![]() Shred the rest to protect yourself against fraud, experts say. ![]() When it comes to paper, you only need to hang on to birth and death certificates, passports, a few years of tax records (see "A Taxing Matter," above), wills, medical powers of attorney, marriage licenses, Social Security cards, medical records, and a handful of other documents. "Unfortunately, nobody needs my receipts, so I have them all as far back as 2006, zipped into an old suitcase hidden in my closet." Other people may have a hard time letting go of credit card statements and other seemingly important papers due to worry about security issues or identity theft. "I feel fantastic when I donate things other people need," she says. Reinhardt to part with mounds of old paper. For photos, consider deciding ahead of time that you'll toss all doubles and blurry images."The fewer items of sentimental value you keep, the more valuable they'll actually be to you," Tokos says.Ī fear of billing disputes makes it difficult for CR member B. "Once you touch it, you're more likely to keep it." "It's better to have a friend or professional organizer hold it up for you," he says. "Once you see how much lighter and more energized you feel after decluttering your wardrobe," Scudder says, "you can take that energy into tougher categories."įerrari recommends not handling anything you're considering getting rid of. Instead of tackling the garage, start with clothes. If you're not using it now, will you want it in five or 10 years? "If it's already in storage, ask yourself why you need to keep it," says Amy Tokos, president of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals. Can you easily replace it? Amanda Scudder, MSW, a professional organizer in Richmond, Va., recommends the $20/20-minute rule: Anything that would cost $20 or less and take 20 minutes or less to acquire again can probably go without creating much regret.ģ. "Nobody needs 18 spatulas," Ferrari says.Ģ. Do you really need it? Anything you don't use or have multiples of can probably go. Who would be the right person to give it to? Should we sell it?' And when I'm not sure about the right way to get rid of something, I just stop." If you're facing similar struggles, these three questions can help jump-start the process:ġ. "My wife says, ‘We haven't used it, so it's going.' But I'm like, ‘Well, I don't know. "Analysis paralysis definitely applies to me," she admits. For Dawn Castagna, a health industry executive in New York, getting started is the hardest part.
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