A Quick Quiz: Keep Or Toss?

If you’re undecided about what to do with a particular item, it’s probably something you could give away, throw away or sell, but you just can’t bring yourself to do it. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I used this item in the past year?   Yes/No

• Will it be needed on a definite date in the future?   Yes/No

• Do I love it?   Yes/No

• Does this item serve a worthwhile purpose in my life?   Yes/No

• Do I need to keep it for legal or tax purposes?   Yes/No

• Is it more important to me to keep this item than to have the space it occupies?   Yes/No

• Has anyone else in my home used it in the past year?   Yes/No

• Does someone in my household love it?   Yes/No

• Would it be difficult or expensive for me to get another one?  Yes/No

Scoring: There are no right or wrong answers, but a “Yes” answer to any one of the above questions provides a sound reason to keep that item. If you answer “No” to every question, toss it.

Quiz excerpted from Organizing Plain & Simple by Donna Smallin. Click here for more details.