Affordable organizing hacks for your home by Ronni Eisenberg

When it comes right down to it, you might choose to do things the way you've always done them and there's nothing wrong with that. If it's not broken don't fix it. Staying with what's familiar and comfortable, so comfortable that it becomes seem-less, should just stay that way. In that case, you may not need organizing hacks.

Unless there's the inspiration that makes you want to change. When you find new, innovative and better ways to do the same thing. Maybe it's shorter, exceptionally clever and easier to do. Or it turns you around because it cuts your time in half.

When you begin to think outside the box because old systems just aren't working and you're trying to kick-box your way out from in, you create the possibility for change in a way that you may never have thought of before. 

You don't have to consider every angle and hypothetical possibility because I've done that for you. 

General home 

• use shoe bags to organize anything from toys, cleaning supplies, jewelry, office supplies, toiletries, crafts, sewing supplies...the list goes on.
• Install a shelf above your doorway. It's barely noticeable and creates easy storage when you need it.

Kitchen ingenuity

• Stock shelves like the grocery store does. By placing the newest boxes, containers and cans behind the holder stuff, you'll use the older food first. 
• Keep extra bags at the bottom of the trash bin, so that when you pull out one bag and take it off, there's a new one at the bottom.
• Reduce time cleaning by spreading waxed paper out across your work surface. Simply pick up the paper once your work is complete!
• Line pans with foil before cooking. Let it cool after the pan comes out of the oven, then peel off and toss away. (The cost of the foil is less than the cost of the water and soap it would take to scrub-off cooked-on food)

Cooking Hacks to save time on Meal Prep

• At the grocery store, buy items in the form you will need them: pre-washed lettuce, shredded or grated cheese, pre-cut vegetables, boneless, skinless chicken etc
• Chopping is not for everyone, so you can either buy veggies pre-cut (yes for a premium and not as fresh) or chop extra while you're at it and refrigerate or freeze portions in a baggie. Definitely, something that must be done with onions.
• If you're like me and have an abundance of fresh herbs (and you don't want them to go to waste) try freezing them in ice cube trays with olive oil. Then pop them out and use in sauces and other recipes as needed. 
• The same goes for wine (no waste rule!) to use later in recipes.
• How to quickly peel garlic? Separate all the cloves from the bulb, and then smash each clove with the side of a chef's knife. The skin will fall right off. 
• When grilling or roasting veggies, you really don't have to waste time flipping them over, especially if you pre-heat the roasting pan. They'll be well cooked. 

Unconventional cleaning ideas

• An inexpensive all-purpose cleaner is a mixture of equal parts of water and vinegar. I do it and it works wonders even on wood floors. 
• Use a lemon oil furniture polish on shower doors and ceramic wall tiles. The polish will reduce the problem of soap scum, lime and mineral deposits, and the areas will stay clean for longer.
• Cut a thin sponge to fit the soap dishes in the sink, shower and tub; the sponge will catch the scummy, soapy run-off. Instead of scrubbing these hard to clean areas, just rinse soap scum out of the sponges.
• Dampen your dustpan before you sweep debris into it so the dust won't drift back out.
• Use pieces of Velcro under your rug if you have small children at home. This is an easy way to prevent falls if the edges of your rug lift. 

Laundry organizing hacks to knock your socks off 

• Put socks in a mesh bag to keep them from getting lost in the corners of big sheets or clinging to other clothing. (If family members wear similar socks, purchase extra mesh bags and make each person responsible for getting his or her own into the appropriate bag)
• If socks do get separated, establish a bin in the laundry room for odd socks. At some point the pair will be reunited. 
• Wash dark clothes inside out in cold water to keep them from fading. 
• Skip washing jeans in a machine and keep them in the freezer between wears (so says the jean manufacturers). 
• For brighter and whiter, add 1/4-1 cup of white vinegar to the final rinse cycle. 
• Save time and energy by throwing a dry towel into the dry with your wet laundry. 

Organizing can be easy and affordable

Getting organised can save you considerable time and make your life so much easier. But contrary to popular belief, you don't have to spend a lot of money to get organised. As these organizing backs prove you have super quick solutions available with things you likely already have in your home. All it takes is some resourcefulness and learning to use what you already have to hack your organisation. 

What are your favorite organizing hacks?

You can read Ronni Eisenberg's original article here from her blog The Organizing Confessions. 

Ronni is best at inspiring people to think and make the changes that will make a difference in their lives. As author of ten books explaining how to become better organized, she has helped millions of people with some of life's most overwhelming tasks - from how to find balance in their lives and manage the enormous daily stresses that consume their time, to teaching them how to make important choices that will add quality to their lives.