by Clutter Free Academy Team | Apr 11, 2023 | Bible Study, Clutter Free, Clutter Free For Life, Clutter Free Podcast, Fear, God, Hard Stuff, Home, Hope, Podcast, Shame |
560: Untangling Your Faith While Decluttering Your Home: An Honest Conversation
In today’s episode Kathi dives deep with author Amberly Neese, as they discuss how their clutter journeys and spiritual journeys collide. Feeling guilty about getting rid of things we no longer need, or being paralyzed by the fear of needing more in the future, reveals what we believe about the goodness of God and how much we can trust Him to provide for us.
How do we untangle our faith while working through our cluttered closets?
- Recognize how God provides for our needs – often through the generosity of other people.
- Take the words “bad” and “good” out of the conversation in regards to buying. Recognize the patterns and make different choices in the future.
- Think of the person who will receive the items you donate and pray for them.
- Keep what you use, and be okay without the excess. A house with less clutter allows for more peace and joy.
Amberly is giving away 2 copies of her new Bible study – Untangling Faith: Reclaiming Hope in the Questions Jesus Asked. To enter to win, leave a comment below telling Kathi and Amberly what is it that you are untangling in your life?
Pre-order your copy now in order to access the online study with Amberly. Simply send your purchase receipt to Amberly by email.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to be notified when the next episode is released. When you do you will also receive a free Clutter Free Kit with handouts and video interview with Kathi!
Untangling Faith: Reclaiming Hope in the Questions Jesus Asked
A six-week Bible Study focusing on the questions Jesus asked in the New Testament
Are you struggling to provide guidance to your children in their faith deconstruction? Have you ever struggled to find your faith footing? Join Amberly Neese as she explores the questions Jesus asked as a way to reclaim that faith. Chapters explore our own questions like: Can God Be Trusted? and How Can I Grow in Faith? Amberly’s unique humor and wit help the whole group find their way through deep and rich issues of personal faith, doubt, and growth.
In her trademark style, Neese combines Bible study with delightful humor to create a refreshing and engaging experience that will encourage and equip others to pursue deeper relationships and true belonging by loving, serving, and helping others (including our kids) do likewise. She describes Untangling Faith as an exploration of the big questions of faith through the lens of the questions of Jesus.. The study is designed to encourage, empower, and equip participants to ask questions, seek answers, and find hope in the journey.
Components for this six-week Bible study, each available separately, include a Participant Workbook with daily reading and reflection, a full Leader Guide to help plan full group sessions, and video sessions with six 20 to 25-minute segments (with closed captioning). Order your copy here.
Question:
What is it that you are untangling in your life? Tell us in the comments below and enter to win a copy of Amberly Neese’s new Bible study!
Let’s stay connected
To share your thoughts:
Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our newsletter now.
Amberly Neese is a speaker, humorist, emcee, and encourager with a passion for “GRINspiring” others. She is currently on two national tours, writes Bible studies with Abingdon Publishers, and tries to save the world one coupon at a time.
With a master’s degree from Biola University, Neese serves as a professor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University. She and her husband, Scott, have two adult children and live in Prescott, Arizona, where they enjoy the great outdoors, the Food Network, and all things Star Wars.
by Clutter Free Academy Team | Sep 13, 2022 | Clutter Free, Clutter Free Home, Clutter Free Podcast, Home, How to, Organizing, Podcast, tips and ideas |
530: How to Declutter Your Tech
Part 2
Last week, Kathi and Roger Lipp started this discussion managing your technology and how to get rid of old computers. This week, the pair is back to help us continue decluttering our old tech. Are you intimidated by the prospect of getting rid of old technology? Do you have old VHS videos and cassette tapes of memories that you want to keep? Listen in as the duo give great advice on what to do with old tech including
- DVD players
- Cameras
- Remotes
And as an added bonus in keeping your tech organized, Kathi and Roger also have some great suggestions for keeping your cords tidy.
The Clutter Free Home: Making Room for Your Life
When it comes to your home, peace is possible…
Longing for a place of peace from which you can love others well? The Clutter-Free Home is your room-by-room guide to decluttering, reclaiming, and celebrating every space of your home.
