Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2

[Plina]

Heavens, I should have been on this thread for the past few weeks. We have been sorting and tossing and selling and gifting and donating like mad in preparation for our upcoming move. Clothes, baby bathtub and bath seat, shoes, bookcase, bunk bed, changing table, books...

There is nothing like a move to make you realize how much stuff you have and how little you value some of it.

Our first big move (Seattle to Bay Area), we got rid of more than 25% of our belongings. It was insane. We got rid of about 10% of our stuff when we moved between houses here. I keep decluttering & cleaning. It's addictive, and I hope I have very little stuff to ditch, but it's a never ending cycle, so I'm sure there will be more!

I have moved a lot and every time there is something that can be decluttered. The question I am asking is if I use this and do I want to pay to have it moved. It has resulted in that I alwAys spend some some weeks decluttering before the move and then pack. During the packing process you find even more to get rid of.

[Fresh Bread]

Went to the tip with a car full of cardboard and got rid of some books noone will want at the same time. Have kept four for a street library but they are in the garage not clogging up inside. Also returned some things to IKEA - AND DID NOT BUY ANYTHING!! Mainly because too many people. Unfortunately husband bought yet another backpack from marketplace but he says it will replace others!

[ysette9]

Heavens, I should have been on this thread for the past few weeks. We have been sorting and tossing and selling and gifting and donating like mad in preparation for our upcoming move. Clothes, baby bathtub and bath seat, shoes, bookcase, bunk bed, changing table, books...

There is nothing like a move to make you realize how much stuff you have and how little you value some of it.

Our first big move (Seattle to Bay Area), we got rid of more than 25% of our belongings. It was insane. We got rid of about 10% of our stuff when we moved between houses here. I keep decluttering & cleaning. It's addictive, and I hope I have very little stuff to ditch, but it's a never ending cycle, so I'm sure there will be more!

I have moved a lot and every time there is something that can be decluttered. The question I am asking is if I use this and do I want to pay to have it moved. It has resulted in that I alwAys spend some some weeks decluttering before the move and then pack. During the packing process you find even more to get rid of.

We did a good amount of decluttering before and after our previous move, only three years ago. Somehow we have managed to accumulate a bunch more crap in the interim. Babies do that somehow.

I was talking to my husband about this a couple of days ago. The problem is that stuff comes in as a regular course of life. As much as I try to push back, the kids get junky toys, random things show up in our house, gifts we are too polite to reject but then don’t ever quite get around to regifting. On the flip side we don’t have any regular mechanism for going through and getting rid of things.

So putting my chemical engineering education to work here to do a mass balance equation, when the rate of input > rate of output then you end up with mass accumulation. I proposed we should institute a 2-3x yearly purge so we don’t end up feeling like we are buried in stuff each time we move.

[Fresh Bread]

This counts as decluttering: I hung two pictures. One was resting on the floor and I had to lift it to vacuum every time and the other was permanently lying on a desk since it came back from the framers. It's a oil painting of my late dog that my SIL commissioned.

Now I'm going to put the hinge dampeners on the kitchen cupboard doors. It's a job that's only been waiting 6 months! Then I can use the cupboard space they were taking up as official aircon & ceiling fan remote storage. Which means I can put off buying a new dining table that includes drawers, because that was the only reason I had to get them. Saving: $300.

[Frugal Lizard]

I finally went through my garden shelves and culled back tons of what was mostly garbage.

[slackmax]

Took a carload of stuff to the first 'car boot', flea market weekend of the year. Got rid of some stuff, made a modest profit, and had a nice day out of the house. And I feel productive.

Another benefit of the trip was that it will be easy for me to now donate the stuff that didn't sell, and that no one even expressed an interest in, like the cute little suitcase. No one uses or needs suitcases any more , I guess, ha ha. And the wicker baskets. You can't pay people to take wicker baskets these days, lol.  Out they go, you deal with them, Salvation Army. 

[slackmax]

I finally went through my garden shelves and culled back tons of what was mostly garbage.

Good for you!  I ought to go through a bunch of garden-related plastic and ceramic containers that I have stashed away under a big bush. Probably don't need a quarter of it. 

[MaybeBabyMustache]

@ysette9 - I find at the younger kid age, their needs & sizes are changing so frequently, you really do have to stay on top of it. Our kids are too old for "toys", so while we have plenty of Magic cards, and sports equipment, fewer toys/gifts/clothes that we are rotating through, which helps.

This weekend, I went through the kids books, and listed 20 or so on eBay. Apparently, now is the time to sell books, due to man libraries being closed. I also donated another 5 or so. Their bookshelves look amazing!

