Best to keep receipts isn't it?

Just in case.

For last month's groceries.

AND the takeaway the other week.

AND expired coupons.

AND old bus tickets.

You can just NEVER have enough can you?

And yes I'm being silly.

But the thing is.

Our default behaviour has become to keep everything.

"Just in case."

So we all end up with a mountain of little bits of paper.

We do NOT want to go through.

To find the few bits we do need.

One of the most powerful things we can do to get on top of our clutter.

IS to change that habit.

And make letting go our default. Keeping our exception. 

So today we're going to kick start that.

By letting go of tickets and receipts and the like we have no reason to keep.

If you're following along with my quick daily declutter, read on. BUT if you're new do hop back and read how just 10 things can help you declutter easily.

Just 10 Things  - Tickets & Receipts

Now.

It would be wonderful wouldn't it?

If ALL these tickets and receipts.

Were in the same place.

BUT they're NOT are they.

They're everywhere.

So we won't follow the usual just 10 things process.

Instead we'll do one of the following.

Either a mini power purge.

Where we set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes.

And whizz around to all the places we typically dump these in mini piles ...

1. Receipts
2. Coupons
3. Parking tickets
4. Train tickets
5. Bus tickets
6. Theatre tickets
7. Plane tickets
8. Raffle tickets
9. Old warranties
10. Parcel collect forms

Or IF you haven't got the energy for that.

And they really are scattered everywhere.

Then make them your focus for today.

And look out for them - and just them - as you get on with your day.

Get them our of your bag and wallet.

Empty them from your coat pockets

Spot them on the kitchen counter.

And the bedside table.

And the book shelf.

Pull them out from your junk drawer.

Rip them up.

Shove them in recycling.

AND make this your default from today.

It's as simple as that for most of us.

But if you're sitting there reading this.

Thinking expenses ...

Read on.

 

A Little Nudge

Blah!!!

It's the dullest thing isn't it?

Going through all those little receipts for expense forms.

BUT for some of us all those little items seriously add up.

So doing it is a must.

And the secret trick is simplicity.

Forget fancy filing systems.

And grand intentions.

Most of us NEVER stick to them.

And still scatter receipts everywhere.

Just get one big plastic tub.

And a pile of A4 envelopes.

At the beginning of each month start a new envelope.

And every day shove that day's receipts in that month's envelopes.

Make it a habit.

Do it religiously.

Stick to it.

BECAUSE then the problem is contained.

Yes you still have to go through them.

At some point. And yes it's still dull.

BUT because they are all in one place.

Rather than scattered everywhere.

They become one specific thing to do.

And NOT part of our general anxiety.

In which all our worries run into one another.

Physically in our homes. AND in our minds.

And it's this general anxiety which is causing so many of us so much pain.

So go get yourself a tub and some envelopes.

And start this habit today.