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

[slackmax]

Mailed 10 of my wife's 20-year old college engineering textbooks to an online used text book dealer for $130. I am also loving the REI Used Trade-In Program; sent off 5 of the kiddos lightly used jackets, pants, and sandals for a $100 Gift Card. And we had my daughter drop off some of her never used art sketch books and supplies to the younger neighbor girls. Productive weekend!

Congratulations, SEAK. I have spent hours online, typing in lots of ISBN numbers,  trying to sell my 15 to 25 year old programming and IT textbooks and manuals to no avail.

May I ask what website you used?

[slackmax]

Spent four hours over three days to rummage through a few bags and boxes full of old paper receipts, statements, fliers, photos, etc.  Recycled about half of it, not bad!

 

[Siebrie]

Took some very old puzzles to the "out of sight / out of mind" box we have in our basement for toys the kids have aged out of and never play with but somehow refuse to pass along when asked. If we go 3 months without a request, it's gone.

I am going to implement this!  Right now what happens is I pull items I think we can donate, the toddler finds them and immediately starts playing with the previously ignored items.  This can be toys, shoes that don't fit, etc., it doesn't really matter. I need a better hiding spot.

I'm very late in replying, but I wanted to add my 2cents. My dds (11 and 14) always have drawing material available, and some form of craft material, but all the rest gets its 15 minutes of fame. So: if the Barbies are out, then the Littles Pet shop, playmobil, playkitchen stuff, etc is in the attic. They grow tired of Barbies? The box with Barbies goes in the attic and they get to pick 1 box to come out. It boils down to a swap about once a month. All these types of toys (with manymany parts) are limited to 1 box each; if they get too many parts or items, they have to pick which ones to keep and we donate the rest.

[LaineyAZ]

Spent four hours over three days to rummage through a few bags and boxes full of old paper receipts, statements, fliers, photos, etc.  Recycled about half of it, not bad!

Aren't you nervous about any identification info still on the paperwork?  I recycle this stuff too but only after I rip it up so my name, address etc aren't readable.  Can be the most tedious part of the recycle process.

[SunnyDays]

Spent four hours over three days to rummage through a few bags and boxes full of old paper receipts, statements, fliers, photos, etc.  Recycled about half of it, not bad!

Aren't you nervous about any identification info still on the paperwork?  I recycle this stuff too but only after I rip it up so my name, address etc aren't readable.  Can be the most tedious part of the recycle process.

I do the same thing.  Don't want to become a victim of identity theft.

My credit union periodically offers secure shredding, but I never have enough at one time to bother.  This might be something for you to look into, Slackmax, if you have that kind of volume.

[slackmax]

Spent four hours over three days to rummage through a few bags and boxes full of old paper receipts, statements, fliers, photos, etc.  Recycled about half of it, not bad!

Aren't you nervous about any identification info still on the paperwork?  I recycle this stuff too but only after I rip it up so my name, address etc aren't readable.  Can be the most tedious part of the recycle process.

I rip up any social security numbers I find, but all the papers are for my former girl friend who is in heaven now, and all her accounts are zeroed out, as far as I know. I guess someone could use the ssn, though. 

The papers go straight into the recycling truck that pulls up to the curb. I like to imagine all the paper stuff gets dumped from the truck into a huge vat where 95% of it is buried deep inside the pile.         

[fuzzy math]

Hello!!

I am in the early stages of a prolific house decluttering due to a likely move next year. My town has a free store and I gather up items to drop off on the 2 days a week they're open. In addition to all the free stuff I'm donating, I sold a washer / dryer this week, listed a bunch of other stuff that's probably not going to sell and have been working on the "eat up everything in your house" thread for months.

This past week's drop off haul included: kids size soccer cleats, some crackers we over bought, tea cups, canning jars, a bunch of clothing my youngest kid out grew, some shoes, a corelle white baking bowl (without its nesting sized friend), a kids sized sleeping bag.

Also hit up a couple clutter spots in the home, threw away a bunch of garbage and recycled some stuff that my hoardery family tends to keep around. (WTF old starbucks frappuccino bottle)

[LaineyAZ]

I'd say you've got a good start, Fuzzy Math.  Sounds like you're pacing yourself so you're not in a time crunch.  I hope the family appreciates your efforts and starts to see how living in a less cluttered house can make everyday life easier.

[oneday]

@fuzzy math sound like you are making good progress. You remind me that I need to update the east down your pantry thread.

Yesterday put away the final bits of Ren Faire season, which had been laying about. Always a bit sad and that's probably why procrastinated.

But, in rearranging, found I have two pairs of ski bibs. I hardly ski enough to justify sitting one, let alone two. So tossed the pair that were somehow sun bleached.

[seemsright]

Hubby and I are after a much simpler life. I am tired of the endless cleaning and taking care of our stuff. I want less of the stuff. Hubby is on board and we are working all weekend to simplify everything. Getting rid of furniture. Selling what we can. A digital piano got sold for $250 to a Dad that wanted his 6 year old to learn how to play, we threw in a ukulele and a recorder he was in awe. Last night we sold a Wii gaming system with all of the things that go with it to a group of college kids for $100 to use to party all weekend. And trying to sell a RC car that never gets used.

Simpler living is on the horizon.

[okisok]

Dropped off a bag of ink cartridges to be recycled at Target. They have been in my trunk for over a year while I looked for a place to recycle them. I finally paid attention to the recycling station in Target and lo, there was a can for them. I dumped the cartridges in and put the plastic bag in the plastic recycling can. 

[slackmax]

Forced myself to get past the 'I already went through that stuff, and I need to keep it all'  thinking, and the 'clutter blindness' and went through all the stuff on my living room table.

Sure enough, there was lots of stuff I can now recycle or throw out.

Got about 3 pounds of paper clutter into the recycling, and relocated  a box worth of stuff off the table to somewhere else. More to go. But good progress.

[SunnyDays]

Forced myself to get past the 'I already went through that stuff, and I need to keep it all'  thinking, and the 'clutter blindness' and went through all the stuff on my living room table.

Sure enough, there was lots of stuff I can now recycle or throw out.

Got about 3 pounds of paper clutter into the recycling, and relocated  a box worth of stuff off the table to somewhere else. More to go. But good progress.

Ha ha, yes.  Define "need."

Keep at it, you're doing great.  Do you see/feel a difference in your house yet?  I remember you saying that you were always at 51% of the clutter gone, because more just kept appearing.

[oneday]

@slackmax I'm curious about @SunnyDays question as well. Without your dearly departed GF, have things on that front changed?


Reporting in another textile to the trash. I sleep with two pillows and the lower pillow gets kinda lost and shoved in the crack. I pulled it out to plump up and the case was shredded, absolutely shredded! Not sure how it got that bad without me noticing. So that went to the trash. New case deployed!

[MaybeBabyMustache]

While I was waiting in the kitchen (inactive meal prep time), I found a ton of food that was nearing expiration date, but we won't eat for various reasons. I'm going to list it all on BN today. I'm thrilled to clean out my pantry, avoid food waste, and put things in the hands of people who will actually use it.

[okisok]

Threw away two pairs of shoes. A pair of flipflops that were worn smooth and tended to slip. Another pair of laceup shoes that both had cracks in the soles I discovered when it rained yesterday.

[Freedomin5]

Sold our piano, since DD has decided she is no longer interested in piano lessons. Also sold my ebike (kept the sturdier mountain bike), and sold a pizza stone and cake pan.

Next challenge: the storage closet, which is crammed full of…stuff.

[slackmax]

Forced myself to get past the 'I already went through that stuff, and I need to keep it all'  thinking, and the 'clutter blindness' and went through all the stuff on my living room table.

Sure enough, there was lots of stuff I can now recycle or throw out.

Got about 3 pounds of paper clutter into the recycling, and relocated  a box worth of stuff off the table to somewhere else. More to go. But good progress.

Ha ha, yes.  Define "need."

Keep at it, you're doing great.  Do you see/feel a difference in your house yet?  I remember you saying that you were always at 51% of the clutter gone, because more just kept appearing.

I guess I will say that 52% of the clutter is gone, ha ha.

Seriously, though, I had some company coming over recently, which motivated me to move stuff from the living room to other rooms, and opened up a nice BIG space of clear and clean carpet in the center. 

So I can see this nice big opening every day, which is heartening and inspiring. 

 
 

[slackmax]

Broke a glass and not replacing it. One less glass in the cupboard to worry about.

[Serendip]

Put some winter stuff up for sale and sold one jacket & one pair of snow-pants.

Also will be 'gifting' some of the gear to family for Xmas..as part of an attempt at a low-ish-buy Christmas (and because it's stuff they would like & use).

[Fresh Bread]

Broke a glass and not replacing it. One less glass in the cupboard to worry about.

I love it when that happens, but I wish I'd break the uglier stuff. It's never the mismatched free branded glass, it's always one from a set. 

[oneday]

Tossed out a beet-based sweetener that I got from Mom's pantry before she moved cross country. It was old, opened when I got it. It was kinda sour? Not what I'm looking for in a sweetener, lol

[slackmax]

Broke a glass and not replacing it. One less glass in the cupboard to worry about.

I love it when that happens, but I wish I'd break the uglier stuff. It's never the mismatched free branded glass, it's always one from a set.

Ha Ha !  This one was a 14 ounce pilsener glass for beer.  I think I have a whole case of these glasses in the basement somewhere, but I am NOT going to try to find it, lol.       

[MaybeBabyMustache]

-Immediately returned pants that didn't fit my tall & skinny teens
-Gave away pants that now fit the teens like capris
-Gave away a kids cookbook I found, while looking for a recipe
-Giving away two more outgrown kid jackets today

My kids are still in the phase where they outgrow clothing. Particularly winter clothing, as sleeve & hem length matter a lot more in jackets & pants, vs shorts & tshirts. These outgrown items always sneak up on us, as we go about 8 months or so being able to wear summer like clothes, so it's always a real shock when they go to find a pair of pants on the first cold day.

[NotJen]

Challenging myself to get rid of 40 items by Monday - by throwing away, donating, or listing for sale.

[Poundwise]

A couple of months ago I went through a bookshelf and found a dozen books that I was willing to let go of. The box went into the car and traveled around with me for a while. Then went to the garage when we needed trunkspace. Finally, my husband said he was going to the library so I asked him if he'd bring it to their used book sale.  He forgot it, so now the box is in our entrance.  Should we make a separate trip to the library to donate them, or should I just start listing them on Amazon? Most are brand new, rather trendy hardcovers that were gifted to me by well meaning relatives.

[oneday]

Big goal, @NotJen ! I'm rooting for you.


Today, had several errands in Neighboring Town, so took the 2 pairs of athletic shoes, which were replaced in October, to the shoe recycle place. Thus closing the loop on the One In One Out cycle (finally).

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Go, @NotJen !

@oneday - I had the same thought yesterday. I was wearing my old running shoes, just for running around. I was at kids sporting events for 6+ hours, and realized the shoes need to go into the recycling. I need to make a trip to the shoe recycle place as well. It's not convenient, but I think I have four pair, which is sort of my benchmark for needing to go. Caveat: I have kids that play a lot of sports, and cleats & court shoes for tennis don't last as long as they should.

[NotJen]

Big goal, @NotJen ! I'm rooting for you.


Today, had several errands in Neighboring Town, so took the 2 pairs of athletic shoes, which were replaced in October, to the shoe recycle place. Thus closing the loop on the One In One Out cycle (finally).

Go, @NotJen !

@oneday - I had the same thought yesterday. I was wearing my old running shoes, just for running around. I was at kids sporting events for 6+ hours, and realized the shoes need to go into the recycling. I need to make a trip to the shoe recycle place as well. It's not convenient, but I think I have four pair, which is sort of my benchmark for needing to go. Caveat: I have kids that play a lot of sports, and cleats & court shoes for tennis don't last as long as they should.

I've identified 23 items to go so far.  I noticed I have a lot of old bras for some reason, so I'll go through them.  Need to cull the t-shirt drawer again, I've got a lot in there that I'm only keeping for sentimental reasons.

One of my items are my last-year's running shoes.  Kept for backup, but I just got my new pair (ugh, I'm using them too much now to make it a full year without replacement), and now this-year's pair is my backup.  But that reminds me that I have my worn-out holey-on-the-top hiking boots in the car right now - so that's another item.  I wonder if Fleet Feet will take them?  Or should they go directly to the trash?

[Prairie Gal]

I sold three small side tables that I don't have room for in my new place.

Put some small decor items in the donate box. Open concept means less walls to put stuff on.

As soon as I read a book now it goes in the donate box. I never re-read books, so they might as well go to someone else. I get them second hand.

[EchoStache]

Sold an Apple TV for $50 today.  Also sold Apple Home Pod mini for $50.  So two items gone for $100.  Makes me happier when I sell big items.  I have some old patio furniture to sell but probably won't happen until Spring :(

[Sugaree]

Getting an estimate on cleaning out the basement of the house I'm wanting to sell.  Also, dropped off two crates of little kid books for my mom and BIL/SIL to go through for my niece.  Slowly, but surely, getting control over the stuff that I'm drowning in.

[Sibley]

Returned the cabinet that I bought to replace a crappy built-in. It doesn't fit (which I knew), but when we pulled out the old one we discovered that for once someone did it right, so I can't just make the space wider without opening the wall to mess with studs. Not doing that. So now I need to close the wall, because I give up.

Have a bag of food items for a donation drive, just have to find said donation drive. I'm assuming there will be something this week.

I'm planning on getting a kitten next weekend (!!!!), after my Arwen died last month. So have been buying cat toys, kitten food, etc. Need to go through the old cat toys, get rid of anything that's really dead and pull out anything not kitten safe.

Have also been knocking out the to-do list. Lots of little stuff has been completed. Switched to att fiber for internet, so cleaned up and organized all the wires behind the tv (removing several years of dust in the process). Hung up a decorative lantern. Replaced the fill valve on the toilet. Hung a towel bar. All this has been floating around the house, now it is taken care of.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

@NotJen - our local Sports Basement will accept athletic shoes for a recycling. They have a large recycling bin at the front of the store. Not sure where else you might be able to find that offers a similar service, but maybe Google can help you find something similar.

[Captain FIRE]

I've been working on getting some bigger items out of my house.  Unfortunately, the "buy nothing" equivalent Facebook group in my town has started cracking down on people getting items.  People are only allowed to say interested now once a week. :( Had someone say yes on Saturday and then on Sunday during the scheduled pickup window reach out to say that they changed their mind because they want to say yes on something else.

• Tall plastic race track
• Toddler ride on car
• Bunch of diapers we were given and never got into using those sizes (loose and unopened)
• Extra kid jackets and clothing - going to someone who is collecting clothing for Ukraine refugees
• Random leftover baby stuff (loveys, books, etc.)

Still have another few items listed but no takers yet, maybe because of the once/week policy (it used to be once/day).  Might have to find a new source of regifting.

Also got caught removing an item by the children, so I kept the big stackable cardboard boxes for them for now, even though they don't play with them.  Will remove when they aren't watching later.

Unfortunately, the house still seems incredibly cluttered, but I'm trying to chip away at it where I can, particularly to make space for the anticipated Christmas influx.  I'm planning to have my older kid pick out a few of plastic trucks/cars to give away as younger sibling doesn't seem to care about them.

[NotJen]

Dropped the sneakers off in the Fleet Feet bin for recycling.  They said to call back in a few days and they'll let me know if I can leave hiking boots there.  @MaybeBabyMustache Websearch did not reveal any other local recycling options.  I feel like if there were a path to recycle hiking boots, REI would offer it, and they don't. (I'm not 100% convinced my sneakers will actually be recycled, but it was easy to drop them off, just in case.)

Over the weekend, I listed 3 items for sale on Poshmark (not hoping for much here, but will leave them up for a while and see what happens).

I threw away 20 items.

I dropped off 25 items at Goodwill.

I also requested a t-shirt recycling "kit" from Marine Layer for 3 t-shirts that didn't seem re-sell-able.

So, 46 items out of the house, and 7 "pending".

Next goal - 20 more items by the end of the month either listed for sale or out of the house.

[slackmax]

A couple of months ago I went through a bookshelf and found a dozen books that I was willing to let go of. The box went into the car and traveled around with me for a while. Then went to the garage when we needed trunkspace. Finally, my husband said he was going to the library so I asked him if he'd bring it to their used book sale.  He forgot it, so now the box is in our entrance.  Should we make a separate trip to the library to donate them, or should I just start listing them on Amazon? Most are brand new, rather trendy hardcovers that were gifted to me by well meaning relatives.