[ysette9]

@ysette9 - I find at the younger kid age, their needs & sizes are changing so frequently, you really do have to stay on top of it. Our kids are too old for "toys", so while we have plenty of Magic cards, and sports equipment, fewer toys/gifts/clothes that we are rotating through, which helps.

This weekend, I went through the kids books, and listed 20 or so on eBay. Apparently, now is the time to sell books, due to man libraries being closed. I also donated another 5 or so. Their bookshelves look amazing!

Nicely done!

I am completely incapable of shipping things so I stick with FB marketplace and Buy Nothing.

[LetItGrow]

Not trying to brag, but rather hoping this will give confidence that you won’t miss it...

From the home office I can see the trash and recycling trucks come by on Mondays. This week I had taken a bunch of old school reports from a bin, a ton of newspaper clippings of my sporting efforts, and an actual scrapbook my mom had put together for one high school football season, and tossed them in the bin. The truck pulled up, dumped the whole thing in, and drove off. No feelings of regret, nothing. Had not read through any of it in a long time, and it’s ancient history.

Plus, with the facts now gone, I can now rewrite history as needed...

[Prairie Gal]

I donated a bag of clothes to a friend of a friend that has lost weight, and is on disability so can't afford new clothes. That was a good feels donation, for sure.

[Shinplaster]

Donation centres have reopened here, so I finally got rid of a bunch of stuff that's been in the garage waiting to go since March.

[slackmax]

Donation centres have reopened here, so I finally got rid of a bunch of stuff that's been in the garage waiting to go since March.

I bet that was satisfying, Shinplaster.

Here the donation places are still closed, but there is a big pile of donated stuff sitting out in the open behind one of them. People must be desperate top get rid of the stuff.  It's going to get rained on. 

I'm still waiting patiently.

[Shinplaster]

Donation centres have reopened here, so I finally got rid of a bunch of stuff that's been in the garage waiting to go since March.

I bet that was satisfying, Shinplaster.

Here the donation places are still closed, but there is a big pile of donated stuff sitting out in the open behind one of them. People must be desperate top get rid of the stuff.  It's going to get rained on. 

I'm still waiting patiently.

I hate when people pile stuff outside when the centres are closed - it's just going to get ruined anyway, so they may as well have put it in the garbage.    It was particularly satisfying for me to get this stuff donated because we've just put our house up for sale.  The inside looks great, if I do say so myself.  The garage however...that's where the horrors are.       

Lady in front of me yesterday was awful - she was yelling at the employees because they wouldn't unload her car.  They still have strict procedures, which are clearly posted.   Unload your car, put the stuff in the rolling cart.  As you are leaving, staff will come and wheel your donations into the shop, and put out a new cart.  Rinse and repeat.     Employee thanked me for doing as asked, and I just told him not all old ladies are asshats.  (I'm probably the same age as she was - late 60s).    We both got a laugh and smile - I don't know how they remain so cheerful!

[Frugal Lizard]

I have been able to clear out a number of random items this week by accidentally breaking them beyond repair.

The waste depot has re-opened but we now have so much we decided to do a bunch of additional reno-demolition and get enough waste to warrant a full trailer drop-off.  We had exceeded what would fit in the car, so we might as well just fill up the entire trailer.

This meant that the decaying play structure is now a pile of rotting lumber waiting for the trailer at the back of the house. 
Two huge construction waste bags are at the front corner of the garage as well as a huge tarp hides carpet, underlay, dry wall board and old trim at the side of the driveway. I can't see any of these piles from the primary living spaces, so it seems like the waste is already gone.  I am particularly happy with the new view from my desk that is all trees hiding the pile of the play structure and no longer is a ratty tarp and pinkish plastic slide. 

[KBecks]

I am taking a break from going through our crawlspace -- our donation center opened, but it is busy.  I hope to take things over in small trips.  What I take out today will be donated today. I am NOT going on the weekend, but will load up the van to take a load on Monday. 

Part of my motivation is that I cannot find my stored summer clothes, and I have some nice clothes and shoes stored. Where did they go? We had a very unusual leak in the crawlspace during a storm and everything got shuffled and it's a mess.  Pain in the bottom.

[MountainGal]

I donated a bag of clothes to a friend of a friend that has lost weight, and is on disability so can't afford new clothes. That was a good feels donation, for sure.

@Prairie Gal, this was very kind of you.  :)

[MountainGal]

Our Goodwill is now open here, though I've yet to visit.