Let author Kathi Lipp (who once lived a life buried in clutter) walk you through each room of your house to create organizational zones that are not only functional and practical but create places of peace that reflect your personality. Kathi will help you tackle the four-step process of dedicate, decide, declutter and “do-your-thing” to reveal the home you’ve always dreamed of, and then transform it into a haven that reflects who you truly are meant to be.
ORDER THE CLUTTER-FREE HOME
Let’s stay connected
To share your thoughts:
Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our newsletter now.
Roger is a productivity and quality engineer for a Fortune 50 company.
Roger helps teams reach their full productivity potential by teaching them the practical and simple steps to reach their goals. Roger and his wife, author Kathi Lipp, teach communicators how to share their message through social media and email marketing.
He and Kathi coauthored Happy Habits for Every Couple with Harvest House Publishers.
by Guest Blogger | Jun 18, 2020 | Blog, Clutter Free, Clutter Free For Life, Clutter Free Home, Ready For Anything |
Two summers ago, an older couple gifted my daughter a large number of household items as they moved out of state. The goal? Have a garage sale and make money for college.
We spent nearly a week sorting and transporting items, another week preparing for the sale, and a full weekend selling. The result was a whopping $600.
On the other hand, our neighbor who planned to move to Poland later that year joined in the sale, strategically added items to her lot across the street, and made nearly twice the money.
Two garage sales. Very different results.
Consider Your Options 
Before deciding to embark on a sale, weigh the time and effort required with other options.
- Do you only have a few great items in new or like-new condition? Maybe an online marketplace or auction site would be better.
- Do you have quite a few items, but not enough to draw in a crowd? Consider connecting with others for a community or block sale. Donate to a church or non-profit sale. Or invite a neighbor or friend to join forces to draw a wider group of shoppers.
- Garage sales can make a lot of money. Karen M, a Clutter-Free member, recently had a sale and “with not too much effort made $1,000.” On the other hand, garage sales can be a lot of work for little to no money. I’ve hosted several garage sales that netted in the neighborhood of a total of $100-$200. Are you okay with either result?
Once you’ve decided a garage sale is the best option, you will need to get to work.
Time
A terrific garage sale takes time. Sometimes a lot of time.
- Be prepared. Gather items, price and display them, spend 2-3 days hosting the sale, and commit to clean up and disposing of items that do not sell.
- Don’t underestimate the importance of the weather. If it is too hot, too cold, too windy, too rainy then your sale may be a bust. Pick the right time of year, keep an eye on the weather forecast, and choose the most temperate part of the day for sale hours.
Do you have enough time to make it worthwhile?
If so, choose a date and put it on the calendar.
Space & Location
You’ll need space to store items until the sale begins and a location to hold the sale.
- Where will you store items before the sale begins?
- Are you in a prime location for a sale? Or could you hold the sale at a friend or neighbor’s house that is easier to find with better exposure?
- Some neighborhoods do not allow yard/garage sales and have restrictions about street parking. Be sure to check any homeowner agreements that may impact your sale.
Where will you hold your sale?
Help
Sale days will be much more manageable (and fun!) if you have friends and family by your side.
- You will need a lunch or restroom break.
- A crowd may arrive all at once.
- Friends and family help keep you company during the slower parts of the day.
- Someone to keep reminding you why you are decluttering.
Who will stand by your side while you sell your stuff?
Gather Your Items
Before you can have a sale, you have to know what you’re selling. 
- Make a pile. Load up boxes. Sort and organize. Go through closets, drawers, basements, and garages and come up with the items you’ll sell. (This is a perfect time to declutter!)
- Group like items. Furniture, books, clothing, baby clothes, kid’s items, tools, dishes, kitchenware, appliances, household items, and so on. If you bought it, you can probably sell it.
Do you have enough desirable items to warrant a garage sale?
Pricing
“There is no better deterrent from bringing new items into your home than seeing that candle you bought for $24.95 re-sell for only $2.50. This is the Clutter Tax we all pay for excess stuff.” -Karen M
- Be realistic. Garage sales draw bargain hunters. It is unlikely you can sell an item for even a fraction of what you paid. Even like-new items may not sell for more than half the original price. Exceptions: Certain collectibles. Antiques. Refurbished items.
- Decide ahead of time if you’re willing to dicker or if you’ll have a half-price hour or a last call (selling everything for a dollar) at the end of the day.
