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With kids at practice, husbands at late meetings and moms running the show, no wonder trying to get organized can be difficult. Before you roll your eyes at the mom who breezes through the supermarket, checking off her organized list, holding children who have on matching socks; read through these top ten get organized tricks and realize that you too can do it.

JUNK MAIL CLUTTER
Put a recycle bin near your front door and sort mail at your threshold, before it makes it to the clutter pile on your counter. Toss envelopes addressed to resident. Better yet, opt out of those offers. Go to www.obviously.com/junkmail for suggestions on how to stop receiving junk mail.

PLAN YOUR ATTACK
You've been there a million times, so sit down and make a template list organized by sections of the supermarket. Think in sections like produce or dry goods. Organize it the way your store is laid out and then pin it to your fridge with a pen nearby. Your next supermarket trip will be efficient, far from haphazard.

A STEP FURTHER
Using your new list, sit down and plan meals. Flip your list over, jot down your menu for the week, and use the front for the items you'll need to prepare the menu. One piece of paper for the whole week! And, when you get home, if you've got thirty minutes, wash the produce to save time for the rest of the week.

ARM YOURSELF
When you spill something upstairs, it stinks to run to the sink downstairs to get the carpet cleaner. Keep cleaning supplies handy on every floor so you can spot clean and tidy up whenever you've got a moment. You'll be less harried and you'll be able to tidy up more often.

CALENDARS
A wipe off calendar on the fridge works because you can use multicolored markers to track everyone's schedules. But, you can also go digital and get a Palm Pilot or track schedules on a computer, printing calendars to post in a communal location. The key is to get a calendar and use it.

THE INTERNET
Online bill paying and banking are only the beginning. The Internet can help you get organized with photo storage solutions, prescription orders, and shipping. You can even go beyond traditional shopping and have groceries delivered.

PACK-RAT BOX
You don't have to obsessively categorize it (but it might help!) but get a box or keep a drawer for coupons and receipts. Toys break and you occasionally want to go out for pizza. The last thing you want is to go scrounging through drawers or digging through trash to find a receipt.

HAMPERS
Even kids can tell the difference between red and white. If you have two hampers, one for light colors and one for darks, laundry is separated before you start washing. Half the work is done.

GET PACKING
Keep a diaper bag in the car for a baby. And, for older kids, make it their athletic bags or an activity bag. If they get carsick, keep a bucket and washcloth. You'll never be dashing around, jamming things in a bag.

LITTLE THINGS
Never underestimate the value of a hook by the door for your keys, a rack for your shoes, or table that you always put your purse on. Little things like mitten clips for kids (or even
for husbands!) can go a long way in helping you get organized.

If you want to get organized, it can be a lot of work to start, but once you get there, it's easy to stay. The payoff is more time to relax and lot less stress. The next time you're at the supermarket, you'll be the one pushing a cart holding a child with matching socks, checking items off an organized list, instead of scratching her head in front of the produce, wondering why she is there anyway.

Learn more about this author, Rachel Mcclain.
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