Want to save money? Get organized!
Sometimes my organizing clients are less-than-thrilled when they realize that they are going to need to invest some money to get organized. Often, they have the double-whammy of realizing that 1) they’ve already spent a lot of money on things they don’t want or need and 2) they need to spend more money on services like professional organizing and junk hauling to get their place organized.
I feel their pain. When I got organized myself about 10 years ago, it hurt when I thought about how much money I had spent on clothes that were headed to Goodwill. I called 1-800-GOT-JUNK to clear out my garage, and I couldn’t believe that my bill was over $1,000. Who knew trash hauling was so expensive?
You know the saying no pain, no gain? When it comes to organizing, I believe a little bit of pain is actually a good thing, because it motivates us to create lasting changes. My own painful experience with decluttering has helped me stay organized for years, and inspired me to become a professional organizer.
Although there are some upfront costs to organizing, getting organized can be a money-saver over the long term. So if you are thinking about getting organized, it’s actually a long-term investment that is going to save you money over time. Here’s how:
Eliminate expensive storage units
There has been a boom in self-storage units in recent years. Storage units can be helpful resources if you have a short gap between moving out of your old place and into your new one. But if you are using a storage unit to store extra stuff for more than a few months, the cost can really add up (this article estimates that it costs an average of $2,000 a year to keep your stuff in a small storage unit). I’ve helped clients clear out their storage units, which immediately starts saving them hundreds of dollars a month.
Stop buying things you already have
Have you ever run out and bought a roll of masking tape, then later found six more rolls stuffed in a drawer somewhere? We’ve all been there. Americans collectively spend an estimated $2.7 billion a year replacing lost items. Organizing makes it easier to find and use what you already have, so you don’t have to waste your time or money buying duplicates of things you already have.
Cut down on fees and convenience costs
Something that surprised me about getting organized was how much time it saved me. Once I could easily find the things I needed to get out the door in the morning or whip up a quick dinner, I was less rushed. And having a little more slack in my schedule meant that I could take public transit instead of an Uber, or make dinner at home instead of ordering takeout, which ended up saving me money. If you struggle with paying late fees because you can’t find your bills or remember when they need to be paid, getting organized can help you eliminate those unnecessary fees.
Change your shopping habits for good
After going through my own painful decluttering experience, I realized that the way I was shopping led me to over-buying, which was not only cluttering my house, but wasting money. (I wrote a whole blog post about how I started shopping differently after getting organized, if you want to learn more about how organizing can change your shopping habits.) Since then, I’m much more critical about what I decide to buy because I don’t want to have to do a massive decluttering again.
Resell unused items
While decluttering, a lot of my clients come across unwanted items they can resell. While it’s not exactly a way to make money (because items sold secondhand usually sell for much less than their original price), reselling can help you recoup some of your original expenditure. I even had one client who offset most of her organizing costs by having me sell things she didn’t want anymore. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to reselling, I can help you.
If organizing feels daunting or too expensive, remember that clutter has a cost, too. In the long run, decluttering and creating systems that work for you will save you time, money, and your mental health. If you’re ready to get organized, book a free consultation with me.
