Clutter Free Academy

In this Best of Series episode, Kathi and her best friend, Roger Lipp, are taking the clutter free journey back to the basics. Do you need specific criteria to guide your decision making for what to keep and what to get rid of? Kathi and Roger are here to remind us of the three clarifying questions we should be asking ourselves as we declutter. Join in the conversation to learn the art of how to keep the best and get rid of the rest by knowing and practicing these three questions as you declutter: Do I love it? Do I use it? Would I buy it again? Listen in as Kathi and Roger explain how asking yourself these three questions can get you past the mental block of clearing out your clutter. Links Mentioned: Guest Host: Roger Lipp Pre-order Kathi's book The Accidental Homesteader here! The Clutter-Free Home Clutter Free Academy Learn more about Clutter Free for Life 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

Do you ever look around your home wondering why it feels more cluttered, despite your decluttering efforts? In this "Best Of" episode, Kathi and her decluttering partner Roger are uncovering this mystery by clueing us into five reasons our homes may be more cluttered: You don’t know what you have, so you keep buying more. You have backups for your backups. (We’re looking at you, broken can-opener in the garage!)  You are storing things for other people, with no limit or deadline. You are holding onto things for “some day.” (Is that item something you would buy again today?) You are keeping tools that were useful in a past season of life. Your life has changed and moved on, so now those items have become clutter.  Clutter is a battle that has to be fought on every side. Together let’s learn how to break these habits that leave us with more clutter and less peace. Want some encouragement on the journey? Join us on Facebook in Kathi Lipp's Clutter Free Academy. Sign up here for the Clutter Free Academy newslet

In this Best of episode, Kathi Lipp is talking with Clutter Free community leader, friend, and screenwriter, Grace Church, about how decluttering and creativity can actually help one another. Have you ever struggled to balance decluttering time and creative time? You are not alone. In this episode, Kathi and Grace share how they have found that balance by: Shifting their mentality Doing a little bit every day Establishing routines If you’ve ever found your creativity blocked by the clutter around you, you won’t want to miss this episode. Meet Our Guest: Grace Church You can connect with Grace on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube at “Rise and Write with Grace & James” — or catch her movie “DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH” on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Tubi! Links Mentioned: Pre-order Kathi's book The Accidental Homesteader here! The Clutter-Free Home Learn more about Clutter Free for Life. Grace Church Diamond in the Rough Clutter Free 21 Day Declutter Challenge Let's stay connected To share your thoughts: Leave an

On this very special podcast Kathi Lipp is joined by Clutter Free queen Tonya Kubo to get all of us excited about the month-long celebration we call No Buy July! Some may think that No Buy July sounds crazy, after all - it is fun to spend money. But this challenge is meant to be a kind of retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Let's put all our creative energy into doing something that is going to help our houses and our budgets breathe a little easier! Listen in for all the details, and answers to questions like these: What are the "rules" for No Buy July? (Hint - You don't have to be a minimalist to participate.) How can I convince my family to join in this challenge? What happens if there is an emergency, or if I have a special event coming up? What can we do for fun in July without spending money? What will I wear? What will we eat? How does this whole thing work? If you are as excited as we are about No Buy July, then be sure to join us! All you have to do is be part of Kathi Lipp's free

Did you know the “urge to splurge” is a brain chemistry response and can last from 7 - 12 MINUTES? No wonder it can be a difficult mindset to break! In this Part 2 episode, Kathi and spending coach Paige Pritchard talk about brain chemistry and the way it affects our behavior. Today they finish discussing Paige’s five tools to managing your impulsive shopping. The conversation is fascinating. Here are just a few of the many highlights: How to use an Urge Jar to change your behavior (and maybe save enough for a trip to Disneyland). Making a list of what you want to buy is actually a healthy choice. There is a big difference between an intentional buy and an impulse buy. Haven’t listened to #569 Urge to Splurge? How to Manage Your Impulsive Shopping - Part 1? Click here. As promised in the episode, here’s a link to Paige Pritchard’s Free Masterclass Why You Impulse Shop & How To Stop. Join Kathi and friends for No Buy July! Click here to join her free Facebook community Clutter Free Academy, and get read

