Customer Reviews

How to Conquer Clutter

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Another delightful work by Stephanie Culp, this book describes how you can wage your own war on clutter in your personal life, in your home and office.

From the "Ten Commandments of Clutter" to her "Resource Helpline", Culp provides a wealth of very organized information. This book is even so specific as to instruct you on the most efficient manner in which to store and access every item, every possession, and every detail in your life. The categories are even cross-referenced!

This book is a must-read for anyone with self-improvement on their "to-do-list." It is a treasure chest of really great ideas for everyone.

I've read a couple of "how to get organized" books and this is, by far, the best! This book is like a best friend encouraging you to declutter. Her organizational recommendations are simple and require little overhead. If you want to simplify your possessions to get the most out of life, READ THIS BOOK! :)

This book is for all people who consider themselves 'organized', but are really pack-rats. If you are having a problem with the excess junk in your life, READ THIS BOOK! It helps you find a place to start and walks you through, step by step to the end of what can be a very life-changing project. Stephanie Culp will make you laugh at yourself and help you become clutter-free at the same time. Excellent book, makes a wonderful gift too.

I found this to be an insulting book as her main advice seems to be: get rid of your possessions & you won't have clutter.

Summery of her advice regarding collections: why collect salt shakers they're hard to clean & dirt gets in the holes -- you only need 3 pair of salt shakers -- table, stove & matches the good china.

I guess she had to write more than a one paragraph book such as:
"Get rid of everything and you won't have any clutter or stuff to worry about organizing." But a short book like that wouldn't have sold.

If you want to read a really good book that, among other great advice, will actually tell you how to display a collection read Linda Cobb's, "The Queen of Clean Conquers Clutter." Her's is a 5+ star book.

I am a die hard clutter maniac. I admit it. I bought this book last year for myself and I am amazed what it has done for my house. Not only does it give good solid advice on where to start and how to manage your clutter, but it's funny too! The author interjects her experiences as a professional organizer and the very cluttered people she's worked with.

You don't need to read every word of this book to get going. It is organized by area and you can just jump to the section you are having problems with. Hey, it inspired me to clean out my basement and my closet in a month. Quite an accomplisment for any book.

Having just finished reading Ms. Culp's book, my wife and I were overcome with an almost overwhelming urge to lease a dumpster and begin divesting our lives of those possessions that had begun to possess us. The author pulls back the curtains and shows you what you have chosen to ignore: The insidious accumulation of property for which there is no longer a use and has become a real obstacle to your daily existence. Her methodic tour of the clutter that has begun to dominate one's life is punctuated by organized solutions that really make sense. I also enjoyed and appreciated the application of irony, wit and dry humor the author used in making and emphasizing her points and suggestions. Ms. Culp's literary work is not only easy to read and implement, it is also very entertaining. If you are really interested in simplifying your life and sweeping away the flotsam accumulated during years of daily living, I heartily recommend this book.

I have owned this book for several years. I go back to it often. It is the book that finally helped me to see that I don't have to keep something just because someone gave it to me as a gift. It might seem dated to some b/c it doesn't include any info on computers or anything related to computers. But for plain old decluttering and organizing- I think it's the best of it's time period.

This is a gem, and is on my short list of books that I'd recommend to anyone. There are some very key, simple ideas presented in a straightforward and very organized way. It has helped me change some of my worst habits. You need to read (and use!) this book.

When I first skimmed through this book, I thought it would prove to be very helpful. Unfortunately, although there are some very good suggestions they are overshadowed by poor humor and what many people would consider unacceptable advice. Although I agree with the author that there are few legitimate reasons for keeping old textbooks (though I am sure, unlike the author, that there are exceptions), I would have to disagree that everyone except football stars and homecoming queens should throw away their high school yearbooks. Just because it was a "lackluster" experience for her does not mean the rest of us do not genuinely cherish those memories, good and bad. Not only do I look at mine from time to time, I have actually used it as a reference when trying to remember someone's name, or when a friend has brought up someone from high school, but I can't put a face to the name. I have read other clutter control books that have had suggestions that are the same or similar to her good ones, but most of those acknowledge keeping mementos, some collections, or other sentimental items, and realize that what fits that description varies from person to person. I want to live in an organized clutter free home, not a sterilized environment.

I got this book an age ago and at the time it made sense. I've started going through my books and reread this one and while she does make some points the rest is pure insult, mockery and 'do it my way *now*.' Just because she thinks something is one way means you must do it the same according to her. Case in point on page 101 she says "Silly gift items can go as well. That set of porcelain Japanese soup spoons can hit the giveaway decks, since you've never used the things and probably won't." Why yes, I do have Japanese soup spoons, yes they were gifts, no they are not silly and *gasp* I actually use them...on page after page is this sort of 'funny ha-ha' advice. I am putting this book into the discard bin and rereading a *real* organizing book where I don't get insulted for being me and not her. That book is called It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh who was the professional organizer on Clean Sweep. No preaching, no insults, no my way or the highway drivel, *much* better.