8 Everyday Ways to Live Clutter-Free
Follow these simple guidelines to never again have to spend more than a few minutes a day keeping your clutter under control.
By Peter Walsh
Photo: Comstock/Thinkstock
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Do the Math
Do the math of value and cost. As soon as you calculate the cost of clutter, you'll realize that it's not worth holding on to things because of their
value—because of what they're
worth. Remember to think in terms of the life you want to live and the vision you have for your home.
- Time costs: Does it take you longer than five minutes to tidy and clean up a room? If it takes longer, there's still too much clutter. How much time do you spend looking for your keys? Those minutes add up over a lifetime. Even if you only spend five minutes a day looking for lost items, that's 30 hours a year. Now are you willing to take some time to clean up?
- Space costs: No matter if you own or rent your space, you're paying per square foot. When you lose your ability to enjoy a room or store your expensive car in a proper garage, you're throwing that portion of your rent out the window. When you rent storage space, you're wasting money, not solving the problem. When you move to a bigger home (or just fantasize about it) because you can't throw things away, you're throwing good money after bad.
Published 01/01/2006