Have you ever struggled with impulsive spending or another “urge to splurge” mind set? You are not alone, friend. Kathi and spending coach Paige Pritchard are digging into the root cause of our impulsive shopping and how to change those behaviors. Today they discuss the first of Paige’s five tips to managing your impulsive shopping, plus answer questions like: Why are you shopping? What is a de-influencer? What is an Urge Jar? As promised in the episode, here’s a link to Paige Pritchard’s Free Masterclass Why You Impulse Shop & How To Stop. Join Kathi and friends for No Buy July! Click here to join her free Facebook community Clutter Free Academy, and get ready to participate in this No Buy challenge that can change your home and your life. Sign up here for the Clutter Free Academy newsletter and be notified when future episodes are released. Links Mentioned: Paige's Free Masterclass Why You Impulse Shop & How To Stop What to work with Paige directly? Overcoming Overspending Group Program Guest Hos

How do you start a conversation with someone who says that absolutely everything is valuable and should be cherished? Especially when that means that you, not they, should be the person to make space for it?  Kathi and her friend Cheri Gregory are returning today for the second part of their discussion on how to respond responsibly to another person who has a “waste not, want not” mentality. Here are their tips for how to keep the peace without keeping all the stuff: For people living in your household, give each person their own space and they can keep what they want in that space. Have agreed upon standards for cleanliness, maintenance tasks, and decorating budgets. If someone says, “I can fix that,” set a time and have a plan for getting that item fixed. Consider whether or not fixing a particular item is enjoyable and worth the time. Realize that you may not agree or change the other person’s mind, and you can still keep boundaries around your own space and belongings. Did you miss the first part of thi

Sometimes we hear sayings like “waste not, want not” and we assume they are true all the time and in every circumstance. Or we may want to get rid of something, but someone else in our life expects us to keep it. What to do then? Today Kathi is discussing this very issue with her friend and co-author, Cheri Gregory. Cheri tells the tale of some big items she has recently decluttered and shares how her mindset about those items has changed over time. Some of those shifts in her thinking include: Realizing that just because an item was nice several decades ago, doesn’t mean it is still nice. Learning to set a time limit on fixing things - just because something could be fixed someday by someone doesn’t mean I have to keep it (broken) forever. There is a cost to keeping things - time dealing with them, lost space to enjoy other things, and missed opportunities. Listen next week to hear Part 2 of the discussion, in which Cheri gives advice for how to start a conversation with someone else who is opposed to our

Have you ever dreamed of creating a space just for YOU? This is your episode! Today Kathi Lipp is joined by fellow book lover Amy Betters-Midtvedt. On the daily, Amy uses humor to share her expertise in all things home and parenting but today, they talk about decluttering to create a sacred space. For Amy, it’s for her beloved books. Listen in as Kathi and Amy discuss: Managing the push and pull of deciding what stays and what goes The benefit of having a reward at the end of your project Knowing when to call a trusted professional Have you listened to Part 1 of this series with Amy Betters-Midtvedt? Click here to listen to episode 565 How to Reclaim a Space In Your Home - Part 1. Also, if you haven't listened to  Kathi and Amy laugh through episode 547 Why I Don't Eat Green Bananas Anymore, put that one in your queue! Links Mentioned: Amy Betters-Midtvedt website Amy Betters-Midtvedt on Instagram Amy Betters-Midtvedt on Facebook 5-Shelf Narrow Bookcase Modern Velvet Single Sofa Chair Faux Fur Ottoman Sto

