topic Re: For my decluttering Friends. in Home

For my decluttering Friends.

casuallady — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 20:40:06 GMT

We were on vacation, so my decluttering was on hold for a few weeks. Today, hubby went fishing and I went through my closet and many of my dresser drawers. I thought since I had cut back on my clothes shopping there would be a lot less for Goodwill. Guess what, I took out a huge garbage bag of clothes. I will drop them tomorrow.

I did a little shopping before vacation, and while on vacation to freshen my wardrobe. I got 3 tops at Talbots (one at the reg. store and 2 at the outlets), a hoodie and top at Kohls, khaki shorts at Talbots, a lace Liz top for QVC that I loved but sent back for a smaller size)a bracelet and a cross. I should be pretty much done for the spring/summer.

I used all huggable hangers, and took out the plastic ones for when I run out. The drawers and closet look really nice. I am hopping my hubby will go through his stuff. He bought nice T-shirts last summer, and a new one at the Masters. He has lots of shorts,..

I also through out a bunch of space bags that are now brittle.

I have started working on our budget again. I posted on another site that I am now coloring my own hair, for about a $70.00 savings a month.

I would like to cut back on my cell phone bill, and eating out/groceries.

Looking for creative ideas to downsize within our home. I think hubby will work on the garage and shed. Its fun to clean out. Our life seems to run so much smoother, and we are home from vacation with our cards paid. I will pay the last on Wednesday. I love having a bank credit card that I don't have to wait for the bill, just pay as I go.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

twinny70 — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 22:42:25 GMT

casualady, My DH & I decluttered our home in Jan & Feb. as it was just too cold to be outside unless absolutely necessary. We started with our file cabinet. We had stuff in there that was over 40 years old--we celebrated our 44th anniversary in March. Then we went to my sewing room/computer room. We went through a 4 drawer chest of drawers & took to St. Vincent's a large garbage bag full of clothes that our 13 year old GS used when he was sizes 1-6) The other DGS & DGD didn't use them as much. Then I took a good sized bag of craft paints, glues, books etc. to the same place. It was amazing at how much stuff we had in drawers that were not visible to the eye. Thank goodness. I love to declutter our home & DH is good about helping me too. When we buy new clothes, we always take something out of the closet so it doesn't get overbearing for us. Two years ago next month, I did a huge declutter in our kitchen. There are only two of us as our DD is married as is our DS, so we don't need that many pots, pans, casserole dishes etc anymore. It is a good thing I did declutter as right afterwards we took off for the East coast for three weeks & when we got back home, something under the kitchen sink had leaked & we had a huge water mess. We have an open concept home which we absolutely love, but we had to replace all of the Vinyl, carpeting,padding & the entire kitchen cupboards & island. It took us two months to get our lives back together again. I shed many tears during the process, but the insurance company was great so that made things go quite smoothly. After our decluttering my DH said "gee it looks so nice around here." Neither of us are pack rats so that is good too.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

marky — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 22:44:11 GMT

So proud for you. I know you must feel so free. I have been de-cluttering today. I have used a spare room to put everything from all the other rooms as I clean. Now I have to tackle that mess. I have decided that I am a hoarder. I have way too many candles, beauty products, soaps, and other things. I vow not to buy anything else. I also tend to buy too many grocery items. I am trying not to buy things until I run out as I have a tendency to buy multiples of things. This creates a storage problem.

I also had to clean out my mother and father's home, after mom's death recently. I kept several things and I still need to go through a lot of papers and keepsakes. It is so hard to keep ahead of all the mess since I work M-F and am still grieving over my mother.

Thanks for sharing about your success and the fun you had on vacation. I look forward to being able to have that freedom in the not-too-distant future.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

aprilskies — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 22:48:05 GMT

This is so timely. I just decided myself to go through my clothes again. I just don't reach for certain things so there is no point In keeping them around. After getting rid of so many clothes, I thought I was done for now but I think I am ready to take another stab at it. It does feel so good when things look clean, streamlined and manageable.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

AuntG — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 22:50:14 GMT

Keep plugging away. Sometimes I think those space bags and plastic storage containers make things worse. I've tossed all but eight storage containers that I use to hold holiday decorations (I put a few things out for all the holidays, but the majority are for Christmas decorations).

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

twinny70 — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 23:10:23 GMT

Marky, So sorry to hear about your loss. My mom is 93 years old. so I will probably have to do what you are doing some day too. DH & I are retired so that makes decluttering that much easier. If you plan to retire in the near future, let me tell you that "retirement" is the best job in the world.

Aprilskies, Yes it is nice to open a closet & see something that looks nice & neatly organized.

