Here we are, Day 2 of the Simply Clutter Free challenge! Since yesterday's task may have been a doozy, today's task is quite a bit simpler. (Yahoo!)
Today, we're going to evaluate our cleaning supplies. Pull out all of your cleaners and tools and make a note of items you need to replenish. This is important to do because we're going to clean as we go along each day. It's no fun realizing you're out of something halfway through the task!
I'd love to know your favourite cleaners and tools in the comments below, but in case you're curious, here are mine! However, I have intentions of making my own all-purpose cleaner this year!
I will be posting random progress reports throughout the week over in the Simply Frugal Facebook group and Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #simplyclutterfree to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
Also, I have set up an email list that you can join if you would like me to send you the daily tasks each day to your email address! This is also the email list to be on if you are interested in any of the future challenges I have planned for 2020! You can sign up for the Simply Clutter Free Challenge emails, here!
Are you ready to start the Simply Clutter Free Challenge? I know I sure am! Do you have empty boxes set aside for all that stuff you’re going to get rid of? Even plastic bags will do!
The first task of the year is to do a Whole House Quick Declutter. This is where you will run around the house and clear all the surfaces including the floors and counters. Try to fill three bags or boxes with stuff that will leave your house. (Either donate or give to friends & family that will appreciate it.)
Now, I think this can go either way. It can be a quick task or a more time consuming task. My suggestion is to not think too hard about each object. If it's staying in your home put it away in it's place. If an item annoys you, consumes too much of your time or doesn't get used, time to get it out of the house.
What you you think? Can you do it? Tell me about your results in the comments below!
I will be posting random progress reports throughout the week over in the Simply Frugal Facebook group and Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #simplyclutterfree to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
Also, I have set up an email list that you can join if you would like me to send you the daily tasks each day to your email address! This is also the email list to be on if you are interested in any of the future challenges I have planned for 2020! You can sign up for the Simply Clutter Free Challenge emails, here!
January. The month where I feel the overwhelming need to declutter and get organized. Of course, with Christmas just passing, that surely doesn’t help the feeling. Especially since we’ve just received new stuff and spent December flying around visiting, shopping, baking and just generally not tidying up after ourselves! (or is that just me?)
In an attempt to feel better about the place I call home, enter, the Simply Clutter Free Challenge! It's a reset for your home!
Throughout the month of January, I’ll be posting some tasks, tips and free printables relating to organization that will help you to enjoy a cleaner home by the end of the month! Woo hoo! I’m really excited because I’m still trying to figure out how best to organize things around here!
Ridding my home of excess makes me appreciate my home and the objects I choose to live with more. Never mind the fact that I usually don’t want to add any new things because I can breathe with the new found space. (As well as spend less time cleaning and wasting money!)
This year, I’ve decided to do a daily task (Monday – Friday). I’m going to be jumping all over the place since I tend to get frustrated when I work in the same room for too long. I find it really daunting to work on a whole room and end up quitting before I get started. So I find if I break each room of my home into little projects, I see improvement almost instantly, which keeps me going!
Let’s get on with the tasks shall we? 🙂 (You may have to adjust the tasks to suit your own needs.)
But first of all, are you in? Will you be joining me to get organized in January? The big Simply Clutter Free Challenge starts on Wednesday, January 1, 2020. Along with each task, I'll try to have helpful tips and printables!
January 1: Whole house quick declutter (clear surfaces and declutter, 3 boxes or bags out of the house)
January 2: Evaluate cleaning supplies (replenish supplies if necessary)
January 28: Tidy/Declutter Linens (Sheets, Towels)
January 29: Organize Outerwear
This year, I’ve also created a calendar for the month of January listing the daily organizing tasks. Since I’ve been finding I also need more of a cleaning routine to keep the house less disastrous, I’ve added daily cleaning tasks too. (Like laundry, bathrooms, vacuuming…etc.) Hopefully you’ll find the calendar useful! You can download and print it by clicking here.
I’ll will be posting random progress reports throughout the week over in the Simply Frugal Facebook group and Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #simplyclutterfree to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
Also, I have set up an email list that you can join if you would like me to send you the daily tasks each day to your email address! This is also the email list to be on if you are interested in any of the future challenges I have planned for 2020! You can sign up for the Simply Clutter Free Challenge emails, here!
