Spring De-cluttering Tips, courtesy of Home Storage Solutions…
If you’ve got lots of magazines in your home, and want to get rid of them, but don’t just want to chuck or recycle them, here are the top seven places to donate magazines you should consider.
1. Your Local Library
One of my favorite places to donate both books and magazines is to my local library. Even if the library does not need the magazines itself, for its patrons, many libraries hold a Friend of the Library Sale where they can sell your used magazines to help with their own fundraising.
Be warned, however, that not all libraries accept these magazine donations, so call ahead and inquire before you drop them all off at their doorstep. (The same goes for all the ideas listed below since not all areas and organizations have the same policies and procedures.)
2. Nursing Homes And Retirement Communities
Many elderly people are looking for items to entertain themselves, especially if it is difficult for them to move around. Therefore, they are often appreciative of new reading material, and also a friendly chat when you come to drop the magazines off.
3. Military Troops
Our country’s solidiers, especially those serving overseas, are often looking for fresh reading material too, and would appreciate your donated magazines.
Similary, veterans associations may be looking for reading material as well.
4. Women Or Family Shelters
Sitting back and reading a magazine can help you relax and take your mind off things, which is one of the reasons we all enjoy getting them. The same can be true of women and families in shelters who may appreciate something to take their mind off other matters for a while with an interesting article or two.
5. Doctor And Dentist Offices, Hospitals And Other Waiting Rooms
Any place that has a waiting room, where people are looking to pass the time, is an ideal place to donate magazines.
If you really want to have the recipients appreciate them, choose waiting rooms for businesses and organizations whose clients would enjoy the type of magazines you are donating. For example, if you’ve got car magazines donate them to the oil change business, or Guideposts (I love that magazine!) to your dentist office waiting room.
6. Preschools And Daycare Centers For Use In Crafts
My kids, when they were in preschool, used pictures from magazines all the time during arts and crafts. They would cut pictures out and glue them on just about any type of project the teachers could think of.
Schools, preschools and daycare centers are always on the look out for (family friendly) magazines they can use with their kids, to let them have some fun, and they’ll really appreciate the resource.
7. Swap Magazines With Your Friends And Family
This is actually my favorite suggestion, and actually can be used in combination with any of the other ones above, since the last person in the swap can then donate them to the places listed.
I had a little magazine swap going with several of my friends for a couple of years, before we all started discontinuing our subscriptions because we got too busy with kids, and it was a lot of fun.
I got to read several magazines I didn’t even subscribe to, and it was a great excuse for everyone to get together monthly and have a girls night, along with actually trading magazines.

We have offically opened our Holiday Giveaway for entries on our Facebook page, or you can click the link below to enter from here.  We will accept entries until Dec. 15th, and will at that time choose our random winners!

PRIZES:

• 9″ RCA tablet, 8 GB
• iPod Shuffle, 2GB
• $25 Hollywood 16 Gift Card
• $5 Starbucks Gift Cards

http://tinyurl.com/pbm2gth

Hope everyone is enjoying the great weather so far this month. Here are some tips specifically for packing your precious belongings to be put into storage, brought to you by our friends at UHaul…

– Have blankets, draperies, and out-of-season clothing clean and ready to be packed on a hanger or wardrobe box.
– Pack books flat, not standing on end (which may cause damage to the spines). Books are extremely heavy, so don’t pack too many in one box.
– Drain gasoline and oil from lawn mowers and other items with small engines.
– Old photographs tend to curl over time. To keep them flat, place them between two pieces of cardboard and tape them together.
– Don’t overpack boxes. Overfilled boxes will rupture and topple when stacked.
– Heat-sensitive goods such as videotapes, albums, photographs and wood furniture are best stored in a climate-controlled storage room.
– Clean and dry your appliances. Keep refrigerator doors slightly ajar and use the space inside for additional storage.

These tips are brought to you courtesy of Sparefoot.com’s specialty blog just for military members and their families blog.militarystorage.com

Being in the military and moving go hand in hand — and not just for service members.

Military spouses are 10 times more likely to have moved across state lines in the past year compared with their civilian counterparts, according to a 2012report from the U.S. Treasury Department and U.S. Defense Department.

Shifting a household to a new place involves both time and effort. “It may take many days or even a few weeks to get completely unpacked and settled,” saidEllie Kay, who bills herself as America’s Military Family Expert.

If you’re a military spouse with a relocation on the horizon, follow these five tips to help make the transition a successful one.

1. Document your household.

Before moving, create an accurate, complete home inventory, said Kristen Smith, blog manager for AHRN.com, a housing referral resource for the military community, and the wife of an active-duty Army major.

A home inventory that lists what you own will make it easier to track belongings during the move. It also will be helpful if you need to file claims for any damaged goods.

To record your belongings, consider taking pictures of what you own, including the serial number of items. You might also take a video of your goods. The Insurance Information Institute offers free online software to help you create and keep a home inventory at KnowYourStuff.org.

2. Prepare for storage.

If some of your household will be in a self-storage unit at the new destination, take this into consideration as you pack. Be careful about what you store, Kay said. Make sure you won’t need the items on a weekly basis.

Check whether the storage unit is climate-controlled. If it’s not, consider whether the belongings stored there can sustain both hot and cold weather. For instance, if you have photo albums with plastic pages, they could get damaged from the heat in storage units that aren’t climate-controlled.

Just as an inventory can help you track items in your home, it can aid in locating — and remembering — what you have in storage. If you have a detailed list, “it will save money in the long run,” Kay said. You’ll avoid mistakes such as buying another ironing board when you already have one in storage.

Nothing says you have to get unpacked in three days.
— Military family expert Ellie Kay

3. Keep work in mind.

If you’ve established yourself in a professional career and need to relocate, consider reaching out to networking and mentoring groups.

“Within these groups, you can find spouses who have already blazed the trail, so to speak, within your new community,” said Brooke Goldberg, deputy director of government relations at the National Military Family Association.

A few to try: In Gear Career, the Military Spouse eMentor Program and Military Spouse JD Network.

If you think your current position could be carried out remotely, put together a proposal to show how the setup could work and present it to your boss, suggested Jennifer Dombrowski, a social media and communications strategist who is the wife of an active-duty member of the Air Force.

In the proposal, include a trial period, such as six months. “Set goals across the six months and plan for regular meetings to check in,” Dombrowski said.

4. Get a handle on opportunities for education.

If you’re pursuing a college education, it’s important to do your research, said Allie Jones, scholarship program manager at the National Military Family Association.

Look into options, such as online programs, that can be accessed from any location. Also consider Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges. These schools enable service members and their families complete their college degrees.

The National Military Family Association provides scholarships to military spouses pursuing any kind of degree. For more information, visitMilitaryFamily.org or download MyMilitaryLife, a free mobile app.

5. Factor in an adjustment period.

Take time to get settled in your new home, Kay said. “Nothing says you have to get unpacked in three days,” she said.

Build in breaks from emptying boxes to recharge and become familiar with your new area. If you have children, “take a healthy, brisk walk with your kids and meet the neighbors,” Kay said. Also, consider heading out for ice cream, going bowling or visiting a park.

We would like to welcome Julie to the team here in Ocala!  Julie has been a stay at home mom for the last 17 years to her three daughters, Rachel, Katie and Emily,  but has been a volunteer with the Marion County Schools for most of those years.  She has served on the Executive Board of the Mighty Colt Regiment Band Boosters, as well as managed to raise over a quarter of a million dollars through book fairs for our schools, in addition to many other volunteer fundraising efforts for many of our local organizations.  We are excited to have Julie on board and would like to ask you all to welcome her to our Ocala office!

Great tips from Security Storage for long-term furniture storage:

From antiques that don’t quite fit your décor, to items you’re saving for your children, we can all gain quite the collection of furniture items over time. Instead of having these pieces take up valuable space in our homes, it may be time to move those in good condition to a home of their own before they overtake yours.
Self storage provides you with the room you need to keep the furniture you love, while you simultaneously remove clutter from your home. Below, we highlight four steps to successfully prepare and protect your furniture items for self storage.

1. Clean and Prep
Before you store, be sure to give each item a thorough clean. Begin by wiping down your pieces with a clean cloth. Then, use an appropriate cleaner for the type of material (metal, wood, glass, etc.), and wipe down once more for an added layer of protection.
As a final cleaning step, let the item breathe in a well-ventilated area and dry completely. This will ensure no patches of trapped moisture can reside on your item as you cover and pack the piece for storage. Patches of trapped moisture left alone can damage your item over time, and create marks of discoloration.

2. Disassemble for Easy Transport
For larger items, such as dressers, beds, tables, and couches, prep for smoother transportation. Take pieces apart before their trip to the storage unit.

Remove legs from tables and sofas, take out drawers from dressers and cushions from couches, and remove planks from bedframes. Group and wrap these pieces together to stay organized.

3. Cover and Protect
After you’ve prepped your furniture, protect it with the right materials. Bubble wrap can be useful to wrap items that easily break, such as framed pictures, mirrors, lamps or blunt parts like chairs and table legs.

As a general rule, avoid plastic package materials when possible, as it can suffocate certain materials like wood and fabrics. This can lead to condensation or unpleasant smells in your unit. Instead, use drop cloths or covers, sheets, or blankets to keep dust away and allow air to circulate.

4. Strategically Store
To maximize your unit’s space, you may be tempted to fit in as much as you can without a real plan. However, there can be consequences to sloppy storage.

An important tip to remember: leave space in between items.
The benefits are two-fold: you’ll allow air to flow freely between the furniture, which will help protect your items from damage; and you’ll reduce the risk of accidental damage to your pieces should you ever need remove them from your unit.

Save Space Without The Sacrifice
You don’t have to get rid of your furniture favorites due to lack of space. Now, you can realistically consider storage of larger items, even if you lack the space at home.

With the added benefit of climate control, these spaces will help maintain your furniture’s condition over time, versus storing it in a humid attic or damp basement.

By properly prepping your items for long-term storage, they will be ready for use upon removal, whenever you, or your family, may need them.

Storage Tips for Storing a Vehicle, brought to you by edmunds.com:

Keep It Covered
The ideal place to store the vehicle is in an enclosed storage unit, which is very much the same as storing it in a garage. This will protect it from the elements and keep it at a temperature that’s relatively stable.

If you have to leave the car outdoors, consider getting a weatherproof car cover. This will help keep the car clean and dry.

Clean It Up
It may seem counterintuitive to get the car washed when you’re putting it away for months, but it is an easy step and one that shouldn’t be overlooked. Water stains or bird droppings left on the car can damage the paint. Make sure to clean the wheels and undersides of the fenders to get rid of mud, grease or tar. For added protection, give the car a coat of wax.

Change the Oil
Skip this step if you’re only storing the car for a week or two. But if you will be storing the vehicle for longer than 30 days, consider getting the oil changed. Ford recommends this in its owner’s manuals, saying that used engine oil has contaminants that could damage the engine.

Top off the Tank
This is another long-term car storage tip. If you expect the car to be in storage for more than 30 days, fill the tank with gas. This will prevent moisture from accumulating inside the fuel tank and keep the seals from drying out. You should also purchase a fuel stabilizer such as Sta-bil, to prevent ethanol buildup and protect the engine from gum, varnish and rust. The fuel stabilizer will prevent the gas from deteriorating for up to 12 months.

Keep It Charged
An unattended battery will eventually lose its charge. If possible, get someone to start the car every two weeks and drive it for about 15 minutes. Driving the car periodically has two benefits. It will maintain the battery’s charge, help the car “stretch its legs” and keep the engine and other components properly lubricated. It is also a good idea to run the air-conditioner to keep the parts in working order and the air quality fresh.

If you cannot arrange for someone to start the car, there are two other options. The low-tech solution is to disconnect the negative battery cable. You’ll likely lose the stereo presets, time and other settings.

Don’t Use the Parking Brake
It’s usually a good idea to use the parking brake, but don’t do it when you leave a car in storage. If the brake pads make contact with the rotors for too long, there is a chance that they might fuse. Instead of engaging the brake, you can purchase a tire stopper, also called a chock, to prevent the car from moving.

Prevent Flat Spots
Make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended tire pressure. If a vehicle is left stationary for too long, the tires could develop flat spots as the weight of the vehicle presses down on the tires’ footprints. This process occurs at a faster rate in colder temperatures and with vehicles equipped with performance tires or low-profile tires.

In some cases, simply having someone drive the car for awhile will bring the tires up to their normal operating temperature and get rid of any flat spots. In more severe cases, a flat spot becomes a permanent part of the tire and you will need to replace the tire.

If your car will be in storage for more than 30 days, consider taking the wheels off and placing the car on jack stands at all four corners. This step requires more work, but it can save you from needing a new set of tires. Without the weight of a vehicle resting upon them, your tires will be in much better shape when you return.

