Living Like a New Yorker- Organizational Secrets

For those of us who feel like we keep acquiring material things in our house-toys, books, clothing, shoes, dishes, supplies, we have a challenge for you.

Do you want a less cluttered, more organized house?
Well we want to let you in on a well known secret of many New Yorkers, or city dwellers- they only bring something NEW into the house when they get rid of something else.
As we know, people that live in small spaces often have to make each area of their home work over-time and serve multiple functions.
But what you may not know is that most people living in small spaces, like in New York apartments, have to limit what they bring into their homes because their is not a lot of extra room or storage except for things they love or use.
So you may be wondering, how does this help me?
Well, here is the challenge- we challenge all of our readers to consider living by the New York Standard
stop buying more clothes, shoes, toys for your kids, or purses, or kitchen equipment unless you get rid of 1 or more items in your house that is taking up room and is either- not used anymore, old, broken or no longer your taste.
Ask yourself these questions when you are trying to decide if you should keep it or purge it (donate or sell it):

• Do I love the item? If you don't it is probably time to part with it.
• Where was the item? Was it displaed proudly, or is it in a closet?
  If it was stored and you do not love it-consider donating it.
• If it is clothing or shoes, ask yourself- have I worn this in the last year and can I fit into it? And be honest
  If you have not worn it or it does not fit-consider donating it so someone else can use it and you can see the clothes you actually wear.
• If it is clothing or shoes, ask yourself- have I worn this in the last year and can I fit into it? And be honest

If you adopt this one principle this month, your house will be in better shape a year from now. Think about Christmas or Haukkah- you know you will be adding new gifts (toys, clothes, gadgets) to your house. Start preparing now by purging your house in November and early December and the Holidays will feel a little less cluttered after the wrapping paper is tossed around the house and toys and presents fill your home- act now and save yourself the headache over the Holidays or in January.