Not quite a horder - decluttering
Comments
-
A girl at work wanted to stop dying her hair so she had silver highlights put in to blend in with the silver/gray roots growing in. It looks great and she uses this purple shampoo that gives it just the slightest purple color. I love it!
I don't mind taking things to thrift stores because I remember not having money to shop anywhere except thrift shops. I was so happy to find something nice.
0 -
Today I met a lady for lunch who is taking my Lenox china (as a gift) - and my BFF's Fostoria Crystal - both with gold rims. I had tried to sell, then put on consignment, then.... Nobody wants it (particularly kids) because it won't go in the dishwasher or the microwave. Well, maybe people with a maid might want it, but that's out of my league. Replacement's Inc. got to be WAY too much hassle. Anyway - this lady was thrilled to get it. I'm glad someone wants to use it. And I'm happy to have one more thing resolved & gone.
The goal is to get rid of most of the "stuff" so my son doesn't have to deal with it. In January I got rid of literally all the silver plate items - two pitchers, 4 trays, a number of bowls & serving pieces, etc. Again stuff that no one wants - not on consignment for sure. But I discovered that coin dealers or metal dealers are now buying these items to get the base metal under the silver plate. The money was not much, but it paid for my gas and lunch. And it's gone!!!
Wish I had a place to take clothes on consignment like Jazzy, but I haul them down to either the shop for the battered women's home or Dress for Success.
Chipping away a little at a time. How's everyone else doing?
0 -
Minus, I'm glad your china and crystal found a new home. I'm still sort of astounded how things have changed so much since when I was a teenager and was aware of how many brides-to-be signed up for china and silverware patterns or were thrilled to get ones handed down from their mom or grandmother. The same with dining room furniture and hutches. I saw a flyer on the post office bulletin board, someone trying to sell a solid oak hutch—for $650! I thought, good luck with that! You can barely give that kind of stuff away here. I live 90 minutes from Amish country and knew several people who, back in the day, bought the Amish made oak furniture for a pretty penny thinking probably they'd hand it down someday but now I wonder if they have anyone who wants it.
So far this year, I cleaned out the desk file drawer which was way overstuffed and something I'd hoped to get done last year. I pulled out all overflowing folders, about 8 of them, and color-coordinated the rest of the files that had gotten jumbled over the past few years: utility files in red, medical in yellow, insurance in blue, etc. Easier to navigate the drawer. I put the overflowing folders in the cupboard beside the desk as I've had to refer to a few things in them recently but am hoping by mid-year, I can stick them in a box in the storage room. I won't get rid of the paperwork for good just yet because you never know when it comes to old paperwork what is going to creep back up and you need some kind of proof of payment or something.
0 -
For years we saved all our checks from the bank. I think we only needed them once, but it was fun to read through and see how little we paid for rent, utilities, etc. Of course our pay checks were little too, so it was often hard to make ends meet. I think my first job as a secretary for the state of Texas was $200 a month, paid all at once. You could read job ads in the paper. If the job paid weekly, it was probably for people of color, if monthly meant for white people. This was in the 60's during the beginning of the civil rights era. It was interesting to decode this kind of thing since I was new to the state.
0 -
Minus--sounds like you are doing really well!Good for you!I need to do a bit of a reboot, myself.
Mrs. M--that is the trick with paper stuff, knowing what will be needed in the future for reference and what can be safely gotten rid of.
Wren--fascinating tidbit about the weekly vs monthly pay.
0 -
I am enjoying these updates. So inspiring.
I got rid of a bunch of shoes in January at a special shoe drive. Hoping they will do it again next year.
I am looking forward to having a fire in the backyard soon. We don’t have the newspaper delivered anymore so I will use old paperwork and utility bills. My husband saves every single paystub and 401k statement so I think I can burn some old paystubs and a few 401 k statements. The drawer is so full that I can’t reach the back of the drawer so some stuff has got to go.
0 -
Good morning ladies- I am glad to hear everyone is working away at de-cluttering!
