If you want to prevent clutter, you have to be preemptive. Before you add an item to your home, office, yard, workspace, etc., ask yourself three questions.

1. Are you going to use it? The gadget looks like the latest in efficiency tools. You buy it, you get it home, you use it once and it’s now part of the clutter in the catch-all drawer.
2. Are you going to use it now or soon? I once bought a stationary bicycle. My reasoning was, if I had the bicycle, I would instantly start exercising every day. Instead it became a new clothes hanger.
3. Where are you going to store it? Whether the item is decorative or functional. if you have no place to put it, it’s going to end up as clutter.

Next time you’re ready to buy, ask yourself these three questions. Not only will you reduce clutter, but you find you’re saving some money as well.