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Organize Thyself!More Tips From The Well-Stocked LifeThis month in Today’s Charlotte Woman, we highlighted the items you should have on hand to be prepared for almost anything — from what to keep in the trunk of your car to which great dinner music albums should be on your i-Pod! Organizing experts agree that storing these items in a convenient manner that suits your lifestyle and needs is a big part of getting organized and being prepared. Here, we share more tips on how to store essential household items and records and outline other important documents you will want to make sure you have in a secure place in your home. Contain ItFinding storage solutions for records, craft items, and even cleaning supplies is key to staying organized and prepared. Storage boxes, bins, envelopes, and notebooks are available in a wide array of configurations, designs, and sizes and may be purchased at home improvement stores, container outlets, and even drugstores and grocery store chains. You can really find organizing items just about anywhere, from Big Lots to Walmart. It just depends on what you want to spend and how important the decorative piece of the organizing process is to the individual. Some of my favorite stores for storage solutions are Pier 1, Pottery Barn, West Elm, and World Market. All of the following items may be found at these stores and other retailers: decorative storage baskets and boxes (for the shelf, closet, under bed); storage cubes; modular units; utility bins; magazine butlers; stacking drawers; expandable file folders (for personal documents, receipts, coupons); and music CD and DVD storage boxes with covers. TJ Maxx and Marshalls carry decorative, wood, and leather-bound storage and organizing supplies. Another popular material to organize with is a mesh, woven metal, or hard plastic organizers that can be decorative or simply utilitarian. Target has very good storage supplies at reasonable price points, as do Staples and Office Depot (which have the best selection of expandable folders, file folders, tabs, and label makers). Document DetailsOne of the best things you can do for yourself is to organize your important documents. In the January issue of Today’s Charlotte Woman, we shared a basic list of documents you should have stored in a secure location in your home. That list included the following items:
Add these important papers to that list:
When it comes to how to store these important papers, organization and ease of access is key. For example, home and car deeds may be filed together and are best stored in a fireproof lock box in the home, or in a safe deposit box. Social Security cards should be in a safe place within your wallet or storage box in your home, along with birth certificates. A good way to file birth certificates is in a labeled file inside of a file cabinet or storage box with a labeled top or tab. (Insider tip: If you don’t have a copy of your birth certificate, here in Charlotte, you can file for a new birth certificate at the Vital Records Department of the Walton Building, County Services. A nominal fee is charged.) Although originals of your important papers and documents are essential, it’s a good idea to have some information scanned and saved on a USB drive, labeled and stored in a storage box. Getting yourself organized is a great way to start the year and will save you time in the long run — when you need an important document, you’ll know right were to look. Organizational guru Manette Morrow is owner of The Perfect Assistant. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to learn more about her services. |
