– If you haven’t worn it in two years, get rid of it.

– Remove articles or recipes you want to save from periodicals and put them in a binder.

– Set up a space to open and sort the mail every day with a recycle bin nearby. Glance at it enough to know what it is, but don’t read it. Toss, file or take action.

– Keep communication clear on what everyone else is doing, and when, by tracking schedules on a family calendar.

– At the end of each day, have everyone go around the house and collect all their “strays” and put their stuff back. Doesn’t have a home? Create one or get rid of it.

Source: Organizing tips from the National Association of Professional Organizers, the Container Store and organizer Malia Hall