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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2015 0:41:30 GMT
We went from a 2400 sq ft home to a 1200 sq ft home. A lot of stuff ended up in the basement. Last summer, we had a big yard sale and probably got rid of a lot of little stuff. We've been tossing what is not recyclable or sell-able. The house is starting to get cluttered again so I'll be taking some of the empty cardboard boxes I have and packing up stuff we can stand to part with. However, I don't want to have another yard sale for a while. My strange neighbor a couple doors down spent half of the day just staring at us and our stuff, not from her porch but in our yard.  After that, we both said, no more yard sales until we're ready to sell the place. That's 5 years worth of packing up excess stuff.  DH says we just need some more shelves. I haven't had much luck with local FST groups. It's all old electronics and cars. |
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Post by Restless Spirit on Jan 3, 2015 0:43:36 GMT
I told my DH that I have declared this "the year of getting rid of stuff".
Enough is enough already.
We haven't eaten out in over two weeks. We have enough food in our refrigerator, freezer and cupboards to feed a small army. Ridiculous. Since we are only buying essentials, it's nice to see the stockpile of food slowly going down.
We are still dealing with boxes of stuff from his deceased parents. One of them died in 2009 the other in 2010. If we don't want it and one of his brothers doesn't want it, the stuff is gone gone gone.
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casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,588 
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Post by casii on Jan 3, 2015 0:45:13 GMT
I'm a devoted tosser/donater/follower of the 10 item wardrobe school of thought (Daily connoisseur). Dh on the other hand would be a hoarder if left unchecked.
Whenever I have a small pile to go to Goodwill, he will dig through it and question every single item. He's very antsy about a couple of bags of Christmas stuff I'm purging. He's also not above digging through the garbage if he suspects I've tossed something out. :-p
Fortunately he does travel for business and you can bet if those trips fall over trash day, I'm doing a big sweep AND making a trip to Goodwill. Most of the time he never notices what might be missing.
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Post by lbp on Jan 3, 2015 0:51:12 GMT
Yes! We just had new flooring put in the bedrooms the week of Christmas (don't even get me started on DH's timing of that!) and had to take everything out of the room. I had 62 pairs of shoes and boots. 62! I have bought 20 plastic boxes and will choose 20 pair and that includes boots and athletic shoes. The rest are out of here!
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Post by cannes on Jan 3, 2015 0:51:13 GMT
We just went through the girls rooms and got rid of a ton. I thought they'd be resistant, but they weren't. Both have said how much better they like their room with less.
I spent as much time as I could handle in our freezing garage today and ended up with one garbage bag of trash and 4 bags that I took to Goodwill.
It is very freeing!
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Post by melanell on Jan 3, 2015 0:57:35 GMT
ITA! There are 3 bags in my car for Goodwill right now, and DH dropped off 2 boxes last week. And I have so far to go. And I just finished a 40 bag challenge in the Fall. No matter how hard I try things constantly come home with the kids, so it's not a situation where we can get rid of stuff and say "Phew, okay, we're done." It's more "Phew, okay, we're done for this week.".  |
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 3, 2015 1:01:04 GMT
I could never be married to a hoarder type...shudder. I love to purge. Now, that does not mean I don't still have too much stuff. I do. I am working on it. I can take it to our church for the semi-annual garage sale whenever I need to. Luckily the church has storage for that.
I want to downsize in the next five years.
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Post by Alexxussss on Jan 3, 2015 1:44:07 GMT
It's amazing how good I feel when I find things to toss or donate! I used to worry I'd miss something I got rid of, but that has yet to happen.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:59:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2015 2:03:44 GMT
My dh is a pack rat when it comes to computer stuff, too. He works in IT, and whenever old equipment is being surplussed, he has the opportunity to take anything he wants - consequently he literally has boxes full of junk computer parts and pieces, numerous monitors, stacks of old broken laptops, and even a (non-functional) plotter! It's all in his office, but the garage is just as bad with misc. things that someone was getting rid of that were too good to pass up. Anytime I need something that he happens to have in his stash, which generally happens once a year or so, he always says "now aren't you glad I have all this stuff?" - not really... is it really worth the $10 or so you saved us by having this junk taking up all this space?! I'm the opposite! I get a little thrill from purging things This is my dh. He has bins full of computer junk. And I am convinced it is junk. But , like your husband, once a year he will find something down there and be so proud of himself for saving all that crap. I keep telling him (am I am trying to convince myself) that maybe if things were organized and labeled, I could handle it better, but it gives me such anxiety to see his "bins o crap."
