Guest post by Carrie
This month on MoneySavingMom.com, we are encouraged to eliminate seven items daily. There were a large number of comments from readers who posted that “they are in.” It seems as though there is a completely different mindset lately… simplify and declutter.
I like to think of it as stress or bless.
While it doesn’t seem like much, seven items a day is a great way to get started. I read before that to quit or start a habit, it takes about three weeks. By the end of the month, we should have the habit of getting rid of things that we don’t need and can carry this forward throughout the year.
Here are a few ways I’m simplifying and moving things out of my house.
Magazine Subscriptions:
I’ve not renewed any of my magazines, and I had at least 10 subscriptions every month. Most were completely free due to MyCokeRewards or through free offers on blogs. I would always pass them along when I was finished or recycle, but it seemed like it was getting to be too much of a hassle. This was causing more stress than blessing me, so I have eliminated it.
Kid’s Clothing:
I also have an area in my closet for clothing that can be donated as soon as my youngest outgrows it. This eliminates the need to have piles every where and reminds me to keep the clothing under control. In fact, I’ve gone through my boys’ closets several times and weeded out clothes. How many pairs of pajamas do kids really need?
My Clothing:
I remember during my own pregnancies that I had a limited wardrobe. It didn’t require too much thinking to get dressed in the morning… black pants, khakis, skirts, or jeans. Less than a dozen tops and I was good to go.
I’ve been doing the same with my regular clothes. It is so nice to open the closet and see empty space. Can you bless yourself by simplifying your wardrobe, or by choosing items that can mix and match so you can eliminate clothing?
Miscellaneous:
I have purchased a large plastic hamper to keep under my kitchen island. It holds all the recycling and encourages us to get rid of papers, plastic, cans, etc.
I also am planning on taking items into work and putting out a free sign. I’ve done this before and my things always get picked up by somebody else. I like to bless people with the free things. Whether it is books, toys, jewelry or even extra garden produce, it is a great way to pass items along.
As I’m going through room by room, I continually ask myself… does this stress or bless me? This is a very simple way to declutter and I have no problem finding seven things to remove. I love having clean spaces and empty drawers.
I remember somebody mentioning that it could be difficult to have room in our heart for God, our family, and our other interests if we are not relaxed in our homes.
I hope readers have a great experience with the challenge this month.
Carrie is a divorced mom of five great boys in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Anna says
Any ideas about heirlooms that stress? P.S. Getting rid of them would probably be noticed by the giver.
Andrea says
Would another member of the family be blessed by it? Could you put it in storage (somewhere in your home) for a while?
Patricia Robertson says
Hello I found your blog on The Better Mom. I am so happy to have came across this. I can tell there is a lot of tips on here to help me save money which is one thing I have been working on in 2013. I am following now and look forward to reading more in the future.
Crystal says
We’re so glad to have you here!
Jay Kay says
My rule of thumb is: “Is this item causing me more stress to keep than to get rid of?” If the answer is yes, out it goes!
Leah says
I think this post can help so many people! Even I, an inveterate and incorrigible declutterer and thrower-outer, need to be reminded to keep on at it. The first time is always the hardest – the more you declutter, the easier it gets because there just isn’t as much stuff to contend with. One major plus side to regularly decluttering/donating/trashing is that you are constantly reminded not to spend money on “new junk”. When you just got rid of three unused tote bags, it is really easy to resist the adorably cute cloth bag at Target that’s on clearance.
Becky R says
Great to read- it is our subdivision garage sale weekend coming up Friday/Saturday. This gives me even more motivation to de-clutter this week! I have been merciless in my purging and am ready to get it all out of my house!!
Aleah says
I keep a small box in my son’s closet for clothes he has outgrown. If I try to put something on him and it doesn’t fit, I throw it in the box! Once it’s full, I pack it in a reusable tote that will keep it from any damage while in storage. This is easier for me than trying to go through everything at once.
Erica Lynn @ Optimal Health Consultant says
I love how you simplified this process. You are absolutely right. Clutter in our homes is really a hindrance to strong emotional health. Getting rid of it helps us to move forward with focus and energy.
Carrie says
Thank you. I find that i want to spend most of my time in the rooms that are the least cluttered. It really makes me more relaxed.
Emi says
Any ideas for someone who has everyone in the household on board with cutter busting except the spouse? 20 year old computer magazines, and more!
Jessica says
Are we married to the same man? Mine has obsolete computer programming textbooks from 1998, etc. !
Andrea says
Honor his need to hold on to things. Don’t pressure him. He may be encouraged by your efforts and decide to let go of a few things.
jennifer says
I really like this “stress or bless.” I’m really reaping a lot of fruit from the May challenge. I’ve tackled cleaning out my closet, my baking cupboard, drawers and bookcases. It was difficult the first day or two to get rid of things but now I’ve really gotten into the groove.
Even more importantly, I’m pausing to think for a moment before I buy something. And I’ve found myself skipping things like book sales and yard sales I would normally always stop at because I really don’t need any more stuff to deal with right now.
