The Cost of Clutter: Organizing Your Home to Save Money
Clutter in your home can be frustrating. But, did you know it can also impact your finances?
Spring is an ideal time to declutter, and not just to help you feel refreshed in your space. It’s also a chance to cut back on unnecessary waste and save money for your family. Let’s talk about it!
How Clutter Costs You Money
There is, in fact, a correlation between your clutter and your finances. There are many ways that the two interact. First, the more you have, and the more disorganized that “stuff” gets to be, the harder it is to find things. When it is difficult to locate what you need, especially if you need it immediately, you’re more apt to buy another item to replace the one you cannot find.
That means your savings can constantly be dwindled by a need to spend. And, it isn’t just in replacing the “lost” items you can’t locate. Clutter is closely related to stress. The more your home is disorganized and filled, the less likely you are to find your home relaxing and calming.
If you can’t unwind at home, where can you be truly comfortable? From meals at restaurants, to weekend getaways, those “escapes” can really add up. If your home was an organized and peaceful space, the more relaxed you can be, meaning less spending on things like “retail therapy.”
Decluttering Can Make You Money
In addition to the costs of having clutter, removing it from your life can also be a way to increase income. Selling items you no longer need or use very often can be a new source of income for you. There are plenty of easily accessed, user-friendly spaces online and in-person designed to make this a simple and advantageous venture.
Online Opportunities
Some of your options for selling unwanted items include:
Facebook Marketplace
eBay
ThreadUp
Craigslist
Poshmark
Mercari
Far beyond clothing and knick-knacks, there are also online specialty stores depending on what clutter you are aiming to get rid of quickly. For example, those with a crafty background or plenty of handmade wares, may find a site like Etsy helpful, where you can sell your creations to the public. Thriftbooks allows folks to buy and sell their used reading materials, so if downsizing the library or book collection is in order, turning to this site is a great way to sell.
Decluttr (yes, it is spelled with no “e”) focuses sales on your used tech, such as video games, consoles, televisions, or computers. Gazelle buys older cell phone models, while Swap.com operates much like an online consignment store for you to sell old clothing and accessories.
In-Person Sales
Yes, some people still spend money “in real life”! Depending on your location, the old-fashioned yard sale, garage sale, or rummage sale can all be a great option. Check your community resources to see if spaces, such as local churches, schools, or nonprofits, are offering spaces. Area flea markets or antique stores may offer the opportunity to also purchase a space to sell your wares.
There are also brick-and-mortar locations that offer consignment. In this case, you can often bring in the items (clothing is the most popular), have them reviewed by the store, and sell them through their service. The consignment store will often profit from a percentage of your sales, while you keep the rest.
Declutter to Save Money This Spring!
Decluttering this spring can not only help you find a more peaceful and relaxing home base, but it can also improve your finances. We love when you share your findings, so if you find this helpful (or know someone it can assist), please share this article!
