Clutter is more than an eyesore. Going home to a littered place after a hard day at work is disheartening. But a disorganized space will drain you not only emotionally but also financially. That’s because it could be a sign that you’re spending too much on things you might not need.
So, spare some time on the weekends or schedule a bi-monthly clean-up to declutter, and you'll find yourself less stressed and with more money. If you don’t know where to start decluttering, then check out these tips!
1. Take Stock Of Your Belongings
When you declutter, you never know what you'll uncover—you could find cash, uncashed checks, and gift cards stowed away in places you never thought to check. You might even find a stock certificate of IBM that your granddad bought 20 years ago.
Decluttering your storage room will lead to discovering items you forgot you bought. You'll minimize buying things you need until it is essential. You'll also avoid owning multiples of each item because you’ll know exactly what you have and what you don’t.
You can toss out the items you don’t need. But you can save the other usable items. Reusing and repurposing things you already own is a great way to save money. Imagine not having to buy a new pair of heels with every wedding invitation. You also can get creative with how to reuse those old buckets.
2. Make Money With What You Don't Need
You don't have to toss away all of your unwanted goods. Putting aside items to sell when decluttering can help you earn money. For example, try selling slightly used or unused items on Facebook Marketplace and eBay. You may hold a yard sale or network among your friends and relatives to see if you can sell some of your belongings. It is an eye-opener when you sell your stuff for a few bucks compared to how much you bought them originally. You will realize how much you could have saved if you didn't buy things you wouldn’t use.
3. Avoid Spoilage, Declutter The Fridge
It isn't easy to find what you're searching for when your refrigerator or pantry is packed. Worse, it's difficult to recall what's in there. It can be an absolute disaster, and you'll have to embark on a search to discover what's behind a lingering stink.
In this case, having a decluttered pantry, freezer, and fridge will prevent you from buying too much of the same item and prevent your food from going bad. Checking out your fridge can also help you plan your groceries for next week. For busy individuals, try setting up a weekly meal plan. You'll be amazed at how organized your refrigerator will be and how many bucks you'll save.
4. Eliminate Storage Costs
If you have items in storage, schedule a visit to clean the area and see what you can get rid of—otherwise, you're just paying for your junk to sit there. Eliminating storage costs is one of the easiest ways to save money. The average price for a storage unit can be under a hundred to several hundred dollars, depending on how wide the storage is. The monthly costs of storing your things can pile up quickly. So, when you clean your home, don't find another place to shove all that stuff in. But if you have to, keep checking on it and dispose of what you don't need.
5. Consider Downsizing
Decluttering is an opportunity to change your lifestyle. When you have fewer possessions, you don't require as much room. You don't need nearly as much storage or closet space. You may even discover that you don't require as much room. Recognize that certain rooms in your home are rarely utilized and may not even be needed for your needs. It can trickle down to renting a smaller space, paying fewer utilities, and even mortgage, inevitably saving money. Downsizing to a smaller home needs careful consideration, but it will only become clear that it is possible after you declutter.
6. Go Paperless For Your Bills
We've saved the best for last because this one is more of a tech-savvy strategy and it can aid in improving your financial health. It is unavoidable to have a bill or two get mixed in a pile of documents at home. If we miss payments, we'll be paying for more if only we got organized. Declutter your pile of bills on top of the paper by getting them sent to your email. By doing this, you will have no trouble organizing what has to be paid. Better yet, automate your payments. It will save you time and money to keep your bills paid on time.
Final Thoughts
You grow better at keeping track of our objectives, habits, and expectations when you have a well-organized house. In summary, decluttering gives you a clear view of what you have, helps you make money, prevents spoilage, and reduces storage costs. It will also help you in the long run by informing decisions to downsize or go paperless. All these efforts save money and time. Besides, it's good for your emotional health.
If you have trouble organizing by yourself, virtual organizing can help you. This will give you more time to focus on the things that matter. At House to Home Organizing, you’ll get your home decluttered without worrying about breaking the bank.
