â“ Only buy things you love and need now. Don't, for instance, purchase wicker furniture for the porch you envision having 10 years from now when you acquire a summer home.
â“ Take an inventory of what you have so you don't duplicate purchases.
â“ Resist the temptation to shuffle your mess from one space to another. Hiding magazines under your bed is not a solution.
Bev Bennett, a veteran food writer and editor, is the author of "Dinner for Two: A Cookbook for Couples" and "30-Minute Meals for Dummies"