6 Awesome Ideas For Anyone Who Keeps Losing Things at Home

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Have fun with these great ideas to stop losing things at home, once and for all.

Who hasn’t been frustrated by losing something in our home. You know it is somewhere so you spend your precious time searching. Until you give up and replace the thing. Then once you’ve spent more time and money buying a new one, all of a sudden the original lost thing shows up!! It makes you want to pull your hair out doesn’t it. Get started with these really awesome ideas to put a stop to losing things at home. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://www.outsidetheboxsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/gunnern-lockable-cabinet-white__0310479_PE414306_S4.jpg” alt=”Stop losing things at home” show_in_lightbox=”off” url=”//www.ikea.com/aa/en/catalog/products/10262100/” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”on” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://www.outsidetheboxsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Oxfam-Upcycled-box6G0561-01_1.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url=”https://shop.oxfam.org.au/recycled-computer-box” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”on” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” saved_tabs=”all” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

1. Stop Wasting Time Looking For Keys

Keys are the number one item lost in the home. The reason this happens is because our brain makes certain actions we know are not important part of it’s redundancy process. When you arrive home your mind is usually already jumping forward to more important issues. They are usually something like, getting dinner prepared, making that phone call or checking what homework needs to be done tonight. While the mind is busy on those, the spatial memory of where you put the keys is filed away in the back blocks of your mind. This then makes it more difficult to recall later. The only way to stop this from happening is to create alternative support for your memory. External support is the answer, make a home for the keys that is easily accessible. the most obvious is to create a space or box as you walk in the door. It will take some time to generate the true mindless redundancy that the new habit provides. Just give your brain some consistency at first to put the keys in the cabinet or box, it will pay you back in hours and hours of lost time searching. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://www.outsidetheboxsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/phone-charging-station-Kitchen-Traditional-with-black-counter-coat-hooks.jpg” title_text=”Image by: Ogawa Fisher Architects” show_in_lightbox=”off” url=”//www.ogawafisher.com/” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”on” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

2. Phones and Tablets

Not just expensive to lose but more and more these items are an essential part of our lives. They hold masses of information and cherished memories in our photos. One survey done by Mozy found that 70% of people have lost a phone, tablet or laptop. 57% of people who had lost a device had also reported feeling more upset about losing the data on the device than the device its self. One of the best ways to stop losing things at home like these is to enable the some of the security features of your phone or tablet. For iPhone and iPad just enable Find My iPhone in your iCloud Settings. For setting up Find My Mobile on Samsung go to Settings and Lock Screen and Security. Unfortunately the average person now loses 1.24 items a year and less than half of those are ever recovered. So having data stored in a Cloud based system or doing regular backing up is essential. I’m a bit on the fence with Cloud systems. For information I don’t feel is highly sensitive, but very important and time consuming to replace I keep these documents in Dropbox. For more sensitive information and photos I prefer to do a regular back up of my devices and laptop on to a portable hard drive. As the IT guru’s say Back up because it’s not a case of IF your computer hard drive fails but WHEN. Same applies to our handheld devices as the keys. I love this discreet charging station built into this kitchen for all the families gadgets. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://www.outsidetheboxsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/kikki.k-mag.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url=”//www.kikki-k.com/a4-display-book-basics” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”on” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” title_text=”Image from kikki.K”] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

3. Paperwork

Losing things at home in the area of paperwork is highly stressful and potentially very costly. Of course the most awesome ideas to stop losing paperwork is to have a system that suits your innate logic, your available time and your space. But for now lets get started with some awesome tools that really make a huge difference to your systems. My favorite tools are simple and effective. For important documents I like to have them in Presentation Folders and kept in a Magazine Holder. I also store the portable hard drive back here so if I need to leave the house in an emergency I have all the proof and data I need. I prefer the kikki.K range for this as they are high quality with less acid to limit fading and harm to documents. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://www.outsidetheboxsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/eyeglass-holder-from-thrifted-finds.jpg” title_text=”Image from Hunt & Host Blog ” show_in_lightbox=”off” url=”//www.huntandhost.net/eyeglass-holder-purpose-in-life/” url_new_window=”on” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