Keep Critters Out
A garage will keep your car dry and relatively warm. Unfortunately, those are also two things that make a garaged car attractive to mice or rats. There are plenty of places in your car for critters to hide and plenty of things for them to chew on. Try to cover any gaps where a mouse could enter, such as the exhaust pipe or an air intake. Steel wool works well for this. We here at StoreRight, take preventive measures to avoid critter infestations, however, there is a measure you can take in addition to ours to help prevent critters from making your car their home –simply, spread cotton swabs dipped in peppermint oil along the perimeter of the vehicle. The smell is said to help keep critters away.

Maintain Insurance
You might be tempted to cancel your auto insurance when your vehicle is in storage. Although that might initially save money, there is a chance that the insurance company will raise your rates due to the gap in coverage, which could cost you more in the long run. This can vary based on where you live and who your provider is, so contact your insurance company to see what options are available to you.

Self-storage units don’t have to be a space you visit once or twice a year to dig something out of a stack of boxes. They can be highly organized, easily accessible spaces that free up necessary space in your home or office. To get the most out of them, though, it is best to plan ahead before you start loading up the truck. Here are steps to help you plan:

Step 1: Plan What You Will Store

1. Start by identifying items that will be packed in boxes and stacked.
2. Prioritize boxed items you will want to access most frequently (they’ll go closer to the front of the unit).
3. Group by fragility or weight – heavier, sturdier items should be stored on the bottom of stacked items, fragile items on top.
4. Consider awkwardly-sized items that won’t stack well, including how often you will need to use them, and how heavy they are.

Step 2: Choose the Right Size Unit

Nobody wants to pay for storage they don’t need. But a little extra space makes moving around within the unit much easier. It also gives you room to add those unplanned items that always seem to pop up.

Our managers can be quite helpful in determining how much space you will need.

Step 3: Organize and Pack Your Items with a Plan in Mind

Organizing and efficiently packing your items will take time and concentration. However, the up-front effort will be well worth it when you’re able to easily unload and organize your items at the storage unit. Here are some tips for packing:

Invest in Supplies

• Use boxes, not plastic bags. Boxes are sturdier and stack well, taking up less space. Many moving companies require that goods be packed in boxes for transport. Also, sealed plastic bags can trap humidity which can cause damaging mildew.
• Invest in good quality, sturdy boxes and packing materials. Boxes should be sturdy enough to hold up for years under the weight of the stack. You may be tempted to get boxes for free from supermarkets and liquor stores; however, the mismatched shapes and sizes will impede your ability to organize most effectively. You can buy standard-sized boxes and specialty boxes for items such as TVs, videotapes and pictures.
• For wrapping breakables, paper will do, but bubble wrap can be used repeatedly, is cleaner, and because it is transparent, makes identifying contents easier.
• Most people end up needing more tape than they thought they would when packing. Your self-storage manager can help you estimate how much tape you’ll need for the number of boxes you’ll be packing. Some places sell tape that is pre-labeled.

For your convenience, packing supplies such as boxes, bubble wrap and tape are available for purchase in the office.

Packing in Boxes

• Box up everything that you can. Anything left unboxed in a self-storage facility can get dusty.
• Fill boxes to capacity. The contents in half-empty boxes can shift during transport or lifting. Corners and sides can collapse if there’s nothing to support them. Foam peanuts are handy for filling in the gaps in boxes.
• Distribute the weight in packed boxes evenly. Make sure they are not too heavy for you and others who may be lifting them.
• Wrap all fragile items and breakables such as dishes, glasses, ornaments, etc. separately. Pack these items tightly into strong or reinforced boxes, filling any gaps with paper or filler. Mark “Fragile” on any boxes containing breakable items.
• Clearly label all boxes on more than one side so you can easily identify the contents.
• Pack books flat to avoid damaging their spines.

