Let me take you on a video tour of my vehicle so you can see for yourself.

I’m extremely happy with the mega carabiner idea that came to me out of nowhere.  I was so frustrated with the kids not having anywhere to put their bags where they could reach them (and save space on the floor) and this solution works so awesome!  Believe it or not, I found the clips at the dollar store for $2.00 each!

I even took it one step further and added a carabiner to the carabiner in order to attach a sunglasses case (also from the dollar store) for my youngest.  Now he can reach them on his own from his booster seat no problem.  Hola!

And a picture of how I store my sunglasses when not in use:

I can’t stress what I have to say next enough.  I’m making it my personal mission to see to it that garbage bags are added to vehicles everywhere.  I’ve seen one too many vehicles with food wrappers and other garbage on the floor.  We wouldn’t do this in our homes, so why then is it okay in our vehicles?  Add a small garbage bag or two and get in the habit of dumping them out every time you get gas.  It’s so easy and way less work in the long run!

I like to be prepared for things as you can see from the stuff I store in my console.  I used old tea boxes with the lids cut off to add some limits and boundaries to the space.  Easy peasy, anybody can do it!

Here is a picture of the wipes container I keep in the side pocket.  I use these all the time.  My idea for the tissues that I never got back to in the video (oops) is to recycle one of these old wipe containers for tissue storage.  That way I can keep it handy in the other side pocket on the passenger side.  Haven’t tried it yet though so I still have to see if it will work.

The back seat of our vehicle has two pouches on the backs of the seats for storage but the problem is things can fall to the bottom and become unreachable.  I solved that by adding some of my son’s workbooks and things to an organizing bag so he can easily grab what he needs.

I also mentioned that I keep my reusable bags in the back.  Here is a shot of them beautifully contained in my Tote Buddy.  Another great product that I’m going to be offering at a special follower price in the very near future.  Make sure you are following me here on Opensky so you don’t miss out.

I keep a first aid kit in a back side pocket but I didn’t take a picture of that :)

I hope you found these ideas helpful.  So what do you say?  Are you ready to get your vehicle organized?  Have fun!

Vehicle Storage & How I’m Making it Work is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

For a variety of reasons I now own a different non mini van type vehicle (which I love and am so thankful for) BUT instead of storage galore I’ve got this huge un-functional console in the center of the vehicle with limited storage instead.

Um hello, where the heck are you suppose to put your purse?  So strange!  Gosh who designs these things anyway? :)

Since I’m on a rant….want to know what else drives me nutso?

Labels that don’t stay stuck on my plastic containers!

Bad, bad, bad.  Phooey!  That’s my mission for today…to figure out something else so that this can stop irritating me every time I open my cabinet.  Wish me luck!

So tell me, what are your organizational pet peeves?

Ridiculously limited vehicle storage is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Whew this month fly by, didn’t it?!  I do hope that some of you were able to tackle your vehicles this month and hopefully the changes you’ve made will take some stress out of traveling for you.

To participate in this month’s organizing round-up all you have to do is link up below to a post on your site telling us about how you organized your vehicle.  Don’t forget to include your before and after pictures.  Remember to use the direct link to your round-up post and not to your homepage.  That’s helpful for those of us who might not get a chance to take a peek at your post until later.  Also, as a courtesy, if you are going to participate please be kind and link back to this post within your post.

Those that link up before Thursday, July 2nd at 6:00 pm PST will be eligible to win a copy of  Julie Morgenstern’s book, When Organizing Isn’t Enough.  A winner will be chosen at random from the Mr. Linky list below.

If you missed this month’s round-up, here is a summary of the applicable posts I did that may be of help to you:

Organize Your Vehicle

Vehicle Supplies ~ Be Prepared

Auto Organizers

Link-Tastic ~ The Organize Your Vehicle Edition

Next up:  Hair/Makeup Supplies!

