Beauty

[Jolexi]

I'm still in the process of reading all of the posts, so please forgive me if someone has already suggested this:

To curb impulse buys using a credit card, remove/delete them from your online accounts. Put the credit cards away in a place not easily accessible so that if you DO find yourself 'browsing' (which I am purposely avoiding these days), you'll have to go get that CC from wherever you have it hidden, whether it be to physically purchase something or to get it online. In the time it takes to look for it, I usually realize it isn't something I necessarily need.

Also, I give myself a budget amount of 'spending cash' for the month to be used on essential items; once that cash runs out, I am out of luck. If I don't spend it all in the month, then I can treat myself with something simple. Nine times out of ten, I won't buy anything, but put it in my savings so it can accrue there. Little things help here and there, and once you get into the habit of implementing these ideas, it becomes second nature. I hope we all get it done this year, so we can all be grateful with what we do have, spend less and declutter our physical and mental spaces.

Best to all!

[geezerette]

On 1/5/2015 Jolexi said:

I'm still in the process of reading all of the posts, so please forgive me if someone has already suggested this:

To curb impulse buys using a credit card, remove/delete them from your online accounts. Put the credit cards away in a place not easily accessible so that if you DO find yourself 'browsing' (which I am purposely avoiding these days), you'll have to go get that CC from wherever you have it hidden, whether it be to physically purchase something or to get it online. In the time it takes to look for it, I usually realize it isn't something I necessarily need.

Also, I give myself a budget amount of 'spending cash' for the month to be used on essential items; once that cash runs out, I am out of luck. If I don't spend it all in the month, then I can treat myself with something simple. Nine times out of ten, I won't buy anything, but put it in my savings so it can accrue there. Little things help here and there, and once you get into the habit of implementing these ideas, it becomes second nature. I hope we all get it done this year, so we can all be grateful with what we do have, spend less and declutter our physical and mental spaces.

Best to all!

So much of what I've been doing for the last few years is just going back to the way my life used to be. We had to watch our pennies when I was a kid, just as I did for many years after I was on my own. Thanks to my parents, I already knew how to simplify and save, I just hadn't had to do it for many years. Years ago I thought I was missing something by not having name brands or not being able to buy anything I wanted when I wanted it. Now I realize that not only was I not missing anything, my life was much less complicated and stressful. I already know exactly how to do this--now I just have to put it into play.

[Jolexi]

On 1/5/2015 geezerette said:

On 1/5/2015 Jolexi said:

I'm still in the process of reading all of the posts, so please forgive me if someone has already suggested this:

To curb impulse buys using a credit card, remove/delete them from your online accounts. Put the credit cards away in a place not easily accessible so that if you DO find yourself 'browsing' (which I am purposely avoiding these days), you'll have to go get that CC from wherever you have it hidden, whether it be to physically purchase something or to get it online. In the time it takes to look for it, I usually realize it isn't something I necessarily need.

Also, I give myself a budget amount of 'spending cash' for the month to be used on essential items; once that cash runs out, I am out of luck. If I don't spend it all in the month, then I can treat myself with something simple. Nine times out of ten, I won't buy anything, but put it in my savings so it can accrue there. Little things help here and there, and once you get into the habit of implementing these ideas, it becomes second nature. I hope we all get it done this year, so we can all be grateful with what we do have, spend less and declutter our physical and mental spaces.

Best to all!

So much of what I've been doing for the last few years is just going back to the way my life used to be. We had to watch our pennies when I was a kid, just as I did for many years after I was on my own. Thanks to my parents, I already knew how to simplify and save, I just hadn't had to do it for many years. Years ago I thought I was missing something by not having name brands or not being able to buy anything I wanted when I wanted it. Now I realize that not only was I not missing anything, my life was much less complicated and stressful. I already know exactly how to do this--now I just have to put it into play.

That is the ultimate goal, geezerette :-) I had been living simply and strictly on a budget as far back as I can remember. My dad was the only working adult for most of my childhood, and in a household of six people, I was taught to be respectful of what I was provided with. It provided a perspective on working, earning and spending that I carried with me into adulthood. I always had things in check, until a handful of years back when I divorced, and had two children entering college, mounting bills and an un-cooperative ex. I could only depend on myself to provide for just us three now. Things happen, that's just the way of life. The key, I think, is to rein it in, and take things into account, and re-implement those things we already know work, and get back on track. Having support from like-minded posters is a great thing. :-) I do hope that it helps us all for a return to simpler and a stress-free way of life.

[Shanus]

I started by tossing EVERYTHING my grown kids said they wanted, but never took with them. Now that they're married, I've stored those boxes for 15 yrs. They can get a storage unit or out it goes!!! I'll get my attic back!!!

[DrKelli]

Yesterday, I took all my long sleeved t-shirts out of the drawer and divided them into 3 piles, keep because I wear them a lot, donate or think about. My donate pile was as big as my keep pile and I only have about 4 shirts in the think about bag. I did the same thing with the short sleeved t-shirts. As a result, I have an above adequate amount of both, but I have room in the drawers so I can see everything.

I'm lucky because my office is very casual and I wear jeans most every day. I need to get rid of a lot more stuff before I consider it decluttered. I was standing in my closet, thinking, what would someone think if they saw the amount of clothing and shoes in here. I'd be pretty embarrassed.

Tonight's "quick" project is the entry way. I have several hats that I really love and wear often, so those will stay. My dogs have a number of sweaters that have been given to them, but they only wear one or two when it gets super cold, so I can donate the rest.

[Irish1210]

Hi Gal-Pals ~~ I am still working on the closet I started on Saturday. So far I have accumulated 3 large bags to be donated which is a big accomplishment, hope to finish this particular area today.

Does anyone have ideas on how to store scarves (not heavy winter ones)? I currently have them grouped and on three hangers ~ it works, but I can't see them all.........maybe I need to toss a few more.

I do use those hanging cloth/plastic shoe racks (the winter scarves fit nicely in the shoe "pockets") to hold my winter scarves ~ that has worked well. I often pick these up at garage sales as the older ones are more sturdy.

All your suggestions and ideas are so appreciated ~ It's a pleasure to be part of this group!

Let's keep "lifting up" each other!

[3redheads]

Hi ladies!

I wish we had ""like"" buttons on posts because there are so many great posts in this thread!

Found this in another thread (I apologize to the poster in advance for not giving credit). I joined the 52 weeks to an Organized Home.

http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/organized-home.html

Week one is organizing your kitchen/counter space. It's free to join and gives me a plan!

Hope this helps!

[steiny3844]

I really appreciate this thread. I am really scared about all the debt and clutter in my life. I have been worried for a while. I'm hoping that I will finally do something about both by reading everyones posts. My husband and I meant to declutter years ago but I guess it was just too overwhelming. He died suddenly, and the job seems even larger. One thing I am promising myself is our trash bin must be full every time it is picked up. At least it feels like a start. I'm very worried about my debt if something suddenly happens to me. I must make sure the only transactions on all debt is in the form of payments. I don't post much, but I do take advantage of advice posted by others. It will be great if I start posting more because of my success.

[Irish1210]

steiny ~ I'm so sorry about the loss of your husband.

I'll be looking for your posts and celebrate each little success you have! Remember, you can't do it all at once ~ I like your strategy of making sure the bin is full each week, I think it's a great motivation and will have you moving in the right direction!

YOU CAN DO THIS!

[Julie928]

Hi Everyone & Happy New Year!

This is what I've done so far ~ on New Year's Day I cleaned out the closet in our den. I filled up three large paper shopping bags with miscellaneous things I didn't even remember I had, one large Christmas tree I haven't used in years, yard things and three wreaths and loaded them all in the back of our SUV. To the local resale shop they went!!! Now I can actually fit the things I want & use in that closet and as another person here stated, I can actually see the floor of the closet. Like so many of you, I have lots more to do but we have to start somewhere, right?

Also, (& this one hurts, lol) I placed a pre-order this past October for some Spring clothes from Boden.com. That little adventure totaled just over $470.00!!! (Yeah, I know, not good). This afternoon I called them up and cancelled the entire order. I would have loved the clothes but just paid off that credit card and certainly don't need a bill for almost $500.00!!! (We had to replace our furnace on New Year's Eve). Even if we didn't have to do that I'd much rather have one credit card with a zero balance than a few things I really don't need. It hurts, though ~ this is all so foreign to me. I'm so used to spending, spending, spending. One day at a time I guess. Anyway, thanks for listening & for all the inspiration!