There are many benefits of organization that go beyond having a clean house. In fact, organizing can do SO much for you. It can make your days run smoother, your mind clearer and can save you some serious cash.
Here are four of the main areas you should organize if you want to save money.
# 1 – Your Food Storage
Have you ever opened up your refrigerator full of food and claimed that you have nothing to eat? I’m willing to bet that you’ve done this more than once and that if you have kids you’ve seen them do it over and over.
If your refrigerator, freezer and cabinets are filled with food in an unorganized and hard to reach way, you probably buy the same items over and over without realizing it and are letting some of your food expire.
Organizing your food storage in a way that’s easily accessible for everyone will help you use up what you have.
Also, if you have a lot of produce go to waste immediately wash it and put it on the counter or in containers the next time you go grocery shopping. Every time I take the time to wash and store the fruit in a way that is appealing to my kids it gets eaten up much faster.
If you want some creative ideas on organized food storage check out this article from I Heart Organizing.
# 2 – Your Closet
If you’ve caught yourself exclaiming that you have nothing to wear there’s a good chance you’re dealing with an unorganized closet. Instead of running out and buying yourself a new outfit spend some time going through your clothes.
Get rid of everything that doesn’t fit you and that you don’t like.
When your closet is filled with only clothes that you actually like and wear getting dressed in the morning will be SO much easier.
Here are some great tips from Living Well Spending Less on organizing your closet.
# 3 – Your Kid’s Toys
My kids receive way too many toys as gifts from well-meaning family members and many of them are never even used. This is especially true when their toys are a jumbled up mess. When my kids and I take the time to organize their belongings and group like items together they get played with so much more.
Plus, toy organization means no stepping on random Legos or My Little Pony’s strewn about the floor.
Here are some creative ways to store kid’s toys from Kids Activities Blog.
# 4 – Your Paperwork/Bill Paying System
Of course, this list couldn’t be complete without an organized paperwork station.
Having your bill paying system organized and your paperwork pared down will lead to so much more peace when it comes to finances.
Developing your own system will help you always know what your bank balance is, what bills are paid, which need to be paid and help you track other important documents.
I keep my finances organized by using a basket as a catch all.
The checkbook and register, calculator, envelopes, stamps and a folder are all in the basket. When I check the mail I immediately go through it and pitch the junk mail and put the bills in the basket. As I collect debit card receipts throughout the week they’re also thrown in the basket.
Then, once per week, I sit down and record my receipts and pay the bills. Important papers (like bank statements and tax forms) go in the folder and everything else is shredded and thrown away.
It’s a simple system but is highly effective for my family.
You could try a system like this or use a budget binder like this one from Just a Girl and Her Blog.
Getting Organized WILL Save You Money
It can be hard to make the organization saving money connection but I promise you it’s there. When you get organized you’ll be aware of what you have, will buy less, won’t misplace bills and will have a much clearer mind.
Do you feel like organization saves you money?
Alexa Mason is a freelance writer and wanna be internet entrepreneur. She is also a newly single mom to two beautiful little girls. She chronicles her journey as a single mom trying to make it big at www.singlemomsincome.com.