Packing Other Items

• If you plan to store clothes, think about investing in a wardrobe box with a built-in hanging rod. These are available for purchase at most storage and moving facilities.
• Large appliances must be prepared correctly for proper storage:
  • Defrost refrigerators and freezers thoroughly to avoid water damage and mildew growth. Tie down the appliance doors during transport, but leave them slightly ajar once in storage.
  • Drain washing machines, and tie down hoses and cords before storing them.
  • It’s a good idea to wipe down the inside of appliances with baking soda before you store them to keep them dry.
• Wrap mirrors and pictures in protective covering such as bubble wrap and mark them as “Fragile.” Cardboard corners can be purchased to protect the sharpest, weakest areas of frames.
• If storing photographs, consider a climate controlled unit where temperature fluctuations will not damage your photos. If you do store loose photographs, place them between pieces of clean cardboard and consider taping them together to avoid curling.
• Separate lamp bases and lampshades and wrap them for protection.
• If you’re storing upholstered products such as mattresses and sofas, consider investing in covers, bags or sheeting for additional protection. Storage and moving facilities often sell large heavy-duty bags for this purpose.
• Vacuum-sealed bags work really well for draperies, bedding, and clothing.
• Electrical equipment such as TVs, stereos, and computers should be packed in their original boxes whenever possible. If using other boxes, choose ones that are as close in size to the original as possible, and fill all gaps with paper. Make sure you secure the player arm of a record player and turntable.
• Disassemble furniture such as beds and tables before you store them. Wrap and cover the separate sections, clearly mark them and keep them together. Keep assembly components such as screws and bolts together in a plastic bag, mark them clearly, and tape the bag to the appropriate piece of furniture. (Use tape that is safe for use on furniture, or tape the bag to an inconspicuous place on the piece.) Cover chair legs with bubble wrap or rags for extra protection.
• Spray your wood furniture with a good quality furniture polish before storing it to give it some added protection.
• Treat leather items with a leather conditioner before you store them.
• Wipe down metal objects and tools with a little oil before storing them to avoid rust formation that can occur when the tools are not used regularly.
• When storing a vacuum cleaner, clean out the bag or canister first; bacteria, mold and vermin can accumulate otherwise.
• When storing an oven as well as a refrigerator, enclose the exposed back area of the appliances to prevent vermin.
• Consider having awkward or heavy pieces such as exercise equipment packed professionally. Talk to your storage facility manager or local pack-and-ship store about options.

As you go, keep an inventory of every item you’ve packed. Ideally, include an estimate of the replacement value of each item you store. Consider taking pictures of valuable items. These steps will help you make accurate insurance claims in case of unforeseen damage or loss.

Step 4: Unpack and Arrange Items Efficiently

Before you load up the truck to take your packed items to your self-storage unit, check with the storage facility manager to make sure there is adequate space for the truck to maneuver to your unit.

As you arrive at the facility and begin to unload, arranging your furniture, equipment, boxes, and other odds-and-ends efficiently in your storage unit will make a big difference in maximizing its convenience.

Here are a few tried-and-true suggestions for putting items into your unit:

Plan ahead

• While your storage unit should already be clean and swept out, consider putting down protective canvas sheeting, cardboard or wooden boards on the floor for cleanliness.
• Keep a fold-up step stool in your space for accessing hard-to-reach areas.
• Based on the climate in which you live or work, consider putting down moisture absorbers, deodorizers and/or vermin bait to protect your belongings.
• Frequently-used items should be placed near the entrance for easy access. This holds true for file boxes and other business items, too.
• To ensure security of valuable items such as computers or TVs, place them farthest from the door, with other items concealing them.
• Unload the largest items and place them against the far wall, as well as along the sides of the unit. See if the storage facility has dollies or other machinery that you can use to unload and place these heavy items. Some self-storage companies will offer these free of charge.
• For archived business documents that you won’t need to access frequently, place them against the far wall of the unit.
• When arranging items, leave an aisle space for easy access to your items. You can either leave aisles between your stacks of boxes and furniture, or line up all your furniture and boxes against the outside walls of the unit in a “U” shape, leaving the inside of the U as open space.

For furniture and other large items

• Break down furniture into smaller pieces, if possible. Take the legs off of tables, disassemble bed frames and lean them against the wall, etc.
• Cover furniture with sheets or tarps to protect them against scratches, dust and other damage..
• Store large pieces of furniture vertically to save space. Stand sofas on end when possible.
• If you have room to store a sofa flat, then a loveseat can be placed upside down on top of the sofa, and a table stacked on top of that.
• Chairs can be stacked seat to seat.
• In most cases, you can stack dryers on top of washers.

For odd-shaped, miscellaneous items

• You can tie tools and long-handled items such as rakes, snow shovels and brooms in bundles. Or, put them inside garbage cans to keep them neat.
• Mirrors and framed artwork should never be stored flat, as they can collapse under their own weight.
  
• Be sure when stacking boxes and containers that you can clearly see the labels you put on them.
• When stacking boxes, always make sure to put the heaviest boxes at the bottom to avoid damage.
• Stack boxes and similarly sized items together to save space.

