My brain is 50% teacher, 50% artist and 100% pack rat. So to say I like to hoard stuff is an understatement. Recently, I tried to clear out my closet and found some items that were...blush... purchased in 2004. Yikes! It makes my keeping mindset even more validated when I haven't changed sizes and a little black dress doesn't go out of style. But cleaning out, staying organized and ridding of clutter is good for your home and soul.

Here are three ideas you can do today that will not cost an arm and a leg.

Clean out your spice cabinet:

Toss any old, expired spices.
Store spices in clear, sealable containers.
- An uniformed look is less cluttered and clear jars put those pretty colors on display.

Time: 5-20 minutes depending on how many big of a spice collection you have.

Cost: Use jars you might have in your house such as a mason or baby food jars or try one of these options:

Ikea's Gruntal stainless steal magnetic containers, 3 pack for $7.99 * shown in picture above
Williams-Sonoma's Preserving Herb Jars, 4 for $20.00
Crate and Barrel's Glass Spice Jar, $1.95 each

Clean out your pantry:

While you are working on spices you can apply this same technique to other ingredients. I have been collecting clear jars with silver lids for a while. Even though all the jars are not identicle they carry a theme to not look random or cluttered. I use these for things I buy in bulk such as sugar, flour, cornmeal and of course Kcups!

Time: 5-20 minutes depending on the amount of items in your pantry

Cost:

Target's 1 Gallon Ball Collector's Jar, $13.79 each *shown in pictures
Weck Jar's 1 1/2 Liter Cylindrical Jar, $26.75 each
Specialty Bottle's Gallon Jar with lid, $3.99

Clean up your shelves:

Get rid of shelf clutter by hanging items. The moment you take an a mug or kitchen utensil off the shelf and hang it, it feels more like a piece of art and less like clutter. It also clears up space for me items to be organized on you selves.

Time: 5-40 minutes depending on the type of shelving and installation needed.