Organize + Energize: 4 Ways Getting Organized Will Save You Money

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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Kristin MacRae, GoLocalProv Organizing Expert

If you are disorganized, how much money do you think you are wasting? If you have clutter in your home or office and no working systems in place, I can guarantee that you are wasting money.

Here are 4 ways to save money just by being organized:

Organize your kitchen

There is a great sale at the market for buy two get two free. You get home and there isn’t enough room on one shelf for the items. You store them all over the closet or they get pushed to the back of the closet. You now have 4 of the same item floating in different areas. Six months later, you clean out and organize your closet and find those bottles and they have expired. Initially, you thought you were saving money on this great deal but you have just wasted money and thrown it into the garbage.

When going to the market, make meal plans ahead of time and then make your food shopping list from your organized food pantry. You will avoid purchasing duplicate items and wasting money on things you already have. Keep like items categorized and stored together so it is easy to find things.

Don’t forget about paper products, dishes and utensils you keep stocked for casual events or outdoor parties. Keep all these items grouped together. When you are planning your party, you will know exactly what you need to purchase and you won’t be purchasing duplicate items and wasting money.

Create a system for any money that enters the home

It could be in the form of cash, checks, gift cards and reward certificates. Develop a system to contain your gift cards. Keep them contained to one area. Do not throw them in random drawers throughout the home. It can be as simple as containing them in a labeled envelope or container and placing them in a secure place. If you have an abundance of them and you have a big family, you can organize them in a small accordion file, index box, or a small binder. There are many options out there. Get creative.

Develop a system to keep track of your bills. The interest rates, late fees, and collection agencies alone will cost you hundreds of dollars that could be spent on more important things. Don’t forget, your credit score will also drop when you pay bills late.

Everything should have a home

Never again purchase a duplicate item because you forgot you had it or you couldn’t remember where you placed it. Keep items grouped and categorized together. Don’t scatter items all over the home. When items are categorized together, you will know immediately where to find something and you won’t waste money purchasing duplicate items.

Avoid impulse purchases

How often do you take everything out of your clothes closets? Do you take everything out every time the season changes or do you just shift items around? How many of the same shirt do you have hanging in the closet? Did you buy another because you couldn’t find the one you were looking for? Was it stuffed in the back of the closet?

When you go clothes shopping, make a list ahead of time of all the items you need to purchase. This will avoid purchasing duplicate items. You will avoid making those impulse purchases.

If you are making the leap to get organized, you have to create working organized systems that work for you and your family. The systems have to be simple. The more complex the system, the more difficult it will be to follow.

I’ve never heard anybody say they wished they had less money. Get organized and save money! What are you going to do with all the money you are going to save? The options are endless!

 

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. She has appeared on air on Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio and her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start. She is also available for organizing workshops. Tune into her weekly radio show, Organize, Energize! on Mondays at 8:30am on www.talkstreamradio.com. 

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Related Slideshow: Organizing Products For Your Closet

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