Guest Author - Emily Wilska
Tired of trekking through the cold and snow this winter? Make the most of your time in the great indoors by taking on a few seasonal organizing projects. You'll clear out some clutter, bring a bit more order to your space, and, come spring, will have more time to be outside celebrating the season. Here are four ideas to get you started.
#1: Weed out unneeded winter clothes
Chances are good that if there are winter clothes you haven't worn yet this season, you're not bound to wear them before April rolls around. (One exception might be specialized sports clothing, such as ski gear, on the off chance you've not yet hit the slopes this season.) Take some time this month to sort through things like sweaters, jackets, scarves, gloves, and hats. Donate the items you're not wearing (but that are still in good condition) to a local charity, shelter, or public service agency, which can pass them along to someone in need. A bonus: clearing out unneeded winter clothes now will make the process of transitioning to your spring wardrobe much easier, as you won't have to wade through the clutter of unworn sweaters and jackets.
#2: Collect papers for tax prep
Tax time might still seem a long way off, but it will creep up you before you know it. Avoid the 11th-hour mad dash to gather the information you'll need to file your return by starting to collect that stuff now. Get a jump on this year's tax prep by gathering together all of the financial papers you might need to refer to this tax season (such as bank statements, receipts, and 1099s or W-2s), then start planning now for what you'll do with the extra time you have come April.
#3: Do a fridge and pantry purge
Whether or not "eat right" is one of your 2009 resolutions, clearing your kitchen of unhealthy, expired, and otherwise undesirable foods will make it easier to feed yourself and your family well. Go through your fridge, freezer, and pantry and toss foods that are past their prime, as well as anything you're unlikely to eat. Give away unopened, unexpired, non-perishable items to friends, neighbors, or your local food bank.
#4: Clear off your computer desktop
If you can't remember the last time you saw your computer desktop, or can't identify more than half of what's stored there, it's time for some cleaning. Spend some time figuring out what's there, deleting any files you don't need, and sorting things like documents and photos into a few simple folders. You'll improve the performance of your computer and will make it easier to find what you need.