~I shredded 5 grocery bags full of paper here at the office over the past week.  Last month I had someone come in and file for 4 hours.  It's really starting to feel lighter here.
~I took 7 never used shipping envelopes and boxes back to the post office today.
~I rid of DH and my ballots by dropping them off for the primary.  :)

[slackmax]

Got some modest bucks for 4 hubcaps, by selling them to a local hubcap retailer store. After trying to sell them for about 10 years, on and off, it was good to get rid of the clumsy, noisy things.  Felt like a milestone of sorts.

Made a trip out Saturday to the flea market to sell whatever I could. They are only charging $5 a day per table now (was $10 last year)  due to low vendor turnout once they reopened. Maybe the vendors are afraid of the virus.     

Sold a lot of stuff, made a modest profit. The biggest things were a camera tripod, and a big 6 by 3  foot erasable whiteboard I've been trying to get rid of for a while.

I could be out there again today, Sunday, but I chose to stay home pick out some good stuff for next weekend's market.

I just found out my library is now accepting returns (outside) so tomorrow I will hop over there with those 5 dvd's I've had lying around. No late fees. Can't check anything out yet, though.


 

[SunnyDays]

Good going Slackmax.

Can you stuff enough stuff in your car to fill up two tables, since they're "on sale?"  That will speed things up!

[MaybeBabyMustache]

We are at our vacation house, so a whole new space to organize & declutter.
-Tried on all clothes in my dresser, made a pile of things to donate.
-Went through all of the kids clothes, and made stacks of: keep, donate, sell. Put all of the sell items in our "go home" bag
-Went through our pantry, and organized a few things. It's a big project (people leave things behind, so there is often random stuff, and I need to check all the dates, etc) & I'm only on the first of five shelves. Lots more to come.

I also found four glass jars (originally contained shells?) that we've had since we bought the house 10+ years ago. Donation pile. Found wall letters from Pottery Barn with the kids names in the garage in one of my husband's tools containers. Never been used. Will take home & list on eBay.

I do love a good declutter!

[slackmax]

Good going Slackmax.

Can you stuff enough stuff in your car to fill up two tables, since they're "on sale?"  That will speed things up!

I could, but I won't.   

[SunnyDays]

Good going Slackmax.

Can you stuff enough stuff in your car to fill up two tables, since they're "on sale?"  That will speed things up!

I could, but I won't.   

I’m curious why not?

[Sibley]

Have a bag to be dropped off at a friends house. Some baking supplies that I won't use in any reasonable time frame to store them, and returning some containers.

Also added a pair of jeans to the donation box. They're not comfy, I'm not going to wear them.

[oneday]

I just found out my library is now accepting returns (outside) so tomorrow I will hop over there with those 5 dvd's I've had lying around. No late fees. Can't check anything out yet, though.

So funny! Libraries here are doing the opposite: you can check out (curbside pickup) but not return.  I'm imagining the libraries empty before the pandemic is over!

[slackmax]

Salvation Army donation kiosk is open again! Rushed over this morning with an old suitcase,  a box of knicknacks, and a bag of clothes.   No one else there! Unexpected. 

[Sibley]

I just found out my library is now accepting returns (outside) so tomorrow I will hop over there with those 5 dvd's I've had lying around. No late fees. Can't check anything out yet, though.

So funny! Libraries here are doing the opposite: you can check out (curbside pickup) but not return.  I'm imagining the libraries empty before the pandemic is over!

My library is doing both, though they're staggering the returns so they can keep up. I have a book that I expect will be sitting on the table for another month or so. They're letting all returns sit on carts for 3 days before they check them in.

[MountainGal]

Ahem.  Decluttered my side of the master bathroom vanity sink drain.  SO gross.  The good news is because I had to clear out the cupboard beneath it, I purged a few items to both the garbage can and Goodwill box.  This is something I'd been wanting to do for quite some time.  Looks much better and is more functional for busy work day mornings.

With DH's help, I "decluttered" some old fencing into fire pit size logs.  My first time using a sawzall and am very proud of myself!

Was poking around my home office looking for pictures for a few projects.  I really need to address the two photo storage boxes and other items in that room.  Oh, well.  Goals!

[oneday]

I just found out my library is now accepting returns (outside) so tomorrow I will hop over there with those 5 dvd's I've had lying around. No late fees. Can't check anything out yet, though.

So funny! Libraries here are doing the opposite: you can check out (curbside pickup) but not return.  I'm imagining the libraries empty before the pandemic is over!

My library is doing both, though they're staggering the returns so they can keep up. I have a book that I expect will be sitting on the table for another month or so. They're letting all returns sit on carts for 3 days before they check them in.

They're saying that returns will not be accepted until some future date. I'm almost tempted to volunteer to help re-shelve, I'm sure they will be deluged.

