Summer Organization Can Improve Your Life — and Your Finances

What’s your favorite part of summer? The longer days and endless sunlight? Fresh-cut grass? Or maybe it’s the satisfaction of organizing at the end of the season and preparing for fall (including that back-to-school checklist so many of us face).

If your household is anything like ours, this is when we roll up our sleeves and get organized.

Dalvin Brown of The Wall Street Journal recently published an article titled “Americans Treasure Their Clutter: Accumulating Stuff Takes a Toll — And Can Be Financially, Physically and Mentally Taxing.” We all know clutter can be stressful — who hasn’t tripped over a box or felt overwhelmed by a packed closet? But the financial toll was the real surprise.

Here are a few eye-opening stats Brown shared:

• In 2024, Americans bought 2.5x more clothing, 5.7x more dishes, and 3.5x more furniture than in 1994 (U.S. Commerce Department).
• The U.S. has about 58,000 storage facilities — roughly 80% of the world’s total — at an average cost of $151.50/month.
• Downsizing now takes up to 40 hours, nearly twice as long as it did a decade ago (National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers).

Between storage fees, impulse buys, and lost time, clutter costs more than just space — it chips away at your wallet and your well-being.

 3 Smart Ways to Declutter and Save

1. Sell, Donate, or Toss
   Pick one area (a drawer, a closet, or that pile in the garage) and sort items into three bins: sell, donate, toss. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace or eBay can turn unused stuff into quick cash.

Pro Tip: Use the money to boost your emergency fund, pay down debt, or invest in a meaningful experience.

2. Sleep On It
   Online shopping makes it easy to buy in the moment. The next time something catches your eye, wait 24 hours. Odds are, the impulse will pass, and so will the purchase.
   
   
   
3. Audit Subscriptions and Digital Clutter
   Clutter isn’t just physical. Review your bank statements and cancel unused subscriptions, whether it’s a forgotten streaming service, app, or meal kit.

Pro Tip: Use a budgeting app or subscription tracker. Even cutting one or two services can save hundreds a year.

And while you’re at it, clean up your digital space: consolidate email accounts, unsubscribe from promo emails, and organize your cloud storage.

Final Thought: What’s Your Clutter Really Costing You?

Clutter takes a toll — physically, emotionally, and financially. But with a little intention, you can take back your space, reclaim your peace of mind, and keep more money in your pocket.

Need help decluttering your finances? We’re here for that, too. Give us a call at (515) 225-6000 or contact us online for a complimentary consultation.

Source:
Brown, D. (2025, April 9). Americans Treasure Their Clutter: Accumulating Stuff Takes a Toll — And Can Be Financially, Physically and Mentally Taxing. The Wall Street Journal.