Free and Inexpensive Organization Ideas

Free Organization Ideas
• Cardboard boxes from local stores
• Craigslist.org on the "free stuff" section
• Swap tricks and tools with friends
• Used (and washed!) food containers or the plastic containers at the deli (just ask!)
Very, Very Inexpensive Ideas
• Craigslist.org and other similar websites (don't forget e-bay and Amazon)
• Garage sale/estate sale
• Flea market
• Check out stores that have filed for bankruptcy and are liquidating their inventory


If I had to choose my favorite free organizational idea it would definitely be cardboard boxes. They are super easy to track down - just go to pretty much any store and ask if they have a few cardboard boxes left over. I particularly like liquor store boxes because they tend to be pretty tough and sturdy. As long as you are using these boxes to help you become more organized and not just as a hiding spot for your junk this will be great. Cardboard boxes are especially great because you can stack them really easily and get them out of sight onto a shelf or in a closet and you can write on the outside exactly what the contents are. Not to mention they're free and reusable!



My idea with sending you to the free stuff section of Craigslist is that you can find bookshelves, filing cabinets and other organizational tools there (not to mention other amazing things). If you can't find anything you're interested in consider putting a posting up listing what you are looking to find. There are other websites out there that are similar to Craigslist, some more local or regional, that allow you to give things away for free or a low cost and also are designed for item or service swapping. By the way, I love the concept of service swapping. I'm always willing to go help someone organize a room or their house in exchange for something else, like a haircut, handyman service or photography and framing services.

One of my best friends and I are known to swap clothing and jewelry and other little things that we just don't use anymore. I've heard of a lot of people doing this with house wares and even furniture. My thought is that if you have a friend or relative who has some cool baskets or buckets or whatnot, consider doing a trade or a swap. If you have cool stuff to give - even if it's not organizationally related - think about switching things up a bit and giving yourself a change. Even if you have nothing in exchange it can't hurt to ask a friend if she has anything that you could use to help you become better organized.

There are certainly many more inexpensive ideas than free ideas on where to find organizational materials, but it's much more fun to find things for free. Seek out a garage sale or an estate sale for a great deal - the family really just wants to get rid of things so I bet they will be willing to bargain with you. Aside from that, the number of businesses filing for bankruptcy is on the rise. This means that the businesses with large inventories are liquidating their products. Again, they just want to get rid of their stock - they may not be as willing to make a deal with you, but you can find some good stuff to keep you more organized. Check online for a list of recent retailers that filed chapter 11.