Many of us have blanks A lot of stuffAnd while I have written extensively on it Getting rid of stuff by declutteringThis post is focused on Things you shouldn’t get rid of. Getting rid of unnecessary items cluttering our homes and storage units can feel so liberating, I’ve even regretted going overboard during a clutter purge, and it can be just as miserable as being overwhelmed by clutter!
So today I thought I’d take a slightly different approach to awkward conversations by focusing on things you can focus on. not want to get rid of So without further ado, here are 7 things you might regret throwing away!
7 Things You’ll Regret Throwing Away
1. Leftover wall paint
One look at your mudroom wall or that grease stain next to the oven makes you wish you had held on to some of that leftover paint from the last time you painted! Sure, there are ways to match an existing paint color (or at least get close to it), but it’s a lot easier if you can grab the exact same paint from your garage.
Whenever you finish a painting project around the house, you can plan ahead for those moments by transferring some of the leftover paint. A small, airtight jar. Label the jar with the color name, paint number, paint brand, and where in your home you used that particular color.
Small containers won’t take up as much space as giant paint cans, and you’ll know exactly where to find what you’re looking for when high-traffic areas of your home could use a touch-up.
2. Handwritten notes and cards
In this digital age of texting and email, handwritten letters, cards and messages have become increasingly rare. While it’s not advisable to keep every letter or birthday card you’ve ever received, I do recommend keeping a few meaningful notes and cards from your loved ones. Those heartfelt messages can become great memories down the road!
3. Important documents
A good rule of thumb when it comes to tax documents or other financial records is to keep them for at least 7 years before throwing them in the shredder. (This is The longest period of limitations to assess additional taxes to the IRSAnd although it only applies to people who have filed a claim for losses from worthless securities or bad debt deductions, it’s better to be safe than sorry where the IRS is concerned!)
In any case, those important financial documents can come in handy when you start a new job, apply for a loan, visit the DMV, or buy a new home or apartment. For non-financial documents I may need information on, I like to take a photo or scan it and store the files in a password-protected folder on my phone and computer. That way, those documents are both securely backed up and easily accessible to me even when I’m out of the house.
(Tired of messy papers in your office? Check this out Tips for organizing your paper!)
4. Cookware
When you buy high-quality cookware made of stone, enamel or cast iron, part of what you’re paying for is its staying power. In fact, many heirloom cookware are not only durable, but can actually get better with age.
Any of your cookware that is damaged or rusted can be thrown away, but as long as your other pieces of sturdy cookware are properly cleaned and stored. Lasts you a lifetime. And if you have cast iron pieces, sure the season And Clean them properly so you can pass them down to future generations!
5. Jars and other reusable containers
Not only can glass jars and plastic containers be reused for food storage, they can also be used for countless crafty DIY projects! you can Use old mason jars For any number of objects, and Empty yogurt containers Makes a great storage jar for spices and condiments.
The possibilities are endless, but if you need a few ideas to get you started, Check out this list Ideas for repurposing old containers.
6. Belt
Holding any type of clothing can be a burden if you don’t have a lot of closet space, belts are too small to be an exception. As long as your belts are in good condition, you can roll them up, hang them, or otherwise remove them until you need them.
7. Original packaging from luxury items
Did you know that the original packaging of a luxury item usually increases its resale value? If you splurge on certain items like designer shoes, expensive watches or fancy phones, be sure to hold on to the boxes, bags and other packaging they came in.
If you ever decide to sell those items, keeping the original packaging can give you a market advantage. The original packaging can also help protect items from dust and damage if you ever need to put the item away!
What items would you add to this must-have list?
