Author Topic: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!  (Read 1850105 times)

limeandpepper

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4569
  • Location: Australasia
Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« on: May 13, 2013, 09:28:25 PM »
So I think this would be a good thread for me. I don't actually have that much stuff as I live in a small apartment, but I still have more than I need. I am also a bit of a hoarder. I have clothes that are getting seriously worn out which I still wear and can't bring myself to throw away. I also always seem to have snail mail that seems vaguely important so I don't throw it away and eventually it builds up. And forgotten pantry items that I should use up. And a bunch of other things.

If you're anything like me please join me in getting rid of your stuff. Whether this means throwing them out, donating them, giving them to friends/family, eating them, or selling them.

If you have any tips on how to deal with the my-clothes-have-holes-but-are-so-comfy or I-may-need-this-someday syndrome, please share. And also let me know when there are cases where I-may-need-this syndrome actually makes sense, so I can identify what things I should actually keep and what I should throw.

My progress so far:

I recently managed to find some clothes that I donated to a charity bin.

And today I put up an ad on an online board to sell off a kitchen appliance that I don't use. Hopefully I'll get a buyer.

I'm going to try to find more things I can get rid of. I may actually be moving out of my place within a year or so, which provides extra incentive.

Feel free to join me!

kkbmustang

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1285
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2013, 10:36:24 PM »
We are in major purge mode so I'm right there with you. The best thing I did was to read The Joy of Less by Francine Jay.  Also check out theproject333.com by Courtney Carver. Lots if other great resources if you need them.

This week I sold a dresser and have listed a kid table/chairs, an extra sofa and two net books. The charity comes to pick up our next set of donations next week.

This week I am targeting towels and office supplies.

If there is something of sentimental value I take a picture of it and throw the object away. Also have a stack of clothes to take to the consignment shop.

limeandpepper

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4569
  • Location: Australasia
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2013, 06:26:07 AM »
Thanks for the recommendations, kkbmustang! And it's impressive the things you are purging already. The Joy of Less looks like a good read. I was hopping around on Amazon and found another book, It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh, which also looks great.

Just then I found another couple of items of clothing that I don't think I'll miss, so I'll be slipping those into the donation bin, too.

And there are other items of clothing that I think I might have a decent chance of selling, so I'll put them on eBay or something - a tedious process but probably worth doing.

Will also tackle some long-neglected items in the pantry. Hopefully that will make for some delicious adventures. :D

FlorenceMcGillicutty

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 116
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2013, 06:56:59 AM »
This is good timing for me. I just started purging a couple of weeks ago. We still have a long way to go so I'm planning on doing a little bit each week. On Sunday, we took a huge load of clothes and stuff to Goodwill but we've got a lot left. Many of the items are kids clothes and toys that people gave us. My goal is to get to a place where we have no more than we can appreciate and take care of. We have WAY more than that right now!

FlorenceMcGillicutty

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 116
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2013, 07:30:15 AM »
I'm by no means a hoarder. Minimalist would be more accurate.

I have, however, held on to a couple of items for aesthetic and practical reasons that I'm parting with.

One is a 1918 General Electric tabletop fan.



I was using it for, well, "cooling" but I hooked up a Kill-a-Watt a realized it was actually kind of energy inefficient so it's on the auction block.
Another item is a 1940's Westinghouse fan that has similar power draw. Beautiful and probably irreplaceable but just more "stuff."

I LOVE that fan. Tough call.

limeandpepper

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4569
  • Location: Australasia
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2013, 07:34:01 AM »
It IS a nice fan. Hopefully you get good money for them cjottawa.

Rebecca Stapler

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 907
    • Stapler Confessions
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2013, 10:36:43 AM »
I have been purging too. I found this article really helpful for finding ways to make a little money doing it: http://makinglemonadeblog.com/turn-your-spring-cleaning-into-cash/

I'm also juuuuust about ready to trade in my old macbook for about $72 to Gazelle.com. I have a referral code that will get you $10 if you use it and I'll get $10. If anyone's interested, send me a PM, I'll send you the code.

