2018 Decluttering Thread

[disneysteve]

I had no idea how much stuff we had until we started going through it!

This is so true, and it's really part of the basis of Marie Kondo's system. She has you gather together every item you own in a particular category and then decide which ones to keep. We've done that with a few things and it really does make a difference. For example, I made sure that every t-shirt I have was clean and put away at the same time. I put them all out on my bed and was able to get rid of 25 of them. We also did it with drinking glasses. We covered the kitchen table and counters with every glass we could find in the house - the kitchen, the dining room, the basement storage cabinet, etc. It was truly ridiculous how many glasses we had when we did that. I don't recall how many we got rid of as a result of that exercise but I want to say it was nearly 100, which we then sold at our next yard sale.

[scfr]

I decluttered (used up) some gift cards - 6 in the past 2 weeks. I think that counts as decluttering because I was pretty deliberate about using them up. They were mostly cards I had received as gifts for places I don't go very often. Most of them had small remaining balances on them, and I was able to use them up without spending more than an extra dollar and planned my errands so I didn't have to do any extra driving. That took some planning.

[disneysteve]

This morning, I brought up 2 wooden pallets from the basement that will go out in the trash tonight.

I also brought up 4 collectible items and have already listed 1 of them on ebay. I took pictures of the other 3 and just need to do the listings.

[amastewa93]

This is so true, and it's really part of the basis of Marie Kondo's system. She has you gather together every item you own in a particular category and then decide which ones to keep. We've done that with a few things and it really does make a difference. For example, I made sure that every t-shirt I have was clean and put away at the same time. I put them all out on my bed and was able to get rid of 25 of them.

We DEFINITELY have too many t shirts haha. That is going to be a huge space saver for us. We have some time this weekend to go through it and see what's what. We could probably do the same with glasses, like you mentioned. Gathering stuff that way is a Good idea!!!

[disneysteve]

I hit the basement again after dinner and focused on one section of shelving where the collectible stuff is stored. I finished filling a large trash bag as well as making a pile of stuff to recycle. There are a few items that might be worthy of ebay. I also found one item that I might actually keep. It's a vintage metal TV tray from Disneyland from the 1950s. I bought it to resell years ago but never sold it. That might end up back in my personal collection.

Earlier, I did list on ebay the other 3 items I mentioned above, so 4 auctions total started today. And I set the prices low based on comp sales so hopefully they will attract buyers.

The one thing I failed to do tonight was to wear a mask while I was working down there. I should know better by now. Stirring up the dust and mold down there is never good.

[msomnipotent]

I have been on box patrol the past few days. I really don't understand the fascination my husband has with boxes, but I found out last night that our crawl space attic is filled with them. He said that they are all from when we moved here 8 years ago, but I snagged 2 boxes while he was out of eyesight and the beer box had an expiration date of April 2013, so he lied. They are also not moving boxes, which was another big clue. The other box was from a computer we had many years ago. I also recycled some that were sitting in the basement. I cleared up some more paperwork in the office and finally cleaned out my email inbox. It took 2 hrs, but I unsubscribed from at least 20 emails and deleted over 900. I still can't find the email I was looking for, so I think I deleted it. I also have 2 Halloween costumes my daughter outgrew on bookoo.

[disneysteve]

Not entirely new but I packed up a box of stuff for Goodwill from the basement tonight. It was mostly things I had already set aside on a table down there but just hadn't moved yet. The box is now in the garage with some other stuff that needs to get over there so it's almost out of the house.

I also photographed 9 more items that will be listed on ebay over the next few days.

[creditcardfree]

Our success today was selling two mattresses with box springs, frames and headboards. We also downsized the items we had in the garage. As renters for three years and likely for the next five years, we realized that we are not likely to need major garden supplies, painting supplies and other various tools. We took nearly 60 items to our local Habitat Restore, who were very pleased to receive our donations. We definitely opened a lot of space in our garage.

[disneysteve]

Not much to report today but I did just list another item on ebay.

[creditcardfree]

Sold an entertainment center today for $40.

[creditcardfree]

Dropped of some items at Goodwill today. An artificial Christmas tree, ornaments, other decorations, a volleyball, badminton set, three rackets, and a small cat carrier.

[disneysteve]

I went into the garage a bit after dinner as it isn't overly hot here today. I gathered a bunch of things that have accumulated for Goodwill and packed them into a carton. I'll take that and a bag full of clothing over this week. I also started another carton but it's only about half full.

Then I went into the basement and did some cleaning up. I got a number of small things into the trash, recycled some boxes and papers, and found one thing that needs to go on ebay.

[scfr]

This morning I spent 20 minutes deleting a bunch of emails and un-subscribing from promotional Email lists.

[msomnipotent]

I got rid of a few boxes and tried to give a pair of new boots to my aunt, but she insisted on paying for them. I'm still bringing up at least one item to get rid of every time I go in the basement, but I really need to go down there more often.

[disneysteve]

I went through another box of stuff from my collectible stock. I threw out several items and repacked the rest to be given away. I added several other items to the box also.