This year, I’m on a mission. Not only to have my own organized Christmas season, but I’m hoping I can help you as well!
Introducing… 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas!
Behind the scenes, I’m working on getting the Simply Frugal Holiday Gift Guides up and running, which I hope will help make your shopping easier and more frugal. But, I’m also hoping this series, 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas, will help you be more organized and spend less this Christmas season.
My goal with the series is to help guide you in making your Christmas season more manageable by providing you with a weekly task to help you get everything in order. I also find, the more organized I am, the less money I spend because I’m being more intentional!
There will be a ton of printables, checklists, articles full of tips and inspiring ideas to help you.
Since it’s called 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas, we’ll be getting started on Friday, October 30, because Christmas is then only 8 weeks away! I’ll have the first post up with your first task. Every following Friday, there will be a new post with a new task for you to focus on.
How does that sound? Are you in? Do you want a more organized Christmas? What do you struggle with the most each Christmas season?
Sign up for the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas newsletter to receive a FREE Christmas Dinner Checklist! This checklist is quite detailed and will help you remember all the details needed for a memory filled dinner with family and friends. You’ll also receive a weekly email with each week’s “task”.
Organizing your home looks so fun and easy on TV. There are so many helpful organization tools they use. They get you all excited about becoming organized and so you head out to grab those tools and get started.
Then, full stop, you see that purchasing all those “great organization tools” can be really expensive. So, you can either revamp your plans by buying one or two and do less than you had planned, or you can just blow the whole thing off and feel defeated.
But, the good news is that there are plenty of storage and home organization solutions you can find at your local dollar store for a fraction of the cost of those advertised in those shows. So, if you're living in a disorganized space and want to get organized, this is for you.
These home organization tips from the dollar store are sure to get you excited:
Small Jars
It can get really frustrating when you’re cooking and you can't find the exact spice that you need, right? One way to solve this problem is to use small jars from the dollar store.
You're actually knocking out two birds with one stone: neatness and uniformity. You can achieve this by putting all your spices in the same type of container and label them. They will look very neat and orderly once you’ve done it.
Storage Bins
The kitchen pantry can be quite tricky to organize but storage bins from the dollar store can go a long way in helping organize this space.
For example, you can put all your candles in one bin and label it. Same goes with your napkins, utensils, cups, and plates for parties or picnics.
Investing in transparent bins can be really helpful because you can instantly see what's stored inside. But for a less cluttered look, opaque bins that are labeled might be the way to go.
Label Items In Your Fridge
Labels are actually one of the best organization tools. Because let’s face it, we’ve all found a science experiment growing in a container in the back of the fridge that could have been avoided with this tip.
All you have to do is write the date the food was put in the fridge. This is really helpful because when you’re searching through the fridge for anything you can see the dates and know when to throw things out.
An added plus is the kids don’t have to dig through the fridge for half an hour looking for something to eat, because it’s all labeled and they can see What they have to choose from.
To do this, simply use some masking tape or sticky labels that you have purchased from the dollar store.
Hooks
You can find the most clutter in many homes in the garage. That's why it's important to have your garage organized. One way to do that is by using hooks in your garage.
Most all of the items in your garage can all be hung by a hook on the wall or ceiling. Just be sure to buy hooks of different sizes. Doing this will leave plenty of space for your car and you'll never have to worry about running over anything. Yay!
Drawer Compartments
Drawers can also be really messy because they usually serve as a graveyard for small items. This can make it a pain to find anything in your drawers when you're in a hurry.
In order to fix that, all you need are those plastic drawer containers to organize all the items. They come in a great variety of sizes too.
Hanging Shoe Racks
Purchasing these hanging shoe racks at the dollar store is another great tool for organizing. They can hang on the inside of any door to save space and help organize your stuff.
Use them in the pantry to organize spices, foil, wax paper, baggies, and so much more.
Use them in the bathroom to add extras for when something runs out. You can add soaps, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. anything you might need to replace.
Use them in your closet to stash necklaces and bracelets, undergarments, socks, and of course, shoes. These hanging compartments can come in handy almost anywhere in your home.
Organizing your home doesn’t have to be expensive, it can be fun and you’ll feel less crowded and quite accomplished when you’re done. Plus, all of these can be purchased at the dollar store for next to nothing, saving you money - always a good thing!
