Clutter Free Academy

Hey there, friends! Have you ever struggled with an overwhelming burden of household clutter? 

There is hope! 

In this episode of the Clutter Free Academy podcast, hosts Kathi Lipp and Tonya Kubo dive deep into the challenges of managing household clutter and offer practical solutions to help listeners reclaim their spaces and find peace. They discuss the emotional toll that clutter can take. They share personal stories of their own clutter battles, including Tonya's experience of renting dumpsters multiple times per year to clear out excess items. 

Listeners will discover: 

• Research that shows cluttered homes can contribute to chronic stress and depression in mothers. 

• The importance of "pre-deciding" 

• How to create clutter-busting routines 

• The difference between their free Clutter Free Academy community and the more intensive Clutter Free for Life membership 

By the end of the episode, listeners will be inspired to take the first steps towards a clutter-free life, whether that means joining the Clutter Free for Life program or simply implementing 15-minute daily decluttering routines. 

A big shout out to CF4L member Natasha Berridge for the before and after pics used in the title graphics! 

Click here to be notified when the next podcast episode is released! 

Also, stay up to date and sign up here to receive our newsletter. 

Guest: Tonya Kubo

Join Clutter Free For Life

While Clutter Free for Life comes with a plan of action to keep you moving forward in your decluttering journey day after day, the true magic of this membership program is in the community. It's a program FOR cluttery people BY cluttery people.

It’s a family of cluttery people who want better for themselves and for you. We all understand the emotional weight of clutter and the physical barriers it causes. Clutter Free for Life members have a team of experts who know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed as their guides. Want to see whether the membership is right for you? Check out our info page Clutter Free For Life.

Let's stay connected:

To share your thoughts:

• Leave a note in the comment section below.
• 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.

Hey friends!

You know how we’re always looking for ways to make our homes work better for us without breaking the bank?

We have a treat for you!

In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp interviews Lauren, a TikTok sensation known for her creative approaches to saving money on groceries. With a quarter million followers, Lauren shares her journey of feeding a family of seven while maintaining a tight grocery budget, as well as personal stories from her grandmother’s Depression-era cooking wisdom. She discusses how she manages to create meals using pantry cleanout items and creative substitutions.

Listeners will discover:

Whether you’re dealing with a tight budget, wanting to waste less food, or just trying to be a better steward of what God’s given us, you’re going to love Lauren’s practical, down-to-earth approach.

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four weeks’ worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Click here to be notified when the next podcast episode is released!

Also, stay up to date and sign up here to receive our newsletter.

Kathi Lipp gives readers an easy-to-follow process for meal planning and prep, so that they can enjoy a full day each week of real rest and refreshment.

Could you use a break from cooking (and everything else) once a week? Not only is rest vital for your mind and body, it’s good for your soul too. God designed us to enter into Sabbath rest one day per week, but as you know, meals still need to be made. Your family still needs to be fed.

Sabbath Soup includes convenient, seasonal meal plans that take the guesswork out of shopping and cooking. More than just a collection of delicious recipes—including main dishes, breads, breakfasts, desserts, salads, sides, and yes, soups—this is your guide to establishing a weekly rhythm and routine of meal planning and prep that allows you to have a true day off.

Do something good for your soul and experience the peace that comes with a full day dedicated to spending time with God, family, and friends. Savor your Sabbath as you proudly proclaim, “Soup’s on!”

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest here.

USDA website Shelf Stable Food information

Ready for Anything by Kathi Lipp

Ibotta

Find Lauren on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@totesma_gotes

Join our Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group

Order Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four weeks’ worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

What are your top tips for someone who wants to start stretching their grocery budget?

Share in the comments!

To share your thoughts:

Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our newsletter now.

Lauren is a TikTok creator with over 250,000 followers. She started making TikTok videos, primarily sharing her home-cooked meals and budget-friendly recipes, as a hobby rather than a career. Her straightforward, relatable video style and willingness to show the “outtakes” have resonated with her large audience.

Find her on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@totesma_gotes

#644 Meet the TikTok Star Making Saving Money on Food Cool Again

Hey friends!

You know how we're always looking for ways to make our homes work better for us without breaking the bank?

We have a treat for you!

