Clutter Free Academy

Have you ever finished a challenge and wondered how to keep that momentum going? In this solo episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp unpacks the surprising lessons she learned during Low Buy July—and reveals which habits she's keeping for good.

What You'll Discover in This Episode

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by clutter, struggled with impulse buying, or wondered why you keep accumulating things you don't really need, this episode offers practical wisdom and gentle encouragement. Kathi shares her personal revelations with her signature warmth and humor, helping listeners see their homes—and their habits—in a whole new light.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

A New Way to See Your Home

Low Buy July didn't change Kathi's stuff—it changed how she sees her stuff. Instead of walking into her kitchen and seeing an empty menu, she now sees a full pantry. Instead of gaps in her closet, she sees possibilities. This episode invites you to pick just one habit that resonates and give yourself a month to try it.

Whether you participated in Low Buy July or you're hearing about it for the first time, these ten lessons offer a roadmap for more intentional, peaceful living—not through deprivation, but through awareness and grace.

Do you ever get the itch to redecorate your entire house—especially when you've committed to not buying anything new? You're not alone. During Low Buy July, that desire for something fresh and new can feel overwhelming. But what if the solution isn't at the store? What if everything you need is already in your home?

In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp sits down with Tenneil Register to explore the art of "shopping your own home." Tenneil, who brings a designer's eye to everyday spaces, shares how most of us have beautiful things in our homes—we've just stopped seeing them.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Key Takeaways

You don't have to be a minimalist to have a beautiful home. If you're a maximalist at heart, that's okay! The key is putting purpose and order to the pretty things you love.

Create a staging area. Use a folding table or guest bed to gather items as you walk through your home. Separate your favorites from maybes, and have a donation box ready for the no's.

Think about reassignment. Does this item need a new place in this room? A different room? A different season? If the answer is no to all three, it might be time to let it go.

Set a time limit. This process can have a domino effect—suddenly you want every room to look its best. Give yourself boundaries so you don't get overwhelmed.

Whether you're feeling the Low Buy July itch or simply want to fall in love with your home again, this episode offers practical, creative strategies to refresh your space without spending a dime.

Do you ever buy something at the store only to come home and realize you already had three of them tucked away somewhere? You're not alone—and you're definitely not bad with money. You're just a busy human being navigating real life.

In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi and Roger Lipp dive into one of the most powerful Low Buy July strategies: shopping your own house. When they first moved into the Red House, they discovered that almost everything they needed was already there. The problem? As life took over, finding those items became harder and harder.

What Listeners Will Discover

This episode tackles the real reasons we end up with duplicates—forgetting what we have, impulse sales purchases, and the sneaky habit of "saving things for good." Kathi walks through practical ways to gather, sort, and actually use the personal care products, clothes, and kitchen items that are already taking up space in your home.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

The Heart of Low Buy July

Low Buy July isn't about deprivation—it's about discovery. It's about finding out what you already own and giving yourself permission to actually enjoy it. As Kathi reminds listeners, "The good stuff was given to us or bought for us to enjoy, not to guard."

Whether you're dealing with a drawer full of half-used shampoos or a closet of clothes you're saving for someday, this episode offers the gentle push you need to shop your own house first—and maybe skip the store altogether this month.

Do you ever open your fridge, stare at the shelves, and decide you have "nothing to eat"—only to order takeout while perfectly good food sits forgotten in your freezer? You're not alone. This episode of Clutter Free Academy tackles one of the most common sources of both clutter and wasted money: the kitchen.

Kathi Lipp welcomes back fan-favorite Tonya Kubo to kick off Low Buy July with a focus on the heart of the home. Together, they explore why the kitchen is the perfect place to start this challenge—and how doing so can shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance.

What Listeners Will Discover

Key Takeaways

Inventory everything first. Go through every freezer, every fridge, and deep into the back of your pantry. Don't forget spices, seasonings, and condiments—these are often overlooked.

Start with what you know. Before searching for new recipes online, think about what meals your family already loves that you can make from ingredients on hand.

Create a "use first" zone. Designate a spot in your fridge for items that need to be eaten soon, leftovers, and anything you're defrosting. This simple system prevents food from getting lost.

Embrace the abundance mindset. Many cluttery people struggle with scarcity thinking. Taking inventory reminds you that you have enough—and often more than enough.

It's not about suffering. Low Buy July isn't about proving you can deprive yourself. It's about pausing, being intentional, and discovering what you already have before buying more.

