Getting organised should not cost you the earth. Sometimes it doesn't have to cost you anything at all.

Like retail therapy of any kind buying beautiful storage and/or stationery items can give you that immediate consumer high - but also like any retail therapy buyers' remorse can set in. Or worse - your house can become cluttered with unused containers. What a waste of money!

Avoiding unnecessary purchases is merely ONE way being organised can save you money. Follow these top tips to ensure your organising is effective and inexpensive:

Revise
What do you have? Are there full containers lurking in the depths of your garage, pantry, perhaps under your bed? Empty them of all things that no longer serve you. You may instantly find you have several empty containers.
Perhaps you even have too many. Only keep as many containers as you need. Empty storage boxes lying around can be "high risk' areas: too easy to fill up and forget about! Let them go.

Re-use
Think about multiple uses for things. Some of my favourites include:
Clear plastic DVD storage boxes for pillow cases in the linen cupboard. Fold the pillowcases to rectangles that fit vertically into the boxes. Keep them on the shelf without the lid. Keep the lid underneath. If you ever want to use the container for something else in the future, you won't have to search for the lid.
A great way to avoid messy, out of control piles, especially in the case of satin or silk.
Paper towel holder for bangles. Tall holders will hold many bangles and they are easy to see and access as well as a great space saver . Classic vertical storage!
Small square lunch containers for stationary items like paper clips, elastic bands, sticky tape and staples in your top desk drawer. Use a dot of blutack to make sure they don't slip around.

Recycle
Drag that beading box out of the craft room, the one you've never used. Now's your chance to house your jewellery in it.
Swap containers with friends. Maybe they need your large clear boxes and you need their small ones. One man's treasure.......

Look in second hand shops for items to help you get organised. You can often find decorative tins, bags, or mesh for hanging sporting equipment in the garage.

AVOID Round storage containers. Especially when using multiple containers. Space between round containers is wasted. Square or rectangle containers are much more space efficient.

Review
If you decide you really do need to purchase storage items, make sure you have a plan.
De-clutter first, decide on the purpose of the target area, make a list including dimensions of items needed.
Take a tape measure shopping with you to avoid having to return unsuitable containers.
Better still shop online for storage products - email me on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for some great websites.

Published in HOME Magazine, Cairns Post, Saturday 14 March 2009