I was driving to Colorado for a week to do some organizing. The car tires looked low so I went to a shop to have the tire pressure checked. I have been driving a long time and when the young man said let’s see how much air the tires need I started to reach for my drivers manual. It was news to me that I could find it in a more convenient place.

He opened the driver’s door and there on the car was a sticker that told how much air my tires needed. (In the U.S. that is a law for the sticker to be there). I had no idea it was so convenient. As he was checking the tires I thought what other organizing tips could I pass on?

If you are traveling by car here are a few organizing tips to get your car ready before leaving for your trip:

•Make sure tires are properly inflated—this improves gas mileage and safety.
•Clear clutter from the car—I know we all keep it clutter free, but check the side pockets on the door and under the seats just to make sure. Add additional bags for trash to use on the trip.
•Check the oil; keep one or two containers of oil in the trunk or back of the vehicle just in case you need it.
•Make sure you have a can of “fix a flat”. If you are caught in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire this can get you to the nearest station where you can get your tire fixed. This has saved me more than once.
•Put your 72 hour kit in the vehicle.
•Put your first aid kit in the car. Check it to make sure the first aid supplies have been resupplied if it has been used.

These organizing tips can give you peace of mind as you head out on a trip. We never expect to run into problems, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

What organizing tips have you used before leaving for a trip? Because you organized your car was your trip different and or better?

Do you feel you practically live in your car? Americans spend an average of 2 ½ hours per day in their cars. If you use your car like a second home, cars can also get over run with stuff and need some clutter control.

The Front Seat: The front seat is home to a family of things; chargers for cell phones and other electronic equipment, water bottles, magazines, sun glasses, books, cell phone, maps, directions to where you are going and snacks. But where do these end up? Here’s an organizing tip to help with front seat clutter control: Use containers. A universal center console organizer conveniently holds all of the items mentioned above plus much more. It can fit on top of the passenger seat or between bucket seats.

The Back Seat: If you have children that need something to keep them occupied when they are in the car a hanging organizer behind both seats holds CDs, school supplies, toys, books, snack containers and drinks. Behind one seat a removable tray could serve as a table for games or doing homework. A hanging trash bag could be secured on one side, not just a plastic bag, but a sturdier bag. By having things in easy reach of the children makes clutter control simple and yes, even easy.

Trunk Area: Items scattered about such as a diaper bag, sports equipment, work out bag, hazardous road kit, first aid kit, or groceries can be efficiently contained in compartmentalized systems that make use of vertical space for clutter control. Place as many containers as needed to keep everything organized and in its place.

With all the clutter control you have done you now have a “second home” you can be proud of. What have you done in your car for clutter control before it gets out of hand?