Whether you're looking to save money, reduce food waste, or simply clear some space in your kitchen, this episode offers practical, doable steps to help you succeed. Remember: using what you have isn't deprivation—it's wisdom.

Do you ever feel like stuff just keeps appearing in your home? You buy another white shirt because you forgot you already own three. You grab dry shampoo "just in case" and come home to find a small collection already waiting. What if the real problem isn't that you have too much stuff—it's that you don't know what you have?

In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp and Grace Church introduce Low Buy July—a realistic, grace-filled approach to mindful spending that's about awareness, not deprivation. Unlike extreme no-spend challenges, Low Buy July invites you to hit pause on non-essential purchases while still living your real life.

What Listeners Will Discover

This episode walks through exactly how to prepare for and thrive during a month of intentional spending. Kathi and Grace share practical strategies for reducing impulse purchases while still taking care of what matters—from birthday celebrations to necessary prescriptions.

The Discovery Phase

Before cutting back on spending, it helps to know what you already own. Kathi introduces several "treasure hunts" to help listeners rediscover forgotten resources:

Setting Yourself Up for Success

Small friction can make a big difference. Kathi and Grace offer these practical tips:

What You're Still Buying

Low Buy July isn't about deprivation. Safety items, prescription medicine, true groceries, and birthday celebrations are all still on the table. The goal is accommodation, not elimination.

Key Takeaways

Ready to join the challenge? Head over to the free Clutter Free Academy Facebook group to take the Low Buy July pledge and celebrate wins together with 16,000+ fellow declutterers.

Does the thought of tackling your home office make you want to close the door and pretend it doesn't exist? You're not alone. In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp sits down with Grace Church to discuss why most office decluttering attempts fail—and what actually works instead.

What You'll Discover in This Episode

August brings that familiar back-to-school energy, and it's the perfect time for adults to reset their systems too. But before you pull everything out of your office for a complete overhaul, Kathi has some important wisdom to share about why that approach almost always backfires.

The Truth About Office Gut-Jobs

An office gut leaves you in shambles and piles. Instead of a marathon decluttering session, Kathi recommends breaking your office down into manageable pieces—the desk one day, files the next, walls another day. The key? Fifteen minutes is your best decision timeline. Beyond that, you're making poor decisions without the energy to carry them out.

Why Your Office Is Like Your Kitchen

Grace offers a powerful observation: your office is a space you're working in while trying to work on it—just like a kitchen. It's hard to renovate a space while you're living in it. This is why small, sustainable steps matter more than dramatic overhauls.

The Year-Long No Office Supply Challenge

Kathi is kicking off a personal challenge that has transformed other declutterers' lives: a full year without buying office supplies. The secret? Gather all your pens, sticky notes, and notebooks into one spot and create your own little store. You likely have more than you think.

The Power of Body Doubling

There's real psychology behind working alongside others—even virtually. Body doubling helps your brain stick to the task without excuses. It's one of the most powerful tools available in the Clutter Free for Life community.

Key Takeaways

Whether you need a simple tune-up or a complete overhaul with daily support, there's a path forward for your office. The goal isn't perfection—it's creating a workspace where you can sit down and actually work without moving piles first.

Have you ever decluttered a room only to watch it fill back up three months later? If so, this episode of the Clutter Free Podcast is for you.

Kathi Lipp sits down with Katy Joy Wells, host of the Maximized Minimalist podcast with over 5 million downloads, to explore why traditional decluttering methods often fail—and what actually works for those who struggle with emotional attachment to their stuff.

What Listeners Will Discover

In this conversation, Kathi and Katy dive deep into the psychology behind clutter, examining why some people can easily let things go while others find themselves paralyzed by a simple organizing decision.

The Four Types of Clutter

Katy introduces her framework of the four clutter types that keep most homes stuck:

Understanding Your "Stuff Story"

Listeners will learn about the three pillars that shape their relationship with belongings: historical influences from caregivers, personal experiences, and cultural messaging. This awareness creates the foundation for lasting change.

How Clutter Affects Your Nervous System

The conversation reveals how the average American home contains over 300,000 items—and how this visual chaos triggers stress responses, elevated cortisol, and feelings of overwhelm that have nothing to do with willpower or motivation.

Key Takeaways

This episode offers hope and practical strategies for anyone who has tried and failed at traditional decluttering methods. It's time to stop blaming yourself and start understanding the real reasons clutter has such a hold on your life.

Do you dread packing for a trip? Are you an overpacker who loves having options but hates paying baggage fees? Whether you're heading out for a family vacation or traveling for work, packing doesn't have to be a source of stress and anxiety.

