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

[mspym]

I moved the colder weather tops to storage and pulled all the summer tops out and either hung them up of decided to donate or bin. This spurred me into doing something similar with my running gear since I am never running again. (Mostly everything is ratty enough to bin with no qualms) I took the good stuff into the op shop for the start of my volunteer gig so nothing hung around in an undetermined state.

[oneday]

Since Jan 2025:

• 1 bag of ex-roomie's stuff
• scrap MDF
• nearly expired Covid tests
• knee scooter
• 1 box of ex-roomie's stuff

New:

• 2 dining chairs

[crocheted_stache]

Another two items gone today, bringing the year's total to 13. Two more are lined up for tomorrow, so I need to list the next few things.

[Frugal Lizard]

Gifted a friend some of my fancy paper stash.

I was gifted a huge supply by an elderly friend. At the time I sorted it and put it in a cupboard. When my friend mentioned getting back into art making mayber, I dove into my trove and realized I have more paper than a lifetime's worth.

I am going to paint with abandon and figure out which types of paper I don't like and give them away.

[Josiecat22222]

Gave away half a box of file folders, a box of canning pectin, an artificial plant and a figurine through local Buy Nothing Group

Donated some old towels to our vet for comfort of boarding animals

Gave 5 bags of "professional" clothes to MIL to distribute among the grandkids/nieces/nephews etc starting their work careers as we are FIRE'd and no longer wear them.

[crocheted_stache]

Gifted a friend some of my fancy paper stash.

I was gifted a huge supply by an elderly friend. At the time I sorted it and put it in a cupboard. When my friend mentioned getting back into art making mayber, I dove into my trove and realized I have more paper than a lifetime's worth.

I am going to paint with abandon and figure out which types of paper I don't like and give them away.

In case your friend also reaches capacity, any art supplies, stationery, and garden stuff gets snatched up quickly in my Buy Nothing group.

The last things I listed are all at new homes, save one, and I need to drop off that one and list a new batch.

[oneday]

Since Jan 2025:

• 1 bag of ex-roomie's stuff
• scrap MDF
• nearly expired Covid tests
• knee scooter
• 1 box of ex-roomie's stuff
• 2 dining chairs

New:

• extra headboard

[crocheted_stache]

One thing out yesterday, and one thing today brings the year's total to 15. Two more items listed, but only one seems to have attracted any interest.

[Monocle Money Mouth]

I finally donated 2 old bicycles and a set of wheels we had in our basement to a local second hand bicycle shop.

I need to recycle some old computer hardware too. I still have the components for the first 2 PCs I built back in 2005 and 2006. I'm going to stuff as many old components in the case as I can with the exception of hard drives.

[PMG]

I finally dropped donations off. I’d been collecting them in the basement for months. Yesterday I listed a collection of outgrown toys for sale and have them boxed up out of sight in the basement. I’m fine with them living there for a while as I do expect them to sell vs give away.

Today I am continuing to sort out the toy cupboard and set up for some good rotations. I’ve not tossed anything except trash yet but it’s coming.

I’m also prepping to take down the Christmas tree. Hoping to make it a fun thing just like setting it up was. There won’t be a lot to toss but I’ll be taking notes to remind myself not to buy more.

[Sandi_k]

Christmas came down today. We did minimal decorating this year, so not too onerous.

[crocheted_stache]

Yay! Four more things left the house today, with at least three more in the queue. A couple of today's items were weirder and potentially harder to "sell" on the free groups. It's starting to look like I'm making a dent again.

Total items gone for the year is now 19.

[Sibley]

2 bags of stuff ready for the animal shelter, and 2 bags ready for thrift store. There is something in the house I want to add to the pile but I can't remember what or where. It will turn up eventually.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

I made a deal with myself that if items don't get picked up off of BN after two postings (I'm usually regrouping large sets of items, so not just double posting the same thing), then it gets donated.
-Old Navy button up teen shirt
-Christmas ornaments
-Anime items/bags
-new headphones
-Halloween decor

I also listed three new items on BN, and one already has someone interested.

[crocheted_stache]

I made a deal with myself that if items don't get picked up off of BN after two postings, then it gets donated.

I usually go Buy Nothing -> Trash Nothing or Freecycle -> donate. The other groups have a little wider reach than Buy Nothing, which can sometimes bring coordination challenges, but can sometimes also bring a fresh audience with different needs and tastes.

[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

Got rid of another couple boxes of things, and I’m going to start organizing all the random hand tool I have laying around and make a pile of ones I don’t need

I got a pretty good load of tools off to auction the other day and they all sold, plus I donated a few more random household things and also sold a couple things through marketplace this weekend.  Starting to feel like I’m making serious progress, but lots of work still to go.

I dropped off a few things at the thrift store today, and I sold a mitre saw that I don’t need (I had two, keeping the bigger one).

