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Organize with tote bags
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Library Bag from Cafepress.com
Just call me the bag lady. I love 'em.
And since family life is messy, they come in handy.
You can use them as Ready-to-go bags. It's one organizing trick
that works great for families, singles and couples.
Organizing is really about being ready for the next thing.
I learned in Tennis long before becoming an organizer - you get in
the ready position as soon as you hit the ball, not when the ball
is hurtling back at your face!
One way to always be in the ready position in life is to have bags
packed and ready to go to places that you go to frequently. You
probably have a few tote bags hanging around. Just designate each
one for a specific activity and pack it up.
These are some ideas for your ready bags.
1. ERRAND BAG holds things to take along on errands, such as the
special bulb or battery you need a replacement for because it just
burned out. Bring it along so you can find the next one.
2. WAITING BAG or activity bag holds stuff kids can do while
waiting at doctors offices, restaurants, etc. You can add toys,
puzzles, books, video games, etc. If you don't let the children use
these things at other times, it becomes a special treat.
This can overlap with the car trip bag.
3. CAR TRIPPER bag is for things you take on car trips longer than
commuting. It may include movies, car games, maps for kids to
follow, markers, paper, etc.
4. RETURN BAG is much like the errand bag but you can keep your
library books and movies it in even when you are still using them.
It holds items that you don't own and don't want to lose in your
stuff. It can also hold purchases you plan to return.
5. BEACH/POOL BAG is for things that are for swimming or playing at
the beach or pool. Keep this bag stocked with sunscreen, lip balm,
toys, snacks, and money for the ice-cream man.
6. MOM WAITING BAG is for mom when she is waiting at lessons,
carpool, and doctors appointments. Bring things to read, bills,
notebook/journal and nail polish.
7. GYM OR SPORTS BAG is a necessity for anyone who goes to the gym
or plays sports needs a few things with them. It may just be a
water bottle, locker lock, towel, extra socks, ear-phones. If
playing a sport it might include cleats, knee-pads, shin guards,
ballet shoes, hair bands, gloves, and whatever gear is needed. You
may need a bag for each sport.
8. SLEEPOVER BAG is great for kids who spend a lot of time at
grandmas house or at sleepovers. You can keep the bag packed with
toiletries so all you need to add is the right clothing.
9. CLUB/ORGANIZATION BAGS are wonderful for the volunteer. Pack your bag with the essential papers you need for meetings and you won't be caught unprepared.
10. MOM'S PURSE is going to be different for everyone. But just
like the diaper bag, it should be the bare necessities and maybe a
few emergency items. Otherwise you'll have to carry luggage. Stuff
you need: money, driver's license, keys, insurance cards, phone.
REALLY. You could get by with just that. But most women will want
to carry a bit more.
My favorite purse for organizing my life is the Butler Bag. They
are the perfect bag for the woman who is tired of digging around to
find stuff. They even make a tote bag style now. http://tinyurl.com/cadwoh
Streamline your bags often because stuff creeps in.
Every week:
* take out garbage
* purge useless stuff
* put things away
* Replace what is used up
* Pick out the loose change that fell to the bottom.
