Declutter your home and save money

I know that over the years, I’ve accumulated some things I don’t need. So, I’ve been thinking about decluttering to free up some space. But did you know that decluttering can also help you save money? Find out how with these six tips.

1. Buy only as much as you need

Spend a few minutes poking around your kitchen cupboards and get rid of what you don’t use. You’ll see more clearly what you have on hand and what you need to buy on your next trip to the grocery store. Donate any non-perishable items you won’t use to your local food bank. Outside of the kitchen, by knowing what you already have and where it is, you won’t waste time searching or money on buying replacements

2. Stop paying late fees

When your space is disorganized and clutter is piling up, you may lose track of bills, which can hurt your credit rating if they’re not paid on time. Or you may misplace items like library books. While each book’s late fee may be small, they do add up. Stop paying unnecessary costs by keeping your spaces clear.

3. Keep only what fits in your home

Self-storage is a big business since many of us run out of space at home. Ask yourself: If you haven’t used it in over a year, do you really need it? More importantly, is it worth spending money each month to store those unnecessary items? Take some time to go through your home and storage facility to decide what you need to keep. Many organizations would be happy to take donations of your furniture and other household goods.

4. Create a comfortable space

If your home feels crowded and disorganized, you might find yourself spending less time there. You might decide you can’t cook in your cluttered kitchen, so you spend money eating out. But what if your home was only filled with things you really enjoyed? You might find yourself wanting to stay in more – instead of eating out.

5. Take advantage of your local library

Books can take up a lot of space. Consider donating books you know you won’t read again. Before buying books in the first place, you could borrow a copy from your local library. Many public libraries now offer digital resources such as audiobooks, e-books and streaming services for movies and TV shows, which saves on subscription services.

6. Ask yourself “why” before you buy

Whenever something catches your eye at a store, ask yourself why you want to buy it. Do you need it? Or is it something you want? We all buy things because we want them, but if you’re buying, let’s say, a sweater, only because it’s on sale for 75% off, then leave it at the store.

Decluttering can help you see what you value in your life. It’s a perfect time to revisit your financial plan and see if it reflects your values or if you need to make some changes.

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