Day 2 of Financial Decluttering came off without a hitch! It’s time to keep moving on into the month. Don’t worry if you miss an assignment, you can always come back and catch up on another day. Each of the assignments should only take 10-15 minutes and you’ve only missed Financial Decluttering Day 1: Clean Out Your Wallet and Financial Decluttering Day 2: Clean Out Your Refrigerator Door so far.
Just a reminder, don’t forget to join the Financial Decluttering Facebook Group of over 800 people for ideas and encouragement. You’ll love the photos of the clean wallets and clean refrigerator doors.
Now, on to the challenge!
Day 3: Clean Out Your Car Console
Our third challenge does require leaving the house (something I haven’t done too much in the New Year). We’re headed to the car to scavenge for change and other treasures while cleaning up a mess or two, too. Fun/not-so-fun fact: my car broke down right before the new year. So while I’m waiting to do my own work, I’m cleaning out my mom’s car console. Yay for her!
Why It Matters:
There are two types of people in the world. 1) Those who keep their cars spotless (this would be Brian, my husband) and 2) Those who do not (this is me). Love it or hate it, many of us spend time in our vehicles driving to and from work, tending to family obligations, and getting the items we need. Because the majority of people travel to and from stores or through the drive through now and again, the car can become cluttered. Cutting down on the mess can help us save money and track receipts, too. Plus, the car is one area where money “hides.”
How to Do It:
- Bring a small trash bag with you. You’re probably going to need it.
- Sort through items in the console, pitching trash and creating a pile of items to keep.
- Try to keep things as minimal as possible. Be fierce in your pitching process.
- Don’t ignore the change. Gather it up and bring it inside to where you keep change. If you have enough change, roll it to take to the bank!
- Check to make sure chargers and ink pens still work.
- If you’re feeling brave, clean under the seats and in the doors, too.
- Wipe down the console and eliminate any grime.
- Place a small trash bag or trash can in the car to prevent future messes.
- When you’re finished, take a photo and post it to the challenge post in the Financial Decluttering Group. We’ll celebrate your victory. And/or post on Instagram with the #FinancialDecluttering Hashtag.
- You’ll get bonus points and virtual fist bumps for interesting discoveries!
How to Keep It That Way:
The car is difficult for me to keep tidy primarily because I’m not the only one who rides in it on a regular basis. I’d rather not lose my junk on my kids or a routine basis grumbling about their mess. So this year, I’m going to be more intentional about keeping a bag in the car at all times for trash. The struggle is real for me, friends so I’m going to need you to check back in with me around March to see how it’s going, OK?
I can’t wait to see all we achieve together this month. I’ll continue sharing my own journey in the Financial Decluttering Facebook Group and via e-mails. Be sure you subscribe for both.
Leave your car console victories and tips in the comments! Help all of us be better managers of what we have.
Our new book Your Money, Your Marriage is now available! Be sure to check out videos on managing money together on Facebook.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
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[…] you’ve only missed assignments to Clean Out Your Wallet, Clean Out Your Refrigerator Door, Clean Out Your Car Console, and Clean Out Your Sock […]