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

[Loretta]

I donated 2 dresses, a bra, a closet rod new in the box and some planters. 

[JAYSLOL]

Been a while, but I recently sold a couple used sets of tires, an old toaster and a palm sander I wasn’t using. Also donated an old mirror and a bag of clothes

[Sibley]

One mattress gone!

[slackmax]

One mattress gone!

Congratulations!  Which one?  The $1000 one  ?   

[Loretta]

I took a couple better photos and uploaded them to some Craigslist ads I’ve had up for awhile now.  Maybe better pix is the secret to selling the stuff.

I returned 2 Amazon things today.  May return more tomorrow. 

[Sibley]

One mattress gone!

Congratulations!  Which one?  The $1000 one  ?

Well, they were both about $1000. This one was the 3yr old one. I'm currently sleeping on the newest one because I can't actually move it. New-new mattress is coming Monday and they'll move the monster downstairs. From there, I'll work on making it disappear.

In other news, the new mattress is not comfortable. And I figured out why. When there's a bunch of squishy stuff on top, it squishes down. And not necessarily in a comfortable way. So yes, my back hurts. It's a little better because the mattress hasn't sagged as well.

The new-new mattress does not have squishy stuff on top. And I laid on non-squishy mattresses for a few minutes yesterday and omg so much better. Very much looking forward to new-new mattress. Also looking forward to not spending gobs of money on mattresses for a long, long time.

[LaineyAZ]

Our yard sale yesterday was a success - netted $200 and cleared out lots of stuff from 2 households. 
Immediately loaded up the car with leftovers to donate to Goodwill.  Our local Goodwill has a handy drive-up area so you don't even have to get out of your car.

[slackmax]

Sibley,

How did it go? 

[Sibley]

Sibley,

How did it go?

New-new mattress arrived yesterday, and so far its very promising. I've got the new (week old) mattress downstairs, and posted on FB marketplace last night. Multiple people have contacted me regarding it, so hopefully it'll be gone soon.

I have the old box spring upstairs. I'd gotten a different kind of under mattress support, a bunkee board (sp?). Am giving it a try, but I suspect I will ultimately prefer the box spring. It adds firmness and I don't think I need the extra firmness. If that is the case, I will then give my parents the bunkee board because my mom will love it. Regardless, within a month or so, I will not have a spare bed part hanging around.

Edit: the mattress is gone! Made a little bit of money on it, not much but hey, it's something.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

After a brief hiatus, I'm back to getting rid of things:
1) we sold a car, so that was a pretty big win
2) I got rid of 4 large (unused) shopping bags, a pair of unworn earrings (gift), a shirt, and race swag.

All told, 11 items + the car out of the house

[JAYSLOL]

Looks like I need to kick decluttering into high gear, changes at work are forcing me to look at moving in the next few months, and I have one hell of a lot of decluttering to do. 

[Freedomin5]

A local nonprofit  organization was looking for donations of small unopened items for a raffle. It was a great way to clear out our gift closet. Gave away a big bag of stuff. Also gave away a large wooden train set to friends whose kids are younger than DD. That set had been sitting in our closet for the past three years.

[crocheted_stache]

A local nonprofit  organization was looking for donations of small unopened items for a raffle. It was a great way to clear out our gift closet. Gave away a big bag of stuff. Also gave away a large wooden train set to friends whose kids are younger than DD. That set had been sitting in our closet for the past three years.

I love this one. An extended family member has a niche hobby, and we often bring her related decorative items as gifts, often from secondhand sources. We have a stated, standing policy that she can keep the ones she loves and pass along the excess to be used in raffles or door prizes at the many hobby-related events she attends.

I don't feel like I've been getting far lately, but I did make a visible dent in the accumulated pile of paper needing to be processed. The trouble is, it keeps coming, no matter how much I try to unsubscribe from or receive electronically.

[slackmax]

My tale of decluttering, frugality, and poor memory. I was trying to replace the rear window wiper on my car. Internet says it's a huge PITA, unless you hack it by  just replacing the rubber insert, and not the whole thing. Was about to buy a whole new wiper blade for $13 at AutoZone, and harvest just the rubber insert. For some reason, I thought I might have a spare new wiper blade in the back of my car under a huge pile of 'stuff' back there.  Started taking out all the stuff back there, found lots of stuff to put back in the house, or recycle, or throw out.  Also found 2 new wiper blades I had bought years ago when they were on sale. I had forgotten I had them, but I knew they would be in the back of the car, if they were anywhere, since I store pre-bought stuff like that right next to where it would be used. End result: I replaced the rubber wiper part, avoided spending the $13, and decluttered my car a lot.  This good feeling will last at least 24 hours!  I particularly like the 'combo' aspect of decluttering and finding a useful and money-saving part at the same time. Plus the wiper hack itself!  (Patting self on back). 

