Cleaning out and organizing a garage can seem overwhelming. However, if you can follow these 4 Simple Steps, you just might enjoy the process!

1. The first thing you need to do is PURGE all unncessary items from your garage. Pick a warm day when you can pull everything out onto your driveway. Make 3 piles - KEEP, TOSS, and DONATE.Begin by working with the items on the floor of your garage, and pull the items from left to right, like you are "reading" your garage. Once you are finished with the floor of the garage, move to the walls.

2. The next thing you need to do is establish ZONES in your garage. For instance, maybe the wall farthest away from where you exit and enter the garage is your gardening zone, where you would keep garden tools, soil, extra pots, etc. Sample categories are:

• Car Care
• Gardening and Lawn Care
• Recreational/Sporting Equipment
• Outdoor Furniture
• Hardware and Tools

3. Once you have figured out what you are keeping, these items can go directly into your newly established zones. If you are now left with piles of items, there are some options for safe and effective storage.

I recommend the 20" deep plastic sturdy shelving (available from home improvement stores) that you can assemble in less than 10 minutes. Another option is the metal and wood Gorilla Shelving from Sam's Club. The assembly time takes a little longer, and you will need a rubber mallet to get the job done. These shelves can be adjusted to hold those large 20 gallon plastic bins.

One of the ways to get bikes, gear, and large yard tools up on the wall and out of the way is by using this great new tool called "Wall Docks". At less than one ounce, Interchange WallDocks are easy to install, holding up to 50 lbs. and turning any wall into flexible storage space. You can also use a multitude of hooks than can hold everything from hoses to bikes.

If you would like a professional, clean look to your garage complete with spacious cabinetry and shelving, you could use the services of a professional garage system company.

4. Set up garage rules. It is important that everyone in your household knows what goes into the garage from now on. Give family members a tour, and let them know that the garage needs to be just as organized as every other room in the house! Establish regular times during the year that you will revisit your garage so that it can stay clutter free.

Congratulations! You have cleaned out your garage of all that extra bird seed, broken rakes, and gallons of paint that dates back to 1991. What do you do with chemicals, gas cans, etc.? Allegheny County will be hosting their annual Household Hazardous Waste drop-off event. It will be on April 29th, at Settler's Cabin Park.

Did you know that pouring kitty litter into old paint cans will absorb the paint and make it safe to dispose of right on your curb? Read about other safe ways to dispose and harden old paint, and get directions to this event by clicking on "Read On..." below.

So what if the paint is still good, and you hate to see it go to waste? Construc tion Junction is a place that will take odd items used in construction, like plumbing and light fixtures, shelving, tools, or even those kitchen cabinets that you saved, thinking you just might need them...someday!

Quick Tip: Decide how long you will keep paint - it will freeze and spoil if kept too long - but you may be able to have it reformulated at your paint store. Try to keep your paint in a climate controlled area (not exposed to extreme temperatures).

There IS a way to stop those credit card offers from coming in...permanently! Call 888-567-8688 or go to You can also go to www.optout prescreen.com and the four major credit reporting companies will STOP sending your information to the credit card companies. You can opt for 5 years or permanent removal from those lists. Note: This is for stoppage of firm offers of credit and insurance only.

To remove your name from most advertising mail, write to: Direct Marketing Associations, Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512- 0643. You can stop unsolicited marketing information by calling Acxiom 1-877-774-2094.

You may have heard about the Do Not Call registry for your home phone, to stop the telemarketers from calling, but don't forget to register your CELL phone too! Call 888-382-1222 or go to www.donotcall.gov.

Do you have Quicken or Quickbooks software? Do you have financial computer and paper files in your office or home office? Do you know how to manage your finances? Do you have a budget? I you answered yes to any of these questions, our Financial Organizing Services are for you! Give us a call to learn about how we can help you be in control of your money and financial information.