snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,340 
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Jan 3, 2023 0:58:31 GMT
I'm know I could always get rid of more stuff, but a lot of my stuff is sentimental. However, I'm going to follow for tips to pass on to my son. Oh my. He has a mess and has a very hard time letting loose of anything. But he has made a wee bit of progress and says he just needs to get a dumster/rolloff and go for it. That worries me too as he does have some collectibles.
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,305
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Post by lindas on Jan 3, 2023 2:32:30 GMT
Did you find 1-800-GOTJUNK to be reasonably priced? Since I have no desire to load stuff in the pickup truck and drive to the dump myself I’ve been considering calling them. It was a little more than I expected, but I kept adding to the pile in my garage. I filled their truck and it cost me $400. It was worth it! They will come out and give you an estimate, no charge and no obligation. You can say no or you can think about it and they'll come back if you decide to go ahead. I've used them twice and been happy both times. Thanks. That’s actually less then I expected it to be. I’ll be calling as soon as the weather warms up. |
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Post by Linda on Jan 3, 2023 2:57:47 GMT
However, I'm going to follow for tips to pass on to my son. Oh my. He has a mess and has a very hard time letting loose of anything. But he has made a wee bit of progress and says he just needs to get a dumster/rolloff and go for it. That worries me too as he does have some collectibles. Is he an adult? If so, then let him declutter the way he wants to. If you second guess what he chooses to get rid or or how he chooses to get rid of it...you risk talking him out of decluttering at all and possibly turning into a hoarder. |
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Post by tentoes on Jan 3, 2023 3:22:42 GMT
Thanks for the encouragement last year. I live in a MIL suite at my son's family home, so it's essential that I keep things under control. I'm visiting other family members right now, but when I get back home, I really need to sort out my three closets. That will be my goal this year. One of them isn't too bad, as I had help organizing that one when one of my daughters visited, but one of them is "really bad." It has been like a "catch-all" for too long. I'll concentrate on that one first. I'll start in February, as I'll not be back home until then.
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,340
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Jan 3, 2023 3:30:39 GMT
However, I'm going to follow for tips to pass on to my son. Oh my. He has a mess and has a very hard time letting loose of anything. But he has made a wee bit of progress and says he just needs to get a dumster/rolloff and go for it. That worries me too as he does have some collectibles. Is he an adult? If so, then let him declutter the way he wants to. If you second guess what he chooses to get rid or or how he chooses to get rid of it...you risk talking him out of decluttering at all and possibly turning into a hoarder. Yes, he is an adult. I just thought a few suggestions might help as he appears overwhelmed at times as to how to orgnaize his "stuff". He starts and then gets discouraged. I have told him I would help if need be, but he had to ask or tell me what he wants done. I think he is already borderline hoarder. He has a lot of stuff, but thank goodness he is nothing like some of those hoarder photos I've seen where they don't even through their trash out. |
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Post by joylynaroundthebnd on Jan 3, 2023 3:30:53 GMT
I was part of this group a long time ago. Jumping back in. Told my siblings that I can no longer store my mother’s wedding dress and my sister is going to store it for my niece! Now, I just need to get it to her!
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
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Post by mich5481 on Jan 3, 2023 4:20:22 GMT
I listed a bedroom set on FB marketplace today and was instantly contacted by a spammer. I also posted some AE OLW embellishments on marketplace as well.
