Hooray for Mason Jars

I live in a small house that has very little storage.  So I am always trying to find little ways to optimize the space that we have.  One little change that has made a big impact... putting everything into clear glass jars.  Now before you laugh thinking what a dork I am, hear me out.

I started this effort in the pantry, putting the each individual items into old Mason jars.  Here are a few of the items that I have already done this to.

• Chocolate chips
• Dried cranberries
• Rice flour
• Pecans
• Almonds
• Bread crumbs
• Popcorn kernels
• Coconut
• Cocoa
• Rice
• Quinoa
• Wheat berries
• Pasta
• Dried beans

 The effect has been quite amazing.  Here are some of the reasons that I love this.

• Everything is now of similar size.  
• I can see when I am running low on something.  
• Things stay fresh longer.  So I feel like we are wasting less food.
• No more busted bags leaking everywhere.
• Mason jars are really inexpensive.  In fact, we are actually using old spaghetti sauce jars that we just ran through the dishwasher.
• As a little cheat system for the hubby, I write a quick label on masking tape and stick it to the bottom of the jar.
• Overall the pantry just seems so much more organized.  I am not digging around trying to figure out where the frickin' brown sugar is.

And after seeing the difference that it has made in the pantry, glass jars are taking over the rest of the house.  From q-tips to rubber bands, safety pins to baby barrettes... everything is going into a jar.  I love it!  I am getting organized and recycling glass jars at the same time.

So tell me, what is your favorite organization trick?