After sharing a ton of ways to organize here over the last month, today I’m going to share my absolute most-embarrassing post ever including pictures of my disastrous closet. Believe it or not, it’s stayed *manageable* for two years since I initially posted this, although it could use a little fluffing! If you’re looking for some motivation to get started on those big projects that just seem overwhelming, here you go. . . 

Originally posted in October 2010

I realized recently as I looked at the daunting task of re-organizing my closet that there was no way I had the few hours of time it would take to accomplish such a monstrous challenge.   So I started thinking . . . what if instead I set aside just 15 minutes each day to tackle the job?  Now you need to understand,  my closet was a disaster . . . completely unbelievable . . . we haven’t cleaned it out in FIVE YEARS! And while I’m pretty good about keeping the rest of my house tidy (well, as tidy as three kids and a messy hubby allow), I had pretty much given up on even starting this mess!

I can’t believe I’m sharing this with actual real live people, but here’s how it looked when I started . . .  please know that the rest of my house really isn’t this bad . . . it’s just our horrible closet . . . and no one EVER is allowed in there . . . well, except now all of you reading this . . . WHY AM I SHARING THIS WITH YOU??? (I’ll stop babbling now. . .)  [Read more...]

Okie dokie guys, in the last few days of this 25 Days to a More Organized You series, we’re finally going to talk about how to organize coupons. (EEK!)  While I love clipping coupons, adore saving money, and penny pinching is undoubtedly one of my favorite hobbies, I really don’t like spending hours organizing coupons all that much ~ I just don’t have time for it!  Because of that, I’ve personally tried just about every method of organizing coupons on the planet, and will share the good, the bad, and the ugly of a few different methods with you.

Most importantly though, there is no one right way to organize coupons, and you may switch quite a bit as you go! This first post is a video that I shared of my coupon binder a little over a year ago, and while it worked for quite awhile, I’ve switched methods again (I’m just fickle that way!)  See below to watch the video (please be patient with this penny-pinchin’ nerd as you watch!), and then I’ll share my thoughts at the end. . .

The good:

•  I love my coupon binder when couponing at stores that don’t keep a very detailed sales ad up each week. If you regularly shop Walmart, Kroger, Target or another store that frequently has “extra” deals in their stores that aren’t included in the weekly ad, you’ll be able to score extra deals because all of your coupons will be with you when you shop, and hopefully you can easily find what you’re looking for.
• It’s easy to sort out which coupons are expired by keeping the expiration dates folded towards the front of each baseball card holder. It usually took me about ten minutes to quickly get rid of expired coupons at the end of each month. 
• If you clip multiples of the same coupon (approximately more than 4), it’s very easy to keep them all managed here together so that you won’t lose track of what you have on hand.

The bad:

• It’s time-consuming, and if you don’t manage your coupons very regularly, it very quickly becomes overwhelming. If you can dedicate 1-2 hours per week to this method, I’m betting you can keep it up, but for me it just got to be more than I could handle on a regular basis.
• If you don’t get lots of multiples of each coupon (and consider yourself more of a “strategic shopper” rather than “extreme couponer”), your binder may be full of places for every coupon, but you may have a single coupon in each tiny slot. Filling those slots can take quite a bit of time, and gets to be frustrating for just one or two coupons.

The ugly:

• Not everyone will agree with me (and that’s totally okay!), but for some of us not-always-so-organized penny pinchers this can become more work than it’s worth. For me, I constantly felt behind, and because I rely so much on a store’s sales ad to show me what deals are available, I even felt like I missed deals in that big ole’ binder because I wasn’t as focused on the sales ad.  While this method is definitely a favorite of many folks, at least at this point in my life I’m taking a break and trying to use only printable coupons. (I’ll share how I’m organizing those tomorrow.) So far, I’m loving it, and am probably happier right now with how my coupons are managed than I’ve ever been. It may not work for everyone, but it’s been a great happy medium for me!

Soooooo . . . how do you organize coupons and what tips do you have for any new couponers out there? I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions, as I am definitely always looking to learn a few new tricks!

Looking for more tips on organizing? Check these out. . .

• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 1: Stop Procrastinating
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 2: Handling Paper Clutter
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 3: Set Up a Spot For Kids Artwork
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 4: Simplify Lunch Duty
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 5: Shine the Sink (I promise, it works!)
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 6: How To Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day One}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 7: How to Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day Two}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 8: Menu Planning
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 9: Create a Command Center
• 25 Days to a More OrganizedYou Day 10: What Do You Need In Your Kitchen?
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 11: The Spice Cabinet
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 12: The Medicine Cabinet
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 13: Laundry Room Makeover
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 14: The Junk Drawer
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 15: Clean Out Your Car
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 16: Clear Your Inbox
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 17: Clean The Pantry {Part 1}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 18: Clean The Pantry {Part 2}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 19: Organize Your Paint Supplies
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 20: Clean The Pantry {Part 3}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 21: The Tupperware Drawer

Today’s organizing post is one that I shared last Spring on how to organize the tupperware drawer. When Jennifer asked about how to organize the tupperware drawer over on the PPP Facebook page, I knew this was one we all struggle with! Hopefully it’ll help you get yours under control also!

For years I’ve been hoping to have my hubby add dividers in a few large drawers in our kitchen, however it wasn’t a project that was all that high up on his list. (Don’t you hate it when your list and his list don’t exactly match up?)

However, when I saw this smart idea on Pinterest, I decided even I could handle this one (all by myself!) I made a quick run to our brand-spankin’ new Target for the rods (which cost $4.83 each), and spent about ten minutes setting them in place . . . WOOHOO! (I’m betting you could get them even cheaper at Hobby Lobby using a 40% off coupon.)

Here are a few other ideas clever uses for tension rods:

• Spice Cabinet Storage (what a great idea!)
• Pantry Dividers
• Wrapping Paper Organizer
• Organized Pots & Pans

Looking for more tips on organizing? Check these out. . .

• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 1: Stop Procrastinating
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 2: Handling Paper Clutter
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 3: Set Up a Spot For Kids Artwork
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 4: Simplify Lunch Duty
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 5: Shine the Sink (I promise, it works!)
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 6: How To Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day One}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 7: How to Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day Two}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 8: Menu Planning
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 9: Create a Command Center
• 25 Days to a More OrganizedYou Day 10: What Do You Need In Your Kitchen?
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 11: The Spice Cabinet
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 12: The Medicine Cabinet
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 13: Laundry Room Makeover
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 14: The Junk Drawer
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 15: Clean Out Your Car
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 16: Clear Your Inbox
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 17: Clean The Pantry {Part 1}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 18: Clean The Pantry {Part 2}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 19: Organize Your Paint Supplies
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 20: Clean The Pantry {Part 3}

Create a bin for your paint supplies. It’ll really make your life easier when you decide to paint. (However organizing it a bit more than mine is a great idea . . . I’ve got to find the tops to those cans of spray paint because one went off and was spraying paint everywhere . . . eek!)

Tomorrow I’ll finish the 3rd part of cleaning out your pantry . . . a 2-hour school delay, way to many posts to do, and busy afternoon schedule got the best of me today! If you have other tips on keeping up with paint supplies (I’m betting y’all do way better than me . . . ) please leave a comment to share.

• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 1: Stop Procrastinating
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 2: Handling Paper Clutter
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 3: Set Up a Spot For Kids Artwork
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 4: Simplify Lunch Duty
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 5: Shine the Sink (I promise, it works!)
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 6: How To Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day One}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 7: How to Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day Two}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 8: Menu Planning
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 9: Create a Command Center
• 25 Days to a More OrganizedYou Day 10: What Do You Need In Your Kitchen?
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 11: The Spice Cabinet
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 12: The Medicine Cabinet
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 13: Laundry Room Makeover
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 14: The Junk Drawer
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 15: Clean Out Your Car
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 16: Clear Your Inbox
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 17: Clean The Pantry {Part 1}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 18: Clean The Pantry {Part 2}

Can I just start by sharing that I have absolutely no business teaching anyone how to organize anything? To say I’m mortified to share this picture is an understatement, but now that it’s all cleaned up I’m hoping it’ll motivate you to get your cupboards cleaned out too. This is the cabinet in our pantry where all the “extras” go, and I don’t know that I’ve cleaned it out in at least a few years. Needless to say, it was time!

(Will you please remember as you see this that I have three crazy busy kiddos, run a small website, and am completely scatter-brained? Yikes . . .this is just awful but I’m running out of cupboards to clean so we must be heading in the right direction!)

Here’s the before (completely un-edited, obviously . . .)

And the after . . .

I donated a ton of cookbooks . . . there are so many that I don’t use at all, and it felt so good to get those cleared off the shelves. Like many folks I primarily hunt down recipes online, so the extra clutter isn’t worth it except for the books I really do love.