I also saw a great website for selling high quality used clothing but I can't find it right now.

This summer, I hope to:
1) Sell the Macbook ($72)
2) Sell clothes ($??)
3) Sell our extra cloth diapers that don't fit my toddler ($25)
4) Sell a few used books ($10)
5) Sell our charcoal grill at my parents' yard sale, and a few other items ($50)

It's not much, but it's something! And I hate having stuff I don't need / use clutter up our home.

martynthewolf

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 171
  • Age: 36
  • Location: Hull - UK
    • The Frugal Wolf
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2013, 01:38:15 PM »
I have a similar issue on the clothes front. I have a fair few t-shirts that are very worn, what tends to happen with these t-shirts is they slowly get demoted from, "I'll wear it out and about" -> "i'll wear it to do dirty jobs in" -> "i'll wear it for bed". Some t-shirts i've got i've had for the past 10 years or so and even though they have some small holes in they are good for slouching about it. :)

Other items of clothing I donate to charity and anything else is either donated/recycled or straight up binned.

smalllife

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 978
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #8 on: May 15, 2013, 04:01:59 PM »
I second "The Joy of Less" and Project 333.  Project 333 is a great way to take another look at clothing, its role in our lives, and the quality of our garments.  I've been doing a variation of it for about two years now. 

**If you don't have The Joy of Less from your library, Francine published a collection of her blog articles for 99 cents a while ago.  The essence of the book for a fraction of the price.

The 100 item challenge (book) was also an interesting read.  I'm a minimalist by nature but the plethora of storage (relative term) has me needing to cull again.  Something I've come across was to do an item a day, no matter how small, to build up the momentum and make the task more manageable.




BZB

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 409
  • Location: Houston, Texas
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #9 on: May 16, 2013, 02:37:51 PM »
This is great timing for me too! I am tackling the Closet of Doom today. It may actually take a few days. I dragged out everything we had stuffed into a large walk-in closet and am sorting through it to keep, donate, sell, and inherited stuff that needs to be dealt with. Now the downstairs looks like a scene from the tv show Hoarders.

limeandpepper

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4569
  • Location: Australasia
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #10 on: May 16, 2013, 05:27:02 PM »
Great responses so far! Looking forward to hearing updates of everyone's progress.

I had another look at Project 333. The concept is growing on me a bit. I don't have that many clothes, but because my cupboard is small, it can be difficult to rummage through stuff and I tend to forget about anything that's somewhat hidden at the back, especially when I have clothes of all seasons there.

I have a similar issue on the clothes front. I have a fair few t-shirts that are very worn, what tends to happen with these t-shirts is they slowly get demoted from, "I'll wear it out and about" -> "i'll wear it to do dirty jobs in" -> "i'll wear it for bed". Some t-shirts i've got i've had for the past 10 years or so and even though they have some small holes in they are good for slouching about it. :)

I guess in a way we are kind of Mustachian! :D  It still makes me feel a bit like a hoarder though. And it takes me away from actually wearing my "nice" clothes.

My kitchen appliance I'm trying to sell, compact grill, has no takers so far. It's already cheap but I might have to put the price down further.

Dr.Vibrissae

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 364
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #11 on: May 16, 2013, 06:21:53 PM »
I'm constantly trying to clear the clutter.  I come from somewhat pack-ratty parents (not hoarder level, but they definitely have enough room that they don't have to go through and get rid of stuff, so they store it) and the Mr. hates to get rid of things.  I'm trying to be a little more like my sister, who doesn't have a sentimental bone in her body, and doesn't collect anything really.

Recent wins:
-got the Mr. to go through ALL his clothes, donated 2 trashbags, threw out a third and have a laudry basket of possible consignment clothes (a bit disgusting to think about, but I've been trying to pare back his holdings for a couple of years now)
-have been doing the 1 item a day thing, it helps me feel more in control
-was able to get the Mr. to willingly relinquish several towels and blankets for victims of a local disaster.

