Simply Clutter Free: Day 5

I am officially diaper bag free so I'm down to one purse and a backpack every now and then when I have to tote my laptop along for coffee shop working.

As with life with kids, my purse is currently a catch all for snacks, toys, my wallet, appointment cards, shopping bags, garbage and so much more. Sometimes I have no idea I have so much in there!

Despite the mess that is in my purse, I think today's task should be quite easy to get finished. I actually just purchased a new backpack from Mountain Equipment Co-op on clearance so I actually have to add a few things to it! (Pens, notebook, ear buds...etc.)

While I don't have many tips for purse organization, I think a purse organizer from Amazon.ca like this would be wonderful:

purse organizer

There are many different styles and material!

So, how messy is your purse or bag?  How do you keep it organized?

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!

Simply Clutter Free: Day 4

I am so ready to take down the Christmas decorations! Enough is enough of the festive “clutter” I say! 🙂

Even though this was our third Christmas in our “new” home, there was still a lot of stuff that didn’t get put out. Simply because I didn’t know where to put it, but also because I just didn’t want a lot of stuff out! I’ll definitely be doing some decluttering.

I keep everything (knick knacks, ornaments, garlands, stockings…etc.) in two large bins. Plus our Christmas tree that fits neatly into its own box. Two boxes is enough stuff for me! So, if I buy something new, something old has to leave!

While I do manage to cram everything into the bins, I did find some great Christmas organization ideas:

Do you have any Christmas organization tips?  When do you typically put away all your decorations?

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!

Simply Clutter Free: Day 3

Today's task for the Simply Clutter Free Challenge is one that has needed some attention for quite some time in our home. Toys. We're going to work on organizing and purging the toy situation!

I'm going to try to involve the kids. Especially my oldest, but she tends to get attached to everything. I will give her some guidance and encourage her to really choose the toys she actually plays with and loves. I also think I will be purging some, but storing others so I can rotate them.

Download and print the organizing calendar here.

Do you have any toy storage tips? Share your ideas in the comments!

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!

Simply Clutter Free: Day 2

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!

Simply Clutter Free: Day 1

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!

Download and print the organizing calendar here.

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.)

To help you out, I created a list of 38 things that you can quickly toss or donate. You'll also love the Clutter Checklist I created to help you track your progress!

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!

Announcing the Simply Clutter Free Challenge!

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 3: Organize/Declutter Toys
  • January 6: Put Away Christmas Decorations
  • January 7: Organize Purses (remove old loyalty cards...etc.)
  • January 8: Organize Craft Supplies
  • January 9: Organize/Declutter Footwear
  • January 10: Declutter Clothes
  • January 13: Organize/Declutter Books
  • January 14: Organize/Declutter Bathroom Cupboards
  • January 15: Organize/Declutter Nightstands
  • January 16: Declutter Under Beds
  • January 17: Organize Electronics (cords, batteries…etc)
  • January 20: Tidy Desk/Organize Digital Photos
  • January 21: Work on Filing System, Shred Papers
  • January 22: Refill Spices (wipe bottles)
  • January 23: Clean Fridge and Freezers
  • January 24: Organize/Clean Pantry Cupboards
  • January 27: Declutter Under Kitchen Sink
  • 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!