How can you think about organizing your home when you can’t even find your recipes to use them?

Does it seem like too much of a hassle to even cook when you can’t find the recipe you want?

Are your recipes in different places, like drawers, mixed within your cookbooks and difficult to find?

Do you have old-time recipes handed down from your family, but you have no idea where they are?

You can start organizing your home one recipe at a time with these easy steps.

Here is an easy way to organize important recipes and keep them organized:

1. Gather all the recipes you want to organize.
2. Get some large manila envelopes and label each of them by categories- like meat, poultry, soups, etc.
3. Separate your recipes by type and put them in the manila envelopes you just made.
4. Get a good three ring binder with 8 ½ X 11 index tabs and paper.
5. Label the index tabs with the categories listed on the manila envelopes.
6. Put some of your 3 ring paper behind each index tab.
7. Take one envelope at the time and trim the recipes to a good size so they look neat.
8. Chose the index category and start tapping or gluing the recipes to the sheets of paper in that category.
9. You can also add some sheet protectors to make the sheets more durable and protect them from getting soiled as you use them in the kitchen.
10. Keep blank tabs and papers for future recipes.

Depending on how many recipes you have will determine how long the process will take from start to finish until all the recipes are glued in. Now you are ready to start using your new Recipe Book and can add new recipes as you get them and stay ahead of the game.

Meal Planning tips:

1. Sometime over the weekend look at the Recipe Book that you just created and begin your meal plan for the coming week.
2. Add any new recipes you might have to your Recipe Book.
3. This meal plan will allow you to check your cupboards to determine if you have all the items you need and any items that you will need to purchase.
4. Prepare in advance some items that you plan to make to be put in the freezer and take out the day you need them.
5. Now your evenings will allow more time at leisure and time for organizing your home.

For other helpful tips about organizing paperwork and organizing your home call Professional Organizer, Inge Crocker at: 720-641-1489.

Clutter Control Starts With One Small Step At A Time

Is your closet very messy?  Are you having a difficult time finding what you want?

When you open your closet is it nerve racking? Do you know what’s in your closet?

Start With A Few Small Organizing Steps

There are several easy ways you can declutter your closet and declutter your life. First, remember the closet took time to get it the way it is and it will take some extra time to organize it to the way you want it to look. But, with the right plan, it’s easier than you might think.

Get several boxes and label them according to what you have; Shoes, books, items to repair, donate, etc. and start putting the items from the floor of your closet into boxes accordingly. Then do the same with the items that are on the shelf of the closet.

Separate the hanging clothes into categories, such as summer, winter, don’t fit, don’t like, etc.

Your closet may not have enough room for all the items that you have kept in there. Try to only keep the clothes, shoes, miscellaneous items for the current season in that closet.

Look over the clothes for each season.  Evaluate what you like, what is in style and what you have really worn.  Make some decisions; what to donate, what to keep and what to give away. As you make your decisions think about how much lighter you will feel if you are ruthless during this process to declutter your life.

Clutter Control In Your Closet Is A Great Start

Discard or donate items that have not been used in a year.

Now evaluate the empty closet and the space available to see how to best arrange the items that are going back in the closet in a way that will be practical for you.  Get containers as needed to help you keep the closet in order. Invest in some practical shoe holders like those from The Container Store or Target.

Where is the overflow going? Put the overflow in a box and label it, date it, and take it to another room or closet to donate items or discard them.

Now that the closet is empty, take the opportunity to dust the closet shelves, the rods and the floor before you put things back. Now you can start putting the containers, the shoe holders and the clothes back.

As you are putting things back in the closet, re-evaluate if you really need all the items you are keeping and if they fit into your plan to declutter your life.

Now, you’re done. Step back, take a look and see how much you have accomplished. You deserve to be commended.

If I can help you with organizing your closet, organizing your home and organizing your life I am only a phone call away – 720-641-1489

Is your career suffering because you need to declutter your life? Are your office and papers out of control? Are you having problems organizing paperwork? Are you unable to work efficiently? Do you feel stressed when you are in your office? Are you wondering where to begin to declutter your life?  Does your clutter trigger anxiety?

If you want to begin to declutter your life, schedule to start one project or area at a time. Start slowly and patiently, stay focused. Don’t focus on several projects at once, as it will only bring delay and frustration. Which area of your office needs immediate help? What area of your office, if it was organized, would help you be more productive? Your desk? Filing system? Follow up system?

Now that you’ve decided where to start, get four boxes, label them and put the appropriate items in each box:

1. Papers

2. Office Supplies

3. Files

4. Books/Manuals

Now that you have gathered the above and made the first step to declutter your life, can you see the top of your desk and other areas in your office?  If yes, you are making progress.  If no, you need to label and fill another box.  Work on this till you can see the focus area without clutter. Remember, just focus on one area at a time.

Organizing Paperwork Day 1

Schedule which of the boxes you want to sort first.  Start to organize this box into three categories:

1.Need to keep

2.Want to donate

3. Discard box

AFTER… This is a perfect time to take a much needed break, take the items to discard to the trash and put the items to donate in your car. Be very proud of what you have accomplished today!

Organizing Paperwork Day 2

Determine when to organize the second of the four boxes and organize it into the categories like you did previously:

1. Need to keep

2.Want to donate

3.Discard.

Follow the same steps as before. Now the second box is done and you are half way there.

Organizing Paperwork Day 3 – 4

Continue organizing the paperwork each day. Schedule to do the same thing with boxes #3 and #4.

Organizing Paperwork Day 5

Now is time to analyze the items you plan to keep as you declutter your life. Where is the best area for your books/manuals? Where do you want to store your office supplies for easy access?

Finally, determine how you need to sort your papers for easy access. Think about how often you will use them, when and in what circumstances. Keep those items you use most and archive those used less.

Be very proud of what you have accomplished! How are you feeling?

Remember, next time you are out in your car do a drop off at your local charity.

Sometimes you need help from a professional organizer to know where to start or how to even get started to declutter your life. Call now for a free estimate in the Denver metro area 720-641-1489.

IBC Organizers is here to help Get Rid Of Clutter!