TIPS FROM ORGANIZATIONAL EXPERT PETER WALSH

• Treat junk mail like an intruder. Wherever possible, do not let junk mail into your home. Place a recycle bin for the junk mail somewhere handy and be sure to deposit of those annoying envelopes efficiently.

• Organize your monthly receipts. Use an inexpensive 12-month accordion file to quickly and easily organize your monthly receipts and even paid bills. At the end of 12 months discard the oldest bills and receipts. This is a simple solution to that messy paperwork that can really get out of hand.

• Go green to manage your finances. Use a debit card to tracking your transactions online is a great way to cut back on paper. Credit card companies are giving consumers incentives to use debit for everyday purchases. MasterCard’s Monthly Bonus sweepstakes affords lucky consumers with the financial jump start they need – just by using your Debit MasterCard between now and December 31, you are automatically entered to win $1,000 a month for the next ten years deposited into your bank account.

• Understand that it’s not always about ‘the stuff’. Recognize that the clutter is often a reflection of something deeper that might be troubling you. Dealing with the clutter can open up not only the physical space in your life, but also your emotional, psychological and spiritual spaces as well!

• Tame that closet full of clothes. Try the clothes hanger trick - at the start of the season reverse the way your clothes are hung in your closet. When you wear and return an item, replace the hanger the correct way around. At the end of the season (or after six months) you can clearly see what you haven’t worn and, most likely, what you can live without!