The beginning of summer marks the end of school and a switch in family routines.  Here are suggestions for getting the family into an organizing activity.

1.  Develop a family plan for clearing a cluttered area

• At the beginning of summer, talk about the impact of clutter on each person in the family. Find ways to help each other clear the clutter. Develop a plan and decide on a reward when done.
• Create a "landing pad" for each family member. As summer progresses more time is spent outdoors and not inside clearing clutter. Designate an inside place (landing pad) where each person sets or picks up their personal items. All misplaced items go here. 

2. Discuss family clutter options

• Prepare to sell, donate or toss your unwanted clutter.
• Decide if you will hold a yard sale, and set a date.  Set aside an area to collect items for sale. Prepare items for sale by sorting, cleaning, and pricing.
• Decide on what will be done with the sale proceeds.
• If you have things to donate or give away, keep "like items" together (men's, women's, children's, household, etc.) If you itemize tax deductions, keep a record of what goes into each donation bag.   Click here to see my charitable deduction form.
• Be a role model for your family.  Kids learn by observation.

3. Purge clothes for storage, donation or toss

• As you put away seasonal clothing, select items that you can donate or toss. Clean and repair the rest before storing in dust-free containers.
• Keep like things together and label the containers for easy retrieval next fall.
• Ask children or spouse to decide what should be donated - suggestion: choose to give away 10% of what you have.