Things that help me:
-One (or more) thing a day - I always have a box or bag going to put donation in
-Revisit - sometimes there are thing I know I should get rid of, but I'm just too tired, or currently attached to let go.  However, I frequently find that after a few months of mulling it over I'm able to let it go
-Go through storage regularly, I regularly (at least yearly) go through the things I have in containers/closets because often I've forgotten what's in them and find new things to give away
-Watching Hoarders/Clean House (old TLC show) - I just find it motivating to see how bad things can be, and I'm always motivated, because I don't want my house to end up like that. YMMV

Currently I'm working on posting some things to our department-wide FYI list to sell.

Osprey

  • Guest
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #12 on: May 17, 2013, 05:32:56 AM »
Great thread. Does anyone have tips for helping someone else get rid of their stuff? Mr Osprey is a hoarder and I am a minimalist. This causes is a great deal of marital strife! We recently moved apartments and I am itching to sell or donate the following:

- Kilograms and kilograms of clothes that are in good condition but far too big and completely against his current aesthetic
- A cupboard filled with electronic equipment and outdated "boys' toys" that he never uses, or that we have duplicates of (e.g. binoculars, old consoles). This cupboard has an imaginary "KEEP OUT NO GIRLS ALLOWED" sign on it.
- Piles of trading cards that keep on multiplying (Magic, The Gathering) - I play just as much as he does but I want to sell what we don't use
- Old textbooks that nobody has read in years... going all the way back to primary school!

Will report back on successes/failures.



BTW That fan is FANtastic. *cue facepalms and groans*
« Last Edit: May 17, 2013, 05:44:27 AM by Osprey »

smalllife

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 978
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #13 on: May 17, 2013, 05:35:40 AM »
Great thread. Does anyone have tips for helping someone else get rid of their stuff? Mr Osprey is a hoarder and I am a minimalist. This causes is a great deal of marital strife! We recently moved apartments and I am itching to sell or donate the following:

- Kilograms and kilograms of clothes that are in good condition but far too big and completely against his current aesthetic
- A cupboard filled with electronic equipment and outdated "boys' toys" that he never uses, or that we have duplicates of (e.g. binoculars, old consoles). This cupboard has an imaginary "KEEP OUT NO GIRLS ALLOWED" sign on it.
- Piles of trading cards that keep on multiplying (Magic, The Gathering) - I play just as much as he does but I want to sell what we don't use
- Old textbooks that nobody has read in years... going all the way back to primary school!

Will report back on successes/failures.

People hold onto things for a variety of reasons:

http://minimalistpackrat.com/2010/10/31/10-clutter-personality-types/

What helps depends on WHY he is holding onto items.

CanuckStache

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 110
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #14 on: May 17, 2013, 06:46:43 PM »
Just managed to sell 4 things on Ebay - the larger of which was roof rack crossbars which I don't use on my truck anymore, since I built a custom roof rack. Was proud of my packaging job - took four very large paper bags we saved from shopping, and used those 'air bags' around the cross bars, which we kept from amazon shipping packages. Wrapped up with a fair bit of tape, and they're very well protected for shipping.

Also decided to pull out and sell / give away all our DVDs / bluray's / etc. I built a small PC for about $300 which we use hooked up to the tv and watch all our videos, listen to all our music, etc through that - It's phenomenal how much room CD / DVD boxes take up! I must have had two gigantic boxes worth last time I moved. Ripping everything to a hard drive is the way to go, especially since my iphone plugs into my car stereo too.

Went through our clothes on the weekend too and managed to stuff a few large bags full of give-aways - and tear up a few things for me to use as rags around the house.

On one hand I always feel good doing a purge like this, but on the other it makes me realize how much useless stuff we accumulate!

limeandpepper

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4569
  • Location: Australasia
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #15 on: May 17, 2013, 10:15:26 PM »
Well done CanuckStache!

