Get Organized Month - Declutter Your Pantry

Wintertime is a nice time to declutter your pantry or food cabinets, especially if the weather is conducive to being indoors.

When you know what you have in your pantry and where it is, you're less likely to overstock. And it's easy to see what's on hand when you're making out your menus and grocery lists.

Start on one side of the pantry or cabinet you're decluttering. Examine to see if the item is outdated. Toss anything you don't think you'll use - it's just taking up valuable space.

Now sort like items together - canned vegetables, canned fruit, baking supplies (near the oven or mixer), and so on. I like to sort my vegetables according to color, so it's easy to locate them. If you have several of the same item, place the oldest one in front so you'll use it first.

While you're at it, wipe down the shelves if they need it. And if you're really industrious and you don't have shelf lining, do that, too!

If you have shelves that are spaced far apart, consider getting some space savers (plastic-coated wire organizers) to increase your storage capacity. You can find these at Bed, Bath and Beyond (www.bedbathandbeyond.com), Target (www.Target.com), The Container Store (www.containerstore.com and other such places.

Reward yourself for a job well done!!!