Americans love their stuff. We’re great at buying and collecting it, but not so savvy at getting rid of it once it’s not useful anymore. Going through all the accumulated things in your home can be an intimidating endeavor. As you age, the task can become overwhelming as volumes grow, and more challenging if your physical health isn’t what it used to be.

By taking control of the clutter in your home early in your retirement, you’ll realize many benefits that would otherwise get lost in a closet somewhere in the basement. Here are nine benefits of decluttering your home in retirement:

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[Read: 8 Tips for Decluttering.]

[Read: 6 Home Renovations to Consider Before Retirement.]

[Read: 5 Ways to Be Happier When You Retire.]

Craig Stephens is a blogger at Retire Before Dad.

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9 Benefits of Decluttering Your Home Before You Die originally appeared on usnews.com