Carrie says
I skip the yard sales too. I can not think of anything I need and do not want to be enticed to buy any junk.
jennifer says
I love finding cheap clay pots at yard sales for gardening. I never seem to have enough of them this time of year. But I can’t trust myself not to come home with stuff I don’t need….
Chels says
Love your website Crystal!
I am single, and not a mom, but when I heard about your book quite a while ago I knew I wanted to get it!! Even with the title being “money saving MOM”, I figured there was LOTS I could learn from it now! As with most things, I think the earlier one can get started learning about these things and putting it all into practice…the better!
And this is a great post-I agree that “less is best” and I love the idea of getting rid of 7things a day. =)
heidi says
I have somewhat of a different idea than some – I say if it is junk get rid of it, but if it usable keep it because you may not need it now, but you might in 1 yr. and then you might have to buy another – it CAN save you money to keep something – i am not talking about hoarding I am talking about getting rid of that whisk you have in your kitchen, because hey, since you have one get rid of the other. Well, in a short time maybe something will happen to the one you have and then you will have to buy another when you had one that you gave away. I am saying don’t just get rid of it because someone says you only need one – if you bought it keep it, because it will save you money later to keep it.
Lea Stormhammer says
I like this point Heidi – I have a friend who says “Why do you have so many wooden spoons? I only have 1 in my kitchen, you don’t need more than that!”. I do a lot of baking so I have 5 and yes, I’ve used all 5 in one short increment of time before!. A wise friend of mine had the mantra that if you don’t use it get rid of it, but even if you only use it once a year – you still use it! – so keep it. That applies to my grandmother’s china dishes, my kranskaka (scandinavian almond cake) pans, and my lefse and krumkaka irons as well – I only use them a couple of times a year but they’ve more than paid for themselves because I do use them!
I have lots of other areas I can clean out, so I clean that out instead!
Thanks for the reminder,
Lea
Cricket @ Thrifty Texas Penny says
Very well put. I love this train of thought! As my good friend Julie says “blessing from your abundance!”
Ruth says
I like this!
Florence says
That’s a great way of putting it, thanks!
One thing I’ve been doing around here is go through our stuff at least every three months. Either it gets thrown out, donated/given to someone else or kept. Lately though, I’ve been in a clutter busting groove (must be Crystal’s influence, 😉 ) so I’ve been looking around for things to get rid of! I already have two bins to either donate to the church flea market or sell myself. This morning, somebody from our Freecycle group picked up a desk I wasn’t really using. I have found that the less stuff we have, the less I have to take care of, 🙂
Nora@The Dollar Hollering Homemaker says
We don’t have a ton of clutter in our house. It didn’t use to be that way but every 3-4 months we make an effort to go through clothes, pantry, and other storage areas to get rid of stuff. I keep a donate box from Goodwill, a donate box for the monthly food drive at our Parish, and a sell box.
Natalie says
These posts have been sooo timely for me lately! We are preparing to put our house up for sale and I’m in the middle of decluttering closets/cabinets and our unfinished basement storage area. I’ve gotten rid of bags and bags of stuff and we are looking so much more spacious! One thing I will say, in my years and years of donating stuff to various charities, never ONCE have I remembered something that we gave away and thought, “I wish I still had X…….”
Good riddance, I say! 🙂
Debbie says
Great point!! Now I’m inspired to go through my closet and magazine subscriptions – my 2 biggest areas of stress clutter-wise.
saverchic says
I’ve gotten rid of a lot of my clothing this year, and it’s been so nice! I found a challenge somewhere online… The whole idea behind it was to only wear 33 items for 3 months. I did it during the winter months, and I’m planning to do it again this summer. It took a lot of guesswork out of getting dressed, and I was always wearing something I liked. Plus, I made room in my closet!
melissa says
Seems so overwhelming when we have so many things in so many areas… clothes, toys, magazines, projects half started, crafts (mine and the kids), books, tools, outdoor toys, garden stuff, etc. I guess I just need to start… it’s better than doing nothing.
Patty says
My mom always said, “even a little step is a step!”
ashley says
I love this mantra – “stress or bless?” Who really needs any more stress anyway? 🙂
Monica says
My exact words! =)
Jessica says
I love this! Just today I set out 9 bags of food for the postal service collection and I took 2 big bags of outgrow toddler and baby clothes to a maternity resource center. In turn, I was unexpectedly blessed by the Pastor’s wife with two full containers of formula for my baby! I was not expecting that and it will sure help me with my grocery budget.
Kimber says
What a blessing! Thanks for sharing.
Sarah says
Carrie,
I am so sorry about your divorce, and may God bless you as you raise five boys. I don’t have kids but a husband with chronic illness. I also recently eliminated magazines and did not allow myself to get the “free offers” I could have. I’ve told myself that once our house is REALLY in order, I can revisit the idea.
Great job and good for you with all you have done and are doing!
Carrie says
Thanks sarah. I have much to be thankful for and wish you well.