Clutter doesn’t just appear out of thin air. It comes from things we buy that we don’t really need or quickly lose interest in. The key to breaking the habit of buying clutter is to ask the right questions before you buy.

"Why can't I have Lunchables?"

Even though my daughter is only 2 ½, I can almost hear the wailing begin. As a parent, trying to cut down on disposable packaging can be a trying task. With all the "cool" (read "wasteful, unhealthful") stuff on the grocery store shelves strategically aimed at kids, the teachable moments are many. A kid's desire and elemental reasoning can be mortal enemies.