Being Disorganized Is Costing You Money

08/07/07 - 12:53 PM EDT

Jeffrey Strain

9. Coupons/credits/gift cards: Using coupons, credits and gift cards can save you a lot of money, but only if you have them when you need them and use them before they expire. Throwing them into your desk to use later lets you run the risk that they will no longer be valid when you actually find them again. That's like throwing money away.

10. Convenience spending: When you're not organized, your convenience spending tends to increase. It means a stop by Starbucks on the way to work and a lunch at a local restaurant since you didn't have enough time in the morning to make your own coffee and pack your own lunch.

11. Reduced useful life of items: Many items require regular maintenance in order for them to last the number of years they were made to last. Failure to be organized and provide this maintenance will reduce their useful life or make them run less efficiently, costing you more. Failing to change filters on your car and your air conditioner, failing to empty the clothes dryer filter and failing to clean your garden tools before putting them away for the season are a few examples of how poor maintenance can reduce the life and efficiency of things.

12. Wasted food: When you are disorganized, food can sit on shelves or in the refrigerator past its expiration date and spoil. You might also throw out food when you make too much, rather than saving leftovers for the next day's lunch. Food that ends up being thrown out is money wasted.

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