Tip # 16    Encourage them not to replace old junk with new junk

It can be a vicious cycle.  Just as we managed to clear the house of unwanted bric-a-brac, in come new ones.  Explain to your family that there was a specific reason for clearing junk.  Old clutter should not be replaced with new clutter.  Encourage them to think twice before acquiring additional material possessions.  Examples:

• Will I consult this book more than once, or is it just for one school assignment?  Maybe I can borrow it from the library instead?
• The hubby loves tools.  He spends his weekly allowance on them.  He just filled up an entire wall with all kinds of tools.  Ask him which ones he hasn’t used for 6 months and ask him to throw them away.
• The clothes in your closet.  Which of them have you not worn for six months?  Call the Salvation Army or the recycling center.

As soon as the closet is half-full, and you can finally see the wall of your closet, you’ll be inspired to re-organize your whole bedroom: dressers, commode and night table drawers – shoe racks included!

Tip # 17    Don’t let your house budget stick out like a sore thumb

Budgeting for house expenses is a chore people put off indefinitely.  They know something is wrong with the budget; bills pile up and remain unpaid for weeks, and the only time you jolt out of your complacency is when the utility company calls to advise you that power will be cut off in a week if you don’t settle your bill. 

It’s not because you need to earn more; it’s because your budget needs fixing.  Nurse it back to health.  Procrastinating will only make the problem worse.  If it’s easy for governments to get into a deficit, it’s even easier for individuals to fall in the same trap.

Looking for more information on budgeting? Visit my other website on home and family budgeting to pick up even more great tips!