Do you really need to save that? (Day 15 of 21)

Hello Reader,

Piles and piles and piles of receipts.

I go through phases where I'm really, really good at logging every single receipt into our budget software and then I go through phases where I throw them in my purse to handle "later".

This happened around the holidays this past year. I was so busy and taking care of so many things that I just tossed my receipts into my wallet, the outside pocket of my purse, the car center console, and my dresser drawer.

I was slightly mortified when I sat down with my computer on December 29 to start reconciling them all. The whole process only took me about an hour, but it reminded me that I could have avoided that entire headache!

The reminder was that if I manage these types of tasks in small increments of time, then I won't feel so overwhelmed. Things won't get lost. Things won't turn into clutter piles.

I don't need to keep most of my receipts, especially ones from the grocery store, big box stores that save my data based on my credit card, and gas station receipts.

Although I don't have to save these receipts, I do like to split them up based on spending category and log where our money is going.

When I'm on top of things, I enter them into my digital budgeting checkbook (YNAB)* and then immediately throw them away. This keeps my car, my purse, and my kitchen countertop cleared!

That's the thing with managing our households. It's the small tasks we do consistently that keep things easily controlled. When we ignore them over and over again, they snowball until they seem too big and massive to handle.

The Big Declutter is my signature decluttering course that helps you stop the snowball!

Each week you get a small, manageable task to complete with projects, conversation starters to have with your family, and new habits to consider. It keeps the snowball effect at bay!

Keep your momentum going all year with weekly decluttering projects from The Big Declutter program. You can sign up for a 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month option (NO recurring payments).

The sale ends soon, and the membership will not be available again at this price for several months. Make this your year to clear the clutter.

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Sincerely,

Brooke, Happy Simple Mom

Decluttering Habits Tracker: Day 15 of 21

Today's Task: File/Trash any old receipts

Search your purse, your wallet, your car, your countertops, your drawers, or anywhere else you may stash receipts.

Either throw them away or file them for safekeeping, tax purposes, etc.

NEW HABIT: Come up with a system for saving NEEDED receipts. There are numerous ways to do this. You can do it digitally, you can log them on a budgeting software like YNAB*, or you can file them in a shoebox. The trick is to have a system.

You do NOT have to save every single receipt you ever receive. Only you know what you need, but simplify your system so they don't build up.

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P.S. Got questions or concerns about The Big Declutter? Please hit respond and let me know. I want to help you get the results you desire.

P.P.S. Want to continue to get newsletters about living a simple life but don't want to participate in the challenge? You can opt-out here. Although, it will be sad to not do this one with you!)

*YNAB referral link. When you sign up, I get a free month. You can do the same with your friends if you love it as much as I do!

Know someone who might want to participate in this decluttering habit challenge with you? Send them this link!