Simplify and De-clutter Your Life in Just a Few Easy Steps

Today most households have both spouses/parents working. Things always seem to be misplaced, forgotten about, or overlooked. That includes keys, bills, and other important papers. And it never fails that when you need a pen or pencil that actually writes, there is never one to be found.

Here are just a few tips to help de-clutter and simplify your life.

First let us start with the bill. You do not realize that you have forgotten to pay the phone bill until the second notice arrives or the phone is turned off. Simply purchase a cork board and every time you get a bill pin it to the board. Make sure you put the board where you can plainly see it every day. Once you have taken down a bill and paid it, keep the part you do not send back in a file specifically marked as bills paid. You really do not need to keep but maybe about three months of "receipts" unless they are for taxes. Some banks that offer online banking offer an online bill pay where you can put in a payee and have the money deducted from your account every month and sent to them. However, this usually requires that the bill be the same amount each month. If it varies in amount you can still do this, but you will have to enter the amount each month yourself. Of course, most places have a website where you can pay online.

On the other hand, some companies offer Electronic Funds Transfer. This is where you can sign up with the company and have them to deduct your payment each month from your account. You will still get a statement telling you how much will be deducted so you will know how much to have in your account.

Next, the other important papers issue. This one is really simple. Purchase a folder that has several pockets (an accordion folder), label each section, and then make sure to put your papers in it. If they are papers that others do not need to see, purchase a small safe to put them in. Or, you can simply put them in a safety deposit box in the bank. Just remember, the safety deposit box requires more time to take or go get the papers. Another good place for them is in a locked drawer in a desk or other cabinet.

Now for the dreaded lost keys. This one is the simplest one yet. All you have to do is put some hooks on your wall right by the door. Make sure you put your keys on it first thing when you walk in the door. If you have several keys you might think about buying a small "coat rack" and putting a label for each key above the hooks.

Then we will go on to the never being able to find a pen of pencil when you need one. All it takes is a clipboard, which you can usually purchase for $1.00 at dollar stores et cetera, a pen that has a shirt clip on it, and a piece of string. Put a nail up and make sure it will support the weight of the clipboard with paper on it. Tie the pen or even several pens if you wish, to the board. Then hang it on the wall where it is accessible to your phone(s). If you have several phones in your house, you may want to do this for each one. That is completely up to you.

Now, you see, simplifying your life takes as little as a few nails or hooks, some clipboards, some pens, and some folders.