The One-In-One-Out Rule

If you've ever sought advice on how to control your clutter, you've likely heard about the one-in-one-out rule. The concept is simple: When you acquire something new, discard something old. This works well for clothes, shoes, books and much more. It's an especially useful rule to apply to toys.

If you have children, you know how quickly their play area can be overrun with toys. You also know how easily a toy falls from grace when replaced with something new. And come January 15, no matter how organized an individual you are, you may find yourself sifting through a mountain of toys, old and new, asking yourself, "Where did all this stuff come from?"

As a parent, you have a choice. You can gather up some neglected toys on the sly and remove them from your home. Fingers crossed, you won't be found out. I've tried this and gotten busted. So, I've adopted a different approach. I involve my son in the process. If, for whatever reason, we've acquired a few new toys, I wait a week or two, then have a chat with the little man. I pull out a couple of toys that haven't been touched for months, preferably those that are no longer age-appropriate, and gently suggest that since he's having so much fun with his new thing-a-ma-jigger, that it might be a good time to donate a long forgotten toy, so that another little girl or boy can enjoy it.

By involving my son, I hope to accomplish a few things.
1. Keep the task manageable, by donating only a few things at a time.
2. Teach him the simple behaviour of identifying things that matter.
3. Get him comfortable with the idea of keeping only those things that are still used and enjoyed.

If all goes well, by the time he's my age, he'll be a pro.

Easy Holiday Organization

Every fall, consumers roll their eyes when retailers publish Christmas catalogues and pull out Christmas décor. This year, I had an "aha moment": this is the ultimate example of organization.

If retailers are going to get your holiday shopping dollars, they need to get your attention. The product lineup and marketing strategy have to be decided upon and rolled out, long before the average consumer gets excited about Christmas -- somewhere around the middle of December. When Christmas is presented to us before the leaves have even fallen off the trees, our response is negative. But we come around. Maybe you won't go out and buy a Disney Blu-ray DVD on sale this week, but the seed is planted. There's a good chance you'll buy that DVD when you walk by it two weeks from now. You'll take a moment to lament the fact that you missed the sale, but still fork over the full price because you've been thinking about it.

So every year we succumb to a lesson in organization, but we don't learn from it. Preparing for the busiest time of year doesn't have to be difficult. Start small. Make a list of the people you need to buy a gift for. Check your stockpile of wrapping paper, tape, gift tags and ribbon. You don't have to run out this weekend to do all your shopping and stock up on all the necessary supplies. But these things need to be on your radar to ensure you won't be caught off guard.

Having read this, you're now far more likely to notice the tape, next time you reach for a pack of gum at the check-out. Don't be surprised to see it there; it was moved there for a reason. Go ahead and buy it. It will make your life easier.