Spring is just around the corner and with it comes the annual rite of spring cleaning. With some people still spending more time at home due to the pandemic, now is the optimal time to get organized and finally declutter your home to create a more relaxing atmosphere. These useful tips can help whether you decide to clear out one room or the entire house. If it seems too overwhelming, start small and work your way up. A cleaner, more organized home is one way to create a worry-free environment that the entire family can enjoy.

Use boxes. If you want to start small, try this quick trick. Get three boxes and label them: trash, donate, keep. Pick one room and place items into one of the boxes. Not only  will you get rid of items you really do not need or use, therefore reducing clutter, but this is an opportunity to put them in the correct room. (dishes in the kitchen, books in the library, etc.)

Clothes. This is where organizing gets real. Too often, we have clothes that no longer fit or we just do not like anymore. Start by putting them on the bed and sort them into four piles: keep, donate, store, and trash. Keep anything you have worn in the last few month, donate the ones you never wear, store off season clothing at the back of the closet or boxes, and throw out anything that is torn, mismatched, or stained beyond repair.

Dead technology. Technology has come a long way and music has gone from eight tracks and cassette tapes to online streaming. During our last move, I personally realized how many items we unnecessarily keep. This is a good time to throw out old phone lines, outdated phones (both cell phones and landline phones), even CD and tape players, unless you still use them.

Books. I have an extensive book collection, but every now and then I purge it. Get rid of any duplicates or any that you have read but do not have sentimental value. Pass them on so someone else can enjoy them. Currently, organizations such as libraries, schools, and nursing homes are not taking donations due to COVID, so it is advisable to call ahead. If all else fails, recycle them.

Duplicates. Hoarding alert! We are all guilty of this. How many glasses, coffee mugs or spoons do we really need? Take inventory of what you have and how many of each you need. You will be surprised at how much space you have after you throw out that broken blender you have already replaced.

Paperwork. With more people working from home, the home office has seen better days. Aside from important documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses and diplomas, most paperwork can be stored digitally. Sort paperwork into shred, file, or recycle. Physical files can then be stored in boxes or filing cabinets.  

Sentimental items, collections.  If you have a DVD collection that you use often, sell or donate any extras. Same goes for your CD collection. Sentimental items such as old toys, mementos, and pictures can be difficult to part with, so choose one item that reminds you of a specific person and put together a couple of photo albums filled with your absolute favorite pictures instead of keeping hundreds of them. That is, if you still have hard copies of pictures.

One in, one out. After all the time and effort put into organizing and clearing the clutter, it is tempting to fall back into old habits. This is one tip that has worked for me in the past: one in, one out. For every new item you bring into your home, get rid of another. Make it either something that should be trashed, or, if it is still useful, pass it on to someone who needs it. I never like to throw out anything that someone else might need.

Do not buy containers or organizers until you purge. Once you have cleared out all the clutter and duplicates, you know for sure what kind of organizational tools you need. This tip can save you time and money by making sure you only buy what you need.

If items such as jewelry, watches and handbags are in good condition and can be sold, why not consider a service like Chapes-JPL. Chapes-JPL has been in business for over 40 years and is an alternative to banks and traditional pawnbrokers because they provide low interest loans on gold, diamonds, jewelry, watches, and other valuable assets. With offices in Atlanta, Georgia, they service over 18,000 customers nationwide. They conduct business by appointment only in private, upscale offices like an attorney, CPA or doctor’s office in a safe, comfortable, and discreet environment. Whether you want to sell your jewelry or receive gold loans online in Atlanta to cover accidents or hospital expenses, divorces, need fast cash to cover rent and car payments, or are a business owner in need of money for these tough times, Chapes-JPL can help.

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