topic Re: Downsizing for the New Year in Community Chat

Downsizing for the New Year

hoosieroriginal — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:02:51 GMT

The older I get, the less I like to see "stuff" in my house. Yesterday I spent all day pulling things off walls, going through closets and cupboards, getting rid of clothes and home items I haven't used in last six months. For the new year I vow not to shop anymore shopping channels, save money, live frugally and spend money only on necessities!

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

brii — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:21:39 GMT

I'm organizing my pantry. I am putting everything into clear food containers.

I started a few days ago. As soon as I buy things from the store, they're going into a container.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

Kindaglitzy — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:22:48 GMT

Been working on this the last several years and it feels good to clear out. Still like to go through things every once in awhile to clear out what is not being used.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

Reba055 — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:28:10 GMT

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
The older I get, the less I like to see "stuff" in my house. Yesterday I spent all day pulling things off walls, going through closets and cupboards, getting rid of clothes and home items I haven't used in last six months. For the new year I vow not to shop anymore shopping channels, save money, live frugally and spend money only on necessities!

I tried the same thing last year. I didn't do so well, lol. I'm going to give it another go. I have way too much stuff and don't need to buy anything for awhile.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

Pqfan — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:37:26 GMT

I really want to get serious about paring down my posessions.

I still want to keep the things I really love and let go of the rest.

I want to be able to find things easier.

Trying to find things in here is just crazy!

It wasn't always like this and mom is probably looking down from heaven saying what have you done to the house!?

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

MidNight — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:41:02 GMT

Were moving and doing the same thing!Just dont want all the stuff anymore....I actually did this last yr and got rid of alot then.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

chrystaltree — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:49:16 GMT

If that will make you happy, it sounds like a good idea. I will not be joining you....lol I don't have a lot of "stuff" in my home. I like a clean, uncluttered, modern theme; so, I don;t buy a lot of household and decorator stuff. However, I do love my clothes, jewelry and accessorites. If I'm not going to shop....why am I working?? However, I have decided to approach my jewelry wardrobe differently. I'm done with fashion/costume jewelry. I'm giving or throwing all of that stuff. I plan to invite friends and relatives over and let them go through it and take whatever they want. I'm going to orginize my real jewelry and moving foward, I will only buy genuine gemstones. No more created stones. Also, I'm only going to buy pieces that complement collections that I already own.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

goldensrbest — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:52:25 GMT

I did that a few years ago,when i moved, i had to, just be careful you don't give away something you do really like.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

Bird mama — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:55:00 GMT

I'm doing it too. Some folks do spring cleaning and purging. It usually hits me before Christmas, lol.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

GCR18 — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:57:14 GMT

I've thinned out things considerably over the last five years. Every room in the house was downsized. The only area that has grown is home decor. Once I'm strong enough, that is the next area that is getting a make over. I have many flameless candles. I love them all, but really have no need for as many as I have... I also have other things. My decor closet needs to be cut back by 1/3rd, so I can easily see things. I will save some for my sister, then let my friends have what they want. Anything left will go to the goodwill.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

chrystaltree — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:59:50 GMT

@goldensrbest wrote:
I did that a few years ago,when i moved, i had to, just be careful you don't give away something you do really like.

Great advice, thanks for the reminder. When gold prices went through the roof, I sold a lot of my yellow gold pieces. Pieces I didn't wear because I was into white metals. And then several years later, I fell in love with yellow gold again and went into a 3 day panic because I couldn't find a particular necklace. And then I remembered that I sold it.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

hoosieroriginal — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 19:04:00 GMT

@GCR18 wrote:
I've thinned out things considerably over the last five years. Every room in the house was downsized. The only area that has grown is home decor. Once I'm strong enough, that is the next area that is getting a make over. I have many flameless candles. I love them all, but really have no need for as many as I have... I also have other things. My decor closet needs to be cut back by 1/3rd, so I can easily see things. I will save some for my sister, then let my friends have what they want. Anything left will go to the goodwill.

@GCR18I must have gotten rid of 16 pair of jeans yesterday- I'm into comfortable - if I can't pull it on, I don't wear it anymore. Love leggings and soft comfortable things. I use so few clothes now that I'm retired, I just don't need much anymore. I also love my house to look less cluttered, I can't believe just pulling a few things off the wall yesterday made the house look so much better.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

hoosieroriginal — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 19:07:45 GMT

Next is my hall cupboard - full of makeup and creams - all going except for my Philosophy When Hope is Not Enough, my Paula's BHA, and my Josie Maran - I have things I haven't even opened yet - it's all going - going to simplify my routine also. I just think of all the money I have spent on facial creams!

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

GCR18 — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 19:09:27 GMT

my home decor problem is in the closet!! my closet is overflowing. LOL

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

MaggieMack — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 19:09:53 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
@goldensrbest wrote:
I did that a few years ago,when i moved, i had to, just be careful you don't give away something you do really like.

Great advice, thanks for the reminder. When gold prices went through the roof, I sold a lot of my yellow gold pieces. Pieces I didn't wear because I was into white metals. And then several years later, I fell in love with yellow gold again and went into a 3 day panic because I couldn't find a particular necklace. And then I remembered that I sold it.

@chrystaltree, at least you remembered!!! You could have spent eternity looking for that piece. Or thought it grew legs and walked off.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

Snoopp — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 19:12:48 GMT

My organizing is a work in progress. One room is storage and I'm trying to clean it out but I move at a snail's pace on that job. Great job to those of you who are really making a dent in your stash.

I am promising myself to use those skin care products on a regular basis and use them up. I have too many.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

SunValley — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 19:18:47 GMT

While trying to locate a paper punch in my office last week I came across so much that could be purged or organized. Never found the punch but sure did clean out the office! How does all that accumulate?

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

Bird mama — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 19:28:28 GMT

@SunValley

I'm working on the office as we speak, lol. I had so many hanging pendaflext folders I'd swear they reproduced themselves when I wasn't looking. Some of them were old and warn so I removed the metal rods and will recycle the metal and the paper when I make a trip to the recycling center this weekend. Mind you, I just made a trip last weekend.

My DH must have saved every corporate phonebook (we were employed at the same place) he ever received. They haven't published a paper phone book in over 15 years, lol.

The phonebooks are going - they are not in the office, they are in the old china cabinet in the basement.

All I can say is that it never seems to end. Maybe it's me and I toss when it feels okay to do so, especially things he collected when he was alive.

My house is organized and that is the problem. I have a place for everything and so nothing immediately jumps out at me.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

151949 — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 19:37:52 GMT

A huge upside of being a snowbird is the necessity, twice a year , to go through everything and clean it all up. I have to either throw away or somehow bug proof everything in the pantry. I don't take food with us because we just don't have room. I do take spices though. I have to totally empty the fridge because we turn it off and unplug it. The fridge in Pa. gets antifreeze through the water lines when we leave.

Then we have to pack for a 5 month trip - so I go through all my clothes and pick out what I think I'll use while we are there. I've got it down to only taking dress clothes that are at least some black - then I take black purse , black dress shoes and black jewelry. I miss having all my clothing choices when we are away.

In the end - my kitchen and bedroom cupboards are all nice and clean & organized twice a year - which keeps the build up of junk totally minimal.

Re: Downsizing for the New Year

SunValley — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 19:42:38 GMT

@Bird mama I know!! Those papers must reproduce! I have all these performance awards (which didn't keep the company from trying to lay me off three times), directories that are no longer used, manuals on devices and appliances that died long ago, and other nonsense. Like you, I file it all neatly and then it hides filling up needed space. I did a similar purge of kitchen gadgets when the poor drawer gave up and broke in response to overflowing it with silly things I seldom or never used. Home parties of friends and coworkers guilted me into much of this. No more!