5 signs that excess items are hurting your budget—and tips to help you declutter.

Would it be easier to clear out clutter if you knew it was costing you money? If you notice any of the signs below you could save money by eliminating the hidden costs of clutter.

Buying duplicate items

For many of us, out of sight is out of mind. An overcrowded closet hides the fact that we already have multiples of the exact same T-shirts that are on sale in front of us in the store. Sometimes we buy duplicate tools because we forget that handsaw last used three years ago.

Avoid buying duplicate items by taking inventory of what you already have. Review your living spaces, basement, garage and any storage spaces. A list works well for many people, but others find photos a better way to record their belongings. For example, if you’re shopping and see a discount on your favorite jeans, and a quick look at your smartphone’s photo album for clothes shows that you have three pairs, you can pass on buying new without feeling like you’re missing out.

Food waste costs money

Elimination of wasted food is a big win for anyone’s food budget. Food waste shows up in different ways, such as homemade or restaurant leftovers that don’t get eaten, produce that spoils or items that expire.

To eliminate food waste, observe patterns in what you throw away. Is it a ten-pound bag of onions from the warehouse store that went bad before you could use them all? Start buying smaller quantities of onions. Maybe it’s a stray carton of cottage cheese that gets lost for months at the back of the fridge. Try grouping similar items together so items are more likely to be grabbed before they expire.

Paying for storage

Renters of storage spaces can put an exact dollar value on this cost. In many cases, storage that was intended to be short-term becomes a long-term recurring monthly bill.

Consider your use of storage to see if you can eliminate or reduce the cost:

• Do I know what’s in storage?
• Have I ever missed my stored items?
• Could someone else benefit if I gave the items away?
• If I sell items in storage, what could I use the money for?
• Is it possible to get rid of the items and eliminate the monthly bill?
• If disposing of all the items isn’t possible, could I get rid of some items and downsize to a smaller, cheaper storage space?

Lost time looking for misplaced items

If you’ve ever cried, “I know it’s here somewhere!” you know the frustration of not being able to locate an item you need. The more this happens, the more time is lost.

Frustration isn’t the only feeling that can result from too much clutter. Feeling down or even depressed can be a result for those with too much stuff around them and these mental states have a way of taking up time too.

Reclaiming precious time so you can do more of the things you love is pretty good motivation for decluttering, wouldn’t you agree?

Clutter reduces home values

Clutter can make your home worth less in the eyes of buyers. Even in a large home, too much stuff makes rooms feel cramped and storage space inadequate. When you remove excess items, you remove distractions that keep buyers from imagining themselves living in the home. A clutter-free space will feel more welcoming, help your house command a better price and can help your home sell faster.

For more ways to tackle clutter, check out our tips for purging excess items.

 

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