Resources
Help On Our Organizing Journey Bulk Discards Electronics Discards Media Resale Medical Discards Recycling Shredding Donations Clothe Consignment Furniture Consignment Estate Sales Storage Companies Moving Boxes and Supplies Moving Companies Photo Organizing Handyman Services Concierge & Errand Services Cleaning Services Cabinetry, Shelving, and Drawers Home Inventories Closet Systems Paper Retention Recommendations Common Product Expiration Schedule Garage Systems and Cabinets Clothes Resale Chemical Free, Homemade Cleaners
Peter Walsh
How to Organize (Just About) Everything: More than 500 Step-by-Step Instructions for Everything From Organizing Your Closets to Planning a Wedding to Creating a Flawless Filing System.
Peter Walsh
Let It Go: Downsizing Your Way to a Richer, Happier Life
Peter Walsh
It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff.
April Benson
To Buy or Not to Buy
David F. Tolin and Randy O. Frost
Buried in Treasures
Michael A. Tompkins and Tamara L. Harti
Digging Out .
Judith Koberg
Conquering Chronic Disorganization
Cindy Glovinsky
Making Peace with the Things in your Life
Judith Kolberg & Katheleen Nadeau
ADD Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life
Ann McGee Cooper
Time Management for Unmanageable People
Harold Taylor
Making Time Work for You
Harold Taylor
Procrastinate Less and Enjoy Life
Julie Morgenstern
Time Management from the Inside Out
Julie Morgenstern
Organizing from the Inside Out
Julie Morgenstern
Making Work, Work
Barbara Hemphill
Taming the Paper Tiger; Organizing the Paper in your Life
Resources for Organizing Products
The Container Store
Cable Organizer.com
Mills Pride
Smart Furniture
Stacks and Stacks
Organize‐It‐ Plastic Storage
Resources for Goal and Time Management
Small Business Advice
Day‐Timer Planners
MyGoals.com
Resources for Chronic Disorganization Help
ADD/ADHD Online Support Group
National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization
Bulk Discards
College Hunks Hauling Junk
Phone: 1.800.586.5872
Website: www.collegehunks.com
Stand Up Guy Junk Removal
Phone: 214.299.7419
Website: www.standupguys.biz
Junk Jugglers
Phone: 1.800.LUG.JUNK (1.800.584.5865)
Website: www.junkluggers.com
Trash Junky
Phone: 214.507.5865
Website: www.trashjunky.com
Junk King
Phone: 888.888.5865
Website: www.Junk-King.com/Dallas
Jdog Junk Removal & Hauling (benefits veterans)
Phone: 844.GET.JDOG (844-438-5364)
Website: www.jdog.com
Mission Regan (medical equipment and medicines, within 2 years of expiration)
Phone: 972.369.7637
Website: www.missionregan.com
Email: missionregan@gmail.com
Electronics Discards
BestBuy
Website: www.bestbuy.com
Recycles electronics
Gazelle
Website: www.gazelle.com
Buys used smartphones and other electronic devices
Media Resale
Half Price Books
Website: www.hpb.com
Buys books, music, and movies
Move Trading Company
Website: www.vintagestock.com
Buys movies, music, video games, memorabilia, cards, and books
Medical Discards
Department of Justice, DEA
Website: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov
Prescription drug take back
Dispose My Meds
Website: www.disposemymeds.org
Disposal information & Pharmacies that take them
Food and Drug Administration
Website: www.fda.gov
Prescription medication disposal guidelines
SafeNeedleDisposal.org
Website: www.safeneedledisposal.org
Needle disposal guidelines
Sharps Compliance, Inc.
