But cleaning up and cleaning out also can generate money, says Ewer.

CNN: Decluttering before the New Year

One of the most significant pieces is a silver gilt ewer, or pitcher, made in Portugal around 1510-15, which is enamelled with the Royal Arms of Portugal.

BBC: Entertainment & Arts

If you really write out bills at the kitchen table and not in the home office, says Ewer, get yourself a wheeled cart you can roll where the work gets done.

CNN: Decluttering before the New Year

"Get the ghosts of Christmas past out of there -- all those little cans of this and that, the beef sticks from the gift basket no one can bear to throw out, " says Ewer.

CNN: Decluttering before the New Year

Cynthia Ewer, the Washington state-based editor of OrganizedHome.com and the author of " The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Organized Fast-Track, " suggests we use this in-between-holidays week to step back and reflect on our habits and how well they're working for us at home.

CNN: Decluttering before the New Year