indoors
KNOW-HOW
1 2
Invest in a tabbed wallet
for receipts and coupons.
It will make your purse
into a mini filing
cabinet that puts
everything you need
for shopping at your
fingertips. Label
the tabs how you
like—by store, by
date, or category.
Receiptables Organizer, $
14
;
organize.com
1
3
Tackle
that jumble of
cords behind
your desk or
TV. Take a
few minutes
to figure out
which cord is
which, then
label them so
you know
what you’re
unplugging.
Dotz Cord Identifiers,
$10;
cordotz.com
M
“When putting
away your holiday
decorations, keep only
items that are an
absolute joy to uncover
each year. Donate the
rest for someone else to
appreciate. Then, store
your
favorites right.
Pack
complete displays
together in
labeled bins,
wrapped in
tissue paper
or bubble
wrap as
needed.
Take inventory
so you know
what you
need for next
year,
then hit
post-
holiday sales
for
good deals.
Specialty
storage
items are
often on
sale right
after the
holidays,
too.”
MERYL STARR,
author
of
The Home Organizing
Workbook
Designate your nightstand as a clutter-
13
free zone that’s a pleasure to wake up to.
Limit yourself to a reasonable number of books.
Set out a tray to hold change and jewelry. Park
a basket below for blankets or magazines.
1
6
Streamline your cleaning
products to five basics:
all-purpose cleaner, glass
cleaner, wood polish, abrasive
cleaner for bathroom and
kitchen, and floor cleaner.
JANUARY
2010
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
GREAT IDEAS
FROM OUR
FACEBOOK
FANS
“My clutter
17
weapon is a
kitchen timer. It’s
amazing what
setting aside 10 to
15 minutes a day
for a power
decluttering session
can do for your
home and soul.”
PENNY DAVIS
“ I made an
I O
i nventory list
of groceries I buy
over and over. I
keep it on the fridge
to help me make
my shopping list
quickly. I also keep a
list on the freezer of
what’s in there so
I’m sure I’m using
things before
they go bad.”
MELEAH SAIN HEAVNER
“Each of my
1 9
four kids has
a cubby in the
kitchen. Everything
I see lying around
goes in there, then
they have to clean
them out when they
get too full. It gets
things off my
counters and tables.
The cubbies stack,
so they don’t take
up much room.”
JENNI BELL
BECOME A FAN AND
SHARE YOUR TIPS AT
FACEBOOK.COM/
MYBHG
PHOTOS: (CORDS, CLEANERS, WALLET) ADAM ALBRIGHT; (NIGHTSTAND) PETE KRUMHARDT