Website: www.sharpsinc.com
Mail-in program
Recycling
Earth911
Website: www.earth911.com
Directory of recycling centers
Click on “Recycling Guides” for specific items
Shredding
Data Shredding Services of Texas
www.dallasshreddingservice.com
dfwshredding.com
Paper, hard-drives, media | on-site shredding & drop off locations
Donations
SPCA
Phone 214.742.SPCA (7722)
Website: www.spca.org
Eyes For The Needy (collects eyeglasses & jewelry)
Website: www.neweyesfortheneedy.org
Email: info@new-eyes.org
Thrift Giant (formerly Colony Resale)
Phone: 972.625.6641
Website: www.thriftgiantevents.com
Address: 5000 Main St #270 The Colony TX 75056
Recycle 2 Support
Phone: 469.708.0999
Website: www.r2sdfw.com
Address: 2417 FM 423 Little Elm TX 75068
Goodwill (Midway | Frankford Store and Donation Center)
Phone: 972.248.2446
Address: 18230 Midway Rd Dallas, TX 75287
Website: www.goodwill.org
The Salvation Army
Phone: 214.630.5611 | 800.958.7825
Schedule a Pick-up: https://satruck.org/
Website: www.SalvationArmyUSA.org
Address: 5554 Harry Hines Blvd Dallas TX, 75235
Dress for Success (Used executive women’s clothes)
Phone 972.392.9770
Website: www.DressForSuccess.org | dallas.dressforsuccess.org
Address: 5580 Peterson Ln. Dallas TX 75240
Operation Kindness
Phone: 972.418.PAWS (7297)
Website: www.operationkindness.org
Veterans
Clothe Consignment
Luxury Garage Sale
Phone: 214.957.8148
Website: luxurygaragesale.com
Email: hannah.humphrey@luxurygaragesale.com
Clothes Horse Anonymous
Phone: 972.233.7005
Website: www.ClothesHorseAnonymous.com
E-Mail: Info@CHADallas.com
Address: 11661 Preston Road Dallas TX 75230
Revente Upsale Resale
Phone: 214.823.2800
Website: www.ReventeResale.com
Address: 5400 E Mockingbird Ln. Suite 113 Dallas TX 75206
Sweet Pea Consignments
Phone: 972.248.4899
Website: www.SweetPeaStyles.com
E-Mail: Jen@SweetPeaStyles.com
Address: 6505 West Park Blvd. Suite 116 Plano TX 75093
The Mulberry Bush (Children's and Maternity)
Phone: 972.941.8107
Address: 800 Park Blvd. Suite B Wylie TX 75097
ThredUP (Online consignment and thrift store)
Website: www.thredup.com
B&B Resale Boutique
Phone: 972.238.8500
Website: bandbconsignments.com
Address: 980 N. Coit Rd. Ste. 2885 Richardson TX 75080
Furniture Consignment
The Consignment Store
Phone: 972.991.6268
Website: www.DallasConsign.com
E-Mail: Consign@buz.net
Address: 5290 Beltline Road Dallas, Texas 75254
B&B Consignment Dallas (Richardson area)
Phone: 972.238.8503
Email: sellmyfurniture@bandbfurniture.net
Address: 980 N. Coit Rd. Ste. 2880, Richardson TX 75080
B&B Consignment Plano (Frisco area)
Phone: 972.758.5444
Email: sellmuitems@bandbfurniture.net
Address: 3100 Independence Parkway, Ste. 201 Plano TX 75075
Furniture Buy Consignment
Phone: 214.705.7711
Website: www.furniturebuyconsignment.com
Address: 7164 Technology Dr. Frisco TX 75033
Consignment Heaven
Phone: 214.823.4100
Website: www.ConsignmentHeaven.com
Address: 2901 North Henderson Ave. Dallas TX 75206
Cash in My Bag
www.cashinmybag.com
cash or consignment for preowned, high end luxury items
Estate Sales
Maxsold
Phone: 888.672.3677 x137
Website: www.maxsold.com
Email: jeremy@maxsold.com
Clearing House Estate Sales
Everything But The House
Grasons Co. Estate Sales Services
Jeff Hamlin Estate Sales
Storage Companies
Mi-Box Moving and Mobile Storage
Phone: 214.377.6016
Website: www.miboxdallas.com
Email: carey.dula@getmibox.com
Assured Self Storage
Phone: 877.992.7787
Email Costumer Service: customer.service@storeassured.com
Email General Inquiry: info@storeassured.com
North Dallas Moving and Storage
Phone: 972.241.1562
Website: www.ndms.com
Callbox Storage
Website: www.callboxstorage.com
Full service: packing, online inventory, delivery on request
CubeSmart
www.cubesmart.com
Self-storage
Garde Robe
Website: garderobeonline.com
Archival couture preservation |seasonal & travel wardrobe storage & delivery
Wardrobe inventory | photography | virtual closets
IMS Relocation
www.imsrelocation.com
Household | Commercial |Portable storage
Moving Boxes and Supplies
Best Priced Boxes
www.bestpriceboxes.com
New and used boxes and packing supplies
Buys back used boxes in good condition
