Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

[kealina]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

decluttering has been an ongoing process for us... we sort, sort, and sort some more... some categories are easier than others...
on the whole we actually find it easier to let go of the stuff that sells well because we feel like it is a win-win-win situation... we declutter, make a little gas/grocerie money, and somebody gets an item for cheap...
we really been cleaning out the past month and we've made between $20-50 every week selling stuff like dvd's/video games, jewelry/shoes, make-up/toiletries, household stuff, car stuff... we also sell fairly cheap because we want a quick turnover...
for stuff that doesn't sell well, like clothes, i prefer to give them to family and friends... if not family and friends, then those i know of who are in need, then freecycle, then donation... i don't know why but it comforts me (if i give it away) to find the best home for my things so that i know they will be used and enjoyed...

we also try not to bring too many things into the house... we try to only buy things that fill a need or replace/upgrade something we currently have... we always try to think of how we would use it before we buy it... of course there are always exceptions but we do try to limit them...

[Broken Arrow]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

Me! Me! I'm a neat freak as well. All of my clutter is alphabetized, boxed, labeled, prioritized and driving me crazy.

On one hand, that frightens me....

On the other hand, if you ever go into politics, I'm voting for you.

[Kris10Leigh]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

Out with it! I can't stand clutter! I'm worst (or best) about my kitchen. No clutter on my countertops please! No appliances, no decorations, just clear, empty workspace please! Sometimes it's a struggle. People see my bare space and they think...poor Kristen...she needs stuff. So they give me stuff! My cupboards overflow with things that think they need to be on my countertops.

I truly believe that clutter repels money. The more you have, the harder it all is to find. So you think you need more. Now I'm in the mood to declutter. Too bad I am at work.

[LuxLiving]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

flylady.net

[Bookie]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

On one hand, that frightens me....

On the other hand, if you ever go into politics, I'm voting for you.

Which, in turn, frightens ME.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

Start your kids young!

I was talking the other day about declutteing and the parents mentioned they had to hide the stuff..I didn't take my kids stuff, they gave it to me, willingly and with a feeling of good will! this means sometimes they get rid of the 'wrong thing' IMO, but since they do it, I am happy, I do however get it out of sight, I get it out of my sight before I change my mind too!

Which is why their rooms are nice, and my room is a mess they have a personal 'declutter coach' (me) and I do not!

[Fern]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

Things will just sit around untouched for a long time. Often, it's something like a lamp that needs rewiring, or an article of clothing that doesn't fit or needs mending. At some point i'll get disgusted and either give it away on freecycle, good will or the dump.

[creditcardfree]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

I use the box in the garage for donations method. Large bin collects donations as I come across them. So this is a constant decluttering method.

I post a clipboard above the bin on the wall to record my donations. About once a month, I take a picture of the items for tax purposes, and bag them up. We have a charity that sends bags in the mail with a date on it for collections, so I just put the bag on the porch on the designated day as I leave in the morning. Receipt is left for me when I return.

I have never once had a regret about something I've given away or tossed. I think it is important to realize that we are not our stuff and that our stuff has a way of holding us back from growth...same with debt I believe. It's all related.

Good luck to you as you declutter. I just found two boxes and a candle to get rid of!!! Your turn.

[cschin4]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

I spent the afternoon decluttering the basement. I threw out some old shoes, assorted junk, cardboard boxes, shoe boxes, etc. I made a box of baby items for a friend who has a new grandchild. And, I made a box of other assorted stuff for Goodwill. It is looking much better now!

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

I am so glad for this thread, between it and my husband spending an hour looking for a tiny battery I spent the day decluttering, and DH is now doing..err something useful int hat direction..I am shut up here with the kids (built a vulcano out of duplos, then a house, and a flower, and some scientists..to study the igneas rocks..however that is spelled.) while he is out there..hopefully working.

[Ima saver]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

Ihave quit buying things. I wish we had not "collected" collectible stuff when we were younger. You think it is going to be more valuable when the years go by, the problem is finding someone to buy it. Not only do you not make money, you sell it for less than what you paid for it 30 years ago!

[cschin4]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

Yes, I have alot of Christmas stuff. I used to like the lighted houses, etc. But, now, I have more than enough. I have learned over the years that "too much of a good thing is too much of a good thing" and now I don't even put all my little houses out when I decorate. Just too much to pack up, etc. I really don't even want to put up a big tree with all the ornaments but DH and the kids like it. A small 4 ft tree would be fine with me!

[rickatheslicka]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

Yeah, definitely check out www.flylady.net

Here is the specific link with all the great decluttering tips

http://www.flylady.net/pages/FLYingLessons_Decluttertips.asp

The main idea - as you try to decide to whether to toss something, ask yourself
1) Do you love it?
2) Do you use it?
3) Do you have a place for it?

[JanH]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

Absolutely, flylady. My family thanks her. I have gotten rid of so much of my stuff.

[cschin4]

Re: Clutter - How Do You Decide When to Get Rid of Something?

Right now, I am decluttering "en masse". Instead of picking and sorting, categorizing, etc. I just do the "BIG DUMP" method! I look into the box of stuff in the basement and I allow myself few moments to pull out what I think I could really use. The rest gets tossed! Picking, sorting, organizing doesn't work until you done a big purge of stuff.