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

[slackmax]

Continuing with the microdecluttering here. I kept bumping into an old shirt and slacks  hanging on a hanger next to the dryer. Both were pretty dusty. I thought about washing them so I could donate them, but nope, into the textiles recycling bag they went, mercilessly.   

ABout 5 feet away from the slacks and shirt, was a pile of those big shopping bags that certain stores give you or sell you. Macy's, Lord and Taylor, etc. Nice big bags, clean and useful, for somebody, but not me. Most of them made out of cloth, believe it or not.   

Looked at them all one by one, put a few into recycling, and put the rest neatly into a bag which I will dump off at Goodwill next time I am there. Now I have room to move my lawn mower again !   

edit to add:  I never shop at Macy's. I'm a guy and 90% of the stuff I am decluttering is from my ex girlfriend, lol.   

[slackmax]

Saw charcoal on half price sale, and resisted the urge to stock up, since last time I did that it took 3 years to use it all up.

I just bought one bag.

I think that's the hardest one for minimalist mustachians! It certainly is a situation I struggle with. Good job!

Thanks !

[I'm a red panda]

I've lost energy to do any decluttering. My house is still full of things, and I would love to get another few hundred out of it. But I'm just too tired.

Where is the "nesting" instinct that makes pregnant woman clean in me?  Because I only feel stress that I'm not getting anything out of the house, and I'm adding another person to it in 13 days. I just want us to own less stuff.  There is stuff everywhere.

[Roadrunner53]

My Senior center is offering a free shred service on May 15th. I just cleaned out a file cabinet and have two giant grocery bags full. Some of the paperwork goes back to 2004! I also have another 8 bags full. So this is a win, win situation. We also have a local fund raiser shred early May that would cost me around $10 a bag so this is saving me probably $100. I went to the free shred event last year and as soon as I came home, I found a whole file cabinet that I over looked.

I have been purging and purging everything but it is hard! Even the paperwork I threw out it made me want to keep some of it. There were statements from former employers of my paychecks, 401k savings. Since I don't work anymore, it is 'fun' to see what I was earning back then. But, WHY I said to myself! Why do I need it...I don't so it got bagged up.

[RetiredAt63]

I've lost energy to do any decluttering. My house is still full of things, and I would love to get another few hundred out of it. But I'm just too tired.

Where is the "nesting" instinct that makes pregnant woman clean in me?  Because I only feel stress that I'm not getting anything out of the house, and I'm adding another person to it in 13 days. I just want us to own less stuff.  There is stuff everywhere.

It will hit on day 12.  Or 14.  I was out in the garden tying up tomatoes in the morning and started labour in the afternoon (2 days past due date).

[mustachepungoeshere]

Tossed three expired things and one empty thing from my medicine box this morning.

I'm allowing myself to be generous with burning candles to use up the stash, because I still have quite a few and I usually get a couple for my birthday.

[Fresh Bread]

I can't find anything in the garage, AGAIN! I'll spend an hour in there tomorrow looking for things that can live in the newly organised spare room and look for some cheap/free shelving. In 7 months we will have one less bedroom, but a double garage plus garden shed, can't wait.

[slackmax]

...........

I have been purging and purging everything but it is hard! Even the paperwork I threw out it made me want to keep some of it. There were statements from former employers of my paychecks, 401k savings. Since I don't work anymore, it is 'fun' to see what I was earning back then. But, WHY I said to myself! Why do I need it...I don't so it got bagged up.

When I have this situation (tons of paper records discovered) I recycle half of them and keep the rest for a future purge.  Feels safer that way.  lol...

But some old stuff I will keep forever if it doesn't take up much space. Ancient home equity loans forms and stuff like that.

[Roadrunner53]

When I was laid off from the best job of my life in 2005 after working there 18 years I bought home a small suitcase full of work stuff. The suitcase sat in the garage for probably 10 years and was never opened once. It was like a security blanket and a tether to my past that was really important to me. One day the Hub and I were purging and I finally opened Pandora's box and threw out at least 99.9%. Right now I really can't say what was in the suitcase but for some reason I had to hold onto it till my heart could let it go. People are complicated!

