What is all this Stuff?
Do we really need all the stuff we tend to accumulate? Living a frugal, simpler lifestyle means limiting clutter (and limiting purchases of all the junk that adds up to clutter). Sometimes I just look around and think how did we end up with so much stuff?
I save a lot of stuff (there’s that word again) because I just know I’ll employ my creative genius to find a use for it later. Yeah… that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
The truth is I keep too much and I need to get rid of some of it. I write the Kid’s Crafts column, so I’m always looking for ways to make common items into fun craft projects. I also find ways to keep my kids busy with projects. These are two of my favorite excuses. My husband, while supportive of my work, is not necessarily enthusiastic about all my stuff.
Anyway, I got motivated and started sorting. Oh boy, did I find some great stuff! I also found many things that should be given away or thrown away – including many of the previously mentioned project ideas, which I started but never finished.
Why does it matter so much? It matters because getting rid of clutter saves both time and money.
These five tips will help you avoid the problem of too much stuff:
1) Do not buy impulse items, no matter how tempting. Only buy things you really need.
2) Do not duplicate purchases. Find what you’re looking for, even if it means going through everything in the kitchen (or any room) until you find it. It’s good to do a thorough sort and inventory from time to time anyway.
3) Get rid of things. You don’t necessarily need more space; you might just need less stuff.
4) Do not spend money on a temporary storage unit unless absolutely necessary. Sort things, throw away, give away, and make room in your home or garage for the items you really need to keep. It’s amazing how many people pay monthly rental fees for storage units that in all honesty are filled with junk.
5) Make limiting clutter and excess spending a family endeavor; get everyone involved for best results.