Used car sales people use to be known for "huffing and puffing" used cars saying something like, "This car was driven only to
church on Sundays by a little old lady" to let the potential buyer know how "good" the car was.

These days I think it would be fair to say that "granny" uses her car to go more places: bingo, senior centers, volunteering, clubs, work, involvement with grandchildren and more.

Just like "granny" you probably go many places in your car also:

work, shopping/errands, travel, adult and child activities, school and perhaps you use your car as an office and maybe.....this might be stretching it...just to go have fun in!
 

Statistics show, according to James Gleick, author of Faster, 'Americans spend at least on an average 1 hour and 13 minutes each day in their car.' That comes out to almost 8 hours a week, 31.64 hours a month and 379.68 hours a year you "live" in your car! No wonder people have so much clutter in their car, it's like a spare room or two.

Before you run out or click to purchase organizing products for your car let's first have you take inventory of what lives in your car and what REALLY needs to live in your car. Yes, this means taking everything out...well you might need the room anyway if you plan on traveling for the holidays or are purchasing a lot of presents to bring home.

Grab a box, a garbage bag, your car keys and sprint out to your car. Tune into your favorite radio station and do the Toss In Box. Get rid of everything that you don't use daily (please keep your emergency equipment). Get rid of everything that you don't need. Don't forget to check under the seats, in the glove compartment, and the trunk.

Now let's look at some of the ways that you might use your car and items needed:

=> For Travel: maps, directions, phone numbers, music, entertainment, work, clothes, suitcases, a cooler, drinks and trash.

=> For transporting kids: trash, toys, books, baby stuff, drinks, entertainment, school stuff, and sports stuff.

=> As your office: maps, directions, phone numbers, music, entertainment, laptop, work, a cooler, drinks, tools and trash.

Are you seeing some commonalties here?

I think it would be nice to organize and 'house' as many of these items as you can, don't you?

* For maps get a map organizer

* For music or entertainment (even VHS tapes) get a "car entertainment center"

* For trash you can use a plastic bag or a litter chute made to hang on the back of a seat.

* For work get a mobile car desk...these are GREAT!

There are many great car organizers out there and many that hang onto the back of a seat, taking up less space.

I've found some great finds and have created a brand new web site just for car clutter at http://www.car-clutter.com  which I hope you'll visit after you've cleared out and decided what you need to help you get organized and stay organized in your car.

Check out my 10 Car Checklists

Thank you for supporting me in my work.

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Janet Hall is a Professional Organizer - Certified, Certified Pyramid Feng Shui Practitioner, Speaker, and Author and can help you regain control of your life, your time, your stuff, and your environment. Organizing By Phone and in person at http://www.overhall.com

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OverHall Consulting
P.O. Box 263, Port Republic, MD 20676
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