We are a minimalist family and yet we have some stuff. But minimalism is more about habits than stuff. I consider our family minimalist, but I've been told I'm not a real minimalist. I guess I missed the memo on who can join the club. And while the "average American home has over 300,000 items,” we do not. So that's a good place to start. Of course, there's no checklist that works for everyone. But as I studied our home, there are things we do intentionally that make a difference. You will find these habits helpful as you declutter and simplify. Trash Throw away trash immediately. I’m not talking about messy stuff. I mean annoying stuff that accumulates like receipts, wrappers, mail, and packaging. We pick stuff up off the floor, immediately. I recycle as much as possible including junk mail, toner cartridges, and plastic bags. Trash will clutter a flat surface quickly. Guard your flat surfaces because clutter attracts more clutter! Don't forget about the …
3 Habits To Combat My Struggle with Screen Time
1 house, 3 people and 17 devices I have three devices. Eight more screen-like devices, belonging to my husband and son, are available for my use. And let’s not forget three TVs, two gaming systems and an Apple TV. Seriously? Thankfully, our desire to simplify encourages conversations about what we really need. (I use that term loosely). Because each device has a cost long after their initial purchase including subscription services, protective cases, chargers, accessories, data plans, replacement, and maintenance...just to name a few. 5 years ago, we cut the cable cord. Initially, it encouraged us to be intentional about TV watching. And with so many streaming services and advertisements for new shows, our streaming costs could exceed the former cable bill if we didn't follow a budget. When was the last time, you checked in on your subscriptions? Thankfully, I'm not much of a TV person. My best guys, on the other hand, can binge-watch like it's their job. But I have my …
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5 Easy Technology Solutions to Go Paperless
Paper clutter challenges families every day. Junk mail, kid's art, catalogs, and more. Having established a Paper Filing System for our family, I can safely say that we live 90% paperless leveraging technology to support this goal. If you get control of the paper, the paperless part became a reality. Sign up to receive my FREE Paper Filing System Technology options are overwhelming and it's hard to know how to choose the right one. But it's more important to establish your routine and less about the tool itself. Here are my 5 "go-to" tools to help you get started on the road to Paperless Living. 1. Evernote I started using Evernote over 10 years ago. I love that the information syncs to all devices. My Evernote tab stays open all the time. The addition of the Web Clipper on my web browser allows me to clip webpages and save them to relevant notebooks such as Business, Recipes, Family, etc. Eventually, it's easy to see which Notebooks really work …
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How to Organize Your Storage Space in 3 Simple Steps
I’m not a fan of big storage rooms with endless shelves and bins. But we all have storage needs and it's important to keep it organized. Storage rooms, attics, and garages are where clutter goes to die. And more space simply means more stuff. Most storage rooms I visit are jam-packed with no organization and the floor can't be found. Worse yet, useful items are buried under stuff you do not need. But with intentional planning, you can create an organized storage space. Our storage closet is small. But it holds the following: holiday decorations, extra paint, banker boxes of files, ski equipment, extra flooring and tile, and sentimental items. It is a 4x8 unfinished space that extends under our stairs. So, anything at the back of the closet is small and rarely used like the flooring and tile. Likewise, the more frequently used items are upfront. I resist the urge to fill the entire space and keep the floor clear. Having room to move around and open bins …
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How to Create a Clutter-Free Home Office
I'm going to guess that your home office might be the family dumping ground. And it has piles of paper everywhere. Also, the space is overwhelming because every flat surface is covered and you don't know where to begin. Plus the filing cabinet is filled with who knows what. And all this clutter robs you of productivity and focus. Does this describe your home office space? It is so uninviting you rarely work in it The bookshelves are cluttered and looming over you You sit at the dining room table with your laptop instead Well, today is the day to change all of that. In this post, I've written a step-by-step plan with 7 steps to declutter and organize your home office. Because a clutter-free space is a productive space and you can do this. Just take it one step at a time. Your Dream Home Office Before you dive in, take some time to dream about how you’d like your office to look and function. Search online for ideas and inspiration. I pinned some …
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5 Minimalist Gift Ideas for a Clutter-Free Valentine’s Day
Did you know that the Valentine’s Day tradition of giving candy started in the 1840s by Richard Cadbury, a descendant of a British chocolate manufacturing family? With a new chocolate-making technique, Cadbury seized the opportunity to sell chocolates as part of the beloved holiday. And so began the love holiday celebrated with chocolates, flowers, and oversized teddy bears. But I must remind you that $16 billion is wasted on unwanted gifts every year. So, before you click add to cart or order over-priced flowers, let's consider some clutter-free and inexpensive options that won't ruin your budget. Make Dinner At Home During college, I waited tables at a local restaurant, as did my future husband. That's where we met and we could tell you a tale or two! As a result, we do NOT recommend eating out on Valentine's Day. Service is bad, food quality suffers, and restaurants are overcrowded with the goal of getting you in and out fast. Don't do it. Also, Valentine's Day …
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