In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp interviews Lauren, a TikTok sensation known for her creative approaches to saving money on groceries. With a quarter million followers, Lauren shares her journey of feeding a family of seven while maintaining a tight grocery budget, as well as personal stories from her grandmother's Depression-era cooking wisdom. She discusses how she manages to create meals using pantry cleanout items and creative substitutions.

Listeners will discover:

• Lauren's seven strategies for reducing grocery costs
• The truth about expiration dates and food safety
• How to effectively use Buy Nothing groups
• Strategies for stretching ingredients
• How to work around food allergies while staying on budget

Whether you're dealing with a tight budget, wanting to waste less food, or just trying to be a better steward of what God's given us, you're going to love Lauren's practical, down-to-earth approach.

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four week’s worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Click here to be notified when the next podcast episode is released!

Also, stay up to date and sign up here to receive our newsletter.

Guest: Lauren on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@totesma_gotes

Links Mentioned: 

USDA website Shelf Stable Food information

Ready for Anything by Kathi Lipp

Ibotta

Join our Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group

Order Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four weeks’ worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Let's stay connected:

To share your thoughts:

• Leave a note in the comment section below.
• 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.

Have you ever looked around your home and felt that knot in your stomach, thinking, “I don’t want to leave this mess for my kids.”

In this poignant episode, Kathi Lipp welcomes literary agent and editor Kathleen Kerr to share her experience cleaning out her great aunt’s home. After her great aunt’s passing, Kathleen and her family faced the overwhelming task of sorting through decades of accumulated items in a historic Maine farmhouse where nothing had left since the 1930s. Kathleen discusses how her family approached this daunting project, working in teams to tackle different rooms while processing their grief and complex emotions.

Listeners will discover:

The episode offers practical advice for listeners who might face similar situations, while also providing a compassionate look at how hoarding affects both the individual and their loved ones.

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four week’s worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Click here to be notified when the next podcast episode is released!

Also, stay up to date and sign up here to receive our newsletter.

An “old-school” family bathroom where even the littlest family members had their own special spot. Just one of the many treasures Kathleen’s family discovered after going through her great aunt’s possessions.

Kathi Lipp gives readers an easy-to-follow process for meal planning and prep, so that they can enjoy a full day each week of real rest and refreshment.

Could you use a break from cooking (and everything else) once a week? Not only is rest vital for your mind and body, it’s good for your soul too. God designed us to enter into Sabbath rest one day per week, but as you know, meals still need to be made. Your family still needs to be fed.

Sabbath Soup includes convenient, seasonal meal plans that take the guesswork out of shopping and cooking. More than just a collection of delicious recipes—including main dishes, breads, breakfasts, desserts, salads, sides, and yes, soups—this is your guide to establishing a weekly rhythm and routine of meal planning and prep that allows you to have a true day off.

Do something good for your soul and experience the peace that comes with a full day dedicated to spending time with God, family, and friends. Savor your Sabbath as you proudly proclaim, “Soup’s on!”

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest here.

Join our Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group

Order Sabbath Soup here and sign up for your free ebook featuring four weeks’ worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Have you ever experienced the emotional weight of sorting through someone else’s lifetime of belongings?

Share in the comments!

To share your thoughts:

Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our newsletter now.

Kathleen Kerr is an agent with Alive Literary. Before joining Alive, Kathleen served as an acquisitions editor at Zondervan and Harvest House Publishers. She works with bestselling, debut, and award-winning authors, helping to refine their messages, build their careers, and partner in their ministries

Connect with Alive Literacy at www.aliveliterary.com.

#643 Before It’s Too Late: Why Now is the Time to Deal with Your Clutter

Have you ever looked around your home and felt that knot in your stomach, thinking, "I don't want to leave this mess for my kids."

In this poignant episode, Kathi Lipp welcomes literary agent and editor Kathleen Kerr to share her experience cleaning out her great aunt's home. After her great aunt's passing, Kathleen and her family faced the overwhelming task of sorting through decades of accumulated items in a historic Maine farmhouse where nothing had left since the 1930s. Kathleen discusses how her family approached this daunting project, working in teams to tackle different rooms while processing their grief and complex emotions.

Listeners will discover:

• How to navigate family dynamics when dealing with heirlooms
• The importance of asking for help before situations become unmanageable
• How this experience has changed Kathleen's own approach to keeping family mementos.