Remember your objective is not to make money, it’s to get rid of stuff. Bringing it back in the house defeats the purpose of having a clutter-free garage sale.
Cash
A few days before the sale, visit the bank. Obtain a wide variety of bills in different denominations. If you priced items under a dollar you will also need change.
Display.
Staging is important!
Put the “wows” upfront. You want stuff that will literally stop traffic. Furniture, tools, and electronics are your best bet for getting a spouse to pull the car to the curb.
Clothes. Hanging, easily viewed clothing sells best. A garment rack is ideal, but a shower rod or tautly hung rope can work. The next best option is folded clothes preferably on a table. Be sure to put up a sign that says “Hangers Not Included” unless you’re decluttering hangers too.
Books, CDs, DVDs. Create a temporary display. If you have enough shelf space, place the front covers face out. Next best option? A table. Try to keep the shelves looking full (this is a great job for kids).
Group items. Housewares, small appliances, bath items, baby clothes or toys, yard items, etc. But make sure there’s plenty of space between displays for people to comfortably move.
Advertising
On the web. Online groups exist to help you get the word out. Check into your favorite sale sites, neighborhood, or market place, and add your listing. Highlight the kinds of things you’re selling (tools, kids’ clothes, furniture, etc.) so you attract the right buyers.
On the street. Create large, readable signs to attract more drive-by traffic. Neon poster board is great for this. Add a few secure balloons to draw attention.
Check city ordinances regarding sign size and location of display signs. Although many people use utility poles, this often violates city rules. Also, be a good steward and collect all signs at the end of your sale.
Tell your friends. Share your goals. Be sure to let your Facebook or Instagram friends know as well.
Newspaper. Running a cheap ad in your local newspaper or an online classified service may bring you more shoppers.
Back-Up Plan
What will you do with anything leftover?
Who will be taking the items away?
Where will it go?
If you were willing to get rid of the stuff in the first place, don’t let it wiggle it’s way back in.
With a lot of planning and a bit of hard work, you can have a successful garage sale. Whether your sale makes $100 or $1000, if you’ve met your goal to declutter you’ve triumphed! Your heart and home will be lighter.
Your turn. What additional tips can you add for a clutter-free sale?
*Thank you, Karen M, (of Clutter Free), and Kathi Lipp for contributing strategic suggestions included in this article.
April Kidwell lives in the Pacific Northwest with her science-geek husband, soon-to-fly young adult children, three dogs, two cats and a gecko. She writes Contemporary and Historical Christian romance for the Waiting Heart and comes from a long line of “what-ifers.” (What if we need it? What if we make it useable again? What if…?) Connect with her at https://www.blessfulwritings.com, https://www.instagram.com/blessfulwritings/, and https://www.facebook.com/Blessfulwritings/.
We would love to stay connected.
To share your thoughts:
Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our newsletter now.
by Clutter Free Academy Team | Jun 1, 2020 | Clutter Free, Clutter Free For Life, Clutter Free Home, Ready For Anything, Recipes |
Apricot and Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
I love any recipe that is a twofer.
A twofer is any dish that can be served just after making, and then is also fabulous later on as a LOOP (Left Over On Purpose.)
Let me introduce: Baked Oatmeal. 
The reason I love this recipe is twofer:
- It is a warm, nourishing breakfast to have on a Monday morning when the world feels like too much and you just need some comfort food to make the world right again.
- It is perfect on a Tuesday morning, straight from the fridge as an “Oatmeal Bar” which I then grab and go as I drive into town for work with my homemade latte.
See? Twofer. (That is, if your crew doesn’t eat the whole pan first. If that’s a possibility, you may want to consider making TWO pans to be assured of oatmeal bars later.
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups whole almonds, roughly chopped
1 1/2 cups dried apricots, roughly chopped 
1 cup blueberries
1 1/3 cups whole milk
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup brown sugar, divided
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, divided (2 tablespoons melted, 2 tablespoons room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat the oven to 350° F and grease a 9 x 9-inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. 
Fold in the almonds, apricots and blueberries. Spread the mixture evenly into the baking dish.
In a medium bowl, whisk the milk, cream, honey, 1/4 cup brown sugar, egg, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and vanilla to combine. This creates a custard-like mixture that you then pour over the oats.
Cut up the rest of the butter and put that on top, along with the remaining brown sugar.
