How to Save Money while Organizing

If you’re going for a Pinterest picture home the organizing bill can really add up and completely bankrupt people. Organizing bins can be phenomenally pricy, especially the bamboo and acrylic. I am here to tell you exactly how to save on your organizing venture. It might not be completely Pinterest picture worthy, but it will be environmentally friendly and very easy on the account.

Declutter and organize first

Before you head out to your local Canadian Tire or Container Store, declutter and organize the area of choice. You have no idea how many times I get a call from a potential client asking me to organize their home and saying they need bins, dividers etc. and I get to their home and start working and they realize they really don’t need any product, or they need a LOT less then they originally thought.

Write Lists

While you are going through your organizing process write lists of how many bins or dividers you exactly need. This step will keep you from over buying too many products which will keep you from spending extra or having to drive all the way back to return the products, and with the cost of gas these days everyone can really save on an extra trip.

Use Boxes from your home

While you go through your organizational process you will probably find lots of boxes. Shoe boxes, purse boxes, phone boxes, old cookie tins etc. Use these first. This will help save the environment as well as save you from purchasing a lot of bins. Some people even cut down cereal boxes and use them in the desk drawer as pen organizers. It might not be the most attractive, but it creates a functional system and saves the bank account. iPhone boxes create really nice organizers, and they are quite sturdy.

Do your research

There are many places to buy inexpensive organizers that you may not know about. Home Sense has attractive organizers at a discounted rate. The dollar store always has organizers and occasionally you can find ones that look as nice as the high-end ones. Ikea also has a lot of fantastic storage options. Be careful however as you can really get caught up in Ikea with the maze of beautiful products you will “think” you need as you trek through the entire store. 

Consumerism will make you think you need all these beautiful organizers to embark on you organizing journey. It is there to make you feel you need to go into debt just to have a beautiful home that social media sets out to show you. It just isn’t true, the options are endless and minimalism is key especially if your are on a budget and into saving the environment, so be cautious and really be honest about if the items you are choosing to hold on to are things you truly need and love. 

Melanie McConnell is a Professional Organizer and the owner of Mello Spaces. She helps busy professionals and parents get the organized home of their dreams. Check out her website www.mellospaces.com and follow her on Instagram: @mellospaces

Florena Davies is a Professional Organizer and Owner of Organize by Flo. She uses her experience as a wife and mother of 2 to create real life organizational systems and changes for work and home that allow our 2 worlds to co-exist and 'Flo" together. Check out her website at https://www.organizebyflo.com/ and on instagram @organizebyflo.

Marybeth Welty helps women create calm and healthy homes and lives. With over 12 years of experience in organizing, interior design, sustainable building, and mindful living, Marybeth is passionate about improving your mental health, your work, your relationships, and supporting the life of your dreams by starting with where you live, your home. You can book a free meeting with her at https://sustainablelifestylesolutions.com/20-min-free and connect with her on Instagram at @this_sustainable_lifestyle.