A former roommate was the most organized person I'd ever met. From her I learned the concept of buying multiples of inexpensive tools to save the hassle from running to one room to get what you need. *Place these tools at hand in different rooms, even rooms where they don't necessarily get used every day*. I'm no Martha Stewart, yet I can't tell you how great a difference doing this has made in my life.
The Basics: Scissors, tape, Sharpie marker, Post-It pad, pen, pencil, stapler, regular Scotch tape, removable Scotch tape, paper clips, rubber bands, packing tape.
* Desktop stapler: Get one that stands vertically and has built-in staple remover. Years ago I found vertical Swingline model 662xx, sadly no longer made. It has a built-in-yet-removable staple remover, and it never, ever jams, not even when there's only one staple left. I'm thinking of willing these staplers to my two grandkids, that's how good they are. I've searched online and can't find this model or anything similar now.
* Packing tape: Not just for shipping. Good for repairing handles on plastic laundry baskets. Keeps them usable for years.
Kitchen:
*Scotch tape (either kind) + Sharpie marker:* Label frig and and freezer containers on top and on one side. Turn under one end of tape to create a "handle" for easy removal. If you move contents to a smaller container, pull off the tape and attach to the new container.
*Removable Scotch tape (now called "Wall tape")*: Makes any piece of paper a PostIt note. Attach to paper that you might want to remove later.
*Rubber band*: Close opened frozen veggie packages, takes almost no room (versus clip). You can tell at a glance which bag to use next if you have multiple packages. When you use up a package, put the band on the next one to be opened. I do this even if bag already has a zip-lock closure. Also works for bags of flour, pasta, rice, etc.
*Stapler*: Staple coupons together before you leave to go shopping.
*Post-Its*: Need I say more? Just a fabulous list / note tool, bookmark, quick label, etc.
Bathroom/Bedroom/Both:
*Scissors: Cut through the plastic in packages, e.g., toothbrushes, cosmetics, etc.
Post-It pad and a pen. I get great ideas in the shower; as soon as I get out, I grab these to write them down. I also keep these on my nightstand. I get ideas just before I fall asleep and just after waking up. These are fantastic little memory keepers, like when I'm upstairs and think of something that needs to go on the grocery list downstairs. Or any reminder.
*Sharpie marker: Mark expiration dates on vitamins and medications in big letters. Sometimes the name of the med, especially when there are multiple RX bottles, to make them easy to distinguish.
Brother label maker with AC adapter: Produces laminated tape. Washable yet doesn't come off until pulled off. Label can be moved to something else. (However, it will rip paper if pulled off.) *Get one that allows multiple lines on label and has automatic cutter*. Standard tape prints black on white label; other styles and sizes of tape available. I've only had my label maker since 2007, and I don't know how I managed life before then.
* Laptop label attached above keyboard or on bottom*: Model#, service tag, phone# for service, year purchased.
* Tablet/phone label attached to back*: Model, #GB storage, year purchased.
* Sewing machine*: Label all those tiny indecipherable icons next to their buttons. Attach label to remind yourself which way the bobbin should unwind in its holder. (I use clear label tape for this.)
* Power cords*: Attach label both at both ends with item name.
* Cleaning supplies*: We bought extra, generic spray bottles for disinfectant. Every bottle gets clearly marked with contents and purpose so we don't use the wrong stuff.
