3 Secrets to Overcome Financial Guilt When Decluttering

[@ksk881]

I felt guilty about a lot of things that I bought during my retail therapy stage when my husband died ( I guess it was grief and sadness), but I emotionally got over most of them because I realized that it filled a need at the time. The one that I had real trouble with was a very expensive "Sleep Chair" that I had purchased when I was having problems with my back. The chair provided what I needed for a season, but it was huge and bulky. I live in a small space, and I kept moving it around trying to find a "home" for it. After I hurt myself a couple of times moving it around, I was able to find someone who could use it. I gave it to him, so it was a win/win for both of us! Now that it's out of my place, I feel free, and I'm glad that it's gone. BTW...I like your shirt!

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thanks for sharing, Karen!

[@deedsh6280]

This was one of your best. You gave 'permission' and used very clear and relatable examples on how we can let go in peace.Or, surprise yourself and bring something forward and decide you do enjoy it, and now it's serving its purpose. Thank you!

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thank you so much!! I'm really glad to hear this!

[@noelle7287]

Great video. I recently started decluttering and felt guilty. Especially for a lot of the waste snacks that my fiance didn't get to before they expired. But now we have way more room to see what we actually have. I plan to go through some seasonal decor and get rid of most of it. Especially easter and valentine's day stuff. I haven't decorated in 2 years besides 1 or 2 items. Most of it is cheap dollar tree cardboard decor I think. I'm just so fed up with all the junk I accumulated over the last couple of years. I feel like I over spent during pandemic when I was stressed, panicked and sad.

[@ignazs.5816]

This has resonated with me! Thank you! I am clinically diagnosed with pure OCD and a way to ease those patterns of thought have been through shopping and acquiring.

[@supergran1000]

I was very generously gifted an air fryer oven. It's quite a bulky item and I have a small kitchen. Also, I'm not young and learning how to use it seemed too much effort. I'd almost decided to give it away, but then energy bills started rising. I thought I'd give the oven a try, and am so glad I did. Much easier to use than I thought, and cheaper to run with no pre-heating required.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

I'm so glad it worked out! Thanks for sharing!

[@mariahsmom9457]

When something never really fits right or looks good, I feel obligated to keep wearing it until I get my money's worth. On the other hand, I have several things I have worn for literally years and years and paid like $20 for it in 2012. So I'm down to fractions of pennies per wear. That gives me joy 😄

[@sandrafromscotland]

Thank you Sarah 👍 Your logical and visual angles appeal to me. I can relate to this on a food level. A wee story from me! I recently bought a packet of seasoning with maybe 3 servings in it and it was in the cupboard for a while. So I tried it and did not like it. I went back and forth thinking oh well I could try it with something else as I think the guilt was also about food waste which I don't like doing. So rather than forcing myself to eat it, I put it in the composting bag and let it go. I think it reminds me why I keep buying the same things to avoid this 🙄😂

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

That sounds like a great approach to the seasoning story, Sandra!

[@accountingphotoinventoryva7393]

Definitely needed this!!!!

[@CodeDeb]

I hope you keep uploading. I enjoy your videos! ✨

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thank you, Deb! I will!

[@random12221-v]

I always tell myself to take the lesson i learnt from that wrong purchase and give the item away - the lesson will remain and benefit you long term far more than the money you spent on that item

[@gailtester8749]

This was really helpful. Nice seeing you again on YT!☺️

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

I'm so glad, Gail!

[@jamesbriggs5740]

It's the superglue that I didn't use and dried up. I should have used it up. I hate when I do this multiple times. I think it's more the guilt over not doing my artwork. Kathy B

[@cathylynnpietranton]

Hi Sarah using the money examples was brilliant. Thanks always for the tips and ideas. Hugs ❤

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Hugs to you, Cathy!

[@caitlinkirby399]

Thank you for another great video Sarah! I really like the idea of counting how many times you’ve used or worn an item and doing the math with how much it cost to see how much use you really got out of it. I think this will really help me as I continue to declutter, especially when it comes to clothing. P.S. I think your shirt looks great on you and it goes really well with your paintings.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

I'm really happy to hear this, Caitlin! Thanks!

[@ahadya81]

This is very helpful! I have been trying to let go of some of my purses, but always feel guilty of it. Now I'm gonna keep track of how many times I use those purses and do the math. Thank you so much!!

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

You are so welcome, Ahadya! You got this!

[@lucytitus2183]

Thank you so much Sarah for this video! This topic is one of my struggles! This has been very helpful. 🤗

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

You are so welcome, Lucy!

[@MsDoglover02]

The cost per wear example is powerful! Thanks!

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

You're so welcome, Lynne! I'm glad it resonated!

[@bex438]

This was a great video Sarah, I really love the cost per wear example as it can also stop you impulse buying in the first place if you consider how many times you may wear/use the item. I experienced some financial guilt recently and have learnt a couple of lessons, I was looking for some washable cotton napkins on Vinted and was shopping late at night big mistake! I saw what I thought was a good deal but when I received the parcel I'd actually ordered paper ones 🙈 I had been tired and rushing and have now had to re order which hasn't wasted a lot of money but hasn't saved me any either which as well as trying to buy used was one of my goals. I also treated myself to a t-shirt from ebay as a Birthday present to myself recently and went with a cheaper option that when I received it doesn't fit as the size doesn't match what it should be, so because I'm returning it and having to pay postage and even though I'll get the refund for the tshirt I've still spent more for the shirt, have had to go to the inconvenience of re posting it and I still don't have the shirt I wanted. But after listening to you I feel better and will move past it and just be more careful next time.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

I'm this video could be helpful!

[@chrstopherblighton-sande2981]

I've had financial guilt, though it didn't stop me decluttering the items, but it did hang around afterwards. Using the maths technique you mentioned sounds wonderful and I will certainly use it if I ever need to declutter something that was expensive. Thanks for sharing.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

I'm glad to hear it, Chrstopher!

[@nancyesposito1020]

I have huge guilt on the money that I spent and shopping for stuff for years and years and this video is very helpful thank you! Very hard on myself with the guilt

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

You are so welcome, Nancy!

[@sofianatalie.]

Nice video Sarah! :) I've definitely used the first tip with clothing a lot. I try to wear items that are in my declutter pile to feel less guilty for decluttering them and taking the financial loss. If I wear it even once, at least I got a little use out of it, and then I'm more certain I won't wear it again and can declutter it. There have also been times where I wore the item and then realized I actually do like it (and I keep it and actually wear it).

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thanks for sharing, Sofia!

[@andeebee2530]

You look great in that shirt! Great video. Thanks.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thank you so much, Andee!

[@heidilopez-felix8105]

This is great love it 🥰

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thank you, Heidi!

[@therealjenniferrr]

I've been making an effort to use up some of my essential oils that I'm not the biggest fan of (because of course I have my favorites I like to use over and over). With Doterra they often give you freebies if you order X amount for the month so that's usually how I end up with odd ones. I kept the ones I could live with and I'll use them up, but 2 I couldn't see myself using so I gave them to someone else who uses essential oils. While no cost associated with them since they were free, I feel better knowing someone else will get use out of them!

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

That's great, Jennifer!

[@teresaguerrero3751]

Truth

[@kirstylynn3723]

What about an expensive hobby? I have things that are around $3k that will not sell. How do I let this go?

[@VeganMangoQueen]

✌🏼🌱💚

[@jennyjenkins877]

🤯