To meet this challenge you must prevent “stuff” from entering your home in the first place and develop an organizational plan.

For a general strategy, make the following resolutions to lessen the amount of clutter that accumulates in your home.

1) Clear your plate-

• If you get a gift that you don’t like or can’t use, either return it for something you can, or get rid of it.
• Learn to say “NO” to your sister’s castoff sofa!
• If you are knitting a scarf for Aunt Martha and it’s been 2 years since you put it down, either finish it (because you can’t start another project until you do) or else pitch it because chances are you’re not going to finish it anyway, and it’s going to get shoved in a closet.

2) Develop Organized Habits-

• Treat your home like your car; schedule regular tune-ups.
• Every time you get something new, get rid of the old, or if you bring a new sweater into your closet, add one to the EF (Epilepsy Foundation) box. A new pair of shoes-toss your least favorite ones.
• Books-pass on to a friend-book swap once a month.
• Wash dishes after every meal-put away before the next.
• Discard old papers, etc. that are one week old
• Pick up toys after each playtime
• Tidy your work space or living area after you’re
  done using it.
• Resists the urge to buy a souvenir on vacation. Ask yourself. “Would you buy this in a store at home?” Carefully consider why you want it ,and where it will be displayed.

3) Call in a Professional

• Having trouble organizing space? An expert organizer will teach you how to stop storing things you don’t need and prevent you from losing things you do need.
• Getting organized is a personal process, and it’s best to work with someone who understands and respects the way you think and the way you live.

Author, Cindy Haugland is the owner of TidyTightwads, a professional cleaning and organizing business. She posts blog updates to help people save money, stay organized, make homemade cleaning products and more. You can find Cindy on Twitter: @tidytightwad