Every home or office has loads of paperwork to deal with (despite the move to email) and every so often, you have to make space for current paper. That is why we need to archive and simply throwing it into a box isn't how it's done.

If you want to avoid wasting time looking for documents, the key to archiving is labeling the box you put it in. A blanket description is required BUT add exact descriptions as well, e.g. HR Files 2010 and thereafter, Joe Soap, Jane Doe, Cliff Richard etc. This is so that, should you have 5 HR Files 2010, you know which one to go to if you're looking for Joe Soap.

Need more info regarding time frames for the retention of documents, click here to download.

Ideally you should recycle old ink & toner cartridges. According to research done in the USA, each re-manufactured cartridge keeps approximately 1,3 kilograms of metal and plastic out of landfills and saves about 1,8 litres of oil.

Buy rechargeable batteries. It takes 1000 regular batteries to equal the lifespan of one rechargeable battery.

On that note make recycling bins readily available in your home and teach your family the value of recycling. Have a large bin for glass, plastic and cans and a nice big basket for paper. Go to the nearest recycling depot once a week (depending on how much waste you produce).

IN FACT, I challenge you to do this for a week and you will be amazed by how much waste an average home produces!

Like many children, my daughter likes to keep all those pretty little notes that she got from her best friend or that cute little picture that she drew way back when. Unlucky for her, I can't bear to have it all over her room, so I suggested that she have a memory box that she can use to put all these keepsakes in. Lucky for me, she thought that was a cool idea!!!

So I took an old shoebox and covered it with adorable wrapping paper (but if you don't have shoe boxes on hand, you could buy a gift box and use that). Now all those must-keep items are neatly put away where I can't see them but she can sneak a peak whenever she's feeling nostalgic.

(p.s. The trick is to get her to part with a few items when this is full so I don't have to look at a collection of memory boxes.)

I have to package a lot of items and it suddenly occurred to me recently that shredded paper would be really useful for this. There is always a small spot in the box that needs to be filled in order to protect the products and I am thrilled to know, that now all the paper I shred, can save me money on packaging. 

Equally as interesting, is the realisation that shredded paper can be used for hamster cages. Again, out of necessity (we had run out of chippings), it occurred to my kids that this could be a good substitute. And it is.

Old tyres painted bright colors make perfect planters for strawberries or flowers.

Old brass headboards make unique garden trellises.

The old aquarium that the kids lost interest in but is still sitting in the garage. Haul it back into the house and use it to plant an indoor herb garden. Aquariums are also just the thing to use to force bulbs so that your winter days can be bright with color.

Attach an old cork to your keys before you go fishing or sailing: if they fall into the water they will float.

Use old Popsicle sticks as garden markers. Write the type of seeds you have planted on the stick with permanent marker and push into soil.

When the kids are feeling artistic and want to paint pictures, cut a tennis ball in half and make a hole in the middle and slip their paintbrush through the hole. The tennis ball will catch the drips that would otherwise run down their arms.

You want your snazzy boots to last a few winters and not loose their shape so keep them upright by placing a rolled up magazine or two into them. They'll keep their shape and be good to go for their next fashion stint.

p.s. you can also use old cardboard poster rolls.

Winter is on its way out and soon we'll all be whipping out bikinis and beach towels. But that winter clothing is taking up so much space in your cupboard that you can't fit anything new in.

So, why not use suitcases that you don't often need, to store your winter clothes and shoes. That way you don't have to spend money on storage, and you have space for all those new goodies.

Hands up anyone who has moved into a house and inherited glass light fittings from the 60s or 70s? Well, my hand just shot up! But, here is the perfect excuse to get rid of them and buy yourself some modern ones instead.

South Africans love to entertain outside and candles and hurricane lamps are so handy on such occasions. So why not take those old glass lampshades:

• Turn the lampshade upside down.
• Get an old CD and super glue it onto the lampshade as a base.
• Now place the appropriate size candle onto the base and there you have it.

I received a mail from a mom wanting general tidy tips that may help lessen her child's allergies. My son is also allergic to dust so here are a few tips to help keep allergies at bay in your home.

• Keep the bedroom well ventilated to keep the humidity down.
• Air the bed daily and wash the bedding frequently at temperatures over 55 degrees. I have also heard that placing the mattress in the sun regularly helps to kill the dust mites.
• Vacuum and clean the room and bed regularly. Consider purchasing a water-based machine – this way the dust goes into the water and doesn’t go back into the atmosphere/room if you don’t have a clean filter
• Place thick plastic with tape over the vents in the room, especially if the area directly outside the room is dusty. (This trick has made a big difference in my son's room.)
• Keep the room tidy, yet do not over dust or vacuum. Once or twice a week is fine.
• Keep soft toys off the bed as much as possible. However, since my son loves his, placing them in a plastic bag and then putting them in the freezer for over 12hours is said to kill the dust mites.