Changing seasons bring about the opportunity – and sometimes the necessity – to reorganize the house.
Victoria Pericon, a family lifestyle expert, offers a few tips to help us S-T-O-P and take a different approach to orga-
nizing and economizing our households this year.
Swap stories, clothes
With growing children, each season can mean a change of wardrobe. If a trip to the mall isn’t in the budget, organize a “Frock Swap” with friends to exchange their children’s outgrown clothing for outfits that will fit your children. It’s fun, and it can save families a lot of money.
Toss it in the recycle bin
Sometimes it’s the little things that tend to pile up and create a mess. Instead of throwing away old papers, magazines and mail, recycle it. If your area doesn’t offer a recycling program, but your employer does, shred and bag up your paper items and take them to work to toss them.
Organize for efficiency
If you lose things, you have to spend money unnecessarily to replace them. When things that get regular use end up spread all over the house, everything from crayons and pens to hair ties and even batteries seem to disappear. Drawer organizers work wonders for corralling smaller items. If your family goes through a lot of batteries, consider buying rechargeable batteries, which are a convenient, economical and reusable source of power. A good charger will keep them all together, and some chargers are designed to charge a combination of sizes and are stylish enough to leave sitting out on a desk or counter.
Purge unused toys
As children get older, the number of neglected toys can pile up. Resale shops are a great option, because you can get rid of old toys, while getting some money out of them. Or, you can donate them to a local charity or children’s center. You can take a write-off for the value of the donation, and it’s a great way to teach children the importance of sharing with those less fortunate. It’s also a great way for grown-ups to get rid of unused “toys” like exercise equipment that is collecting dust.
