The average Canadian spends close to 12 full days a year travelling between work and home according to a Statistics Canada study. The 2005 study found that Canadians spent an average of 63 minutes a day commuting.

I’m sure for some, it feels like a lot more when you are in the throes of going back and forth in traffic to / from work; ferrying the kids to / from school and all their extracurricular events and parties. In fact you feel like you live in your car.

It’s no wonder that our cars, like our homes are cluttered with evidence of life – empty food containers, CDs, sporting goods, kids’ toys, papers, garbage. Here are some tools which may be useful in de-cluttering your car and keeping you focused at the wheel driving and not distracted by searching for things you need.

Front-Seat Organizer
Whether it’s your cell phone sandwiched in between your lap or your water bottle rolling around on the floor of your car, this caddy fits securely between the front seat and centre console, providing you with compartments to store items at easy reach.

Automotive Catch-all
There’s never a note pad and pen when you need one. Where did you set down your sunglasses? Made of soft neoprene, this catch-all fits conveniently into the air vent or other nooks on your dashboard, to hold all those small miscellaneous items.

Visor-Mounted CD Holder
Constantly searching for that CD that invariably slips under the car seat? This holder fits conveniently on your sun visor and organizes your CDs in protective slots.

Visor Sunglass Clip
The sun is in your eyes and you are trying to keep your eyes on the road while searching for your sunglasses. Keep them at your fingertips attached to your sun visor in front of you.

Back-Seat Organizer
Bring storage into your car by attaching this organizer onto the back of your car seats. Multiple pockets gives your plenty of options to store items that clutter up your car. Create a home for maps, books, toys, tissues, snacks, water bottles, umbrella.

Portable DVD Player Case
Screaming children, a certain cause for distraction. Keep them entertained with a movie on your portable DVD player. This DVD case / holder straps to your car seat back or between two bucket seats.

Trunk Cargo Organizer
The trunk, your car’s version of the kitchen junk drawer. Can’t find those jumper cables or that first aid kit you know you have…somewhere? This cargo organizer will keep your trunk clutter-free and items secure from rolling around.

Folding Cargo Bag Trunk Organizer
Has the smell of a rotting orange made you realize that one escaped the last time you went grocery shopping? Keep your groceries in place on the return home from the market. This bag organizer is also useful in keeping all the sporting goods in place and those balls from rolling around.

Follow these tips from Professional Organizer, Linda Chu of Out of Chaos, and arrive at your destination prepared for serious business and/or serious fun.

Packing Tips

1. Place heaviest items on the bottom (ie: shoes)
2. Pack your items tightly together
3. Roll or fold all clothes
4. Layer clothes to avoid shifting and bunching
5. Place belts inside your shoes

From Weekday to Weekend – for Women

When you take the time to coordinate your outfits and what you pack, you not only save time, but space. Avoid having to spend more money on paying for overweight luggage at the check-in counter or having to purchase items during your travels, because your forgot to pack something.

1. Skirt suit
2. Pants – roll them from waist down for packing
3. Cardigan – lightweight wool suits all seasons
4. Little black dress
5. T-shirts (3) – roll vs folding for packing
6. Dress shirts (2)
7. Shoes – business pumps
8. Belt
9. Exercise outfit
10. Shoes – exercise trainers
11. Shoes – slides
12. Shoes – loafers
13. Sarong – versatile for dressing up or down
14. Handbag
15. Underwear – bring a portable washline for drying hose & underwear
16. Sun glasses
17. Umbrella
18. Book
19. Camera
20. Cell phone
21. Travel alarm
22. Skin care/makeup – place in plastic bag in case of leaks

For packing tips for the working week and for the male traveler, contact Linda.