Box Cycle
Website: www.boxcycle.com
Buying & selling of used moving boxes & supplies
Boxes to Go
Website: www.boxestogo.com
Moving boxes | Free next day delivery in the DFW
Fellowes
Website: www.bankersbox.com
SmoothMove™ boxes
TreeHugger Boxes
www.treehuggerboxes.com
Sells and buys gently used boxes and supplies
Delivery in DFW Metroplex
*Most self-storage companies sell boxes
Moving Companies
College Hunks Moving
www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com
Local Moving, Packing, Donation Pick-up
Door Squad
Website: doorsquad.net
Turnkey home relocations: packing, unpacking & home set up
Home Sweet Home
Website: www.unpackme.com
Pre-move and post-move services to corporations
IMS Relocation
Website: www.imsrelocation.com
Local, national, & international packing & moving, including vehicles
Moves for Seniors
Photo Organizing
Pixologie
www.pixologieinc.com
Red Boots Photo Organizing
www.redbootsorganizing.com
Handyman Services
Handydad, James Richie
214.808.3680
Collin, Dallas, Tarrant & Denton Counties
Handyman Connection
www.handymanconnection.com
Home maintenance, repairs, & remodels
Handyman Matters
www.handymanmatters.com
Home repair & improvement
HandyPro
www.handypro.com
Home repair & remodeling
Mr. Handyman
www.mrhandyman.com
Home repairs
Your Good Neighbor Handyman, Ralph Brown
972.712.1141
Home repairs & maintenance (Frisco)
Concierge & Errand Services
Lifting the Burden Errand Service
www.lifting-the-burden.com
Relocation | delivery | residential cleaning | event planning
Project management | errands | pet care | wait services
Cleaning Services
B&B Maids Service
bbmaidservice.com
Merry Maids
www.merrymaids.com
Molly Maid
www.mollymaid.com
Pop-Ins Maid Service
www.pop-ins.com
Cabinetry, Shelving, and Drawers
KMN
www.kmnhome.com
Customized drawer dividers
Kitchens Alive
www.kitalive.com
Custom cabinetry
Lifestyle Systems
www.lifestylesystems.com
Drawer and shelf dividers
ShelfGenie
www.shelfgenie.com
Custom glide-out shelving solutions
Home Inventories
TakeStock Inventory
www.takestockinventory.com
Closet Systems
Closets by Design
www.closetsbydesign.com
California Closets (contact Patrick Hausske)
www.californiaclosets.com/locations/dallas/
The Container Store
Phone: 1.888.266.8246
www.containerstore.com/custom-closets
Paper Retention Recommendations
Appliances Receipts
As long as you own the item (Staple receipt to owner’s manual)
Art, antiques, collectibles Receipts
As long as you own the item (staple to appraisal)
Automobile records (titles, registration, repairs)
As long as you own the vehicle(s)
Appointment books
1–10 years, depending on your comfort level
ATM slips
Maximum six years ONLY if needed for tax purposes
Bank statements
Maximum six years ONLY if needed for tax purposes
Clothing Receipts
For the length of the returns period, unless tracking your household budget
Credit card slips
Until your statement arrives, and you can match purchases
Credit card statements:
Maximum six years if tax-related purchases on statements; otherwise, until annual interest statement is issued by company
Credit Card offers
Shred immediately unless you plan to sign up
Calendars (past)
According to your comfort level and whether you use them for reference or memorabilia
Catalogs & magazines
Until the next issue
Dividend payment records
Until an annual statement is supplied by company, then just only annual statements
Furniture Receipts
As long as you own the item in case repair is needed (for major purchases only)
Home improvements Receipts
As long as you own your home for major repairs. For a year for regular maintenance
Household repairs Receipts
For life of warranty, or longer to reference reliability record of service people and their rates
Household inventory & appraisal
Until the next issue
Insurance policies (auto, homeowners, liability)
As long as the statute of limitations runs in the event of late claims
Insurance policies (disability, medical, life, personal property, umbrella)
As long as you own it
Investments (purchase records)
As long as you own them
Investments (sales records)
Maximum six years for tax purposes
