10 Things to Toss in the New Year

If one of your resolutions for the new year is to get organize or declutter your life — and your home — then this post is for you. There’s nothing like dejunking to make you feel better about your storage space. With that in mind, here are 10 things you should toss now:

1. Product Boxes

Are you holding onto the box from your TV, phone, or vacuum cleaner “just in case”? If the return period is past and gone, you can get rid of that box now. Really. And if you moved recently, there are plenty of people that would love to have your boxes.

2. Store Hangers

Cleaning out your closet? It’s time to unload all those hangers that came from the store. You might even be able to use them for some other functional purpose.

3. Old Paint

Got some old paint cans in the garage? They’re nice to have for touch ups — if you still like the color and it’s not all dried up. Check them, then chuck them if you see fit.

4. Extra Mugs & Cups

We just went through this ourselves. When will you ever have 22 people over for hot cocoa? Haven’t your kids outgrown the plastic IKEA cups?

5. Books You Don’t Read

If you won’t read it or won’t read it again, unload it. Give it to a friend. Send it to a thrift store. Just think of how much space you’ll save on those shelves.

6. Socks Without Mates

It’s not coming back. It won’t turn up. And what good is a sock without a mate, except letting your kids make puppets? End the attachment to unmatched socks. Just end it.

7. Expired Medicines

Whether over-the-counter or prescription, you’re safer to get rid of these. Just make sure you follow the right process for doing it safely.

8. Freezer Burned Food

Been in there for a while? Don’t remember what it is? Have no desire to eat it? Get rid of it and see how much freezer space you really do have.

9. Ticket Stubs & Playbills

How long were you planning to hang onto those, anyway? You can’t get back in with them at this point, so keep your memories in your head and get rid of the clutter. If you must, make them into a scrapbook.

10. Jars

Mason jars, pickle jars, mayonnaise jars, baby food jars. It seems like a shame throw them out when they could prove useful someday, right? Sure, so don’t throw them away. Recycle them instead. Just get them out of hour house where they’re undoubtedly taking up valuable cupboard space.