Bake for 25 or 30 minutes, or until the oatmeal has absorbed the liquid and is golden brown on the surface.
Cool slightly before serving.
Let me know if you’ll be trying baked oatmeal, or if you have a favorite twofer recipe in the comments!
We would love to stay connected!
To share your thoughts:
Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our newsletter now.
by Clutter Free Academy Team | May 28, 2020 | Clutter Free, Clutter Free For Life, Clutter Free Home, Ready For Anything |
Need some simple ways to make your cleaning products last longer? Here are 8 simple ways to stretch your supplies, and cut down necessary trips to the store.
Like many of you, I’m looking for ways to leave the house less for errands. Less time spent in grocery stores and warehouses, the better.
I’m trying to find ways to make not only my groceries last longer, but everything else in my house. And with us being home more, let’s just say, I’m cleaning a lot more than usual.
If you’re shopping less, but cleaning more, you may find yourself running out of all your cleaning products at the same time. So, if you need to make your current stash stretch until the next monthly run to the grocery store, here’s how to make your cleaning supplies last.
- Measure Your Amounts
Many of us have been trained to fill both dispensers in our dishwasher or fill the laundry soap cup to the brim. Now’s the time to evaluate how much detergent you really need. Read the packaging and see how much detergent is recommended for the load you’re washing. Your friend with toddlers may need to use more laundry detergent than your neighbor who is running a load of work-at-home clothes.
2. Mix Your Own Sanitize
If your cleaning cabinet is running out of products that will sanitize your home, it’s time to turn to your laundry area. Bleach and water, in the right proportions, will do wonders.
“Bleach is very effective at killing the coronavirus, as well as virtually every other germ on the face of the planet,” said Dr. Paul Pottinger, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Washington Medical Center.
To create your own household cleaner, follow the Center for Disease Control guidelines:
Clean the surface with soap and warm, clean water. Rinse the area with clean water. Then sanitize with a mixture of 1 cup bleach to 5 gallons water. Let the area air dry. Be sure to wear rubber gloves to keep the bleach off your hands.
- Spray the Cloth, Not the Surface
Never spray cleanser directly onto the surface you’re cleaning. You’ll save cleaner and money by spraying your glass, wood, and surface cleanser directly on your cloth and then cleaning the intended surface. Many of us subscribe to the myth, the more cleanser, the cleaner it is. But using too much cleanser can actually cause build-up and require extra work to clean the surface. (No wonder we hate cleaning!)
4. Use the Cloth for the Size of the Job
We’ve taken to rationing our disinfecting wipes with one simple trick: tearing them in half. Most of the cleanup jobs I’m doing right now are on the small side: wiping down door handles, disinfecting a sink, wiping down light switches. None of these require a huge cloth to do the job. Now, I tear the wipes in half and stick the leftover wipe back in the container to be used for the next job.
5. Use the Leftovers
We all have them. The cleaner we tried for our bathroom and didn’t love the smell of, but didn’t get rid of either. Now is the time to scour the house for any containers under bathroom sinks, in the laundry area, in the garage, or even in your basement. Where are those half-used bottles of cleaners hiding? Gather everything you have into one place, so you know exactly what you have and what you are running low on.
- Check the Label
Read the label on the all-purpose cleaner; you may just be using it for surface cleaning, but the label tells you that it is also a degreaser, a spot cleaner for fabric, and even a carpet cleaner. It’s time to discover the power you already have sitting in that bottle and all the ways that “multi-purpose” is really true.
- Use Concentrate as Intended
With so many products being offered as concentrates, make sure that you’re using the proper amount of cleanser, and using it correctly. Do you need to be adding water to the product before using it, or using way less than a non-concentrated product?
- Ask Yourself: Does this Really Need to Be Cleaned?
With most of us not going out as much as we are used to, think about the ways that you could reduce the number of items that need to be cleaned on a daily basis.
Do you need to wash that shirt you just wore for 45 minutes for a teleconference call?
How about dishes? Assign each member of your family one different colored cup each day so you are only washing one cup, per person, per day. Depending on the size of your family, that could save a half a load of dishes right there.
You may not be able to employ all of these tactics, but even implementing one or two can help you get to a place of extending the life of your cleaners, as well as feeling safer during this time of crisis.
We would love to stay connected.
To share your thoughts:
Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our newsletter now.
