The cost of keeping stuff
I gave a talk this week called Letting Go of the Tough Stuff. One of the points I made in that talk is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. Many clients don’t like to part with items they don’t use or love because those items cost a lot to buy. Or they feel the item is worth something and they can’t just give it away, but selling it feels too complicated or labor-intenstive, so it gets put off.
When I’m working with a client with a big clutter problem they’re trying to resolve, I like to point out that there’s a cost associated with keeping those items. When you’re dealing with a lot of clutter, keeping stuff you don’t use or love can have the following costs:
- A physical cost. If you can’t dust because of the clutter, it can affect your health. If you can’t let in a repair person or get to the furnace to service it, your house might be paying a physical cost as well.
- A monetary cost. If you’re paying your bills late because you can’t find them amidst the paper, you’re probably paying higher interest rates on top of late fees. If you’re buying duplicates of things because you can’t find the ones you have, that’s costing you money. And if you’re paying for storage? That’s a quite literal example of how keeping your stuff can have a monetary cost.
- An emotional cost. For many people, major clutter leads to guilt, shame and self-recrimination. Every time you look around you feel bad. If you’re hanging on to items that remind you of a bad time in your life (relics of a divorce for example), there’s an emotional cost as well.
Next time you’re tempted to keep something because it cost a lot, think about the costs of keeping it. Letting go of items you don’t use or love can be very freeing!
You can get more advice on letting go by purchasing my Organizing Guide, A GENTLE GOODBYE: how to let go of the stuff that’s holding you back. (Scroll down through the list of Guides to see it.)
Tagged with: clutter, clutter clearing, decisions, decluttering
Comments
You’re absolutely right, Lita. I’l tell them that the only way to recoup some of the money is by selling the item, or donating it and taking a tax donation. In my opinion money spent on an item is completely outweighed by the costs associated with keeping it.
Thanks for your comment!
Janine Adams September 12, 2010 06:09 PM
This is what I am actually going through at my own house right now. We moved to Colorado three years ago and I have been getting rid of stuff ever since. I just find it so distracting now where as when I was in my 20’s I found it comforting. Seasons of life I guess. :) Great post Janine!
Autumn Leopold April 25, 2015 08:27 AM
Thanks, Autumn! I think working as a professional organizer has changed my perspective on my own stuff. Seeing the power that stuff can hold over people makes me want to let go.
Janine Adams April 26, 2015 06:50 AM
Great post, Janine! I’m in the process of going through my belongings with an eye toward downsizing. You’re right when you say it’s freeing to let go of some of these possessions. Someone else will make great use of the things which no longer fit in my home!
Diane Quintana May 22, 2015 06:19 AM
This is where we are at right now. Hubby got caught up with the Baseball Card phase during the 1990s and spent a LOT of money and bought a LOT of cards. All these baseball card collectors thought that these cards would be worth something someday. Well that ‘someday’ is never going to be in my lifetime and I want to get rid of the cards and free up storage space. He still can’t let go.
Linda S Benoit August 24, 2015 12:55 AM
About Janine
Hello! I’m Janine Adams — a certified professional organizer based in St. Louis, and the creator of Peace of Mind Organizing®.
I love order, harmony + beauty, but I believe that the way that you feel about yourself and your home is what truly matters.
If you’re ready to declutter with a purpose and add more ease to your life, you’ve found the right blog — and you’ve found the right company.
read more »Links
- Getting to Good Enough podcast
- Institute for Challenging Disorganization
- Ravelry
- Organize Your Family History
- NAPO St. Louis
- National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals
- Are you interested in becoming a professional organizer?
- Shannon Wilkinson, life coach
- Peace of Mind Budgeting
When clients tell me they don’t want to get rid of something because of it’s cost I tell them they’ve already spent the money and won’t get it back. I then ask them if they’re willing to sacrifice space to keep something they don’t want or need.
Lita Daniel September 10, 2010 03:42 PM