What did you declutter today? Part II

[photo]

Here's always the problem I encounter when cleaning out something. I'll find some object and although I can't find an immediate use for it, am hesitant to get rid of it for fear I'll need it later. My house isn't highly cluttered nor is it bare, so we generally hit a happy medium. However, I intensely dislike that feeling of "Should I or shouldn't I (get rid of it)?"

[creditcardfree]

I did some work in my garage this morning. I found quite a few things that we won't take with us when we move, but could still be valuable to someone else...thus they have been moved to the garage sale pile. Garage sale is in less than two weeks, so I'm motivated to get things out of here.

[snafu]

Photo, we all have different values and circumstances. What particular item[s]? I gave myself some definitions of clutter to help decide what to retain and what needs to go. Do I use it? Do I love it? Does it make life easier? When did I last use it? Is it merely in the wrong place? I strive to have what is needed where it is needed, when it is needed and within arm's reach!

It helps to use awkward storage space like the cupboard over the fridge for occasional use items, attic/basement/garage storage for once a year or special event gear. I like to rotate decor and must change out closets for winter & summer garb.

It's clutter if I forgot I owned it. It's clutter if it causes stress within me or my family. It's clutter if it has bad memories. It's clutter if there are too many containers without lids. It's clutter if there are more than 12 hangers per ft. of closet rod. it's clutter if it's expired, wrecked, ripped, broken or non functioning. A flashlight whose battery is dead is useless if power has failed.

[snafu]

Suggest de-clutter sock & underwear drawer. Toss orphans missing their mate, anything hole-y, torn, scratchy or uncomfortable. It's helpful to buy all-the-same socks to simplify pairing; 12 pair, on sale at a go.

[creditcardfree]

I'd suggest looking through computer/electronics equipment for extra cords, outdated software, manuals and batteries. Find a place to recycle or donate the usefull items.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by photo

Here's always the problem I encounter when cleaning out something. I'll find some object and although I can't find an immediate use for it, am hesitant to get rid of it for fear I'll need it later. My house isn't highly cluttered nor is it bare, so we generally hit a happy medium. However, I intensely dislike that feeling of "Should I or shouldn't I (get rid of it)?"

This describes me perfectly. I never wanted to give away something that was of practical value even if I hadn't actually used it for years just in case I needed it someday. I can't really tell you what changed my mind but I just finally got fed up with the clutter and said the hell with it. If I ever need it, I'll buy another one. None of those items are irreplaceable. If I haven't used it for this long, realistically, I'm not ever going to use it.

My problem has been even more aggravated by the fact that I've been a collectibles dealer for 25 years so I never want to get rid of anything that I perceive as having resale value, especially if I bought it purposely to resell. However, I have items that I bought to resell 15 years ago. I've displayed them at numerous collectibles shows, listed them on ebay more than once, even put them out at our yard sals and still haven't sold them. It is time to unload them, take the loss and reclaim the space. It gets a little messy at tax time but big deal.

So my advice is to bite the bullet and really take a good hard honest look at that stuff and get rid of it if you haven't used it forever and don't see yourself using it anytime in the future.

[marvholly]

Like DS, my late husband was a major collector/dealer. With the market a DISASTER I am hanging on to a BUNCH of stuff until I can at least recoup the investment.

On a personal front I suddenly realizes i was being very dumb/selfish. I get about 6 free magazines, some weekly & some monthly. I would read and just recycle. My Dad lives in an independent senior building w/an in house library. The local public library provides recent books & residents & families can donate hardbacks.

However, the stuff in the magazine rack is probably older than some of my grand kids. In the last 7-10 days I have finished w/about 12 magazines and put them in the rack.

[snafu]

Another place that magazines are appreciated is waiting room in ER. Everyone there is stressed out either for services or waiting for someone in a medical emergency. Any reading material is appreciated.

MH: How wonderful to take reading materials to a senior's residence. Have you reviewed the re-sell/collector items to know exactly the original cost and current market value? Collectables are often cyclical, favorites until it reaches saturation and the market vanishes. Are some items seasonal? Do you see similar items on-line? When merchandising, the profit is in the purchasing. When purchase price was too high, the range for profit is insufficient. The cost is sunk, the money is gone.

Have you tried different seller venues like Craig's List or Kijjiji + name of community for example? If there is any possibility technology will make items obsolete, is it better to re coup something or donate for a tax write-off? Are you comfortable holding the goods until the economy is strong again? Once again fear is breaking out all over.

[marvholly]

Snafu
I am in regular touch w/several local dealers & auction houses. i check sites like ebay about 1x/month/ NONE of the items are tech based. they are mechanicals, lighters, graphics, ivory, pottery...........furniture.

[disneysteve]

We had an old dining room table that has been in our garage for years. It was a perfectly good table. We just didn't use it anymore. I tried to sell it a couple of times but never found a buyer. So it just stayed in the way in the garage and I would shift it from place to place when I needed to get to other things. Last night, I hauled it out to the curb for trash collection today. One less big piece of clutter in there.

[snafu]

DS: you've made huge progress since you started this thread! Good on you. Have you missed or had to replace any of those items purged? Often furniture hauled to the curb with a large 'FREE' sign, will be gone before the trash collector truck arrives.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by snafu

Have you missed or had to replace those items purged?

Absolutely not.

And yes, visibly good items disappear from the curb before the trash men get it. No sign needed.

[marvholly]

I actually signed up today for a FREE subscription to Car & Driver just to take to my Dad's building library. I have NO interest in it but thought it might be a good one for their magazine rack. About 1/3-1/2 the residents still have cars.

[snafu]

mh, what a kind thoughtful gift for seniors.

Take time this weekend to clear/clean out your car. Dump trash, clear out door bins, glove box, seat bins, trunk. Vacuum interior, check spare tire. Add a sturdy envelop to glove box or add a couple of heavy duty elastics to your visor for retained maintenance documentation and receipts. I've left the manuals in the trunk and use their vinyl folder for car records as it's made to fit in the glove box.

At security seminars, our police advise keeping the pink slip & registration folder in the trunk, under the carpet or spare tire. Check with your insurance agent or local police for their opinion. When I had a popular-to-steal high risk car, I kept the folder under the passenger seat.

[marvholly]

its time to start my summer/winter clothing change over. Today I trashed (to shot to give to a charity resale shop) 3 pieces. I KNOW at least 2 are more than 10 y/o. Knowing me I bought them on sale so definatly got my $$'s worth.

I also have a magazine w/my wallet to go to my Dad's today.

[snafu]

The research tells us we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. Some of us reverse hangers when we do seasonal change-out, and return items worn on traditional side to see at a glance what is being worn. Anything worn out, broken zip, ripped, hole-y, elastic sprung needs to be trashed - they're done. If items need repair [button, hem] give yourself two pay cycle to get done or let it go. If you don't like it, doesn't fit, scratchy or uncomfortable - pass it forward. Make a list of items needed and watch for sales. October is a good month for sales of underwear.

[snafu]

Cleared out the car,glove box, dumped trash from pop-up holder, cleared out trunk. Added winter emergency kit corralled in an old back pack. jumper cables, couple of plastic bags & elastics [keeps feet warm & dry], working flashlight, candle/sm. tin can/lighter, folding shovel, carpet strip, tuque, work gloves, scarf, flares. Snow brush/scraper under seat, refilled medi kit in glove box

The reality is 50/50 I'll get stuck in a snowbank at some point this winter.