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

[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.

[UltraStache]

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

[rivendale]

I had sold a pair of skis to an acquaintance in May, but they live prohibitively far enough to not want to ship/or drive and drop off. They also didnt have a problem just waiting till winter when we might meet up on the slopes. I was going to be driving pass their location yesterday finally, and arranged a pick up. It worked out great since it wasn't out of my way and we needed to take a stretching break anyways.

Also, passed on 4 picture frames via Buy Nothing app.

[okisok]

Got the Christmas decorations out of storage. Last year's decluttering must have worked! Everything I unpacked was something I wanted to keep and fit on the tree. There wasn't a single broken, forgotten, or even 'meh' ornament or decoration!

[FrugalShrew]

@okisok, that is awesome!

I gave away a set of candles that aggravate my asthma to my neighbor, and she gave me a pomegranate in return. That was a delicious, unexpected reward for a very small act of decluttering. :)

[MaybeBabyMustache]

I recently moved down to using a travel purse permanently (it's a tiny purse, and fits cross body, freeing up my hands). I love it & don't plan to go back to my other purse. I cleaned it out, & posted it on BN. I'll give it away this weekend. It's a really nice purse, so there's a lot of interest. It always makes me happy to pass stuff along to people who actually want it & will use it.

[slackmax]

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.

It's easy for me to keep my garage uncluttered, because I keep my beautiful 1988 GTA Firebird safe from the elements inside the garage. No way I'm putting her outside, lol !   

It's a one car garage. Only room around the sides and front for any storage.

[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.

It's easy for me to keep my garage uncluttered, because I keep my beautiful 1988 GTA Firebird safe from the elements inside the garage. No way I'm putting her outside, lol !   

It's a one car garage. Only room around the sides and front for any storage.

Sweet
Our garage is two-car.  The builder built it to hold his giant convertible from the 60's plus another car.  It's huge but we have a lot of garage stuff.

[okisok]

Put the empty holiday decoration boxes back in the attic only a few days after I emptied them. I usually leave them hanging out in the living room for several days.

I read a great tip online that said you could put your regular decor in the empty holiday storage boxes so they are neatly out of the way while the holiday decor is out. When the holiday is over, you switch and put your usual ornaments back out and put the holiday items back in the boxes. Great idea, I just don't have any 'usual decor' to put in the boxes :) But it might help someone out.

Cleaned out a bathroom drawer and tossed out a stretched out headband.

It's dark and rainy here so I'm working my way through the tea stash and the wood pile ;)

[Ladychips]

I read a great tip online that said you could put your regular decor in the empty holiday storage boxes so they are neatly out of the way while the holiday decor is out. When the holiday is over, you switch and put your usual ornaments back out and put the holiday items back in the boxes. Great idea, I just don't have any 'usual decor' to put in the boxes :) But it might help someone out.

I am someone! I don't have a ton of stuff but I do have some. This is brilliant! Thanks for sharing!

[SunnyDays]

Went through a stack of papers and recycled/shredded a lot.  In process of filing the rest.

Giving away some winter thermals, a pair of never worn gloves, another pair of gloves that I was gifted, a pair of shoes, an old film camera, a magazine rack and some notebooks.  Also going to take a walking boot and a thumb splint to the PT's for rehoming.  I've been keeping them for a few years out of superstition that if I get rid of them, I'll need them again, and I don't want any more broken bones!

Since it's now winter and I have more time on my hands, I expect to get rid of more over the coming months.  I'm back in the decluttering mindset.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Last winter, I bought new ski pants for my teen, knowing he would be growing out of his old pair. Sure enough, it's almost that time, and I had him try on his current pair. They were about six inches too short. The new pair fit great, so I listed the old ones on Buy Nothing, and had someone pick them up in less than an hour. Youth ski pants go quickly this time of year, and I'm happy to save someone else the expense.