Major purchases Receipts
For the life of the item. Staple receipt to the item and file in a file box with manuals if you choose to keep those
Medical and tax-related Receipts
Maximum of six years
Mortgage or loan discharge
As long as you own, or six years after discharge
Property bill of purchase
As long as you own the property
Rent
Your canceled check is sufficient
Safe Deposit Box key & inventory
As long as it is current
Tax records (bank statements and canceled checks, certificates of deposit, contracts, charitable contributions, credit statements, income tax returns, lease and loan agreements, loan payment books, pension plan records, pay stubs)
The current year, plus six prior years
Utility bills
Your current bill and one previous year to check billing patterns (check with utility company to see if they can provide an average—if so, discard monthly or go paperless and track online)
Vital Records (Adoption papers, birth & death certificates, citizenship papers, copyrights/patents, marriage certificate, divorce decree, letter of "Last Instructions" to executor or heirs, medical illness and vaccination records, passports, Power of Attorney, Social Security records, Wills)
Permanently
Warranties and instructions
For the life of warranty or the item. Stick label with warranty expiration date and service repair number on bottom of appliance. If something breaks down, you have an easy way to check if the item is still covered without even having to go to your file drawer
Junk Mail Stop
www.OptOutPrescreen.com
www.DMAchoice.org
www.YellowPagesOptOut.com
www.CatalogChoice.org
Unrollme.com
Common Product Expiration Schedule
Food
- Beer (unopened) – 4 Months
- Brown Sugar – Indefinite shelf life if stored in a moisture proof container
- Chocolate – 1 year from date manufactured
- Coffee (canned, ground, unopened) – 2years
- Coffee (canned, ground, opened) – 1 month refrigerated
- Coffee (beans) – 3 weeks in paper bag, longer in vacuum-sealed bag
- Coffee (instant, unopened) – up to 2 years
- Coffee (instant, opened) – up to 1 month
- Diet Soda (unopened) – 3 months from “best by” date
- Dried Pasta – 12 months
- Frozen Dinners (unopened) – 12 to 18 months
- Frozen Vegetables (unopened) – 18 to 24 months
- Frozen Vegetables (opened) – 1 month
- Honey – indefinite shelf life
- Juice (unopened) – 8 months from date produced
- Juice (opened) 7 to 10 days
- Ketchup (unopened) – 1 year
- Ketchup (opened) – 4-6 months
- Maple Syrup – 1 year
- Maraschino Cherries (unopened) – 3 to 4 years
- Maraschino Cherries (opened) 2 weeks at room temperature; 6 months refrigerated
- Marshmallows (unopened) – 40 weeks
- Marshmallows (opened) – 3 months
- Mayonnaise (unopened) – indefinitely
- Mayonnaise (opened) – 2 to 3 months from “purchase by” date
- Mustard – 2 years
- Olives, jarred (green with pimento, unopened) – 3 years
- Olives, jarred (green with pimento, opened) – 3 months
- Olive Oil – 2 years from manufacture date
- Peanuts (unopened) – 1 to 2 years unless frozen or refrigerated
- Peanuts opened – 1 to 2 weeks in airtight container
- Peanut Butter (unopened) – 2 years
- Peanut Butter (opened) – 6 months, refrigerate after 3 months
- Pickles (unopened) – 18 months
- Pickles (opened) – Discard if slippery or excessively soft
- Protein Bars (unopened) – 10 to 12 months
- Rice, white – 2 years from date on box
- Salad Dressing (unopened) – 12 months after “best by” date
- Salad Dressing (opened) – 9 months refrigerated
- Steak Sauce – 33 months
- Tabasco Sauce – 5 years stored in a cool, dry place
- Tea Bags – Use within two years of opening package
- Tuna, canned (unopened) – 1 year from purchased date, opened: 3 to 4 days
- Soy Sauce (unopened) – 2 years
- Soy Sauce (opened) – 3 months
- Vinegar – 42 months
- Wine (red, white, unopened) – 3 years from vintage date, 20-100 yrs. for fine wines
- Wine (opened) – 1 week refrigerated and corked
Beauty / Personal Care
- Bar Soap -18 months to 3 years
- Bath gel, body wash – 3 years
- Bath Oil – 1 year
- Body Bleaches and Depilatories – Unopened: 2 years, Used: 6 months
- Body Lotion – 3 years
- Conditioner – 2 to 3 years
