2021 Decluttering Thread

[disneysteve]

I did another session in the garage after dinner. I focused on the front corner area. I finally organized all of our snow/ice scrapers and brushes in a milk crate so we won't be searching for them come wintertime. I cleaned off and organized the rack that holds lawn tools (rakes, pruning shears, brooms, etc.). I went through 3 boxes of my mom's old papers that can all be shredded. Now I just need to find a local community free shredding event as I'd rather not pay to do it if I don't have to. I got 2 boxes packed and ready for Goodwill. I threw out a garbage bag full of stuff and partially filled another bag.

I actually feel like I'm making some real progress.

[scfr]

Spent the day at my mom's. After running a couple errands and taking care of some fix-it's, we started tackling her clothes. A couple items went in the trash, many items were returned to their proper places, and 4 bins went to Goodwill. Noticeable progress.

[disneysteve]

Sold 2 items on Marketplace this week
Took 2 boxes and a board game to Goodwill this morning
Listed 2 items on ebay that both have bids already
Just listed another item on ebay a moment ago
Listed several other items on Marketplace

[disneysteve]

Item I listed on ebay last night already has a bid
I was prepping an item to list on Marketplace and discovered it isn't in as good condition as I thought so I will donate it instead (it still works but is a bit wonky).
I emptied out another box of stuff we brought home from my cousin's house; I emptied out 2 boxes on Friday

[james.hendrickson]

Item I listed on ebay last night already has a bid
I was prepping an item to list on Marketplace and discovered it isn't in as good condition as I thought so I will donate it instead (it still works but is a bit wonky).
I emptied out another box of stuff we brought home from my cousin's house; I emptied out 2 boxes on Friday

Dang, how much stuff did your cousin have?

[disneysteve]

Dang, how much stuff did your cousin have?

I don't think he had an abnormally large amount of stuff. I'm sure if you clean out the house of your average 65+ year old, you'll find just as much or more. I took 12 car loads to the thrift shop when I was in Florida and threw out probably 20 bags of trash, a ton of recycling, and 10 boxes of documents shredded.

What came home was the good stuff. Some was things that I'm in the process of selling. Some was practical items that we can use - office supplies, tools, a small appliance or two, tape, etc. Some was personal items like photographs and other mementos that we wanted to keep.

About 10 cartons came home filled with antique car magazines. They actually sell quite well on ebay bringing about $3/issue and I have 25 years worth. I don't plan to sell them individually. I'll list them 12 at a time by year. They'll bring a bit less that way but I'll get rid of them faster. I'm trying to knock out some of the individual items first and then I'll get to those later.

[james.hendrickson]

I don't think he had an abnormally large amount of stuff. I'm sure if you clean out the house of your average 65+ year old, you'll find just as much or more. I took 12 car loads to the thrift shop when I was in Florida and threw out probably 20 bags of trash, a ton of recycling, and 10 boxes of documents shredded.

What came home was the good stuff. Some was things that I'm in the process of selling. Some was practical items that we can use - office supplies, tools, a small appliance or two, tape, etc. Some was personal items like photographs and other mementos that we wanted to keep.

About 10 cartons came home filled with antique car magazines. They actually sell quite well on ebay bringing about $3/issue and I have 25 years worth. I don't plan to sell them individually. I'll list them 12 at a time by year. They'll bring a bit less that way but I'll get rid of them faster. I'm trying to knock out some of the individual items first and then I'll get to those later.

Good idea regarding the old car magazines. I had no idea any of that stuff had value.

[disneysteve]

Good idea regarding the old car magazines. I had no idea any of that stuff had value.

I’ve been in the collectibles business for 35 years. I frequently see value where others see trash.

[james.hendrickson]

I don't think he had an abnormally large amount of stuff. I'm sure if you clean out the house of your average 65+ year old, you'll find just as much or more. I took 12 car loads to the thrift shop when I was in Florida and threw out probably 20 bags of trash, a ton of recycling, and 10 boxes of documents shredded.

What came home was the good stuff. Some was things that I'm in the process of selling. Some was practical items that we can use - office supplies, tools, a small appliance or two, tape, etc. Some was personal items like photographs and other mementos that we wanted to keep.

About 10 cartons came home filled with antique car magazines. They actually sell quite well on ebay bringing about $3/issue and I have 25 years worth. I don't plan to sell them individually. I'll list them 12 at a time by year. They'll bring a bit less that way but I'll get rid of them faster. I'm trying to knock out some of the individual items first and then I'll get to those later.

yeah, so I just checked Facebook marketplace - indeed there is demand for old car magazines. Here is a screenshot from my quick search on Facebook.

It looks like there are options some of higher end ones are going for $123, and bulk looks like its $500 for some large boxes. Otherwise its $13 to $15 for a year.

[disneysteve]

It looks like there are options some of higher end ones are going for $123, and bulk looks like its $500 for some large boxes. Otherwise its $13 to $15 for a year.

I could make a pretty penny if I list them individually, but it would take forever. If I can get about $15/year, I'll be quite pleased. I have 25 years of two different magazines.

[disneysteve]

Listed an item on Marketplace and another item on both Ebay and Marketplace

ETA:
Listed a lot of 21 magazines on Ebay

[bjl584]

Big declutter day for me today.
Made a trip to the dump and got rid of an entire pickup bed worth of junk.

[james.hendrickson]

I dumped some old flowerpots, a couple of old tomato cages as well as some other crapola in my condo unit.

[scfr]

Spent another day at Mom's but it was not our best decluttering day, because much time was spent chatting with visiting elderly relatives and then a big grocery shopping trip. At least that was time well spent.
Nevertheless, I took one tote full and dropped it at Goodwill. And we loaded a piece of unused furniture that was in the way into the elderly relatives car for delivery to another relative. So some decluttering happened, just not as much as I would have liked.

But now as I'm typing this, I realize there's an important clutter prevention component of my visits that I've not shared. My mom likes to read, but has never been a library user. She used to buy books and they would pile up (and she really couldn't afford them anyway). As her physical activity has become more limited, she reads more & more. Every time I visit, I bring a big bag full of library books and take a big bag full home with me to return.

[disneysteve]

I posted this in the Wins thread but it belongs here, too.

While cleaning out my cousin's house, I tried unsuccessfully to sell a 4-foot long model boat that he had. When we finished there and packed stuff up to move home, we carefully wrapped it and took it with us. I listed it on ebay and Marketplace a few days ago and found a buyer on Marketplace (so no commission) who picked it up tonight. Not only do I have $300 cash in my pocket, we no longer have a 4-foot long boat in the middle of our sitting room.