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Want less?

February 1, 2026/0 Comments/in Tip of the Month/by Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®

Don’t make room for more if you want to have less. It’s tempting to buy more bins, baskets, and organizing gadgets, but more containers often lead to more clutter. If your goal is to simplify, start by reducing what you own rather than creating new places to store stuff.

The best organizing tool is less stuff.

https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/18-Years-LOGO.jpg 0 0 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/18-Years-LOGO.jpg Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®2026-02-01 01:57:592026-01-29 21:11:10Want less?
toilet paper

Stop excess

January 1, 2026/0 Comments/in Tip of the Month/by Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®

Excess is defined as more than is necessary, normal, or desirable. Stop the cycle of excess. More is not better when it causes stress and frustration. Use what you have and reduce to a manageable amount.

Read more to help get rid of excess:

  • Use it or Loose it
  • Let go every day
  • Determine, Decide, Dispose
  • Letting go
  • Keep or not keep
https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pile-of-tp.jpg 371 660 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/18-Years-LOGO.jpg Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®2026-01-01 01:28:442025-12-27 18:45:13Stop excess
simple holiday decor

Simplify the holidays

December 1, 2025/0 Comments/in Tip of the Month/by Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®

Simplify whenever possible.

5 Ways to simplify: 

  1. Reduce the number of people to whom you give gifts and the number of presents you give to an individual.
  2. Buy gifts that don’t require wrapping (especially for adults) for example: gifts of experience, donations to non-profits in the receiver’s name, gift cards, cash. 
  3. Send an E-card instead of paper greeting cards. 
  4. Support local bakeries instead of doing the baking yourself. 
  5. Use recyclable paper products for guests to reduce time spent on clean up.
https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Simple-Holiday-trees.png 458 712 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/18-Years-LOGO.jpg Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®2025-12-01 00:27:212025-11-24 15:11:49Simplify the holidays
Check list

Use Holiday lists

November 1, 2025/0 Comments/in Tip of the Month/by Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®

Utilize lists and timelines to make responsibilities easier to remember.

5 Helpful lists to use:

  1. Shopping list for food, table settings, gifts, and decorations 
  2. Gift list for current year and past years
  3. Travel packing list & check list for leaving home
  4. Delegation list for dinner prep, clean up, and other tasks
  5. Timeline for meal prep
https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/list.jpg 226 223 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/18-Years-LOGO.jpg Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®2025-11-01 00:25:282025-11-01 00:25:28Use Holiday lists
3D Character and question mark

Limiting choices helps prevent clutter

October 1, 2025/0 Comments/in Tip of the Month/by Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®

Limit the number of decisions you make each day and the options within each decision. For example, instead of choosing from five different cereals at breakfast, narrow it down to just two. Simplifying your choices saves time, reduces stress, and prevents clutter. Options are good, but too many is overwhelming.

https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/question-mark.jpg 4000 4000 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/18-Years-LOGO.jpg Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®2025-10-01 01:44:362025-10-02 14:34:05Limiting choices helps prevent clutter
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