4 Weeks to a More Organized Home

Crystal Paine
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may be reproduced or redistributed in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, or otherwise) without the prior
written permission of the publisher.
Table of Contents
Welcome to the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home Challenge! 6

Yes, You Need a Routine. 7

What is a Routine? ............................................................................................................7

How To Set Up a Workable Routine 7

Step #1 — Start With the “Big Rocks”...............................................................................7
Step #2 — Get the Framework in Place ............................................................................8
Step #3 — Plan the Time Blocks ......................................................................................9

A Routine Only Works if You Follow It 11

Tip #1 — Add One New Thing Every 3 Weeks ..............................................................11
Tip #2 — Create a Checklist ..........................................................................................11
Tip #3 — Get An Accountability Partner ........................................................................11
Tip #4 — Reward Yourself For Sticking With It ...............................................................12

My Top 3 Tips for Getting ings Done 13

Tip #1 — Keep Your To-Do List Short.............................................................................13
Tip #2 — Make Your Daily Goals Measurable ...............................................................13
Tip #3 — Use Your Minutes Wisely ................................................................................13

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: e Complete List 15

Week 1 — Monday Assignment .....................................................................................15
Week 1 — Tuesday Assignment ....................................................................................15
Week 1 — Wednesday Assignment...............................................................................16
Week 1 — Thursday Assignment ...................................................................................16
Week 1 — Friday Assignment ........................................................................................17
Week 2 — Monday Assignment .....................................................................................18
Week 2 — Tuesday Assignment ....................................................................................18
Week 2 — Wednesday Assignment...............................................................................19
Week 2 — Thursday Assignment ...................................................................................19
Week 2 — Friday Assignment ........................................................................................20
Week 3 — Monday Assignment .....................................................................................21
 Week 3 — Tuesday Assignment ....................................................................................21
Week 3 — Wednesday Assignment...............................................................................22
Week 3 — Thursday Assignment ...................................................................................22
Week 3 — Friday Assignment ........................................................................................23
Week 4 — Monday Assignment .....................................................................................24
Week 4 — Tuesday Assignment ....................................................................................24
Week 4 — Wednesday Assignment...............................................................................25
Week 4 — Thursday Assignment ...................................................................................25
Week 4 — Friday Assignment ........................................................................................26

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: e Short List 27

Week 1 ...........................................................................................................................27
Week 2 ...........................................................................................................................27
Week 3 ...........................................................................................................................28
Week 4 ...........................................................................................................................28

About the Author 29

 Welcome
to the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home Challenge!
I’m thrilled that you’ll be joining me for this challenge and hope that the habits you develop in the next
four weeks not only benefit you in the short-term, but also impact your life for many months and years
to come.

Before we begin this 4-week journey, can I encourage you to remember to give yourself grace? Don’t
feel like you have to accomplish everything on each day’s checklist.

If you just get a few things done a few times each week, that’s better than nothing at all. So do what
you can with the time and energy you have—and then guiltlessly let the rest go, okay?
Here’s to a more organized home and life!!

Crystal
Yes, You Need a Routine.
Do your days feel chaotic and disorganized? Do you feel like you’re always behind and always
running around in circles?

You need a routine. It will calm your chaos and bring rhythm, order, and peace to your days.

What is a Routine?
A routine is a plan for the flow of your day. It can be very basic and bare bones or it can be more
specific. However, it is not a regimented schedule with detailed time blocks for how you’re
supposed to spend every minute of every day.
While a rigid schedule works well for some, we’ve found that a routine is much more doable for our
family–especially since our children are younger and my husband and I both have our own
businesses. No day is exactly the same, so the flexibility a routine provides is perfectly suited to allow
for the interruptions that inevitably arise.

How To Set Up a Workable Routine

Step #1 — Start With the “Big Rocks”
You’ve probably seen or heard the illustration about putting the big rocks in first.
A popular story describes a time-management professor who demonstrates the importance of
prioritizing by filling a five-gallon mason jar with fist-size rocks and asking the class if the jar is full.
Since another big rock wouldn’t fit, the class answers, “yes.” However, the professor proceeds to pour
a pitcher of gravel, then sand, and finally water into the jar before it is finally full.

