REPRINT from Susquehanna Style Magazine
May 1, 2019
Having just come off of tax season, we’ve got money on our minds and I’m here to tell you how decluttering and organizing your home or office could not only SAVE you money, but help you make some extra cash on the side too!
If you’re like most people, you’ve scurried to the drugstore or grocery store to pick up Scotch tape, batteries, or an extension cord you knew you had but couldn’t find. Maybe you’ve purchased a cute dress or trendy end table without thinking about whether or not you truly need it or have a place for it. We’re all guilty of spending unconsciously, so here are a few tips to get you back on track:
Manage Your Mail. It’s easy for papers to pile up and important mail to get buried under all the junk. If you can set aside an hour of your time to update your filing system so that every paper has a place when it comes into your home, you will be less likely to lose those important pieces that have late fees attached. A three-tiered desktop filing system is great for keeping things visible that you need to get to that day, that week, and by the end of the month. Set up auto pay while you’re at it and have fewer pieces of mail to worry about!
Scrap the Storage Unit. The average storage unit costs around $100 a month, and $1,200 annually. Consider passing heirlooms onto family members who could actually use what you’re storing. Sell the valuable things that no longer having meaning to you. If you haven’t visited your unit for anything in the past year, there’s a very good chance you don’t actually need what’s in it.
Start a Shopping List. Having a running inventory of things you need is key for saving money when you go grocery shopping. Keep a list of food staples you need on the refrigerator or on your phone and make sure to take it with you to the store so you’re not buying things you already have or don’t actually need. The same goes for your clothes: if you’ve purged your closet of things that don’t fit or feel good, make a list of the staples you need and shop at places that have good quality. It may be an investment up front, but will save you money in the long run. If you’re looking for a personal stylist to help you make your closet a dream come true, check out Jessica Timblin Styling at www.jessicatimblinstyling.com.
Manage Your Mindset. There are varying degrees of minimalism, but at it’s core it is “a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focusing on what’s important so you can find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom.” I love this definition from the Minimalists because I’m a firm believer in aesthetics and at the same time I am all about simplifying my home to include only the things that I need, use, and love. That means I don’t have excess furniture or knickknacks because I value space and breathing room more than I value stuff. I’ve also whittled my closet down to only what I enjoy wearing and feel good in because I noticed how stressful my mornings were with all the options I had before (not to mention the guilt I’d feel from clothes telling me I should be a different size). The less you own, the more aware you can be of what you have and the more intentional you can be about what you purchase for your home (which saves you money, time, and energy).
Place with Purpose. If all of your like-things are consolidated into specific areas of your house or put in bins and baskets with labels, you are less likely to buy duplicates because you actually KNOW what you have and how much you have. No more running to the craft store to grab glue sticks and finding you already had a pack stuffed in your junk drawer. Not only does this save you money on products, it saves you time searching for and stressing about what you need and when.
Decluttering for Dollars. The average person can find at least $1,000 in their home once they commit to decluttering. Clothes and jewelry we never wear can be consigned, furniture that we don’t love can be offered up on Facebook Marketplace, and electronics can be sold at your next garage sale. Again, if you haven’t used something in a year, the chances are you don’t actually need it and someone else could benefit. Remember that all your donations can add up to a tax write-off too!
Invite Inspiration. Did you know that having a clean and organized working space invites creativity? It makes sense! The less “clutter" we have in our mind and in our eyesight, the more inspiration we can let in and the more productive we are at work. So get that filing system in order and only keep the things on your desk that you use every day. Add a piece of art or plant to warm up the room and you’re all set to make more money!
I’d love to hear what’s working for you! Visit my landing page at https://mailchi.mp/f9b903ac1c0e/morespace and shoot me an email with any comments and questions you may have!