Re: Declutter 2025: What Have You Purged Today?

rnmom · ‎03-11-2010

@KathyM23 - It sounds like you are making good progress even though you have physical limitations. Good job! I hope that you feel better soon.

amyb · ‎04-05-2010

@KathyM23 I agree with @rnmom that despite your limitations, seems you're still making great progress.

I relate to your post. I feel my house is in good order, and that my last 5 years of decluttering, reorganizing, upkeeping and minimal updating/buying has kept things that way.

Like you, clothing, fashion, is and always will be "my thing"...I enjoy styling outfits, having options, and being up to date wardrobe-wise. But, that said...I too am really exercising more mindful purchasing. Everything this past year has just seemed to jump up so much in our normal lifestyle...groceries are still high, clothing is so high for what they are really offering out there, often just basic more cheaply made things, unless you really $$$$pend.

Going out to eat in my state of CT is ridiculous...the average meal for two, just two entrees, two drinks, not even dessert and coffee, which we're usually too full to get...is never less than $100-120...and often even more. A cocktail or wine is on average $18.

I got a take-out pizza the other night, at my local place I hadn't gone to in a while...a small pizza that used to start at $8.95 is now $15.45.

Doctor bills, despite my insurance...are high.

Home repairs are high.

Car repairs are high.

I always say lately, everytime I turn around, someone is asking another $1200 from me for something that used to be half that.

Everything seems double, triple.

I've always lived within my means and without debt, thankfully, other than a mortgage at one point...and always, thankfully felt I could pay bills and have extra for treats or fun. But everything seems over the top now.

All to say....I'm consciously pulling back, and "mindful." Oh, I'll still enjoy a few wardrobe updates...but those impulse buys just 'cuz it's shiny new...no...I hesitate, and usually just leave it there, and don't miss having it.

One example...I don't need another LUG bag just 'cuz it's a great deal on LUG live and a cute new color! Gosh, I recall, when I had a bag for fall/winter, and one for summer, and maybe one tote for summer. Now I have many. DONE. I do use all the bags & especially travel items I've made with LUG, not a waste. These companies sell sell sell as if you NEED a purse in every color!!

So thanks for the reminder to reallly stay mindful...as part of keeping "clutter" or unnecessary purchases of just "more stuff" down. I'd rather save it for experiences...which also have gotten so high.

And on that happy note~keep on keepin' on. I realize I went on a rant there....

lynnie61 · ‎04-28-2010

Had another dresser picked up for donation. I think we are finally down to just the furniture we need after the consolidations. We are planning on a new couch, but will wait until my kitchen redo is done. Cabinets should be done late November. Cannot wait. A little anxious, as prior to the cabinets they will be removing a wall between the kitchen and dining room, to make room for a peninsula in the kitchen.

I need to get through a few Christmas totes, and donate so it could be used for this season. If it doesn't happen, there is all winter to do it.

We've done a lot in a year, but also, more to do. @amyb Yep, just keeping on........

rnmom · ‎03-11-2010

@amyb - I totally agree with everything you are saying about rising prices. It's so discouraging. The rich get richer and everyone else suffers.

amyb · ‎04-05-2010

Maybe this weekend will be getting out more seasonal wear, doing closet reorganizing, putting the rest of outdoor items up in storage, and on my "chopping block" to donate or consign, let go of are:

A hardly worn fleece lined sweatshirt, in laundry, then will donate. Given to me, has "New York" on it...was cozy around the house, but I don't need this bulky top, taking up room in my sweater storage. I've got plenty of good cozy clothes.

That Lisa Robertson Shop ornament tree I bought several years ago, to hang some of my childhood ornaments I took home from mom's home in 2017 on. Very pretty, wasn't cheap...an antiqued metal, burnished gold. BUT, I only used it that one "sentimental" year. I have my one full sized tree I put up, and two small tabletops, one that was my mom's...so that is enough. Nowhere to really use this. The one year I put it up I didn't put up all the others. So hopefully I won't reneg on this once I get it out of storage, It's so pretty, once I look at it but...BIG box taking up room just to keep up there for "just in case"....hopefully, I'll consign. I'd always rather have a greenery tree up. My longing has been to simplify my Christmas, and 3 trees, sometimes I don't always put all of them up... anyway, that is enough.

I have a puffy, cropped J Crew jacket from years ago, hardly worn, all brushed cotton, very nice. But I never wear it. I have updated, more streamlined, more flattering ones I wear now. I kept keeping this thinking I'd wear it, but didn't...so when I get it out...it's getting consigned if they want it, or else donated.

That's all for now, until I take out seasonal stuff, maybe I'll find more.

Happy weekend, everyone.

LavernLuvsShoes · ‎07-13-2021

Finished my Seasonal Closet Switchover...

Donated a couple pair of Sandals that I never wore all Summer, a pair of denim peddle pushers that wouldn't stay up on my butt, a lightweight sweatshirt and 3 sleeveless tops.

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

@RedTop wrote:
I'm receiving catalogs 2-3x a week, and making a point to toss them right away. They were one of my problem areas in the past.

@RedTop When I bought a close-out Balsam Hill tree, they sent me a catalog each year, but now they've stopped. I sure miss that catalog, because I got to see how the wealthy decorate!

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

I will itemize the things that filled up a huge garbage bag. I just lugged it to the trash. My DH asked why anyone would care about what we got rid of. I tried to explain that we do this to get, and give, encouragement. I guess men don't get it.