Organizing Checklist for February

January was a busy month. The aftermath of the holidays and the beginning of a new year creates much activity. February is not so hectic and should allow time for creativity to chase away the frigid temperatures. This month’s focus will be on the Books, DVDs, Cookbooks and Hobbies.
Reminders for Each Week (can include the new organizing strategies for this month)
• Remove one bag of items
• Eliminate one hour of electronics
• Clean and organize one drawer
• Clean and organize one cabinet or closet
• Remove back issues of catalogues, magazines and newspapers.

• If you have not done so already, clean out the file folders, update the yearly budget, and shred unwanted financial papers. Only this year’s information and legal documents should be kept in your nearby reference files.

• Clear the bookshelves of fiction you have already read and reference books. It is unlikely you will reread fiction and reference books become outdated quickly. Use the Internet to keep up to date on those topics.

• Cull the cookbook collection and consider online sites for new recipe ideas. Save only those with recipes you continually use or those with sentimental value.

• Sort through videos and CDs and remove those no longer used. Let’s face it, if you haven’t run them in the last couple of years, you probably will not. Our tastes in music and movies change over the years. Sell or pass them on to someone who wants them.

• Make the most of indoor time by finishing up indoor decorating projects and/or enjoying time on indoor hobbies. Sort through your supplies and remove those no longer useful. For more details on organizing hobbies and crafts, here is a link to my notes on it. http://organizingtipsfromorderlyplaces.blogspot.com/2009/08/crafting-can-get-crazy.html

• Begin planning for early spring activities. Buy seeds, sharpen garden and lawn tools.

• Make preliminary plans for spring or summer vacations. Early reservations are usually less expensive. Insure all travel tickets.

Stay warm.  This cold weather has to end sometime!