Here are some organizing tips and tricks that will lead to a happier and less stressed home (in no particular order):

• Make your bed every morning. This leads to a more productive day.

• Spend 10 minutes per day tidying your home.

• When organizing, start with the easiest category, i.e. clothes, books.

• When working through clothes, divide them into categories, i.e. tops, pants, etc.

• Go through your garage 2x/year to tidy up.

• Don't wait. Put it away now.

• Everything needs a "place" at the end of the day.

• For your work space, ask yourself what you really need to complete the job and keep those things within reach.

• Set up automatic payments to eliminate paper bills/excessive mail.

• Tidy up as your cook.

• Designate a tote of hazardous materials that need to be dropped off (batteries, CFL's motor oil, medications, etc.)

• Designate a tote as "donate." Once it is filled, donate it.

• Don't buy it unless you know where it's going and how it will be used.

• Have a catch all (basket) for pocket sized items near your front door.

• Put up a wall hanger for keys (designate a special place).

• Have a basket for everyday items such as wallet, glasses, sunglasses, chapstick, etc.

• Designate a place for shoes.

• Use a bin for small toys that have not been put away at the end of the day (for kids to go through later).

• Stack vertically.

• Drawer in drawer organizer

• When organizing your home, organize by category, not by room.

• Set up a filing system.

• Place dividers in junk drawers.

• Designate a place for mail (that should be sorted daily, and at minimum every week), and immediately recycle unwanted mail.

• Set up a tiered laundry basket system.

• Use over the door hooks in closets, pantries, cabinets/under sink (kitchen/bathroom).

• When organizing or sorting, create 5 piles: 1. Move to another room. 2. Give to a particular person 3. Donate. 4. Toss out 5. Uncertain (revisit later)