A place for everything and for everything a place.
Sound familiar? It’s a mantra for most organized people that I’ve tried to adapt for myself.
The problem for me is that I’m often baffled by what location I should put things. I tend to be more right brained than left, so there are always multiple options.
Store the party supplies that I use once or twice a year in my cupboard that I use daily? Why not?
Keep my receipts near my desk, or on top of the microwave, or in the filing cabinet? Sure.
It can be a problem. So while at the Dollar Tree the other day, I had some inspiration. Why not create spaces for items using Dollar Store containers and labels? Then I will always know where my receipts are and maybe I’ll find another location for those party supplies, so I can find Customize Balloons.
I returned from the Dollar Store with this:
Can you spot the super helpful adorable one year old?
I am also incredibly motivated by deadlines. It’s possible I get this from my Mom, along with a lot of other great qualities – I hope. (By the way, find out how my Mom solved her linen organization with just one trip to the Dollar Store.)
So, I decided to give myself ONE HOUR to see how many problem areas I could tackle in the time period. (This, of course, did not include the half an hour that it took for me to find those super cute chalkboard labels that I had put somewhere. True story. Turns out I should have purchased a Chalkboard Label Container while at the Dollar Store.)
Once, I finally found those super cute chalkboard labels, I made a list of problem areas that needed to be addressed:
In hind sight, it would have made more sense to make this list before my visit to the Dollar Tree. Oops.
Then – with the help of my 5 year old – the hour of Project Organization began.
And when the hour was up, this was the result:
Those infamous party supplies now have a place and a label. And I am giving them a new home in my basement.
Time: 5 minutes
My new Under-the-Sink organization. This also resulted in trashing a few cleaners that have been around much longer than their expiration dates recommends. Score!
Time: 10 minutes
Because this is much cuter than any old cardboard box.
This was my favorite solution. My Personal Care products/Free Samples closet had gotten ugly. (I spared you the before pictures.) Locating anything had gotten a little hairy. These containers solved the problem and also motivated me to throw out a few expired products and put together a new donation bag.
Time: 15 minutes
This was my 5 year old’s contribution to the project. He has a few more left brained tendencies than I do and was thrilled to help. And these containers are so much more awesome than the baggies and old wipes container that were previously responsible for storage.
Time: 10 minutes (in 5 year old time)
This random collection of things was taking residence in the bottom of afore-mentioned cupboard in a very haphazard manner. I also discovered a collection of plastic knives the size of China. Because really – who uses plastic knives???
I got rid of 90% of the knives along with a collection of old menu planning resources that are approximately 10 years old – and no longer necessary due to that beautiful thing called Pinterest.
Time: 10 minutes
About those receipts. I now have a location for them. Now to determine where this cute little thing should be kept? Any tips?
Time: 5 minutes
I have always given myself a little grace when it comes to drawers. I mean – the term junk drawer was created for a reason.
But I’m kind of in love with my new system for this drawer. Now I might actually be able to find a paper clip when I need one!
Time: 10 minutes
Time elapsed: 65 minutes
Problem areas solved: 7
Feeling of Accomplishment: Priceless
How about you? Do you like to organize with Dollar Store items? Share your tips in the comments!
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I got $ store bins for my shelves in the pantry in several sizes. I was astonished the noodles did not fit in the smaller bin, had to keep going larger. wound up putting them in an orange crate and labeling it ‘spaghetti’, since that was too big I added all the tomato sauces. Gluten Free noodles are expensive so when they had them 2 boxes/99cents I really loaded up.
For the top shelves I put bins on trays, used bungee cords to keep the trays from coming all the way out. attached a ribbon to the tray and let it hang down. When I want something from the bin I pull the ribbon and the tray comes out of the shelf and tips down and I remove the bin. If you do this have your hand up here to catch it. When done I put the bin back on the tray an push it onto the shelf.
Hello. Great job! You’re hard work and good thinking has paid off. I keep my receipts book in the side door of my car. It’s easily accessible and I don’t forget where I put it. I have them categorized by month (tax purposes) and the most recent receipt goes at the back; they end up in chronological order that way.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the tips. These are good ideas. I like taking coffee cups and using them as pencil holders and art pencils. I also like to use the baskets to store my medicine in and use it for hair and feet products. I love the Dollar Store.
with little ones in the house, keep washer tabs and dishwasher tabs up where they can’t reach. Too many of them have been mistaken for candy by the curious until too late, especially if you keep them in a colorful container.
I would say to keep receipts in your glove compartment in your vehicle. You always drive to the store right??
I did organize under my kitchen sink with dollar store bins, Metal cleaners, regular cleaners, dishwasher tabs, dish rags, etc. lucky for me, the garbage disposal sprung a leak and instead of water ruining the bottom of the cabinet, it collected in the plastic bin.
Attach either magnets or Belcourt adequate to the back of that cute folder holding your receipts and put it on the side of your frig.
I put my Receipt File in between the driver seat & the drink holder, but you could put it in the storage cubby in the driver door. Either way, it’s within reach so you can just put in there right away once you get back in the car. No more having to think about it later or trying to remember to get it back to the car when you need to return something
Great ideas. I love The Dollar Tree.
What to do with your receipts depends on what you want to do with them and which ones you want to save. Scanning and saving to your computer seems best. I would only keep receipts for things that might be returned or major purchases that would involve a warranty. Gas, groceries, restaurants etc. are tossed immediately. If you want to keep them all Quicken can save them directly to the transaction. Very tidy and easy to find.
Wanted to leave you a suggestion on where to store your receipt file because I have this problem…I usually throw them in my console box in the car (the one in the middle of the seat). And boy is it junkie! I plan on organizing it in the file folder and keeping it in there and that way you always know where they are after coming from the store.
I just found your blog via pinterest and upon seeing your “to do” notepad I am now thinking I have found a blogger and organizer who is a kindred spirit!
Just a visitor. But wow your cupboards etc must be gigantic leaps ahead of my messy ones! Cause no way could I do 7 oganizational projects in an hour. I wouldn’t have it all out of the cupboard in an hour!
Some great ideas. Thanks so much!
Unless you need the physical receipt for some reason, snap a picture or scan with your smart phone, then toss the paper copy!