I realized that trying to unclutter a house takes time. As they say slow and steady gets the job done. So I will take all of this slow and plan on getting my house organized before christmas gets here! I've got so many ideas, so I'll make a list of the things that needs to get done and the items I will need to do the job. I will take it one room at a time. The first room will be the living room. Since this is where everyone is most of the time, I will make sure that everything can be found when we need to find it. I have so much stuff that I need to throw away, but have decided to just have a garage sale. While I was searching for tips on how to organize this is what I found that was really helpful. Hope this will get everyone else motivated as well!

          The best times to get those plastic boxes and organizing tools is during the clearance sales. Like after Christmas, usually about 4 weeks after, you can pick up those boxes with the red and green lids for almost 75% off. Also the ones with the orange lids will be on clearance after Halloween. Baskets that you can use for storage will be on sale after Easter. You can also pick up organizing tools during back-to-school sales and especially after when they're on the clearance shelf.

Transform a pantry wasteland of cans, bottles, boxes, and other containers by employing plastic bins that will make it possible to scan the pantry at a glance. For example, stash baking supplies in bins and label them accordingly — decorations, cookie cutters, etc.

A three-tiered plastic shelf is a simple tool that makes it possible to spot every item in a deep cabinet.

Vanishing lids: A common problem in the kitchen — the tops and bottoms of plastic containers stacked in a haphazard heap. As a result, piles of lids often tumble helter-skelter and become wedged into a corner cabinet, where they can prevent a lazy Susan from rotating. Solution: Store lids in one of the larger plastic containers. (A plate rack also works for storing narrow items like lids and trivets.)

If you're short on space, look up. Build shelves over a desk or above kitchen cabinets.

Keep only essentials close at hand. Items used once a year, like the turkey platter, can be stored.

Get rid of dishes, glasses, and vases that you haven't used in ages. If you can't part with them, put them in a bin labeled EXTRA KITCHEN ITEMS and store the bin in the attic.

The classic kitchen junk drawer is a disaster zone of loose change, scissors, string, and old grocery lists tossed together — with a tangle of mystery objects lurking in the back. Install drawer dividers that make it easy to group small objects. Stow tape, keys, gum, etc., in separate sections.

Always scrambling to find a pencil? Hang a small basket on the wall next to the telephone and use it to hold pens and a handful of small notepads. That way, you can jot down directions or notes while you're on the phone, then tuck the notepad into your purse if you need to.

Recycle the extras: Your old eyeglasses can go to people in need. Many stores and opticians will forward donations to the Lions Club, which distributes them to low-income patients.

Household Tips

Look at each piece of incoming mail once and discard junk, and file others immediately. Consider making files for bills, "to do" mail (school flyers, forms, etc) and immediate attention mail. This way, you will always know where everything is.

Put a garbage can in every bedroom and in the family room. Encourage family members to toss what they don't need instead of making piles to look at later. (Which often never gets done).

Organize toys and games in clear boxes and tell your children that they must put away one toy in its proper place before taking out another. If they listen half the time, you'll still be in better shape then you are now.

Consider a bulletin board to post party invitations, flyers, etc, to avoid having papers fly off your refrigerator every time you open the door.

Keep coupons in an envelope in the car. You'll never forget them again.

Post a large calendar in the kitchen and have family members write down all their engagements, lessons, etc, in one place.

Post a list of emergency numbers near every phone.

Rather then saving entire magazines, which tend to become cluttered, tear out articles you eant to read, and recycle the magazines.

Assign each family member a hook and a basket in the front closet or mud room. Hang coats on the same hook each day. Put shoes, backpacks, etc. in their baskets to avoid having to search for them.

Keep a running grocery list on the bulletin board and when you discover you need something, add it to the list. This way you will not have to do a list from memory before you go to the grocery store.