4. Glasses and Sunglasses

Hilariously common in our house is my husband losing his glasses, I know he’s not alone there. This is the system I use for never being with out my glasses or sunglasses. Have two or more (if you need them) of each type, strategically placed, based on your use. Here’s how it works. I have a pair in each of the most used locations of the house. In my case the office and the lounge room and one pair in my work bag, which are in a case that also holds my sunglasses. As well as the sunglasses that live in my work bag, there’s a second pair on the exit zone near my front door for walking in the morning and non-work events. Similar to losing things at home like the keys, glasses need an external redundant system to relying on your brain, as usually when putting down your glasses your mind is elsewhere. Now I know you’re going to say “but I thought you’re all about living with less?”. Yes that’s true, but there is a point where you have to upgrade your prescription so you end up with a spare pair or it just isn’t sensible in some cases to be too strict with the ethos. After all how would you be safe driving if you can’t find your glasses? [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://www.outsidetheboxsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/exit-zone-shelf-with-bag-hooks-.jpg” title_text=”From www.shopstyle.com.au” show_in_lightbox=”off” url=”//www.shopstyle.com.au/browse?fts=wall+shelf+with+hooks” url_new_window=”on” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_image][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://www.outsidetheboxsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/small-exit-entry-zone.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

5. Creating a zone for your purse and wallet

Earlier I referred to my exit zone. A place near the entry of the home where all the things that are needed when someone leaves the house. Again the zone, is helping remove from our working memory the necessity to have all actions recorded for recall. Just another external support for our busy and overworked memory. If possible you can create the zone with specific furniture to aid even further as pictured here. But you can create an exit zone with simple items as well. A simple shelf and hook provide the perfect exit zone. Add a small box or basket for your wallet and your’e sorted.   [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://www.outsidetheboxsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/The-Reject-Shop-Stationery.jpg” title_text=”Image: The Reject Shop” show_in_lightbox=”off” url=”//www.rejectshop.com.au/” url_new_window=”on” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”on” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://www.outsidetheboxsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Angle-shot-resized.jpg” title_text=”The Space Cube ” show_in_lightbox=”off” url=”//www.thespacecube.com/” url_new_window=”on” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

6. Pens, Scissors, Calculators and all the Stationery Bits

If you have kids you’re definitely the most affected by lost tools and items from the kitchen drawer or office. One of the best ways to ensure these items don’t go wandering is to create you’re own secret stash. Yes this tactic might be underhanded and just a tad selfish. But it’s worth it to stop the frustration caused by that moment of going to your stash only to find your favorite scissors are gone, and when you eventually find them they are covered in some unidentifiable sticky mess. Use a box with a lid, add a pencil cup with pens, small jars of clips and rubber bands plus all the lovely bits of stationery you love. Make sure the box is tall enough so everything fits in just as if it was being used on the desk. There are some really great boxes at discount stores like the ones here from The Reject Shop. A really inexpensive way to stop losing things at home. Alternative to the sneaky method is creating a fully stocked station for your office or central area of the home. The Space Cube is an excellent tool for this. Made from sustainable Bamboo. I really love the space saving design. Here’s a video that shows all the extra details. [button link=”#https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u8XUiTH3Hc&t=1s” color=”green” newwindow=”yes”] The Space Cube[/button] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] These are just a few of the awesome ways to stop losing things at home. I would love to hear what tactics you’ve put in place to save time and money looking for things. We’d love to hear them and share with the Outside the Box Community. Just leave a comment below. Get more tips on organising your life, home and business from me on News Talk 6PR each alternate Monday at 12:30pm. Missed the show? That’s ok you can listen to past episodes right here [button link=”#https://www.outsidetheboxsolutions.com.au/about/media/” type=”icon” icon=”heart”] Listen Here[/button]

Living with less and experiencing more always,

Carolyn 

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