[Bracken_Joy]

This is organizing technically, not decluttering, but I'm still happy with it and it's making progress on our space being more functional.
-Bought a shelf off FB marketplace that fits above our freezer in otherwise dead space. Had the room to put 3 baskets I already own that were living in a closet. Moved our overflow ziplocks, paper towels, and kleenex to these from the guest bathroom cupboards. I'm still trying to decide what baby stuff we'll put where, etc, but open spaces are a great place to start. If we're desperate for room as baby approaches, we'll stop buying stuff in bulk and convert the over the freezer storage to other lesser accessed items, allowing us even more space.

[Goldielocks]

Got rid of 2 lawnmowers and 1 semi-professional paint sprayer.  All needed maintenance to run better, and could be "worth something"... but when we tried to get maintenance, the costs were too high for our use.  Also got rid of the second sectional section (out of 3). One left, which is in use, then it will go, too.

At least the lawnmowers went to metal recycling.... and I am freeing up a lot of space getting rid of the big things.  So hard to give up things that have value / use...  So nice to have the room.

[I'm a red panda]

Got rid of 2 baby books. And another 2 waiting pickup from BNP.

Also got 5 cardboard boxes into recycling

[Frugal Lizard]

Instead of just putting all the Easter decorations back in the big bin with a ton of old junk that we haven't taken out of the box in years, I got rid of almost all the stuff still in the box before I put away all the decor items that we used this year.

The box is only 1/3 full.  Don't have a smaller bin at the moment so the large mostly empty bin just went back on the shelf until a smaller bin appears.

[slackmax]

Found some 'no decision, easy stuff' to declutter when I was looking in a kitchen cabinet for something: 2 boxes of oatmeal I can use up slowly, day by day. I never knew they were there.     

[horsepoor]

Finally decided to get rid of my old suitcase, which I replaced about 2 years ago.  It is stuffed full of random clothes and in the car to be donated today, along with two Pyrex casserole dishes, a book, and a big comforter that we don't use because it doesn't breath properly.

I also went through my crafting supplies/random bits and found quite a few things to toss.  There was a whole stash of stuff sacks from various down vests and jackets.

For now I'm setting aside a small box of clothes that are currently too small.  Just the items like high-end jeans that I feel are worth storing for a bit to see if I can shrink back into them (we're talking 10# here, so I think it's in the realm of possibility).

This Wednesday should be the free hazardous waste collection day at the fire department, so I need to get some old electronics and things pulled together and bring them over.  We had a whole tote box full of old routers, an ancient MP3 player, etc.  Like, why are we storing this dead technology?

I've managed to sell a couple horse items on eBay, but sales are SLOW.  Freecycling a horse-riding shirt that came free with purchase and is not a color I'd ever wear, and supposedly have someone taking one of my extra saddles on trial this week.  I think I'll just add a Best Offer option on my eBay listing for the other, because I'm getting sick of looking at it, and have a new-used saddle for the baby horse arriving tomorrow, which will put me at 5(!) saddles.

Need to list a squat rack and big coffee table on CL, but have been waiting until DH returns from a work trip, rather than dealing with rando people while home alone (since those items are too large to meet and exchange in a public spot).

[Bird In Hand]

I finally got the nerve to get rid of a couple dozen text books from college, plus a handful of other expensive books that I have little interest in.  The library was accepting donations for the spring book sale, and I sneaked these in (technically I don't think they like to take text books as donations, but nobody checked).  I feel a little bit of sadness and a little bit of relief that they're gone.

[diapasoun]

I have 25 items selected for my get-rid-of-30 things goal this month. 5 are actually out of the house, eep. Tonight's goal is to dig a little bit more and then to get rid of what I can get rid of (there's some donatables that should be easy -- just drop them at the coffeeshop network).

