Spring has a way of making us want to reset.
The days get longer, the windows open wider — and suddenly, we’re in the mood to clear things out.
Out come the storage tubs. The donation boxes.
The voice of Marie Kondo (queen of decluttering) echoing in our heads as we ask, “Does this spark joy?”
We do it with clothes, books, kitchen cupboards…
…but our finances? That’s one area of our life we almost never think of decluttering.
And yet, it’s probably the one that needs it most, especially if you’re looking for ways to save money.
But what exactly is financial clutter?
Financial clutter is all the forgotten, unused, disorganised bits that quietly drain your money.
Like that streaming service you haven’t opened in months.
Or that gym membership you swore you’d use.
Or an old bank account that’s quietly charging you $8 every month in fees.
It’s also things like:
- piles of paperwork you keep meaning to sort
- outdated policies or wills you’ve left untouched for years
- multiple super funds
- investments you’ve lost track of
- scattered logins that turn simple money tasks into a scavenger hunt
Not to mention the mental fog that makes you avoid dealing with your money altogether.
All of that creates noise.
And when things are messy, it’s harder to feel in control of your financial future.
How to spot financial clutter
Spotting clutter is about pressing ‘pause’ and taking stock — like pulling everything out of a cluttered cupboard to see what’s there.
- Gather your paperwork
Collect your financial documents — bank statements, superannuation reports, tax records, insurance policies, wills and so forth.
- List your accounts
Write down every bank, credit, super and investment account you’ve ever held (even old or inactive ones).
- Scan your bank and credit card statements
Highlight recurring payments you don’t recognise and investigate what they are for.
- Review subscriptions and memberships
Go through your app store and direct debits. Note anything you’re still paying for.
- Look for overlaps
Are you paying for two things that do the same job — like duplicate insurance policies, multiple super funds, or three streaming platforms?
- Check where your information lives
Are your logins, renewal dates and account details stored somewhere consistent — or scattered across emails, notes and browser tabs?
Pro tip: Create one master list of your financial world — accounts, subscriptions, policies, bills, renewal dates, and what each costs.
Once it’s all in front of you, it’s much easier to see what’s worth keeping… and what’s just financial clutter.
How to clear it out (and keep it that way)
Here’s the part most people avoid — because it sounds like a lot of work.
But you don’t have to tackle everything in one sitting.
Even clearing just one thing makes a difference in the long run.
- Start small with easy wins
Cancel unused subscriptions or memberships so you can instantly save money.
- Shred or digitise old paperwork
File away what’s essential, scan what you want to keep, and let go of the rest.
- Update what’s outdated
Review your insurance policies, wills, super funds and investment accounts. Make sure they still match your life now — not five years ago.
- Close and consolidate
Shut down old bank or credit accounts you don’t use. Combine super funds or policies where it makes sense to cut down on fees and admin.
- Streamline what’s staying
Move recurring payments to one card or account. Update your master list to show only what’s staying. And remember to add any new things you’re paying for as you go.
- Do a regular mini clean-up
Set a calendar reminder every six months or so to review your master list. Keeping it tidy regularly is far easier than doing one giant clean-up again later.
Clearing out the clutter gives your finances a fresh start, so you can feel more organised and in control.
Found these save money tips useful, but need a little extra help to get on top of your finances?
Reach out to us — we’re always here to help!
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