The other day I took some more stuff to my local auction house for them to sell and picked up the check for the last load I dropped off, one car load of stuff lighter, one check for $550 richer. Still have more to clear out, we take possession of the new place in a week, and am looking forward to a fresh and less cluttered space.

Got rid of an old dryer that died and an old camping cot.

[slackmax]

Looking around the basement today for things to move, throw out, or donate. Hoping to unearth something easy to decide about, lol.

A side benefit is that I find things I forgot I even had, and make a note of them and where they are, for future reference. 

I have about a million empty boxes down there, many of them leftover Avon boxes from the former girl friend. Believe it or not, recycling the Avon boxes will be anxiety-producing, lol.  I will probably just recycle a few at a time.

I almost recycled a bunch of empty beer case boxes, but found a last minute use for them!  My new girl friend wanted them, to incorporate in the reorganizing of my pantry cupboards.     

[LaineyAZ]

Looking around the basement today for things to move, throw out, or donate. Hoping to unearth something easy to decide about, lol.

A side benefit is that I find things I forgot I even had, and make a note of them and where they are, for future reference. 

I have about a million empty boxes down there, many of them leftover Avon boxes from the former girl friend. Believe it or not, recycling the Avon boxes will be anxiety-producing, lol.  I will probably just recycle a few at a time.

I almost recycled a bunch of empty beer case boxes, but found a last minute use for them!  My new girl friend wanted them, to incorporate in the reorganizing of my pantry cupboards.   

I'd be leery of using the cardboard beer boxes in the pantry - roaches and other pests love cardboard, I wouldn't risk it.

Also, are the empty Avon boxes worth money and you're wanting to see if they'll sell?  or is it just the sentiment attached to them that's making you hesitate to chuck them?

[slackmax]

LaineyAZ,

Oooh, thanks for the warning about pests and cardboard.

The Avon boxes are a nice shape and structure; rectangular and have a lid that comes  down over the sides. Like a small banker's box. Good for filling with something, then stacking up against a wall.

I wasn't thinking they had any value, but since you mentioned it, I just checked the internet and no one is selling them, and the only site I found mentioning them at all, was trying to give them away, lol. 

No sentimental value at this point in time.

[Loretta]

I used up 2 bottles of body wash in this morning’s shower.  I also donated 2 laundry soaps to the community free space. 

[crocheted_stache]

LaineyAZ,

Oooh, thanks for the warning about pests and cardboard.

The Avon boxes are a nice shape and structure; rectangular and have a lid that comes  down over the sides. Like a small banker's box. Good for filling with something, then stacking up against a wall.

I wasn't thinking they had any value, but since you mentioned it, I just checked the internet and no one is selling them, and the only site I found mentioning them at all, was trying to give them away, lol. 

No sentimental value at this point in time.

If it would help to see them put to good use, you could try listing them on Buy Nothing or similar. Perhaps someone packing for moving or storage could use them. Or someone who's putting together gift boxes for groups of people. (My Buy Nothing group has occasional asks for shoe boxes for this purpose.) Then work your way through recycling whatever nobody wants.

[slackmax]

Thanks for the ideas, Crocheted.

Today I did a 2 for 1. A cold draft is coming in from the front door because the old weatherstripping has been crushed down over the years. Hmmm. Don't I have some leftover weatherstripping somewhere? I think so, yeah, but where? I had to look.

I did find some, and it might even be enough !  The 2 for 1 was that while I was ransacking my garage shelves I also took the opportunity to move some of the items to more findable places in my house. Also made notes of the locations of some useful stuff, for future reference.   

[RetiredAt63]

Just took 2 boxes of kitchen stuff, a bag of clothes and the cat tree my cat ignores to the second-hand store.  More space!

[LaineyAZ]

Noticing that the shelves at our local Goodwill stores and 2 consignment stores I visited this week are absolutely jam-packed with stuff.
Not sure what's driving this - the popularity of general decluttering for a more organized life, or Baby boomers downsizing, or what?

I didn't want to go through the hoops of the consignment stores (appointments are only if you have 30+ items and on 2 days/week; otherwise take your chances and wait in line on the other 2 designated buying days and times, etc.) so I'll be selling my items at a yard sale this March. 

[Freedomin5]

Got rid of a giant floor pouf, two plants, and several puzzles. Also threw away several empty boxes.

[mspym]

A bag of my sister's clothes and one of my books donated. Also some increased restraint about Not Bringing Things Home.

[crocheted_stache]

Nothing went out today, but I did manage to determine that a pair of shoes by the front door does not belong to anyone who still lives here. (We hosted various visitors for a while, all considerably pre-pandemic.) They also don't belong to my brother, who house-sat when we were out of town for a month at a time, visiting and taking care of DH's parents.