[Mongoose]

All our old baby seats were decluttered to be recycled at Target last Monday. We'd been hanging on to them until we could find a way that they didn't end up in the landfill. Major amount of space freed!

[I'm a red panda]

All our old baby seats were decluttered to be recycled at Target last Monday. We'd been hanging on to them until we could find a way that they didn't end up in the landfill. Major amount of space freed!

I've noticed BNP has had a nice trade in old car seats. So not only do they get recycled, people have even found someone else to take them in for them :)

[RetiredAt63]

Two SUV loads gone/donated in the last few weeks.   Plus maximum amount allowed each week for garbage and recycling.  A lot was sort of hidden stuff, the difference is not massively obvious yet.

[Roadrunner53]

Fifteen 33 gallon bags going tomorrow to Vietnam Vets. I had one more bag started but not sure if I will fill it. We have to put the bags out at 8 am. But no idea on what time the pick up occurs.

[shadesofgreen]

I am relieved that I got 3 boxes of stuff out of the house this weekend to donation. It was very mentally freeing to see the empty spot in the living room.

[daffodil2001]

I moved recently and had a box of stuff that I wasn’t ready to part with earlier but decided it wasn’t needed in my new house. Brought it to a thrift store along with two boxes of bubble wrap for the store to use when people buy fragile things (I asked if they wanted it before dropping it off).

[Raenia]

I am relieved that I got 3 boxes of stuff out of the house this weekend to donation. It was very mentally freeing to see the empty spot in the living room.

I love this feeling!  Just dropped off 2 boxes today, and the open space in the entry way is glorious.

[Roadrunner53]

Fifteen 33 gallon bags going tomorrow to Vietnam Vets. I had one more bag started but not sure if I will fill it. We have to put the bags out at 8 am. But no idea on what time the pick up occurs.

Gone, gone, gone!

[okisok]

Read the entire thread over the past few days. So much inspiration here!

I scanned all my old tax paperwork and took the actual papers to be shredded.

I have a giant box in the car to go to Goodwill.

I've used up a ton of trial- or travel-sized toiletries.

A big one is finally asking my family about the china set I've been toting around for ten years! I thought it was my great-grandmothers that her son bought in Europe during WWII when he was in the army. Nope! My mom has that set, which I will inherit. This? Nobody knows whose it was, and I don't remember who I got it from. So out it goes! When I think of the number of times I have carefully wrapped and packed those dishes and cups throughout my nomadic life!! An entire cabinet emptied out. Too bad I left the roll of newsprint in the mail room with a "free" sign just last week. :P

I've gotten all of the easy stuff. Now I've been through summer and winter clothes, the kitchen cabinets, books, and some sentimental things. I've noticed that after a while, some sentimental things become less...sentimental and more 'what is this?'

Now to decide if I really need a printer, since it usually lives unplugged on a closet shelf. I have a workplace where I can print, and my building's office will gladly let tenants use their office equipment for small, one-off things. The shredder got donated weeks ago, when I opted out of most junk mail and opted in to email statements on almost everything.

[slackmax]

I finally got the nerve to get rid of a couple dozen text books from college, plus a handful of other expensive books that I have little interest in.  The library was accepting donations for the spring book sale, and I sneaked these in (technically I don't think they like to take text books as donations, but nobody checked).  I feel a little bit of sadness and a little bit of relief that they're gone.

Fellow textbook and technical manual keeper here! A few years ago I donated some to my library. Don't know if they put them out for sale. I still have a lot more stored on the floor in my house. 

[diapasoun]

I am finally getting rid of the pile of stockings that I have that are gorgeous stockings but just really plain uncomfortable to wear -- so they sit, looking beautiful, as I never wear them because owwwww.

[Bird In Hand]

Fellow textbook and technical manual keeper here! A few years ago I donated some to my library. Don't know if they put them out for sale. I still have a lot more stored on the floor in my house.

