How Does Your Home Environment Affect Your Personal Finances?

 Awhile back I received a message from a Twitter follower who replied to the post, “Is your home environment warm, comforting and expressive of who you are?”

The reader commented that he appreciated the sentiment, but asked how it relates to money management.  It’s a great question!  How does your home environment affect your personal finances?

One answer is that when your home environment is warm and inviting, you are less likely to feel the urge to escape by going out.  For many, going out means shopping, dining and other forms of pay-for-entertainment which ultimately are just distractions from the problem that you are not comfortable in your own home.

Too often, the reason people want to escape their home is to escape the clutter.  They are overwhelmed by the piles and just want to get away.  Clutter is a manifestation of improperly spent money.  If the items purchased were truly wanted or needed, they would have a purpose and not be relegated to piles in the corner.

If you find that you just can’t relax in your own home, it’s time to seek help.  The Internet offers hundreds of resources including one if my go-tos, www.Flylady.net.  There are also plenty of books to help guide you through the process of cleaning.  For decluttering, Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up continues to be my favorite.  In our own book, Living the Savvy Life, we dedicated an entire chapter to turning your home into your own personal sanctuary.

If you feel your situation is beyond your own capabilities, it is worth it to seek help.  You can find a professional organizer in your area by visiting The National Association of Professional Organizers

Keep in mind that savvy living is about so much more than just saving money.  It’s about quality of life.