The point of the story is not that you can cram much more than you ever dreamed into any given day.
The point is this: “If you don’t put your big rocks in first, the fillers of life will take up your day and you
won’t fit your big rocks in at all.” 

If you want to get things done that truly matter, you must focus on the big rocks. Ask yourself: What are
the most important things I want to be prioritizing in my life right now?”

If you feel like you still don’t have clarity, consider what will matter to you in 25 years from now. This
helps you strip away the non-essentials and focus on what you really want to be devoting the bulk of
your time to.

Develop your daily routine with the big rocks in mind. You’ll likely be able to find time for some pebbles
and sand, too, but begin with what matters most.

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 7

Step #2 — Get the Framework in Place
Once you know what your big rocks are, it’s time to develop a basic framework for your day. This is not
a detailed play-by-play of exactly how your day should look like, this is just how to get the big rocks to
fit together.

1. Map Out Your Wake Up Time, Bed Time, and Meal Times.
The first step to getting a good routine in place is to determine your wake-up time, bed time, and meal
times. These are not set-in-stone times, but if you have a general guideline to follow, it helps bring
order and structure to your days.

Try (as much as is possible) to stay within at least an hour or so of the time you have planned for your
wake-up, bed time, and meal times. If your house is anything like ours, stuff comes up and sometimes
your plan goes out the window. When that happens, be flexible, roll with the punches, and then get
back up on the wagon as soon as you’re able!
If you have no order or structure at all in your life right now, just getting up and going to bed at the
same hour every day and eating your meals at the same hours throughout the day will give you a
tremendous new sense of order and flow in your days. Plus, it will probably guarantee that you get
more sleep and skip fewer meals–something that will definitely affect your overall health in a good
way!
I suggest picking realistic times–especially for getting started. If you’re not a morning person, don’t
plan to get up at 5 a.m. every morning unless you want to set yourself up for failure.

2. Create Morning, Afternoon, and Evening Routines.

I first learned of the concept of morning, afternoon, and evening routines from FlyLady . And I’m
amazed at what a difference this simple change in one’s life can make.

If you’re unfamiliar with morning, afternoon, and evening routines, it’s basically just coming up with 3-5
simple things that you do in the same order when you first get up, after lunch, and right before bed.
Simple is key here.

Sample Morning Routine Sample Afternoon Routine

Wake up, make coffee, read Bible/pray Clean up kitchen
Exercise Switch laundry to the dryer

Shower, get dressed, straighten bathroom and Fold one load of laundry
bedroom
Start a load of laundry
Sample Evening Routine
Check email
Clean up kitchen
Do a quick 10-minute house pick up
Lay out clothes for next day
PJs on and face washed

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 8

If you’re brand-new to the concept of routines, start with a morning routine only and make it a
priority for three weeks before adding anything else to your routine. Once you feel comfortable
with a morning routine, then add in an afternoon routine and then an evening routine.
Take it slowly and don’t rush developing these habits. Even if it seems like you’re not making much
progress, it’s better to inch forward in the right direction than to try to add all these new things in at
once and burn out.

Step #3 — Plan the Time Blocks

Once you’ve determined your big rocks and mapped out a basic framework for your day, it’s time to
plan the Time Blocks in your routine. Here’s how I recommend doing that:

1. Start With a Time Budget

Take your list of priorities and follow the instructions in this post to come up with a time budget for the
24 hours in your day. (See my time budget from 2010 here for an example of how this will look.)

2. Arrange the Order For Your Day

Once you have your time budget created, take those blocks of time and put them in a set order for the
day. Do not stress over doing this perfectly, just think of how to order the time blocks so things will flow
fairly smoothly in your home.
For instance, here’s what my current routine looks like:

My Current Routine
Up, Bible, coffee
Run
Shower, dress
Clean up bathroom/bedroom, start laundry
Blog
Children up, baths, hair fixed
Breakfast, Bible Time, clean up kitchen
Chores, switch laundry, dinner out from freezer
Homeschooling
Reading together
Lunch, read alouds
Afternoon Routine
Homeschooling
Blogging
Free hour
Dinner, Bible Time
Evening Routine
Time with Jesse, read

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 9

3. Make Sure to Include Margin Time
If you’ll notice, I have an hour of free time built into my routine. This gives some “padding” in the
routine to allow for the inevitable interruptions and things that come up throughout the day. Plus, it also
provides a time block for extra projects.

