Being disorganized causes huge problems. Via Organizing from the Inside Out: • Americans waste nine million hours per day searching for misplaced items, according to the American Demographics Society. • The Wall Street Journal reported that the average U.S. executive wastes six weeks per year searching for missing information in messy desks and files. • Cleaning professionals say that getting rid of excess clutter would eliminate 40 percent of the housework in an average home (National Soap and Detergent Association). • “ Crisis ” purchases related to disorganization could cost as much as 15 to 20 percent of your annual budget— buying duplicates of misplaced or broken items, last-minute shopping at premium prices, and unnecessary interest, rush, and finance charges on late payments. But figuring out how to get organized is a struggle.