Was it a struggle for you to finally donate some?  Most of my books were technical in nature, and many were out of date.  My reluctance to get rid of them was a combination of sunk cost fallacy (those suckers cost me ~$100/each on average), the feeling that I was tossing some good resources for useful information that me or my kids might make use of some day (but duh, we could find better/more up to date information on these topics online or from a library), and sheer sentimentality (I am oddly sentimental about the weirdest stuff).

I tried selling some -- no dice.  I briefly considered burning them ala a Viking funeral pyre.  But I finally decided that at least there is a small chance someone will want one of the books, so now they're the library's problem to deal with.

[Raenia]

I'm surprised by everyone donating textbooks - our library won't take them, and our thrift store won't take them either.  I had to recycle mine when I finally convinced myself to let go :(

[zygote]

I cheated and took my textbooks to work. (I have a technical position at a university so this is not weird.)

Every once in a while I do go back and look something up, but 99% of the time I just get my info online. They're mostly there for decoration/nostalgia.

[Bird In Hand]

I'm surprised by everyone donating textbooks - our library won't take them, and our thrift store won't take them either.  I had to recycle mine when I finally convinced myself to let go :(

Had the people at the library examined the contents of the big box of books I dropped off (donations for a book sale), they might well have told me "Sorry, no text books!"  But they were not really paying attention, so I just set the box down with the other donations and scooted out of there before they had a chance to take a look.  :D

[diapasoun]

Our library sells books to raise money, and we do actually take textbooks. Textbooks are one of the few things that I've gotten requests for as a cashier in the store -- lots of people want to teach themselves something, and are okay if that something's out of date, as long as they're only spending $2-5 on it.

[slackmax]

Fellow textbook and technical manual keeper here! A few years ago I donated some to my library. Don't know if they put them out for sale. I still have a lot more stored on the floor in my house.

Was it a struggle for you to finally donate some?  Most of my books were technical in nature, and many were out of date.  My reluctance to get rid of them was a combination of sunk cost fallacy (those suckers cost me ~$100/each on average), the feeling that I was tossing some good resources for useful information that me or my kids might make use of some day (but duh, we could find better/more up to date information on these topics online or from a library), and sheer sentimentality (I am oddly sentimental about the weirdest stuff).

I tried selling some -- no dice.  I briefly considered burning them ala a Viking funeral pyre.  But I finally decided that at least there is a small chance someone will want one of the books, so now they're the library's problem to deal with.

I like the Viking funeral pyre idea! But I won't do it myself.

Yes, it was a struggle to donate them, but I viewed as a self-improvement thing,   
like going to that party even though you are shy, since you'll be glad you did afterwards. 'Doing the right thing' even though you don't want to.   

My textbooks are 95% free from work days. They allowed me to take them with me when I left. All computer programming stuff.

I keep them for as a reminder of how productive I was in this life. So, sentimentality there, yes. I never read them unless I am thinking of recycling them. Then after a few paragraphs, I say 'I can't discard this priceless stuff. It's the only physical representation I have of my work role in the world'. They are all in one room, and take up only about 20% of the floor space when stacked.

What doesn't help is seeing similar textbooks on Ebay listed for $30 to $40 each. But for some reason, now I can't see if they ever sold or not, and for how much. Has Ebay hidden that information now? I used to be able to see it somewhere, like 'completed auctions', but it has disappeared.

So when I donated them I assumed I was possibly missing out on $30 each! (I know, dreaming). 

I did put an ad on Craigslist for them, and suggested buyer make an offer. Zero responses, sadly.   

I also have a few stacks of my computer programs in the same room. I have actually recycled about 30% of these, and now am actually regretting it!  Who knew? Oh well, I still have a lot. Also saving presentations I made describing the  projects I led.

