The Four-Box method forces a decision, item by item. To apply it, gather three boxes and a large trash can. Label the boxes, “Put Away”, “Give Away/Sell” and “Storage.” Items to be thrown away belong in the trash can. source: Sarah Aguire Housekeeping.com
Trash
This should include any item that you do not need or want, but that is not worth donating or selling. Damaged and broken items should be included in the trash if they are not worth someone buying it and repairing it.It’s okay to say good-bye. It can even be a therapeutic process.
Give away
Think about the uses someone else might get out of the items vs. the use it gets in your home buried in cabinets or closets. Consider the financial benefits of selling your stuff at a garage sale. While you may no longer have a need for an item, someone else will. If you don’t personally know of someone who can get good use out of your items, call your local Salvation Army, Goodwill, or another charity.
Put away
This should be your smallest category. These are items that need to be out on a regular basis. Monitor yourself by determining if you have a place for each item. If the items in this box will not fit into your home without cluttering an area up, try to reassess if you really need them. If you do need these essentials;, try to come up with a storage solution that fits into your home.
Storage
Put items in here that you cannot part with but do not need on a regular basis. Make an inventory of the items as you box them. Group similar items together. Remember one good way to clean out closets is to store out of season clothing.
Your value is not in your "Stuff", but as we all have it, let's make it look good.