Some of my clothes are also well past the donation stage, so I may go the rag route with them too.

I'm at my boyfriend's house today and if I feel motivated enough I shall try to consolidate my stuff here too, which is kind of scattered and unorganized.

Osprey

  • Guest
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #16 on: May 18, 2013, 12:37:23 AM »

People hold onto things for a variety of reasons:

http://minimalistpackrat.com/2010/10/31/10-clutter-personality-types/

What helps depends on WHY he is holding onto items.

Thanks for that link, it is very enlightening.

BZB

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 409
  • Location: Houston, Texas
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #17 on: May 20, 2013, 09:35:06 AM »
Still working on the Closet of Doom. The downstairs still looks like an episode of Hoarders. My 3 year old is having a great time digging through stuff. Today's goal is to buy the hardware so I can finish putting together the Ikea shelving we already owned and put it in the closet. Then stuff can only go back in the closet if it fits in the shelves - nothing on the floors.

footenote

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 801
  • MMMing in MN
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #18 on: May 20, 2013, 09:51:13 AM »
We have been executing The Big Purge for the last several months, consistently saying yes to the various charities that call frequently (Lupus, Vietnam Vets, etc.).

My biggest challenge is figuring out the best way to sell inherited items that have a fair amount of value (a Limoges tea set, silverplate cutlery set, several Waterford pieces). I don't want to go the eBay route, but fear that will be what I end up doing.  : /

It's been worth the effort and hoarder-tendencies DH has been a dreamboat about it. (Way harder for him than for unsentimental me.)

KatieSSS

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 433
  • Location: DC
  • "Because of your badassity, babe!" - My GoudaMan
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #19 on: May 20, 2013, 12:48:07 PM »
Glad I saw this thread - just listed an item on eBay! I did a big clean-out a few months ago and donated a lot to charity. I'm going to try and make a bit of money off of some items, though. Hopefully, it works!

Miss Stachio

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 102
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #20 on: May 20, 2013, 08:45:29 PM »
I'm working on this too after moving.  Purged stuff before the move and now I'm in a much smaller place and it's clear that more stuff has to get purged too.  Just sold some things on Craigslist and put some things out with a "Free" sign.  Still working on getting clothes and the hundreds of random 'little things' under control.

The FlyLady approach of decluttering a few things every day (http://www.flylady.net/d/br/2012/02/14/one-bite-at-a-time-declutter-15-minutes-a-day/) was working well for me for a while but that was when I was poor and didn't have much to begin with.  Ahh, the slow creep of accumulation...

limeandpepper

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4569
  • Location: Australasia
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #21 on: May 21, 2013, 08:16:19 AM »
I think 15 minutes a day could still work for me at this stage. I just need to stop being lazy.

Okay, I just opted out of snail mail from my bank, which I should've done earlier, but for some reason never got around to it. So that will help reduce snail mail clutter. Hurrah!

ace1224

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 468
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #22 on: May 21, 2013, 08:21:26 AM »
i'm in! i'm going to do my bookcase.  i have over 200 books in my display bookcase and tons of boxes in the garage.  its going to be hard though, i seriously love all of them.  and before anyone suggests an e-reader i have one, actually 2, but nothing is quite the same as opening up a new book, especially one that you have been waiting and waiting for!
my personal goal is to get my collection to fit in the bookcase, with none leftover.

Miss Stachio

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 102
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #23 on: May 21, 2013, 03:38:53 PM »
nothing is quite the same as opening up a new book, especially one that you have been waiting and waiting for!

Slimming down the books is definitely a worthy goal.  It's hard to give up books but after moving a few times, the number of books sitting around just cuz I love them has decreased dramatically.

