Decluttering Loyalty Cards: When Your Organising System Isn't Working
Why I decided to take my own advice — and what I learned along the way.
I'm a professional organiser, but that doesn't mean every organising system I've created for myself works!
Recently, I spoke on the radio about decluttering loyalty cards. It got me thinking about my own collection, which had gradually grown into something I was finding increasingly frustrating.
So I decided to tackle it.
The system that seemed like a good idea
A while ago, I'd separated my cards into two groups: banking cards and loyalty or membership cards.
Rather than carrying everything around in my purse, I kept the less frequently used cards in a cupboard by the front door.
The idea was simple. Whenever I was going shopping, I'd check the cupboard as I grabbed my coat or handbag and take whichever card I needed.
Except I never quite developed the habit.
And because I had so many cards, looking through them to find the right one became another irritating task.
What was supposed to make life easier was actually making things harder.
When organising creates more work
My banking cards were another example.
Over the years, I'd opened several different accounts for different purposes. My ADHD brain thought this was a wonderful idea — separate accounts for Christmas, eBay and everyday spending.
But in practice, I ended up with multiple cards, different PIN numbers to remember and labels on the cards so I could tell them apart.
Eventually, I simplified my banking, but I never finished closing all the old accounts.
Those unused cards stayed in the cupboard.
Every time I came across them, they reminded me of something I hadn't finished. Even emails from the bank asking me to check my account information felt stressful.
It wasn't just physical clutter. It was an unfinished job repeatedly taking up space in my head.
Decluttering loyalty cards: what I did differently
Instead of trying to create another complicated system, I started going through the cards one by one.
1. Keep frequently used loyalty cards easily accessible
For shops I use regularly, I've added cards to Apple Wallet where possible, or made sure they're available in the retailer's app.
This means fewer physical cards to carry and less searching around when I'm at the till.
2. Photograph cards I rarely need
For some less frequently used membership cards, I've taken photos of the membership details and created an album on my phone.
It's important to check whether the physical card is still required before getting rid of it. I also wouldn't recommend photographing payment cards or storing PINs this way.
3. Question whether I need the membership at all
Some cards haven't been used for years.
Rather than spending ages trying to retrieve forgotten passwords or check whether there might be a tiny reward balance, I've started asking myself whether the effort is worthwhile.
Sometimes it really isn't!
4. Keep things where I'll actually use them
While sorting through everything, I found vouchers I'd forgotten about, including a holiday voucher that expires soon.
I've also moved useful vouchers, such as fuel vouchers, to the car where I'm more likely to remember them.
It's a simple principle I regularly use with clients: think about where something will be needed, rather than where you think it ought to live.
5. Accept that some jobs take longer
I managed to start closing my old bank accounts, but I couldn't finish everything.
Some require telephone calls or additional security information.
Rather than allowing that to derail the whole process, I've identified what needs doing next and stopped for now.
That's still progress.
Finding a home for everything
Once I'd worked through the cards, I needed to decide what to do with everything that was left.
I didn't want to simply put it all back in the cupboard!
Here's where everything ended up:
Nationwide cards, card reader and notes: All went into my project box, ready for when I have the time and energy to finish closing the accounts. They're now part of a specific project rather than a constant reminder of an unfinished job.
Unwanted cards: I used my address blocker to black out personal details before binning them. Financial cards need securely destroying too, including the chip and magnetic strip.
Rarely used cards and vouchers: I repurposed a little black plastic card holder I already owned. This now holds my PADI diving qualifications, vouchers and bank cards I only occasionally need.
My old purse: No longer needed, so I've donated it to charity.
I haven't bought any new storage or created an elaborate filing system. I've simply made better use of what I already had.
And importantly, I've separated things I need to keep from things I still need to deal with.
A good organising system should make your life easier
One of the things I've learned, both personally and through working with clients, is that there isn't one perfect way to organise everything.
What works brilliantly for one person might be completely impractical for somebody else.
And sometimes a system that once worked well stops being useful as our circumstances change.
When something repeatedly frustrates you, it might not be a case of trying harder to maintain the system.
It might simply be time to change it.
Progress, not perfection
I haven't finished sorting all my banking accounts, and there are still a few loose ends.
But I've reduced the number of cards I need to keep, made the useful ones easier to access and started dealing with a job I've been avoiding.
Most importantly, I've reduced that feeling of stress every time I open the cupboard.
And for me, that's what organising is really about.
Making space isn't just about having less stuff. It's about making everyday life feel that little bit easier.
If you're struggling with clutter or organising systems that never quite seem to work, Making Space With Chloe Jane offers friendly, practical organising support in Benfleet, Essex and surrounding areas. Together, we can find solutions that work for you and the way you live.
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