How's Your 2026 New Year Resolution Going? Put Your Home on a Diet!

January 2026 is a wrap, and I have successfully kept my resolutions, with only one minor slip-up. The commitment was not to buy clothes, shoes, etc. until the end of January. I couldn't resist one item at a close-out price. However, if I decide to return it, my resolutions would be back in compliance. LOL! Anyway...

Every January, millions pledge to lose weight by hitting the gym or going on a diet. But like our bodies, our homes also accumulate excess baggage. So why not put your house on a diet?

Here are six tips to help your home lose its love handles of old clothes, obsolete gadgets, furniture, and more. Now you and your house can both meet your weight-loss goals this year.

Do the 27-fling boogie

You might not be able to think of 27 things in your house you no longer use, but if you get a box and don't stop until you find them, you'll clear up space and have something to donate to a local charity. FlyLady, who learned this tip from Suze Orman, adds this advice: As soon as you finish filling the box, take it to the car. You are less tempted to rescue the items. You can also do this again for a 54-Fling Boogie, and send 27 more items directly to the trash.

The biggest losers

If your home is on the obese side of the spectrum, it calls for extreme measures. A Bagster acts just like a dumpster but with the portability of a large shopping bag. Just fill the container with all of the items you're ready to let go of, schedule a pickup, and before you know it, you'll have shaved some serious weight off your home.

Oprah's diet plan

If you've been loath to help your home lose that extra baggage because you don't know what to do with the items, Oprah has the answer. She gives a comprehensive, state-by-state list of where to get rid of anything from furniture to that old pair of golf clubs. Plus, you get to help a local charity.

Lose that post-child weight

Did your kids skip town, leaving their clutter behind? When children go to college or move out, their old stuff can add some serious heft to your home. It's best to have them come clean it out themselves because they know which items are significant and which aren't. But if they moved across the country, and home visits are too precious to waste cleaning, you can do the deed virtually. Just take photos of their items, upload them into a shareable album, and have them choose what gets sent to them and what gets pitched.

Don't let the mailman ruin your diet

A few days of piled-up mail can easily put a few extra pounds on your kitchen table. Household advisor FlyLady says to combat the daily onslaught, deal with the paperwork the moment it comes into the house with a garbage can and a calendar at your side. Then always put the bills in the same place, and set aside one or two days a month to tackle them. I have my bills on autopay, but I check to ensure the monthly billing is accurate.

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