What is the one thing - Page 4

Remar · ‎08-18-2015

For me and my husband it's paper work. We own a small trucking business so we have to keep receipts and any other papers that have to do with our business. These things need to be saved for at least 7 years in case we were to be audited. We do have a desk and file cabinets but the floders can get loaded kind of fast so I use totes for the older paper work.

Our kitchen is small and we don't have much cabinet space. My husband built shelves in the laudry room that go all around the top of walls. It works out great because this way I can stock up on canned goods and other food items when they're on sale.

He also built a shoe hanger in the laundry room. He took a board that's about 12 inches wide and about 2 ft tall and put wooden pegs in to the wood. They slant up so our shoes don't fall off. It's really used for my husbands boots, sneakers and house shoes. He did this so he could easily get to his shoes and so we could use the bottom side of his closet for other things that rarely get used.

Bridgegal · ‎03-09-2010

@Still Raining

I was with you until the placemats. We even got rid of all of them. And all table cloths.

We now have 6 6oz or so drinking glasses. That's it. I kept more wine and champagne glasses!!

Got rid of all dishes except for 4 dinner plates and 6 salad plates. A few bowls. It's just the two of us and we got rid of the dining table and chairs so there's no table to put them on. At some point when we have a small table, I'll get a complete set of simple dishes for 6 and get rid of what we did keep. We were ruthless.

KathyM23 · ‎11-20-2010

What an interesting thread! Purging is almost a hobby for me.

I have one area that is extremely in excess and that is clothes and it is not because I don't purge. Purging of clothes is a constant activity for me. I have donated bag after bag of clothes: I just buy too much, I love playing with clothes, purses and jewelry, mixing colors, styles, etc. Each time I have gone through and purged, I felt I had disposed of anything I no longer wanted; then I try on something and decide it should go and I'm off again on another purge.

Another area that I don't consider clutter but have a lot of is decor but it is being used. I have wall groupings on all my walls, well thought out and done tastefully. Although there is a lot, I do not plan any purging there as I would consider my walls naked and I love it all. As MK says "it brings me joy". Only have 3 items of decor stored, a shelf, a set of small shelves and a set of sconces. No plan to dispose of them as I may need them if I change a grouping. I did purge alot of Christmas items this year and next year will be doing alot more as I think it will be the last year I put up a big tree as it was hard this year.

I have no excess of dishes, kitchen items nor linens. DH and I went though kitchen cabinets and pantry recently and purged anything not useful now as we no longer entertain except casually.

Recently bought a set of sheets to replace one going threadbare and they were so comfortable and on sale that DH bought another set. We then purged linens and have very little in the linen storage. I may go through it again and do some more whittleling.

I had two complete sets of old china from my mother that I rarely used and did not particularly like, but carefully packed up every time I moved so nothing broke and then re-stored it in the bottom of the china cabinet.

One day I just decided it was time to let it go and sold it at auction. Felt very free of the burden of storing that china and I had may other things of Mom's that I still have and do enjoy. I am glad the china is gone - the freeing effect of purging!

DH has purged his clothes and his area needing attention would be his garage/workshop. It is full of many things that should go. He did give his extra bike to a boy who had none, so that was a start. There is years of work related items and boating, hunting, fishing items, etc. there that needs purged. Some is still used and I know some is not nor will be.

If I were to have to down size, the problem areas would be my clothes, wall, china cabinets, curios decor and DH's workshop Otherwise we are organized and in good shape - nothing of any consequence is stored

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

Seems that linens and dishes took the longest to purge. Now that I have the right amount, I keep being tempted to buy more. So far, I've restrained myself.

ScenicMaine · ‎09-21-2018

Ummm .. where to start?

- tidy the basement - shelving units, maybe hire someone to haul some larger things & dispose of

- We both have cabinets in our headboard on each side. I have accumulated too much & need to seriously go thru it all

- I started last year in the bedroom closet & need to finish tossing things if I can't donate

- The mudroom tends to get cluttered with all hubby's winter clothing for work & the closet needs to get decluttered as well

Can't get results if both of us don't work on this together. I can do some areas, but the basement & mudroom requires both of us.

I'm starting to scare myself just thinking about it. While I'm not looking forward to it, I know the end results will be rewarding.

house_cat · ‎03-09-2010

The only thing I can't get a handle on is the Rubbermaid storage tub (large) I have that is full of photographs. There's a part of me that just wants to toss them all. I don't like looking at old photos - they make me sad. So, they stay piled up in that storage tub for my kids to deal with some day.

~ house cat ~

software · ‎06-08-2016

Linens are the one thing I have to savor when I'm out window shopping!

Everything is so pretty, laid out so nicely.

it's my "fix" to handle it all

I retired last year and a couple of years prior, I started purging, not just physical items but also my finances. I made a promise to myself to only buy "consumables". I did pretty well. I found I needed a lot less than I thought I did. I didn't want anything to come between me & retirement.

I worked with so many married women who spend all their paycheck on their grown kids, grandkids, the latest fashion, the newest cars. I would rather be retired!

For me,. less things = more freedom

queendiva · ‎03-12-2010

When I think about where I was at this time last year-wow, I have come so far, both literally and figuratively. (downsized and moved 50 miles away from where I spent the past 22 years and raised my family, most of it as a single mother).

There were at least 3 or 4 times when I freaked out, said "who am I kidding- I can't do this!" but knew the time had come and I had to move and I had just a matter of weeks to get my house ready to list. I hired help when needed- and prayed. Now I am living the life I wanted. It's remarkable what a person can accomplish in an hour, a day, a weekend, a month, and more.

Best of luck to all who aspire to live lighter in 2019, and thanks to everyone here for your continued encouragement.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@software wrote:
Linens are the one thing I have to savor when I'm out window shopping!

Everything is so pretty, laid out so nicely.
it's my "fix" to handle it all

I retired last year and a couple of years prior, I started purging, not just physical items but also my finances. I made a promise to myself to only buy "consumables". I did pretty well. I found I needed a lot less than I thought I did. I didn't want anything to come between me & retirement.

I worked with so many married women who spend all their paycheck on their grown kids, grandkids, the latest fashion, the newest cars. I would rather be retired!

For me,. less things = more freedom

@software

I think this needs serious consideration by many. Very profound and something I think many people might find very insightful. I know I did.

ptagirl · ‎07-12-2010

My most challenging area in my home is my craft/office/work room... there is only so much space to store things, but I'm absolutely hooked on keeping things so I "might use them on another project someday" sort of thing....I have purged, BUT...

My room is a work space.... have a desk, work table, sewing machine, file cabinet, wine cabinet, etc, etc....and also an upright freezer in there so it's easily accessible..... but..... the room looks like a mess all the time!... it is a source of frustration to me..

I keep a box under my sewing machine for donations..... always have a donate box to fill.... once full, I put it in my car... then take to donation .... BUT... it never seems to end!.....I've decided this year there will be fewer things entering the house, in all areas..... BUT.... that's easier said than done when it comes to craft things.....if I could just decide on one hobby, but I'm always busy doing something... painting, sewing, scrapbooking, etc.....it does keep my mind occupied, but it's also frustrating...

I don't really have a plan that's feasible to me...I just keep trying to add to the donate box... I guess that's all I can do for the moment.... the rest of the house looks pretty good and I keep things under control, but that one room!!!... YIKES!!