Last year I compiled a series of posts featuring creative ways to use ordinary objects for organizing. The objects featured, are ones that I’m sure you’ve got on hand already! The ideas I’ve rounded up are quite brilliant, so I thought I’d bring attention to the posts again to help get your creative organizing ideas rolling!
As I’ve been going though our house this month, I’ve come up with three good reasons decluttering and organizing will actually save you money. Yep, I think getting rid of the stuff that you paid hard earned money for will, in turn, save you money! Here are my reasons:
1. You’ll know exactly what you have on hand
How many times have you come home from the grocery store to discover an item you purchased is already in your pantry? I’ve done this numerous times because things usually get pushed to the back never to be seen again. (or to be discovered once I’ve already bought a duplicate item!)
Take for example the cans of tomato soup we have. I stocked up a while ago during a good sale knowing they’d last until the next sale. Well what do you know, another sale came along sooner then I thought so I bought another flat forgetting how many I had in the first place. If I have been diligent in organizing my pantry, I would have known this and saved myself $5.00. That $5.00 that could have gone towards something that we actually needed that week.
2. You’ll be astonished at how much money you’ve wasted
This one gets me every time! As I have been going through the closets and cabinets I’ve been finding so many small objects and project pieces that I know I’ll never get around to using. When I put aside everything I no longer want to keep, I can’t help but think about how much money I’ve spent on those items. It’s pretty gross actually. That fact alone, keeps me from buying unnecessary stuff, therefore, keeping more money in my pocket. (Although, I’m still learning!)
3. You’ll find unfinished projects
Every once in a while I get an urge to do something creative. When I take the opportunity to do a declutter, I usually discover a few unfinished projects.
Just yesterday, as I was going through my fabric stash, I found two unfinished projects. A purse, which only needs to have the handles sewn on, and material for a sweatshirt I’ve cut out for my husband. I now have two projects to finish to satisfy my creative urge without spending any more money!
Bonus: You’ll save time in the long run and lose the guilt
Let’s be honest, all that stuff can weigh a person down. Not only do you feel guilty about not using an item, but it can take you five times as long to get something finished! Like getting dressed for example. When you have to sort through all the clothes you don’t like and the clothes you do like just to get a decent outfit put together, you’re probably already running behind in your day.
By minimizing what doesn’t work for you in your home enables you to maximize the potential of what actually does! So say goodbye to the things that are weighing you down and breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe put your feet up for a few minutes too, since you’ve most likely got some new found time!
There you have it, my top three (4) reasons why decluttering your home will save you money! Sure, it can feel an awful lot like you’re just throwing money out the window, but it will probably get you to stop spending unnecessarily. Or at least thinking twice about a possible purchase!
Remember, in the long run, decluttering and organizing now, will save you time and money in the future.
Since organization is the topic of the month at Simply Frugal, I thought it would be fun to do a list of frugal and creative organizing ideas.
As I’m going through my house this month, my goal is to use things I already own, to store the items I need to store. After all, I’m trying to purge the house, so I don’t want any new containers! In my mind, using what I have already is what makes my living more simple and frugal.
Here are some ideas to help inspire you to be frugal and creative with your organizing projects:
Buy a couple packs of Staples Magnetic Bulldog Clips and clip all of your winter hats and gloves to your magnetic back door. Now there is no last minute looking for these items!
Keep a bag or a box somewhere in your house and anytime you find something you’re not sure if you need to keep or not, throw it into the bag/box. When the bag/box gets full it goes to a second hand store!
Scan your children’s artwork, then save each year to a CD
Empty shoe boxes can hold a lot of different items
Cereal boxes make great magazine holders once they’re empty
Use empty egg cartons for Christmas ornament storage or jewelery storage
Use empty toilet paper rolls to contain extension cords
Put soccer balls, footballs… etc, in a large laundry bag, then hang on the back of a door
Minimize paper clutter by opting to receive electronic statements for as many things as possible
Buy less…my favourite way to stay organized and save money 🙂
Now, I’m sure you’ve got some wonderful ideas to share as well, so let’s hear them in the comments!