Anyone looking on from outside would wonder what's taking so long. This sort of thing is part of what's taking so long.

[slackmax]

LaineyAZ wrote :  'I didn't want to go through the hoops of the consignment stores '

Anecdote: I used a consignment store to sell Mom's vintage full length Eddy Bauer leather coat. It was worth it to me, but just barely, lol.

The rules and hoops were OK, but the owner/manager turned out to be a nutcase and I ended up having drama with her. It was so cringe.

Ended up making $75 on the deal. Would never have been able to sell it myself at all, based on past experience, so took the money and ran. But had to deal with  the whackjob of a manager, lol.       

[Frugal Lizard]

Dh was motivated to dispose of all the old paint after the bottom fell off a an old can he thought might still be usable. What a mess!

[RetiredAt63]

Dh was motivated to dispose of all the old paint after the bottom fell off a an old can he thought might still be usable. What a mess!

Ooh, yikes.  I trust he did the cleanup?

General info - I still have paint from the house that I sold in 2019.  I took it to the retailer and had the paint person check it for me, it is still good.  I did the same for the paint left in the condo (4 years old). They can tell you if any particular can is worth saving.

[Sibley]

I stopped by the parent's house last night for the old sheets (to take to animal shelter). Mom also said she had some blankets to donate. Ok. 2/3 of their blankets later, my trunk was full. So today I took a trunk full of old blankets and sheets, plus a couple other bags in the backseat to the shelter. And a bag to the thrift store. I did manage to forget a bag in the utility room of course, but at least most of it is gone.

[Loretta]

I gave 2 bags of Stuff to a thrift shop I had not visited before today.  The Stuff was 80% mine and 20% a relative’s stuff.   I did a fast walkthrough and things were priced cheap which I love.   It was packed inside so I did not linger.  They support community initiatives like Head Start and immigration legal funds so I’m a fan. 

[Frugal Lizard]

Dh was motivated to dispose of all the old paint after the bottom fell off a an old can he thought might still be usable. What a mess!

Ooh, yikes.  I trust he did the cleanup?

General info - I still have paint from the house that I sold in 2019.  I took it to the retailer and had the paint person check it for me, it is still good.  I did the same for the paint left in the condo (4 years old). They can tell you if any particular can is worth saving.

he did cleanup. And most fortunately it happened in the basement right next to the bin of old towels we use for painting.

He took it to the waste sorting place. They salvage paint for reusing / upcycling there. So if it is still good paint, it will get a new container and possibly mixed with similar color/finish for someone else to use.  Habitat for Humanity gets a lot of the paint from the waste sorting place.

[crocheted_stache]

Remembered to take a DH's-former-company-branded water bottle and tote bag to a dinner with DH's former work colleagues, and found them a home with someone who will appreciate them as company swag. The Buy Nothing group would probably have taken them, too, and ignored the logos or covered over them with stickers.

Also, I found a new Buy Nothing home for the abandoned sandals. Those will be leaving today.

[crocheted_stache]

Today, I left a fistful of wrapped utensil packets from various past takeout orders in the office break room. They'll get used there, unlike in the drawer at home. In the past couple days, I sent along a sweatshirt and a pair of sandals to new homes. Items gone so far this year: 26.

The next six items now have specific destinations.

[Freedomin5]

Sold several puzzles. Earned enough for groceries for a week.

[SunnyDays]

Sold several puzzles. Earned enough for groceries for a week.

Either puzzles are really expensive or groceries are really cheap in Shanghai!  I suspect it’s the latter.

[crocheted_stache]

Today, I left a fistful of wrapped utensil packets from various past takeout orders in the office break room. They'll get used there, unlike in the drawer at home. In the past couple days, I sent along a sweatshirt and a pair of sandals to new homes. Items gone so far this year: 26.

The next six items now have specific destinations.

DH helped with getting the next six things out of here, which is wonderful, because I wasn't going to have time to deal with them today. A couple utensils, some hair clips out, and three books to little free libraries in the neighborhood. Also, at least a couple of the utensil packs from yesterday were taken.

New total: 32 items.

[Freedomin5]

I am very happy right now. A coworker told me that another coworker moved to a new place and needed furniture. I gave away:

- a coffee table and side table that DD currently uses to hold her junk
- two bedside tables that DH and I use to hold our junk
- one shoe rack that holds DH's junk
- two shelves that holds DH and DD's junk
- one recliner that another coworker left behind when they repatriated
- one sofa that no one can sit on because it's holding DD's junk

As a bonus, this also forces DD and DH to get rid of their junk. They're visually pretty junk, but junk nonetheless.

[crocheted_stache]

Nothing new left the house today, but I photographed the next batch of things and got them listed on Buy Nothing, with varying levels of interest so far.

[Frugal Lizard]

DH and I have begun cleaning out my late mother's retirement home.