It's easy for me to say, so I will say "just donate them and get them off your worry list!"  .  ANd yes, make the special trip, if it's not too far. 

[slackmax]

Filled up the blue container for paper recycling, almost to the top. Felt like 30 pounds. Lugged it out to curb.  All just old unneeded documents. Recycle truck came and took it all away.   

[mspym]

Filled up the blue container for paper recycling, almost to the top. Felt like 30 pounds. Lugged it out to curb.  All just old unneeded documents. Recycle truck came and took it all away.   

Hey well done, I know that is a big chunk for you.

[okisok]

Everyone is making so much progress! Pats on the back all around.

I finally got the donation box out of the trunk when I tried a new outlet store. There was a Goodwill donation center in the same parking lot. I donated and didn't buy anything. Then, of course, came home and found the handful of items I left on the counter that I meant to tuck in the box. Time to start another box!

I'm unpacking cold weather clothes this weekend and putting away summer clothes. Maybe there will be some items I can part with during the switch over.

[Fresh Bread]

An aborted business venture has me listing endless amounts of stuff for sale. I'm a bit over it but not much more to go. There's a lot in the price range that I'd usually just give away for free but I'm trying to claw back some of the wasted cash.

Anyway, if I can move it all on I will have a lot of free space including one cupboard shelf and a large drawer and much more. Just not sure how long it will take to sell!

[oneday]

Dropped the sneakers off in the Fleet Feet bin for recycling.  They said to call back in a few days and they'll let me know if I can leave hiking boots there.  @MaybeBabyMustache Websearch did not reveal any other local recycling options.  I feel like if there were a path to recycle hiking boots, REI would offer it, and they don't. (I'm not 100% convinced my sneakers will actually be recycled, but it was easy to drop them off, just in case.)

Over the weekend, I listed 3 items for sale on Poshmark (not hoping for much here, but will leave them up for a while and see what happens).

I threw away 20 items.

I dropped off 25 items at Goodwill.

I also requested a t-shirt recycling "kit" from Marine Layer for 3 t-shirts that didn't seem re-sell-able.

So, 46 items out of the house, and 7 "pending".

Next goal - 20 more items by the end of the month either listed for sale or out of the house.

Hey, you made your goal. Well done!

[mspym]

I’ve realised my barefoot life of the last few years means some of my favourite shoes no longer fit. Time to accept that and donate them.

[oneday]

Tossed a holey pillowcase, replaced with brand new :)

[Freedomin5]

Sold a box of Playmobil, a pair of boots, and some children’s educational materials. Our storage room is starting to look less cluttered. :D

ETA: Sold a few more toys and knickknacks tonight. I’m happy to be making progress. Made $40.

[fuzzy math]

My local "help each other out" FB group had a post where a mom was looking for huge shoes and tall sized clothing for her 4 kids. Fortunately we have lots of huge shoes and tall sized clothing in this home! DH has about 9 pairs of sneakers he wore at various times after a foot surgery and none of them were ever right. I packed up about 15 items I no longer need. So there's a huge load going out tomorrow.

The local free store is closed this week. Anything else I gather will have to wait until next week.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Sold the last of my husband's outgrown hoodies on eBay. It's now in the mail and on its way to someone else.

[slackmax]

Decluttered the kitchen table and wiped it down. The whole surface was being 'used' for quick access to medical insurance booklets, previous years' tax records, and literature from the senior center, even some pots and pans.   I just moved it all to other places in the house, hope I remember where, lol.  Was able to recycle a few booklets, and toss out some unused containers.   

[Frugal Lizard]

Worked on the garage this past weekend.  So much straight up garbage! I disassembled old bird feeders to separate plastic from metal. Dumped out seed for birds to eat or compost. Tossed broken this and that.  Still won't hold two cars, but that's OK we only have one car for now.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

-Went through my underwear & sock drawer. Got rid of stuff I never wear.
-Found three shirts I'll pass on via Buy Nothing
-Added a few items to the donation pile