Organize DVDs simply

Have you ever wondered where one of your DVDs is? Have you forgotten which DVDs you even own? You've been purchasing DVDs or CDs for a long time. It can be hard remembering which ones you have, or which ones you just thought about buying, or if one you have now is one you borrowed from someone and should be returned. If you can write numbers and words, then here is a simple way to organize your DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, or record albums (yes, I'm showing my age here). Does anyone still have 8-track tapes? They might be valuable by now!

Step 1. Write a unique number on each one where the numbers will be easiest to see when they are on the shelf. Start with 1 and contine until they each have a number. Depending on how fancy you want to get, use a permanent black marker or a label maker.

Step 2. On a piece of paper, write those same numbers down a row. In the column beside each number, write the title of the item.

That's it. Now you have an organized list of all your DVDs, or CDs, or whatever. Just put the piece of paper somewhere where you'll be able to find it when you want it. See below for steps on easy retrieval.

Getting fancier:

Fancy 1: In order to find one when you want it, you could simply store them in the order of their numbers with the number showing. Let's say you want to watch Spiderman. You look at your list and see that it is #26 on your list. Then you go to your stack and follow the numbers until you reach # 26. That one should be Spiderman. Important: When you are finished watching it, put it back in the same place in numerical order so it will be easy to find the next time. See Putting things back.

Fancy 2: Stack them in order in a DVD case or shelf made specifically for DVDs, or whatever item you are organizing. It will look good in the corner or wherever you keep them.

Fancy 3: This winter when you are bored, put your list on a spreadsheet. Your first two columns would be the numbers and titles. You can then add a column for Year of Release, Rating, Main Actors. Now they can be sorted by any column you want. Suppose you are in the mood to watch movies staring Harrison Ford. You can sort your list by Actor and discover that numbers 4, 18, and 45 all feature Harrison Ford. Then you are set for an enjoyable night or weekend. Or suppose you want to watch all your Matrix series. Sorting by Title, you see they are numbers 8, 23, and 35. Now they are easy to find and you can spend your time watching them instead of hunting for them and finally giving up in frustration.

Fancy 4: If you keep your DVDs or CDs in a couple of locations, say upstairs and downstairs, or maybe the CDs are in the house, and two different vehicles, you can add a column for "Location." Then you will know where to look for that particular one.

May your watching and listening now be happier because you are organized!