The Whole Kit and Caboodle... Well, Sort Of...

One of my favorite organizing tips {besides my trusty home management binder} is to categorize belongings into kits.  If you think about it, you probably already do this.  Like when you take put your foundation, concealer, lip gloss, etc. into a bag or pouch, you are essentially creating a makeup "kit".  But, have you ever thought about taking that idea and translating it to help you to organize other areas of your home?

I think with summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time to put together a "picnic kit":

{Via}

Aby, from the blog Creative Organizing and owner of Simplify 101, came up with this "Picnic Mini Zone" filled with everything you need for a spontaneous summertime picnic {table cloth, napkins, wipes, salt and pepper shakers...click HERE for the full list}.  She also suggested creating a "Travel Mini Zone" by filling a tote with travel sized toiletries, laundry bag, and a laminated travel checklist.  That way an impromtu road trip is a little easier to pack for.  

Hey, spontaneous picnics and impromptu road trips... who says organizing leaves no room for unplanned fun?  And, speaking of impromptu fun, what about a last minute weekend trip to the beach?

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 Keeping all essentials packed and ready to go means you can hit the road as soon as your little heart desires.  Also, Jen from IHeart Organizing has created a handy little "Beach Essentials Checklist" to make sure you don't forget anything... like sunscreen... can't forget the sunscreen.

Of course, even during the summer, groceries still have to be purchased, so why not make it as easy as possible by creating an "errand kit":

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This idea also comes from Aby {of Creative Organizing} who calls it her "Errands Center Mini Zone".  She uses a plastic bin to corral things like a pre-printed grocery list, coupon organizer, and a clip board to use while shopping.  {For the full list, click HERE.}

Not only do groceries have to be purchased, meals still have to be made...  

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This whole "kit" concept works especially well in the pantry, too.  Separate ingredients according to meal versus food group.  No need to take the time to hunt down everything you need because it's all there.  You could even place the appropriate recipe card/page in the basket so you don't have to hunt that down either.  Plus, you can go ahead and pre-measure dry ingredients {like flour and spices}.  This way, all you have to do is take a basket off the shelf and get started.

Added to that list of things that still need to be done during summertime, is: paying bills!  Yes, some people just don't understand that summertime is supposed to be carefree... can't we just skip a couple months of payments?  But, until the mortgage and electric companies see things my way, we can make life a little easier on ourselves by following Toni's {from A Bowl Full of Lemons} lead and creating a "Budget Box":

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Keep all of your monthly budgets and bills in one place.  Plus, to make it more efficient, stash envelopes, a checkbook (or two), and stamps in a plastic file container.  {Click HERE for the full how-to.}  And since bill paying can be a real downer of a task, why not purchase a cute box and colorful folders to brighten your mood?

And, if your kids' usually attend school during the academic year, you may have to adjust to them being home all day.  Make it a little easier to adapt by putting together snack stations for the kiddos - one for the fridge and one for the pantry:

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Of course, this is also a great tip year round by making it easy for them to grab an after-school snack with little help from you.  What's great is, you choose what goes into each station, but the kiddos enjoy the freedom to pick the snack they want each day.  Plus, those who do not attend "regular" school, like young children and homeschoolers, will appreciate having a special place for their snacks.

Another trademark of summertime is wedding season... Add that to the roster of birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, and baby showers you've been invited to and you're likely to feel like a chicken running around with its head cut off.  Make it THAT much easier on yourself by creating two gift wrapping kits: one for the year round occasions and a separate one exclusively for Christmas:

{Via}

Don't forget to include wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue paper, ribbons/bows, scissors, tape, markers, and anything else you'll need to wrap things up pretty.  And, yes, I encourage you to buy/gather scissors, tape, and markers for EACH of your kits.  There's nothing worse than sitting down to wrap a present, only to realize your tape is at the other end of the house.

Other ways you can organize using kits/"mini zones"/stations:

•  Kid's Activity Kit - Long car rides can be oh-so-boring for active kids.  Sure you could break out the portable DVD player, but why not give them other options: crayons and coloring book, travel size games, books, journal, and small toys.  Place it all in a tote bag or backpack and keep it in the car to ward off the famous "are we there yet" question.
• Nail Kit {a.k.a. Pamper Yourself Kit} - Gather everything you need to do your nails or to create your very own spa night at home.  It's important to take some time to recharge your batteries.  Putting together a kit will make it that much easier to relax.
• Waiting Kit - Grocery lines, doctor's office lobbies, school pick-up lines.  We spend a lot of our lives simply waiting.  Why not use this time wisely?  Pack a tote with your favorite crossword or sudoku book, the current novel you're reading, or a journal to write down your thoughts.

When you organize by task versus item, everything you need to complete a specific job is kept in one central location, thus making it a little less intimidating to begin the project and makes for more productive use of your time.

So, I'm dying to know, how do YOU organize using "kits"?

Blessings,



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