The Hidden Cost of Clutter

Whether you realize it or not, clutter is always costing you money. There are some obvious ways, like making late payment charges on overdue bills that had been misplaced or having to re-purchase items that you can’t find when you need them. But clutter also costs you in other ways that you may not have considered.

Financial Costs of Clutter

Here are some of the ways that your clutter might be costing you money:

• You don’t have enough space in your home to store all the things you don’t use on a regular basis but still want to keep, so you rent a storage unit for them. The monthly costs add up quickly.
• Similarly, you live in a larger home than you really need because you have so many possessions. It costs more to maintain a larger home than a smaller one.
• You bought a gift on sale for a family member but couldn’t find it when you needed it so you had to buy another one at full price. Then, a few months later you came across the original one but it’s too late to return it.  
• Your kitchen counters are too cluttered to prepare food on, so it’s hard to cook your dinners at home. This means you dine out, or order in a lot, which costs more than home-cooked meals.  
• You buy your kids more and more toys because they quickly lose interest in the ones they have, but really they are probably overwhelmed with all the options and aren’t sure what to play with or even what they have.  
• Your garage is full of clutter so you can’t park your vehicles in it. This means your car is less protected from the elements and will deteriorate quicker than it should. Your car is one of your biggest expenses and buying a new or new-to-you vehicle more often than you really need to can add up.

Non-Financial Costs of Clutter

Aside from the financial ways that clutter can directly cost us, there are non-financial costs as well.  Do any of these sound familiar to you?

• Your clutter is causing tension between you and your loved ones. You can’t really put a price on having a peaceful marriage and family.
• You are too embarrassed about the clutter in your home to invite guests over. As time passes, your friendships are fading or there are tensions with family members because you don’t take a turn to host holiday dinners. These relationships are important but are affected by your clutter. 
• You find it difficult to fully relax in your home because you’re always reminded of the clutter and feel guilty for not dealing with it.
• Your clutter is causing you stress or exacerbating your depression, so you have to take medications to cope.
• You are not as productive when you are working (either at home or at the office) because you are surrounded by clutter.  This means you have to work longer hours, which affects time spent with your family and leaves less time for you to relax. It’s not something you can really put a price on, but very important!
• You postpone doing maintenance or updates to your home as often as you’d like because there is too much clutter in the way.
• You spend a lot of time searching for items. You can’t find your keys, wallet, purse, sunglasses or permission forms for school because it’s lost in the clutter. Every minute adds up. Wouldn’t you rather have that time for something else?

Increased Costs for Moving Due to Clutter

If you’re planning a move, there will be increased costs you’ll face if you’ve got clutter.  Have you someone you know experienced any of these?

• Your home is on the market much longer than you’d planned due to the amount of clutter.
• You eventually sell your home, but because of the clutter, you had to settle for a significantly lower price. 
• When you move to your new home, you have increased moving expenses because of the extra boxes due to the clutter. 

Decluttering Tips and Support

Have these hidden costs motivated you to start decluttering your home? Whether you have some clutter or a lot, it’s worth the effort! Imagine what you can do with your savings!  Not to mention the peace and free time you’ll enjoy. 

The key for decluttering is to start small. Pick a simple project like a drawer or a shelf. Start with an area that doesn’t contain sentimental items so you can set yourself up for success. As you declutter more and more you’ll build up your “decluttering muscles” and be able to tackle some bigger and more challenging projects.

For more decluttering tips, check out my 31 Days Easy Decluttering series or my book Decluttering From A To Z!

Has clutter cost you and your family?  If so, how?  If not, how do you keep your home clutter-free?

Which of these reasons motivates you most to declutter?

If you need help decluttering, contact me for in-person organizing services in the Mississauga area, or virtual organizing services anywhere else.

Happy decluttering!

This was originally a guest post on Organizing Made Fun.