Re: Downsizing for the New Year

mstyrion 1 · ‎09-18-2014

@Mominohio wrote:
@Daisy wrote:
For those of you who have kids...It might be a good idea to ask them if they'd like any of the items you're thinking about donating. You'd hate to get rid of something and then learn that your kids had loved it and would have wanted it. Especially if it's something that had always been around the house as they were growing up...such as furniture, dishes, vases, lamps, etc.
@Daisy Sunflower

This is exactly why my house is such a crowded and frustrating place. I have only one child (19) and enough things to pass down for 4 kids!!

We have tubs and tubs in the basement of his old toys (excellent toys in excellent condition, and hundreds and hundreds of books too) ready for his kids. Tubs and tubs of household goods gathered over the years as a kind of 'hope chest' for him to furnish his home when he leaves. He participated in this process, and will be glad to have the things. Even my linen closet is too full because I have blankets, towels etc. saved for him.

I always say that when he moves out and takes all his stuff, the house might just collapse in on itself, as I think the tubs of his 'stuff' is all that is holding the place up!!LOL

___________________________________________________________

Maybe it's time to think about donating some of this stuff, MIO.

Your son will never use "tubs and tubs" of toys and household goods. Why not pick out the best of the best to save for him and let the other stuff go to others who could really use these things?

~Enough is enough~

Blahblahvampemer · ‎08-31-2010

@gidgetgh wrote:
I've been reading this thread because decluttering/purging/organizing is my favorite thing to do!

We've never been a "cluttery" family and I don't have emotional attachments to many material things. And I've always done a good job at decluttering. After I was laid off just 4 years ago, I did a full, go through the house, one room at a time thing and purged/sold/donated and then organized. It took 3-4 months. Some days I'd work on it alot. Some days just 15 minutes or so.

The key for me was that I didn't "flit" around. I started in the kitchen and I slowly plowed my way through the kitchen and I didn't do anything in any other room till I finished the room I'd started. I had great success that way.

Anyway, last year, a book was recommended to me that I really enjoyed. It's called The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo. It's pretty short and easy to read and I'd highly recommend it if you're seriously interested in decluttering and downsizing.

The book didn't help me so much for the decluttering as I'd already done that, but it helped me tremendously with organization and storage tips. Her basic premise is that rather than saying you're discarding or purging, etc., you are instead keeping the things that bring you joy. After I read the book I realized that that had been MY approach as I'd done this, but I just didn't name it.

Anyway, worth a read if you're interested. My husband and I by no means have a bare bones house. We still have alot of "stuff". My husband doesn't embrace the journey like I do. So I just did my things and the common things in the house.

The flitting is what gets me into trouble. Papers get handled more than they should, and I'll fill up a garbage bag from here, then there...sooooo much better to start in one place to get it finished.

In one of Lynette Jennings' decorating books, she said you should love the things in your home, they should bring up good memories and such. Great idea and beautifully logical.

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Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@SunValley wrote:
@GinaV24 wrote:
@Bird mama yes, I know that feeling. I have 2 or 3 stuffed animals that my Mom had bought for my niece (her only grandchild). I still have them in the house. I keep thinking I should go ahead and donate them but somehow I never do and my niece is 35!

Sometimes you just can't let go, and those stuffed animals make you happy. Keep them and throw out the instruction manual for the 8-track player!

Or you could keep the stuffed animals and put that manual for the 8-track tape player on ebay. You might get a few bucks for it!!

missy1 · ‎03-10-2010

@,Daisy wrote:
For those of you who have kids...It might be a good idea to ask them if they'd like any of the items you're thinking about donating. You'd hate to get rid of something and then learn that your kids had loved it and would have wanted it. Especially if it's something that had always been around the house as they were growing up...such as furniture, dishes, vases, lamps, etc.

I am hanging unto the Legos, certain collectibles, etc.

fourpaws56 · ‎03-04-2015

last year I cleaned house and gave most of my things to the SPCA (they do yard sales four days a week) right now I could fit all my belomgings in one box....

Reba055 · ‎06-23-2014

@Reba055 wrote:
@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.

Just thought I'd let y'all know I made it a whole 2 days into January without buying anything, lol. That darn Kohl's cash! I forgot I had it and wasn't going to let free money go to waste. Hitting the reset button 😉😉

inmemoryofmylittlesis · ‎02-27-2013

@fourpaws56 wrote:
last year I cleaned house and gave most of my things to the SPCA (they do yard sales four days a week) right now I could fit all my belomgings in one box....

That's a great idea @fourpaws56!

*rememberance of my little sister. i miss you*

BitsyAnn · ‎06-09-2014

Great inspiration and ideas!

thanks!

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

I've been on a cleaning binge and as I went into each room, I also straightened up shelves, cabinets, closets and was able to get rid of 3 black bags of krap.

I have about 25 cook books I would love to take over to the library but my husband doesn't want me to get rid of them. I have no idea why, he doesn't cook or read them.

If I've made something from them and it's a keeper, I have it written down on a card and it's filed in the recipe box.

Snicks1 · ‎07-28-2012

@Reba055 wrote:
@Reba055 wrote:
@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.
Just thought I'd let y'all know I made it a whole 2 days into January without buying anything, lol. That darn Kohl's cash! I forgot I had it and wasn't going to let free money go to waste. Hitting the reset button 😉😉

Can't let free money go, lol. I made it about a week, ordered several items, but in my defense, lol, these were things I knew I would have to get, so, planned expenses? Do they count? Clothing, shoes, for weddings coming up this Spring/Summer.

"To each their own, in all things".