2018 Decluttering Thread

[creditcardfree]

Today, we sold two desks and two chairs using the Nextdoor app. So easy to connect with nearby neighbors and make a sale! Yesterday, I went through two of our electronics boxes and found a phone, three cords and several CDs to recycle. We also had several computer and phone boxes that I recycled. Oh and quite a few paper manuals that we also recycled. I can find them all online if needed. I was able to consolidate everything into one bin. The downsizing is really happening here!

[disneysteve]

quite a few paper manuals that we also recycled. I can find them all online if needed.

I did this a while ago. First off, I realized I had never, not even once, referred back to those manuals. Second, as you said, manuals for pretty much anything can be found online today. You can even find step by step instructions and videos of how to do things on YouTube. Saving manuals is really a waste of space.

[disneysteve]

I just listed a lot of 20 old magazines on ebay. I considered selling them individually but quite a few don't have interesting cover stories so I figured if I can get someone to buy the lot and get them out of here, I'd be happy with that.

ETA: I just listed another item, a huge lot of collectible toy figurines (for lack of a better term).

[Keshet]

I have 2 weeks off for the High Holydays. DH has committed to set aside a day for working on the basement. YIPPEE!

[disneysteve]

DH has committed to set aside a day for working on the basement. YIPPEE!

That's good. I've been really focusing on my stuff that I can work on without DW. But there is a whole other segment of clutter that we do need to address together. The problem is that due to her allergies, she can't really spend a lot of time stirring up dust and stuff. So I'll set up everything I want her to check out so all she has to do is come look at it. I'm just not at that point yet.

I'm also looking forward to some cooler weather because I really want to spend a couple of solid days working in the garage. That's not a summertime task. The same goes for the attic. I was up there not too long ago and realized how much stuff up there needs to go but it's way too hot from May through September to spend more than a few minutes up there.

[scfr]

Today, we sold two desks and two chairs using the Nextdoor app. So easy to connect with nearby neighbors and make a sale! Yesterday, I went through two of our electronics boxes and found a phone, three cords and several CDs to recycle. We also had several computer and phone boxes that I recycled. Oh and quite a few paper manuals that we also recycled. I can find them all online if needed. I was able to consolidate everything into one bin. The downsizing is really happening here!

You are doing great creditcardfree!
Moving is the greatest decluttering motivator.

[disneysteve]

Moving is the greatest decluttering motivator.

For sure. Along with all the other reasons, one motivator for me is that we may want to relocate in a few years. I saw how hard it was for my mom to clear out her house when she moved. I'd rather work through that process over several years instead of being forced to do it over several months. Sometimes I still look around at how much still remains and get a little dejected but then I focus on how much better it is than it used to be and focus on how much progress we've really made.

[creditcardfree]

You are doing great creditcardfree!
Moving is the greatest decluttering motivator.

Thank you! Yes, moving is a great motivator...and since I've done it four times in 12 years I've become pretty good at it. I'm also pretty good at not adding too much during moves.

[Thrif-t]

I was up in the attic today and brought down a bin that had some old bedding.

Dang my mistake was looking in the bin, I should've just bagged it up and got rid of it. As it was, I only got rid of one blanket and one day bed comforter. I kept a king size comforter, matching drapes, mattress pad and a day-bed comforter.

They are nice comforters and even though they haven't been used in years, i'm just afraid my girls could use them in a spare room when they move out someday. I know I appreciated hand me downs to make my extra rooms complete when I got my first house.

So back in the attic they will go when this heat wave leaves in a few days :-(

[MooseBucks]

Finally cleaned off the kitchen island that’s been covered in papers since the end of the school year. Saved the special items from last year and got rid of the rest. Today DW is taking inventory of chest freezer so we can meal plan and clean out some items. Need to get it empty enough that we can defrost some of the built up ice and give it a deep clean. My goal for September is to get the house put away and then tackle getting rid of clutter in closets, the garage and basement in October.

[msomnipotent]

I was up in the attic today and brought down a bin that had some old bedding.

Dang my mistake was looking in the bin, I should've just bagged it up and got rid of it. As it was, I only got rid of one blanket and one day bed comforter. I kept a king size comforter, matching drapes, mattress pad and a day-bed comforter.

They are nice comforters and even though they haven't been used in years, i'm just afraid my girls could use them in a spare room when they move out someday. I know I appreciated hand me downs to make my extra rooms complete when I got my first house.

So back in the attic they will go when this heat wave leaves in a few days :-(

Is the bedding to your girls taste? If they look dated, donate them to a shelter (human or pet). Comforters are not that expensive anymore, especially around Christmas time. I bought my daughter a whole ensemble for $50 or so this past Christmas and it was exactly what she asked for. But I do know the feeling of saving for when they move out. My daughter already has pots and pans and insisted on keeping our old dishes after I got a new set. I'm slowly getting out of the "We could still use this" mindset and moving to the "We are not using this and therefore do not need it" mindset. My aunt's friend is having a garage sale next week and I surprised myself by considering bringing her some antiques I haven't used in a while. I love my antiques, but nothing is truly valuable.

[creditcardfree]

We sold a metal storage cabinet tonight. It was my grandfather's when he owned a construction business. A very unique piece, but we no longer needed. It was bought to be used in an antique store for displaying small items. My grandparents would have approved. And it feels good to let it go.

[disneysteve]

I sold one item on ebay, have a current auction that already has 2 bids, and have an offer on another active item. I'm not sure if I'll accept the offer or not. Still thinking about it.

[MooseBucks]

Finally cleaned off the kitchen island that’s been covered in papers since the end of the school year. Saved the special items from last year and got rid of the rest. Today DW is taking inventory of chest freezer so we can meal plan and clean out some items. Need to get it empty enough that we can defrost some of the built up ice and give it a deep clean. My goal for September is to get the house put away and then tackle getting rid of clutter in closets, the garage and basement in October.

DW did go through our chest freezer today and our one thats connected to the fridge. She got rid of a few items and also took inventory of everything. I ended up spending several hours down in the finished part of our basement and got it probably 75% cleaned up. The problem is I moved a lot of the items to the unfinished storage area which means I will be seeing in October (or sooner if I can keep up the pace). Kept the kitchen island clear which is a constant battle since it's our habit to use it as a landing zone for everything. Having a beer now before bed so I helped declutter the fridge a bit tonight as well.

Goals for tomorrow: Finish basement & continue to keep kitchen clean
Stretch Goal: Clean dining room & get DD to clean her room

[disneysteve]

I just accepted offers on 2 more ebay items, both from the same buyer. I'll get those packed up and ready to ship tomorrow.