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Post by Linda on Jan 3, 2023 6:14:54 GMT
Is he an adult? If so, then let him declutter the way he wants to. If you second guess what he chooses to get rid or or how he chooses to get rid of it...you risk talking him out of decluttering at all and possibly turning into a hoarder. Yes, he is an adult. I just thought a few suggestions might help as he appears overwhelmed at times as to how to orgnaize his "stuff". He starts and then gets discouraged. I have told him I would help if need be, but he had to ask or tell me what he wants done. I think he is already borderline hoarder. He has a lot of stuff, but thank goodness he is nothing like some of those hoarder photos I've seen where they don't even through their trash out. If he's asking for suggestions or help, then by all means offer them but otherwise, I think, hard as it is, you hae to step back and let him decide if/when to organise/declutter. I've found that leading by example helps - I tend to share my decluttering or organising successes with my family...including the process but ultimately I only have control over my stuff and my choices. |
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,340
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Jan 3, 2023 9:11:35 GMT
Yes, he is an adult. I just thought a few suggestions might help as he appears overwhelmed at times as to how to orgnaize his "stuff". He starts and then gets discouraged. I have told him I would help if need be, but he had to ask or tell me what he wants done. I think he is already borderline hoarder. He has a lot of stuff, but thank goodness he is nothing like some of those hoarder photos I've seen where they don't even through their trash out. If he's asking for suggestions or help, then by all means offer them but otherwise, I think, hard as it is, you hae to step back and let him decide if/when to organise/declutter. I've found that leading by example helps - I tend to share my decluttering or organising successes with my family...including the process but ultimately I only have control over my stuff and my choices. It is not like I bagger him. A few times he seemed overwhelmed and I offered to help. This is over like a 10 year period. Nothing different than me offering to help my sister paint or help someone else with something they need help with. I do lead by example. I am very organized compared to most. I think you misunderstood what I had to say. Maybe I should just stay with my own method of decluttering and organizing. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jan 3, 2023 10:25:53 GMT
Today I hope to take the three bags of donations to the thrift shop.
I have another bag of donations, specific school uniforms, that I'm holding until the school accepts them again later this year (they wait until just before a used uniform sale because there is no storage space).
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Post by Linda on Jan 3, 2023 14:39:59 GMT
It is not like I bagger him. A few times he seemed overwhelmed and I offered to help. This is over like a 10 year period. Nothing different than me offering to help my sister paint or help someone else with something they need help with. I do lead by example. I am very organized compared to most. I think you misunderstood what I had to say. Maybe I should just stay with my own method of decluttering and organizing. I'm sorry - yes, I probably misunderstood. Sounds like you're doing a good job! |
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 3, 2023 16:37:09 GMT
It was a little more than I expected, but I kept adding to the pile in my garage. I filled their truck and it cost me $400. It was worth it! They will come out and give you an estimate, no charge and no obligation. You can say no or you can think about it and they'll come back if you decide to go ahead. I've used them twice and been happy both times. Thanks. That’s actually less then I expected it to be. I’ll be calling as soon as the weather warms up. You will do a happy dance when they pull away! I know I did. |
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Post by mbanda on Jan 3, 2023 16:59:47 GMT
I'm joining in for this year!
Hubby & I organized and purged the coat closet this weekend. Soooo many hat, coats, scarves - we live in Texas and it just doesn't get that cold for a prolonged period of time to have so many different options. We purged 3 bags full of coats/hats/scarves and donated them the same day. We also had 2 vacuums in that closet so we donated one of those as well.
Upcoming goals for Q1 & Q2 2023:
-Kitchen (pantry, utensil drawers, etc)
-Closet in my craft room - oh boy, sooo much stuff in there it is overwhelming. Suitcases, a million tote bags, out of season clothes, wrapping paper, craft stuff....this will be a major project but I want to get it done in 2023
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,446
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Post by amom23 on Jan 3, 2023 18:01:30 GMT
A situation just came up and has really pissed me off. Over the years I have worked and continue to work so hard at paring down our home. I am proud of our home. It takes constant upkeep to maintain a clutter free home. It angers and frustrates me to no end when family members (mainly MIL) try to dump their excess crap on us because it'll make them feel better if the crap goes to family. I never ever try to dump our unwanted stuff onto our own kids. Of course we always say no, but it honestly feels so insulting to keep being asked in the first place.  |
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,843
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Jan 3, 2023 18:21:44 GMT
Two of my big goals for 2022 were missed:
*Primary closet - I'm still toying with the idea of hiring a specialist, but I might take a stab at it myself
* Hanging art gallery on stairwell
In addition to all that, we have our other house under contract and we have a TON of stuff that we had set aside for a garage sale there. Now, the closer we get, the less enthused we are about having it. So now, we'll have to figure out what to do there as well.
I also need to take a pass at re-organizing the pantry. I've handed off grocery shopping duties to SO, and he constantly overbuys without considering the size of our food storage. Add in my adult son who eats 3/4 of a box of snacks, and then leaves the box in the pantry for eternity.
LOVE the suggestion for the art putty. I didn't even know a product like that existed! I'm constantly yelling "don't slam the door, the pictures on the wall are crooked!!!" so this will definitely help.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 3, 2023 22:31:54 GMT
A situation just came up and has really pissed me off. Over the years I have worked and continue to work so hard at paring down our home. I am proud of our home. It takes constant upkeep to maintain a clutter free home. It angers and frustrates me to no end when family members (mainly MIL) try to dump their excess crap on us because it'll make them feel better if the crap goes to family. I never ever try to dump our unwanted stuff onto our own kids. Of course we always say no, but it honestly feels so insulting to keep being asked in the first place. OPS is a primary cause of clutter. Other. People’s. Stuff. Just say no. If it does make its way to you anyway, then its yours to do with as you please. Donate it all. |
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Post by cecilia on Jan 3, 2023 23:33:08 GMT
Stopped by Goodwill on the way to the grocery store. Didn't drop off donations we had ready, bought 3 bags of stuff. Included are 3 stuffed animals that had stains on them. Baby loves tearing them up so they will likely be in pieces and in the trash soon. (Seriously. He tears a ton of stuff up).
Also bought 3 bags of Christmas ornaments. Some will go straight back to Goodwill.
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 4, 2023 12:32:33 GMT
A situation just came up and has really pissed me off. Over the years I have worked and continue to work so hard at paring down our home. I am proud of our home. It takes constant upkeep to maintain a clutter free home. It angers and frustrates me to no end when family members (mainly MIL) try to dump their excess crap on us because it'll make them feel better if the crap goes to family. I never ever try to dump our unwanted stuff onto our own kids. Of course we always say no, but it honestly feels so insulting to keep being asked in the first place. Please don't take it as insulting. My 85 year old mother does the same thing. She is sure someone will want everything. The only way she parts with her stuff, and there is way too much, is if I or one of my siblings takes it. I just throw it away or donate it when I get home. It's ok to continue to say no, of course! |
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Post by Linda on Jan 6, 2023 5:24:55 GMT
small victory here - DS asked DH about borrowing some of his books and DH decided to let him just take (and keep) the whole series (probably close to 2 dozen books) - yay! My fiction bookcases have gained some breathing space.
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Post by essiejean on Jan 6, 2023 16:20:43 GMT
I have a mild hoarding issue when it comes to anything that even resembles a legal document - this includes anything from receipts, utility bills, loan paperwork etc. I realized that I have over 10 years worth of this misc useless paperwork stored in my 2 drawer filing cabinet and in two large boxes in my closet.
I just spent 4 evenings going through all of it! I paired all of this paper clutter down to just one file drawer!!! Today my husband is burning all of the hoarded paperwork in our outdoor firepit. We are surrounded by snow right now so it is the perfect time for a bonfire.
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Post by lg on Jan 7, 2023 13:27:17 GMT
Finally went through the last box from the great declutter of 2022. Got a bag of donations out of it and rehomed a few almost completed projects for another day/when the kitchen is done and I’ll have time to complete them.
Also managed to declutter a box of things I’d packed up out of the kitchen before we Reno it this month which is great as it’s less items to try and find homes for at a later time.
Just have daughters two boxes to go but already got a large pile of items out and donated them too with her blessing.
Dh has listed a number of items he no longer wants for sale so I am SUPER HAPPY as he doesn’t usually like to declutter, maybe my example is inspiring him 😂!!
Have a couple of Christmas presents that came into the house I’ve left in the original packaging as I’m not sure the kids will actually play with them, if they don’t I’d rather try and sell them later as new and give the cash received to the kids.
Plans for 2023:
Back into the craft room now I won’t be working as much to use up my hoarded craft items (used the extra cash from working more to build up my stash it seems!!)
Pack up and declutter the kitchen
Go. Through. The. Craft. Room. And. Finish. The. Projects. I’ve. Been. Working. On. For. More. Than. A. Decade. Then I can get rid of or repurpose what’s left from these projects as I store them in separate tubs.
Things I’m still thinking about being really brave and selling/getting out of the house:
Christmas dinner set with 12 place settings and all the bonus extras (never used but it’s sooo pretty!)
Christmas lemax decorations my aunt gifted me that used to be in her house… might have to set them up at least once before I sell them as I just don’t know I have the storage room for both them and my Disney ornaments
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ddly
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,022
Jul 10, 2014 19:36:28 GMT
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Post by ddly on Jan 7, 2023 15:24:59 GMT
A situation just came up and has really pissed me off. Over the years I have worked and continue to work so hard at paring down our home. I am proud of our home. It takes constant upkeep to maintain a clutter free home. It angers and frustrates me to no end when family members (mainly MIL) try to dump their excess crap on us because it'll make them feel better if the crap goes to family. I never ever try to dump our unwanted stuff onto our own kids. Of course we always say no, but it honestly feels so insulting to keep being asked in the first place.  My Mom told me before Christmas I need to come to their house and tell her what I want when they die. So, being a good daughter, I went last Friday. Well, wouldn’t you know she was also trying to get me to take stuff! LOL They don’t have a lot of crap, their stuff is nice but I didn’t want to take anything. I ended with a TV stand for ds who actually needs it and a set of wooden TV trays, which we were talking about needing. I also got a tour of everything I’m getting when they’re gone. Oh boy! Lots of beautiful carnival glass and crystal stuff but my DH has so much stuff displayed as it is. Fortunately there is time! They never make the assumption that we need stuff they don’t want but they’ll always ask. |
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ddly
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,022
Jul 10, 2014 19:36:28 GMT
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Post by ddly on Jan 7, 2023 15:27:58 GMT
My plans for 2023 are my basement. When my DH moved in 6 years ago he brought so much stuff! I need to get him to either get rid of some stuff or we need to figure out to using the shelving down there better. I definitely need to go through linens and holiday decorations but I need to be real about what we keep and what goes. I’m getting ready to start now!
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Post by Karene on Jan 7, 2023 22:23:50 GMT
I'd like to join this year.
I usually have the summer off and have time to declutter but this year we were away for 4 weeks and then I had to work the summer for the first time in 15 years!
But on New Year's Day I got motivated.
I straightened up two of the kitchen cupboards and pulled out a lot of kitchen containers and gadgets that we just don't use. Then today I went through the upstairs hall closet. Way too many towels and sheets. I told my oldest son, who is here visiting, to take what he wants and the rest will go with the kitchen stuff to be donated to Value Village. I now have a shelf and a half that are empty in the hall, which is wonderful.
I also went through my wardrobe today and organized it again. It tends to get all jumbled up and then I can't find the shirt I want to wear for the day. I didn't discard anything as I had already done that when I changed my summer clothes for winter. The off season clothes get put away in a suitcase.
Anyway, I am happy with what I have accomplished so far. We also gave a few other things to our oldest son, such as pair of binoculars he was looking for and we don't need.
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Jan 8, 2023 0:18:42 GMT
The humane society and animal rescues are happy to receive old towels and sheets. They like the elastic to come off the fitted sheet.
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Post by lg on Jan 8, 2023 0:55:31 GMT
My rule of thumb for linen:
One sheet set on each bed. One spare sheet set for each bed (stored in linen closet) as I still have small kids.
One towel for each person. One spare towel stored for each person (stored in linen closet)
One beach towel per person (stored in linen closet)
One hand towel in bathroom and one spare stored in bathroom cupboard.
And that’s it.
If they ever get old or stained, I have a one in one out policy.
And I no longer am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of sheets and towels and hand towels etc in my house.
The way I look at it, even if we all had an awful stomach bug I’d be washing and drying sheets/towels as required so the longest I’d be without a set in the house would be two hours.
Have had this system in place for five years now and have never had a problem.
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Post by Linda on Jan 8, 2023 2:18:46 GMT
My rule of thumb for linen: One sheet set on each bed. One spare sheet set for each bed (stored in linen closet) as I still have small kids. One towel for each person. One spare towel stored for each person (stored in linen closet) One beach towel per person (stored in linen closet) One hand towel in bathroom and one spare stored in bathroom cupboard. And that’s it. If they ever get old or stained, I have a one in one out policy. And I no longer am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of sheets and towels and hand towels etc in my house. The way I look at it, even if we all had an awful stomach bug I’d be washing and drying sheets/towels as required so the longest I’d be without a set in the house would be two hours. Have had this system in place for five years now and have never had a problem. similar here one sheet set on each bed (ours, dd's, and 2 guest beds) one spare sheet for DD and for us (no spares for the guest rooms) - DD stores hers in a drawer under her bed, I store ours in a doored cubby in my dresser. Towels our bathroom has 5 bath towels, 4 handtowels, and a handful of flannels. - 3 towels and 2 handtowels are on towel rods/rings, the remainder are in a cabinet under the counter. DD's bathroom had 3 towels, 2 handtowels, and a handful of flannels. She has a small free-standing cabinet she stores the ones not in use in (but honestly they are usually on her bedroom floor) The two guestrooms share a bathroom - there are 3 handtowels - one on the towel ring and two in a drawer. Then I have 2 towels and 2 flannels in each guestroom (I think there is actually 3 in one because those were older DD's before she moved out) the powder room has 3 handtowels - one on a towel ring and 2 in the cabinet. We don't run out but there isn't an overwhelming amount either. I did keep more sheets on hand when I had smaller kids as two of my three were bedwetters until 12/13. |
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
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Post by mich5481 on Jan 8, 2023 3:15:10 GMT
So what y'all are saying is that 4 sets of sheets for 1 bed are too many...
To be fair, 2 are regular sets and 2 are flannel.
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Post by lg on Jan 8, 2023 3:52:02 GMT
So what y'all are saying is that 4 sets of sheets for 1 bed are too many... To be fair, 2 are regular sets and 2 are flannel. Disclaimer - Aussie pea here so I can survive without warmer bedding (just have oodies instead!) as we hardly ever get sub zero temperatures even in winter, so I can’t and won’t comment on how much linen you store if you do have those types of temps 😁 The amount of linen in the house is based on the amount of space I have to store it. I redesigned my linen cupboard to have a smaller amount of space than I used to have as I wanted to utilise some of the linen cupboard to store my vacuum and mop instead. I have got spaces I use for other items I could repurpose for linen, but when I really thought hard about it I just couldn’t see why I needed to. By the time I got to the sheets at the back of my old cupboard they would need to be washed before use anyway as they were stale smelling, and I preferred buying better quality and having less than having more sets of cheaper sheets. I know some minimalists store the sheets in the room they relate to so they have the linen cupboard for other storage as well. Haven’t done that yet but might if and when the kids move out in about ten years and I have spare rooms… |
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Post by cecilia on Jan 8, 2023 18:07:13 GMT
My purging got derailed yesterday. (My Mom fell and was bleeding pretty bad so she ended up in the ER. She's back home after they cleaned up the wound and bandaged it pretty good).
Today I am going to try to work on crafting stuff and going through my closet.
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