Landing Pad
You need a landing and/or launch pad. This is a spot in your house where you can dump your stuff when you come in the door, and where those same items will be waiting for you when you are ready to leave. It should be reasonably close to the door you use most, which at our house is currently the front door. It could be the back, if you come in your back door. It could also be right inside your bedroom door, if you live with roomies or don't trust your family not to move your shit. We happen to have a table by the front door, which has a bowl and a paperweight on it. We put our keys, phone, cards, Carmex, etc. in the bowl when we come in the door. They will all still be waiting there when we leave.
Yeah, that’s a final utility notice. We’re not pretending to be less broke than we are. The paperweight is there to secure incoming mail or documents you're bringing in. You don't need a fancy one. Even a rock will do. No seriously, go on a hike and pick out a pretty and unique rock to use as your paperweight! It'll serve the same function and every time you see it you'll be reminded of nature. Nature makes great frugal décor, and it doesn't look frugal at all. Hanging over the table is a mirror, so that we can check our appearance before we head out. You can keep other often-used items here, such as umbrellas, hats/gloves in winter, your dog's leash, etc. Keep it organized, and don't put it there if you don't use it frequently.
This will simplify your life so much. We know too many people who are rushed in the mornings, who have laid their phone down in some random place in the house, who can't find their keys, etc. This is a huge source of stress that you don't need, and as minimalists we want to reduce wasted time and stress. The landing/launch pad does both. As broke folks, we can't risk being late for work because of lost keys or a wandering cell phone. If there's an outlet nearby, stick a phone charger there so that you are at 100% when it's time to leave again. We generally take our phone to bed with us, since we use it as an alarm, but we put it back in the bowl when we get up.
Now, it doesn't have to be a bowl. Perhaps you'd rather have a hook by the door for your keys, and your phone on a charger on a nearby table. Maybe you've got some sort of plastic caddy or box that you like, or you'd just like to lay your keys right on the table. Maybe you want to hang a basket by the door. That's ok too, as long as all the things are within reach of each other and of the door, and as long as you consistently put them where they go. Industrial employers have a saying about this: there's a place for everything, so put everything in its place. We like our bowl system, it works for us. The bowl itself was made by our grandfather out of a piece of driftwood he found in Florida. Things that are both functional and sentimental are extra special and we encourage you to acquire your own unique bowl, or even to take a pottery class and make yourself one!
One word of caution: be careful not to let the landing/launch pad get cluttery. Take some time each night before bed to look at the things you brought in with you. File any documents, open any mail and take action if needed. If you emptied a pocketful of candy and pennies into your bowl, put those away. Anything that doesn't live there needs to go to its proper home before you hit the sack. That way it's truly ready for you to launch from tomorrow, and it doesn't become one of those “hot spot” clutter areas. Clutter attracts clutter, so stay on top of your pad and make it work for you!