[Frugal Lizard]

Our library is doing curbside pickups with appointment windows.  Returned books are quarantined for 48 hours before re-shelving them.  No overdue fines though!

[ysette9]

We just moved and before leaving we had to give our library books to our neighbor to return for us at some future unspecified date.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Re-organized spice pantry area, & consolidated a bunch of coffee/hot drink items. Because it's a vacation house, people leave a lot of things behind. Every time I come, there are new "surprises" to sort out. I now have everything on one shelf, which is a big improvement.

Also found a waffle maker (unused) & a coffee canister that can either be donated, or I will see if someone else in my family wants them. It's always nice to get rid of bulky things that linger but don't get used.

[oneday]

Our library is doing curbside pickups with appointment windows.  Returned books are quarantined for 48 hours before re-shelving them.  No overdue fines though!

I hope they start doing that here!

Learned yesterday of a thrift shop in town that is taking donations again! I would have been there at 9 this morning, but Reasons. Maybe Saturday. Got my fingers crossed!

[ysette9]

Re-organized spice pantry area, & consolidated a bunch of coffee/hot drink items. Because it's a vacation house, people leave a lot of things behind. Every time I come, there are new "surprises" to sort out. I now have everything on one shelf, which is a big improvement.

Also found a waffle maker (unused) & a coffee canister that can either be donated, or I will see if someone else in my family wants them. It's always nice to get rid of bulky things that linger but don't get used.

I wish we were closer because I’ve wanted a waffle maker for a long time!

[slackmax]

Returned 5 dvd's to the outdoor library clerks, and had a nice chat with them. They had a bunch of cardboard boxes and said just put them in any one.

Then went over to the recycling place, which reopened a week ago, and finally got rid of a very old burned pot that has been cluttering my front door area for months.  Yay! 

 But they would not accept my 'textiles' (old rags and cloth stuff) so I tossed those in the next garbage can I saw.

Textiles is one of the things they normally accept, but they said they are waiting until later to accept them again.   

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Re-organized spice pantry area, & consolidated a bunch of coffee/hot drink items. Because it's a vacation house, people leave a lot of things behind. Every time I come, there are new "surprises" to sort out. I now have everything on one shelf, which is a big improvement.

Also found a waffle maker (unused) & a coffee canister that can either be donated, or I will see if someone else in my family wants them. It's always nice to get rid of bulky things that linger but don't get used.

I wish we were closer because I’ve wanted a waffle maker for a long time!

Likewise. Would love a socially distanced beach visit!

I've continued to go through our vacation house:
-Found two games to donate, two to take home
-Organized our toiletry area (moved from garage in an area no one could see into). Think TP, paper towels, cleaning supplies, etc. It's amazing to be able to actually be able to see what we have, what we're running short on, etc.
-Listed four items on the local Craigslist
-Have a huge pile of things to take home & sell on eBay, and a pile for donation
-Organized our food pantry. Tossed expired stuff, grouped like items, and found about 8 items (pitchers, wine chillers, etc) that we've never/rarely used in 10+ years, so will go to another home (donate, eBay, our other house)

[Frugal Lizard]

Have three packages of printer cartridges ready for drop off and three were picked up yesterday. 
The old PVR is packed up with return shipping label.

The recycling bin is nearly full of old pots and trays that I haven't used in three years.  Two whole bins are now empty in the garage. 

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Went through our utensil drawer, and found a few items for donation. Reorganized & cleaned everything, & it looks so much better. Next up, organizing & cleaning under our bathroom sink. Tons of random things people have left behind.

[ysette9]

Unpacking now at the new place and I am overwhelmed by how much stuff we have. I had really enjoyed the minimalist lifestyle there for a week.

Played a small toddler bike in buy nothing and our crappy vacuum for sake on FB Marketplace. Next up is my unused second bike (who wants to ride a normal bike when I have my electric bike?!).

[shadesofgreen]

Have a back seat loaded for donation tonight. So happy to get these items out of my space.

[slackmax]

Got rid of a bunch of small things at a flea market sale today, but also 2 bulky things:  a collapsible outdoor pool, and a backpack.

I'm happiest about the backpack.

I had the backpack for sale for so long I was about to donate it just to get rid of it, when someone came out of nowhere and bought it!  Yay.     

[ysette9]

I sold my extra unused bike, and our vacuum cleaner. Gave away some small items and have more listed on Buy Nothing. Listed a jacket and kid’s table & chair for sale.

