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The High Cost of Clutter

Everyone knows clutter looks untidy and can make your own look small and unloved. But are you aware of the high cost associated with having too many possessions? Not only is clutter visually distracting, it can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety which can increase your healthcare costs. In addition to the initial purchase cost, clutter can lead to increased costs to store and care for items you don't really use or need. Clutter causes things to become lost, costing you even more money because you have to go and buy replacements.

It's also easy to fall into the trap of keeping the possessions of loved ones that have passed on; this is emotion based clutter. Perhaps you hang onto things long past their usefulness because you're afraid of wasting a resource; this is fear based clutter. Regardless of the reasons why you accumulate extra possessions, eliminating clutter can reduce costs and improve your health and increase your savings.

Use these strategies to pare down your possessions and grow your savings:

For every new item that you buy, get rid of two. Do you really need 10 red t-shirts? Avoid buying duplicates. For each new item that you buy, donate, sell, or give away at least two. This keeps your wardrobes, shelves and cupboards clear and organized.
 
Make a list and stick to it to avoid impulse buys. Avoid temptation and buy only what you need by making a list before you go shopping. 
 
Store items in a location close to where they are used. Save time and energy by investing in storage solutions that allow you to quickly find and put away items.
 
Set aside a regular time to declutter your spaces. Break up your cleaning into manageable chunks of time so the process isn't so overwhelming.  Start with a cupboard or set of drawers and work your way up to a whole room and then your entire home.
 
Participate in an annual garage sale and invest the proceeds to boost your savings.  Garage sales can be a profitable way to earn extra funds to pay for a holiday with cash or to build your savings. Host one once or twice a year to keep your home, garage and yard clutter free.
 
A picture is worth a thousand words. Do you have possessions you never use but can't stand to part with for sentimental reasons? Why not preserve them forever with a photograph, and then sell or donate the item? 

The clutter in your home and life didn't appear overnight so it's not going to disappear overnight either. It will take time and effort to get rid of it. Chip away at it regularly, stick to the guidelines and before you know it you'll be clutter free.
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  • Home
  • Join the Club!
    • Twenty Reasons to Join the Cheapskates Club
    • Gift Memberships
  • About Us
    • Cath's Story
    • Ask Cath
    • Glossary of Cheapskating Terms
  • Forum
    • Current Forum Discussions
    • How to Use the Member Forum
  • Inspiration
    • Getting Started
    • Handmade Christmas Central >
      • Handmade Christmas 2025 is about to start
    • 31 Days of MOO Index
    • Articles
    • Back to Basics >
      • Back to Basics
      • Back to Basics Index
    • Housekeeping Routines
    • Budget Renovations
    • Saving Stories
  • SAVING REVOLUTION
    • 2025 Saving Revolution Index
    • Saving Revolution Resources
  • Recipes
    • Recipe File Index
    • Meal Plans
    • Add a Recipe
    • $300 a Month Food Challenge >
      • $300 a Month Food Challenge
      • The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
  • Newsletters
    • Newsletters 2025
  • Saving Money
    • Bill Paying System
    • Cheapskates Tip Store
    • Tip Sheets
    • Top Tip Competition
  • Contact
    • Changing Details
    • Help Files