Why You Can't Declutter Your Old Tech (Even Though You Bought a New One)

There are three reasons why you can't declutter your old tech (laptops, phones, ipads, ipods and hard drives) leading them to sit in a closet for years, and not one of them is that you're disorganized. 📕 FREE GUIDE, Simplify in 60 Decluttering Guide: 👉 https://simpli-fi-life.kit.com/eb6c45... I kept three laptops and a 20-year-old external hard drive in my guest closet for almost ten years. Not one of them was broken, and that's exactly why they stayed. I was ready to throw all of it away last weekend, and my husband talked me into giving it one more day. He saved 20 years of photos and videos I would have lost. This is what was actually keeping that stuff in my closet, and what to do the next time you replace a device so you never end up here. CHAPTERS 00:00 The old tech you keep meaning to deal with 01:08 Reason 1: I spent good money on it 03:29 Why you can't let go 04:49 The hard drive I gave up on a year ago 05:28 Learn from my lesson 06:07 Reason 2: you're afraid of losing what's on it 06:47 Free TRIM Decluttering Guide 07:57 Reason 3: you're afraid someone else will get your data 09:01 What to do the next time you replace a device 10:04 Where and how to dispose of old tech 10:51 Your homework: pick a date WHERE TO RECYCLE OLD ELECTRONICS DEVICES (leave sealed-in batteries alone, just bring the whole device) Best Buy accepts laptops, desktops, hard drives and phones, up to 10 items per household per day, most at no cost. Large flat-panel TVs and monitors carry a fee. ecoATM and Staples are options depending on the device. Check your city's website for local e-waste drop-off days. LOOSE BATTERIES (the ones that slide right out) Batteries Plus accepts lithium-ion and lithium-polymer packs from laptops, phones, tablets and power tools, plus alkaline AA, AAA, C, D and 9V, nickel-metal hydride, nickel-cadmium, lead-acid, and specialty batteries like hearing aid and key fob batteries. Put clear tape over the terminals before you transport them, especially lithium. Some stores charge a small fee depending on the item and local rules, so call ahead. SOURCES MENTIONED SellCell / SellMobile electronics hoarding survey, October 2024, 2,000+ respondents Best Buy electronics recycling program, bestbuy.com Batteries Plus battery recycling guide, batteriesplus.com THE 3 CLUTTER DIALS Inventory, Systems, Habits. The framework I use to figure out which lever actually needs pulling in a home, instead of trying to fix everything at once. simpli-fi-life.com #decluttering #organizing #ewaste #simplifylife #intentionalliving