know what you already have. You can |
| tissue boxes can hold plastic grocery bags or, with the | | | | buy clothes that co-ordinate with existing items, which |
| top cut off, packets of gravy and instant soup.o The | | | | will stretch your wardrobe. And you will be able to get |
| large clear plastic container that you buy pre-washed | | | | dressed faster because there will be fewer decisions |
| salad in is perfect for storing special occasion shoes, | | | | to make. |
| keeping them visible yet dust-free. They are also | | | | Go on a non-shopping spree. |
| useful for storing yarn and other craft supplies by | | | | If you can't seem to go to the store without bringing |
| color; the clear boxes let you see your materials at a | | | | something home, even if you don't need the item, |
| glace and they look attractive on a shelf.o Zip bags | | | | perhaps it's time to take a break from shopping. For |
| can be used to organize the contents of your drawers | | | | the next three months, go on a consumer diet; |
| by storing like with like. Place elastic bands in one bag, | | | | challenge yourself to buy only the necessities. Not only |
| cotton swabs in another. Use them for band-aids, | | | | will you be saving money but excess things won't be |
| cosmetic sponges, and bobby pins. Items remain | | | | accumulating and you may actually find you feel better |
| sorted, clean and dust-free, and you can see the | | | | in your space. |
| contents clearly. | | | | Have that garage sale. |
| Corral coin clutter. | | | | Have you been saving items in the garage or |
| Do you have loose change in every part of your | | | | basement for years with the intention of having a |
| home, from your junk drawer to the kitchen counter? | | | | garage sale, but never seem to get around to it? Pull |
| Grab a clear jar and label it 'fun funds'. Now you have | | | | out your calendar today and book a definite date to |
| a designated place to deposit those coins, both | | | | have it in the spring or early summer. Blocking the time |
| reducing clutter and creating a little nest egg. Once the | | | | now increases the likelihood of following through with it |
| jar is filled, treat yourself to a small indulgence and then | | | | later. |
| begin again. You might even want to create individual | | | | Getting organized doesn't have to be costly. |
| 'fun fund' jars for each family member to encourage | | | | Implementing these ideas will not only help you save |
| saving while cutting coin clutter. | | | | money, it will prevent you from wasting it. |
| Why buy when you can rent or borrow? | | | | |