How can I have less clutter in my life?

This is an article from REAL SIMPLE, one of my favorite magazines.  I'm not suggesting that all of these ideas should be used by everyone.  I won't be trying the last one, I'm happy with both my husband and my involvement in the Junior League of Dekalb County.  But, there are some nuggets of wisdom here that you might find helpful.  

Clear the Clutter from Your Life

Real Simple readers share inspired ideas for streamlining your day

Always Be Ready to Go

I installed a small key cabinet behind the front door. Keys are hung there when we come in and picked up when we go out. I also check the weather reports on Sunday, then set out and iron my entire week's wardrobe. Finally, I get everything ready for the next day the night before and place my briefcase or bag near the front door, ready to go.
Amy O’Donnell, Houston, Texas

Follow the Five-Minute Rule
No one can really save time, since we all get the same amount every day. However, I have found a way to reduce clutter on my desk at work. I call it the five-minute rule. If I can get it done in five minutes or less, I tend to take care of it then rather than place it in my in-basket to do later. This includes mailing that letter, marking a date, opening a room for someone, answering questions, filing one piece of paper, etc. By getting rid of the little things immediately, I can focus on the bigger projects, and the minute details of my job don't bog me down. 
Rebecca San, San Gabriel, California

Donate Household Stuff Weekly

At least once a week I find 10 things I can donate, give to friends, or throw away. I think better when I am not surrounded by clutter. Our whole family relaxes more when we are not in a pile of toys, newspapers, and magazines. It has taught us all to value a few good things rather than acquiring masses of objects that don't enhance our life. 
Megan Shachat, Seattle

Systemize Your Closet
I reorganized my clothes closet so that all outfits are grouped together. I am not a morning person, and I do not like standing around, naked and cold, trying to decide what to wear. I just grab the first outfit on the right side and put it on. At the end of the day, I hang the clothes up on the left side. This way, all my clothes are rotated, so I wear them all and never overwear my favorites. 
Susan Shellberg, Tampa

Streamline Wherever Possible

1. I have subscribed to a grocery-delivery service. 
2. I have hired a cleaning service. 
3. I go from the mailbox to the recycling bin and sort my mail right there — junk goes away immediately. 
4. I give each family member a mesh laundry bag for his or her socks. The socks get washed, dried, and returned in the bag. 
5. I set my coffeemaker on automatic so that it is ready when I get up. 
6. I listen to books on tape while I drive. 
7. I have a two-way pager so I can answer work questions on the fly. 
8. I pay all bills once a month. 
9. I go into the office by 7:00 A.M., so I can leave by 3:30 P.M. 

I get through a huge number of books that I otherwise would not have the time to read, and the two-way pager may sound like a leash, but it has given me greater freedom to be out of the office. 

Brenda Brassard, Scituate, Massachusetts 

Do Less After Work

I have three children, a husband, a dog, and a full-time job, and I was volunteering to help out with every activity that came forth. I finally realized that my children were happier to have me at home than out doing things that I thought were for their own good. I gave up everything except the once-a-month PTA meeting. My children are much happier knowing that I will kiss them good night while they are still awake, instead of while they are asleep. 
Michelle Corbett, Mississauga, Ontario

Do Less at Work
Being self-employed as a hairstylist, I decided not to accept any new clients. I found myself taking just one more cut and working until 8:00 or 9:00 P.M. I am now able to go to the kids' practices and make dinner for my husband for a change, and I am able to relax a little more. My family definitely comes first, and it's about time I realized this. 
Andrea Arnold, Willows, CA

Just Do Less

I got rid of my husband, hired a fabulous nanny and let her run my house, began buying in bulk, got to know my daughter's teachers, did not join the Junior League, got a personal trainer, and found a contractor and landscaper who were very good and trustworthy. I let go of a lot of stuff, and I realized I didn't have to do everything, just a couple of key things really well. 
M. Gary Ryan, Pelham, New York

What's happening with toilets in Dekalb County?

Too-thirsty toilets won't get water in DeKalb

By TY TAGAMI
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/01/08

Wary shoppers know all about kicking the tires on used cars and squeezing the fruit at grocery stores.

But are they ready to lift the lids on toilet tanks?

Home buyers in DeKalb County should get used to the idea, now that a new measure to cope with the historic drought is in effect.

Any house built before 1993 and sold beginning Sunday has to have "low-flow" toilets that swallow 1.6 gallons of water or less per flush. The volume is usually stamped on the underside of the lid that caps the water tank.

Older toilets? No water service.

