Clutter is a burden in your home. It can instantly create messy piles and overwhelm. If you don’t know how to begin de-cluttering your home, start with these 10 pieces of clutter and throw them out today.
Expired Coupons
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Your intentions may have been good, but you didn’t use the coupon. Walk around your home and throw out any expired coupons you have not used. If you know you never get around to using coupons, make it a habit to recycle them or throw them out right away. If you want to start using coupons, check out this post I wrote Couponing Strategies for Working Moms. These strategies can be used by anyone. A good coupon file is a great place to get started using coupons.
Old Magazines and Newspapers
Magazines and newspapers can easily become clutter. If you haven’t read a magazine in 3 months or a newspaper in 3 days, get rid of them. If you find this happens often, it is time to cancel your subscription. The best way to control your magazines is to limit them to one magazine file. If you have more magazines than fit in the file, it is time to purge them.
Packaging
This is one of the biggest clutter creating objects around. You get a package delivered, you pull the item out and then just leave the box and packaging out. Decide now that you will dispose of the boxes and packaging before you start enjoying what was in them. To speed up this process, invest in a good box cutter. Just keep it out of reach of children.
Children’s School Papers
I love having kids, but what I don’t love is the amount of paper clutter they bring home. I think the paper clutter in our home has tripled since my daughter went to elementary school. Decide on a system for sorting your child’s papers out and stick to it. You don’t have to save everything, but do save a few select items. You can display their work in a picture frame or with a display sign that has clips.
Random Old Receipts
If you have random old receipts around your house you should get rid of them. I recommend investing in a good quality shredder. Always keep important receipts for big items or receipts you still need to process in your budget management system. Shred the rest. I really like this crosscut shredder.
Out of Date Schedules, Calendars and Flyers
If you had good intentions of marking dates on your calendar or responding to flyers from school or work and you never did. Get rid of the paper. My suggestion is to create a home management binder that you can reference in the future. Be sure to keep it updated.
Political Flyers and Advertisements
Most people I know don’t vote based on cheap shiny flyers that come in the mail. Once you have looked at a political flyer or advertisement and you know you don’t have a use for it, get rid of it. I would advise always scratching out your address. A big black Sharpie marker or a ID Stamp are a good way to do this.
Old Cards
If you have a system for saving old greeting cards, file them away. Here is a great option. It is designed for people who purchase their cards ahead of time, but you can repurpose it to save old cards. Otherwise, appreciate of the sentiment and get rid of the greeting card.
Plastic Bags
If you still get plastic bags from stores, you will never need all of them. Repurpose as many of them as you can and save a few. Here’s a handy bin for storing them. Take the remaining bags and recycle them.
Junky Kid’s Toys from Parties and School Treasure Boxes
I never realized how much I despised junky little toys and trinkets until they were all over my house. I could probably fill a large trash bin with the number of these items I have thrown out in the past 4 years. Kids usually get them at school, parties or in drive thru meals. These items are fun for a bit, but they often end up broken, or discarded by children. Your children don’t need them all. So purge often and save only a select few. If you are looking for a good children’s toy storage center. I love this one.
Clutter can creep up on anyone, not just those people who may be slightly more disorganized. It takes time and resolve to keep up with it and get rid of it. By starting with these 10 items you will begin to see a big improvement when it comes to clutter in your home.
Stop more clutter in its tracks by having a system for dealing with your mail clutter.
Need more tips for managing clutter? Read my post Four Quick Ways to Control Clutter.
What would you add to this list that clutters up your home and can be dealt with easily???
Looks like I have some work to do!
You can do it!