De-cluttering your home for better financial clarity

It has been fairly hot in Vancouver recently. Unlike a lot of people, I don’t enjoy the heat very much. I have been staying home and trying to keep cool. During one of those hot days, I noticed I had left some medicine on my kitchen counter that I didn’t need anymore.

While taking it back to my pharmacy cabinet in the bathroom, I couldn’t help but thinking that I had spent more money than usual on this medicine. I was pretty sure my need for this medication hadn’t increased at all.

I looked at my pharmacy and also noticed it wasn’t organized. I started tidying it up and there it was; another bottle of the same medicine. I had bought an extra bottle that I didn’t need, all because the cabinet was cluttered and I couldn’t see clearly.

We have all been guilty of “cluttering” at some point in our lives. Buying clothes we have never worn, or once; books we have never read; small kitchen appliances we have never used, and so on. Cluttering is a waste of space but also a waste of money. I believe physical clutter leads to mental clutter as well. Clutter is stressful.

Time to start de-cluttering! You don’t have to do your entire house in one day. Clothes are a good starting point. Go through all your items one by one. If it has holes or permanent stains, toss it. If it no longer fits or you can’t remember the last time you have worn it, donate it. As simple as that!

You may be tempted to sell items. It seems counterproductive, but I would suggest you do not. The purpose here is to de-clutter both your space and your mind, not to make money to buy more stuff you don’t need or to gloat.

Take one room at a time and look at all the items. If you are in the bathroom, how many towels do you need? If you are in your bedroom, how many pillows and comforters do you have? When is the last time you used the items? If you can’t remember, chances are you will never use them again.

While de-cluttering, stay in the present and be logical. Do not project yourself in the future to keep items you really don’t need.

After re-organizing my pharmacy, I decided to check my walk-in closet and my bookshelves. I donated 2 bags of clothes and one bag of books. I felt calmer after doing it. I also felt more in control.

Once you are clutter-free, you will be able to refocus on your priorities and your finances. You will save money, as you won’t have to buy duplicates of everything or pay for storage. You will experience less stress.

Even if I consider myself a neat-freak, clutter sometimes finds a way of sneaking back into my life. That’s why I have “de-cluttering sessions” from time to time.