It feels pretty good opening a new-to-you book from the library too.  It's rare that the library doesn't have a book I want through the vast library network.  When they don't, I write them a note stating the case for why they should purchase the book and they generally will.  Good luck!
« Last Edit: May 21, 2013, 03:42:23 PM by Miss Stachio »

BZB

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 409
  • Location: Houston, Texas
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #24 on: May 21, 2013, 07:56:29 PM »
My biggest challenge is figuring out the best way to sell inherited items that have a fair amount of value (a Limoges tea set, silverplate cutlery set, several Waterford pieces). I don't want to go the eBay route, but fear that will be what I end up doing.  : /

I'm having a similar situation with inherited items. It's quite a bit of work to figure out the value and what/where to sell something. Also I have a huge file box of my dad's genealogy research I need to go through and scan. I am not into genealogy but I don't want to lose all the work he did.
 
Also I have several stamp albums from my dad. Anyone have any suggestions on how to sell stamp albums? Stamp collecting was a big hobby of his but I have no interest in it. I've looked online for advice and it seems it's very common to be scammed if you don't know what you're doing, and I don't know anything about stamps.

michaelrecycles

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 187
  • Location: Monterey Bay
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #25 on: May 21, 2013, 08:01:54 PM »
nothing is quite the same as opening up a new book, especially one that you have been waiting and waiting for!

Slimming down the books is definitely a worthy goal.  It's hard to give up books but after moving a few times, the number of books sitting around just cuz I love them has decreased dramatically.

+1. If anyone is still hanging onto college textbooks, bigwords.com is a good resource to compare the prices you can fetch for them.

kkbmustang

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1285
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #26 on: May 21, 2013, 09:26:09 PM »
Anyone have any suggestions for selling/repurposing the following:

Wedding dress
Tools (Craigslist?)
Baseball cards (went through a bizarre phase in 1990-1991)

Thanks.

happy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 9259
  • Location: NSW Australia
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #27 on: May 22, 2013, 05:32:52 AM »
I'm enjoying www.becomingminimalist.com/‎ at the moment.

I did quite a purge at the beginning of last year, and have tried to make a habit of using up stuff (eg those little soaps and shampoos from the business trip hotel rooms) , throwing useless stuff out when I come across it and if any new item comes into the house, something has to go out.

I'm just inspired to start another round of cleaning out. I started just a few days ago in my bedroom. To my surprise, when I toss a bit out, and put various clutter items away, my bedside drawers are just about empty.

mgbrin

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 14
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #28 on: May 22, 2013, 07:52:01 AM »
Glad I discovered this. Have been working on decluttering since I started my journey toward mustachdom a few weeks ago.  Have been selling a few items and have more stuff to go to charity thrift store.

While I've had pretty good luck with Craigslist in the past, I have had better luck recently with a couple of local "pages" that have been set up on Facebook for exchanging things.  You post the item, a picture, price, what part of town you are in, and have been moving stuff.  Granted, it's $5-$10-$15-$25 items mostly, but that adds up. Plus if I don't have to pay to store them, and really don't need them anymore, it's a great deal.

We decluttered a lot last fall as we moved from a 4 BR 2-story home with 3 car garage into a 2 BR duplex with a single garage.  However, I still have a lot of stuff stored at my parents' farm, and that's what I'm working through now.  Hard to part with the tools, though, as our future life will probably be to move into my parents' place when they don't want to live there any more and I will be "insourcing" a lot of projects, and it's better to store the tools now, in my mind, than it is to sell them for $5 now and have to buy back at $25 or $50 later.  Don't know, though.  Anybody else have experience having to "buy back" things they've already gotten rid of? 

limeandpepper

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4569
  • Location: Australasia
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #29 on: May 23, 2013, 06:40:57 AM »
I donated another small bag of clothes into the charity bin today. Every time I do this I feel the load is lightened, both literally and figuratively, and it's great.

Miss Stachio

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 102
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #30 on: May 23, 2013, 08:21:40 PM »
I donated another small bag of clothes into the charity bin today. Every time I do this I feel the load is lightened, both literally and figuratively, and it's great.