Have you ever longed for a space to call your own? Welcome to your tribe! Today Kathi Lipp is joined by fellow book lover and Abundant Home Conference speaker Amy Betters-Midtvedt. Amy is an expert in all things home and parenting stirred with a super sized spoon of humor but today they talk about Amy’s decluttering path to carve out a space for something she loves: books. Listen in as Kathi and Amy discuss: Creating small goals to decluttering bins of treasures from the past Knowing when to ask for help Giving yourself permission to change your plan Also, if you haven't listened to Kathi and Amy laugh through episode 547 Why I Don't Eat Green Bananas Anymore, put that one in your queue! Guest Host:  Amy Betters-Midtvedt Links Mentioned: Amy Betters-Midtvedt Website Amy Betters-Midtvedt on Instagram Amy Betters-Midtvedt on Facebook Sponsor Highlight: Sponsor Highlight: Get affordable, private therapy with BetterHelp anytime, anywhere. Special offer for our Clutter Free community – get 10% off your first mo

Want to go from full house to living light? Today, we have a case study that will help you get there. Kathi is interviewing author Barb Raveling, who has a history of over-stuffing her closets and hiding things under the bed. The result? Feeling overwhelmed and stressed by clutter. (Can you relate?) She tried to get organized, made piles and sorted donations, and - nothing changed. “What if I need this in the future?” she cried. In the meantime, her present self was distracted by all the stuff. (Perhaps you have felt this way too?) About a year ago, Barb and her husband made a huge change. They started traveling every 13 weeks to live in a new place for work, and all they could bring was what fit in the car. Along the way, Barb discovered the freedom of leaving her things behind, and she wants to share what she has learned with you. Here are Barb’s top tips for downsizing and living with less: Bring as little as possible - after a short stay at home Barb packed even less for the next adventure. What you do b

Do you feel life circumstances change so quickly that it’s a struggle to keep your spaces clutter free? Kathi and her husband, declutter buddy, and cohost Roger Lipp are with us today sharing the last three tips in their Top 10 Ways of Getting Clutter Free podcast series. If you haven’t listened to Parts 1 (listen here) and 2 (listen here) of this series, put those in your queue! In today’s Part 3 they discuss: How to curate your items ("Curate" is Kathi’s new favorite word! ) Organizing activity supplies into separate tubs Using a spreadsheet to keep an inventory Links Mentioned: The Clutter-Free Home Learn more about Clutter Free for Life. Good Cook Can Opener, Safe Cut Manual Can Opener Stackable Plastic Storage Containers with Durable Latching Clear Lids Bamboo Cheese Board and Knife Sets Sponsor Highlight: Sponsor Highlight: Get affordable, private therapy with BetterHelp anytime, anywhere. Special offer for our Clutter Free community – get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/clutterfree (code

Last week Kathi and Roger Lipp shared the first three of their tips for how to declutter a lot - FAST! To recap: Participate in the 30-day 1k to get rid of 1,000 things in 30 days - join right now for free at Kathi Lipp’s Clutter Free Academy on Facebook! Have your garbage bags and boxes ready for trash, recycling, and donations. Find a declutter buddy. Today, after Moose stops licking the microphone, the decluttering duo will cover the next three tips on their list: Set a number goal. Let the date do the deciding. Use the "outfit trick." Come back next week to hear even more ideas for getting rid of your clutter fast! If you need to catch up on Part 1, you can do that here. And be sure to sign up for the Clutter Free Academy newsletter to be notified when Part 3 is available.  Links Mentioned: Little Free Library Large Black Trash Bags Tall White Trash Bags Airbnb Costco First Aid kit Sponsor Highlight: Sponsor Highlight: Get affordable, private therapy with BetterHelp anytime, anywhere. Special offer fo

Do you feel like there are not enough hours in your day to tackle a decluttering project? You are not alone, friend. Kathi and her snow bound cohost Roger Lipp are with us today discussing not only decluttering but decluttering when you are short on time. Listen in as they discuss the crazy amount of snow at the Red House as well the first two tips of their top ten ways they have found to get rid of clutter. Ideas such as:: Using different colored trash bags What size boxes to use The importance of a declutter buddy Bonus: As mentioned in the podcast break, here's a link for Michele Cushatt's newest book  A Faith That Will Not Fail. Double Bonus: As mentioned in the podcast, a picture of how much snow was surrounding the Red House at the time of the interview! 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! Links Mentioned: The Clutter-Free Home Learn more