The episode offers practical advice for listeners who might face similar situations, while also providing a compassionate look at how hoarding affects both the individual and their loved ones.

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four week’s worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Click here to be notified when the next podcast episode is released!

Also, stay up to date and sign up here to receive our newsletter.

Guests: Kathleen Kerr

Links Mentioned:

https://member.organize365.com/shop

Join our Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group

Join our members-only Clutter Free for Life Facebook Group

Order Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four weeks’ worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Let's stay connected

To share your thoughts:

• Leave a note in the comment section below.
• 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.

Hey there, friend! 

In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, we sit down with Lisa Woodruff, founder of Organize 365 and creator of the PaperSolution Financial Binder. Join us as discuss the importance of organizing financial documents and how it can simplify estate planning and reduce stress for families. 

Listen along to learn: 

Lisa shares practical advice on how to begin organizing financial documents, including setting up a designated container for collecting important papers. She emphasizes the peace of mind that comes from having all crucial information in one place, especially during unexpected events like natural disasters or family emergencies. 

You’ll also will learn how to create a financial binder and keep things such as financial information easily accessible. Don’t miss this invaluable conversation that will empower you to take control of your financial organization and protect your family’s future. 

Organize Binder Purchase Link

Join the Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group to receive your 30-Day 1K Calendar to help track your progress. Remember to answer all three questions to join the group! It’s how we keep it the nicest corner of the internet.

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four week’s worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Click here to be notified when the next podcast episode is released!

Also, stay up to date and sign up here to receive our newsletter.

Kathi Lipp gives readers an easy-to-follow process for meal planning and prep, so that they can enjoy a full day each week of real rest and refreshment.

Could you use a break from cooking (and everything else) once a week? Not only is rest vital for your mind and body, it’s good for your soul too. God designed us to enter into Sabbath rest one day per week, but as you know, meals still need to be made. Your family still needs to be fed.

Sabbath Soup includes convenient, seasonal meal plans that take the guesswork out of shopping and cooking. More than just a collection of delicious recipes—including main dishes, breads, breakfasts, desserts, salads, sides, and yes, soups—this is your guide to establishing a weekly rhythm and routine of meal planning and prep that allows you to have a true day off.

Do something good for your soul and experience the peace that comes with a full day dedicated to spending time with God, family, and friends. Savor your Sabbath as you proudly proclaim, “Soup’s on!”

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest here.

Join our Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group

Join our members-only Clutter Free for Life

Order Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four weeks’ worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Can you share a personal story of how financial organization affected your own organizing journey?

Share in the comments!

To share your thoughts:

Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our newsletter now.

Lisa Woodruff is the founder & CEO of Organize 365®.

Lisa and 87% of America believe organization is a learnable skill. Yet less than 18% of those same Americans feel they are organized. Through The Productive Home Solution® course, Lisa aims to teach American’s young & old the skill of organizing and unlocking their time for what they are uniquely created to do.

As the host of the top-rated Organize 365 Podcast, with 23 million downloads & counting, Lisa shares strategies for reducing the overwhelm, clearing the mental clutter, and living a productive and organized life. Her sensible and doable organizing tasks appeal to multiple generations and her candor and relatable style make you feel as though she is right there beside you, helping you get organized as you laugh and cry together.

Under Lisa’s direction, Organize 365 has conducted academic research establishing the definitions of housework, home organization and the weight of paper in the American home. This ongoing research is making the invisible work at home visible to all so we can eliminate it and free people from the monotonous tasks of daily living and unlock their time for what they are uniquely created to bring forth in the world.

She is the author of four books including, How ADHD Affects Home Organization and The Paper Solution. Lisa’s understanding of the lived female American experience has helped her to create products & courses like the Sunday Basket® that externalize the routine tasks that take up the executive functioning capacity of our brains, freeing us up to think and create again!

#642 – Financial Organization Made Easy: The Binder Method with Lisa Woodruff

Hey there, friend! 

In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, we sit down with Lisa Woodruff, founder of Organize 365 and creator of the PaperSolution Financial Binder. Join us as discuss the importance of organizing financial documents and how it can simplify estate planning and reduce stress for families. 