Testify!  My goal is to have a small closet of clothes that I love and wear regularly like the "one suitcase" series or the 333 challenge.  The only problem is that in the hot humid summer, it means doing a lot of laundry.  I've been dunking my white shirts in soapy water when I get home followed by a quick rinse but it's still pretty time consuming.  Boo work clothes.  Although the excess clothes I have now don't mitigate the frequent laundry washings since I don't wear them much anyways.

kikichewie

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 48
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #31 on: May 24, 2013, 05:37:18 AM »
I love the 333 challenge!  I just started a blog on minimalism, gratitude, (financial) freedom and spirituality, inspired in part by MMM.  Right now I am living with way less than 33 pieces bc I am 21 weeks pregnant and no longer working in an office.  I just donated about 50 pieces of clothes and 10 accessories yesterday, some with the tags on or worn once.  (Tagged stuff was purchased insanely cheap at an employee discount store, which really encouraged impulse buys of impractical stuff.)

I still have a LOT to purge, and I look forward to introducing a minimalist wardrobe after the baby.

Current wardrobe:
Borrowed shorts from DH and a holey t shirt to paint, etc. in
Maternity shorts (1 pair)
One dry fit t shirt that still fits for now
Two maternity shirts
Two professional looking maternity dresses for hospice volunteer work
One maternity maxi dress
Black flats
Flip flops
Sandals
Bikini
Two sets of PJs

happy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 9259
  • Location: NSW Australia
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #32 on: May 24, 2013, 05:49:21 AM »
Quote
Anybody else have experience having to "buy back" things they've already gotten rid of?

Maybe I haven't decluttered brutally enough in the past, but this has almost never happened to me....at least not that I can remember.

Much much more common  for me is buying duplicates of the same item because I can't find it or have forgotten I have one of whatever already.  Also when I de-clutter I find good stuff I've forgotten about and can start using again.

footenote

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 801
  • MMMing in MN
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #33 on: May 24, 2013, 06:14:40 AM »
Had lunch yesterday with Jane, whose business empties, cleans and preps  and sells houses  for the elderly (or estates) when the adult children are out of town or don't have time to do it themselves.

Jane told the story of one elder who had lots of "really valuable collectibles." Said elder was horrified when the estate sale of her entire household contents (not just the collectibles) netted "only" $3,500.

MorningCoffee

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 98
  • Location: Ottawa, Canada
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #34 on: May 24, 2013, 12:20:15 PM »
I've been decluttering all morning. I can't believe how much stuff we have. I have been listing some for sale online and my trunk is full for a trip to the thrift store.

Most of it is baby/kids stuff. It feels like I'm constantly going through the kids' dressers and finding clothes that's too small...

Rebecca Stapler

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 907
    • Stapler Confessions
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #35 on: May 24, 2013, 01:50:57 PM »
Anyone have any suggestions for selling/repurposing the following:

Wedding dress
Tools (Craigslist?)
Baseball cards (went through a bizarre phase in 1990-1991)

Thanks.

Do you have a sister / cousin / BFF who would want to wear it? I wore my sister's wedding dress, and it was so special to have a family heirloom. It was still in style, because she wore it only a few years before, and all I did was add a little jacket to it. It was fun to design my little touch to her dress.

Otherwise, I know moms who have used their wedding gown as material for their child's baptism or first communion. Might not save you $$, but it's nice to repurpose and have an heirloom.

Mozactly

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 32
  • Location: Connecticut
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #36 on: May 25, 2013, 01:31:15 PM »
Anyone have any suggestions for selling/repurposing the following:

Wedding dress
Tools (Craigslist?)
Baseball cards (went through a bizarre phase in 1990-1991)

Thanks.

I just sold my wedding dress about six months after our wedding.

We only asked for $250 when I had paid $700 because our goal was to unload, not make back all the money. It sold in two days on EBay.

That's part pricing, part timing (dress still in season), part dress (a popular style from David's that potential buyers could easily try on at a local retail store) and part seriously good photography of the dress by my husband.