Rounding up our vehicles is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

As we near the end of the month I thought I’d give you a little extra push motivation to get those vehicles organized.  I’ve got some great links for you today.  Enjoy and then have at it with your own vehicle.  Just think how great you’ll feel when you are driving around town all organized and sassy.  Oh ya baby!

Organizing Your Car ~ @ Downshifting

Cleaning out the Glovebox ~ @ Let’s Talk Organizing

Ride in Style ~ @ Rubbermaid (of course I’m loving all the tote ideas!)

Your Go-To Bag ~ @ The Creative Mama

Organize Your Vehicle ~ @ Organize This Life!

Car Organization ~ @ MonkeySee video – great information!

More information about participating in this month’s Organizing Round-Up can be found here.

image courtesy of shalawesome

Link-Tastic ~ The Organize Your Vehicle Edition is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

First up, this Toys on the Go Backseat Organizer

I love all the compartments and drink holders.

$16.95

Car entertainment organizer

$15.95

Folding Cargo Bag Trunk Organizer

$26.99

Trash bags in a vehicle are important.  Here are a couple of options.

Trash Stash

$11.95

This simple one below is the one I just bought.

Trash Bag

$5.49

Floor Litterbag XL

$11.99

High Road Puff n Stuff Car Trash Bag

$17.95

Kids Car Organizer XL

$36.99

Want a something with a little more pizazz.  Check out Etsy which is where I found these.

Child Car Seat Organizer by SewnNatural

$29.00

Toy Catcher Storage Organizer by 2sleepyheads

(hooks between two captains seats)

$22.00

So there are a few auto organizer options for you.

Did any of them speak to you?

Product Highlight ~ Auto Organizers is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Take the time to do a vacuum and clean, something that is totally not my forte (to my husband’s standards anyway) so my husband does that job himself.   He hates it when the van’s dirty, I hate it when it’s disorganized.  We’re a good team that way! :)

Now here’s the fun part.  Stocking your vehicle 101.  I like being prepared for everything from emergencies, to traffic, to play including a beach stop on an unexpected sunny day.

I have summer stock and I have winter stock that I change out with the seasons.  Today since well it’s summer that’s what we’ll concentrate on.  First let’s make a list of what we need.  These are only suggestions based on what I keep in my van and are in no particular order:

1. First aid kit
2. Flashlight
3. CD’s/DVD’s
4. Gum
5. Book (for when you are waiting around)
6. Sunblock
7. Hand lotion
8. Snacks (granola bars work well)
9. Water
10. Notebook/Pen
11. Extra garbage bags
12. Hairspray (you never know when you might need a little squirt…priorities people!)
13. Picnic blanket
14. Reusable grocery bags
15. Shovels/pails
16. Lawn chairs (soccer chairs in our case)
17. Change of clothes for younger kids (including extra diapers if needed)
18. Toy basket
19. Kleenex
20. Antibacterial wipes
21. Baby wipes
22. Umbrella
23. Sunglasses
24. Paper towels
25. Receiving blanket (great for spills)
26. Sunflower seeds (awesome for keeping me awake while driving!)
27. Tylenol (locked in glove box)
28. Toilet seat covers (love these!)
29. Lip balm/gloss
30. Bug spray
31. Maps

Now that you have a rough idea of what you need, we need to figure out a way to store it.  This is completely personal preference of course but for now I’ll show you how my stuff is organized.  Next week I’ll do a post on various vehicle organizers to give you an idea of what else is out there.

The essentials stored between the front seats using Kool Krates

Dollar store basket under back middle seat for my youngest ~ includes his Kid Kaddy, extra clothes, wipes and toilet seat covers.

I use an organizing bag to store his change of clothes but a ziploc bag would work also.

First aid kit basket (keeps it from sliding all over the place) stored under one of the seats

Sunglasses holder and garbage bag

Back of our van ~ includes portable cooler (in collapsible basket), reusable grocery bags, beach toys and chairs

I hope some of these ideas you find useful.  Having a well stocked vehicle absolutely lends itself to staying sane and being prepared.  Let me know how you are making out with yours or if you have any questions.

