Originally written in 2017, this article predates pandemic-era hoarding, subscription creep, and delivery-app convenience. Today, clutter isn’t just physical: it’s digital and financial. The Lent structure remains a practical framework for intentional simplification.
Today marks the Christian season of Lent, and most folks would say, “Big Deal.” I view Lent as a time for growth, both spiritually and in day-to-day life. I have written many articles about Lent over the years, I even had a Lenten Money challenge. While Money and Lent can go hand in hand, there are other areas you can work on.
In my life, I am a bit of a pack rat. I don’t throw out many things. This behaviour creates clutter. Clutter can lead to hoarding, so this Lent season, we will be attempting something new.
The 40 Bag Challenge
This is a great idea, and if this seems daunting, the Salvation Army has a derivation. The Salvation Army suggests filling a bag and donating it to them as part of Lent (just 1 bag). Start there and see if you can do that.
Note also the challenge says a bag of any size. You can start with a grocery bag, you don’t need a garbage bag.
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Clutter and money are cousins. Both accumulate quietly. Both grow in the dark. Both feel manageable until they aren’t. Another cousin is weight gain, as I have said before.
The 40 Bag Challenge is effective because it removes decision paralysis. You don’t declutter the whole house. You fill one bag. Today. That’s it.
Financially, the same structure applies. One debt payment. One subscription cancelled. One automated transfer set up. One mile walked.
Forty small actions beat one grand, unsustainable overhaul.
FAQ Section
A decluttering challenge: donate one bag per day during Lent.
No. Any size counts. Start small. Momentum matters more than volume.
Less clutter reduces impulse buying and highlights what you actually use.
Yes. Simplicity often reduces unnecessary spending.
Where to Donate?
The 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge
Salvation Army Canada – Donate Goods
Money and Lent Ideas
Organize your money for Lent. Remember it is only for 40 days. Some more ideas for Lent:
- Pay with cash for all 40 days. This might slow your spending habits.
- Organizing and automating your bill paying may not be that hard to do.
- Pay off debt, cut down on entertainment expenses and use that money to start paying down debt.
- Eat a healthy diet for 40 days, cook your meals, after all fresh fruit and veggies are cheaper now. Exercise, just go for a 1 mile walk for 40 days, see how you feel?
Lent is not just a time to "give something up", it is also a time to reflect and to grow.
Other Clutter Articles
- Money and Lent: Clutter too? You can use Lent as an excuse to actually clean up your clutter.
- Bazaar: Where Clutter Goes this is a common topic, in fact, I wrote about it in The Church Bazaar and Uncluttering as well.
- De-cluttering Financially (redux) making sure you keep your financial life uncluttered is important as well.
- Unclutter your life! is one of my first posts about the importance of getting rid of clutter.