- Deodorant – Unopened: 2 years, Used: 1 to 2 years
- Eye Cream – Unopened: 3 years, Used: 1 year
- Face Lotion – with SPF, see exp. date
- Face Lotion w/o SPF – at least 3 years
- Foundation, oil-based – 2 years
- Foundation, water-based – 3 years
- Hair Gel – 2 to 3 years
- Hair Spray – 2 to 3 years
- Lip Balm – Unopened: 5 years, Used: 1 to 5 years
- Lipstick – 2 years
- Mascara – Unopened: 2 years, Used: 3 to 4 months
- Mouthwash – 3 years from date manufactured
- Nail Polish – 1 year
- Nail Polish Remover – Lasts indefinitely
- Perfume – 1 to 2 years
- Rubbing Alcohol – At least 3 years
- Shampoo – 2 to 3 years
- Shaving Cream- 2+ years
- Tooth-whitening Strips – 13 months
Household Products
- Air Freshener, aerosol – 2 years
- Anti-Freeze, premixed – 1 to 5 years
- Anti-Freeze, concentrate – Indefinite
- Batteries, alkaline – 7 years
- Batteries, lithium – 10 years
- Bleach – 3 to 6 months
- Dish Detergent (liquid or powdered) – 1 year
- Fire Extinguisher (rechargeable) – Service or replace every 6 years
- Fire Extinguisher (non-rechargeable) – 12 years
- Laundry Detergent (liquid or powdered) – unopened: 9 months to 1 year, opened: 6 months
- Metal Polish – At least 3 years
- Miracle Gro (liquid) – opened: 3 to 8 years
- Motor Oil – unopened: 2 to 5 years, opened: 3 months
- Mr. Clean – 2 years
- Paint – unopened: up to 10 years, opened: 2 to 5 years
- Spray Paint – 2 to 3 years
- Windex – 2 years
- Wood Polish – 2 years
Garage Systems and Cabinets
The Container Store
Website www.containerstore.com
Phone: 1-888-266-8246
Garaginization
Website: https://www.garaginization.com
Phone: (214) 230-2294
Clothes Resale
Luxury Garage Sale
Website – https://luxurygaragesale.com
Phone 214.957.8148
Chemical Free, Homemade Cleaners
1. Essential Oil Cleanser
¼ cup rubbing alcohol
5-10 drops peppermint, lemon, or orange essential oil
1 squirt natural dish soap
Pour all the ingredients into a 16-oz. spray bottle and shake well. Spray onto the surface to be cleaned and whip with a microfiber cloth.
Why it works: Rubbing alcohol kills bacteria and is fast-drying. Natural dish soap is gentle and effective at removing dirt and grease. The essential oil is antibacterial and great-smelling.
Use on: quartz, marble, and granite counters, appliances, tables, bathroom sinks, baseboards and windowsills. Do not use on glass.
2. Fresh Lemon Degreaser
2tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ teaspoon Castille soap
1 tbs baking soda
Pour all the ingredients into a 24-oz. spray bottle and shake well. Sprits onto the surface to the cleaned and whip with a microfiber cloth.
Why it works: Lemon is a natural bleach, disinfectant, and degreaser. Baking soda is a gentle abrasive with deodorizing properties. Castile soap helps disperse the other ingredients once the solution is sprayed on a surface.
Use on: any had surface except wood. The baking soda can scratch a wood surface, and the solution can dull the finish if not wiped down thoroughly.
3. Vinegar-Vodka Disinfectant
½ cup vodka
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
1 ½ cups water
Pour all the ingredients into a 24-oz. spray bottle and shake well, Spray surfaces to be cleaned and let sit for 10 minutes. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
Why it works: White vinegar and Vodka inhibit the growth of germs. The lavender and lemon essential oils are antibacterial and antiseptic. The scent of lavender helps relieve and boost mood (and the Vodka too, if you keep some for yourself!)
Use on: bathroom surfaces, countertops, tables, appliances, light switches, and doorknobs.
4. All-Purpose Cleaner
1 cup water
5. Furniture Polish
½ cup lemon juice
Additional Elements with Cleaning power
Handled pumice stone – to get rid of a toilet bowl ring, wet the stone and scrub. It won’t scratch the porcelain.
Beeswax- Use it to polish and protect wood furniture
Coffee – A bowl of dried grounds in the refrigerator combats odors
Tea – Soak rusty tools in a bucket of cooled black tea and wipe clean with a cloth
Undiluted white vinegar – excellent soap and scum remover
Baking Soda – abrasive cleaner by itself