When we purchase things, we only consider the upfront cost. But we forget about the additional expenses that come with it, such as maintenance, cleaning, upgrades, and storage. Even if we decide to sell the item, it takes time and effort to photograph it, post it online, and meet with potential buyers. If we hire someone else to sell it for us, we have to pay them.
Therefore, we need to understand that an item not only costs money upfront but also continues to cost us money over time. If we had a money counter on each item, we would be shocked to see the total investment we have made. Holding onto an item because of its perceived worth is rarely in line with its actual worth. In fact, if we knew the true cost of keeping an item, we might be more willing to let it go. Or would we?
Have you heard of the sunk cost fallacy?
The sunk cost fallacy is the tendency to persist in pursuing something we’ve already invested in, even if the costs are not recoverable. This fallacy highlights how our emotions often influence our decision-making process over rational facts. If we apply this concept to decluttering, it can help us determine what’s truly best for us, even if it doesn’t align with our emotional attachment to the item. Ideally, I aim to teach my clients decision-making skills to help them make choices that are truly beneficial for them.
If you have a room or a home filled with unnecessary items, you may end up spending more money to keep them than getting rid of them. To determine how much you pay to store clutter each month, calculate the cost. You can use my Clutter Calculator below.
The cost of clutter
If you pay $2000 a month for your mortgage and have a home that’s 2500 square feet. Let’s say you have a 10×10 room that’s cluttered and unusable. As a result, you’re paying $125 a month to store the clutter, and you have one less room to use in your home. However, additional expenses such as pest control and maintenance may arise due to the clutter. But for the purposes of this example, let’s stick to the basics. Your 10×10 room costs you $1500 a year. Let’s assume you also pay an extra $200 a month for a storage unit, which amounts to $2400 a year. Instead of paying these costs (which equate to $3900 per year), you can hire a hauling service to clear the room and a professional organizer to help you organize your belongings for less. You’ll have a functional room in your home that you can enjoy, and you’ll no longer have to worry about the clutter. Moreover, you’ll have an additional $2400 in your bank account since you won’t be paying for a storage unit. These facts are hard to ignore and clearly indicate the best financial decision. What these facts don’t do is consider the emotions and how difficult it can be to let things go. So what can be done?
You can save money and you can keep clutter but you can’t have both.
You’ll need to decide what’s most important to you. Once you make a decision you can move forward knowing what you are losing/gaining. However, in my experience, there will be tough times no matter what you decide. If you decide to save money you’re deciding to let things go. This does come with some uncomfortable and emotional feelings. It isn’t easy. If you decide to keep the clutter you’re deciding to keep things as they are. This means you’ll continue to spend money unnecessarily and you’ll have the weight of the clutter on your shoulders.
Use my Clutter Calculator to find out what clutter is costing you. Share your number on Instagram and tell us how you feel about it. Are you motivated to make a change?
