by Cary Farrell July 28, 2019 In my daily work as a professional organizer, the decision of what to keep and what to throw away prevents my clients from being successful in de-cluttering their homes. At Clutter Free, we focus on finding your functional treasures (those items you use every day) and irreplaceable treasures that make you smile. Once these items are found and given prime real estate in the room they are needed in, we take a hard look at what is left because most of it is what has become clutter. We have seen how throwing away, recycling or donating what is left can teach a family clutter busting tips that can keep the clutter from returning. When donating, recycling or throwing away items, a Triangle family can learn the following things: 1. Sales Aren’t Always Great. Buying on sale doesn’t always save money. If the item never gets used it actually costs you time and space to maintain without every blessing you. Don’t buy “maybe” items for the future that become clutter. 2. Bulk Isn’t Always Better. Without an organizational system in place you won’t be able to find what you bought and it will be easier to go buy more at the store. To make bulk buying cost effective, you need to set up your own organized store at home to shop from. 3. An Item’s Price Tag is not a Determining Factor. Keeping items around the house that you feel guilty for purchasing does not justify your purchase. For example, expensive beauty products that didn’t work, clothes that you don’t feel good in, gadgets or tools that you didn’t use. Cluttering up your cabinets or home with these items that you have already “thrown away” by not using turns your home into the thrift store or dump. If they are not blessing you then sell them or release them so they can be a blessing to someone else. 4. Lessen the Guilt. Keeping unwanted items out of guilt turns the item that was supposed to bless and serve you into The Master. Items don’t have feelings! People have feelings about the items. Releasing items to bless someone else can lesson your guilt. 5. There Are No Regrets. I have never had a client say,” I wish I had bought more stuff.” But they do say, “I wish I had the money from all of this stuff I bought.” Giving away or throwing away items that money has been spent on can be extremely tough; trust me, I know! But, if you can remember and implement these 5 tips, you can keep Clutter Free. If you are having a hard time deciding between your treasures and your clutter or creating an organization system in a Triangle home, contact Car at Clutter Free today to set up a consultation.