I’ve noticed that sometimes we hold onto things long after they’ve stopped being useful, not because we need them, but because it’s hard to admit we spent money on them in the first place. It’s a common feeling—wanting to get value out of every purchase, even if the item doesn’t actually bring us joy or serve a purpose anymore.
The truth is, clinging to these belongings can take up space and weigh on us more than we realize. I want to walk you through some of the things we tend to hoard because of this struggle, so you can start letting go without feeling guilty.
Expired pantry staples
I always find myself holding on to pantry items past their expiration date. It feels like a waste to toss them, but honestly, expired staples often lose flavor or can spoil.
Some things, like spices or baking powder, don’t last forever. Checking those dates regularly helps me avoid ruined meals and saves me from wasting money on food I won’t use.
If you want to see what you should toss first, check out this list of common expired pantry items from Southern Living.
Old phone chargers
I have a drawer full of old phone chargers I never use. I keep them because I feel like I might need one someday, even though I rarely do.
Most of these chargers don’t work well anymore, and honestly, they just take up space. Letting go feels like admitting I wasted money, but it’s freeing.
If you’re holding onto chargers you don’t recognize or need, it might be time to recycle or donate them instead. This can clear up space and reduce clutter.
Unused subscription receipts
I used to keep all my subscription receipts, even for apps and services I never used. It felt like admitting I wasted money if I let them go.
But those receipts only reminded me of money quietly slipping away each month.
Now, I review my subscriptions regularly and cancel the ones I don’t use. It’s freeing to stop holding onto those forgotten payments and save instead.
If you want to check your own subscriptions, this guide on how to cancel unused subscriptions can help.
Worn-out clothing kept ‘just in case’
I used to hang on to worn-out clothes because I felt guilty about wasting money. Even if they had holes or stains, I thought, “Maybe I’ll fix them someday.”
But the truth is, I never did. Keeping them only took up space and made my closet a mess. Letting go helped me clear clutter and stop holding onto things out of guilt.
If you’re stuck with clothes you don’t wear, try a “maybe” box. After a few months, you might realize they’re ready to go. For more tips on this, see how to stop hoarding clothes.
Half-empty craft supplies
I often find myself holding onto half-empty paints, yarn, or paper stacks. It’s easy to think they have “creative potential,” so throwing them away feels like wasting money.
But most of the time, these supplies just take up space and collect dust. Letting go can free up room and help me focus on the projects I actually enjoy. I learned this from my own experience as a craft hoarder.
For some tips on managing craft supplies, see this craft hoarding guide.
Old birthday cards and letters
I find it hard to let go of old birthday cards and letters because they remind me of special moments. Often, keeping them feels like holding on to memories that I don’t want to lose.
But sometimes, it’s not about the memories—it’s about not wanting to admit I spent money on something I no longer need. I try to keep just a few meaningful ones and recycle the rest to avoid clutter.
It helps to store the special cards where I can see them and enjoy the memories without feeling overwhelmed by piles of paper.
More about handling sentimental cards can be found here.
Outdated tech gadgets
I know how easy it is to hold on to old phones, chargers, or even dusty gaming consoles. Sometimes, I tell myself I might need them again, even though they’re mostly just sitting in a drawer.
These gadgets can quickly become clutter, and honestly, many of them aren’t worth the space they take up. If they still work, donating or trading them in can be a better option than keeping them unused. For more tips on handling these, check out this advice on hoarding old tech devices.