Organizing Tip of the Day: Five Things You Can Do in Five Minutes or Less

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For me, staying organized is partly about constant maintenance. It sounds burdensome, but it’s actually more a matter of accomplishing quick, small tasks that create maximum effect in minimal time. By doing a quick thing now and then to declutter or organize, you avoid the pile-up effect…where things are just so messy and disorganized that you have to basically take a week off to tackle a massive organization project. Here are five things you can do that will help you stay organized and likely won’t take more than five minutes:

  • Go through old receipts. Throw out any that are over a year old (excepting those that are for huge purchases, like furniture or a television).
  • Go through old pay stubs from work. Throw out any that are over a year old and then sign up for paperless pay if your employer offers it. If you don’t have pay stubs, take one file folder and go through it – thin out the old papers you don’t need from it. Not the whole filing cabinet or drawer – just one file!
  • Take a few minutes to sign up for paperless billing on anything that allows.
  • Go through your fridge. Throw out anything that is expired.
  • Clean out your junk drawer! Seriously, I did it recently and I got rid of tons of pens and random sticky notes that I never use. So much easier to find things now.

The main point here is, you can make a difference in your space without devoting a big block of time to the endeavor. However, you never know – accomplishing one of these quick things may just help motivate you to take on even bigger decluttering projects!

Leave a Comment

  1. I love going through my fridge and throwing out old things! It’s crazy how many condiments were expired. Once it’s cleaned out then of course I head to Trader Joe’s and fill my whole fridge up again haha

    Published 1.15.16 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      Haha same here! You’re not alone in that 🙂

      Published 1.18.16 · Reply
  2. Kristin wrote:

    These are great tips! There’s so much that you can get done in just 25 minutes! Thanks Stacy!

    http://thecollegedarling.blogspot.com/

    Published 1.16.16 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      Thanks Kristin!

      Published 1.18.16 · Reply
  3. Sannu wrote:

    You have managed to point out many of my weak points 🙂 Junk drawers with random stuff I have collected to use in my projects. Fridge full of all sorts of sauces (that I have bought for some recipe and used like a spoon full). And receipts, I never find the ones I actually need but a pile of others.

    So agree with you that using five or so minutes for those would make my everyday life better.

    Wish you a great weekend!

    Sannu

    Published 1.16.16 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      I’m the exact same with sauces! It’s a dilemma I have not yet solved 🙂

      Published 1.18.16 · Reply
  4. Dorothy wrote:

    another great tip, keep em coming 🙂

    Published 1.19.16 · Reply