DH sorted through all the toiletries. Large bag of partially used items has been donated. Items we use everyday has topped up our stores.

I have sorted her clothing and will launder and donate most of it. Many of the items are brand new looking. She had difficulty learning to wear new items - they weren't her clothing in her brain. She wore out almost all the pieces she purchased herself before dementia, or they were damaged in one of the many medical events she suffered. She couldn't adopt the replacements easily into her rotation. One or two items items became familiar enough by necessity.

DD has already said: ahhh new track pants I will help myself to those. And has already adopted the winter boots. Hopefully DD (who is still growing) will find some more use. I will boost my sock supply. The rest of everything will get a new home easily.

[PMG]

Oh @Frugal Lizard I am sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. Much love to you.

[slackmax]

Frugal Lizard, Way to go, sounds like good progress!  I and my sister recently cleaned out our mom's place. I am still trying to get rid of so much of the stuff! I am happily appropriating some of it, but still have lots of her 'expensive stuff that no one wants to buy' (ha ha) that I can't yet bring myself to donate. 

On another front, I am donating one of those big Omaha Steak styrofoam shipping containers today. I've had some of them in my basement forever, and never had a use for them, yet.  They make a great cooler. Keeping one just in case, lol.

 

[Sibley]

Frugal Lizard, Way to go, sounds like good progress!  I and my sister recently cleaned out our mom's place. I am still trying to get rid of so much of the stuff! I am happily appropriating some of it, but still have lots of her 'expensive stuff that no one wants to buy' (ha ha) that I can't yet bring myself to donate. 

On another front, I am donating one of those big Omaha Steak styrofoam shipping containers today. I've had some of them in my basement forever, and never had a use for them, yet.  They make a great cooler. Keeping one just in case, lol.

 

I am not positive, but those shipping containers may be useful in making feral cat winter shelters. If so, shelters/nonprofits may happily take them.

[slackmax]

Sibley, Thanks for the suggestion.

[crocheted_stache]

On to the next home: one bottle of cleaning spray with too much fragrance for us, bringing the total items for January to 34.

Six more items I listed over the weekend have takers and are pending pick-up or drop-off.

[Frugal Lizard]

three boxes of canning jars gone.
some cedar planks for bbq'ing that have been in our basement since 2019
and some more of my mom's stuff.

I have tried to clean some of her footwear. Some came up great. Others need a deeper clean, but they are not in good shape so I filed them in the round bin.

[Poundwise]

On the principle of decluttering the bulkiest things first, I got deep down and personal with my linen closet plus two more piles of linen that had colonized two bedroom floors.  It took 90 minutes and I think I've only addressed about a third of the linens in the house! I'm exhausted.

Texted a friend who feels she could take some for her family, then put those sheets in the car. I also put some stained/worn sheets in the bag I reserve for textile recycling. So that's about 2 cubic yards out of the house. I still have so much more!

So far, it seems like I have 7 queen mattress pads, two of which are heated but I only know where the controls are for one.  We have only 1 queen bed plus 1 foldout queen.  1 king mattress pad which is on the king bed. 2 twin mattress pads, both heated, one of which is on the twin bed. It seems like I should cut down one of the queen mattresses to fit the twin.  The question is, will I ever get around to it?

Maybe one of the queens is a king, I hope so. At least everything is nicely folded and in blanket bags labeled tentatively with the mattress size.  As I change the beds, I guess we'll be able to tell whether everything is what I think it is, then I'll label them with a sharpie and get rid of the extras.

[Sibley]

On the principle of decluttering the bulkiest things first, I got deep down and personal with my linen closet plus two more piles of linen that had colonized two bedroom floors.  It took 90 minutes and I think I've only addressed about a third of the linens in the house! I'm exhausted.

Texted a friend who feels she could take some for her family, then put those sheets in the car. I also put some stained/worn sheets in the bag I reserve for textile recycling. So that's about 2 cubic yards out of the house. I still have so much more!

So far, it seems like I have 7 queen mattress pads, two of which are heated but I only know where the controls are for one.  We have only 1 queen bed plus 1 foldout queen.  1 king mattress pad which is on the king bed. 2 twin mattress pads, both heated, one of which is on the twin bed. It seems like I should cut down one of the queen mattresses to fit the twin.  The question is, will I ever get around to it?

Maybe one of the queens is a king, I hope so. At least everything is nicely folded and in blanket bags labeled tentatively with the mattress size.  As I change the beds, I guess we'll be able to tell whether everything is what I think it is, then I'll label them with a sharpie and get rid of the extras.

Animal shelters can take sheets and blankets. Details may vary.

[Poundwise]

Animal shelters can take sheets and blankets. Details may vary.

Good point, maybe some of these can get a bit more use before being turned into felt or paper.