I hear from so many people that one of the main things keeping them from getting organized is that there is so much clutter they just don't know where to start. Here's the answer: start anywhere. It really doesn't matter. The important thing is to start.

I tell people to start with the area that is bothering them the most or that they would like to begin using first. Maybe there is too much to tackle all at once so don't even look at the whole room. Just pick the box that is closest to you. Or divide the room up into sections and start with one. It doesn't matter. Just get started.

With the gift giving holidays around the corner and the economy scaring many into not spending so much, here are a few tips to help with you staying within budget this season.
1. Buy gift cards. They always make good gifts for others, but I'm actually talking about buying them for yourself. Use the cards to do your shopping and once they run out of money, you're done. This will help keep you within your budget instead of running up credit card debt.
2. Don't add to others clutter. Buy consumable gifts. Think about what the other person likes to do for entertainment or products they always use and purchase that for them. Some examples include chocolate mint biscotti (one of my favorites), movie tickets, restaurant gift certificates, a meal cooked in their home by a chef, ice skating sessions, a lesson or two for something they are interested in learning, pay for a class they have been wanting to take, organize a room for them or purchase the services of a professional organizer. The options are endless and they will love it.
3. Use less gas, less time, less stress by shopping online. With less time this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, make it as easy as possible on yourself so you can really enjoy the holidays. You can get sales deals and use coupons online just like in a brick and mortar store.
4. The very best advice I can give you is to start sooner rather than later. I am pretty done with my shopping by August or September. I shop sales during the year to get the best deals and avoid the busy malls. Shopping at the minute usually means you will spend more money than you intended. And you have to deal with the crowds.

What is your best tip for holiday shopping?

I have always been environmentally conscious. Way back before it was stylish I began using canvas tote bags for my grocery shopping rather than plastic bags. As an organizer I try to help my clients be more "green", too. For those who don't have recycling service available, I often take their recyclable trash and put it in my own bin at home. The slogan of "reduce, reuse, recycle" certainly comes into play in getting organized. I always try to use what is already there first instead of going out and buying more items. Some examples of how you may organize jewelry using items you already have on hand include:
1. use ice cube trays to sort and store earrings and rings;
2. use cup hooks to hang necklaces so the chains don't get tangled and you can see what you have;
3. use a mug tree to hang necklaces and bracelets;
4. put a piece of cork in a pretty frame you are not using. Use push pins to hang necklaces and bracelets.

What other ideas do you have to reuse what you have to get better organized?

Over the weekend I cleared out an entire closet in my house. There are only 4 special occasion items hanging in it and a few purses sitting on the shelf. All the clothes that were in it were either incorporated into my main bedroom closet or they are slated to be put in a garage sale I am having at the end of the month. I went through every cabinet and closet in the house and pulled out anything I don't use or absolutely love. It was a good feeling afterward. I'm hoping to sell it all at the sale, but whatever is left will be taken right to Blessings Resale for donation. It's not coming back in.

Have you gone through your closets and cabinets lately?

Last week I talked about how letting go of clutter sometimes leads to weight loss. This week I want to talk about letting go of those clothes that no longer fit you.

When organizing a closet, I often come across 2 or 3 different sizes of clothing. Once I had a client who had 4 different sizes! When I ask why they are holding on to clothes that don't fit, I usually get the same answers: "I've lost weight" or "I've gained weight" and they are holding on to the items in case they revert back to that size again.

Remember that our thoughts go out into the universe and attract what we are thinking about. If you have lost weight, get rid of the clothes that are too big! Your intention is not to gain the weight again so don't keep anything around for that type of "just in case".  Make room for the right size and that fabulous new wardrobe you deserve.