I have made great progress the past few months on a lot of purging, things that have been thrown out, recycled, donated, taken to consignment. I am now working on some containers of misc paperwork right now, but they often have photos, and other things mixed in. I am creating a better storage process, where I have some things more handy in my home office I may need in a pinch vs. files I may need to store and keep paper work that need to be retained for the longer term. I am self employed and have some client contract requirements with projects I work on that require me to keep some things longer term. Fortunately, as more things have gone electronic, the amount of paperwork one must retain for tax audits, etc. can be found on line.
My consignment store has really changed up what they will take now, it used to be anything in the past five years (although I have taken even recently that are older, but still had tags on them, which they really want). I noticed their store is more empty with them getting pickier.
MinusTwo- so wonderful that you found someone to take the china. Giving away dishes (family or my own) turned out to be some of the hardest things to let go of. I found a good thrift shop to take my grandmothers china several years back. I recently gave away my first set of Dansk stonewear I bought for myself back in the 1980's and boy was that hard to let go of. Too many broken pieces with no chance to replace the missing items. I have some other dish sets and don't need all the extras and told myself having a nice complete set is a good thing and may get another full set of every day dishes in the future. But right now, like the extra space in one cabinet.
Wren- I have moved enough that I don't have some things from back in the day, but on occasion I find something that tells me what I used to pay. That is a really interesting observation about how people got paid based on color or race, wow. My dad used to work as an engineer for the phone company his entire career and got paid monthly. As a part time worker in the 1970s to 1980s while in school, I got paid weekly (min wage jobs) but thought when I went to work FT after college and grad school, I would be paid monthly. I was delighted to find out I would be paid bi-weekly in any regular FTE job. It is amazing how much we used to live on.....
BTW, if you have not gotten your real ID yet, the deadline is this October. As the date continued to delay, I delayed with it and to avoid having to renew my license mid way through a cycle (they offer 4 or 8 years here). As part of going through old stuff to find the required documents, I discovered that a) my passport had expired and b) I needed to get the copy of my SS card replaced. Got all that going last week. Just a reminder and if any of you have a license renewal coming up before that time and still need to have this real ID. Be sure you have the documents you need or get working to get them and check the timelines to get things updated, replaced, etc.
I got through a lot on the Jan de-cluttering calendar and now have a better plan and log to keep track of things so I know exactly when I did something vs. wondering "when did I last go through the garage, purge old paper work, etc." Sometimes I can label things (like when to change filters in the garage, etc.) but not everything can be labeled. I hope this new process will keep me more organized around here!
Happy purging ladies!
0 -
I'm going to renew my passport and use it for my real ID. With Canada so close, it seems like the better option. Plus, I might want to go to Mexico too.
0 -
I believe REAL ID is different in various states, but in Texas - the next time you renew your driver's license you take the proper documentation and the newly issued DL is REAL. It is designated by a big star on the front. There are no extra costs or fees. Only the hassle of taking in other required verifiable ID in addition to your old DL when your license expires and you renew. I did renew my passport, but I don't want to carry it around.
It's my understanding that you will need REAL ID to do lots of things besides traveling from airports - like going into any federal building.
0 -
Here they're charging about $80 for the real ID on top of the already expensive driver's license. It's a little more expensive to do the passport, but I think worth it. The only federal building I'm likely to enter is Social Security.
0 -
MinusTwo, I renewed mine right a few years ago righton the cusp when they were already requiring the documents but not putting the star on the DL. Now the lines are ridiculous to go get a replacement. Really gripes me. I remember getting and taking my certified copy of birth certificate, etc
0 -
I renewed my DL recently and got the REAL ID. They charged me the same amount as they did for the regular drivers license 10 years ago but the Real ID expires in exactly 8 years rather than 10 years on my birthday. So essentially they did raise the price.
As for saving old documents, I think the old check registers are fascinating to see how much costs have increased in just 30 years. I also have information on the places we used to live. Brings back memories of simpler times and f
0 -
Hi ladies- I hope everyone is safe and well at home. All is well here in New Mexico. Been continuing to declutter and do a deep dive into my closets to purge. Here is something I am trying to embrace:
0 -
Jazzy, I know some people switch out seasonal clothing, but a lot of my clothes I wear at least three seasons out of the year. There are many Ohio weather jokes about it being 75 degrees one day and 35 the next, so a versatile wardrobe is the most practical here.
