Decluttering? Don't Get Rid Of These 7 Things

PLUS: How to clear a clog without drain cleaner, schemes involving honors and awards, and more. PLUS: How to clear a clog without drain cleaner, schemes involving honors and awards, and more. August 29, 2022 [View Online]( Good morning! In the same way speaking out of frustration can cause you to say something you later regret, getting rid of things out of irritation can also end in regret. In Today’s Good Thing, I'll tell you about 7 items to keep when you declutter to avoid feeling the sting of regret. And in a new Monday Motivation, I’m sharing a few thoughts about change and the future. Find out why I decided to try to embrace change (despite my natural aversion to it), and how you can benefit from embracing change too. Jillee TODAY'S GOOD THING Decluttering? Don't Get Rid Of These 7 Things [Photos of handbags, paint cans, and shaker containers.]( Decluttering is great, but there are some things you might regret getting rid of. Have you ever been so frustrated by a drawer so full of “stuff” that you ended up shoving most of it in a donation bag? I definitely have, and on more than one occasion. Getting rid of clutter can improve the functionality of your home and keep your sanity intact, but I’ve learned that it's easy to overdo it when you're acting out of frustration. Getting rid of extraneous stuff shouldn't leave you with a case of “declutter-er’s remorse.” In order to help us all avoid that fate, today I’m sharing a list of 7 things you shouldn’t throw away. Whether they’re timelessly stylish or small enough that getting rid of them won’t actually save you space, there are good reasons to hang onto these items. Follow the link below to find out what you should keep and why, especially if you’ve been meaning to get around to decluttering your closet or chest of drawers! [Decluttering? Don't Get Rid Of These 7 Things ➜]( Related • [The One Kitchen Scrap I Will Never Throw Away]( • [6 Things In Your Closet You Should Never Throw Away]( ⚡️QUICK TIPS⚡️ • Here’s a hot (glue) tip—you can keep a hung frame level by putting a couple of dots of hot glue on the back. [Read more ➜]( • You don’t need to go to culinary school to learn these 9 useful hacks that chefs use in restaurant kitchens. [Read more ➜]( • When you’re not using it to blow leaves, you can still put your leaf blower to good use by using it to dry your car. [Read more ➜]( 💵 MONEY MATTERS 💵 Consolidate Your Errands Instead of running one or two errands per day throughout the week, consolidate them into one or two longer outings. You’ll spend less on gas at the very least, and you might save even more money if you normally treat yourself to a drink or snack when you're out running errands. CLEANING A Fizzy Fix For Clogged Drains [Photos of a drain being cleaned with baking soda and vinegar.]( Before running out to buy a bottle of drain cleaner, try this simple clog-clearing tip. Whether it’s a slow-running sink drain or stopped up shower, it’s impossible to know how bad a clog really is without professional equipment. But rather than assuming it's severe enough to warrant a bottle of drain cleaner, why not try a frugal fix that can clear lighter clogs? It may end up saving you money and a trip to the store. This fizzy fix takes advantage of the famous chemical reaction that takes place when baking soda meets vinegar. The bubbling action can help loosen the grime holding the clog in place, making it easier to force down the drain with hot water afterward. To do it, sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, then pour in 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain, leave it for a few minutes, then pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. If it isn't too severe, that may be all it takes to whisk the clog down the drain! STAY SAFE OUT THERE Fraudulent Honors And Phony Awards [A stock photo of a trophy.]( If you’re a professional or business owner, unexpected honors may not always be a good thing. As flattering and professionally beneficial as it can be to receive honors or awards when you're a professional or business owner, it’s important to know there are scammers who use them as a tactic to swindle unsuspecting people. Here's a look at the 3 main variations of these schemes: 1. Biographical Directories. Usually starts with an offer to include you or your business in a prestigious directory, such as Marquis Who’s Who. The scammer may either pretend to represent a real directory, or they may have invented one of their own. 2. Yellow Pages. Scammers call businesses under the guise of verifying their contact information for an upcoming edition of a directory. After calling, they send a bill for the listing and threaten the business with legal trouble or bad publicity if they don’t pay. 3. Vanity Awards. Scammers contact professionals or businesses to congratulate them on winning a prize, such as a local "best of" award, before trying to sell them a commemorative plaque or keepsake as proof of the "award." If you're contacted out of the blue about an honor or award, ask plenty of questions (how they got your information, who the organization is, etc.) Not only should you not have to pay to be honored or receive an award, but it’s a lot safer not to! MONDAY MOTIVATION There Are Better Things Ahead “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” - C.S. Lewis During my first couple of weeks at the residential treatment program I entered for alcohol addiction in late 2007, it was hard to imagine there could be anything good ahead for me. Hitting rock bottom will do that to you, and I had definitely hit mine. When I finished treatment a few months later, I was overwhelmed by the changes I was facing in the short-term. I had grown accustomed to the responsibilities that made up my daily routine in rehab, and in no way did I feel ready to start back at square one at home. With the benefit of hindsight, I now see that my future did hold brighter days, even back then when everything seemed so bleak. Change is always uncomfortable, even when you know it's for the best. I wanted to overcome my addiction, but that didn't make opting into rehab or even leaving it any easier. When the path ahead is unfamiliar, or when we lose faith in a brighter future, even good changes can be terrifying. But life is change, and it's only by letting go—of familiarity, routines, old habits and even older wounds—that we can make room for a better future. I try now to live with a willingness to change, because I always want to have space for the better things ahead. A FEW MORE THINGS... Holiday Heads-Up: If you're stateside, Labor Day is coming up fast! It's just one week from today, so if you have anything planned for the long weekend, don't wait too long to finish up your preparations, shopping, etc.! Words Of Wisdom: "A sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full description of a happy state in this world: he that has these two, has little more to wish for; and he that wants either of them, will be little the better for anything else." - [John Locke](, English philosopher and Enlightenment thinker, born August 29, 1632. 🤔 Wordle: [Solve today's 5-letter word](. What did you think of today's email? [Not good]( | [Just okay]( | [Loved it!]( 🏠[Visit the By Jillee Shop]( 🤗 [Join OGT Free]( Let's connect! [facebook]( [instagram]( [pinterest]( [youtube]( If you have thoughts, comments, questions or a tip or trick you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you! My inbox is always open, so just hit "reply" and let me know what's on your mind. See you tomorrow! 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