Searching for misplaced items costs us time and money.  According to the American Demographic Society, American waste 9 million hours per day searching for misplaced items.  A Harris Interactive survey found that 23% of adults say they pay bills late (thus incurring late fees) because they lose them.

 

A few common items that we lose frequently are credit cards, wallets, TV remotes, sunglasses, cell phones, bills and keys.

 

Here are some tips to help you keep up with your stuff:

 

Credit cards 

 

          Keep all cards in the same wallet.

 

After making a purchase, put your card back in its spot in your wallet immediately.

 

Make copies of the front and back of your cards and file.  If you do lose a card and need to cancel it, you will have all the necessary information in your file.

 

Wallets

 

          Ladies:  Choose a wallet in a vivid color so it is visible inside your dark purse.

 

          Don’t change purses often.  Transferring items between purses creates more opportunities for losing things.

 

          Men:  Have a designated spot to place your wallet overnight.

 

TV Remotes

 

Give the remotes a home such as a decorative box or basket on a coffee table or end table.

 

          Attach to the side of the TV with Velcro when not in use.

 

Sunglasses

 

          If you only use sunglasses for driving, leave them in the car.

 

Designate a place near the door you use for sunglasses.  At our house, we use a drawer in the kitchen near the door we enter and exit.  Our keys, our sunglasses, my husband’s work badge and his wallet all go in the drawer.

 

Cell Phone

 

          Always store in the same compartment of your purse.

 

Use a case with a clip and fasten the phone to your belt or on the pocket of your purse.

 

          Wear it like a necklace on a chain or lanyard around your neck.

 

          Keep your charger plugged into the same outlet.

 

Bills

 

          Create one spot to place all bills until you are ready to pay them.

 

Keys

 

          The “key” to not losing keys is to always keep them in the exact same place, such as:

 

          A designated drawer as mentioned earlier.

          A key hanger mounted by the door.

          A basket or pretty bowl near the door.

          Carry them in the same pants pockets each time, for example, always the

          left front pocket.

          The same compartment in your purse.

 

RESOURCE BOX:

Beryl Westby is an organizing consultant and the name of her business is No More Chaos  You can get a free Idea-Kit, filled with tips and ideas on organizing, a free newsletter and tips, articles and ideas to create order out of chaos by visiting her website at http://www.nomorechaos.biz.