My closet has the two slide doors, and clothes I currently wear according to the weather I access from the left door. As the seasons change, I gradually swap out left to right. Nice and simple. No need to take things out of dresser drawers either. Jeans in one drawer, shorts in another. All shirts hang in the closet. Instead of sweaters I wear short-sleeve tops with lightweight jackets.
When ds was growing up, our clean clothes often stayed in the laundry basket, we were too busy to put them away. I think many families are similar.
Lots of people are busy deep cleaning their houses since they're on stay at home orders due to COVID19. But I've already done all that heavy duty cleaning!
0 -
The problem with decluttering right now is the lack of places to donate. It's dangerous to get it all sorted and continue to leave it in the house. I think places are going to be overwhelmed when this is over. The Goodwill close to my house often has a 5 block line waiting to get in to donate. They can do 2-4 cars at a time and the process is very streamlined and there is still a long line.
0 -
This was interesting reading! I have just moved house and am hoping to donate a number of things when I have time to sort them. At this stage, I think most donation shops are still open (apart from during Easter) and not too busy and I hope it stays that way.
0 -
About donating, nothing open here either. I was also thinking when they open, will they be wanting to take things? What will be the protocols, given there are worries about things lingering on surfaces (including clothing). I will call my fav place when they open and also check with the Big Bros/Sister truck that is near my house. So many not for profits really depend on the sales of donations to survive.....
My big purge right now is with the paper stuff. Putting a lot of things into regular city recycling that gets picked up weekly. I will hold my shredding for a bit though, although Staples is open. Just trying to not go to places unless it's absolutely necessary. We are asked to stay home for the most part until May 1st.
0 -
Two of the major places here have already said they will have all new rules for accepting things once we get sort of back to normal. As Jazzy says, there are lots of questions about virus/germs lingering on surfaces.
0 -
Since places are not accepting donations, I have been making burn piles it's very freeing.
0 -
Fairydog- boy that burning party sounds like fun. I don't have the right type of property for that, but have burned things before from the past and it is very freeing! You go girl!
My consignment shop just started taking items last week and brought in a few summer dresses and some sandals I decided I don't wear and would like to recycle. They are not too busy yet, wore my mask and it felt safe. The store was pretty empty of stuff as they have been selling on line since they closed the stores, so happy to bring some of my more current items.
Some places now just starting to open up for donations, many of the retail stores that go with these groups are not yet open. Having been in a few of them, I know they are crammed with stuff and it's hard to move around them so socially distancing will be hard. Not interested in buying as much a I am with unloading. Thrift stores are going to have some really good stuff this spring and summer though.
Here is NM, we are opening up very slowly and carefully. Our Gov is data driven with her decisions.
0 -
I have been working on and off on my wee apartment as it is very tiny and not much storage figured out yet. I downsized from a three story condo when my mother passed from lung cancer in 2019 and 2019 was mostly about establishing myself in this wee apartment. It may be about 400 to 500 sq ft though fortunately it has separate rooms. Small living room, wee kitchen and bathroom and bedroom. The plus side is vacuuming, dusting and dry mopping take a wopping 5 to 10 mins. I purged a lot of stuff but also have stuff I am still working on.
This year for me will be about getting more storage. I will say I was able to get a tiny fold up treadmill which takes very little floor space. I have a twin tub portable washer that lives in the bathtub until I need a shower, separate larger panda spinner when it is time to wash blankets and a tiny tumble dryer that also functions as a night table. Love doing laundry in the house. I am just going to keep removing things I don't want little by little. The size of the apartment is good for me and the rent is good, includes electric and the building is located in a nice area of town as well. Looking forward to frequenting this thread and hearing how all of you handle the decluttering as well. I just found this today and I have been here 5 years on BCO
0 -
Welcome Mara. I'm impressed that you've managed to fit your things into a much smaller place. It gives me hope that we'll be able to do the same.
We are trying to downsize our belongings so we can move to a place all on one story. I fell in our basement the end of June and am using a walker to get around. Our bedroom is upstairs and the bathroom is down, so it's a real chore going up and down the stairs. Unfortunately we've been here over 30 years so have not gotten rid of stuff like we would have before. Now it's a real uphill battle.
