October 2026 - The Things We Keep "Just In Case"
Updated: 7 days ago
Newsletter Topic of the Month
The Things We Keep "Just In Case"
It’s still the year of less, with less buying and consuming. And this month, I am changing up the newsletter a bit.
Get my free guide to LESS here!
If I had a dollar for every time I heard that while helping someone declutter, I could probably retire.
The extra serving dishes. Duplicate kitchen gadgets. Towels you don't really like but keep because they're still “perfectly good.” Six bottles of shampoo because they were on sale. Cords for electronics you no longer own. Supplies for a hobby you might take up someday.
Keeping a few backups makes sense. Being prepared makes sense. But at some point, “just in case” starts costing us more than it saves us.
Your home is valuable real estate. When we fill closets, cabinets and garages with things we might need someday, we're giving them space that could make our lives easier today.
Ask yourself: “If I needed this six months from now, could I replace it fairly easily?” If the answer is yes—especially for a $10 or $20 item—storing it for ten years may not actually be saving you money.
LET THE SPACE SET THE LIMIT
Choose the shelf, drawer, bin or cabinet where a category lives. Keep your favorites and a reasonable backup supply. When the space is full, you've reached the limit.
You can still buy the Costco-size package or take advantage of a great sale. You just need somewhere for it to live.
Your house shouldn't have to become the warehouse.
AND SPEAKING OF TOO MUCH STUFF… THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!
I know. It's only October. But November and December are when even more stuff comes in—decorations, gifts, packages, extra food, coats, shoes and overnight guests.
That makes October one of the best times to get ahead of it.
If you're hosting this year, clear the guest room now. Make room in the coat closet. Edit the kitchen and pantry. Deal with those stacks in the dining room.
Create some breathing room before the holiday stuff comes through the door.
And if you're thinking, “I don't even know where to start,” that's exactly what I do.
A few focused hours now can make the holidays feel very different later. Let’s talk about what you want to get done before the holiday rush sets in.
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!
“When the space is full, you've reached the limit.“ is simply brilliant Judy. Thanks.