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

Can there be guilt-free home organization? Oh sweet sister, there is! Kathi Lipp and her three-time coauthor Cheri Gregory are with us today discussing the lessons each learned during their recent home renovations. Cheri has three simple strategies for us regarding clutter, home organization and renovations. In Part 2 of Lessons Learned from Living Through a Renovation Part 2, Kathi and Cheri do a deep dive into strategies 2 & 3, as well as giving us gems of advice such as: There is satisfaction in waiting for the right item for a space Give yourself permission to “waste” some money Find places where returning items is easy 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! Links Mentioned: Guest Host: Cheri Gregory The Clutter-Free Home Learn more about Clutter Free for Life. An Abundant Place By Kathi Lipp & Cheri Gregory Sensitive and Strong By Denise J. Hughe

Have you ever second guessed a decision you’ve made, even after doing thoughtful and thorough research? Have you vacillated between decisions and then ended up doing... nothing? You are not alone, friend. It’s called thrashing and Kathi and her three-time coauthor Cheri Gregory are with us today discussing the concept of thrashing as well as some lessons each learned during their recent home renovations. Cheri has three lessons for us regarding clutter and renovations, the first of which she shares in this episode. Listen in to Part 1 of this two part episode to find out: Cheri’s #1 sanity saver during the renovation How a renovation can reveal clutter habits you didn’t know you had The importance of “putting a pin” in your decisions Remember, you can do anything for a short period of time. If you know you’ll be moving soon (or even if you aren’t), start with one area or one room and work from there a little bit each day. You can do it! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to be notified when the next episode

Today Kathi is talking with her real estate agent, Kelli Simmerok, about tips and tricks to help us stay clutter free whether or not we are selling a house. Listen in and learn: The importance of removing personal items and some furniture before selling. How to pack away some of your stuff and create space for the potential buyer. Ways to make a great first impression, including front porch flowers and the smell of fresh baking. Ideas for saving time in daily routines to allow more time to keep the house ready to show. Remember, you can do anything for a short period of time. If you know you’ll be moving soon (or even if you aren’t), start with one area or one room and work from there a little bit each day. You can do it! 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! Links Mentioned: Guest Host: Kelli Simmerok Kelli Simmerok's E-mail Household Moving Kit Sponsor Hig

Have you struggled with grief this past year? Your life has fallen apart due to one big crisis or perhaps a series of crises that feel like death from a million paper cuts. Sweet friend, you are not alone. Join Kathi and her trusted friend and fellow trauma navigator Michele Cushatt as they discuss Michele’s newest book “A Faith That Will Not Fail: Ten Practices To Build Up Your Faith When Your World Is Falling Apart.” The practices in Michele’s newest book are not homework for you to complete. Not even close! They are less about doing and more about being. Kathi and Michele discuss these practices as they share very personal stories of grief and trauma. Listen in as they give a sneak peak into some of the practices that can be found in Michele Cushatt’s latest book, such as: When we’re overwhelmed, we need to make things smaller, not bigger. One of the best things we can do is get grounded in THIS moment. How these practices and more help us lead a clutter free life. Links Mentioned: Guest Host: Michele Cu

This week Kathi returns with Crystal Paine, author of The Time Saving Mom, for part 2 of their discussion on how to juggle a lot, enjoy your life, and accomplish what matters. Last week Crystal shared the six priorities that keep her from feeling distracted by a million little things. This week Kathi digs in and asks how Crystal makes that work in her day-to-day life. Crystal and Kathi share about these methods to manage time: Using a hybrid of digital and paper planning systems Time blocking and space blocking Leaving some hours each day unplanned Crystal lived through an extremely busy season while writing this book, so she claims to be living proof that this system works even when life is turned upside down! Saving time is about focusing on your priorities - it is not about cutting everything out, but living your life intentionally and living a life that matters. 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