AuntG, I took lots of Christmas things to our resale shop too. I did a different theme this year than the one I started 19 years ago. It was so good to see all new things again.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

pattypeep — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 23:17:44 GMT

Doesn't it feel good? I did it when I retired and it's time to do some more, I think. When I reorganized my drawers, I used shoe boxes as dividers in the drawers for my socks and underwear. I don't fold those slippery undies, so now they go in their own box and my drawer doesn't look so messy. I know you can buy dividers for drawers, but I read about the shoe boxes one day and had several, so why not? I converted every one of our closets over using huggable hangers. Nothing makes the closet look better and adds more room than those awesome hangers.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

springers — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 23:19:23 GMT

Casuallady, you mentioned debt free site, can I ask which one. I have been listening to Dave Ramsey, hearing the stories helps me watch my spending.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

sarpy — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 23:31:11 GMT

We have been cleaning out our house too. We bought our cemetery lots 14 yrs. ago and this yr. with our tax refund we bought our tomestone. Gave my sewing machine and the wood cabinet to a relative. Bought a new chest of drawers for my sweaters that are now in those plastic cabinets that you get at any big box store. Having a new dishwasher installed next week. Having our handyman painting our front door and having all our flower beds fixed with new mulch. We cleaned out our house the last two years and I think we are ready to go. (if you get my drift). LOL wink, wink.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

sarpy — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 23:35:01 GMT

springers: We stumble onto Dave Ramsey 50 yrs. ago. I know he probably isn't that old, but we put cash in envelopes and when it was gone it was gone. Worked for us and the only debt we have been in is for a mortgage. Paid cash for cars, 2 kids college. They graduated debt free. They are happier and we are happier for it. Just follow Dave Ramsey's advice, it works.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

Sooner — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 23:40:43 GMT

We had to have some work done quickly and packed up a bunch of stuff to put in storage. Hubby said something about getting more shelves and I said "It's NOT coming back!" I mean that! I need to go through it, but I plan on donating at least 75 percent of it! Just couldn't get it done before it had to be out. Frankly, I DREAD it.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

drizzellla — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 00:26:07 GMT

On 4/18/2014 marky said:
So proud for you. I know you must feel so free. I have been de-cluttering today. I have used a spare room to put everything from all the other rooms as I clean. Now I have to tackle that mess. I have decided that I am a hoarder. I have way too many candles, beauty products, soaps, and other things. I vow not to buy anything else. I also tend to buy too many grocery items. I am trying not to buy things until I run out as I have a tendency to buy multiples of things. This creates a storage problem.

I also had to clean out my mother and father's home, after mom's death recently. I kept several things and I still need to go through a lot of papers and keepsakes. It is so hard to keep ahead of all the mess since I work M-F and am still grieving over my mother.

Thanks for sharing about your success and the fun you had on vacation. I look forward to being able to have that freedom in the not-too-distant future.

You sound just like me (except I did not declutter today). From the spare room that became a dumping ground of stuff I did not want to get rid of but wasn't using. And all the extra makeup and beauty products that I had to have but haven't used because I have so much.

Also, I sold my Mom's house in less than 2 weeks. So I filled many many Rubbermaid tubs with stuff and they just sit and take up space. I also work and am away from the house 12 hours a day between the commute and work. So it seems a lot is coming in and not enough is leaving. And my son moved back home. He has quite a bit of stuff too.

I have to make some changes around here. I am glad that some of you have been able to make positive changes and I hope to follow - starting now.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

Mominohio — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 01:29:52 GMT

My inside decluttering has been minimal lately, as I've had to declutter my yard of sticks and branches after this horrible winter. We have lots of old trees, many of which need taken down, but that takes money, and the spring clean up takes a couple of days each year now. The yard does look better, and we have to get it done before the first mow. We would usually have mowed at least once already, but had snow again early this week.

I started cleaning out the garage this past week, as it is the single most cluttered place in the house. All winter, things got left because it was just way too cold to stay out there and work. I ran two car loads to the recycle bin, we did some burning, and another small load to the thrift store. When my husband and son are gone this weekend, I'll be able to get rid of a few more things while they aren't looking!

We were trying to sell some things on ebay, and I have to say, it drove me nuts. It just takes too long, some things don't sell, I just want it to move quicker, so we will continue to move things over to the auction house. While we don't make much money on the things, it does move it out all at once. I'm just careful not to take anything too sentimental or too valuable, because I know I won't get the money it deserves.

I have put off cleaning out my paper files (a yearly process that I do) and I need to get on that, as well.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

casuallady — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 21:27:17 GMT

This is such a difficult time of the year to know where to start (in PA) after the rough winter. The windows are dirty, the fireplace needs cleaned out and the mat thrown away, the garage, shed, the branches in the yard, the porch, and the list goes on. We baby sit grandkids 2-3 days a week, so we need to be very efficient.

I know many of you are feeling a little over whelmed, however after many years, I am trying to remind myself to break the projects into mini projects.

Lets continue to update and encourage each other.

"Happy Easter"!!! This year it will just be my husband and me, andBailey our Labradoodle. One of our children and family live in California, and won't be home.

Our son and family will be with our Daughter in Law's family. It is difficult to be with both families with a 5 yr old and 1 yr old.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

Mominohio — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 21:48:16 GMT

On 4/19/2014 casuallady said:
This is such a difficult time of the year to know where to start (in PA) after the rough winter. The windows are dirty, the fireplace needs cleaned out and the mat thrown away, the garage, shed, the branches in the yard, the porch, and the list goes on. We baby sit grandkids 2-3 days a week, so we need to be very efficient.

I know many of you are feeling a little over whelmed, however after many years, I am trying to remind myself to break the projects into mini projects.

Lets continue to update and encourage each other.

"Happy Easter"!!! This year it will just be my husband and me, andBailey our Labradoodle. One of our children and family live in California, and won't be home.

Our son and family will be with our Daughter in Law's family. It is difficult to be with both families with a 5 yr old and 1 yr old.

Happy Easter to you as well. Sorry you can't be with your kids and grands for the day, but I guess we spent years teaching them to share with others, now we have to share them as well!

I, too, get a little discouraged this time of year, as the outside works gets overwhelming for awhile. We mow 5 very rough acres (I should say I mow, as I do most of the mowing here), and there are lots of ditches near the road to keep up as well. We sit very low, and it has been a very wet year. We always battle mud and standing water this early, but hopefully it will dry out earlier than last year. It was late July before I could get into all areas that I mow.

Big garden, berries and fruit trees will be next. I like the work, but it does get overwhelming when the weather doesn't cooperate.

I too, have had to learn to break the bigger jobs down into smaller parts. It seems more manageable. One of the main reasons I started such a huge declutter this winter was so that when this time of year arrived, everything inside would be easier and more functional. I have just come to the conclusion that I'm only going to get so far until my son finishes school and moves a lot of his stuff out when he leaves home. I don't want to rush that process, so I'm trying to make do with the amount of declutter that had happened. I can do a little more here and there, and I will. Will post more as it happens.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

Daysdee — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 22:50:19 GMT

I'm bringing my spring/summer clothing from another bedroom closet and plan to donate some items that last year I felt they had seen better days or they are too large for me. I have way too many clothing items, but everything fits. Noticing I have too much Linea because to me his items aren't suitable for working around the house and I don't have much of a social life. I have to stop purchasing. Feels good to be somewhat organized; not perfect though.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

homedecor1 — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 03:27:40 GMT

Today I didn't have anything to do so I tackled my OBSESSION Lock N' Lock containers...OMG it made me sick the $$$ being thrown in the trash (dirty, stained, old & tired, missing tops, etc.)...next stop my full pantry ... all part of spring cleaning!

I haven't tackled my closet in over a year - first thing to go all those flip flops, shoes and sandals I bought thinking they were cute BUT horrible for my feet. My husband cleaned out his closet today - someone at goodwill is going to be excited for this nice selection of clothing (barely worn but doesn't fit!).

I try to purge at least every 3 months but there are certain things I just hate to tackle! (or give away).

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

springers — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 03:59:47 GMT

Sarpy, I think you are thinking of Larry Burkett, he started the envelope system and that is the system DR used to get out of debt. Dave quotes Larry. They both were on Dr. Dobsons radio show. Good to hear youve been living debt free (us also).

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

marky — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 12:29:06 GMT

On 4/18/2014 twinny2 said:
Marky, So sorry to hear about your loss. My mom is 93 years old. so I will probably have to do what you are doing some day too. DH & I are retired so that makes decluttering that much easier. If you plan to retire in the near future, let me tell you that "retirement" is the best job in the world.

twinny2, I started decluttering at my mother's house long before she passed away. I went to her home every afternoon when I got off work and sometimes more than once on the weekend days. It was slow going because she wanted me to stay in the room with her of course, but I vowed to and managed to throw away at least ten things every day. I threw out old mail, magazines, clothes, etc. just a few pieces at a time without her even knowing it. It did make it somewhat easier when we had to do the whole house. It was just so gut-wrenching going through her things and those of my father's, as she had kept many of his things too. I'm better now but children shouldn't have to do this. It is a difficult thing to do at any time, let alone with the grief you are going through at the time. I want to de-clutter so that my son won't have so much to do when I'm gone. I now know that a little at a time does work, so I am going to do that along with no purchases and when I do purchase, there is no need to buy multiples. It's like I have the mindset that I will never be able to go to a store again !! Stupid.

Re: For my decluttering Friends.

Ranchergal — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 12:39:19 GMT

I'm also de-cluttering. I've downsized to a smaller home and it's now getting cluttered. I'm concentrating on getting rid of clothing, cookbooks/books, and cookware that I no longer use or haven't used in two years. I know we feel overwhelmed with so much to do after the long harsh winter, but most everyone is in the same boat with us!!