Clutter Free Academy

Latest Episodes:

572 - Best of Series-Clutter and Creativity – How Decluttering Helps the Creative Process Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

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

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571 - How to Succeed with No Buy July Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

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 Facebook group, Clutter Free Academy. Go here to join, and be sure to answer the questions, then one of our friendly group admins will be sure to get you in.

Throughout the month of July there will be posts in the group with ideas and encouragement, and you can also ask your questions and cheer on one another in the kindest corner of the internet. If you are not on Facebook, email support@kathilipp.org and we will send you the activity guide to give you lots of ideas for making No Buy July a fun experience for you and your family.

P.S. Looking for Tonya Kubo's bread pudding recipe? You can find it here!

Links Mentioned:

Clutter Free Academy

Clutter Free for Life

Tonya's Bread Pudding Recipe

Stove Top Stuffing

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570 - Urge to Splurge? How to Manage Your Impulsive Shopping - Part 2 Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

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 ready to participate in this No Buy challenge that can change your home and your life.

Links Mentioned:

Paige's Free Masterclass Why You Impulse Shop & How To Stop

What to work with Paige directly? Overcoming Overspending Group Program

Guest Host: Paige Pritchard

Organizational Website Notion

Kathi's Favorites:

The Clutter-Free Home

Learn more about Clutter Free for Life.

Clutter Free for Life Facebook Group

Sundance Catalog - Women's Clothing

Giveaway: Paige Pritchard has a FREE Masterclass for you! It's an hour long pre recorded class you can watch at your convenience. Once you sign up, you only have access for a limited time so carve out that hour and start on a path to curbing your urge to splurge.

Here's the link: Why You Impulse Shop & How To Stop with Paige Pritchard

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Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.

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569 - Urge to Splurge? How to Manage Your Impulsive Shopping - Part 1 Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

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.

Paige's Free Masterclass Why You Impulse Shop & How To Stop

What to work with Paige directly? Overcoming Overspending Group Program

Guest Host: Paige Pritchard

Kathi's Favorites:

The Clutter-Free Home

Learn more about Clutter Free for Life.

Clutter Free for Life Facebook Group

Here's the link: Why You Impulse Shop & How To Stop with Paige Pritchard

Let's stay connected

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.
Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.

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568 - Responding Responsibly to a “Waste Not, Want Not” Mentality - Part 2 Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

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 this conversation? If so, you can listen to that here.

Links Mentioned:

Cheri Gregory

Books co-authored by Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory:

An Abundant Place

Overwhelmed

You Don’t Have to Try So Hard

Kathi's Favorites:

Subscribe to get your free Clutter Free Kit (handout + video interview with Kathi) and many other goodies.

The Clutter-Free Home

Learn more about Clutter Free for Life.

Kathi Lipp's Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group

Kathi's author page on Amazon

*As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Are you a tinkerer who enjoys repairing and restoring items? What is the last item you updated? Tell us in the comments!

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Leave a note in the comment section below.
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567 - Responding Responsibly to a “Waste Not, Want Not” Mentality - Part 1 May 30, 2023

Show notes

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 decluttering efforts. Sign up here for the Clutter Free Academy newsletter to be notified when Part 2 is available. Guest Host: Cheri Gregory

Links Mentioned:

Cheri Gregory

Books co-authored by Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory:

An Abundant Place

Overwhelmed

You Don’t Have to Try So Hard

Kathi's Favorites:Kathi's New Book: Highly practical, humorous, and inspirational, The Accidental Homesteader will encourage you to live with more peace, joy, and contentment. Order your copy of The Accidental Homesteader here.

The Clutter-Free Home

Learn more about Clutter Free for Life.

Kathi Lipp's Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group

Kathi's author page on Amazon

*As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Let's stay connected

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.
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Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.

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566 - How to Reclaim a Space In Your Home - Part 2 May 23, 2023

Show notes

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 Stool

Kathi's Favorites:

The Clutter-Free Home

Learn more about Clutter Free for Life.

Kathi Lipp's Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group

30 Qt/7.5 Gal, Pack of 6 Stackable Plastic Storage Containers

In this episode, Kathi and Amy discuss creating a space does not have to be creating a whole room.

It could be a shelf or a wall.

Question:

Look around your home. Is there a nook that could be repurposed?

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565 - How to Reclaim a Space In Your Home - Part 1 May 16, 2023

Show notes

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

Kathi's Favorites:

The Clutter-Free Home

Learn more about Clutter Free for Life.

Kathi Lipp's Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group

30 Qt/7.5 Gal, Pack of 6 Stackable Plastic Storage Containers

Let's stay connected

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.
Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.

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564 - How to Go from Full House to Living Light May 09, 2023

Show notes

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 bring, be sure to keep it neatly contained.
Think carefully before putting things in storage - is it really worth it?

Letting go of things means letting go of stress. Would you like to join others on a decluttering journey and move toward more peace in your heart and home? Join us for free in Kathi Lipp’s Clutter Free Academy on Facebook (a.k.a. the kindest corner of the internet) and get the encouragement and helpful hints you need along the way. Can't wait to see you there!

Bonus: Be sure to subscribe to the podcast here 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: Barb Raveling

Say Goodbye to Emotional Eating

eBags Packing Cubes

Collapsible Storage Containers

Moving Bags

Kathi's Favorites:

The Clutter-Free Home

Learn more about Clutter Free for Life.

Let's stay connected

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.
Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.

Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our newsletter now.

563 - How to Declutter A Lot - FAST - Part 3 May 02, 2023

Show notes

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: