Author Topic: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2  (Read 1249446 times)

Bracken_Joy

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #50 on: February 08, 2018, 09:01:57 AM »
Little dehumidifier gifted through Buy Nothing. Was great in our old house with no bathroom fan, but not needed here. Cute lil' basket pending pickup.

Load of goodwill stuff in the truck which I'll drop off next time I go to get gas in it.

Poundwise

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #51 on: February 08, 2018, 09:37:08 AM »
All of my kids now play with teeny tiny Legos. Sorted through a big bin of Mega Bloks that has been sitting around our bedroom and had accumulated a huge assortment of other toys and toy parts.  Now the bin is in our car and will go to the children's section of the library (already checked with librarian to see if they will take it.)

That's 4 cubic feet of home space recovered!

Some libraries take Legos and Mega Bloks?  That is such an awesome idea.  I had already planned to start talking the kids into letting go of many of their Legos (they love putting them together, then they just sit on the shelves for years).   I'll have to check and see if our library does this/wants to start a program.

Yes!  Our library has an after school Lego club so they welcome the little Legos; they also have a tots play area so they take things like wooden puzzles, Mega Bloks, and other toddler toys for quiet play.

FireHiker

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #52 on: February 08, 2018, 10:40:06 AM »
I itemize every single thing that we donate throughout the year and just entered all of 2017 into It's Deductible. We did a lot of cleaning out of stuff in 2017, although there is still a long way to go. We went from owing a couple thousand on taxes to getting a couple thousand back. I'm not sure how that will look for 2018 with the new tax stuff, but it definitely reinforced that I would rather have the money on my taxes than the junk I don't use cluttering up closets and cupboards!

horsepoor

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #53 on: February 08, 2018, 01:09:27 PM »
Decluttered seed packets today.  About 10 I won't use will go to the office tomorrow, used up all the seed in about 5 more and tossed a couple that were too old to have good viability.

cheddarpie

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #54 on: February 08, 2018, 03:43:16 PM »
My parents are in their mid-70s and have some hoarder-ish tendencies (dad especially, won't get rid of anything). My mom has decided to tackle their giant basement and start clearing things out in the name of "dostadning" -- "Swedish death cleaning" (https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/swedish-death-cleaning-254273). Our family is of Swedish heritage so this idea seemed to particularly resonate with her.

She is making good progress (though not allowed to touch any of my dad's stuff, ugh) and had my sister and I spend a day with her in the basement going through things she thought we might want. I was very pleased to be able to say, "This is such a neat thing," or, "Oh, I have such good memories of this!" but, "NO THANK YOU I DO NOT WANT IT IN MY HOUSE," and to have that message be heard and received!

There were several things -- funny pictures, old favorite toys, sentimental but useless grandparents' items -- that I took pictures of on my phone so that I can keep the memory without the stuff. Someday I will need to de-clutter all my digital photos too, but this seemed like the perfect balance for maintaining some of the memories without the physical crap ...




happy

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #55 on: February 08, 2018, 04:12:34 PM »
I'm still at it even after moving. Currently I have a large garbage bag collecting clothing for donation and 1 box filled with bric a brac for donation.  And another box with old paint/chemicals for the annual chemical cleanup that our council offers for free.

Astatine

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #56 on: February 08, 2018, 06:39:58 PM »
I tried on my swimmers (which I haven't worn for a few years) and they no longer fit, so they went straight in the donation bag.

Sadly I will need to replace them because we are going to spend 10 days at the coast in April and I'd like the option to swim. But I guess I can see it as decluttering a piece of clothing that doesn't fit.

HappierAtHome

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #57 on: February 09, 2018, 03:53:50 AM »
Gave away two big bags of baby clothes today :D

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #58 on: February 09, 2018, 06:05:35 AM »
I finally used up my green lentils! Those little guys moved house with me last July. We had been roommates for at least two years since they were housed in a glass peanut butter jar, which was my go-to storage device circa 2016. Yum!

formerlydivorcedmom

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #59 on: February 09, 2018, 10:27:02 AM »
Last night I pulled out the 4 small moving boxes of sentimental things from my childhood-college. [[I graduated from college 18 years ago.]

I'm now down to 1 box of stuff.  Half of that is stuff I can scan and then throw away.  I'm hoping to have time to do that tomorrow.

I also went through the box of the kids' baby outfits that I had saved (they are 8 and 12).  We're down to 4 things.  Both kids wanted me to keep the outfits I brought them home in and their first pair of shoes, and my daughter asked me to save two dresses that she remembers loving (or at least has seen herself wearing in umpteen pictures).  The rest went into the donate pile.

The children admitted they don't want their Legos anymore and have agreed to pack those up tonight.

My husband was visibly uncomfortable by all of this.  We were doing all the sorting on the floor in front of him.  I didn't bring up any of his stuff, so I think his stress levels are back down today.

Mongoose

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #60 on: February 09, 2018, 02:47:56 PM »
Yay! Thanks for the new thread.

We cracked down last weekend...I'm tired of storing castoff furniture from relatives. Out out! One bookcase isn't salvageable...it's leaving along with the remains of an old, icky carpet and some other garbage, this weekend. We have set aside to donate next week: a second bookcase, two end tables, a coffee table, a love seat, a bin holder, and a microwave stand. All of it except the bin holder is just on the way out without replacement. Yay for more floor space!!! We did purchase a toy chest for DD to replace the bin holder. It wasn't actually working for her to hold her toys but the chest has been in place for a few days and has dramatically reduced her floor clutter.

I can't believe how much unused junk we have. My only consolation is that we inherited almost all of it so no money was wasted by us on initial purchases. We really need to go through room by room and remove all the items we have never used or don't even know what they are. What a huge project!

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #61 on: February 09, 2018, 02:54:22 PM »
-Donated a shirt my son has grown out of. One less thing around the house!

Poundwise

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #62 on: February 09, 2018, 08:26:44 PM »
I end up saving ten years of kids clothes because the younger kids wear the older kids' castoffs, plus I also save for my niece and nephew.  However, my sister and sister-in-law are both particular about clothes and only want the best pieces. 

This week a lady on Nextdoor was collecting clothes to send to Syrian refugee children, and my daughter's preschool is collecting clothes to send to an orphanage in Nicaragua. So I went through the clothes and split it into winter clothes for Syria, summer clothes for Nicaragua. About 4 cubic YARDS of space will be freed, once they leave the house!

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #63 on: February 09, 2018, 08:34:47 PM »
I end up saving ten years of kids clothes because the younger kids wear the older kids' castoffs, plus I also save for my niece and nephew.  However, my sister and sister-in-law are both particular about clothes and only want the best pieces. 

This week a lady on Nextdoor was collecting clothes to send to Syrian refugee children, and my daughter's preschool is collecting clothes to send to an orphanage in Nicaragua. So I went through the clothes and split it into winter clothes for Syria, summer clothes for Nicaragua. About 4 cubic YARDS of space will be freed, once they leave the house!

Nice! Great work! My kids wear pretty much exclusively dry fit shorts & shirts, & we're in a super moderate climate, so . . . things last for a long time. We do need things occasionally, but it's more like replacing the worn socks or shoes.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #64 on: February 10, 2018, 08:23:53 AM »
This barely fits, but I'm gonna share it anyway: I pruned dead wood off a japanese maple. It looks so much better already, and I'm not done yet. It just really felt like a good allegory for minimalism in general: pruning away that dead wood has given the vibrant trunk and living stems the chance to lift and the colors really pop. It's amazing how much easier it is to appreciate what's there, when the dead weight is taken away.

=)

Serendip

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #65 on: February 10, 2018, 09:22:19 AM »
Super inspired to join and keep minimizing.
We did a bit purge 2 years ago (before a 5 month trip when we rented out our townhouse) but I feel like we are slowly accumulating again but my SO did say we could try weekly to pack a bag for the Re-Use It Center.

I honestly think we have 10 stainless steel water bottles for hiking..he keeps being given more and just received another 2 this week (including an insulated Klean Kanteen).

The idea of 'Refuse' being the 1st R before 'Reduce, Re-use, Recycle' hasn't quite penetrated yet :)

This morning it's time to de-clutter the fridge : meaning all the condiments we never touch.

Mezzie

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #66 on: February 10, 2018, 04:18:56 PM »
I've been accumulating again: this time books for a lit class. The problem? I only have three bookshelves now and no room for my five new (thick) novels. I'm pretty sure I've purged all the books I'm willing to give up at this time, and the dining table will only work for so long...

Step37

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #67 on: February 10, 2018, 04:30:11 PM »
I decluttered a child’s wooden rocking chair. It used to be at my grandparents’ house (for as long as I can remember). As the eldest grandchild, I ended up with it (and never had children, so it’s just sat in the basement taking up space). I asked my cousin if he’d like it for his new baby, the first on that side of my family, and he took me up on it. I’m glad it stayed in the family and that he’ll use it, and that it’s out of my basement guilt-free!

Astatine

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #68 on: February 10, 2018, 05:01:57 PM »
This barely fits, but I'm gonna share it anyway: I pruned dead wood off a japanese maple. It looks so much better already, and I'm not done yet. It just really felt like a good allegory for minimalism in general: pruning away that dead wood has given the vibrant trunk and living stems the chance to lift and the colors really pop. It's amazing how much easier it is to appreciate what's there, when the dead weight is taken away.

=)

I love the analogy :)

oneday

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #69 on: February 10, 2018, 05:10:36 PM »
@Step37 , that seems like a really great home for your grandparents rocking chair!

We are divorcing, selling the condo & moving into separate small apartments.  The decluttering has begun, yay!

Yesterday I threw in the trash 2 knitting projects that didn't turn out & the yarn can't be re-used.

Today I gave 2 bags of yarn to strangers through Facebook marketplace.  Together these things would have filled maybe 1 1/2 banker's boxes. 

I have a small crochet kit that I am giving to a friend and that is already in the car for when I see her in two days.

I have a knitted blanket that is not big enough for Project Linus, so that is the one thing from my yarn "collection" that is presenting a challenge.

Up next, the knitting accessories.

Poundwise

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #70 on: February 10, 2018, 09:10:36 PM »
Great and brave deluttering, @oneday!  I have not attacked my knitting UFOs yet... finding it harder to let go of unfinished projects. 

How about offering the knitting accessories to an after school program or a local knitting circle?

HappierAtHome

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #71 on: February 10, 2018, 11:00:54 PM »
This barely fits, but I'm gonna share it anyway: I pruned dead wood off a japanese maple. It looks so much better already, and I'm not done yet. It just really felt like a good allegory for minimalism in general: pruning away that dead wood has given the vibrant trunk and living stems the chance to lift and the colors really pop. It's amazing how much easier it is to appreciate what's there, when the dead weight is taken away.

=)

I love the analogy :)

+1 It's absolutely perfect.

mustachepungoeshere

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #72 on: February 11, 2018, 12:24:33 AM »
@Step37 , that seems like a really great home for your grandparents rocking chair!

We are divorcing, selling the condo & moving into separate small apartments.  The decluttering has begun, yay!

Yesterday I threw in the trash 2 knitting projects that didn't turn out & the yarn can't be re-used.

Today I gave 2 bags of yarn to strangers through Facebook marketplace.  Together these things would have filled maybe 1 1/2 banker's boxes. 

I have a small crochet kit that I am giving to a friend and that is already in the car for when I see her in two days.

I have a knitted blanket that is not big enough for Project Linus, so that is the one thing from my yarn "collection" that is presenting a challenge.

Up next, the knitting accessories.

Amazing attitude!

mustachepungoeshere

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #73 on: February 11, 2018, 12:31:29 AM »
Airline socks.

I'm so vigilant but the fuckers keep getting in!

Who needs a dozen pairs of cheap socks with grippy patches on the soles?

I just keep throwing them in a bag for charity.

Also... anyone need an eye mask or 12?

mspym

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #74 on: February 11, 2018, 03:03:59 AM »
I've been steadily moving books I will never read/reread to the various free libraries nearby, took a bag of clothes to the Vinnies yesterday AND resisted the temptation to buy a book while I was in there, deleting old ebooks from my library and apps from my phone. The latest things I have been removing are the various electronic trackers I have accumulated over the years- toshl, habitica, fitbit. Trying to free up brain space from self-monitoring.

Fresh Bread

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #75 on: February 11, 2018, 04:30:42 AM »
Airline socks.

I'm so vigilant but the fuckers keep getting in!

Who needs a dozen pairs of cheap socks with grippy patches on the soles?

I just keep throwing them in a bag for charity.

Also... anyone need an eye mask or 12?

Since refusing is the first of the waste 'Rs' - could you nudge your hubby to refuse the onboard pack?

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #76 on: February 11, 2018, 08:17:35 AM »
Airline socks.

I'm so vigilant but the fuckers keep getting in!

Who needs a dozen pairs of cheap socks with grippy patches on the soles?

I just keep throwing them in a bag for charity.

Also... anyone need an eye mask or 12?

When I fly business class, I decline the amenity kit. They donate it to charity as a full set, and I don't have to drag it around in my suitcase & then donate it later. I do like to brush my teeth, so keep a travel set readily available in my carry on.

Mezzie

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #77 on: February 11, 2018, 11:02:33 AM »
I found places to show off the decorative things I inherited from my grandma (they were in several boxes) and am putting a set of drawers and a bookshelf on the curb with "free" signs. If no one pickes them up by end of day, I'll call the local charity for pickup.

I'm building my birds a free-standing, larger cage which will free up room on the table their cage has been sitting on.

I'm buidling two planters and have enough compost for both (which means I can start a new round of compost).

I've labeled items going to my sister's house for a party (folding tables and chairs, mostly) and trying to strategize where these things will live in my garage once I get them back.There's room, but things are a but haphazard in there right now (we balked at my sibs paying for storage, so our garage is currently their storage unit).

Lots of progress!

WootWoot

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #78 on: February 11, 2018, 11:12:32 AM »
I threw out some stuff today that was mostly paper. My mom's friend gives her these magazines about high-falutin' travel in Europe, and my mom passes them on to me. I should just tell her I don't want them. I've tried reading them and they're just not that interesting.

I also got rid of a book that I bought on vacation, on a whim.

Prairie Gal

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #79 on: February 11, 2018, 12:37:18 PM »
Sold two swimsuits and a swim top yesterday for a total of $30. Still have two left, but if they don't sell in a week, I will just put them in the donate bag.

Went to a condo open house yesterday, and while it's not "the one", it did drive home the fact that there is still so much stuff here that I would need to get rid of before I could move. Gah! Time to get back on the bandwagon.

RamonaQ

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #80 on: February 11, 2018, 01:17:56 PM »
Reading through here is inspiring!

Just off the top of my head I have to get rid of:

- a container of hand soap that smells way too strongly for anyone in my house to tolerate
- all my 2017 paperwork that is in my little filing drawer.  Honestly, maybe even my 2016 stuff is still in there as well.
- a box of whatever-the-heck was in my desk from the employer that I left nearly a year ago

Now I just have to actually DO it. 

Bracken_Joy

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #81 on: February 11, 2018, 01:36:02 PM »
-Got rid of some hair elastics that were cracking/over stretched. Also threw out a sample size eye cream that is probably a decade old.
-Ended up with 3!!! open sesame oils. (Had one open and didn't notice and opened a second, then had one gifted by a moving friend). In an effort to use them up, plus make tasty snacks, we've been making shoyu+sesame oil roasted almonds. Very tasty, and will hopefully whittle away at the condiment collection in the fridge.
-Continuing my reorganization efforts. Trying to get more frequently used/more relevant items inside, and items generally where they're used more. Exception being I moved our onions and potatoes to the garage shelves since they sprout too fast inside. Come summer I'll probably move them back in.
-Visually cleaned up the pantry a ton- moved some bags of seaweed into glass, so they're not falling all over. Reorganized so we can see what's there more clearly, and use it up. Also more typical tasks- putting bulk rice into mason jars, same with coffee.
-Going to pull out all of DH's clothes from the dresser today and sort through. Get started keeping an eye out for sales for anything that needs replacing.

Mrs. Rocker

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #82 on: February 11, 2018, 05:56:13 PM »
Last spring we decided to sell our house and move into our small motorhome full-time. We just weren't spending enough time in our house to justify keeping it. In five weeks we sold everything we had that wouldn't fit and be useful in the RV. Yes people thought we were crazy and it was a bit stressful but we have zero regrets. The material possessions brought us little to no joy but did add to our daily stress. It feels so good to be rid of stuff we didn't need. We were already on the minimalist side of the spectrum but still had a ton of junk. Now everything we own is useful, organized and uncluttered. Love it!

Ms Ida

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #83 on: February 11, 2018, 10:20:51 PM »
-Dropped two big bags of clothes that don't fit to someone one my BuyNothing group
-Another bag  in the car to drop at Goodwill
-Filled a bag to send to Thredup-first time will see if I make much but at least it is another bag out of the house.

Linea_Norway

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #84 on: February 12, 2018, 02:09:00 AM »
Does cleaning snow count as getting rid of stuff? I have already cleaned a lot today and I am only halfway.

Sibley

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #85 on: February 12, 2018, 07:35:57 AM »
Does cleaning snow count as getting rid of stuff? I have already cleaned a lot today and I am only halfway.

The amount of effort involved, it better count! I'm in the same boat, though we're supposed to have a thaw this week. At least we'll reduce the piles of snow, though with the amount we have it'll be June before it's all gone.

formerlydivorcedmom

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #86 on: February 12, 2018, 08:04:52 AM »
I'm giving away my one-size-too-big clothes today.

In July I started a new healthy eating regimen (not a diet, a true lifestyle change).  I dropped a size in clothes, and put all my larger clothes in a big plastic tub in my closet.  I promised myself that if I didn't need anything in that tub in 12 months, I'd give away all of it.

It's been 7 months.  I gained a few pounds thanks to hurricane and holidays...but before I needed to open the box, my husband and I reset our family's eating habits again.  The weight is coming off again.

So I'm not waiting the 12 months.  I respect my health enough to reset when necessary to not be that size again.

Serendip

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #87 on: February 12, 2018, 08:54:41 AM »
We have a bag ready to go to the re-use it store, we add to it and then someone drops it off when they are heading to that part of town and I am going today.

Currently it contains
-1 shirt (given to me by my sister but is too tight)
-1 microfibre sponge (new, a random gift from my dad but we don't wash our car by hand)
-1 bra (newish, given by sister, doesn't fit right)
-2 take-away coffee cups
-3 stainless steel water bottles

Will see if I can find a few more things to add :)

WootWoot

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #88 on: February 12, 2018, 11:39:32 AM »
I'm taking three books to the library to donate today.

RamonaQ

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #89 on: February 12, 2018, 11:57:17 AM »
I gave away a puzzle that was way too hard for me to finish.  2000 pieces and once I got to the parts that were more similar in color it stopped being fun. 

I also threw away the stupid stinky soap.  Maybe someone could have used it, and I feel kind of bad for just pitching it, but I couldn't think of a good way to donate an open soap pump container.

horsepoor

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #90 on: February 12, 2018, 12:30:42 PM »
Yes! Finally sold a saddle I've had listed on eBay for 3+ months.  Threw a "bonus" saddle pad in the box as packing material and because I wanted to get rid of it.

Grabbed a pair of black skinny jeans this morning and realized I've had them set aside because they're a size or two too small to look respectable on a 40 year old.  Out they go.

formerlydivorcedmom

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #91 on: February 12, 2018, 01:17:05 PM »
I gave away a puzzle that was way too hard for me to finish.  2000 pieces and once I got to the parts that were more similar in color it stopped being fun. 