In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp sits down with author and literary agent Barb Roose—a self-proclaimed overpacker who has mastered the art of smart travel. Together, they share practical, real-world tips that will transform the way you approach your next trip.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Barb shares her three-part packing philosophy that has revolutionized her travel experience:

• Pack Early: Starting four to five days before your trip gives you time to think, rethink, and do laundry without the last-minute panic

• Pack Like You Have Amnesia: Create a laminated checklist of essentials so you never forget the items that matter most

• Pack for Reality: Embrace who you really are—if you need extra toiletries, three pairs of shoes, or compression socks, pack them without guilt

Rapid-Fire Tips for Smarter Travel

Kathi and Barb trade their best travel wisdom, including:

• Why packing cubes are a game-changer for organization

• How to use a cord organizer to keep your backpack from becoming a hot mess

• The importance of packing 24 hours' worth of essentials in your carry-on

• Why speakers should always wear something to the airport that could work for an event

• Creating three "anchor outfits" for busy travel seasons

• The life-changing tip about freezing yogurt before TSA

Key Takeaways

Overpacking isn't something to be ashamed of—it's something to manage wisely. By giving yourself margin, creating systems, and packing for your real needs (not an idealized version of yourself), you can travel with confidence and comfort. The goal isn't deprivation; it's showing up as your best, most prepared self.

If you're one of the many homeowners who can't park a car in their garage, you're not alone—and you're definitely not without hope. In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp sits down with returning guest Tenneil Register, who brings a unique perspective to garage organization from her experience managing inventory for an actual retail store.

Why the Garage Is So Hard to Tame

The garage tends to become a catch-all space because it's undefined. It's where things go when company is coming, when seasons change, or when we simply don't know what else to do with something. Unlike the rest of your home, there's no "garage inspector" coming to motivate a cleanup—so clutter piles up without any natural deadline.

A Professional Approach to Home Storage

Tenneil shares hard-won lessons from running a retail business, including how to think about garage contents in categories: seasonal items, repair tools, and backup supplies. This simple framework helps create logical zones that make finding (and putting away) items so much easier.

What "Done" Really Looks Like

Forget Pinterest-perfect matching bins. A well-organized garage is one where anyone can walk in and find what they need. The secret? Clear containers so you can see what's inside, simple labels (even handwritten ones count!), and contained categories that others can understand without explanation.

Key Takeaways

• Use clear containers – If it's opaque, there's always the possibility the thing you're looking for might be in that box. Clear bins let you scan and move on.

• Label everything – A 30-second scribble with a marker can completely change someone else's ability to use the space, including future you.

• Work in small time chunks – The "big Saturday cleanout" leaves you too exhausted to actually organize. Small sessions are more sustainable and effective.

• Create a "maybe" zone – Tape out a spot for items you can't decide on. By the end of your organizing session, you'll often be tired enough to let go of some maybes.

• Make it a choice, not a consequence – Deciding intentionally that you need storage more than parking feels completely different than living with the result of accumulated mess.

Even improving your garage by just 20% this season will make a huge difference every time you go out there looking for something. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.

Are you holding onto mattresses, kitchen supplies, or linens because your adult kids might need them someday? You're not alone—and you're not wrong for wanting to help. But what feels like wisdom or generosity might actually be one of the sneakiest forms of clutter.

In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp and Grace Church tackle a question that resonates with so many listeners: How do you decide what to keep for your kids and what to let go?

The Real Cost of "Just in Case" Storage

Before you dedicate precious square footage to items your children haven't asked for, consider this: you might be making decisions based on a future that may never happen, for a person who hasn't requested anything. Grace shares her eye-opening experience of calculating 10 years of storage unit costs—and the painful realization of what that money could have done instead.

A Simple Framework for Deciding

Kathi offers a straightforward approach: "I have [blank]. Do you want it? And if so, when?" This simple conversation can save years of storing items that your kids may never want—or worse, items that deteriorate while waiting for their "someday" moment.

When Donations Feel Impossible

The episode also addresses a common frustration: what to do when thrift stores are overwhelmed and Facebook Marketplace isn't working. From Buy Nothing groups to foster care closets and community swaps, Kathi and Grace share creative alternatives for getting items out of your home and into hands that need them today.

Key Takeaways

Whether you're storing things for adult children, struggling to find homes for donations, or simply need permission to let go, this episode delivers the practical wisdom and gentle encouragement you need to reclaim your space.