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LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
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Post by LeaP on Jan 3, 2015 2:38:50 GMT
I got this book about decluttering/organizing for Christmas. The author is Japanese and she is all about keeping the things that bring you joy. It sounded hokey, but I read it and it has made it much easier for me to part with sentimental items. Clothes and other stuff we decluttered before moving. |
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Post by anonrefugee on Jan 3, 2015 2:51:09 GMT
I got this book about decluttering/organizing for Christmas. The author is Japanese and she is all about keeping the things that bring you joy. It sounded hokey, but I read it and it has made it much easier for me to part with sentimental items. Clothes and other stuff we decluttered before moving. I've been reading about her! Is the book worth it? I actually found myself holding some old Christmas decorations in my hand today and realizing I felt no joy from them. They were candleholders from decades ago, purchased when I was young, single and in the city (I.e. poor). I was holding onto them for that reason, but learned I don't care! Straight to the donation pile! 950nancy do you have a link for the room a day plan? |
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uksue
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,597
Location: London
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Post by uksue on Jan 3, 2015 3:07:59 GMT
When I had my roof replaced last February, I had to empty the loft space. I found three packing boxes in there from when I had moved into the house- in 1987! I have changed husbands ( divorcing the second one now  ) and had three children without needing to even look in those boxes. I did check they didn't hold anything valuable or photo albums but then just stuck them in the skip. I am constantly decluttering here, which just shows that I am never ruthless enough! |
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 3, 2015 3:15:15 GMT
I got this book about decluttering/organizing for Christmas. The author is Japanese and she is all about keeping the things that bring you joy. It sounded hokey, but I read it and it has made it much easier for me to part with sentimental items. Clothes and other stuff we decluttered before moving. I've been reading about her! Is the book worth it? I actually found myself holding some old Christmas decorations in my hand today and realizing I felt no joy from them. They were candleholders from decades ago, purchased when I was young, single and in the city (I.e. poor). I was holding onto them for that reason, but learned I don't care! Straight to the donation pile! 950nancy do you have a link for the room a day plan? It is the chevron clutter calendar. It was $2.50. |
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LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
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Post by LeaP on Jan 3, 2015 3:16:41 GMT
I've been reading about her! Is the book worth it? I actually found myself holding some old Christmas decorations in my hand today and realizing I felt no joy from them. They were candleholders from decades ago, purchased when I was young, single and in the city (I.e. poor). I was holding onto them for that reason, but learned I don't care! Straight to the donation pile! 950nancy do you have a link for the room a day plan? I normally would have gotten it from the library because it is contradictory to buy something in order to get rid of something, but I was number 4 on the reserve list so it would have been months before my turn came up. Anyway, I am glad I own it because I really like her ideas and it helped me donate a bunch of books I was keeping for sentimental reasons. In broad strokes, first declutter your own stuff, before you help your family members. Only do one category at a time in the order she recommends: clothes, books, papers, miscellany (kitchen, tools, toiletries, collections), photos. Her theory is that once you are down to the only the stuff that gives you joy your will no longer have a problem with clutter. Like everything, some parts of it are not for me, but I have become rather studly at folding/hanging and my husband and kids are thrilled with the current state of their closets and drawers. |
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 3, 2015 3:19:09 GMT
When I had my roof replaced last February, I had to empty the loft space. I found three packing boxes in there from when I had moved into the house- in 1987! I have changed husbands ( divorcing the second one now ) and had three children without needing to even look in those boxes. I did check they didn't hold anything valuable or photo albums but then just stuck them in the skip. I am constantly decluttering here, which just shows that I am never ruthless enough! What is this? Love different terms that people use. |
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Post by gajitldy on Jan 3, 2015 3:19:49 GMT
I so agree with you as I have a lot. However, my "stuff" makes me very happy and I'm not getting rid of anything. LOL
good luck!
Diane
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Post by gritzi on Jan 3, 2015 3:26:38 GMT
I have a new motto for the year ... COTS ... Clean Out The S*&#
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Post by ohiodianna on Jan 3, 2015 3:36:10 GMT
My trash can was overflowing today and I felt just giddy when the trash truck came and emptied it and I could start filling again. I gave away 5 bags to Goodwill and have another already bagged up. I am also trying to work my way through the stockpile of groceries. Enough to feed an army. I have a large family and am feeding 2 hungry boys on a regular basis but should be able to just buy meat and work out of pantry. Excited to place the overflow cans on shelves and see what all is really out there.
Lots of clutter to get through but like others feeling very motivated.
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Post by SAHM wannabe on Jan 3, 2015 3:41:41 GMT
I have been boxing up stuff for a garage sale that has been on my agenda for a few years. Many past threads have been written about the pitfalls of sales, the thrill of the instant cash, and the joy of getting rid of clutter. Although I'm dreading it, I am determined to have the sale happen this spring! I can do this!!
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Post by canadianscrappergirl on Jan 3, 2015 5:17:04 GMT
Anyone remember the show that was on HG TV where the crew would go into someone's house, take everything out of it and lay it on the lawn and help them purge things then remake the room? I wish I could do something like that. Completely empty out each room one at a time, purge then put back. I loved that show!! I wish someone could come and do that to our house too! Except maybe my scraproom I would hate for ppl to see all the stuff I have lol.
I think ppl save things for 2 reasons either they think they will use it at some point or they keep it because it has sentimental value. My hubby saves more then me. For example all our lps from when we were teens/adults younger years. In some ways I hate to get rid of them ( I have such great memories of listening to them as a teen, but I would only keep maybe 5 out of my 50+ records) but like I told hubby we haven't listened to them in years and we don't really have a way to listen to them currently. He bought one of those gizmos to record your lps on to your pc and then you can make a cd or put them on an ipod etc. He got thru like 5 albums and now they sit there and collect dust. I wish we could just toss them. He keeps telling me he will do it some day, same thing with the cassettes ugh.
My goal this month is to tackle my kitchen cupboards, my linen closet, the shelf in the bathroom that has my make up and toiletries and my closet. I need to get rid of all the clothes I hope to fit into one day. Ugh when and if that day happens I want to treat myself to something current lol.
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Post by ceepea on Jan 3, 2015 5:24:48 GMT
This so applies to me. I finally cleaned out my Dad's house in Sept. so I could rent it. I am having a hard time letting go of anything. It is tough to combine a whole house full of stuff with the whole house of stuff I already have. My cabinets, closets, garage, shed...everything is just bulging with doubles of everything. You should see my silverware draw! It's like service for 22 in there. I have to get on some big girl panties and get rid of most of this stuff.
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 3, 2015 5:37:32 GMT
I had to promise my husband I wouldn't throw out anything of his. I am pretty good about that. He does keep his spaces neat and tidy.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2015 7:04:01 GMT
I gave a bookcase from my breakfast area to dd to use in her schoolroom. Then took my bar stools to goodwill. I love the empty spaces so much, that I walk around looking for more stuff to donate all the time. Got rid of some baskets of scrapbooks in the den by using them in a bookcase in place of the knickknacks I had in there before Christmas. Got rid of some of dh papers in the guest room closet and had room to store Christmas decor plus reorganized linens in there. Nothing gives satisfaction like decluttering!
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Post by Bitchy Rich on Jan 3, 2015 13:27:31 GMT
I got this book about decluttering/organizing for Christmas. The author is Japanese and she is all about keeping the things that bring you joy. It sounded hokey, but I read it and it has made it much easier for me to part with sentimental items. Clothes and other stuff we decluttered before moving. I just put a hold on it at our library. My favorite decluttering book is Throw Out Fifty Things by Gail Blanke. I felt very encouraged by her writing. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2015 14:07:41 GMT
haha yes. I do this regularly. With clothes, twice a year (spring and fall). Art and sewing supplies every few months. When I have too much stuff it's like having nothing at all because I can't find anything. When I was a little girl my mom would give me a certain time when I had to clean out my toy box and get rid of things I wasn't playing with anymore. I swear that started me on a lifetime of sorting and tossing. |
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grinningcat
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Jan 3, 2015 14:17:45 GMT
I'm not a declutterer... and the whole talk here of being "ruthless" and wanting empty spaces and all that stuff makes me feel anxious. I'm planning on decluttering some stuff, but nowhere near with the glee mentioned here. I'm only doing it to make things easier in the kitchen (we have a lot of doubles and I want to get rid of the doubles I don't like or use) but I don't see the giddiness of getting rid of stuff. I only get moderately happy when the garbage bin is emptied every second week because it means that there's room, not because I got rid of stuff. Sometimes I wish I could get as giddy about things as you guys do, but I just can't. I wonder if it has something do with my hatred of housework.
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gloryjoy
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,332
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Post by gloryjoy on Jan 3, 2015 15:51:42 GMT
I would love to get rid of a lot of the stuff I have. My problem is my dh. His parents grew up during the depression so they kept everything. Dh wants to keep everything especially if it is computer related. I have this problem too. I am not a stuff person, I mean I have stuff but my house is not full of knick knacks, stuff all over coffee tables etc. Pretty much everything in my house has a place. My husband is the opposite, he keeps stuff, he takes other peoples stuff. I know he was brought up that way, his parents were packrats, not hoarders but definitely packrats. I dread the day we go to sell our house and have to de-clutter all his stuff! |
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Post by jenjie on Jan 4, 2015 0:56:03 GMT
Anyone remember the show that was on HG TV where the crew would go into someone's house, take everything out of it and lay it on the lawn and help them purge things then remake the room? I wish I could do something like that. Completely empty out each room one at a time, purge then put back. I loved that show!! I wish someone could come and do that to our house too! Except maybe my scraproom I would hate for ppl to see all the stuff I have lol.
I think ppl save things for 2 reasons either they think they will use it at some point or they keep it because it has sentimental value. My hubby saves more then me. For example all our lps from when we were teens/adults younger years. In some ways I hate to get rid of them ( I have such great memories of listening to them as a teen, but I would only keep maybe 5 out of my 50+ records) but like I told hubby we haven't listened to them in years and we don't really have a way to listen to them currently. He bought one of those gizmos to record your lps on to your pc and then you can make a cd or put them on an ipod etc. He got thru like 5 albums and now they sit there and collect dust. I wish we could just toss them. He keeps telling me he will do it some day, same thing with the cassettes ugh.
My goal this month is to tackle my kitchen cupboards, my linen closet, the shelf in the bathroom that has my make up and toiletries and my closet. I need to get rid of all the clothes I hope to fit into one day. Ugh when and if that day happens I want to treat myself to something current lol.
In our basement is a bureau full of CDs. Yes a bureau full. They have all been saved onto iTunes but Dh won't get rid of them because you know if something goes wrong he doesn't want to lose all that music. |
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Jan 4, 2015 1:40:30 GMT
the whole talk here of being "ruthless" and wanting empty spaces and all that stuff makes me feel anxious. Me too. I have a tendency to anthropomorphize things, and having them around makes me feel surrounded by friends. That being said, I did go through a couple dresser drawers today and came out with a bag to throw and a bag to donate and only a slight amount of anxiety. |
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Post by canadianscrappergirl on Jan 4, 2015 1:56:23 GMT
I loved that show!! I wish someone could come and do that to our house too! Except maybe my scraproom I would hate for ppl to see all the stuff I have lol.
I think ppl save things for 2 reasons either they think they will use it at some point or they keep it because it has sentimental value. My hubby saves more then me. For example all our lps from when we were teens/adults younger years. In some ways I hate to get rid of them ( I have such great memories of listening to them as a teen, but I would only keep maybe 5 out of my 50+ records) but like I told hubby we haven't listened to them in years and we don't really have a way to listen to them currently. He bought one of those gizmos to record your lps on to your pc and then you can make a cd or put them on an ipod etc. He got thru like 5 albums and now they sit there and collect dust. I wish we could just toss them. He keeps telling me he will do it some day, same thing with the cassettes ugh.
My goal this month is to tackle my kitchen cupboards, my linen closet, the shelf in the bathroom that has my make up and toiletries and my closet. I need to get rid of all the clothes I hope to fit into one day. Ugh when and if that day happens I want to treat myself to something current lol.
In our basement is a bureau full of CDs. Yes a bureau full. They have all been saved onto iTunes but Dh won't get rid of them because you know if something goes wrong he doesn't want to lose all that music. Oh no lol I feel for you! At least your collection of music is from this century lol, ugh the cassettes and LPs are driving me crazy. Thank goodness he has no 8 tracks bwahahahaha! |
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After that, we both said, no more yard sales until we're ready to sell the place. That's 5 years worth of packing up excess stuff. 
DH says we just need some more shelves. 
) and had three children without needing to even look in those boxes. I did check they didn't hold anything valuable or photo albums but then just stuck them in the skip. 
