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Say Goodbye to ‘Save for Best’: Why It’s Time to Embrace Everyday Joy

WRITTEN by CHRISSY, LAST UPDATED ON April 4, 2024

& FILED IN Life at Home 

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Having things that we love around our home is one of the pleasures of life, but saving them for best only is one of the few mistakes that I think we are all making to some extent in our lives.

Do you save things for best?


I have various friends and family who have come home from their holidays to find their home has been burgled/flooded etc…. and their stuff has been taken or is no longer able to be used through damage.

I myself have lost things through theft, which was heartbreaking as I hadn’t enjoyed wearing what was stolen (it was jewellery) because I was worried about losing it. I’ve also been known to leave clothes for best, while walking around feeling less than glamorous in my everyday scruffs, and I’ve lost a good number of “nice” chocolates/biscuits we get given as presents and save for a special occasion – only to find that they are past their best before date when we get them out again.

People have a tendency to save things for best all the time – saving them for the day when they will use it and enjoy it – but my issue with this is this….

What if that day is too late?

I really believe that life is way too short to save things for best.

You don’t know what’s around the corner – you may fall foul of illness, flooding, fire, theft, or any of the many other things that unfortunately get thrown our way during our lives, and then you will never have had the joy from an item that was likely a gift from someone close to you who has bought it for you to enjoy.

Why not get enjoyment out of things everyday instead?

Don’t save the good stuff for later.

I am sure you would be smiling loads if you started to use the best stuff, and decluttered the rest ;o)

Why not use the best stuff – it’s likely to last longer as well as making you happier!

Here’s a list of things that are worth using now – for a little inspiration:-

  • Candles (scented candles lose their scent over time, so make the most of them!)
  • Crockery
  • Cutlery
  • Glassware
  • Linens (bedding, table cloths etc…)
  • Towels
  • Notebooks/paper
  • Food (special packets of biscuits/chocolates etc…)
  • Books
  • Clothes (don’t get into the habit of wearing the same old stuff as your daily uniform)
  • Bags
  • Shoes
  • Jewellery

Think how joyous each and every day could be when you are making the most of what you have.

Do you save things for best?

So – do you save things for best, or use them as much as possible?

I really think – why save the good stuff for later? Don’t save things for a special occasion. Life’s too short.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather use it now than find it in years to come either past its best in the back of a cupboard, lost entirely, or damaged etc… before I had time to get any joy from it.

Not only that – but think of how much less you’d need to store – saving you TONNES of clutter!

HAVE YOUR SAY...

  • I’m so sorry you had to go through this Maxine. It’s definitely a lesson in using it when you have it….

  • I relate to this so deeply. Our house was flooded in January and we lost so many belongings. That would be upsetting in any circumstances but the thing that hurt the most was throwing away ruined items that were being saved for just the right occasion.

    Before the flood I had chosen a motto for 2024 which was “Use it or lose it”. I didn’t realise how prophetic it would turn out to be.

    Enjoy the items you own.

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    This article was written by Chrissy

    Hi - I'm Chrissy... Having run my own business for 12 years as a Professional Organiser and Interior Designer, I know what works (and what doesn't!) when it comes to setting up a home that works both functionally and aesthetically. Now you can mostly find me in a coffee shop or at home, working full time on OrganiseMyHouse.com (which I setup back in 2011) sharing all my tips and ideas. My mission is to help you create a home that you love to live in every day...

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