Causes and cures for clutter

Causes and cures for clutter

Cause #1 – We don’t purge frequently enough.

Cure: De-clutter as you go.  Have bins or boxes designated for purging and donations handy.  Get in the habit of looking critically at your belongings on a regular basis and discarding anything that no longer makes the cut.

Cause #2 – We keep many duplicate items, when one or a few will suffice.

Cure: Keep the best of your things.  Do you really need three garlic presses?  Do you have a few favourite pairs of shoes that are worn before the others.  Consider your duplicates as extras, classify them as clutter, and donate them.

Cause #3 – We don’t assign ‘homes’ for things.

Cure: Assign home for items, placing them in the most convenient location according to how frequently they need to be accessed.  Daily use items need to be assigned the most valuable real estate in the home.  Infrequent use and seasonal items should be assigned more inaccessible and out of the way storage spots (attic, overhead bins in storage room or garage).

Cause #4 – We save things for ‘someday’ when we think we might need or use it.

Cure: Realize that if someday hasn’t already come, then it may never come. Ask yourself: “Could I get another of these fairly easily and inexpensively if I needed it again someday?” If the answer is yes, let the item go.

Cause #5 – We re-buy items because we can’t find or didn’t know we already had one. This causes a build up of duplicate items, and wasted time, money and space.

Cure: Return items and all their attachments and accessories to their assigned ‘home’ after each use.  Ensure all members of your household know where things are stored, and make them accountable for returning the items they use.

Cause #6 – We confuse needs with wants.

Cure: Shop and Drop – Every time you approach a cash register with a selection of item to purchase, take a moment to review and revisit the selected items, and ask yourself: “Are these NEED items or WANT items. 

Cause #7 – We devote too much of our money to buying un-necessary things, and we place a higher value on stuff than it deserves.

Cure: Most people select their homes conscious of whether it will have adequate to hold their things.  Consider the cost per square foot of your home.  Also consider that you could live in a lot less space if you reduced and de-cluttered. Aside from the cost to purchase unnecessary items, the cost for the space to keep the items is consuming more of our income that the stuff is actually worth.

Cause #8 – CREDIT CARDS. Impulse buying is made easy on credit.

Cure: If you are carrying a debt balance on your credit card, then consider that everything you buy on credit could cost you about TWICE the retail cost once you factor in the credit card interest.  Ask yourself – would you buy this item if the price tag was DOUBLE?  Probably not.

Cause #9 – Poor garbage management.

Cure: Ensure garbage cans and recycling bins are placed conveniently in your home.  Get in the habit of placing garbage in the bins not on the counter, floor, desk etc.   Empty the bins regularly.

Cause #10 – Poor paper management.

Cure: Opt for digital bills and automatic payments, this will cut your incoming paper significantly.  Create a filing system that is easy for the whole family to follow.  Action the task immediately then file or dispose of the paper.

By Heather Fulcher

Professional Organizer for Hire

Vancouver, BC, Canada

heatherfulcher@gmail.com

604-618-4829

Content adapted from organizingmadefun.com - Becky Barnfather