Make Life Easier Part Dos

I’m pretty sure I told you I’d be back with this last week and then never posted.  Oops.  I’m all about making life easier, but I’m not all about acting like these ideas work 100% of the time.  Is that even reality?

Something I realized last summer is that I don’t have to fit everything inside my house.  I have a huge garage (even though it fills with snow, falling leaves, and grass clippings) that I can use for storage, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.

If you have a garage, a shed, a walk-through, or breezeway, don’t be afraid to use that space to store.  It’s been a savior for me. Plus, I got to buy cute containers for the shelf.

Got kids?  Got laundry?  Hate socks as much as I do?  At the beginning of the school year, I go out and purchase all the same socks for my son and all the same socks for my daughter.

When I do their laundry, I pour all the socks into a basket.  I then go through, throw away any socks with holes, and divide his socks from hers with this little stacking doo-hicky thing.  See all my son’s socks?  Yeah, uhhh…apparently I didn’t need that package I bought yesterday.

There was a time when I bought all different colored socks or socks with cute little patterns on it to match certain outfits.  That time is over.

See this little unassuming cabinet?  It’s my best friend.  When my kids became old enough to use the water dispenser on the fridge or get a snack here and there for themselves, I started putting all their cups, plates, and bowls in here.  How much did it change my life?  It’s a tie between this and DVR.

And finally, I know I’ve said this a million times, but I absolutely swear by baskets, containers, buckets, and (of course) labels!  

It separates what could ultimately be a chaotic mess.  Whether it’s art supplies, bathroom products, medicine, or—yes—wrestling gear, having them contained is key. 

Oh wait.  One last thing.  Buy a basket (or bucket, etc.) for your toilet paper.  Throw it in there and giggle at the simplicity.  Don’t worry about stacking it or finding a cabinet for it.  Now, you won’t hear, “Mommmmm! There’s no toilet paper!”  Actually, you’ll still here it.  But now you can just say, “It’s right next to you!” and then giggle some more.