Do you have other brilliant home organization tips using items from the dollar store? Please tell us in the comments below, we’d love to hear about it.
One of the ways I began to save extra money was by ditching some of the disposable products we used in our home and replacing them with reusable household items.
In the beginning, this did cost us a few more dollars but quickly turned into big savings each month we weren’t purchasing the disposable versions!
Now, I know the appeal of disposable items. They can be so gosh darn convenient! But by simply switching out one disposable product for a reusable product, not only will it have a positive impact on our planet, it will also have a positive impact on your wallet! Before you know it, you'll be trying to replace every household product with a reusable one!
Below, I've listed the best reusable household items that we’ve been loving in our own home lately!
Wool Dryer Balls
For years now I have been using wool dryer balls in place of dryer sheets and fabric softener. In fact it's been a while since I bought my wool dryer balls so they're finally starting to fall apart!
If I ever feel like having a bit of a scent to the laundry, I'll add a couple drops of essential oil to a couple of the balls.
When purchasing wool dryer balls, make sure they are 100% wool. This will ensure fluffiness, reduce static and reduce drying time.
Reusable Water bottles
Before we leave the house, I make sure all of our reusable water bottles are filled up so we can avoid buying a bottle of water when we're out and about.
While any reusable water bottle will work, our favorites are the ones that are insulated. They keep water cold for much longer! My husband and I are using bottles like these while I like the Thermos ones for our daughters.
Kitchen towels
Ditch the paper towels once and for all! I have one roll of paper towel on hand and that is to check the oil in our vehicles and for wiping up cooking grease. Other than that I use kitchen towels, cloths, and big bath towels for cleaning up spills, and wiping dirty fingers and faces. Basically reusable towels are used for everything paper towels are typically used for.
It's so easy to make the switch to reusable straws! We've got two different kinds that we use at home. Stainless steel and super fun silicone ones. I don't have a preference for myself, but my daughters like the silicone ones the best. Probably because they're soft (safer for kids!) and fun colored.
Be sure to get a small straw brush to keep your straws clean!
Reusable K-Cup
We were gifted a Keurig coffee maker years ago and it's still one of our favorite appliances and gets daily use. The one thing I don't like about it is the k-cup waste. However, we recently switched to a reusable K-Cup and love it! It's so easy to use and the coffee tastes just as good. Plus now we can get a big bag of ground coffee beans (cost effective) or use the locally roasted beans that we love.
Reusable shopping bags
Now that most grocery stores are charging for plastic grocery bags, I want to avoid that unnecessary expense as much as I can! I have reusable grocery bags stashed in the car and both of my bags in hopes that I won't have to use a plastic bag.
The reusable shopping bags that I have are similar to these ones and fold up really small and are so easy to stash in my purse. I love that they are washing machine friendly so I can toss them in the wash once in while!
Silicone baking mats
With silicone baking mats, there's no need to spray your cooking sheets or use parchment paper. That means you could possibly eliminate two grocery items from your list saving you a bundle in the long term.
Silicone baking mats are really easy to clean and hardly take up any space in your cupboards.
Mason jars
Open up the cupboards or even your fridge and you're bound to find some sort of glass jar! Wash and reuse the glass jars that you find for so many things. I use mine for storing dried beans/lentils/rice, freezing broth, holding makeup brushes and so much more.
Mason jars are fairly inexpensive to buy if you want matching jars. Scour the garage sales too!
Reusable Sandwich Bags
This is a new purchase for us and I'm loving it! I used to wash our plastic sandwich a few times before tossing them, but I'm liking this alternative way better.
These reusable storage bags are freezer friendly, leak-proof, come in various sizes and clean easily.
Travel Mugs
These are a must-have in our family! Every morning, instead of hitting the drive thru, my husband makes a travel mug full of coffee for his morning at work. Saves a ton of coffee money over the long run! I'll bring mine along when I've got a bunch of errands to do. But even if you do go to a coffee shop or something, many places offer a small discount if you bring your own mug. (Starbucks, for example.)
Using these reusable household items is such a great way to begin moving towards a more eco-conscious way of living plus you’ll be saving a lot of money over the long term!
I'd love to know what reusable household items you would add to the list!
