Added on February 8th, 2012: Boot Tray Keep shoes and boots just inside the door on a boot tray. Your footwear will be contained and the dirt or water will stay in the tray and be easy to clean up. Added on February 7th, 2012: Receipt Envelope You may want to keep an envelope in your purse or car for receipts. At the end of the month or when the envelope is full, sort the receipts and relocate them to your regular filing system. Added on February 6th, 2012: Contain your Tapes Many families use duct tape, masking tape, athletic tape, or electrical tape. Grab an old belt, slide the rolls of tape onto the belt, buckle it and hang it up. Your tape will be ready when you need it! Added on February 5th, 2012: Walking the Dog Keep your pet's leash on a hook just inside the door. It will be ready whenever Fido needs to go out. Added on February 4th, 2012: Downsize Your Evening Bag When using a smaller bag for an evening out, consider using a money clip. It will corral currency, your license and any credit cards you may need. Added on February 3rd, 2012: Reading Glasses To avoid hunting for your readers, keep a pair next to the bed, in the kitchen, near the computer or wherever you use them. Take the glasses off when you are finished with your task and leave them. They will be ready the next time you need to read. Added on February 3rd, 2012: Added on February 2nd, 2012: Increased Success Research has shown that people who write down their goals are much more apt to achieve them. Write down your goals on a post it note or two and add them to your mirror, dashboard or other places where you will see it often. This will give you reminders several times during the day and make you more successful. Added on February 1st, 2012: Stain Buster App GoodHousekeeping @Home is a new iPhone app with tips to help you remove stains from your clothing and carpet. It also lists all products that have received the GH seal. Best part is... the app is free! Added on January 31st, 2012: Dust your Lampshades To dust a pleated lampshade, use a clean paintbrush with gentle strokes. This also works for picture frames. Added on January 30th, 2012: Stuffed Animal Spruce Up Put stuffed animals in the dryer on "fluff" for about 15 minutes to get rid of any surface dust. This should be helpful for children with allergies and asthma. Added on January 29th, 2012: Just "maybe" When you are decluttering, consider putting items you are not sure what to with in a "maybe" box. Label the box with a date. If you haven't used those items in 6 months, purge those items from your home. Added on January 28th, 2012: Clear Your Mind Take a few minutes each day to meditate, pray or write in a journal. It will declutter your mind and give you clarity in other areas of your life. Added on January 27th, 2012: Clean Out Your Inbox Are there blogs, newsletters and retail e-mail lists that are not of interest to you in your inbox? Take a few minutes today to unsubscribe from them. You'll have less to read through tomorrow! Added on January 26th, 2012: Appreciate the small things! Before going to bed at night, write down 2 or 3 positive things that happened during the day. You'll go to sleep thinking happy thoughts and wake up ready to take on the day. Added on January 25th, 2012: Sentimental Items Do you have items that you don't love, but hang onto them because they are from a favorite relative? Take a picture of the items and donate them. You'll have a visual reference of the item and your memories of that special person will always be with you, without the clutter! Added on January 24th, 2012: Today is the Day! Been putting off organizing a particular area? Start with 10 minutes today and you'll be on your way to a more controlled and inviting area. Sometimes the hardest step is the first one. Make that step TODAY!!! Added on January 23rd, 2012: Cook Once, Eat Twice The next time you are making soup, chili, meatloaf, etc., double the recipe and freeze the extra portions for another day. On a busy evening you'll appreciate that you did. Added on January 22nd, 2012: Big Game Bash Keep in mind when getting ready for the big game, that you want to have as much fun as your guests. Have a self serve snack bar set up and ask attendees to each bring a snack or treat. People are happy to pitch in when asked. Added on January 21st, 2012: Wash, Wash & Wash Again Cold season is here. To cut down on germs in your household, be sure to wash your hands when you arrive home from work, or running errands. At the gym, wipe down equipment before and after you use it. Remember... an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Added on January 20th, 2012: Candle Wax Drips To prevent stuck on wax drips, try rubbing a bit of petroleum jelly around the candlestick opening before using. This will create a barrier to repel the dripping wax. After dinner the excess wax will just wipe away. Added on January 19th, 2012: Slippery Hangers Is your favorite blouse always sliding off the hanger? Wrap a rubber band around each end of the hanger. The bands will grip the fabric, but not damage it. Added on January 18th, 2012: Baking Blunder You are running short on time and the recipe you are making calls for softened butter. You forgot to take the butter out of the refrigerator or freezer. No problem, take the cold butter and grate it with a cheese grater with large holes. The small pieces will now soften quickly and you're on your way to a delicious treat.. Added on January 17th, 2012: Earring Loss Do you lose earrings when you travel or visit someone else's home? At night, push the earring studs into the holes of your wristwatch and they'll be waiting for you the next morning. Added on January 16th, 2012: Are collections getting out of control? If the items your children collect are taking over dresser or desk space in their rooms, consider installing shelves above their beds or desks. They will still be accessible for your child, but will not be taking up "prime" space in their room. Added on January 15th, 2012: Save on Dust and Dirt Sixty percent of the dust in your home comes from outdoors. Have family and visitors take off their shoes when they enter the house. You'll have less dusting and vacuuming to do. Added on January 14th, 2012: Refresh Your Refrigerator Dip a cotton ball in vanilla or lemon extract and place it in your refrigerator. The next time you open the door, you'll be greeted by a sweet smell. Added on January 13th, 2012: Where is that Phone Number? Have a small photo album to keep business cards from your plumber, car repair shop, physical therapist, etc. No more time spent thumbing through the yellow pages. Each one is easily located and visible. Added on January 12th, 2012: Errand Reminders Need to pick up the dry cleaning or a gallon of milk? Set reminders for yourself on your cell phone or computer and let your electronics work for you. Added on January 11th, 2012: Store Things Where You Use Them Do you store your stapler in the kitchen drawer when you always use it at your desk? Start storing items in the room that you most use them and you will save time and energy. Added on January 10th, 2012: Use a Lazy Susan Using a Lazy Susan can allow you to store twice as many items in the same amount of space. Great for spices or condiments. Added on January 9th, 2012: Organized Bedsheets Fold each set of fitted and flat bedsheets. Store those and any other matching pillowcases inside one pillowcase. It keeps the sets together and organized.