Listen along to learn: 

• Why everyone needs a financial binder, regardless of wealth
• The difference between a binder and digital solutions 
• What to include in your financial binder 
• Real-life stories of how organization saved families time and money
• Tips for getting started with financial organization

Lisa shares practical advice on how to begin organizing financial documents, including setting up a designated container for collecting important papers. She emphasizes the peace of mind that comes from having all crucial information in one place, especially during unexpected events like natural disasters or family emergencies. 

You'll also will learn how to create a financial binder and keep things such as financial information easily accessible. Don't miss this invaluable conversation that will empower you to take control of your financial organization and protect your family's future. 

Organize Binder Purchase Link

Join the Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group to receive your 30-Day 1K Calendar to help track your progress. Remember to answer all three questions to join the group! It's how we keep it the nicest corner of the internet.

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four week’s worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Click here to be notified when the next podcast episode is released!

Also, stay up to date and sign up here to receive our newsletter.

Guests: Lisa Woodruff

Links Mentioned:

https://member.organize365.com/shop

Join our Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group

Join our members-only Clutter Free for Life Facebook Group

Order Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four weeks’ worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Let's stay connected

To share your thoughts:

• Leave a note in the comment section below.
• 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.

Hey there, friend!

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the power of the words we use when it comes to our clutter – not just the things we say out loud, but those whispers in our hearts that can either paralyze us or propel us forward.

In this eye-opening episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp sits down with authors Angie Hyche and Liana George to discuss the powerful impact of language on our decluttering journey. The trio explores the common phrases – or “dirty words” – that keep people stuck in cycles of clutter and shame.

Listeners will discover:

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, ashamed, or just plain stuck when it comes to decluttering, this episode is for you.

Join the Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group to receive your 30-Day 1K Calendar to help track your progress. Remember to answer all three questions to join the group! It’s how we keep it the nicest corner of the internet.

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four week’s worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Click here to be notified when the next podcast episode is released!

Also, stay up to date and sign up here to receive our newsletter.

Kathi Lipp gives readers an easy-to-follow process for meal planning and prep, so that they can enjoy a full day each week of real rest and refreshment.

Could you use a break from cooking (and everything else) once a week? Not only is rest vital for your mind and body, it’s good for your soul too. God designed us to enter into Sabbath rest one day per week, but as you know, meals still need to be made. Your family still needs to be fed.

Sabbath Soup includes convenient, seasonal meal plans that take the guesswork out of shopping and cooking. More than just a collection of delicious recipes—including main dishes, breads, breakfasts, desserts, salads, sides, and yes, soups—this is your guide to establishing a weekly rhythm and routine of meal planning and prep that allows you to have a true day off.

Do something good for your soul and experience the peace that comes with a full day dedicated to spending time with God, family, and friends. Savor your Sabbath as you proudly proclaim, “Soup’s on!”

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest here.

Unholy Mess: What the Bible Says About Clutter by Angie Hyche

Uncluttered: Shaping Your Heart & Home for What Matters Most by Liana George & Angie Hyche

Uncluttered Podcast 

Overwhelmed: How to Quiet the Chaos and Restore Your Sanity by Kathi Lipp

KC Davis: Struggle Care

Join our Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group

Join our members-only Clutter Free for Life Facebook Group

Order Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four weeks’ worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Can you share a personal story of how negative self-talk affected your own organizing journey?

Share in the comments!

To share your thoughts:

Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our newsletter now.

Angie Hyche is an author, speaker, and professional organizer. She’s the author of Unholy Mess: What the Bible Says about Clutter, co-author of Uncluttered: Shaping Your Heart & Home for What Matters Most, and co-host of the Uncluttered podcast. She loves helping people simplify so they can prioritize what matters most.

Liana George is an author, podcaster, and speaker based in Texas. Her first three novels are based on her experiences as a professional organizer and her time in China. When she’s not organizing or writing, you’ll find her reading, traveling, watching tennis, or keeping up her small farm in Houston.

Connect with Angie Hyche and Liana George on their website https://uncluttered.faith/ and on social media https://www.facebook.com/uncluttered.faith and https://www.instagram.com/uncluttered.faith/

#641 The 3 Words That are Keeping You Cluttered (And How to Change It)

Hey there, friend!

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the power of the words we use when it comes to our clutter - not just the things we say out loud, but those whispers in our hearts that can either paralyze us or propel us forward.