4. Keep It Simple
Don’t make the mistake of trying to pack your day so full that you end up overwhelmed and burnt out.
It’s better to do fewer things and actually finish them, than to attempt a massively long list and end up
frustrated. Stick with the basics and don’t forget to focus on the big rocks first.

5. Don’t Worry About Following it Perfectly

We never follow our routine exactly. I view it as a guideline, not a strict slave master. It’s there to keep
us moving in the right direction, but it can be shifted and rearranged somewhat depending upon how
the day is going.

Now, if you start shifting things too much, you’ll defeat the purpose of having a routine, but do give
yourself some grace and don’t feel like you need to follow it to a tee or you’ve failed. Good enough is
always better than doing nothing at all.

6. Keep Tweaking It

A good routine is like a good budget: you keep tweaking it as your needs and life changes. If
something isn’t working, change it!

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 10

A Routine Only Works if You Follow It
Just having a routine written down on paper is not enough. You actually have to stick with it!
Now, like I said before, you don’t have to follow your routine perfectly for it to make a big impact. But
you do need to use it as a guideline on a daily basis. Even just following 75-80% of it almost every day
can mean a world of difference in your home and life.
Here are four tips to help you stick with your routine:

Tip #1 — Add One New Thing Every 3 Weeks

If the concept of a routine is completely new for you, don’t try to overhaul your life all at once. Slow
and steady changes in the right direction will result in much more lasting and long term
changes. As I’ve often said, moving in the right direction–even at a microscopic rate–is still moving
forward.
I recommend adding one new habit every three weeks. Start with a morning routine and stick with that
for three weeks. Then add in an evening routine and stick with it for three weeks. Finally, add in an
afternoon routine and stick with that for another three weeks.

Once you’ve got your routines down, try filling it in by following your entire written routine. If that’s too
much to add all at once, go back to just adding in one or two new things to your routine every three
weeks.

Tip #2 — Create a Checklist

I’ve found it really helpful to print a new routine for each day of the week to follow and check off as I
complete each task. This might just be the Type A in me, but there’s something about checking off
things from a list that helps to keep me on track.

If you don’t want to mess with having a new page for each day, you could print and laminate your
routine and use a dry erase marker to check it off. And then just wipe it clean at the end of the day.

Or, if you’re more of a techy person, you could use some type of online program on your computer or
smartphone. I use the Todo App for my daily to-do list (this is separate from my standard routine) and
think it could easily be set up to have a standard routine to check off each day if something a bit more
high-tech appeals to you.
However, don’t try to make it more complicated than it needs to be. A simple list printed on scrap
paper with a pen to check it off can work just fine. What matters most is not how high-tech or elaborate
your system is, but that it inspires you to follow through with your routine!

Tip #3 — Get An Accountability Partner

If you feel like you’re not disciplined enough to stick with a routine on your own, find an accountability
partner to help keep you on track. Maybe it’s a friend who checks in with you via email every
afternoon. Or a neighbor who pops by once a week. Or your spouse who checks in with how your day

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 11

went at dinner. Maybe you form a group of online friends on Facebook to keep each other
accountable. Or perhaps you do something entirely different.

Think about what would most motivate you to stay accountable and then get that accountability
system in place. No excuses; just do it!

Tip #4 — Reward Yourself For Sticking With It

Create milestones to celebrate along the way. This inspires you to keep at it when you don’t feel like
sticking with it. Plus, life is just a lot more enjoyable when you make time to celebrate your successes!

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 12

My Top 3 Tips for Getting ings Done
Feeling like you’re always behind, stuck going around and around in circles, and never really getting
anywhere or finishing anything?

Here are three of my top tips for getting stuff done.

Tip #1 — Keep Your To-Do List Short

You need a plan for your day, otherwise, you’ll most likely just end up running in circles. However, if
you try to bite off more than you can chew in a day’s time, you’ll end up overwhelmed from the get-go.

Set yourself up for success by creating a short to do list for each day. I suggest no more than 5-7
items on your list.