I did keep out a few favorites that I’d really like to use soon . . . 

Here are a few favorite cookbooks that I did keep (which I highly recommend. . .)

• Hershey’s Chocolate Lover’s Cookbook
• Hershey’s Recipe Collection in 5-Ring Binder (5 Ring Binder Cookbook)
• Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book: Food Gifts from Your Kitchen (Better Homes & Gardens Plaid)
• Weber’s Real Grilling: Over 200 Original Recipes
• Fat Free & Ultra Lowfat Recipes: Over 175 Delicious Guilt-Free Recipes–No Butter, No Oil, No Margarine
• Fat Free 2: More Fat Free and Ultra Low Fat Recipes – No Butter, No Oil, No Margarine
• The Claudia Sanders Dinner House of Shelbyville, Kentucky, cookbook

Your turn now! If your pantry needs it, determine to spend the next few days really getting it cleaned out. Take on bite-sized pieces each day, and I promise it’ll feel so good to have it all done. I can’t wait to hear how you do, and if you have any tips on cleaning out the pantry, I’d love for you to leave a comment to share!

Looking for more ways to get organized? See previous 25 Days to a More Organized You:

• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 1: Stop Procrastinating
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 2: Handling Paper Clutter
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 3: Set Up a Spot For Kids Artwork
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 4: Simplify Lunch Duty
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 5: Shine the Sink (I promise, it works!)
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 6: How To Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day One}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 7: How to Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day Two}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 8: Menu Planning
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 9: Create a Command Center
• 25 Days to a More OrganizedYou Day 10: What Do You Need In Your Kitchen? 
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 11: The Spice Cabinet
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 12: The Medicine Cabinet
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 13: Laundry Room Makeover
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 14: The Junk Drawer
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 15: Clean Out Your Car
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 16: Clear Your Inbox
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 17: Clean The Pantry {Part 1}

Know what I love? Abundance. I’ve been couponing seriously for six or seven years, but even now when I open my cupboards to a full stocked pantry, I can’t help but get a tiny adrenaline rush. (Have I mentioned lately I’m a penny pinching nerd?)

While our family really has always had enough, there were so many days prior to couponing when we had just enough. Because we’ve always tried to live within our means, there were many days when it was all I could do to stretch our grocery budget from paycheck to paycheck, but there really wasn’t plenty.

So, I’m not going to complain one tiny bit about cleaning out my bulging pantry. (Really, who can complain about that?) Instead, we’ll spend the next three  days getting the pantry cleaned out, and hopefully you’ll do a little pantry clearing out too. I’d love to hear how you do (and you can send me an email also if you’d like to share your pics!)  While it’s great to organize simply to have some control over the clutter in your home, organizing is also so important so that you can shop wisely at the grocery store. (More details on that tomorrow. . .)

Enough chit chat, here’s just how bad it was (go right ahead and prepare to be shocked at this disaster . . .)

Before. . . 

YIKES! Why on earth do I show this stuff with you all???

After. . . 

Tip: My kids brought home cardboard standing magazine files last year from school, which help keep our pasta boxes from toppling over. I also love this smart tip for organizing canned goods (perfect with all those great Coca Cola sales at CVS this week!)

And here are a few items I found to donate .. . those bottles of Grape Juice have been in there since New Year’s 2012, but no one in my family will drink the stuff, so surely our church’s food pantry can find a new home for it!

Your turn now! If your pantry needs it, determine to spend the next few days really getting it cleaned out. Take on bite-sized pieces each day, and I promise it’ll feel so good to have it all done. I can’t wait to hear how you do, and if you have any tips on cleaning out the pantry, I’d love for you to leave a comment to share!

Looking for more ways to get organized? See previous 25 Days to a More Organized You:

• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 1: Stop Procrastinating
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 2: Handling Paper Clutter
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 3: Set Up a Spot For Kids Artwork
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 4: Simplify Lunch Duty
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 5: Shine the Sink (I promise, it works!)
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 6: How To Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day One}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 7: How to Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day Two}
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 8: Menu Planning
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 9: Create a Command Center
• 25 Days to a More OrganizedYou Day 10: What Do You Need In Your Kitchen? 
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 11: The Spice Cabinet
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 12: The Medicine Cabinet
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 13: Laundry Room Makeover
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 14: The Junk Drawer
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 15: Clean Out Your Car
• 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 16: Clear Your Inbox