Slowly opening more boxes and putting things away as well as setting stuff aside to put in storage or get rid of. It is a lot of work to move.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

@ysette9 - truth. Moving is a tremendous amount of work. Nice progress!

I cleaned under the bathroom sink, got rid of a bunch of stuff, put the six containers of lotion in the toiletry cabinet, and now the space is usable & looks great.

[ItsALongStory]

Our house has been under contract since last Saturday with a tentative close date of July 14th. My wife has made over 2k selling decorations, kitchenware and some smaller appliances. It's amazing what people buy through Facebook marketplace. We might actually be able to move out early at this rate.

We might also have to sit and sleep on the floor pretty soon. :-)

Our move will be international and we plan to start over rather than ship a ton of stuff

[Sibley]

Decluttered a huge pile of rocks! This is in preparation for decluttering the garage of termites. A neighbor wanted rocks, so worked out great.

[LinneaH]

My husband has finally decided that we will divorce. Not my choice, but I will make the best of it. I have decluttered a lot already, but a lot more needs to be done. I will not bring a lot of crap into my coming apartment.

Also, I am by choice not taking a lot of "stuff" from our current home. If there are things I don't absolutely need (but want/would be nice to have) and I don't love what we have now, I will not take it with me, but take time to look for something I really like instead. Examples are cheapo Ikea book shelves, I will not take them, I will put the few books I own in a box until I find the right solution. Could be new-to-me lovely old book shelves, could be in a unused kitchen cupboard, who knows? :-)

This will also help with ex-DH letting my have the few items I really want. Today I asked if I could take a really lovely pot stand that I believe originally comes from his grandma, and he was absolutely fine with that. There are a few things that I really want to keep (big and small, a linen cupboard is another thing) and I will really try to get them, but not much more except for what I really need.

As you maybe can tell, besides the sadness, I am also really excited to recreate my life. I am so looking forward to this.

Moving on with packing up stuff we need to remove before viewings of the house. We need to finish this part during this weekend/early next week. I am not packing nearly as much as ex-DH, partly bc he has more private stuff and partly bc I really don't want /need a lot of the shared stuff. I am just saying "don't want, don't need, you take it if you want it". I don't think he has realised yet that he was more of the reason for that we never got the house really in order with regards to stuff.

I do hope the house will sell pretty easily, but the house market is really shaky here from the Corona situation. Also, we have done a lot with the house, but there are still things to do, which may scare a potential buyer. We just want a pretty good price, and for it to be done.
But first, packing away a lot of stuff and getting the house in order.

I get access to my new apartment in October, and I am really planning to not have a lot of unnecessary stuff, but to have open space.

Oh, and on the waffle maker theme: someone is coming to pick up our double waffle maker tomorrow, I listed it for free on Facebook since no-one of us want it, and at least threee people interested so it should move away pretty easily.

[LinneaH]

Decluttered a huge pile of rocks! This is in preparation for decluttering the garage of termites. A neighbor wanted rocks, so worked out great.

Ha! I thought my sons (ages 9 and 7) were the only ones with piles of rocks:-)
(also piles of sticks)

[Sibley]

Decluttered a huge pile of rocks! This is in preparation for decluttering the garage of termites. A neighbor wanted rocks, so worked out great.

Ha! I thought my sons (ages 9 and 7) were the only ones with piles of rocks:-)
(also piles of sticks)

This pile of rocks was I believe 10 wheelbarrow loads. Probably bigger than your kid's piles :)

Worst part is, it was an average size pile by my standards of digging out rock.

[ysette9]

Took stuff to storage today. That makes two carloads so far. We still have a good amount of work to but there is hope. I am slowly giving away things on Buy Nothing also. It is slower going with that but at least people come pick it up!

[oneday]

Our library is doing curbside pickups with appointment windows.  Returned books are quarantined for 48 hours before re-shelving them.  No overdue fines though!

I hope they start doing that here!

Learned yesterday of a thrift shop in town that is taking donations again! I would have been there at 9 this morning, but Reasons. Maybe Saturday. Got my fingers crossed!

The shop was overwhelmed with donations this week, so when I showed up today they were not taking anything.

Took a different route home because it was more efficient), so didn't realize that it passed right by another thrift shop.  I happened to notice it was taking donations, so finally able to get rid of the 4 dining chairs and the shower squeegee that's been hanging around since before our Shelter in Place order went into effect.  The living room feels so nice without the extra chair! The other chairs were stowed in my patio storage closet, so I got to reorganize that a bit, too.

Not sure if this counts, but I finally installed the clips that hold up my hatchback's cargo cover, so the clips are no longer rolling around loose in the cargo area, and the cover works properly.  Felt like a declutter :)