Questions About De-Cluttering

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– May 5, 2010Posted in: Life

Have you ever said this lie to yourself?

Well, what if I or some other soul needs it some day?

There are plenty more of those kinds of clutter excuses where that came from, and if you ever catch yourself saying any of the following… think about this post!

WHILE YOU ARE DECLUTTERING (or trying to pretend to…)

1. I’ll fix it some day

(No you won’t. Liar! LIAR! Pants on fire!

)

2. But.. just in case!

3. Aww, I can always sell it in a garage sale or online if I don’t want it any more

4. This will be worth something someday

(This is classic Grandma)

5. What if my sister/brother/dog will be able to use it one day?

(And what if they reject it?)

Mentally slap yourself on the wrist if you say these things.

HOW ABOUT WHEN YOU’RE SHOPPING?

And when you shop, here are another 5 sets of questions that will help you keep clutter at bay:

1. Do I need or really want this?

2. Umm.. do I have somewhere to put this?
(No, the junk room doesn’t count)

3. Do I have this at home already?
(You probably do. When in doubt, leave it)

4. Is it just because it’s on sale that I suddenly want it? (YES!)

5. Have I been lusting after this for a while?
(This is my favourite excuse)

There.

Simple questions, hard answers and decisions. Go forth, de-clutter, shop wisely and report back!

Waste not, want not (wu jin qi yong)

Trying to get rid of things, is futile.

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About the Author

Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver. I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year. Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about my story here, or visit my other blog: The Everyday Minimalist.

dee

my mother (and many others i know) always says "as soon as i throw it away, i will need it." this has happened to her often enough that she ends up keeping things that she never needs.

which leads me to my correllary to her truism "if you don't throw it away, you will never need it. so…might as well throw it away, right?" i.e., you only need it if you thrown it away. so if you keep it, you wont need it, so….throw it away!

http://www.FabulouslyBroke.com FabulouslyBroke.com

BF says that to me (what you said about throwing it away). Drives me insane when he throws away TOO much though.

My mom is the type to keep it. My dad enables. They\’re both packrats.

http://www.randomanny.com Anny

That second checklist is imperative for me when I go garage saling. Everything is so cheap and often new that I want to bring home "all the deals!" Its not really a deal if its just clutter though
http://blahsuzie.blogspot.com suzie

Oh I am a 'lusting after it for quite a while'…
LeMeow

I never want to get rid of anything because I want to try to make money off of it and I'm too lazy to post anything about it and actually do it. Oh and I can't tell you how many articles of clothing/bags I have that need fixin' but what am I supposed to do? Throw it away and contribute to the landfill? That's the hardest part is not being able to recycle.
http://workwithwhatyouvegot.blogspot.com/ CJJ

Good tips. I will try to think about that when I shop.
http://theasianpear.blogspot.com/ The Asian Pear

Oh dear. My family broke ALL of the decluttering excuses…
http://www.glittergeek.ca Arianne

Hahaha oh I feel so awful after reading this.

5. Have I been lusting after this for a while?

You got me! To be fair, only a handful of products get to this point.
Ciawy

Thanks for the questions, it'll really be useful.
This is why I believe my wish list is very helpful. When I'm "longing" for something, I write it down on my wish list, let it simmer there, and when I get the money and see a sale, I grab it. Wish list takes away my impulse buying behavior.
http://intensedebate.com/profiles/belleinthenorth belleinthenorth

When I moved back to my parents house, I had gone from a large bedroom in my apartment with a large closet to a small bedroom with a tiny closet.

I got rid of clothes that I bought and never wore, clothes that don't fit, and clothes that are worn out. The gently used/new clothes went to goodwill. I have another bag of clothes that I've been holding on to that is ready for goodwill.

I do need to follow your tips when shopping. Sometimes I can do nuts. Flipping nuts.
Rebecca

Thanks for the questions especially the ones when shopping. I have my own list that I actually carry with me that includes some of those questions when I shop. Plus this really helps especially since I will be moving yet again soon. I am going to be making a very hefty donation to Goodwill or the Salvation Army of clothes, and other things. Thanks again.
http://www.shelleyshouse.blogspot.com Shelley

Do I have space for this in my house? Will I be happy washing/polishing/cleaning/caring for this item for the rest of my life (since I never throw anything out)? I've lived this long without owning it; why do I need to own it now? Do I want this item more than I want my current big goal (a house, a holiday, to retire early)? If I'm replacing/updating an item I already own, will I actually throw away the one? How about getting rid of the other one first? Do I want this badly enough that I'm willing to finish my shopping and come all the way back for it? If not, do I really want it? Can I just enjoy looking at it and touching it and appreciate its beauty, but not have to own it? Would I be willing to pay to have it moved to my next home? Does it fit in with everything else I own? Did I walk in looking for this thing or did it just 'grab' me? Am I buying it because I'm bored, angry or lonesome?

Far easier for me to not get it to start with than to part with it later!
http://intensedebate.com/profiles/belleinthenorth belleinthenorth

When I moved back to my parents house, I had gone from a large bedroom in my apartment with a large closet to a small bedroom with a tiny closet.

I got rid of clothes that I bought and never wore, clothes that don't fit, and clothes that are worn out. The gently used/new clothes went to goodwill. I have another bag of clothes that I've been holding on to that is ready for goodwill.

I do need to follow your tips when shopping. Sometimes I can do nuts. Flipping nuts.
http://www.shelleyshouse.blogspot.com Shelley

Do I have space for this in my house? Will I be happy washing/polishing/cleaning/caring for this item for the rest of my life (since I never throw anything out)? I've lived this long without owning it; why do I need to own it now? Do I want this item more than I want my current big goal (a house, a holiday, to retire early)? If I'm replacing/updating an item I already own, will I actually throw away the one? How about getting rid of the other one first? Do I want this badly enough that I'm willing to finish my shopping and come all the way back for it? If not, do I really want it? Can I just enjoy looking at it and touching it and appreciate its beauty, but not have to own it? Would I be willing to pay to have it moved to my next home? Does it fit in with everything else I own? Did I walk in looking for this thing or did it just 'grab' me? Am I buying it because I'm bored, angry or lonesome?

Far easier for me to not get it to start with than to part with it later!
http://intensedebate.com/profiles/belleinthenorth belleinthenorth

When I moved back to my parents house, I had gone from a large bedroom in my apartment with a large closet to a small bedroom with a tiny closet.

I got rid of clothes that I bought and never wore, clothes that don't fit, and clothes that are worn out. The gently used/new clothes went to goodwill. I have another bag of clothes that I've been holding on to that is ready for goodwill.

I do need to follow your tips when shopping. Sometimes I can do nuts. Flipping nuts.
http://www.welivesimply.info Jonathan Blundell

Ahh… #2,4 and 5 are really hitting me between the eyes right now.
I'm finding myself saying that — or realizing I've been saying it as I pack more and more stuff for our move. Doh!

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