Listing Tips

Conquering Clutter --The 4 Container Method

Written By Sarah Aguirre

    Have you ever tried to get rid of the clutter in your home?  You've heard the phrase that clutter takes on a life of its won, well now it is time for drastic measures that give clutter a life far away from yours. 

The Categories

Trash --  this should include any item that you do not need or want, but that is not able to be donated or sold. damage and broken items should be included in the trash if they are not worth someone buying it and repairing it. 

Give Away/Sell --Be generous.  Think about the uses someone else might get out of the items vs. the use it gets in your home buried in cabinets or closets.  Consider the financial benefits of selling your stuff at a garage sale.  

Storage -- Put items in here that you cannot part with but do not need on a regular basis.  Make an inventory of the items as you box them. Group similar items together.  Remember one good way to clean out closets is to store out a season clothing Get tips on proper storage of clothing. 

Put Away -- This should be your smallest category., These are items that need to be out on a regular basis.  Monitor yourself by determine if you have a place for each item. If the items in this box will not fit into your home without cluttering an area up, try to reassess if you really need them.  If you do need these essentials try to come up with a storage solution that fits into your home. 

The Method

Working room-by-room, sort items into the appropriate boxes.  Work with one item at a time.  Don't forget to go through closets, cabinets, and storage spaces.  Uncluttering rooms like the kitchen and bathroom may be very easy to do, while rooms with storage bins and closets may take a lot more time. 

Work on one room at a time to provide yourself with an easy stopping point for interruptions. When you come to a stopping point, be sure to throw out the trash immediately. Box up the storage box.  Place the give away/sell box in the garage, or out of sight.  If you allow yourself to contemplate the decisions you've made too much, your brain can trick you into rescuing the clutter. 

Things to Remember

• Pruning items with an emotional attachment can be very difficult. Consider carefully if you need the item to have the memory or emotional attachment.  If you're not sure, consider storing items on a trail basis, or giving them to anther family member for safekeeping.  If you really feel the need to keep items of this nature, don't fight it.

• Get rid of old clothing even if it is the size you used to be and hope to return to. It's tempting to keep them for when you reach your goal. Think about instead rewarding yourself with an new wardrobe when you get to the new you.

• Don't force yourself to keep sets if you only use a part of the set.  If you can't break up a set, at least store the portion you do not use. 

• Keeping things just because you might need them someday may seem like a good reason for clogging your closets.  Remind yourself that what you really need is space and organization 

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Household Tool Kit

Written By Coral Nafie

Having basic tools hand in your living area make it much more convenient to do simple home repairs.  it doesn't really matter when you keep them, as longs as they're easy to get at for quick home repairs.  You'll save lots of inconvenient trips out to the garage or down to the basement. 

Your in-home basic tool kit should include these basic do-it-yourself items:

Tape Measure -- You may not think you need one, but a 25-foot measuring tape will work for most jobs.  Whether you measure for a tablecloth or window treatment, or a whole room for new flooring, choose one large enough to easily measure your home's spaces.  A second smaller tape of 6 to 1`2 feet can be put in a pocket or purse for shopping trips or for hanging pictures.  

Screwdrivers -- Two basic screwdrivers are a necessity.  Choose both of good quality flat head screwdriver and a Phillips head screwdriver in a medium size.  A set of ting screwdrivers will come in hand when you need to tighten a pair of eyeglasses or fix audio or computer equipment.

Pliers -- One pliers will not do.  Get a small assortment in various sizes and shapes.  You'll use a needle-nose pliers most frequently, but have a heavy grooved pliers for removing nails or large stables.  Wire cutting [pliers are good for wiring and craft jobs.

Level -- You get what you pay for here.  It's important to get an accurate level for accurate positioning.  A good sturdy level will last a lifetime.  A level is a must for straightening up pictures, drilling holes in a level line, checking tabletop alignment, or mounting towel bars perfectly. 

Hammer --  Whether you're hanging pictures or putting shelf supports up, a medium weight hamme3r will cover most household jobs.  consider other sizes if you'll be doing either delicate projects or construction.

Vice Grip -- This tool resembles a pliers, but has a locking mechanism that grips and holds things tightly.  sue it to grip a screw you wan to remove or use two to twist sticky things apart.  they provide a slip-free hold when you need it. 

Assortment of Nails and Screws --  You might find prepackaged set of basic sizes at a home center or get a small divided box and put together a custom

Wire Cutters --  Save your scissors with this essential tool.  A wire cutter makes it easy to snip wire for crafts, electrical repairs, an other household projects.

Pencils --  You'll probably need to mark a drill hole or record a measurement.  Have pencils handy and write on post it notes or bits of blue painter's tape if you don't want to write on the wall. 

Blue Painter's Tape -- Even professional painters use this tape to mask off area they don't want to paint.  It's available in several widths and looks like plain masking tape.  But this special tape is blue and can be removed from most surfaces without damage.  You can use it for other household jobs besides painting.  Mark stud locations with a small square when hanging pictures or installing molding.  Tape off the edges of a door frame when painting a wall, or tape down runners with heavy kraft paper to protect floors from dirt and scratches when moving. 

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