I also had a bunch of those 3 ring binder manual full of training lessons, which I was able to recycle without too much emotion. Pop open the metal rings, toss paper into recycling bag, donate 3 ring binder to Goodwill. They sell them for $1 or $2 each, believe it or not. I actually saw a guy at the cash register buying one once at Goodwill. I don't miss those. Kept a few empty 3-ring binders just in case, lol.   

[PMG]

You can check the buyback sites before donating.  If they are older than 5 years I wouldn’t expect anything (especially for programming), but there are outliers.  I regularly buy old text books at thrift shops and sell them to one of the bigger book dealers.  I might make more if I were selling them myself, but that’s too much hassle.

[better late]

What doesn't help is seeing similar textbooks on Ebay listed for $30 to $40 each. But for some reason, now I can't see if they ever sold or not, and for how much. Has Ebay hidden that information now? I used to be able to see it somewhere, like 'completed auctions', but it has disappeared.

So when I donated them I assumed I was possibly missing out on $30 each! (I know, dreaming). 

You used to be able to see prices of sold comparable items as one of the final steps in listing your own item. Idk if it’s still there though

[Roadrunner53]

What doesn't help is seeing similar textbooks on Ebay listed for $30 to $40 each. But for some reason, now I can't see if they ever sold or not, and for how much. Has Ebay hidden that information now? I used to be able to see it somewhere, like 'completed auctions', but it has disappeared.

So when I donated them I assumed I was possibly missing out on $30 each! (I know, dreaming). 

You used to be able to see prices of sold comparable items as one of the final steps in listing your own item. Idk if it’s still there though

Go to ebay
To the right of the search bar there is the word ADVANCED
Click on ADVANCED
On that page fill in search bar and type in item name you want to find sold
Go down on that same page and check mark 'SOLD'
Then click on the blue search button

The item or similar items should appear.

[Shinplaster]

Got rid of the last of the track lights from the basement this morning.  Also 2 large boxes of odds and ends - lots of 'display' items and glassware that were given to us as wedding gifts.   If we haven't used them in 40 years, I don't think we're going to. 

[formerlydivorcedmom]

I've noticed that after a while, some sentimental things become less...sentimental and more 'what is this?'

I've noticed this too.   I think I've reset my internal expectation of what sentimental means by getting rid of so much.  I need to do a second pass, because I'm still drowning in piles of sentimental stuff (I am the family historian).

I had surgery last month and was off my feet for a while.  It's amazing how much stuff accumulates - both medical supplies that I don't want to get rid of (I guarantee one of my kids will need these crutches before I get them out of the house) and random crap that my husband bought when I wasn't there to say "No, we don't need that." 

[slackmax]

What doesn't help is seeing similar textbooks on Ebay listed for $30 to $40 each. But for some reason, now I can't see if they ever sold or not, and for how much. Has Ebay hidden that information now? I used to be able to see it somewhere, like 'completed auctions', but it has disappeared.

So when I donated them I assumed I was possibly missing out on $30 each! (I know, dreaming). 

You used to be able to see prices of sold comparable items as one of the final steps in listing your own item. Idk if it’s still there though

Go to ebay
To the right of the search bar there is the word ADVANCED
Click on ADVANCED
On that page fill in search bar and type in item name you want to find sold
Go down on that same page and check mark 'SOLD'
Then click on the blue search button

The item or similar items should appear.

Thank you!   :) 

[MaybeBabyMustache]

I put two tank tops in the donation pile. Now that the weather is getting warmer, I have the opportunity to go through the side of my close that's been untouched in the colder weather. For things that don't fit well, or show too much cleavage for the office due to stretching or whatever, into the donation bin

[better late]

What doesn't help is seeing similar textbooks on Ebay listed for $30 to $40 each. But for some reason, now I can't see if they ever sold or not, and for how much. Has Ebay hidden that information now? I used to be able to see it somewhere, like 'completed auctions', but it has disappeared.

So when I donated them I assumed I was possibly missing out on $30 each! (I know, dreaming). 

