Parting with Potentially Useful Stuff
how to know what to keep and what to toss
Many of you are getting this newsletter for the first time this week; I met so many wonderful people as I traveled around these past few weeks doing media for my newest book. Whether you are a new reader, or you have been with me for years I am glad you are here and IÁøm proud of the progress you are making as you simplify your life! A great question came in last week that inspired this week's challenge. It's about how to determine when itÁøs time to part with something that could maybe still be useful at some point in the future. If you hold onto something for that reason there are a lot of variables. It is really only good if the occasion arises to use it and you remember you have it and can find it. So here are some guidelines to help you figure out what is really useful to keep and what should be sent to a home where it can be used now or possibly just tossed. LetÁøs say you have a stash of old towels. Not your best towels, you have a good set for bathing. And not the towels that you already ripped up and are using for rags. These towels are somewhere in between, in that Á¡might be good for something somedayÁ± zone. 1. Be sure youÁøve kept an adequate amount of good stuff, like 2 towels per person in the house. You have to have a par level or youÁøll be tempted to keep them all. How many towels do you use before you do the wash? How many fit in the closet? Do they match the d¬Ïcor and if they are threadbare they are outta there! 2. Look at the left over and split it in half. Save half for you and give half away. Place Ï¡ in a spot that makes the most sense. If you foresee using the towels to wash the car store them in the garage near the car soap in a bag clearly labeled Á¡car ragsÁ± 3. Place the other half in a bag for charity and then fill the rest of the bag up with other donations and put it in your car so you can drop it off this week or dial your local charity and leave a message youÁød like a pick up when they are in your neighborhood. This weekÁøs clutter challenge if you choose to accept it is to pick one pile of stuff youÁøve tucked away in case it Á¡might be good for something somedayÁ± and make decision about it. Remember you canÁøt do it wrong. You will always have enough, if you gave too many towels away and there was a flood in your basement youÁød simply reach for something else or youÁød borrow or buy more. These choices are not the end of the world, donÁøt let them keep your stuck in a clutter rut, make a decision and move on. ThatÁøs it for this weekÁøs challenge. Good luck and have a clutter free week! Jamie
FEATURED PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
Zip lock bags in all sizes. You'll be amazed at what you can use a zip lock bag for. One in your purse for receipts and another for trash. One for small kids toys in the playroom and puzzle pieces too (note: watch the age, can be a choking hazard.) One for cords and wires you are storing in case you need them one day. One for cosmetics in your cosmetic drawer. One for nails and items in the junk drawer. The possibilities are endless. Just be sure to put like items together, one category per bag. And label the bag, that is important! PASS IT ALONG
Who do you know that needs this quick tip? Pass it along to them now they'll thank you for it. If this tip was forwarded to you sign up for your own copy at www.JamieNovak.com or reply saying ?subscribe? and we'll do it for you! PS
For those of you in NJ Jamie's next installment of the Resolution Solution will be in the Courier News this coming Sunday March 26th
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