0 -
Wrenn - wow, 30 years in the Northwest. I know you moved up there from somewhere in Texas, but I also know a ton of stuff seems to accumulate in 10 years, let alone 30. And I've been here in this same house for 45 years now.
Most of our charities are accepting donations again. I've finally determined that I'm really not going back to work in a "coat & tie" office again. You'd think I'd have figured that out by now since my post retirement job was from 2008 through 2012 and I haven't worked in an office since, but I kept thinking - maybe... I took 12 jackets/blazers & 12 pair of dress shoes along with assorted tops to the women's shop that supports battered women's home. I'm still having a hell of a time with old papers & letters & diaries. Just can't seem to part with them.
Edited to say - Mara, welcome. I occasionally follow your posts on other threads and think you've done an amazing job of downsizing.
0 -
Well, DH is on a roll packing his stuff as we want to be in our cabin by Halloween. I’ve seen how he throws random stuff in a box, so I’m sure I don’t approve but at least he’s labeling them. If I interfere, it will take longer, so I’m letting it go. I’ve been packing my stuff little by little for almost a year, I could be out in a week. Lots of donations and some furniture to sell but it’s progress.
0 -
Mara--your little apartment sound so cozy and functional! I can't imagine downsizing from a 3 story condo to a small apartment, good job, you! The decluttering seems to be an ongoing process, at least for me. Finding things that can do double duty is great. My big challenge is letting go of anything I don't use but "might need someday". The idea of only needing 10 minutes to dust and vacuums sounds wonderful!
Wren--oh, my, 30 years of history to sort through, what a big job that must feel like. Single level living will have some distinct advantages. Keep plugging away at it!
Minus--what a blessing your office attire will be to so many women! I can see where papers, letters and diaries would be hard to part with. Is there an Historical Society in the area that might welcome those items? It might be easier to part with them if they will be on display, or at least safely stored.
Illi--you sound wise to be letting DH do his thing his way. At least he is labeling the boxes, that will be some help. Halloween really isn't that far away!
0 -
We have a spare room as a staging area, which is working but also shows the contrast in our packing styles, lol
0 -
Mae - I had a good chuckle looking at your two corners. But on my - are you going to totally pull up stakes and make the cabin your homestead? I was thinking it was only a 'get-away' place.
NM - most of the "papers" are boxes & boxes of personal letters from the days when people actually wrote with pen & paper & stamps. I have correspondence from three friends going back to 1960 when we averaged one letter a week. Fun to read through, but not fair to expose to anyone but the sender & the receiver w/o permission. Unfortunately one sender is deceased and after a quick review I certainly can't send these letters to the grown children, although the daughter would love them. The letters are 'brutally' open & honest. Another is on his third marriage and has requested that I don't return the letters since he doesn't want wife #3 to read them. And the third friend wants to re-read them but has worsening dementia. So although there are lots of interesting snippets through the years, they would have to be too heavily censored for grown kids to read, and I can't face that. And then there are the letters from my Mother, who often wrote 2 or 3 times a week. Luckily I didn't save many of those. I really just need to re-read everything and shred, but it's hard to let go when there are so few people left who remember "me".
0 -
Minus, yup! Selling the house and moving to the mountain, I’ll handle the greenhouse and DH will tinker in his garage. I’ll also have a she-shed beach bar (super excited to get that built) and we’ll be back every few months for scans and to see friends. I’m a more solitary creature by nature and although this is mostly DH’s idea, it’ll be interesting to see how he handles it. He’s much more extroverted and get itchy for travel but has handled this quarantine better than I expected.
I’m really looking forward to the views, garden and absence of any significant bills. Can you blame me?
0 -
Gorgeous. You can count on me to visit your beach bar when you need company. Once this virus dies down I have to go see my niece & kids by San Antonio, so I'll just make a trek.
0 -
minus, we’ll absolutely be welcoming visitors once we’re settled but full disclosure, it’s almost to El Paso, an hour south of I-10, 30 mins outside of town and 45 mins up the mountain on dirt roads but far from virus concerns 🙂
I’ll definitely keep you posted and of course, I’ll be here often, might have to join the gardening thread too.
0
