Clean up and clear out as you organize for 2009

McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) - You know you have a problem with clutter when your new 52-inch flat screen TV looks more like an old 19-inch, dwarfed by all that junk piled high around it.

If cleaning up, tossing out and excavating mounds of life's possessions sounds like too much of a bother _ plus, you find your old pay stubs from 1980 nostalgic _ think of it this way: Decluttering your home could save you money.

Really.

In these times of economic woe, "People want to feel more on top of things _ all of a sudden a finance charge is a big deal," says Standolyn Robertson, president of the National Association of Professional Organizers in Massachusetts. At one point, tossing your credit card bill on a growing stack and forgetting about it for awhile might have been doable. You could swallow the late fee. Today, maybe not.

"People have the money but they can't seem to get the stamp and checkbook and bill all on the same desk at the same time and out the door," Robertson says.

Another incentive: With unemployment on the rise, "If people have to stay in their houses a little longer, they need to make it work. People are using their kitchens more, but when the house is disorganized it's easier to go out to eat than to find a spot on the kitchen counter to prepare a meal. It's a great way to save money. You can literally save hundreds a week by eating at home," Robertson says.

Another common mistake people make in decluttering their homes is thinking they immediately have to run to places like The Container Store or Staples to buy filing cabinets or fancy plastic storage bins before evaluating their real needs.

"Declutter a room in your home before buying extra storage for that room," says Michael Verdugo of South Florida's Verdugo Design Group and Elite Home Staging. "It's tempting to buy the storage first, but you'll just end up storing things you should have let go."

Makes sense.

Here are more tips on decluttering and reinventing your living space from the National Association of Professional Organizers and Elite's Verdugo.

BEDROOM

_Think charitably. Give away items that are in good condition to Goodwill, the Salvation Army or a local nonprofit.

_Decide what you want at your fingertips and what can be stored in containers under the bed, on top shelves or in drawers. Closets are one of the major places to store clutter in your bedroom. Go through your closet regularly and pull out everything not worn in the last year. Unlike wine, clothes tend not to improve with age.

_You multitask these days; your furniture should, too. Buy dual-function furniture _ built-in drawers underneath the bed or drawers built into coffee tables or foot stools that have built-in storage. If you have a bedroom that's only used as an occasional guest room, consider a wall bed if you can afford it.

_Hang like items _ shirts, belts, pants, dresses _ together. This saves time if dressing in a hurry.

_If you customarily undress for the night in the bedroom, have a container handy for anything that's in your pockets. Knock a nail in the wall for a cheap and handy rack near the front door for your car keys.

_Make sure there's easy access to most storage areas. You may be surprised at how many storage cabinets or closets have furniture or stuff blocking access. If you have closet space that isn't easy to reach, use it for seasonal storage like holiday ornaments or heavy blankets.

GARAGE

_Determine the best use of this space. Perhaps you can make it a workshop. How about a storage center? If you have a lot of gym equipment, consider a group of those fitness items here. Or maybe something really novel, like stashing your car.

_Whatever choice you make, stick to it by tossing things that don't work with your format. Sort, purge and then decide upon the proper storage containers or fixtures for the must-keeps.

_Label both the tops and the sides of the containers _ you'll be thankful you've done this if you move later.

_Consider floor-to-ceiling possibilities for shelving, racks, stackable drawers, hooks and pegboards _ and don't forget the rafters.

HOME OFFICE

_Don't let the desktop be a catch-all. Keep only the supplies you need on a daily basis on your desktop.

_Create a paper flow system for your incoming documents. Use your in-box only for items that haven't yet been reviewed. Once you read something, act upon it and if it's not important, toss it.

_Digitize all photos, letters and bills. Many companies now offer paperless options.

_This isn't a time to be namby-pamby. If you haven't used it in years _ ditch it. Don't be overly sentimental, it's only stuff.

PROFESSIONAL HELP

_If all of this makes you nervous, there are professional organizers out there. You can find one at www.napo.net.

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© 2009, The Miami Herald.