[slackmax]

Congrats, Sibley. It's nice when things work out right. 

[Loretta]

I’m Gathering up another bag of clothes to donate here.  The blouse I wore to work yesterday was annoying tight around the armpit/chest region so it’s going.   Also my Frankenstein leggings that are too short.  I have stain remover soaking on some tshirts currently and if the stains don’t come out in the wash today they too are goners. 

[mspym]

Your regular reminder from an op shop volunteer: please only donate clothes in good clean condition. If it has holes or stains or smells bad, rip it up and use it for rags, or dispose of them yourself because we can’t sell them.

[JAYSLOL]

Looks like I need to kick decluttering into high gear, changes at work are forcing me to look at moving in the next few months, and I have one hell of a lot of decluttering to do.

I’ve listed a bunch of old equipment and household stuff I’m not using up for sale, and I’ve got a few boxes in the car for donation ready to go

[JAYSLOL]

Looks like I need to kick decluttering into high gear, changes at work are forcing me to look at moving in the next few months, and I have one hell of a lot of decluttering to do.

I’ve listed a bunch of old equipment and household stuff I’m not using up for sale, and I’ve got a few boxes in the car for donation ready to go

So far I’ve given away an old boat on marketplace, and I’ve sold an old outboard motor and some other equipment and tools and some Pyrex bowls I wasn’t using. And I’ve added a coffee table and some other small stuff to the donation pile in the car

[crocheted_stache]

Outgoing: a large candle that I never liked the smell of and definitely have no intention to light. It's only waiting for the taker to turn up when they say they're going to.

Gone: the weird candle holder I used to have under it, which had broken at the stem.

Also gone: various bits of paper and odds-and-ends that have been cluttering up that end of the kitchen much too long, including a jar saved from spaghetti sauce or something (recycled, because the thread is not right but it looks enough like a Mason jar to fool even some people who should know better) and the bunch of moldy and stale pea seeds it contained (compost).

[Frugal Lizard]

Socks - what is it with all the disintegrating socks? The heels, the toes, the elastic in the cuff?

[MaybeBabyMustache]

@Frugal Lizard - My socks tend to last for a long time, but my running socks (at 15 years and counting) are all giving up the ghost together. I am not excited to replace them, but they owe me nothing after this long. I work out daily & they are incredible socks, so I'm pleased with the purchase.

As for me, I finally sold a pair of handmade shoes of DHs that were very expensive. We couldn't figure out the sizing (British sizing, both UK & US sizing listed for two different sizes, etc). A guy on eBay really wanted them, but I'd cancelled the order as I just wasn't 100% sure on sizing. He came back tome & said he would accept whatever sizing they were, so I added a disclaimer to my listing & got them sold! Made $80, but also got them out of the house. Hurrah.

[crocheted_stache]

Socks - what is it with all the disintegrating socks? The heels, the toes, the elastic in the cuff?

Several years ago, I ditched all the old, droopy, holey socks, which was most of the drawer, and switched to Darn Tough, mainly based on the recommendations in the Buy it for Life thread here. It felt ridiculous paying that much for one pair, but they come in a size that fits my feet, which are apparently not "6–10" or whatever Costco sells in 12-packs. The right size does not sag down and end up bunched up under my foot. They also live up to their name, and if you manage to wear a hole in them, they will credit you for a new pair. I wish I were that certain about anything else in my wardrobe being so comfortable and indestructible.

[PMG]

I’m curious what brand of socks lasted 15 years.

[Frugal Lizard]

I’m curious what brand of socks lasted 15 years.

me too! I am hard on socks (and shoes)

[JAYSLOL]

Looks like I need to kick decluttering into high gear, changes at work are forcing me to look at moving in the next few months, and I have one hell of a lot of decluttering to do.

I’ve listed a bunch of old equipment and household stuff I’m not using up for sale, and I’ve got a few boxes in the car for donation ready to go

So far I’ve given away an old boat on marketplace, and I’ve sold an old outboard motor and some other equipment and tools and some Pyrex bowls I wasn’t using. And I’ve added a coffee table and some other small stuff to the donation pile in the car

Got rid of a few more boxes of donation items, and I’ve sold a few other small things too

[oneday]

It has been too long! Last round was in August? But this marks a year, so maybe time to start a new list.

