The Organized Nest
September 17th, 2007I haven’t experienced a lot of the pregnancy stereotypes, like nausea, moodiness, and cravings, but the end of my second trimester has heralded in what could be characterized as a full-blown case of Nesting. My obsession has been channeled into two avenues: Cleaning and organizing. I could write at length about my adventures in cleaning (highlights include scrubbing my tile grout and silverware drawer), but don’t think I can make a case that it’s germane to bargain hunting.
Organizing, however, can get expensive. Specifically, all the enticing organizational accoutrements marketed as magical solutions to our over-cluttered lives. I know I can’t be the only one who finds storage bins sexy because there’s an entire retail chain called the Container Store. And as I’ve been sorting and stacking lately, I’ve reached the conclusion that I’m a long way from owning too many organizing pieces. They are so undeniably useful in keeping my spaces neater and using the space more efficiently.
Here’s the floor of my linen closet, where my personal care bargains were previously piled in shopping bags and roughly sorted (I wish I had taken a “before” picture).
Now I can finally see and access what I have!
So I’m on the hunt for discount organizing strategies. I had a little success at Kroger last week, where a couple of Sterilite storage lines were being clearanced out for 75% off. Besides that, I’ve only explored Target/Walmart and the Dollar Tree for some basics.
I’d love to get some frugal input and hear about:
-Any favorite organizing websites that can provide continuing inspiration
-Any “secret”/not immediately obvious sources for affordable organizational equipment
-Any creative tips you’ve used or know about for low or no-cost organizing solutions
Have you ever read I’m An Organizing Junkie? I believe it’s orgjunkie.blogspot.com. She’s great! I’m always in awe.
I really don’t have any tips or tricks per se - I just took the leap and bought Rubbermaids, etc. before Liam was born. You’ll be thankful that you’re doing all this organizing now thought - after the baby is born, you won’t have time for the first month, and you’ll be SO thankful you’re organized and stocked up!
If it makes you feel any better, I reorganized our garage one night at 8 pm when I was 38 weeks pregnant - I couldn’t take the way it was organized before. My husband thought I was insane, but he let me do what I wanted - he said hearing me mumble “I can’t deal with this…I HAVE to organize this better!” was enough to deter him from stepping in and telling me I was absolutely nuts.
Isn’t nesting fun? Just wait until you get it in your head that you don’t have enough toilet paper in the house, and go buy 10 8-packs of double roll Cottonelle (yes, I did this. *hangs head in shame*). Or the boxes and boxes of Stove Top, Hamburger Helper, and muffin mixes that will eventually accumulate because you don’t want DH to ‘go hungry….’
It all goes by too fast!
Michele - Ooh, no I hadn’t seen Organizing Junkie before, thanks! And I’m liking the Menu Plan Monday feature, I need help in that area too.
Andrea - It is fun
I need all the hormonal motivation I can get, esp in the cleaning department. I’m mentally allowing that at least the first month post-baby will be general loss as far as cleaning and shopping go, so get in the best shape possible now. With the stockpiling I’ve been doing, I’m fairly certain DH could live off the pantry/freezer contents for the baby’s first year 