I wish I could convince my husband to do this!  We've had a few puzzles that took months to finish, and it wasn't fun for anyone by the end.

RamonaQ

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #92 on: February 12, 2018, 01:40:45 PM »
I gave away a puzzle that was way too hard for me to finish.  2000 pieces and once I got to the parts that were more similar in color it stopped being fun. 


I wish I could convince my husband to do this!  We've had a few puzzles that took months to finish, and it wasn't fun for anyone by the end.

This thing had been on a table in the basement for well over a year - it was time for it to go!

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #93 on: February 12, 2018, 08:39:03 PM »
Yes! Finally sold a dress that I've been trying to get rid of on eBay. Made $2, but getting it out of the house. Also have two people coming to pick up kids sports jerseys tomorrow, and should be making $10 on those. Three items gone that have been lingering for over a month.

Happy Little Chipmunk

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #94 on: February 12, 2018, 08:59:01 PM »
Hooray! Great thread and timely for me.

The sad part: I am allergic to the cats and we had to 're-home' them. The hopeful part: I might get a grip on my eczema and improve my physical and mental health.

And the work part: washing walls, dejunking drawers, cleaning out corners. It's a big task to rid my house of 6 years of cat dander...especially since I tend to hang on to things. It's time to purge.

Over the weekend I cleaned out the art supplies in the kitchen and organized the kitchen cabinets. Today I sold cookbooks & computer books and donated the ones that didn't sell (two banker's boxes!) Also donated some misc clothing.

MrsTuxedocat

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #95 on: February 13, 2018, 12:03:55 AM »
- Decluttered our vitamin stash, got rid of a bunch of expired vitamins.

Linea_Norway

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #96 on: February 13, 2018, 12:51:48 AM »
I have reopened the advertisement of my wedding dress. A girl was interested in it and asked a lot about the sizes. But her conclusion was that it was too small for her (without trying it on). I hope someone else will be interested, because this is the second round.

mustachepungoeshere

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #97 on: February 13, 2018, 03:43:25 AM »
Made $2...

You crack me up! :D Don't spend it all at once!

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #98 on: February 13, 2018, 07:25:31 AM »
Made $2...

You crack me up! :D Don't spend it all at once!

I'm ready splurge with that $2!

formerlydivorcedmom

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Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2
« Reply #99 on: February 13, 2018, 07:35:21 AM »
One of my goals this year is to get rid of my file cabinet, which means I have to deal with the giant mounds of paper stuffed inside it.  I'm allotting 30 minutes a week, because I really hate everything to do with filing and that's as much as I can stand. I made it through 4 folders, and my recycle bin is now full.  Most of that stuff I hadn't looked at or thought about in 15 years or more.

My son needed a small part for a Cub Scout project, so I texted my ex to see if he had one.  My husband asked why on earth I would expect my ex to have it.  Daughter (age 12) piped up, "Daddy doesn't throw away ANYTHING.  Stepmom complains all the time about how much stuff he has everywhere.  Most of it is still in boxes since we moved last year."  I'm so glad he's not my problem anymore.

It made me really think about how we get to this point of being overwhelmed with stuff.   It made me wonder if part of it is just never being taught how to make decisions on what to give away and what to keep.  My ex inherited his mild hoarding tendency from his mom (who had a collection of 25 years worth of TV Guides because she just couldn't bear to get rid of them.   Everything was neatly organized but still....)  For her, part of it was poverty as a young adult so she had a reason to keep anything that might be useful, and part of it was an emotional response to an unstable childhood.

My parents also dealt with some pretty thin times, but we didn't have stuff.  I think they just didn't buy things.  It was a family joke that my mom would take 6 months to buy anything.  So we never really had to declutter because we just didn't have STUFF.  (Both my parents retired in their mid-50s....I wish they'd talked more about financial choices when I was younger.)  When I got married I deferred some to my 1st husband, who kept everything, even though we had money and bought lots of stuff (very anti-Mustachian).

It's weird to think I'm finally learning the decluttering rules at almost 40.  I'm glad my kids are young enough that maybe they can learn from me...and not their dad.