February 2026 - The Cost of Clutter

Judy Granlee Gates
Feb 2
2 min read

Newsletter Topic of the Month

The Cost of Clutter

It’s the year of less, with less buying and consuming. This month, we will focus on something most people don’t see until later, the cost of clutter!!!

I have been following my own rules for buying less, and what to do when I do get the itch to shop out of boredom. I have been able to repurpose several items and create just what I want, so that energizes me to continue.

Get my free guide to LESS here!

Decluttering and Organizing:

There are so many costs to clutter that we don’t consider. Here are the big ones.

Money loss. How many things have you bought and not returned on time? How many things have you bought and “hidden” from yourself, prompting you to buy another? When we are so busy buying, we aren’t paying attention to the leaks in our plan, and those leaks are money!
Real costs of stored items. Lots of things fall here: items ruined in improper storage; fees paid for storage units. Money is spent on creating NEW storage spaces or to have a bigger home just to store things.
“I might need it someday”. Not untrue. But also, can you find it when you need it? Usually not.
Storage is NOT neutral; it comes with a cost and an emotional weight.
Love should not (and truly does not) equal an obligation to keep items you don’t truly want and love.
Tackle one emotionally heavy category, choose it, and dive in.

Home Edits:

Emotional attachments can often be seen in furniture and décor. You keep it because you have it or it was gifted to you. You CAN honor memories without keeping things.
Too many things in a space can create emotional weight!
Consider weeding out some of the things that are taking up space (and energy).

Short Term Rentals:

A home that is personalized feels special to guests, but there is a difference between personalized and personal items.
Don’t have personal items or personal photos out that are not for guests; it’s confusing and awkward.

Have a topic idea? Area of struggle? A fun tip? Send it in and I may make it the topic of the month. Email me at hello@judygranleegates.com

Join in the conversation at Home Elevated on Facebook or Home_Elevated_WA on Instagram!

News & Other Stuff

Do you have a group that hosts speakers? I talk about decluttering, living smaller, parting with sentimental items and more. Let me know and maybe we can set something up. I love sharing about all things decluttering and resizing and I am happy to craft a talk just for your audience.

Are you in a book club? I would love to do a virtual book club over 4 weeks with you. Just get in touch.

Need a copy of my multi-award-winning book? Buy it here!

Want the audiobook? Buy that here!

If you have read the book and want to leave a review Here are the links. This is the biggest compliment you can give an indie author! You can leave reviews at; Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads.

February 2026 - The Cost of Clutter

Newsletter Topic of the Month

The Cost of Clutter

It’s the year of less, with less buying and consuming. This month, we will focus on something most people don’t see until later, the cost of clutter!!!

I have been following my own rules for buying less, and what to do when I do get the itch to shop out of boredom. I have been able to repurpose several items and create just what I want, so that energizes me to continue.

Get my free guide to LESS here!

Decluttering and Organizing:

There are so many costs to clutter that we don’t consider. Here are the big ones.

Money loss. How many things have you bought and not returned on time? How many things have you bought and “hidden” from yourself, prompting you to buy another? When we are so busy buying, we aren’t paying attention to the leaks in our plan, and those leaks are money!

Real costs of stored items. Lots of things fall here: items ruined in improper storage; fees paid for storage units. Money is spent on creating NEW storage spaces or to have a bigger home just to store things.

“I might need it someday”. Not untrue. But also, can you find it when you need it? Usually not.

Storage is NOT neutral; it comes with a cost and an emotional weight.

Love should not (and truly does not) equal an obligation to keep items you don’t truly want and love.

Tackle one emotionally heavy category, choose it, and dive in.

Home Edits:

Emotional attachments can often be seen in furniture and décor. You keep it because you have it or it was gifted to you. You CAN honor memories without keeping things.

Too many things in a space can create emotional weight!

Consider weeding out some of the things that are taking up space (and energy).

Short Term Rentals:

A home that is personalized feels special to guests, but there is a difference between personalized and personal items.

Don’t have personal items or personal photos out that are not for guests; it’s confusing and awkward.

Have a topic idea? Area of struggle? A fun tip? Send it in and I may make it the topic of the month. Email me at hello@judygranleegates.com

Join in the conversation at Home Elevated on Facebook or Home_Elevated_WA on Instagram!

News & Other Stuff

Do you have a group that hosts speakers? I talk about decluttering, living smaller, parting with sentimental items and more. Let me know and maybe we can set something up. I love sharing about all things decluttering and resizing and I am happy to craft a talk just for your audience.

Are you in a book club? I would love to do a virtual book club over 4 weeks with you. Just get in touch.

Need a copy of my multi-award-winning book? Buy it here!

Want the audiobook? Buy that here!

If you have read the book and want to leave a review Here are the links. This is the biggest compliment you can give an indie author! You can leave reviews at; Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads.

Until next month, thanks for the support and keep it COZY!

xo

Judy

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