2020 Decluttering Thread

[bjl584]

Just took a whole truckload of junk to the dump this morning.

[scfr]

Took 2 big boxes of stuff from Mom's storage unit to Goodwill today (after sorting out a few things for her to keep), and hauled 3 medium size boxes of paper to my place to sort.

Next week we're scheduled to do the final cleanout. Fingers crossed.

[disneysteve]

I haven't really done anything lately, but I got into the garage for a couple of hours this afternoon. Threw out a few small things and recycled a couple of boxes. I got 4 cartons of stuff ready to take to Goodwill and I have a 5th box started. I listed several items on our Buy Nothing group and a couple have already been picked up. Someone else is coming for something tomorrow afternoon.

There is still plenty to do in there but it really is starting to look decent. There's a lot more floor space and some empty shelf space. Hopefully I can spend a couple more days in there while the weather is still nice. And I'll get those boxes over to Goodwill later this week.

Oh, I also took in a stack of old brokerage statements last night, sorted through them, and got them filed in our cabinet with the rest of them. I don't even remember why they ended up in the garage.

[cypher1]

Gave a set of wheels to a buddy for his car, some tools to another friend. Threw out another beat up pair of jeans and some t-shirts. Went through file cabinet, re-labeled and sorted through folders, shredded more documents that I can always download online.

[bjl584]

Got rid of an old washer and dryer yesterday.
It definitely freed up some room in the garage

[LivingAlmostLarge]

tossing a ton of kids toys to goodwill. Getting rid of old silverware and dishes. Old toaster oven.

[disneysteve]

I listed several items on our Buy Nothing group

I listed 6 items. So far, I've gotten rid of 4.

1.5 gallon gas container
Two 30-gallon bags of packing peanuts
5 vintage Pepsi bottles
12 reusable ice packs

One woman actually asked if I could deliver the items. Apparently she has some medical issues. I was happy to get rid of them so I made a little detour on the way to the supermarket yesterday and dropped them off.

I'm working this weekend but maybe next weekend if it's nice I can spend some more time in the garage and work on getting rid of more stuff.

Does anyone know how I can go about getting rid of 2 old bbq grill propane tanks? I don't want to fill them or swap them. I just want to dispose of them.

[bjl584]

I listed 6 items. So far, I've gotten rid of 4.

1.5 gallon gas container
Two 30-gallon bags of packing peanuts
5 vintage Pepsi bottles
12 reusable ice packs

One woman actually asked if I could deliver the items. Apparently she has some medical issues. I was happy to get rid of them so I made a little detour on the way to the supermarket yesterday and dropped them off.

I'm working this weekend but maybe next weekend if it's nice I can spend some more time in the garage and work on getting rid of more stuff.

Does anyone know how I can go about getting rid of 2 old bbq grill propane tanks? I don't want to fill them or swap them. I just want to dispose of them.

Most propane suppliers will take an old tank without you having to exchange it or pay any fees.
Major suppliers like Amerigas will take them if you drop them off at one of their locations.
The suppliers that have cages outside most stores, like Blue Rhino, will take them too.
Just go inside the store and tell someone at the service desk that you have old tanks that you want to turn in for disposal/recycling.

[disneysteve]

Most propane suppliers will take an old tank without you having to exchange it or pay any fees.
Major suppliers like Amerigas will take them if you drop them off at one of their locations.
The suppliers that have cages outside most stores, like Blue Rhino, will take them too.
Just go inside the store and tell someone at the service desk that you have old tanks that you want to turn in for disposal/recycling.

Thanks. I need to do that and get them off my property.

[scfr]

With DH's help, I completed the final cleanout of Mom's storage unit today! That's a $105 per month expense she no longer has to pay.
I have 2 pieces of furniture in my car that I have to take to the dump (we went to Goodwill and they took some, but declined to take these due to poor condition), 6 big boxes full of paper at my apartment that I need to sort through, and then I'll start selling some items I have set aside. So ... I'm far from done ... but for the moment I'm savoring the savings for mom and no more trips to the storage unit for me.

[scfr]

A tip for anyone else helping their elderly parents clear out old paperwork: Take your time and be careful. Way back when, they used to print the entire credit card number on receipts. My Mom still has a ton of those, and she still uses the same card. Also, lots of places used to print social security numbers on things. I'm kind of shocked what I've found with their SS#s on it (time cards, medical invoices, etc). So lots of stuff needs to be shredded. How I wish I had a yard and a burn barrel!

[disneysteve]

Last night, I happened to look next to our computer desk and noticed there was a brand new keyboard that came with the computer that we've never used (we upgraded to a better one). I snapped a picture, listed it on Marketplace, and it was sold within an hour. The buyer picked it up from me at work this morning. $25 in my pocket and one more thing out of the house.

[disneysteve]

Packed a trash bag full of clothes and shoes for Goodwill as well as a pair of boots and some books. I also listed 4 items (so far) on our Buy Nothing group. One already has a taker.

[disneysteve]

I also listed 4 items (so far) on our Buy Nothing group. One already has a taker.

All four items have people interested. I've already set up pick up times with 3 of them and I'm waiting to hear back from the 4th.

We did swing by Goodwill today with 2 cartons of stuff, the trash bag of clothing, and a pair of snow boots. I have 2 more cartons ready to go but didn't have room for it all in the trunk. I suspect by the end of the my next 5 days off, I'll have more to go to them anyway.

[disneysteve]

My staycation decluttering continues.

Today my focus was on our Disney display room which now also serves as my wife's sewing room. She needs more space and better organization in there so it was time to reevaluate the collection. I removed a number of items already, some of which got listed on Marketplace or will get listed on ebay or our Buy Nothing group. My initial goal is to clear out one section where we have a small table display. I want to completely open up that space so that we can get her a small table/cabinet for her stuff. I'll do that through a combination of getting rid of items and relocating items. I haven't finished yet as I had some other things to do midday, but I'm about to get back to working on it.

A couple of Buy Nothing items have gotten picked up today and more pick ups are scheduled.