When it comes to getting organized, most of our clients use whatever they have on hand. From re-using old containers for a new purpose to making use of a neglected gift or prior purchase, Efficient Spaces advocates the "re-use" of items whenever possible. Before shopping for supplies, it's important to first determine what you have and where it will  go. If supplies are needed, there are many options available. Some unique solutions to common organizing dilemmas are listed below.

For Kids	For Kitchens/Closets	For Her
Recommended Reading	For the Family	For the Laundry Room

If you'd like to recommend other links or products, or if you find any of these links are incorrect or out of service, please contact us at ideas@efficientspaces.com.            Thank you!

All-in-One shown above. Schoolfolio Photos: Claudio Napolitano

Kids have artwork, school work and other mementos worth saving. But where to keep it all? The Schoolfolio is a large, durable portfolio that safely holds papers for long-term storage. And if you order yours from Efficient Spaces, you'll get 10% off the purchase price! (Select Efficient Spaces as your Sales Representative online or by phone.)

If moving can't be made "easy" at least it can be "easier" with this smart moving tool kit. It features color-coded labels, an inventory guide for easy tracking, plus helpful moving and packing tips. Perfect for ensuring an organized move!

30 Days to a Simpler Life -- by Cris Evatt and Connie Cox

From the Publisher
In their new book, 30 Days To A Simpler Life, co-authors Connie Cox and Cris Evatt share their ideas on simplifying your closet, your bedroom, your bathroom, your drawers, your furniture, your knickknacks... your life! Their incredibly resourceful and detailed guide will show you the way to a simpler and more organized lifestyle. And scattered throughout are helpful hints on small details that make large impacts on our lives.

From the Organizer
Even the experts in organizing will find a nugget (or two or three) of useful information that can improve the functionality of a space. The format is easy to read, and you can digest a bit at a time. And, since the tips are allocated into just 30 days, this is the perfect way to start the habit of organizing. Before you know it, it will become routine. Ideal for resolution-makers and goal-setters.

Family First -- by Dr. Phil McGraw

From Amazon's Editorial Review
With Family First: Your Step-by-Step Plan for Creating a Phenomenal Family, Dr. Phil offers a new classic on family life -- and gives parents real answers and a plan for being the most positive and effective parents possible. Starting right now, you can begin to make realistic choices and take day-to-day actions that can make your family phenomenal. You must decide that you will lead your family with strength and love and that peace and joy are not just for the people next door or on TV. They're for your family.

From the Organizer
I'm a big fan of libraries... you can read books "for free", plus it's the eco-friendly thing to do. But there are some books you need to refer to again and again, and this is one of them. If you like Dr. Phil's straight-talk style, this book will speak to you. He offers clear, insightful and realistic ideas for today's parents and uses a number of quizzes, examples, scripts and tips about what to say and do with kids - from toddlerhood to teenage years. Ideal for any parent, but especially those who wish Parenting 101 was a required course back in high school or college.

It's All Too Much -- by Peter Walsh

From Amazon's Editorial Review
With his good humor and reassuring advice, Peter shows you how to face the really big question: What is the vision for the life you want to live? He then offers simple techniques and a step-by-step plan to assess the state of your home, prioritize your possessions, and let go of the clutter you have been holding on to that has kept you from living the life you imagine. The result is freed-up space, less stress, and more energy for living a happier, richer life every day.

From the Organizer
Although Peter Walsh hails from Australia, he truly "gets it" when it comes to the American phenomenon of consumerism. And he goes beyond the simplistic "Toss what you don't need" to help you realize why you accumulated such stuff in the first place. If you can't afford to hire me or another professional organizer but still want help, this book may be an affordable way to get started on your own vision to a less cluttered life. Ideal for anyone who realizes that being organized is a state of mind -- one they want to pursue!

The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous and Broke -- by Suze Orman

From Amazon.com Review
... Aimed specifically at "Generation Broke"--those in their twenties and thirties who are working yet buried in credit card debt and student loans--this user-friendly guide offers a clear introduction to practical investing and money management techniques that can turn even a dismal financial situation around. Bestselling author Suze Orman has a knack for taking the fear out of money matters, and in The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke, she shows readers how to set priorities and achieve goals, whether it is to buy a house or save for retirement or pay for a child's education. She also offers inspiration to readers to face their financial problems and get started on a solution. After all, there is good news: young people still have the time to correct problems so that they will never be broke again. ... It may not be the only money book you'll ever need, but it's an excellent place to start. --Shawn Carkonen

From The Organizer
Suze Orman has got what it takes to knock some common sense and good financial sense into all of us. Her mantra, "People first, then money, then things" is one I hold dear. Any one of her books is great education (esp. The Laws of Money and 9 Steps to Financial Freedom) but this one speaks to an audience that was unfortunately shortchanged (pardon the pun) when it came to learning money lessons in a hyperconsumerism culture. Ideal for college students and graduates, as a gift to themselves or from someone who cares about them and their financial future.

Free and Clear, God's Roadmap to Debt-Free Living -- by Howard Dayton

Product Description
Overwhelmed with debt? There is hope and freedom for you no matter how big your problem. Skyrocketing debt has crippled and divided millions in this age of rampant credit, interest-only mortgages, and record loan defaults. ... Becoming debt-free may seem an impossible dream for many, but it is actually an attainable goal according to Howard Dayton, president of Crown Financial Ministries. He overcame his own struggle with debt by applying God's principles to managing his finances, principles he lays out in this practical, encouraging, never-give-up book.

From the Organizer
Many "get out of debt" books are too heavy on the math, too light on the meaning behind such measures. This book offers a fresh approach that speaks to Christians with its scripture-based reasoning for why debt is a heavy burden to carry. Regardless of one's faith, taking this moralistic look at your finances -- and financial choices -- might be the key to changing bad money habits and considering better approaches. Ideal for anyone looking for spiritual guidance and reasoning when it comes to money matters.

The Five Love Languages -- by Gary Chapman

Amazon.com Review
Unhappiness in marriage often has a simple root cause: we speak different love languages, believes Dr. Gary Chapman. While working as a marriage counselor for more than 30 years, he identified five love languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. In a friendly, often humorous style, he unpacks each one. Some husbands or wives may crave focused attention; another needs regular praise. Gifts are highly important to one spouse, while another sees fixing a leaky faucet, ironing a shirt, or cooking a meal as filling their "love tank."Chapman illustrates each love language with real-life examples from his counseling practice. How do you discover your spouse’s – and your own – love language? Chapman’s short questionnaires are one of several ways to find out. --Cindy Crosby.

From the Organizer
This book offered me many lightbulb moments. Reading it helped me understand not only my own husband but my kids too. (There's also a book dedicated to the love languages of children.) Better yet, this book relates to many of my clients -- and probably a lot of Americans in general -- who give, receive and hold onto gifts (and other material possessions) so strongly. Many households have one spouse who has intense emotional attachments to their acquired things, while the other spouse is quick to toss such items. Learning the different love languages could make a big difference not only for one's relationships but for one's living space as well. Ideal for anyone looking for added insight into their partner or family members.