It’s better to only plan to do four things and to actually accomplish three of them, then to make a list of
47 to-do items, and a only get a few bits and pieces of some of them done.

Tip #2 — Make Your Daily Goals Measurable

When you make your to-do list, be realistic. Don’t write down “clear out clutter in the whole house” or
“clean house” or “find a new job.”
Break things down into bite-sized, manageable pieces and be specific. For instance, instead of
writing down “clear out the clutter in the whole house”, set a goal to spend 30 minutes clearing out the
clutter in one room. Instead of attempting to clean the whole house, make a goal to vacuum two
rooms, do a load of laundry, and clean the toilets.

Not only are specific, measurable goals much more concrete, they are also much more manageable.
The thought of cleaning the whole house is overwhelming, but knowing you just have to vacuum two
rooms, finish a load of laundry, and clean two toilets is much more achievable. Plus, when you set
measurable goals, you know when they are accomplished.

Tip #3 — Use Your Minutes Wisely

If you want to have more productivity and efficiency in your life, you need to become the master
of your minutes. If you find yourself with a short two-minute window of time, don’t just twiddle your
thumbs. Do something. I’m always surprised at how much can be accomplished in a few minutes of
time.

Things You Can Accomplish When You Have 2-3 Minutes’ of Free Time

 Write a short thank you note or email.

 Clean the sink or toilet in the bathroom.

 Switch a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer.

 Pull out dinner from the freezer.

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 13

  Make a healthful snack to munch on instead of grazing on high-calorie, low-nutrition snacks.

 Take your vitamins and drink a glass of water.

 Do 25 sit-ups.
 Do a quick clean up of a room.

 Read a short story to a child.

 Text your husband to tell him you love him and appreciate him.

 Read 2 pages of the book you’re currently reading.

 Make a quick phone call.

I’m sure you could come up with a thousand other ideas for how to wisely use the little cracks of time
that pop up throughout the day. Don’t let those little time slots slip by unproductively—it’s amazing how
much they can add up in your favor!

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 14

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home:
e Complete List
Week 1 — Monday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great. There’s something about dressing in
clothes that make you feel great that just gives
you more energy and zest for life!
 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and
make a list of 5-10 goals for this week.
Week 1 — Tuesday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.
 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to
your list of weekly goals you made yesterday,
and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific
things you want to accomplish today.

 Complete your morning routine. If you  Complete your morning routine.

don’t have a morning routine, take some time to
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and do a quick-
create one today! Read my How to Develop a
clean of your kitchen: wash the dishes/load the
Routine That Works–And Stick With It series for
dishwasher, clear off the countertops, and, if you
step-by-step help.
have time, wipe down the countertops and the
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and quickly pick outside of the cupboards with wet rag or
up the main living areas of your home. cleaning cloth.
 Find 7 items to get rid of today. Throw them  Find 7 items to get rid of today.
out, stick them in a donate or garage sale box,
 Clean out your refrigerator. There’s a step-
give them to a friend who can use them, or list
by-step guide for cleaning out your refrigerator
them on Craigslist or eBay.
here.
 Clean out your purse and/or diaper bag.

1. ____________________________________________
1. _____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
6. _____________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________
7. _____________________________________________

8. _____________________________________________

9. _____________________________________________

10. ____________________________________________

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 15

Week 1 — Wednesday Assignment Week 1 — Thursday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you  Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great. feel great.

 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to  Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to
your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no
more than 5-7 specific things you want to more than 5-7 specific things you want to
accomplish today. accomplish today.

 Complete your morning routine.  Complete your morning routine.

 Set the timer for 15 minutes and do a quick-  Set the timer for 15 minutes and do a quick-
clean of your bedroom: throw out any trash, clean of your bathroom. Need specific
put away items that are out of place, get rid of directions? Read this article on How to Clean
clutter, tidy up, vacuum, and make your bed. Your Bathroom in 15 Minutes.

 Find 7 items to get rid of today.  Find 7 items to get rid of today.

 Clean out your freezer. If you need step-by-  Clean out underneath your beds and
step help, read this guide on How to Clean Out furniture. Remove clutter and trash and put it
Your Freezer. away or throw it away. Move the furniture (if
possible) and vacuum underneath.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________ 1. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________ 2. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________ 3. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________ 4. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________ 5. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________ 6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 16

Week 1 — Friday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.

 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to

your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no
more than 5-7 specific things you want to
accomplish today.

 Complete your morning routine.

 Set the timer for at least 15 minutes and do

something you really enjoy and that relaxes
and rejuvenates you. If you need ideas, here
are a few: read, write, call a friend, pray,
exercise, bake, play with your children, laugh
with your husband, stop by the bookstore and
browse the book selection, work in the garden,
or take a nap! Take some time to just stop and
enjoy life today!

 Clean your couch. Remove your couch

cushions and clean out any crumbs, toys, or
other miscellaneous items you find. Use an
attachment on your vacuum to vacuum the
cushions, underneath the cushions, and all
crevices of your furniture. Spot clean the fabric,
if needed.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 17

Week 2 — Monday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.
 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and
create a list of weekly goals.
 Complete your morning routine.
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and quickly pick
up your house and put things back into order
after the weekend.
 Find 7 items to get rid of today.
 Clean out the inside of your vehicle.
Remove all trash and clutter. Use a vacuum
attachment to vacuum out all the seats and
floors.
1. _____________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________
6. _____________________________________________
7. _____________________________________________
8. _____________________________________________
9. _____________________________________________
10. ____________________________________________
4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine
Week 2 — Tuesday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.
 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to
your list of weekly goals you made yesterday,
and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific
things you want to accomplish today.
 Complete your morning routine.
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and vacuum the
main living areas of your home.
 Find 7 items to get rid of today.
 Wipe down all the baseboards in your
home. If you have children who can help, you
might divide your home up into sections and
have everyone take a section so you can get
this job done quickly!
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________
18
Week 2 — Wednesday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.
 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to
your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no
more than 5-7 specific things you want to
accomplish today.
 Complete your morning routine.
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and go through
your dresser drawers. Remove items you no
longer love, need, and/or wear. Quickly organize
the remaining items.
 Find 7 items to get rid of today.
 Wipe down all the door handles in your
home. You can use a damp rag with a little
disinfectant on it or a cleaning wipe. If you have
younger children, they’d probably enjoy joining
you in tackling this project!
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________
4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine
Week 2 — Thursday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.
 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to
your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no
more than 5-7 specific things you want to
accomplish today.
 Complete your morning routine.
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and do a quick-
clean of your bathroom.
 Find 7 items to get rid of today.
 Clean your light switch plates. You can use
a damp rag with a little disinfectant on it or a
cleaning wipe. If you have younger children,
they’d probably enjoy joining you in tackling this
project!
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________
19
Week 2 — Friday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.

 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to

your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no
more than 5-7 specific things you want to
accomplish today.

 Complete your morning routine.

 Set the timer for at least 15 minutes and do

something you really enjoy and that relaxes
and rejuvenates you.
 Dust all ceiling fans and clean all light
fixtures in your house. Check for burned out
light bulbs and replace them.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 20

Week 3 — Monday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.
 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and
create a list of weekly goals.
 Complete your morning routine.
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and quickly pick
up your house and put things back into order
after the weekend.
 Find 7 items to get rid of today.
 Clean out your silverware drawer. Remove
all items, vacuum out the crumbs with your
vacuum’s attachment, wipe down the drawer
with a damp cloth, get rid of anything you don’t
need or no longer use, and then put everything
you’re keeping back into the drawer in an
organized manner.
1. _____________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________
6. _____________________________________________
7. _____________________________________________
8. _____________________________________________
9. _____________________________________________
10. ____________________________________________
4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine
Week 3 — Tuesday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.
 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to
your list of weekly goals you made yesterday,
and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific
things you want to accomplish today.
 Complete your morning routine.
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and vacuum the
main living areas of your home.
 Find 7 items to get rid of today.
 Clean your microwave, stove top, and/or
oven.
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________
21
Week 3 — Wednesday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.
 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to
your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no
more than 5-7 specific things you want to
accomplish today.
 Complete your morning routine.
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and do a quick-
clean of your bathroom.
 Find 7 items to get rid of today.
 Clean the top of your kitchen cupboards
(if there is space between them and the ceiling)
and the top of your refrigerator. If you have
clutter on the top of your refrigerator, go through
it and see if you can get rid of it or find a new
home for it. Wipe down the outside of your
kitchen cupboard doors.
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________
4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine
Week 3 — Thursday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.
 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to
your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no
more than 5-7 specific things you want to
accomplish today.
 Complete your morning routine.
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and clean the
mirrors and glass doors in your house.
 Find 7 items to get rid of today.
 Clean out your utensil drawer(s) (those
with serving spoons, ladles, spatulas, etc.) in
the kitchen and your junk drawer(s). Take
everything out, throw out the trash, get rid of
extra clutter, wipe out the drawers, and re-
organize the contents as you put them back in.
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________
22
Week 3 — Friday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.

