15 things I don't buy anymore as a Professional Organizer

Want to live a more minimal and organized life? Here are 15 things I don't buy anymore.

When I started my journey as a Professional Organizer, I learned pretty fast that there are certain things that just add unnecessary clutter to my home and the homes of my clients. You don't have to be a minimalist to have a clutter-free home! Here is my list of items I don't buy anymore. What do you not buy anymore?

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[LazerWonder]

When I celebrated my second Mother's Day, my husband started writing in a notebook. He wrote from the perspective of our oldest daughter (who was 23 months old at the time) and then included a picture of her. From that point on, he wrote in it every year and kept updating the pictures. Occasionally, he would have our kids trace their hands in the book.

I read it from time to time. It's a precious book to me. :) My oldest is turning 11 soon and she now writes in it for mother's day.

This is a good alternative to "Mother's Day" card. I hope they'll fill the book. I will treasure the book always.

[sarahwieland]

I can fully agree with u on almost everything u said in this video except for the mention of the “air fryer”. I gotta say, the air fryer has been one of the best new kitchen appliances to come out with since the microwave! It is far from a “single tasker”! The air fryer is not only a healthier way to fry something it also can cook and bake so many other items. It is such a great help with something small that u just don’t wanna heat the oven up for. 🙂

[angela_flute]

Even better for #10: I don't use dryer sheets or fabric softener at all. They're unnecessary and often just add build-up to your fabrics.
I'll never give up bulk. From a day-to-day perspective, it's so much more convenient to not have to run to the store for every little thing. But the big effects come from emergency prep. You have to have backstock for those situations (or to be able to care for others when they're in need). You just have to rotate it and have a home for it. When we run out of something in the pantry upstairs, I get the backup from the downstairs food storage. If downstairs is getting low, I add it to the list. Easy as that. Nothing expires and you always have a safety net to cushion you in times of job loss, pandemics, etc. I feel like it's irresponsible to be super reliant on the grocery store--you're putting yourself at risk, and when there's a public issue you're putting others at risk too.

[genevievearsenault]

My trick to get rid of the « throwaway guilt » is taking pictures of the souvenirs, greeting cards and kids crafts before throwing them away. It also works really well to help the kids getting rid of stuff they have trouble giving away but are too old for, or don’t really use antimite. We would tale a picture of them with their plushies for example, so they have a memory.

[layalibintmona]

I LOVE my veggie spiralizer! As a diabetic, a gadget that enables me to substitute nutritious, fiber-rich veggies in place of carbohydrate-rich pasta is a literal life saver. It's so fast and easy to use, too (also fun to use with friends or kids).

[ksuitter]

When they are 25ish they will realize they have a great mom and that you did such a great job raising them.
Just keep loving them!

[juliethompson]

Souvenirs - we buy a Christmas ornament when we travel. Then when we put the tree up we enjoy remembering our vacations and places/people we love. The tree gets better every year!

[tcslife]

I'm doing a no/low spend month and it's made me aware how much I just impulses buy without asking if I really need it.

[DCBudo]

For some reason, I have had it pounded in my head to ‘save this! You MIGHT need it’! So after 57 years of marriage and only three moves, sheltering my three grands ( and their stuff), I have quite a large project facing me. Many of your suggestions and videos are life saving!

[gingerdad]

I'm a good declutterer but I'm married to a hoarder! In the last lockdown, the four of us decluttered each room in the house together as a family and helped us bond. Tip: a great time to declutter is just a couple of days before a family holiday. That way you come home to a fresh house. Also, we still buy toilet paper in bulk because it's cheap and in lockdown, supermarkets ran out! Love from Australia xox

[apjp]

I am a greeting card maker, I spend so much time making them. I would be glad to know someone saved my handmade card - throw away the store-bought :)

[lauramarshall]

We travel all over the world. We stopped buying souvenirs many years ago. No regrets. I love that you hire a professional photographer each year for your family. I am a photographer and you're so right. Honestly, I don't shop. If I need something, I'll get it, but I don't buy what I don't need.

[Miss_Annlaug]

A really high end blender and a crock pot. Yaz. That's what I have. And my cousin is a world class chef (he won the championship on France once!) And he said that knifes are all about keeping them sharp so even simple, affordable knives will do. So I own a pro knife sharpener so that my IKEA chefs knives are a s sharp as razors! All the time! Good, sharp knives in different sizes are the absolute best kitchen equipment and takes no space. The pro sharpener fits in the palm of my hand so no worries there 💕💕💕😀😀😀

[tw]

I honestly thought that one of the things on the list would be the home decor signage pictured ("Gather", "Family", etc). We tease a friend for having every room in his house labelled, and having words to tell him how to feel.

[ivoryandcat]

I was super lucky that I had a good, open relationship with my daughter. Her friends all thought I was the cool mom, and I think she liked the idea that she had the cool parent. Her friends would come to me for questions they didn't feel comfortable talking to their parents about. I always got the feeling they had gone to my daughter for advice first and she told them what I had told her then brought the friends to me when they needed more help than she could give them. That made me happy. I wish every kid felt they could talk to their parents about anything, but I know that's not the case, I'm just glad they found an adult they could talk to who would give good advice and make sure they were safe, whoever that adult was.

[n.sh.]

Yes! I'm always, wondering how my grandma managed to have super clean house, at the same time always cook the best foods with no fancy gadget, or detergents.

[kimberlyheinz]

I agree with most of your list. I also don't buy plants, candles, special ingredients for recipes, and throw pillows.

[bonnieinnocentini]

My oldest thought I was awesome and even called and thanked me in her freshman year in college. My younger daughter appreciates me she is just not as vocal about it. They have to get out of high school to realize not everyone has a spectacular mom like you and me. :)

[bonniemasterjohn]

Ok, so we are going to the mall and my oldest daughter tells me that if I see her in the mall with her friends, not to say hello! I was a bit offended but I said ok. Later, when around the corner she came with a group of friends, they saw me and come running up to hug me LOL You become less and less lame, till they are off on their own. Then one day you are brilliant again!

[GD-fkfi]

After I cleaned out and organized I don’t find a lot at thrift stores anymore. I think twice before bringing something home. But I do buy $.25 magazines at thrift stores. I find magazines relaxing to look at. They don’t require any deep thinking. And for $.25 I can toss them out when I’m done looking at them. I enjoy your videos!!