Oh my, I haven't realized it's almost been a year. I found a new way to help me stay organized because I moved and had to start from scratch. My coworkers also suggested it- "dumpster" diving. When I was in the university, there were huge dumpsters in front of the residence halls, so students could throw out furniture they do not want. I was too "dignified" to dumpster dive at the time and also couldn't really get into the dumpster because of my petite stature.
When I moved to my new city, Incheon (yes, it is hosting the 2014 Asian games), I had nothing in my new apartment- I had a bed, kitchen, bathroom, pantry, and refrigerator. My clothes were in their suit cases because I had no shelves. My coworkers helped me and gave me items that would help, like a desk, but everything else was out of pocket.
I was in desperate need of a bookshelf. At the local store, it was 70.00 (and I could resell to another person when I leave), but I didn't want to spend the money. I was irritated because I wanted one, actually, needed because everything was still in the suit cases.
One night, I was walking around my city, getting used to places, finding where places are. I came across "garbage". In Korea, people throw household items in with the garbage. I believe in the US, cities have something like "large item pick up" (in my city we do) where people clean out the house and the city picks it up and disposes it for the city. I was just browsing because I have seen people throw out desks, desk chairs, mattresses, bedding, everything. I actually stumbled upon a small bookshelf. I took it home and was expecting it to be horrible or in bad condition..it's not. I don't have to fix it. The downside, I wish it was a bit bigger.
I really recommend to take advantage of shelves- they may not help, but even for storing stuff they help. I have to look for another small shelf and a bigger desk.