 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to

your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no
more than 5-7 specific things you want to
accomplish today.

 Complete your morning routine.

 Set the timer for at least 15 minutes and do

something you really enjoy and that relaxes
and rejuvenates you.
 Find 7 items to get rid of today.

 Clean your computer. Wipe down the

screen and keys with a damp cloth, organize
files, delete emails, etc.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 23

Week 4 — Monday Assignment Week 4 — Tuesday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you  Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great. feel great.

 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and
create a list of weekly goals.
 Complete your morning routine.
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and quickly pick
up your house and put things back into order
after the weekend.
 Find 7 items to get rid of today.
 Clean your vents. If you have floor vents
that can be removed, remove them and wash
them in warm soapy water. Vacuum/clean any
dirt or grime around the floor vent area and
replace the vent. Use a vacuum attachment
and/or a wet rag to dust/clean your other vents.
 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to
your list of weekly goals you made yesterday,
and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific
things you want to accomplish today.
 Complete your morning routine.
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and do a quick-
clean of your bathroom.
 Find 7 items to get rid of today.
 Clean out and reorganized your kitchen
cupboards and pantry.
1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________
1. _____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________

6. _____________________________________________

7. _____________________________________________

8. _____________________________________________

9. _____________________________________________

10. ____________________________________________

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 24

Week 4 — Wednesday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.
 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to
your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no
more than 5-7 specific things you want to
accomplish today.
 Complete your morning routine.
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and vacuum the
main living areas of your home.
 Find 7 items to get rid of today.
 Vacuum your carpeted closets. Sweep or
mop the floor in those closets without carpet.
Remove all items from the closet floor and get
rid of clutter, trash, and items that don’t belong
in that closet.
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________
4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine
Week 4 — Thursday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.
 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to
your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no
more than 5-7 specific things you want to
accomplish today.
 Complete your morning routine.
 Set the timer for 15 minutes and wipe down
your windowsills and trim around your
windows (that is, if you didn’t wipe these when
you wiped down the baseboards earlier this
month).
 Find 7 items to get rid of today.
 Clean your windows and blinds and/or
window treatments. If you want to get really
ambitious, you can take the screens off (if you
have screens) and clean the outside of your
windows. Or, you can just use window cleaner
and clean your windows on the inside. Dust or
wash your blinds. Remove any washable
window treatments and launder them.
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________
25
Week 4 — Friday Assignment
 Get dressed in something that makes you
feel great.

 Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to

your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no
more than 5-7 specific things you want to
accomplish today.

 Complete your morning routine.

 Set the timer for at least 15 minutes and do

something you really enjoy and that relaxes
and rejuvenates you.
 Clean out and re-organize your medicine
cupboard(s). Check expiration dates on
medicines and dispose of any that are expired.
Note: Check out this article for information from
the FDA on how to properly dispose of
medicine.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 26

