Re: Downsizing for the New Year

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

@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.

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

@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.

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

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!

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

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

MaggieMack · ‎10-01-2014

@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.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. - Aesop

Snoopp · ‎02-02-2015

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.

SunValley · ‎04-19-2010

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?

Bird mama · ‎03-12-2010

@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.

There are times when you must speak, not because you are going to change the opposing side, but because if you do not speak, they have changed you.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

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.

SunValley · ‎04-19-2010

@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!