I tried to buy my dress online before getting it at David's. my general impression was that most people are asking for almost full retail for their used dress. My opinion was I'd rather pay an extra $100 knowing there were no problems and no cleaning needed, which likely would cost that extra $100 to fix. Hence my low price on EBay.

Good luck!

kkbmustang

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1285
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #37 on: May 25, 2013, 01:51:54 PM »
Anyone have any suggestions for selling/repurposing the following:

Wedding dress
Tools (Craigslist?)
Baseball cards (went through a bizarre phase in 1990-1991)

Thanks.

I just sold my wedding dress about six months after our wedding.

We only asked for $250 when I had paid $700 because our goal was to unload, not make back all the money. It sold in two days on EBay.

That's part pricing, part timing (dress still in season), part dress (a popular style from David's that potential buyers could easily try on at a local retail store) and part seriously good photography of the dress by my husband.

I tried to buy my dress online before getting it at David's. my general impression was that most people are asking for almost full retail for their used dress. My opinion was I'd rather pay an extra $100 knowing there were no problems and no cleaning needed, which likely would cost that extra $100 to fix. Hence my low price on EBay.

Good luck!

Yeah, I'm thinking repurposing is going to be the way to go. I doubt selling is in the cards for me, after giving it some thought. It's from the early 1990s. Although, even back then it was *wait for it* $4,000. It's a beautiful dress, very intricately beaded, etc., but not super in style now.

StarswirlTheMustached

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 475
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #38 on: May 26, 2013, 01:18:07 PM »
I'm by no means a hoarder. Minimalist would be more accurate.

I have, however, held on to a couple of items for aesthetic and practical reasons that I'm parting with.

One is a 1918 General Electric tabletop fan.



I was using it for, well, "cooling" but I hooked up a Kill-a-Watt a realized it was actually kind of energy inefficient so it's on the auction block.
Another item is a 1940's Westinghouse fan that has similar power draw. Beautiful and probably irreplaceable but just more "stuff."

I LOVE that fan. Tough call.
How inefficient? I mean, compared to modern fans. Just talking out my butt here, but maybe you could put in a modern, efficient motor as part of your restoration and hold onto it? (I'm not sure how much of the low efficiency is due to the aerodynamics of the blades vs the older motor, though =/ )

I'm in a similar boat: I picked up a 1939 RCA Victor tube radio at a yard sale. It's lovely, but it needs restored. If I do, it'll pull 80W! Eighty! I'm thinking of just flipping it as-is on e-bay, since it looks like I can quadruple my money (5$ to 20$, woo.)

BZB

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 409
  • Location: Houston, Texas
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #39 on: May 26, 2013, 01:56:37 PM »
We've been going through the Closet of Doom contents and have sorted out stuff to give away and stuff to sell on ebay/craigslist. Pricing stuff is a pain! It may be worth it because I have enough odd bits of silverware, table linens, and other things I will never use that it could be worth the effort in $$$

limeandpepper

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4569
  • Location: Australasia
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #40 on: May 26, 2013, 07:17:13 PM »
I'm so happy there are so many people doing this with me!

Testify!  My goal is to have a small closet of clothes that I love and wear regularly like the "one suitcase" series or the 333 challenge.

I am hoping to get to this eventually. I also really want to organize my clothing into "cold weather" and "hot weather" sections.

