By April Reibie

Published: Wednesday, January 2, 2013, 8:58 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, January 2, 2013

January is a month of starting out the New Year fresh, breaking old habits and setting new goals.

What a great time to organize your entire year.

It can be a little overwhelming when thinking about the entire year, but set up goals for each month on what you would like to accomplish.

My first tip is to write down one thing for each month that you would like to organize or clean out.

January could be your paper work or files at home.

Use manila folders to organize your receipts, paid bills, medical receipts/bills and insurance papers.

File 2012 items and set aside the things that you will need for taxes and put them in a 2012 tax folder.

Start new folders for 2013.

This will give you a good start on the year. You should know where all your important papers are.

In February, you could focus on a closet at home that needs to be cleaned out and organized,

March's project could be organizing your laundry room,.

Some time in April could be used putting away winter boots, coats and other items.

Each time you put away one season's items and bring out the next season's items, donate those items that haven't been used in the last year.

You get the idea, take baby steps.

Being organized can make your life run easier, be less hectic and possibly give you some extra time to relax and unwind.

April Reibie is a freelance writer for Trib Total Media. She lives in Valencia and has a small business called Clutter Free that specializes in decluttering, organizing homes and office and home staging. To contact her, email clutterfree@zoominternet.net.

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