Get Rid of Clutter for Free

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

25 Jan 2009 10:48 AM

No one likes to live a life full of clutter, yet not too many people want to clean it all up. Taking the time to de-clutter your home can take you away from more important things. This is why I like to focus on removing clutter in those little in-between spaces of time when you can't really do anything else. These spaces of time are free in my opinion. If you do a bit of de-cluttering during them, you are accomplishing something without taking time away from anything else.

Here are some examples of getting rid of clutter for free.

If you are waiting in line for something or waiting for your meal at a restaurant, attack your purse or wallet. Chances are it is full of old receipts, notes and other things. In my purse that also includes tissues that came loose and waded themselves up, miscellaneous small toys, print outs from the pediatrician, small snacks, pens and more.

While waiting for the school bus, I grab the daily mail and sort through it while I wait. I open envelopes and separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. Then when we get back home, it is easy to file the important stuff and recycle the junk. This way, mail never piles up.

This morning I made a huge batch of homemade pancakes for my crew. While I was waiting for them to cook before flipping, I examine the fridge for anything mysterious that needed to be tossed. You could also de-clutter your spices, the outside of the refrigerator, the kitchen junk drawer, etc, whenever you are waiting for something to cook that needs to be watched.

You can even de-clutter during your favorite television shows. As soon as that commercial hits, start de-cluttering that room. It will be greatly improved by the time the show is over.

Talking on the phone is another great time to de-clutter. Take a look at the space that you are in and see what can be done. Can you sort through the mail, sort through school papers, organize a recipe file, pick up the kids toys, attack the desk at your office, sort through your DVDs, etc?

I hope these tips helped!

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

Related Articles:

4 Ways Clutter Can Cost You Money

De-Cluttering Boot Camp: Being Overwhelmed

De-Cluttering Boot Camp: I Can't Get Rid of that!

Return Your Clutter for Cash or Goods

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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