Challenge #8- Menus

Congratulations to all of you who are getting organized with us! If you are just joining in, welcome. Today we will tackle the stash of take-out menus.

Let’s recall the process we are using throughout the month:

THE PROCESS

• Gather your supplies:
  • Boxes or bags labeled with:
    • “Donate”
    • “Elsewhere”
    • “Store”
  • Trash can/recycle bin
  • Damp rag/wet wipe

• Empty challenge area for the day. And by empty, I mean EMPTY.

• Once the area is empty, wipe it clean with a damp rag.

• Now sort the items into these categories: (The Seana Method’s R.E.D.D.S. system)
  • R- “Restore”: items to go back in
  • E- “Elsewhere: items to keep, but which don’t belong in this space
  • D- “Donate”
  • D- “Dispose”: trash or recycle
  • S- “Store”: items to keep for sentimental reasons, or perhaps for a long-term future use, but which are not regularly used. (These items will eventually need to go into a bin/box in an attic, basement, or closet.)

• As you are sorting, put items into the boxes/bags you prepared.

• Once you are finished sorting, put the “Restore” items back into your designated area.

• Carry the “Elsewhere” box/bag around your house and redistribute its contents.

• Move the “Donate” box/bag to the car to be donated.

• Trash/recycle the “Dispose” items

• Put the "Store" box aside for now. When the month is over, these items will be packaged for long-term storage.

THE TASK

Today’s project is quick and easy.  Dig out all of the take-out menus you have shoved in a drawer or hanging on the fridge. If you keep coupons for restaurants, grab them as well.

The first step is to sort through it all on a clear surface and throw away anything that is expired or any duplicates. Pair the coupons with the menus. This should take 10 minutes.

Now you are ready to reload. There are a couple of options for keeping these organized, so pick the one that fits your space best:

• Binder with plastic pages, stored on a shelf
• Hanging file (labeled!), stored in a file drawer
• Clipped together, stored in a drawer or hanging (this only works if you have a small amount of paper), 
• Magazine holder, stored on a shelf or in a cabinet
• Large adhesive pocket, on the inside of a cabinet door.
• Scanned, stored as PDFs on a computer (menus only, for coupons you will need to keep the paper)

This little project can save you time and instantly give you a less cluttered look. Share your new system with other family members so everyone knows how to keep the items organized. Periodically (e.g. every quarter), cull through your stash again so it stays up to date and optimally functional.

Tomorrow is Saturday, which can be a “catch up” day in case you have fallen behind or need some extra time to complete one of our previous challenges. Or simply rest, and join us on Monday for another week of getting organized!

Submitted by Seana Turner, founder and President of The Seana Method