Some prospective buyers are worried about the mandate.

"This low-flow thing has been a very, very hot-button issue for all my clients in DeKalb County," said real estate agent Ryan Graham.

Graham, who is with 9 Mile Trolley, said at least one client expedited closing a sale to avoid dealing with it. Other buyers want assurances they can obtain water service if they purchase an older house, he said.

The "inefficient plumbing fixtures replacement plan" requires sellers to disclose when their toilets, faucets and shower heads are not up to today's water-sipping standards.

County officials picked 1993 because low-flow toilets became mandatory in new construction around that time.

DeKalb still has as many as 165,000 pre-1993 houses, but no one knows how many have been retrofitted with low-flow devices.

The crackdown is part of the county's new water-conservation plan. Gov. Sonny Perdue ordered water providers to reduce consumption by 10 percent from a year earlier.

Starting in January, nearly all buildings sold in DeKalb — not only houses — will have to comply with the low-flow mandate.

The county law says new owners of old homes who apply for water service must attach a certificate confirming the house is outfitted with water-saving toilets and fixtures. A licensed plumber, home inspector or an inspector from the DeKalb Department of Watershed Management can provide the certificate.

The toilet mandate should mean work for plumbers. So far, demand hasn't surged, said Ted Zurn, the president of the Plumbing and Mechanical Association of Georgia.

A friend selling a house asked for a deal on three toilets, the Chamblee plumber said, adding that he would have forgotten about the mandate otherwise. "I haven't noticed any bump in our business yet because of it."

The DeKalb Association of Realtors opposed the requirement, concerned about the effect it would have on clients. Graham, the real estate agent, said he's been warning his clients about it — and recommending to sellers that they get the installation.

Graham said there is a lot of confusion and uncertainty. For instance, one of his clients made a purchase contingent on the seller completing installation. But when Graham sought assurance from the county that the work was adequate and water service would be provided after the property changed hands, he said he got no clear response.

"We're not getting the warm and fuzzy reassurances from the county at this point," he said.

The county has a copy of the new law on its Web site, at www.dekalbwatershed.com

What? What? I have to replace my toilets to sell my house?

Yes, maybe.

The Dekalb County toilet retrofit/inefficient plumbing ordinance goes into effect today. For now, this only applies to homes built prior to 1993 in unincorporated Dekalb. So, if you live in Decatur or Incorporated Avondale Estates, or if your home is newer that 1992, you are exempt. But, it's looking like we're all going to be subject to this eventually, so don't ignore it all together.

In essence, this is about replacing high-flow toilets and faucets with low-flow fixtures. If you are selling your home you must disclose whether your fixtures are high or low flow. If you are buying a home you must have low-flow fixtures installed and inspected before you can get water service

Here's a summary from the Dekalb Association of Realtors. I'll post updates as I have them...

Inefficient Plumbing Fixtures Replacement Plan Summary


1) On Tuesday, February 26, 2008, the Board of Commissioners approved the inefficient
Plumbing Fixtures Replacement Plan Ordinance.

2) This ordinance requires that structures constructed in DeKalb County before January 1,
1993 be retrofitted with water conserving plumbing fixtures upon resale.

3) This ordinance advances DeKalb County’s long term water conservation efforts and long
term sustainability of limited water resources.

4) Effective dates:

a. June 1, 2008 for residential properties.
b. January 1, 2009 for commercial properties.

5) Requirements:

• Seller shall disclose the requirements of the ordinance to potential purchaser
prior to execution of a contract.
• Buyer shall not be allowed to obtain water service until he/she has attached a
Certificate of Compliance to the application for water service. The Certificate
of Compliance must be signed by:

i. Home Inspector,
ii. Department of Watershed Management Inspector, or
iii. Licensed Plumber.

6) Exemptions:

• Any real property that is being advertised for foreclosure.
• Properties that will not be inhabited but will be demolished.
• Properties that are sold or conveyed between spouses or between parents
and their children.
• Properties being conveyed during the administration of the estate of a
spouse, parent, or child.
• Properties that because of architectural or historic restrictions, plumbing
configuration, and/or drainage system configuration, would cause the
owner to suffer extreme economic hardship ($1,000.00 per toilet for
residential or $2,000.00 per toilet for commercial).

7) Criminal Penalties:

• Violators will be subject to penalties in accordance with Section 1-10 of
the DeKalb County Code.
• Second conviction within 12 months from the date of first conviction -
$250.00.
• Third conviction within 12 months of the first conviction - $500.00.