True confession time. All my life long, I’ve struggled with a messy desk. If you’ve read Your Money, Your Marriage, you know my epic battle to secure the Neat as a Pin award began in first grade. It was a goal just out of reach for me.
As a busy mom and a blogger, my desk is the hub of my life. I balance the checkbook at my desk. I edit books at my desk. And I do live interviews in my pajama pants while sitting at my desk (job perk).
Because it’s a seat of constant use, the papers just seem to pile there. But today, with your help I’m taking on my messy desk. Will you give me the Neat as a Pin award? Because no other accolade will do. I’m hoping that you’ll also endeavor to clear your desk, too. And I’ll give you the Neat as a Pin award right back.
Just as a reminder, each of the Financial Decluttering assignments should only take 10-15 minutes and you’ve only missed assignments to Clean Out Your Wallet, Clean Out Your Refrigerator Door, Clean Out Your Car Console, Clean Out Your Sock Drawer, Organize Your Coupons, Clean Out Kids’ Backpacks, Clean Out Your Purse or Bag, and Clean Out ONE Pantry Shelf.
Just a reminder, don’t forget to join the Financial Decluttering Facebook Group of over 1100 people for ideas and encouragement. You’ll love the photos of the clean wallets, clean refrigerator doors, car consoles, coupon binders, backpacks, purses, and more!
Now, on to the challenge!
Day 9: Clean Off Your Desk
Like I said, I’ve struggled my whole life long to keep my desk straight. A few things have helped in recent history though. My friend Tricia encouraged me to stick with my system of keeping piles. My husband bought me a Wonder Woman Easter Basket that I use to place bills so I always know where they’re at. And we purchased a desk that doesn’t have drawers because I found that if I had drawers, I filled them up without problems.
Why It Matters:
Many of us use our desks for the lion’s share of home finance. We balance the checkbook, pay bills, and track our spending. Scheduling appointments, working from home, writing thank you notes – you name it, it happens at my desk. Because it’s such a busy area, it’s easy for things to pile up quickly and without a plan of moving them along.
Our desks should be a place where we can get things done. But when piled high with clutter and papers, they become the one place we avoid regularly. Productivity drops and the things we need to do go undone.
How to Do It:
- Start small – focus on one corner of the desk. It’s OK if you get it done and then do something else. Return to the rest of the desk in small doses.
- Set up systems to help you manage future items as you declutter. Take note of which items you can cluster together. Then start a basket, box, or folder for those items.
- If necessary, purchase or make desk organization systems.
- Focus on the items you truly NEED on your desk. File away the things that don’t get touched daily or at least weekly.
- Try to keep what’s on the desk as minimal as possible. The clearer it is, the better you’ll feel.
- 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:
I feel a little inadequate to add tips here because this one area of my home where I really struggle on a regular basis. So I’d LOVE to hear your ideas for ways that you’ve been able to manage clutter on your desk. What can I do to really win that Neat as a Pin award?!
A Few More Thoughts:
As always, if you already have a clean desk, awesome. Find another small manageable job to tackle instead. Maybe it’s where you store your shoes or accessories like hats and gloves. Small, manageable difference makers every single day – that’s our focus this month.
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 desk victories and tips in the comments! I want to see what sorts of systems you use to organize.
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
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
[…] Coupons, Clean Out Kids’ Backpacks, Clean Out Your Purse or Bag, Clean Out ONE Pantry Shelf, Clean Off Your Desk. Then check out Clean Up Your Phone’s Apps, Clean Out Your Inbox, and Clean Out the Junk […]