You used to be able to see prices of sold comparable items as one of the final steps in listing your own item. Idk if it’s still there though

Go to ebay
To the right of the search bar there is the word ADVANCED
Click on ADVANCED
On that page fill in search bar and type in item name you want to find sold
Go down on that same page and check mark 'SOLD'
Then click on the blue search button

The item or similar items should appear.

Thank you!   :)

Thank you +1
I have a few things to list and prior sales will make it so much easier!

[mustachepungoeshere]

I came across a charity online that collects hotel/airline toiletries for homeless people.

(It's called Every Little Bit Helps for any Aussies interested.)

I've just gone through my stash and picked out about 50 things to donate.

Once upon a time I would have felt a pang at the sense of scarcity, but now I'm just relieved.

I enjoy the simple straightforwardness of having four things in my shower and four things I put on my face. Why bother hoarding the rest of it?

[soccerluvof4]

So excited i have a dumpster on site for some work getting done so I am going through the house and getting rid of everything that is junk!!!

[mustachepungoeshere]

Just listed eight things on eBay, $80 if it all sells at minimum asking prices.

[MrsTuxedocat]

It's been a good week for decluttering:

- I gave away a big bag of baby clothing to a mom in need
- I sold my rice cooker, because we use the instant now
- I sold my activity play mat

[horsepoor]

Just sent a saddle off on trial - hopefully it will stay gone!

Also sold a protective riding vest that didn't fit properly, and sold the other one a few weeks ago, so down to just the one that I like and fits properly.

[slackmax]

Good to see so many people who are able to sell stuff. I have discovered church rummage sales, where you pay $10 or $15 for a space and maybe a table, then set up your stuff to sell. I plan on trying one out soon.

I'm slowing way down on my donating of stuff to Goodwill now, and I (slightly) regret donating the good stuff, since now I realize (maybe) that I can actually get some money for it at a rummage sale.   

Before, I was in a panic to just 'get it out of the ******* house' since there was soooooooooo much junk. For example, I was bagging up 20 VHS tapes at a time and bringing them to Goodwill.  I still have about a hundred VHS tapes, but now I am actually watching them, one at a time, on my retro VCR, and enjoying it.

So I'm taking a break from the purge mentality for a while, while I see what I can  sell at these rummage sales.       
 

[Roadrunner53]

Good to see so many people who are able to sell stuff. I have discovered church rummage sales, where you pay $10 or $15 for a space and maybe a table, then set up your stuff to sell. I plan on trying one out soon.

I'm slowing way down on my donating of stuff to Goodwill now, and I (slightly) regret donating the good stuff, since now I realize (maybe) that I can actually get some money for it at a rummage sale.   

Before, I was in a panic to just 'get it out of the ******* house' since there was soooooooooo much junk. For example, I was bagging up 20 VHS tapes at a time and bringing them to Goodwill.  I still have about a hundred VHS tapes, but now I am actually watching them, one at a time, on my retro VCR, and enjoying it.

So I'm taking a break from the purge mentality for a while, while I see what I can  sell at these rummage sales.     

Years ago I sold stuff at a Christmas Bazaar and at that time I was registered with the state with a tax ID number and had to charge tax for the purchases. One of the other vendors told me that it is not uncommon for State people to come in and ask to see your tax ID. Just be careful if that might be your situation. I happened to have the tax ID number for other reasons but it came in handy at the bazaar. No one asked to see my ID.

[Raenia]

I spent this weekend at my dad's house with my sister, working on decluttering some of his stuff, and some of mine that I had left there.  We donated a big box of kitchen things that Dad never uses or had duplicates of, plus two bags of stuff out of my old closet and a bag full of clothes we found in a closet, that my mom never came back for after the divorce.  We also loaded up Dad's truck with things to go to the dump, mostly things that had been left to mold and couldn't be saved.

This really reminded me why I want to keep decluttering.  I never want my home to feel like that!  It will take many more trips for my sister and I to clean out Dad's house, with his cooperation.