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home:
e Short List

Week 1
 Day 1. Clean out your purse and/or diaper
bag.
 Day 2. Clean out your refrigerator. There’s a
step-by-step guide for cleaning out your
refrigerator here.
 Day 3. Clean out your freezer. If you need
step-by-step help, read this guide on How to
Clean Out Your Freezer.
 Day 4. Clean out underneath your beds and
furniture. Remove clutter and trash and put it
away or throw it away. Move the furniture (if
possible) and vacuum underneath.
 Day 5. Clean your couch. Remove your
couch cushions and clean out any crumbs, toys,
or other miscellaneous items you find. Use an
attachment on your vacuum to vacuum the
cushions, underneath the cushions, and all
crevices of your furniture. Spot clean the fabric,
if needed.
Week 2
 Day 6. Clean out the inside of your vehicle.
Remove all trash and clutter. Use a vacuum
attachment to vacuum out all the seats and
floors.
 Day 7. Wipe down all the baseboards in your
home. If you have children who can help, you
might divide your home up into sections and
have everyone take a section so you can get
this job done quickly!
 Day 8. Wipe down all the door handles in
your home. You can use a damp rag with a little
disinfectant on it or a cleaning wipe. If you have
younger children, they’d probably enjoy joining
you in tackling this project!
 Day 9. Clean your light switch plates. You
can use a damp rag with a little disinfectant on it
or a cleaning wipe. If you have younger
children, they’d probably enjoy joining you in
tackling this project!
 Day 10. Dust all ceiling fans and clean all
light fixtures in your house. Check for burned out
light bulbs and replace them.

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 27

Week 3
 Day 11. Clean out your silverware drawer.
Remove all items, vacuum out the crumbs with
your vacuum’s attachment, wipe down the
drawer with a damp cloth, get rid of anything
you don’t need or no longer use, and then put
everything you’re keeping back into the drawer
in an organized manner.
 Day 12. Clean your microwave, stove top,
and/or oven.
 Day 13. Clean the top of your kitchen
cupboards (if there is space between them and
the ceiling) and the top of your refrigerator. If
you have clutter on the top of your refrigerator,
go through it and see if you can get rid of it or
find a new home for it. Wipe down the outside of
your kitchen cupboard doors.
 Day 14. Clean out your utensil drawer(s)
(those with serving spoons, ladles, spatulas,
etc.) in the kitchen and your junk drawer(s). Take
everything out, throw out the trash, get rid of
extra clutter, wipe out the drawers, and re-
organize the contents as you put them back in.
 Day 15. Clean your computer. Wipe down
the screen and keys with a damp cloth, organize
files, delete emails, etc.
4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine
Week 4
 Day 16. Clean your vents. If you have floor
vents that can be removed, remove them and
wash them in warm soapy water. Vacuum/clean
any dirt or grime around the floor vent area and
replace the vent. Use a vacuum attachment
and/or a wet rag to dust/clean your other vents.
 Day 17. Clean out and reorganized your
kitchen cupboards and pantry.
 Day 18. Vacuum your carpeted closets.
Sweep or mop the floor in those closets without
carpet. Remove all items from the closet floor
and get rid of clutter, trash, and items that don’t
belong in that closet.
 Day 19. Clean your windows and blinds and/
or window treatments. If you want to get really
ambitious, you can take the screens off (if you
have screens) and clean the outside of your
windows. Or, you can just use window cleaner
and clean your windows on the inside. Dust or
wash your blinds. Remove any washable
window treatments and launder them.
 Day 20. Clean out and re-organize your
medicine cupboard(s). Check expiration dates
on medicines and dispose of any that are
expired. Note: Check out this article for
information from the FDA on how to properly
dispose of medicine.
28
 About the Author
A wife and homeschool mom of three, Crystal Paine is a
bestselling author, business consultant, speaker, and the founder
of MoneySavingMom.com. Started in 2007, Money Saving
Mom® has since grown to be one of the top personal finance
blogs on the web averaging over 1.5 million unique visitors per
month.
Author of the New York Times bestselling book Say Goodbye To
Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and
Restore Your Passion for Life, Crystal's mission is to help women from all
walks of life discover the freedom that comes from living with intention,
simplicity and generosity.
In addition to running her own business, she serves as a consultant to executives and business
owners in the areas of brand development, online growth and social media strategy.
Crystal has contributed to articles in Woman's Day and All You magazines, appeared on Good
Morning America and the 700 club, and has been mentioned on The Today Show, National Public
Radio, CNN, USA Weekend, Shop Smart magazine, Real Simple magazine, and numerous other local
and national newspapers, radio, and television stations. She is also the author of the bestselling
book, The Money Saving Mom®'s Budget. 
Her motto is this: live simply, save aggressively, give generously. Through her books and blog she
seeks to encourage women and families to wisely steward their time, energy and finances so that,
ultimately, they might be able to bless and give more to those in their community and around the
world. 

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 29