Plastic Cards

Gift cards nowadays have rulers, lights, music, and all sorts of fun things.  Once you've used up the money on a gift card, do you keep it?  As cute as it is, unless you refill it, it's clutter.

I recently got a new driver's license.  I actually looked fondly at the old one before cutting it up and tossing it.  Anyone have old driver's licenses, amusement park year passes (expired), expired credit cards, etc. lying around?  Get rid of them.  Trust your brain to carry the memories, not a piece of plastic.

Stuffed Animals

We are getting rid of some stuffed animals that have graced my daughter's bed for years.  There were too many and she's too old to want them anymore.  A select few made the cut.

Hotel Rooms and Dorm Rooms

Before college kids move in all their belongings, think of how simple dorm rooms are.  The next time you stay in a hotel, analyze what it is that seems so peaceful. 

You know I'm going to say this...it's the lack of clutter.  Try an experiment soon.  Take everything off each surface in one room.  Nothing to dust around.  How does it look?  Then, put just a couple knick knacks back.  Stop when you've achieved a good balance of decluttered and homey.

More Excuses

Here are more excuses people use to avoid simplifying:

1.  " It only has ____ holes in it."
2.  "It's part of a set."
3.  "I'm going to fix it."
4.  "I'm keeping/saving it for parts."
5.  "We only used this once!"
6.  "It's brand new!"
7.  "It's an antique."  (Clutter Free by Don Aslett)

Once again, ask yourself, "Will I ever use it?  Is it taking up valuable space and making us feel crowded in our home with stuff instead of people?  Could someone else be helped by this?"

Helping Others Through Our Clutter

Over the weekend I stepped into a Goodwill store.  I was so impressed to see donated matchbox cars packaged in sets of three (by Goodwill) for sale.  I always wondered if they would take something that small.  They also had packaged random baseball cards into packs for sale. 

If in doubt about your clutter, go ahead and give it to Goodwill.  They sell it and use the money to help train people for work!

Switching to Fall Decorations?

As you switch to fall decorations, sort through them.  Is anything outdated or unwanted?  Dejunk or get rid of it. 

Borrowed Items?

A week ago I gave back an item that had been lent to me for as long as I needed it.  I had used it a little bit at school, but the benefit wasn't worth the large size of storing it. 

Does some of your clutter need to be returned to a lender?  Give it back!  You feel better about remembering to return items and that simple act declutters immediately.