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How to declutter and stay decluttered in the New Year

Declutter image

Do the post holidays have you feeling overwhelmed with too much stuff? Here are some tips to help you declutter and focus on buying only what you need. You’ll do good for your wallet and the environment!

Tips for decluttering:

  1. Start small, taking one room at a time.
  2. Sort items into 3 piles: keep, donate, toss. In deciding what to keep, ask yourself if it brings you joy or serves a purpose. If not, let it go.
  3. Use Ramsey County’s online A to Z Green Guide to learn how to properly dispose of items you no longer want. The guide also includes donation options for items in usable condition.
  4. Find a home for everything you want to keep and put items back in their place after each use.
  5. Repeat these steps regularly. And make a plan to bring less new stuff into your home.

Tips for buying less:

  1. Know where your money goes. Make a budget and stick to it. Sometimes that’s easier said than done when we don’t use cash for most expenses. You can try a budgeting app to help you keep track. There are many free and low-cost ones available.
  2. For special occasions, consider gifts of experience for others and yourself. The joy will be in making fun memories instead getting more stuff.
  3. Fix broken items. Not handy? Attend one of Ramsey County’s free monthly Fix-It Clinics.
  4. Give thrift stores a chance. Search online and in your community. You might find just what you need second-hand. Refer to Ramsey County’s reuse page for resources.
  5. Don’t make hasty decisions – wait a day or two and then decide if you really want that item.
  6. Spend less time browsing the internet or watching TV and more time socializing with friends and family in person. Or pick up a hobby to relax and fill your downtime. Community Education is a great resource for inexpensive classes.
  7. Keep your spaces organized and you may be less likely to add clutter to them.

Remember—less is more! More money saved in your bank account. More natural resources saved in our environment.

Posted on Monday, December 13, 2021 - 11:41 a.m.