Since November 2023:

• haz mat
• e-waste
• household goods (4 boxes)
• papers and photos from the fridge
• excess bags & water bottles
• empty spice jars
• luggage trolly
• ex roomie's video games
• ex roomie's book case glass doors
• old textbook (sold!)
• heating pad
• area rug
• box for electronics I no longer own
• stool of guilt & anger
• small suitcase
• box of miscellany: clothes, books, water bottles, etc
• ex roomie's side table
• huge bag of yarn and needles
• return unneeded things to Ikea
• 4 batteries (more haz mat)
• busted lampshade
• wax paper (used up)
• return unneeded things to Costco
• box of household goods to thrift store
• 3 bags of clothes
• 2 books to LFL
• skirt hangars
• personal safety devices
• 3 mystery items
• grotty anti-fatigue mat
• 1 book to BF (hope he does not try to give it back)
• 2 skorts (having learned I am not a skort person
• 1 pair of shoes
• carry on luggage
• plastic 3-drawer unit rescued from the dumpster but did not meet my needs

New:

• 3 hats & 2 scarves to the lady who hands them out to the needy
• 5 puzzles missing 1 piece each

Another hat & scarf in progress. Several more listings on Craigslist, some interest but nobody has pulled the trigger yet.

[midweststache]

Our KIDDOS built a wall using literally every single toy/game/book in our family room, so in putting it away we took an opportunity to go through the items. Recycled a few puzzles that were missing pieces and very young, picked out some toys to pass on to younger cousins. Maybe 10 items pulled? Not too shabby and they were both involved in the cleaning/choosing what to let go of process, which is a huge improvement over the last time we tried to do this! :)

[MaybeBabyMustache]

@PMG @Frugal Lizard - the socks I had that lasted forever were Swiftwick Aspires. The old ones lasted forever. The newer ones seem fine, but I highly doubt they will last for the same duration.

On the decluttering side, I sold a shirt that DS18 outgrew before he wore. I also noticed that DH put his motorcycle pants & jacket in the donation pile. I've pulled them aside to see what condition they are in. I'll likely clean them up & list them on FB Marketplace. Ebay would be better, but they are super heavy & would be awkward to mail.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Gave away 3 boxes of tea to a neighbor. Two expired in 2023, and I've decided I much prefer an herbal fruity flavor vs green tea, and I"m just never going to drink it. My tea area is much better organized now.

[Loretta]

Donated a pair of clogs that cut off my circulation and some plastic bits and bobs that someone else may be able to use.  Also donated a cat toothbrush set that was never, ever going to work 😻

[mspym]

A bunch of things have been returned or given to the farm and that plus being home long enough to complete a bunch of longstanding tasks (planting all the seedlings, frogging some knitting) means clear horizontal surfaces AND some breathing room in the to-do list.

[crocheted_stache]

Outgoing: a large candle that I never liked the smell of and definitely have no intention to light. It's only waiting for the taker to turn up when they say they're going to.

It took an extra day, but the candle is off to a home where someone will hopefully appreciate it more than I did.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Listed six items on BN, so hopefully someone will come & get those. Teen clothes can be hard to give away, but equally hard to find, so I'm always happy to pass them along.

[midweststache]

Unloaded the holiday stuff this past weekend; found some ornaments and other decor that we're never going to use and posted it all to our BN group. 1/2 is already gone, and the other 1/2 is PPU.

[Frugal Lizard]

Was needing a Rubbermaid bin so sorted through a partially full one kicking around from when we packed up the living room to paint it and switch out some ikea shelves for solid wood ones from my mom's downsizing.

Home decor brochures from 2011? Receipts from lighting store. Quotes for window replacements from 2015? Not the receipt from the actual work. The quotes from all the companies we didn't use. School photo reorder info sheets. From elementary school! Youngest is more than halfway through university. Why am I hanging on to all these bits of paper?

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Listed six items on BN, so hopefully someone will come & get those. Teen clothes can be hard to give away, but equally hard to find, so I'm always happy to pass them along.

Four items are on my porch for a pickup, so more junk out of the house!

[Sibley]

Ordered some storage cube things which will be used in a closet. Should be able to dramatically improve storage efficiency in that closet, and might help in a different closet as well.

[JAYSLOL]

Looks like I need to kick decluttering into high gear, changes at work are forcing me to look at moving in the next few months, and I have one hell of a lot of decluttering to do.

I’ve listed a bunch of old equipment and household stuff I’m not using up for sale, and I’ve got a few boxes in the car for donation ready to go

So far I’ve given away an old boat on marketplace, and I’ve sold an old outboard motor and some other equipment and tools and some Pyrex bowls I wasn’t using. And I’ve added a coffee table and some other small stuff to the donation pile in the car

Got rid of a few more boxes of donation items, and I’ve sold a few other small things too

Got rid of a whole car load of stuff over the weekend, plus sold my snowblower today, and I’m already starting another pile of things to sell or donate

[Frugal Lizard]

DS was home for Thanksgiving and grabbed some household goods needed for his apartment.  He is living on his own for the first time.

[LaineyAZ]

On the "Good Deed" thread I mentioned that I'm helping a relative get their apartment prepped for fogging.  There's an insect infestation which requires residents to completely clear out their kitchens and bathrooms, including everything inside of all cabinets.
As part of that, they discovered food items that had expired and kitchen equipment and gadgets that were no longer needed.

An unintentional but much needed decluttering.