In this eye-opening episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp sits down with authors Angie Hyche and Liana George to discuss the powerful impact of language on our decluttering journey. The trio explores the common phrases - or "dirty words" - that keep people stuck in cycles of clutter and shame.

Listeners will discover:

• Why no one is "born organized" and how organization is a learned skill
• The real meaning behind "just in case" thinking and how it relates to fear
• The importance of starting small and celebrating progress
• Why cleaning and organizing are "morally neutral" activities

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, ashamed, or just plain stuck when it comes to decluttering, this episode is for you.

Join the Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group to receive your 30-Day 1K Calendar to help track your progress. Remember to answer all three questions to join the group! It's how we keep it the nicest corner of the internet.

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four week’s worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Click here to be notified when the next podcast episode is released!

Also, stay up to date and sign up here to receive our newsletter.

Guests: Angie Hyche and Liana George: https://uncluttered.faith/

Links Mentioned:

Unholy Mess: What the Bible Says About Clutter by Angie Hyche

Uncluttered: Shaping Your Heart & Home for What Matters Most by Liana George & Angie Hyche

Uncluttered Podcast 

Overwhelmed: How to Quiet the Chaos and Restore Your Sanity by Kathi Lipp

KC Davis: Struggle Care

Join our Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group

Join our members-only Clutter Free for Life Facebook Group

Order Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four weeks’ worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Let's stay connected

To share your thoughts:

• Leave a note in the comment section below.
• 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.

Are you ready to create some breathing room before the holiday chaos begins?

In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, hosts Kathi Lipp and Tonya Kubo discuss their annual 30-Day 1K Challenge, where participants declutter 1,000 items during November. They explain why this challenge is perfectly timed before the holiday season and how it’s achievable for everyone, regardless of their current clutter situation. Kathi and Tonya emphasize that perfect systems aren’t necessary for progress, encouraging listeners to take “imperfect action” rather than waiting for the perfect plan.

Listeners will discover:

Whether you’re a busy mom trying to reclaim your kitchen table, an empty-nester ready to part with decades of “someday” items, or just someone tired of feeling overwhelmed by stuff, this challenge is for you.

Join the Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group to receive your 30-Day 1K Calendar to help track your progress. Remember to answer all three questions to join the group! It’s how we keep it the nicest corner of the internet.

In this episode, Tonya mentioned the time she rented a dumpster. Listen to the original Episode 434: Do I Need a Dumpster?

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup here and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four week’s worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Click here to be notified when the next podcast episode is released!

Also, stay up to date and sign up here to receive our newsletter.

Kathi Lipp gives readers an easy-to-follow process for meal planning and prep, so that they can enjoy a full day each week of real rest and refreshment.

Could you use a break from cooking (and everything else) once a week? Not only is rest vital for your mind and body, it’s good for your soul too. God designed us to enter into Sabbath rest one day per week, but as you know, meals still need to be made. Your family still needs to be fed.

Sabbath Soup includes convenient, seasonal meal plans that take the guesswork out of shopping and cooking. More than just a collection of delicious recipes—including main dishes, breads, breakfasts, desserts, salads, sides, and yes, soups—this is your guide to establishing a weekly rhythm and routine of meal planning and prep that allows you to have a true day off.

Do something good for your soul and experience the peace that comes with a full day dedicated to spending time with God, family, and friends. Savor your Sabbath as you proudly proclaim, “Soup’s on!”

Order your copy of Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest here.

Order Sabbath Soup here  and sign up to receive your free ebook featuring four week’s worth of easy meal plans and delicious recipes.

Episode 434: Do I Need a Dumpster?

Join our Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group

Join our members only Clutter Free for Life Facebook Group

What inspired you to start the 30-Day 1K Challenge? 

Share in the comments!

To share your thoughts:

Subscribe on iTunes or subscribe to our newsletter now.

Tonya Kubo is the illustrious and fearless leader of Kathi Lipp’s Clutter Free Academy Facebook group and the Clutter Free for Life membership program. A speaker and writer, Tonya makes her home in the heart of California with her husband, Brian, their two spirited daughters, and one very tolerant cat. Visit her at www.tonyakubo.com.

#640 30 Days to Freedom: Join Our Annual 1000-Item Declutter Challenge!