The post sponsored by The Dinner Solution ~ menu planning and freezer cooking made simple

Vehicle Supplies ~ Be prepared is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

I’d be lost packing for a trip without my lists, it’s what totally keeps me from losing my marbles completely.  This is the same list I use every time we go away however I should point out that I only have three kids, not four.  I added that extra column for those who might be blessed with four kids.  If, however, you happen to be traveling with more than four little whipper snappers, well I give you more than this list.  I give you my admiration and a standing ovation, whew you definitely deserve it! :)

Family Travel Checklist

image courtesy of Ma1974

Happy vacationing!!

Family Travel Checklist is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

As I think about travel this summer I have been giving some thought as to how to make things easier to charge the kid’s Mp3s and Nintendo DSs while we are on route.  I came across this neat little USB Cupholder Adapter for the vehicle.

It allows you to turn your car’s cigarette lighter into 2 DC outlets & 2 USB ports.  How perfect is that for holidays!  I also love that it’s not too expensive at $19.95.   I think I’ll definitely have to get me one of those peacekeepers.  Update:  Woohoo, one of my readers found this available for half the price on Amazon: Twin USB/DC Cup Holder Adapter

When I was cruising around the internet I also came across another great USB adapter.  This one is for in the house.  It’s called the USB Hub Man and it means we don’t all have to fight over who gets to plug in when.  That makes this momma very very happy :)

So what do you think?  Could you see these working in your home or vehicle?

Note:  I call these product highlights and not reviews because I haven’t actually tried these products out, they are just things that make me say “well now that’s a great idea!”.

Product Highlight ~ USB Cupholder Adapter is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Remember the baskets I purchased just the other day? Well I finally came up with a great use for the second basket. I decided to use it for the baby toys in the van and it is just the perfect size. I am so happy because I was using a different basket before but it was just way too small. Don’t these toys look so nicely organized and tidy sitting in their beautiful container like that…..yah right….don’t let me fool you….by the time we get to wherever it is we are going you can find these toys literally thrown all over the vehicle…sigh….but at least clean up is a snap.

Since I was taking a picture in the van anyway I thought why not show you how I organize the area between the driver and passenger seats. We have a mesh netting type thing that came with the van that hooks to the sides of the seats….inside this I have three baskets….two are for CD’s (one for grown up CD’s and one for the kid’s music) and one bigger basket for all the miscellaneous crap essentials that you need while driving.

Here is a close up shot of the CD baskets. They are awesome…I purchased four of them at Zellers many years ago but have also recently seen them for sale at Staples.

Okay so now let me go through the red basket with you because I know you are just dying to know what I keep in there…lol.

1. First in a separate container (inside the red basket) I have a mini hairspray (for last minute emergencies!), hand lotion, bandaids, Nutrigrain bars and a pen.
2. In another separate container I have our sunglass cases, gum and a package of tissue.
3. Then I have a big ol tub of wet wipes because as all moms know you can never have too many of these.
4. Next to the wipes is my coupon case. I like to keep the case in the van so it is one less thing to remember to grab as I’m going out the door. I don’t like to keep it in my purse because I keep my purse to a bare minimum….in fact my purse is just one of those wallets on a string.
5. Finally I have my emergency baby feeding kit which contains a bib, facecloth and spoon and no I haven’t used it yet but I like to be prepared…lol.

The bigger kids have another container for their electronic games and gizmos that slides under the seat in the back. Sorry I forgot to take a picture of that one.

There you have it and as you can see even our van can’t escape my freak like obsession love of baskets!

Originally published January 25, 2007

Organizing your vehicle is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Coupon Code:  HALWE08

Customers who have already created an account can save an additional 5% by simply logging into their account first before putting any items in their shopping cart.

I absolutely heart this company and have done two reviews for them.  One for the Cabin Cuddler and the other for my very favorite travel bag, the Happy Traveler Family Gear Bag.

Family Travel Gear is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie