Community Chat

[chessylady]

Is anyone planning to spend less and accumulate less in the new year? Maybe it is part of the approaching recession or maybe I am just tired of so much stuff. I want to make room for what really matters. I want to simplify my life and make cleaning easier. I have enough clothes, enough books and enough kitchen ware. It is time to let loose of the things that no longer serve me. It won't be easy, I am easily distracted and not as mindful as I would like to be. What about you? Have you already done this? Any strategies?

[Laura14]

I started going through the storage room last night when I put away Christmas.  There is stuff that has been packed away for years and needs to go.  It's on the list to start throwing away and donating to clear that space and soon.  

[ShowMe]

Will definitely be spending less.....at least will try.  But it is the cost of groceries, etc., that keep going up.  Save here, lose there.

Have cleared out all the clothes I had that were way too big for me, and have purchased new....from undies to jammies, and coat.  Now that I'm through with that, don't need anything else now.  

[Big Joanie]

Absolutely .. that's the plan....

[Laura14]

Oh and @chessylady, the strategy I have is a little bit at a time.  I take one small area and clear it.  If I feel like doing another, I do that.  If not, it'll be there the next time I get ambitious.  Eventually you're done!  

[cherry]

Yes. My closets  are bursting at the seams

[chrystaltree]

I wasn't aware that a recession was imminent.  But, no.  I am not planning to spend less money because my income is higher than last year.  There's no reason for me to go on an austerity kick just for the sake of it.  That doesn't mean that I plan to spend more in 2019, I might.  Might not.  

[DrakesMomma]

Couple years ago I remembered my Daddy telling me having just a little was more than enough.  I spent a year and a half after that going room by room and paring down.  It was freeing.  Since that time I have made an effort to stop getting stuff that isn't really needed.  

I did one room at a time.  Some days I would only have 20 minutes to spend at it but 20 minutes was better than no minutes.  Some rooms I went through twice.  I made countless trips to the donation trailer.  

I'm thinking it might be time to go through my crafting things again.  

Setting small goals helped me.  At first thinking about going through the entire house was just too much.  Be kind to yourself in your process.  

[fthunt]

Yes in spades.   I keep putting off donating to good will a brand new stove top pressure cooker (bought an instant pot) and a new QVC air fryer.  Somebody might as well be using them.  Fried foods I love but don't love me back.  Wish a truck would back up to front door and just load unwanted - unused stuff.!

[Daysdee]

@cherry I know what you mean.  My closets are jammed full too.  Sad part is I don't go out that much to wear some of the nicer items (like all the Linea I have).  Just before Christmas I filled 2 large Rubbermaid type bins with clothing and household items I no longer need.  Will be taking them to donate.  (tablecloths--don't need that many, some nice towels - no room to store them, placemats I no longer use, plus a lot of clothing that is too large for me.  Next is shoes that have heels that are higher than I should be wearing at my age)