Organizing for Retirement - Less Clutter For More Clarity

Not being able to find something you know you have at home is a sure-fire way to feel old. A cluttered closet, desk or room is sure to frustrate you. It clutters the mind as well as your home. Think of your mind as a file cabinet... If it's overstuffed, you can't find the information you need. The best way to avoid these senior moments is to reduce the clutter at home and organize your stuff in a way that is intuitive.

Where to start?

Here’s a three-step plan for reducing clutter and increasing clarity:

Step #1: Clean out your clutter.

Get rid of items you don’t use. A general rule of thumb, if you haven’t used it in the last two years, you don’t need it. Whether you sell them, toss them, or give them to family, friends and charities, freeing yourself from clutter will take years off you mentally.

Put your clean up on a schedule. Resolve that each week you will have cleared out a particular area such as your closet, desk, laundry room, etc.

Because many of us have a hard time parting with our possessions, here are some tips for increasing your mental clarity by reducing clutter.

Establish four "piles" of items. Put them in an out-of-the-way location in your house (a garage is ideal):

• Toss: Try to put these in the trash right away.

• Donate: Make a list and take each week to the Goodwill or other non-profit center nearest you.

• Gift: Items you want to give to friends, family or the homeless.

• Sell: Items you want to sell on ebay, craigslist, consignment retailer or aution house.

What to do with the piles? For the toss pile, you can call one of the junk removal services. But they tend to be expensive and you need to supervise them. Call Salvation Army or a local non-profit for the donate pile. Ask your friends and family over to pick up their gift items. You can sell items by taking them to auction.com or selling them yourself on ebay or craigs list. In any case, it helps to recruit a household helper (family member or hired hand) to help you decide whether it’s worth keeping or donating and to help you dispose of the items in your piles.

If you just can’t bear to part with some large, seldom or never-used items and you can afford it, get a storage locker or give it to family or a friend so you can "borrow" it back if you need it.

Step #2: Have a standard location for everyday items.

• Put a bowl or shelf for keys and letters that need mailing near the door you use most often. Hang your favorite hat, your pet’s leash or walking stick there, too.

• Buy a file box with handle for your financial records. Put all paid bills and account paperwork in the box until the end of the year. You can put file tabs or folders in the box so that you can file by tax category. You’ll use this for your income tax preparation.

• Have a basket or drawer where you keep all those bills that need paying.

• Put all your photos in photo file boxes. Even it they aren’t organized, it’s best to have them all in one place.

• Create a centrally located desk area where you can keep your computer, calendar, "to do" list and mail that needs attending. Once a week go through the papers on the desk, act on them if necessary and toss or file.

Step #3: Get organized.

• Make a list of all your financial accounts. Put it in a booklet or binder and tell your family where you keep it. Put all your account information in a specific drawer, binder or file box. Shred or burn old copies.

• Think about hiring a closet organizer to organize and make the most of your garage and closet space. It’s a worthwhile investment. If you don’t want to spend that much, try the organizers found at Target, Wal-Mart or container stores.

• Keep a basket for periodicals. After you’re read each, save any articles you want to keep and toss the rest of the magazine. If you’re an article clipper, get a file box and or a large basket and keep your clipped articles here.

If your clutter is overwhelming, give yourself up to three months to reduce your clutter, and make sure you have at least one clutter-reducing activity on your to do list each day. You’ll find that having a clutter free household makes you feel younger and your home more livable.

Free retirement planning tips
afteriretire is a trusted retirement info source