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Clutter Free Academy

Clutter Free Academy

By: Kathi Lipp
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Have you always known you could change the world - if only you could find your car keys on the regular? Clutter Free Academy is for you. If you want to live clutter free, organized and prepared for anything, this is to podcast you must listen to. With practical ideas and tons of hope, humor and how-tos, host Kathi Lipp with teach you to live with Less Cutter, More Life.(c) 2022 Kathi Lipp Social Sciences
Episodes
  • From Locker Room to Spa: The Bathroom Reclaim That Doesn't Require a Remodel
    Mar 31 2026

    Do you dream of walking into your bathroom and feeling like you've stepped into a peaceful spa instead of a chaotic locker room? You're not alone. That sense of calm—the clear counters, the beautiful organization, the space to breathe—is absolutely achievable without a single renovation.

    In this episode, Kathi Lipp sits down with her friend Tenneil Register to tackle one of the most overlooked spaces in our homes: the bathroom. Together, they share practical, budget-friendly strategies to transform this everyday space into a personal retreat.

    What's Ruining Your Bathroom Calm?

    Before you can create that spa-like atmosphere, you need to identify what's creating friction in your space. Kathi and Tenneil walk through the five major friction points that steal your bathroom peace:

    • Counter clutter – When reaching for one item means navigating nine others
    • Half-used products – The hairspray you don't love but might use "someday"
    • Towel chaos – Clean, dirty, half-used, and too many categories
    • Medicine cabinet randomness – Duplicate products bought in desperation
    • Homeless items – Hair dryers, clips, and samples without a designated spot

    The Order of Operations for Bathroom Calm

    The key to success is working through your bathroom systematically without creating a bigger mess. Kathi and Tenneil share their step-by-step approach:

    • Fast win first: Take out the trash and expired items (you're on a trash scavenger hunt!)
    • Group like with like: All skincare together, all dental together—but only what you currently use
    • Sort by frequency: Daily items get prime real estate, weekly and rare items go deeper
    • One basket per person: Especially crucial for shared bathrooms
    • The reset rule: Nothing lives on the counter that you don't use daily

    Simple Spa Upgrades That Make a Difference

    Once the clutter is cleared, small touches can elevate your bathroom experience without breaking the budget:

    • Put counter items on a pretty tray (just like at the spa!)
    • Invest in one set of luxurious towels just for you
    • Add a favorite scent through a diffuser or candle
    • Include a stool or seat for comfort
    • Use attractive containers for cotton pads and Q-tips
    • Add music with a rechargeable lighted mirror that holds your phone

    Key Takeaways

    The bathroom requires a different mindset than closet decluttering. Instead of asking "what should I keep?" you're asking "what can I throw away?" This trash scavenger hunt mentality, combined with the reset rule and simple organizational systems, can transform your bathroom from overwhelming to inviting in just 15 minutes.

    Your homework: Set a 15-minute timer and clear just one surface in your bathroom today.

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    28 mins
  • The Costco Effect: Why We Keep Buying What We Already Own
    Mar 24 2026

    Do you ever find yourself at Costco reaching for another container of something, only to discover you already have eight at home? You're not alone. The struggle with over-buying is real, and it's one of the sneakiest ways clutter creeps into our homes.

    In this honest and practical episode, Kathi Lipp and Roger Lipp share their own journey with accumulation—from discovering a three-year supply of laundry detergent to the "just in case" mindset that keeps us buying things we don't need. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by duplicate purchases, mystery pantry items, or storage spaces you're afraid to inventory, this conversation is for you.

    What You'll Learn in This Episode

    • Why the "just in case" mindset leads to clutter accumulation
    • How the "Costco effect" tricks us into buying more than we need
    • The inventory principle and why knowing what you have sets you free
    • Practical ways to track your household inventory (apps, photos, AI voice notes)
    • A simple monthly shopping strategy that reduces over-buying
    • The "use it up" challenge for products like makeup and toiletries
    • How to practice radical contentment with what you already own

    The Power of "Enough Is a Feast"

    One of the most powerful shifts Kathi Lipp shares is embracing the idea that enough is a feast. When we stop chasing "more" and start appreciating what we have, something beautiful happens—not just in our homes, but in our minds. The mental energy we spend worrying about whether we have enough can finally be released.

    Key Takeaways

    Know what you have: You can't know if you have enough if you don't know what you have. Take inventory of your pantry, freezer, and storage areas.

    Shop with intention: Try shopping at big box stores just once a month. By the end of the month, you'll feel the satisfaction of actually using what you bought.

    Use it up before buying more: Whether it's makeup, toiletries, or pantry items, finish what you have before replacing it.

    Trust your creativity: Instead of fear-buying "just in case," trust that you can substitute and adapt when needed.

    This episode is perfect for anyone ready to break free from the over-buying cycle and create more peace in their home and budget.

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    26 mins
  • Why Cluttery People Need Spiritual Giants (And How to Find Yours)
    Mar 18 2026

    Do you ever feel like your cluttered home is just a symptom of something deeper? That nagging sense of overwhelm, the guilt about unfinished projects, the shame that creeps in when company comes over—what if it all points to something going on in your heart?

    In this thought-provoking episode, Kathi Lipp sits down with author Lori G Melton to explore a beautiful spiritual practice that might just change the way you approach both your faith and your clutter. Lori's new book, Journey with a Giant, invites readers into a year-long journey of walking alongside a faith mentor from history—someone whose life and example can inspire transformation.

    What You'll Discover in This Episode

    If you've ever felt "less than" or wondered why you can't seem to get your act together, this episode offers a fresh perspective. Lori shares why she chose Mr. Rogers as her spiritual giant—and what she learned about showing up faithfully even when life feels messy.

    You'll learn:

    • Why studying imperfect human faith heroes can be more transformative than only studying biblical characters

    • How Brother Lawrence's simple practice of scrubbing pots can speak to overwhelmed, cluttery hearts

    • Why Harriet Tubman's story offers courage for those who feel small and insignificant

    • How to keep a year-long spiritual practice simple and doable for real, busy people

    • The surprising connection between decluttering your home and going deeper with God

    Why This Matters for Your Decluttering Journey

    As Kathi points out, our hearts are where clutter starts. The fears, guilt, and shame that lead us into the path of clutter can only be truly addressed when we draw closer to God. And sometimes, seeing how other imperfect humans have faithfully walked with Him gives us the courage to believe we can too.

    A Practice for Real Life

    Lori's approach is refreshingly doable: just two to three times a week, varying your resources month by month. Watch a documentary one month, listen to a podcast the next, read a chapter when you have time. The goal isn't perfection—it's presence.

    Key Takeaways

    • Decluttering creates margin for deeper spiritual growth

    • Walking with a faith giant for a year allows for deep, transformational work

    • Imperfect people make the best mentors because they show us we can be spiritual giants too

    • Showing up faithfully, even when you feel insufficient, is enough

    • You can take Lori's "Transformational 10" quiz to find your perfect faith giant match

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    24 mins
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