School is well under way for most students now!  Backpacks are purchased, new shoes are sized, hair cuts are had, and first day outfits have been worn.

Now, after two weeks of school, do you still know where those backpacks, shoes and new jeans ARE?!

In order to STAY organized, we absolutely MUST have a place for everything, and put everything in it’s place!  This month really got away from me, as you can see by the delay in the newsletter and blog post!  The fall is a busy time for everyone, whether you’re “celebrating” back to school or not, and it’s a great time to organize a few small areas of your home.

First, the “landing place”.  This is the spot in your home where everything seems to land when you all walk in the door.  Is it the front room?  Kitchen table or counter?  Bedrooms?  Wherever your landing pad is, you need to have designated areas for things like: mail, keys, sunglasses, purse or wallet, backpacks, etc.

Mail can sometimes be the bane of my existence – I might not get to sorting it right away and it piles up!  I have taught myself that I really don’t like it when there is a pile so I have to deal with it right away!  File papers in a “to-do” or “to-pay” folder, toss the junk, and put away the magazines!  When you receive a new monthly, recycle the old one – yes, even if you’re not totally done reading it!  It’s ok, I promise.

Find a hook or shelf for purses and backpacks and always put them back. It only takes a minute to do this and it will save you so much time later. Stop the endless morning search for your belongings!  A small basket for KEYS ONLY.  Don’t put your chapstick in there.  No coins.  Do not empty your receipts in there. You can create other homes for those things.  Let your key basket be for your keys only.  A place for everything and everything in it’s own place.