But I'm already seeing the benefit of this exercise! I have a tendency to want to wear things until they are absolutely at the end of their life, which is good for a frugal lifestyle. However, sometimes I feel like I have a mindset that I don't "deserve" to wear my nicer/newer clothes or that I should "save them up" for some future time, and so, instead, I continue to wear clothes that have long lost their appeal, even when there are more attractive clothes sitting right beside them (already bought or given to me at some prior time, so I don't even have to spend more to instantly look better, yet I reject them). But now that there are less distractions, I think I can slowly start overcoming that psychological block. Just yesterday, for the first time, I started wearing a pair of really nice new pants that my sister gave me (ages ago) as a gift. They look great and are so comfy, too. :)

reginna

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 172
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #41 on: May 27, 2013, 11:47:33 AM »
Great idea. Using this long weekend to clear out WAY TOO many gardening pots and well seasoned firewood. Placed them on the free section of our neighborhood website. Heading back out to find more to bale.

oldtoyota

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3179
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #42 on: May 27, 2013, 01:35:05 PM »
--Recycled many plastic gardening pots
--Gave away child's swimsuit (child took photo to remember it by)
--Went through all sheets and towels and purged
--Starting on another round of Shred the Old Financial Papers
--Considering selling two IKEA POANG footstools and my antique side table

As I explained to my husband, we save time when we have less stuff.

Shredded papers will be added to the compost heap.

kkbmustang

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1285
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #43 on: May 27, 2013, 01:39:36 PM »
Listed 18 items on ebay and/or Craig'sList.

Edited to fix typo.

oldtoyota

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3179
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #44 on: May 27, 2013, 01:47:35 PM »
PS: I am selling my guitar and amp.


mensa

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 98
  • Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #45 on: May 29, 2013, 06:55:08 AM »
Snap!

I've been sorting through storage this week as well.

Most of the stuff I have no issue getting rid of. That said, I'm "keeper of the family history" and am having trouble with sentimental things - a few items of ruby glass from my grandparent's 40th anniversary, my mother's elementary and high school report cards (from the 40s and 50s). Sidebar - she failed geometry! I knew I got this inability from somewhere...

My great grandmother's piano is also a toughy - though I found a great site http://dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.ca/2012/08/the-salvaged-repurposed-piano.html for re-purposing, and am considering contacting them...

Dr.Vibrissae

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 364
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #46 on: May 29, 2013, 11:25:55 AM »
I need to clean out the spare room to make room for a short term roommate (6m while he finishes his thesis - woohoo rent monies) and the Mr. doesn't want to drop the guest bed, so instead has agreed we should get rid of the desk (only used to feed cats these days), desk chair and filing cabinet from the office to make room for the bed.  I'm excited to have the blessing to clear out more stuff.  The timeline is also forcing me to get on with it too.

Self-employed-swami

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1090
  • Location: Canada
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #47 on: May 29, 2013, 11:47:39 AM »
I friend of mine is trying to start a business as a professional organizer, so she came over and helped me go through a few of my trouble spots in the house. 

In addition to a much more organized living space, I also sold $430 worth of useful to other people items.  I've also got sales pending for another $350 worth of things!

It feels so so good~

michaelrecycles

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 187
  • Location: Monterey Bay
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #48 on: May 29, 2013, 02:55:25 PM »
I friend of mine is trying to start a business as a professional organizer, so she came over and helped me go through a few of my trouble spots in the house. 

In addition to a much more organized living space, I also sold $430 worth of useful to other people items.  I've also got sales pending for another $350 worth of things!

Sounds like an interesting business. How does it work? Is she coaching and face-punching you through the process? Does she help evaluate and sell off your stuff? I was actually wondering whether such an endeavor would be successful, after much sorting and moving this week.

ScottEric

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 62
Re: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter!
« Reply #49 on: May 30, 2013, 06:56:59 AM »
We have been executing The Big Purge for the last several months, consistently saying yes to the various charities that call frequently (Lupus, Vietnam Vets, etc.).

My biggest challenge is figuring out the best way to sell inherited items that have a fair amount of value (a Limoges tea set, silverplate cutlery set, several Waterford pieces). I don't want to go the eBay route, but fear that will be what I end up doing.  : /

It's been worth the effort and hoarder-tendencies DH has been a dreamboat about it. (Way harder for him than for unsentimental me.)

You might have good luck with a local antique/estate auction type outfit.  We used one to sell off the good bits from my grandfathers estate, they came, picked it up and sent us a check.  Worked great!