For the next several Fridays I am sharing the article "If I'm so organized, how come I can't get organized?"** (verbatim) from an October 2007 Real Simple publication. The interesting thing about getting organized is there never seems to be an expiration date. What was good then is still valuable today. Try a few of these tips to get organized this week.

"What I have is organized, but there is just too much of it," says editorial assistant, Nykia Spradley."I feel like I need to hang on to things. I have an accordion file overflowing with college-tuition bills and credit-card statements. I just don't want to risk throwing them out."

1. Tame the paper beast. Tax returns should be kept forever," says Martin Pospeshil (see The Experts at end of this article). "Backup material, like receipts and statements, can be purged after seven years." Another way to cut through clutter: "Scan items you want to keep but don't need to look at often," says Eileen Roth, "and save the info on your hard drive."  The article suggests the Neat Receipts Scanalizer.  Check on-line and late night television ads for more options.

2. Downsize your wardrobe. If you're hanging on to those short shorts,"Ask yourself the three F's: Does it fit, flatter, and make you feel like a million bucks?" says Liz Canavan. If the answer is no, give it to charity. Seedroff: Business clothes can be donated to Dress for Success boutique in Denver, CO.  Consider consignment shops for current and nearly new items.

 3. Let it go. If you have received gifts that you don't want but feel guilty giving away, "take a picture of yourself holding them," says Allert. "Then get rid of them! The purpose of a present is for the donor to show her good feelings toward the recipient. The actual item is a side issue."

I'm out the door to DisneyWorld with my children and grandchildren. Feng Shui Fridays for the remainder of this Real Simple article are all scheduled for delivery while I'm gone. I'll be "Checking In" on Facebook periodically and reading emails on my iPhone each morning. Keep me posted on your organizing progress and I'll respond.

Until next week

Wishing you Simplified Interiors

Kathie Seedroff

**This article written by Nicole Sforza. Additional reporting by Nubia DuVall and Martha C. White.

The Experts: Deb Allert, Clutter-a-Go-Go, San Diego CA; Katherine Atteberry, Mind Over Matter MOM, Bozeman MT; Stephanie Calahan, Calahan Solutions, Bloomington IL; Liz Canavan Alchemy of Order, Boulder CO; Ilene Drexler, Organizing Wiz, New York NY; Betsy Fein, Clutter Busters, Rockville MD; Nancy Heller, Goodbye Clutter, New York NY; Jill Lawrence, Jill-of-all-Trades, Washington DC; Nancy McGivney, Getting Things Done, San Clemente CA; Martin Pospeshil, Klutter.org, Buffalo Grove IL; Eileen Roth, Everything in Its Place, Scottsdale AZ; Steve Webber, Steve's Organizing LLC, Tacoma WA