elliotbob, good idea to keep the freezer filled.

Ficlite...great idea...especially if someone already has a ready supply of office supplies...the filled containers would make perfect gifts.

Julie welcome to GON! The pill containers are great for quarters for the laundromat. The different sizes would work well for smaller sized coins for commuters who need change for tolls.

God bless,
Bonnie

I have always been the kind of person who buys all my boxes, bins and other supplies, before I know how I want to use them. I recently bought one of those 2 tiered letter trays. But all I've really been doing is piling everything in it in no particular order. Any ideas on how to streamline what I put there?

P.S. I have some ideas, but I want to hear if anyone has better ones.

Julie

Hi Julie, and welcome to GON.

One possibility that comes to mind, use the top one for your immediate or near-term action items (bills to be paid, appts to be made, calls, etc.) Use the bottom tray for "to be filed" items. Use a piece of tape to mark a certain level, and faithfully file when the pile rises to that level.....just a thought...

God bless,
Bonnie

My all time favourites. Office in and out trays in the fridge for little jars and containers that usually get lost up the back.

My Dad's old cane fishing trug in the loo for magazines etc. (quite a conversation piece.)

I have one of those small A4 paper office drawer sets on my closet shelf. It is perfect for hair things, deoderants, sprays, brushes etc. nearly everything fits in there so neatly. I also keep one in the sewing cupboard for buttons, tapes etc etc.

Cutlery trays in office drawers for pens, rulers etc.

Office letter racks for napkins, and vice versa.

Placemats under sewing machine and overlocker and printer etc. Makes anything easier to slide around on a desk.

Coasters under candles.

Old pillowcases over fans and heaters when they are to be stored away. Keeps them dry and dust free.

I have a question that I am sure one of you can answer; what would you use to store a couple walking sticks (canes) by the front door? I prop them in a corner now, but they are starting to get worn out at the spot where they touch the wall. I thought about an umbrella stand, but is there a cheaper alternative I have not thought of? Thanks in advance?

Julie

I got my hubby to drill a small hole in the hand end of mine, then I put a neat leather loop through it, and I hang it from a hook behind the door.
I've seen terracotta pipes, milk cans, pottery urns and even a stiff old high-top boot!
You could also use one of those clip hooks that hold broom handles?
Hope you find the answer.
Lily

Julie, I like Lily's idea of the loop to hang on a hook....Another alternative would be a tall wicker "vase" ... I've seen them at import stores and they'd hold walking sticks quite nicely I think...just a thought...

God bless,
Bonnie

i used to use film canisters (for those who still use film cameras) to hold quarters for the parking meter or laundry. m&m minis come in a similar shaped canister that is longer and with a snap top, so that's what i use now. if you have humidity problems in your closet, you can tie up some chalk (leftover from the kids?) in a couple of used dryer sheets and hang it in there.

Julie- About the 2-tier letter tray...

The problem with the 2-tier tray that there isn't a way to prioritize the items. Things stacked on top of each other get lost or forgotten. I call it a missing-trigger. There isn't anything there to trigger your mind into action.

The best use for that tray is for:
Incoming and unopened mail. Drop in your mail on busy days. This only goes for unopened mail. Once you have opened it, you should have a place of bills and things to do.

Use the other tray for to-be-filed. When you open the mail and something needs filing, place it there or when you pay a bill. Don't let it get too full before filing though!

Forgive me if I am repeating a tip. I might have even heard this one here; my pharmacy does not have cylindrical bottles anymore, so they aren't too good for quarters. I now have mine in a Mini M & M's container.

Julie