Does it feel like your home is going to be featured on the next episode of Hoarders? From old piles of clothes to useless kitchen gadgets, clutter can cause a lot of unessecary stress. Getting rid of extra junk at your home can be a formidable task, but with some calculated strategies, you’ll be on your way to a clean and comfortable living space.
- Set Goals
Many people that have too much stuff don’t know where to start. You keep putting it off because it can be too tough to tackle. A great game plan is to set small and attainable goals, and dedicate a set amount of time to it each day. If you try to bite off more than you can chew at once, you’ll quickly become frustrated and give up.
- No Maybes
As you sort through your junk, create two piles, yes and no. A large collection of “maybes” is part of the reason you are in this situation to begin with. Create a list of questions to help you decide whether or not to keep the item. A lot of “nos” means you are sticking to your guns and moving on from stuff you don’t need.
- Do I need this?
- Am I in love with it?
- Is it something I use a lot?
- Does it work?
- Throw Away Trash
There’s a good chance that a lot of the extra stuff you have is garbage. Worn out shoes, old electronics, magazines, expired food, and solo socks are things you can part ways with immediately. It will feel liberating to purge these items, and live a lifestyle with only the things that you genuinely need. Shred all of your old receipts and bills. You can always take photos of any that are important.
- Rent a Dumpster
Your regular trash can is no match for the piles of trash and junk that you have. A dumpster rental is an efficient and cost-effective way to get rid of that extra stuff you have. Significant moves, home renovations, spring cleaning, and moving are good reasons to rent a dumpster. Dumpsters come in various sizes, and different factors determine the cost of a rental. Certain materials cannot be thrown into a dumpster such as tires, motor oil, batteries, and household cleaning products. It’s a good idea to find areas in your community that will collect items that cannot be disposed of in a dumpster.
- Have a Garage Sale
A yard sale is a perfect way to get rid of your clutter and make some extra cash. Pay attention to your neighborhood before you plan the best time to have a garage sale. Saturday mornings are usually the standard, but if most of your neighbors have kids, a weekday night might be better. You’ll need to make sure that your items are visually appealing, even though you consider them junk. Spend some time wiping down and dusting your stuff to maximize your profits. As the saying goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Consider donating leftover items that couldn’t be sold to your local charity. You can also use the internet to pawn off a lot of your unwanteds if you want to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Getting rid of your junk can be easy as long as you are proactive. Start small, and keep your future junk at bay. Skip impulsive buys, stay organized, and get rid of something old whenever you buy something new.