Be creative

• You can use virtually all of the space in and around your stored furniture, including other items, as places to store more items. Fill anything that’s hollow with items to maximize your available space:
  
• Furniture drawers are good for storing fragile items
• Stack the shelves of bookcases with books, small boxes and other odds and ends
• Store boxes containing fragile goods inside of wardrobes
• Store pillows, blankets and other bedding inside washers and dryers
• Store clothes inside dresser drawers

You may be thinking that all this planning, preparing and setting up your self-storage unit may seem like a big project. You’ll find the time and effort are worth it, though, when you discover the peace of mind that comes with knowing your belongings are protected, conveniently accessible and well-preserved.

Think you’re the only disorganized person in your neighborhood? The National Association of Professional Organizers reports that we don’t use 80 percent of the stuff we keep. We wear 20 percent of the clothes we own, while the other 80 percent hangs there just in case, and 25 percent of adults say they pay bills late because they lost them.

If you have stacks of papers, frazzled mornings or lost car keys, use the following ideas to help you organize your family and home!

Evenings/Mornings:
1. Make lunches, set out clothes and put everything you need for the next day in a designated area the night before. Have kids pack homework and books in their backpacks to be ready for the next day.

purple backpack – High Sierra Fat Boy Pack from eBags.com2. Place your purse, briefcase, cell phone and keys in a designated area every day so you always know where they are.

3. Decide on a breakfast menu the night before. If the family is to have cereal, set out the cereal boxes, bowls and spoons.

4. Make a “to do” list for the next day and prioritize the tasks. (Be sure to refer to it regularly!)

5. Fill the gas tank the day before so you won’t have to worry about getting gas if you are running late the next morning.

Bathrooms:
6. To organize countertop clutter, purchase a plastic tub with a handle on top. Place all of your accessories (such as hair spray and lotion) in the tub and place under the counter. Take the tub out when you are ready to use it, and put it back under the counter when you are finished with it.

7. To organize your bathtub/shower, place your soaps, body wash, shampoos and conditioners in shower caddies. Many different kinds of organizers are available at both discount and department stores — including those that hang from the shower head pipe and others that have several shelves attached to a long pole you put in the corner of the tub.

8. To help keep your shower doors clean, buy a water squeegee (like you use on your windows) and keep it in the shower. When you are done taking a shower, just wipe down the doors with the squeegee for a clean and dry shower door. Many of the squeegees come with a hole in the handle, which is convenient for hanging it up in the shower with a suction cup. (See a shower squeegee from Lowes at right.)

9. Install a simple magnetic strip in your medicine cabinet and hang tweezers, nail clippers and scissors from it.

10. Store reading material in a decorative magazine rack. As you add new magazines, recycle or give away the older ones to keep the magazine rack from overflowing.

11. Throw away old or unusued items in your bathroom: Makeup, lotions, old razors, sunscreen and perfume. Return old medications (including prescriptions) to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.

12. If you are out of space in your bathroom cabinets for towels, roll them up and display them in a decorative basket next to the shower or bathtub.

13. Install hooks on a wall or the back of your bathroom door for towels and robes.

14. Use drawer organizers for makeup, jewelry, ponytail holders and other loose items. (Plastic silverware trays, found in the kitchen aisle, are inexpensive and fit the bill.)

15. Place a shelving unit or etagere above the toilet for storing extra towels, washcloths and other accessories.

16. Put a clock in each bathroom so there are no excuses for being late.

Closet:small closet storage
17. Place baskets in your closet for laundry and dry cleaning.

18. Sort through, bag and donate anything you don’t wear anymore to a local charity. This includes clothes that are no longer in fashion, no longer fit, or you haven’t worn in a year. Also, get rid of those worn-out and/or uncomfortable shoes you no longer wear.

19. Separate your clothes by season. If you have a tall closet with several rows of hanging rods, place the current season’s clothes on the lowest level, and move out-of-season clothes up to the tallest rods.

20. Categorize your clothes by purpose: Work, casual, cold- or hot-weather wear and formal.

21. Gather all of your unused wire hangers (remember Joan Crawford!) and take them to the dry cleaners to recycle.

22. Hang scarves on a hanger or scarf rack, and belts and ties on hangers or racks.

23. Use a shoe rack to keep shoes organized. Recycle old shoe boxes that clutter the floor. (You don’t need to keep every pair of shoes in your closet all year long, either!)

24. Install hooks on the closet wall to hang up hats, handbags and tote bags.

25. Store clothes that you want to save in a vacuum-sealed plastic bag. These bags compress the clothing, making it much easier to fit under the bed or in a closet. Save only the clothes that you think will be worn!