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Post by dewryce on Jan 4, 2018 8:11:55 GMT
How many kitchen towels and washrags are necessary? I change them at least 2x a day. Can't stand using a dirty one-- but, I have so many towels in the one big drawer in my kitchen, that I really can't close the drawer easily when they are all clean. So, I MAY be going through that drawer--but I don't want to have to go out and buy some if I get rid of too many!! Do you have a place you sure extra paper towels, ziplocks or anything else in your kitchen? They could go there. If not, when you go through them maybe some of the older rattler towels could become cleaning towels.
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Post by maryland on Jan 4, 2018 13:53:42 GMT
I hate clutter, so for my stuff, it's mostly all decluttered. But the rest of my family, they really need to work on it. Especially my husband who holds on to everything. I wish he would go through his stuff and donate what he never uses. I know for him, a lot of it is a time issue. He works, and doesn't want to spend his free time decluttering (he has a lot of hobbies he wants to do). I think if he could do 10 min. a day, that would help. But he doesn't like to get rid of things.
My "clutter" areas are my pictures and scrapbook supplies (I haven't scrapbooked in 10 yrs). We don't have room for me to have a scrapbook area, so my supplies are in several places over the house. Once the kids get their own place, I want to make a room my scrapbook room, and I will have tons of supplies to move in, and it will be easier to scrapbook again. I still love all my old stuff!
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Post by kckckc on Jan 4, 2018 14:17:11 GMT
DH and I went through his closet and got rid of quite a few ratty old t-shirts, and several other items that are still in good shape, but he just doesn't wear. I have cut up the t-shirts for rags, and put the other clothes aside to take to a local consignment shop. Starting on my closet today.
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Post by flypea1 on Jan 4, 2018 16:09:02 GMT
I have been on a cleaning kick for the last few months. Going through everything in every drawer and space to get rid of excess stuff. I can't remember how I heard about it but Amazon has a program called give back box. You take your boxes that any Amazon orders come in and fill it with stuff you would normally donate, then print out the shipping label and send it off via USPS. Amazon then directs it to local charities. I sent off two boxes yesterday.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jan 4, 2018 16:09:22 GMT
I'm still tossing stuff that is not useful as I see it.
A bunch of junky (oh my gosh, autocorrect wanted to change "junky" to "kinky") toys from the dentist visits are gone.
And does anyone else have someone that buys your kids used toys and clothes in excess? I'm not against used stuff, but stuff that already has wear and tear, or toys that are "just a little broken," I don't like that.
I just tossed a board game that was given to us already missing pieces.
I'm also working on replacing the items of my own that I tossed because they were too worn. I love wearing new slippers, new pjs, etc. If I wear worn out clothes and make-do items, I start feeling worthless. Makes me happy that I tossed it all.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 4, 2018 16:32:40 GMT
But, when I look at and touch the beautiful fabrics, or the pretty scrapbook paper, I cave and keep them. There are also a few bags of documents in that room that need to be shredded. Fabric is one of my biggest problems. I am having to take the Marie Kondo approach and thank the fabric for giving me happiness, then release it so that it can make someone else happy! To help prevent future fabric lust/acquisition, I am unsubscribing emails from JoAnn's and any other fabric/quilt store. If anyone finds a better solution, I am all ears! My goal this year is to be ruthless and keep only what I love and will actually use - and will fit in my sewing room. Perhaps you could start by coming up with a good storage solution for your fabrics, then keep only the amount that will fit. For the excess, I plan to list some on eBay, as well as a facebook fabric destashing group. For large amounts of papers needing shredding, check around locally to see if anyone offers free shredding services. I discovered a local company that will shred your documents for free a few days each month. Our credit union, as well as some local banks, typically have a free shred day as we get close to tax day (April 15).
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 4, 2018 16:35:13 GMT
I'm also working on replacing the items of my own that I tossed because they were too worn. I love wearing new slippers, new pjs, etc. If I wear worn out clothes and make-do items, I start feeling worthless. Makes me happy that I tossed it all.I completely agree! I need to go through my drawers. I know I have stuff I need to toss. You deserve to have nice things!
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Post by katlady on Jan 4, 2018 17:10:09 GMT
dewryce and **GypsyGirl** Thanks for some great advice! I did try once to limit my fabric stash. I have all my fabric stuffed into 4 big bins. I told myself I’ll get it down to one! Well, I still have 4! This year, I WILL do it. That spare room is stressing me out, even with the door closed! Lol!
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Post by dewryce on Jan 4, 2018 17:45:30 GMT
dewryce and **GypsyGirl** Thanks for some great advice! I did try once to limit my fabric stash. I have all my fabric stuffed into 4 big bins. I told myself I’ll get it down to one! Well, I still have 4! This year, I WILL do it. That spare room is stressing me out, even with the door closed! Lol! Isn't it crazy how that works??? But I find the opposite is true too in that clearing out and/or organizing spaces lifts a huge weight off my shoulders even when it's an area I don't always see. I find myself walking into the room, looking in the closet, opening the drawer, whatever just to look and it releases all these feel good emotions and truly relaxes me. Another thing that gives me that feeling and helps when I feel overwhelmed or just not in the mood to tackle my areas is looking back at old before/after photos, or even photos of boxes/bags that I have donated/trashed. Helps to see the whole impact of what I have done.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 4, 2018 17:49:42 GMT
dewryce and **GypsyGirl** Thanks for some great advice! I did try once to limit my fabric stash. I have all my fabric stuffed into 4 big bins. I told myself I’ll get it down to one! Well, I still have 4! This year, I WILL do it. That spare room is stressing me out, even with the door closed! Lol! What is it with spare/guest rooms? Mine is just awful! Rather than saying you will get rid of 75% of your stash, why don't you try to just eliminate 1 bin at first? Sometimes we make it harder on ourselves by coming up with unrealistic goals. If I were working with 4 bins and wanted to end up with 3 bins, I would start with 4 empty bins. Label 3 of the bins with a ranking system. Example, Bin #1 "Most Loved, Can't Live Without Fabric". Bin #2 could be "Really Liked Fabric, Will Use In Not Too Distant Future". Then Bin #3 is "Backup Fabric, Might Use Eventually but Not Guaranteeing It". Bin #4 is "Out the Door, No Room for You Fabric". Okay, those are rather long and silly labels, but it gives you an idea of how to rank/sort your fabrics. Once you have gone down to 3 bins, then you can revisit the fabric down the road and focus on Bin #3. Then you ask yourself if you still love that fabric, do you still see yourself using it. More importantly, has room opened up in Bin #1 and #2 to allow it to move up in the ranking? The second go round will be the time to eliminate Bin #3. An added bonus is that by sorting your fabrics in order of importance, you will be able to visually see if you are actually using your fabric.
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Post by katlady on Jan 4, 2018 17:53:17 GMT
**GypsyGirl** Love that advice!! I’ll try that method! I know, sometimes I go into that room to clean with an all or nothing attitude. And then I get burnt out so quickly. Small steps! Thanks!
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 4, 2018 18:16:08 GMT
**GypsyGirl** Love that advice!! I’ll try that method! I know, sometimes I go into that room to clean with an all or nothing attitude. And then I get burnt out so quickly. Small steps! Thanks! Hope it helps! Now to go practice what I preach! Signed, Fabric Curator and Acquisitionist Hoarder Extraordinaire with a 40 year collection
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Post by unknown pea on Jan 4, 2018 18:45:41 GMT
A bunch of junky ( oh my gosh, autocorrect wanted to change "junky" to "kinky") toys from the dentist visits are gone. And that just made me spit my drink all over my keyboard. Although now I'm sort of curious what kinky dentist toys would look like.
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Post by dewryce on Jan 4, 2018 18:46:34 GMT
A bunch of junky ( oh my gosh, autocorrect wanted to change "junky" to "kinky") toys from the dentist visits are gone. And that just made me spit my drink all over my keyboard. Although now I'm sort of curious what kinky dentist toys would look like. Right? They've already got that chair...
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Post by cmhs on Jan 4, 2018 18:58:26 GMT
We have a surprise snow day today and since I want to do the A Bowl Full of Lemons challenge which begins on Saturday and since my desk is in the kitchen and the kitchen is the focus of the first week of the challenge,I tackled the desk this morning. It was a huge mess. I sorted and shredded a ton of paper, found my misplaced birthday check from my mom, and threw out a bunch of crap.
I'm taking a break to menu plan and pea and then I have to get back in there to tidy up the loose ends.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 4, 2018 19:09:00 GMT
I can't remember how I heard about it but Amazon has a program called give back box. You take your boxes that any Amazon orders come in and fill it with stuff you would normally donate, then print out the shipping label and send it off via USPS. Amazon then directs it to local charities. I sent off two boxes yesterday. I had never heard of that. It's a creative and interesting idea. I did many of the drawers in the kitchen this morning. I have a box full of flatware, cutlery, bar ware, and all kinds of assorted utensils to donate. I also found years worth of Christmas card photos in one drawer. I kept about three photos and threw the rest of the huge stack away. The three I saved were put away properly in the cabinet where old photos are kept. (Following that rule of handling it while you have it in your hand!)
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Post by dewryce on Jan 4, 2018 19:56:26 GMT
I can't remember how I heard about it but Amazon has a program called give back box. You take your boxes that any Amazon orders come in and fill it with stuff you would normally donate, then print out the shipping label and send it off via USPS. Amazon then directs it to local charities. I sent off two boxes yesterday. I had never heard of that. It's a creative and interesting idea. I did many of the drawers in the kitchen this morning. I have a box full of flatware, cutlery, bar ware, and all kinds of assorted utensils to donate. I also found years worth of Christmas card photos in one drawer. I kept about three photos and threw the rest of the huge stack away. The three I saved were put away properly in the cabinet where old photos are kept. (Following that rule of handling it while you have it in your hand!)If I had to pick one thing I wished DH would do the most when it comes to cleaning/organization, it would be this. It comes naturally to me so it's hard to understand why, when the trash can is 2 ft away, does he put the trash on the countertop while cooking. Or the dishes on the countertop instead of an empty dishwasher. Or a million other small things like this that add up to a pretty big cluttery mess. Why create a mess that will take longer to fix than just dealing with it properly in the first place and everything is pretty tidy all the time so we can enjoy it, not just the first 5 minutes after we've cleaned. Does not compute. And logically, I understand our brains are wired differently and that we were raised differently. I do. And so I try very hard to create solutions around the house and in our cars that work more for the way he is wired. Like a drawer in the entrance table just for all his keys and wallet and other receipts, crap etc. from his pockets that he doesn't like to deal with when he gets home. Just keep it closed so I can ignore the trash receipts and other things that could easily be dealt with. What kills me is when he throws it on top of the table instead of taking literally 1 second to open the drawer. Come on man, I'm trying to compromise here, trying to make this easy for you!
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Deleted
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May 4, 2024 11:12:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 20:14:38 GMT
I cleaned out ONE cupboard in the kitchen. I got rid of OLD MEDICINE. I mean REALLY old medicine!! Some of it was dated 1998!! What the heck? I also got rid of all the Molly dog medicine--she's been gone for 1.5 years now. I combined a few bottles of medicine that had different names, but were generics of the same thing. I have one bottle I kept. I'm still on that medicine, but a different strength. It's a full bottle, and hated to just toss it. I think I can cut it to 'about" the same strength as I'm on now!! Anyhow, things fit in the cupboard better now after the purge. On another shelf in that cupboard, I had an old jar of marshmallow fluff--that had separated. So, tossed that also, and some walnuts that had a 2016 date got tossed too. I just bought a new bag of walnuts yesterday, so that made room for that! I'm going to tackle that towel drawer in the kitchen and see if I can reduce any of those. It may take a year to get through the house at this rate, but that would be OK I guess!! I cleaned out the spice cupboard yesterday. DH had to go in that cupboard yesterday after I was finished and I thought he was going to faint!! He said it "looked a lot better." So guess it was worse than I thought if he even noticed!!
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Post by susancinpa on Jan 4, 2018 20:25:43 GMT
I cleaned out the spice cupboard yesterday. DH had to go in that cupboard yesterday after I was finished and I thought he was going to faint!! He said it "looked a lot better." So guess it was worse than I thought if he even noticed!! Last year I cleaned out our linen closet (where both linens & toiletries are stored). DH came home from work and I didn't say anything. He put something in the clothes basket in the closet and he came out and reached out to me for a big hug. He was so impressed & happy with the difference. He has been on me to clean up the computer/scrapbook room, but I haven't been able to make a huge difference there like he wants.
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Post by unknown pea on Jan 4, 2018 20:35:08 GMT
And that just made me spit my drink all over my keyboard. Although now I'm sort of curious what kinky dentist toys would look like. Right? They've already got that chair... And now my entire office is wondering why I'm laughing uncontrollably.
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Post by dewryce on Jan 4, 2018 21:14:37 GMT
I cleaned out ONE cupboard in the kitchen. I got rid of OLD MEDICINE. I mean REALLY old medicine!! Some of it was dated 1998!! What the heck? I also got rid of all the Molly dog medicine--she's been gone for 1.5 years now. I combined a few bottles of medicine that had different names, but were generics of the same thing. I have one bottle I kept. I'm still on that medicine, but a different strength. It's a full bottle, and hated to just toss it. I think I can cut it to 'about" the same strength as I'm on now!! Anyhow, things fit in the cupboard better now after the purge. On another shelf in that cupboard, I had an old jar of marshmallow fluff--that had separated. So, tossed that also, and some walnuts that had a 2016 date got tossed too. I just bought a new bag of walnuts yesterday, so that made room for that! I'm going to tackle that towel drawer in the kitchen and see if I can reduce any of those. It may take a year to get through the house at this rate, but that would be OK I guess!!I cleaned out the spice cupboard yesterday. DH had to go in that cupboard yesterday after I was finished and I thought he was going to faint!! He said it "looked a lot better." So guess it was worse than I thought if he even noticed!! I bet it took a whole lot longer than a year to accumulate all this stuff so taking a year to thoroughly sort it is completely reasonable. And will be soooo worth it!
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Post by dewryce on Jan 4, 2018 21:19:44 GMT
I cleaned out the spice cupboard yesterday. DH had to go in that cupboard yesterday after I was finished and I thought he was going to faint!! He said it "looked a lot better." So guess it was worse than I thought if he even noticed!! Last year I cleaned out our linen closet (where both linens & toiletries are stored). DH came home from work and I didn't say anything. He put something in the clothes basket in the closet and he came out and reached out to me for a big hug. He was so impressed & happy with the difference. He has been on me to clean up the computer/scrapbook room, but I haven't been able to make a huge difference there like he wants. It's great that he notices and appreciates the changes While he's still appreciative maybe he can work on the garage or another area that contains "his" stuff! Lol Also, maybe he can work on the office/computer part while you work on the scrapbook part? DH and I like to put on some music when and sing along like dorks to old favorites when we do work like this, makes it more fun! And it's nice to have someone there to help motivate.
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Post by susancinpa on Jan 4, 2018 21:34:29 GMT
Unfortunately the whole computer/scrap room is on me. I can't attribute it to him and it's the craft stuff that has the room cluttered. He will go in and pull the lawnmower booklet out of the file cabinet, but anything else he needs, he sends me to get it. He gets very upset that there are things on the floor and not everything has a place and gives me the silent treatment every now & again.
At least the rest of the house is normally uncluttered.
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May 4, 2024 11:12:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 21:35:00 GMT
I cleaned out ONE cupboard in the kitchen. I got rid of OLD MEDICINE. I mean REALLY old medicine!! Some of it was dated 1998!! What the heck? I also got rid of all the Molly dog medicine--she's been gone for 1.5 years now. I combined a few bottles of medicine that had different names, but were generics of the same thing. I have one bottle I kept. I'm still on that medicine, but a different strength. It's a full bottle, and hated to just toss it. I think I can cut it to 'about" the same strength as I'm on now!! Anyhow, things fit in the cupboard better now after the purge. On another shelf in that cupboard, I had an old jar of marshmallow fluff--that had separated. So, tossed that also, and some walnuts that had a 2016 date got tossed too. I just bought a new bag of walnuts yesterday, so that made room for that! I'm going to tackle that towel drawer in the kitchen and see if I can reduce any of those. It may take a year to get through the house at this rate, but that would be OK I guess!!I cleaned out the spice cupboard yesterday. DH had to go in that cupboard yesterday after I was finished and I thought he was going to faint!! He said it "looked a lot better." So guess it was worse than I thought if he even noticed!! I bet it took a whole lot longer than a year to accumulate all this stuff so taking a year to thoroughly sort it is completely reasonable. And will be soooo worth it! Yes it did! I am almost finished with ALL the drawers in the kitchen. My original thought was to just clean out 4 of them, but after I did that, I realized the rest of them can use it too. So, I still have 4 to go--and only one of them is "a problem" at all. I did get rid of a few things. When I went through the dreaded towel drawer, I found more than towels, so once I took all the other stuff out, and got rid of a few of the towels that weren't in as good shape, the rest fit nicely. Same with the dishrags. I found a BUNCH of hot pads in there that I didn't know I had. Got rid of some, and kept the homemade ones. and got rid of several of the dishrags that I didn't like. I tried to use some micro fiber ones once, and just don't like them, so they are gone now.
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,422
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
Mar 18, 2015 4:10:31 GMT
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Post by milocat on Jan 4, 2018 21:57:47 GMT
I cleaned out ONE cupboard in the kitchen. I got rid of OLD MEDICINE. I mean REALLY old medicine!! Some of it was dated 1998!! What the heck? I also got rid of all the Molly dog medicine--she's been gone for 1.5 years now. I combined a few bottles of medicine that had different names, but were generics of the same thing. I have one bottle I kept. I'm still on that medicine, but a different strength. It's a full bottle, and hated to just toss it. I think I can cut it to 'about" the same strength as I'm on now!! Anyhow, things fit in the cupboard better now after the purge. On another shelf in that cupboard, I had an old jar of marshmallow fluff--that had separated. So, tossed that also, and some walnuts that had a 2016 date got tossed too. I just bought a new bag of walnuts yesterday, so that made room for that! I'm going to tackle that towel drawer in the kitchen and see if I can reduce any of those. It may take a year to get through the house at this rate, but that would be OK I guess!!I cleaned out the spice cupboard yesterday. DH had to go in that cupboard yesterday after I was finished and I thought he was going to faint!! He said it "looked a lot better." So guess it was worse than I thought if he even noticed!! I bet it took a whole lot longer than a year to accumulate all this stuff so taking a year to thoroughly sort it is completely reasonable. And will be soooo worth it! Good point! Like weight loss, you didn't gain all your weight in a few weeks/months so don't think you'll lose it in a few weeks/months.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jan 4, 2018 22:50:28 GMT
A bunch of junky ( oh my gosh, autocorrect wanted to change "junky" to "kinky") toys from the dentist visits are gone. And that just made me spit my drink all over my keyboard. Although now I'm sort of curious what kinky dentist toys would look like. That's a terrifying thought.
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Post by LisaDV on Jan 5, 2018 1:21:26 GMT
I’m in this year.
1. Clean and purge clothing for everyone in the house. 2. Cleaning and purging in the basement. 3. Cleaning and purging in dd’s bedroom. 4. Cleaning and purging in our bedroom. 5. Cleaning and purging in our shed. Hopefully 6. Have ds clean and purge his room.
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Post by maryland on Jan 5, 2018 2:05:57 GMT
Are you in? What are your goals? I'm so in! I tore down the Christmas tree today, all hints of Christmas are put away. And I feel so much lighter already. My goal this year is to only own what I love, and to use it, and not feel badly about replacing it when it is worn out. I find myself good about initially buying a pack of socks or undies or any other item that is for me only, but then neglecting to throw out my old stuff and replace it with new stuff. My motto this year needs to be: Would I let my kids wear that? No chance would they be wearing socks with holes, undies that were past their prime, clothes with "only one or two stains, so still good enough." Nope. Not anymore. I'm also not keeping things out of guilt. I tossed a stack of magazines that I bought for less than two dollars over a year ago and had just been living on a shelf in my room. I perused them, got what I could out of them, it was time to let go. No more thinking of tossing things as a waste. Just giving myself that space back. Another part of this year is that I am truly making an effort to only spend money on what I need to spend it on. I'm making a lot less this year than I did the previous 3 yrs, due to a change of job. I can't afford to spend money on scrapbook stuff that will just sit on my desk because I don't have time to use it, or on make-up that I never actually wear anyway. I'm not saying I will never buy it, but just that I want to use what I have already for now, instead of giving in to the impulse to spend to satisfy some need or hole in me. That's my plan! We are on a very tight budget now until we sell our 2nd house (long story). I realize that a tight budget shouldn't be that bad because I am bad about spending money on things and not using them (not expensive things, but less expensive things still add up). I am telling myself that when I don't use things I do buy, I shouldn't feel bad about not having money to buy extras because I probably wouldn't have used them anyways! I will use what I have and appreciate it! Then when we finally sell that big house and have money again, I hope my continue to be more frugal and only buy what I need and will use!
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Post by alsomsknit on Jan 5, 2018 16:12:35 GMT
dewryce and **GypsyGirl** Thanks for some great advice! I did try once to limit my fabric stash. I have all my fabric stuffed into 4 big bins. I told myself I’ll get it down to one! Well, I still have 4! This year, I WILL do it. That spare room is stressing me out, even with the door closed! Lol! What is it with spare/guest rooms? Mine is just awful! Rather than saying you will get rid of 75% of your stash, why don't you try to just eliminate 1 bin at first? Sometimes we make it harder on ourselves by coming up with unrealistic goals. If I were working with 4 bins and wanted to end up with 3 bins, I would start with 4 empty bins. Label 3 of the bins with a ranking system. Example, Bin #1 "Most Loved, Can't Live Without Fabric". Bin #2 could be "Really Liked Fabric, Will Use In Not Too Distant Future". Then Bin #3 is "Backup Fabric, Might Use Eventually but Not Guaranteeing It". Bin #4 is "Out the Door, No Room for You Fabric". Okay, those are rather long and silly labels, but it gives you an idea of how to rank/sort your fabrics. Once you have gone down to 3 bins, then you can revisit the fabric down the road and focus on Bin #3. Then you ask yourself if you still love that fabric, do you still see yourself using it. More importantly, has room opened up in Bin #1 and #2 to allow it to move up in the ranking? The second go round will be the time to eliminate Bin #3. An added bonus is that by sorting your fabrics in order of importance, you will be able to visually see if you are actually using your fabric. Guest room...Get rid of it! I had an absolutely horrible house guest that prompted me to be done with house guests. Turned it into the office with a nice sitting area for reading. It was an excellent decision. If you are using the room multiple times a week, theoretically, it should keep clutter from taking over. Also, consider how much of your mortgage goes to keeping a room for guests to use once or twice a year. I do love the ideas of the bins. Cute descriptions.
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Post by katlady on Jan 5, 2018 17:05:42 GMT
Guest room...Get rid of it! I had an absolutely horrible house guest that prompted me to be done with house guests. Turned it into the office with a nice sitting area for reading. It was an excellent decision. If you are using the room multiple times a week, theoretically, it should keep clutter from taking over. Also, consider how much of your mortgage goes to keeping a room for guests to use once or twice a year. I do love the ideas of the bins. Cute descriptions. We are empty-nesters, so the guest room is truly a spare room for us. I have an art/craft room and we have an office. Since it is just SO and I, we don't need a TV room (that is the family room). So, we dub the spare room the "guest" room. It has a bed in it, but it also has all the stuff we don't want in the other rooms. When I cleaned out my craft room and realized I wasn't quilting or scrapping anymore, yet I still wasn't ready to part with those goodies, I stuck them in the guest room. SO puts extra electronic stuff in there. We don't have a basement or attic.
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