Dear Chase,
My car is a mess!  I’ve got two kids and it seems that every time I try to clean my car it just gets in worse shape.  I’ve got to the point now where I just let it go.  There are pieces of snacks and food everywhere, toys shoved under the seats, candy wrappers in the floor, dirt in the seats, and gummy bears stuck hopelessly to the back of my seat. 
However, up front I try to keep it a little more organized.  I keep all my receipts in a slot in my middle console, I keep hand sanitizer in the cup holder and tons of change (just in case the kids need it) in the other cup holder.  I’ve read your columns and am trying to organize and clean my house but it seems like the “Clutter Virus” has spread to my car and I’m just frustrated.  Please help!
-Wheels of Fury

Dear Wheels of Fury,
For starters, I love the “Clutter Virus” phrase; I’ll have to borrow that.  Many people do not realize how much time we actually spend in our cars.  We are driving to work, driving home, driving to dinner, driving to meet people, driving to vacations, and tons more. 
The things that go on inside a vehicle are just as shocking.  I’ve seen plenty of women put on makeup, talk on a cell phone, drink coffee and feed their kids in the back seat…all at the same time, while driving!  You’re bound to drop food, and I can understand that with two kids and a job you may not always feel like cleaning your car.  However, there are small things you can do to increase the organization in your car, make it a much more positive environment, and keep the Clutter Virus from taking over. 
One of the first things you need to do is either purchase a box of small trash bags (specifically for cars) or use a plastic grocery bag.  I personally just use a grocery bag and I either hang it on the headrest of my passenger seat or hook it on the gear shift in between my seats.  I then use this bag as a garbage bag for my car.  I would suggest putting yours in the back and teaching your kids to use it instead of throwing stuff in the floor.  Reward them for a job well done, or scold them for not following “Mom’s Rules.”
Also, keep in mind that NOT eating in the car is an option as well.  Imagine you’re driving down the road, your beautiful daughter in the backseat scarfing down nuggets when she begins to choke.  You’re too preoccupied by your own food to notice and by the time you do notice you almost wreck your car pulling over, and worst case scenario is that 911 must be called to give you CPR instructions.   If you must go through the drive-thru simply wait until you get home to eat so you can eat together as a family. 
Now that you’ve got the bag in place, go through your car, pick up all the trash, food particles, etc. and throw it away.  You may even want to go to a car wash to vacuum out your car.  Now, let’s tackle the front seat.  Purchase a change cup, or make your own and let the kids help you decorate it, to store in the cup holder.  This prevents loose change from going everywhere and allows easy access when needed.  Next, move the hand sanitizer to the glove box or your purse.  It’s great for hands and germs, but remember that it is a toxic chemical combination and you wouldn’t want your child accidentally drinking it. 
Now, I’ve heard the receipt story over and over.  Receipts do not belong in a car.  They belong in a file or folder inside your house.  Get in the habit of placing your receipts back into your wallet when you take back your cash or card from the cashier.  Then when you get home at night put them in a letter-sized envelope.  When you begin a new month simply empty out the envelope, place them in a filing system and then forget about them (until tax season rolls around). 
A final touch that is a “Must Have” in my car is air freshener.  You can purchase whatever you like and keep it in the door of your car.  I normally spray my entire car at least twice a week.  It keeps it smelling fresh and always makes me look forward to actually getting into my clean car.  Just keep practicing and make sure that you get the kids involved.  They can be your biggest help if you turn it into a game, but when it becomes a chore they will quickly become your biggest wrecking ball!  Good luck!
*If you would like to submit a question please find me on Facebook by searching “Saving Dollars & Making Sense” or email: savingdollarsandmakingsense@gmail.com