2013 Destash- this is the year!

[delmar411]

I finally got DH to load up his car with the goodwill donations. Now to get him to drop them off!

There is still a ton of stuff that has no home here so we are going to have to deal with it.

 

[DisMomme]

DS(18) went off to college last week. I resisted the urge to buy him all new things for his room. He brought some things from here to furnish his room. I asked him to clean his room before moving and although it is not completely done , he did fill up 3 recycling bins with paper and plastic bottles. Now I need to go in there and sanitize the whole room

I need to find a better way of dealing with junk mail too. Any ideas? I have a shredder in the kitchen so as we come in we can shred any junk mail. DH doesn't like to shred anything that can just be recycled so I have a small box beside the shredder for paper recycling. It sounds like a system that should work, but... The clutter just keeps spreading into the rest of the house.

School started here last week also, so I can bring my supplies back into my classroom. That will help clear things out too. I should find a better place to store those over the summer.

 

[delmar411]

DS(18) went off to college last week. I resisted the urge to buy him all new things for his room. He brought some things from here to furnish his room. I asked him to clean his room before moving and although it is not completely done , he did fill up 3 recycling bins with paper and plastic bottles. Now I need to go in there and sanitize the whole room

I need to find a better way of dealing with junk mail too. Any ideas? I have a shredder in the kitchen so as we come in we can shred any junk mail. DH doesn't like to shred anything that can just be recycled so I have a small box beside the shredder for paper recycling. It sounds like a system that should work, but... The clutter just keeps spreading into the rest of the house.

School started here last week also, so I can bring my supplies back into my classroom. That will help clear things out too. I should find a better place to store those over the summer.

We have a touch once rule for the mail. Junk mail hits the garbage can (we don't shred things) and bills get put on my desk until they are paid online and then I mark it paid and toss it. Anything that can be sent online or kept online, I chose that option. So we only get personal mail,junk mail and utility bills in the mail.

Maybe look at what is creeping into the house to see why that happens. If it is just garbage, maybe put a small can by the front door and toss it as you enter. If it is stuff you want to look at, then maybe setup a small bin by the front door and mark a reminder in your phone/calendar to look at it once a week and if you haven't looked at it in that timeframe then you really aren't going to so it's just trash. If it is items that do have a home then take them and put it in the right place the first time.

It's hard to get into this habit and its taken years for me to finally just deal with things immediately, even now something slips by me and gets forgotten or migrates into the house but things are much better than they were.

 

[yeahdisney]

The basement is the playroom for the kids at least twice a year we try to go through it take everything off the floor so I can vacuum ( tons of Legos). We went thru it right before school started. We regained the ping pong table and the air hockey table, and the floor. DD sold some doll houses.
We destatshed DS clostet and drawers. DS wasn't interested in selling his clothes at a garage sale. DD asked if she could, she sold stuff from everywhere thru the house at made $417.
DD has this year decided to shower every morning before school, we moved her into the bathroom that usually only DS used. From the drawers we removed one tub of new toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste. Removed Another tub of soaps and shampoos from disney. Threw away everything else that was not needed. Stocked her stuff in.
After school started DS allergies where acting up, we took everything out from under his bed, he moved it to the basement, looks like I will need to find a home for it down there.
This week I hope to repaint the basement walls, I hoping to made it a hangout place for the kids friends. Hoping if I type it, I will get it done.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My DD13 went through the 4 bins on the shelf of her closet this weekend and gave me a bin full of items to donate.

I went through them all (some toys and clothes) and most were good to donate so I dropped those off today, the rest were trash so I got rid of them.

I was proud of her for jumping on the Destashing wagon.

Especially since I didn't do anything this weekend other than getting ready for leaving for Disney tomorrow with things like the grocery stop for the family who aren't going, laundry, packing my bag, ect...

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I finally got DH to go through his entire wardrobe!!!
The goodwill stuff is as follows:
Mens shoes - 2 pair
ties - 15
dress shirts - 17
suit - 1
T-shirts - 12
pants - 7
shorts - 3
sweatshirts - 2

Womens shoes - 2 pair
shorts - 1
tops - 2
coat - 1
pants - 3

reusable shopping bags - 4
belts - 3
books - 14

Kids clothes - 37 pieces
DS17's coats - 2

There is more random stuff to be added to the list, but the above is cataloged for taxes, bagged and in my car for drop off tomorrow.

We also tossed 2 trash bags full of clothes that were trashed.

I also squared away the front hall closet and got the kids skateboards out of my craft room and into the closet. I just need to get DH to help me go through his coats (14 of them ) and help me get hangers up for the skateboards (they are the floor in the closet for now)

 

[dreamin_disney]

I finally got DH to go through his entire wardrobe!!!
The goodwill stuff is as follows:
Mens shoes - 2 pair
ties - 15
dress shirts - 17
suit - 1
T-shirts - 12
pants - 7
shorts - 3
sweatshirts - 2

Womens shoes - 2 pair
shorts - 1
tops - 2
coat - 1
pants - 3

reusable shopping bags - 4
belts - 3
books - 14

Kids clothes - 37 pieces
DS17's coats - 2

There is more random stuff to be added to the list, but the above is cataloged for taxes, bagged and in my car for drop off tomorrow.

We also tossed 2 trash bags full of clothes that were trashed.

I also squared away the front hall closet and got the kids skateboards out of my craft room and into the closet. I just need to get DH to help me go through his coats (14 of them ) and help me get hangers up for the skateboards (they are the floor in the closet for now)

your doing awesome. I havent had to much time to go through things like I had planned. I'm still going through dd's clothes sorting by size so i can sale. My spare room is more organized since putting a mini folding table in there to organize dd's clothes. My garage is looking putting bad. Hopefully once weather cools down I can go through and get rid of some items.

DD started high school and it just seems like I go drop her off at school, go to work, pick her up, come home, make dinner, eat, go to bed-lol! Time is flying by so fast. Next 3 weekend are booked with a bday party, and dd volunteering for avid. I need one full weekend just to sleep and re energize!!!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

your doing awesome. I havent had to much time to go through things like I had planned. I'm still going through dd's clothes sorting by size so i can sale. My spare room is more organized since putting a mini folding table in there to organize dd's clothes. My garage is looking putting bad. Hopefully once weather cools down I can go through and get rid of some items.

DD started high school and it just seems like I go drop her off at school, go to work, pick her up, come home, make dinner, eat, go to bed-lol! Time is flying by so fast. Next 3 weekend are booked with a bday party, and dd volunteering for avid. I need one full weekend just to sleep and re energize!!!

I hear you! DH took 5 days off and this was all he got accomplished.
I intended to do more this week but I have 2 kids down with serious colds, one in the middle of Cross Country season (all weekend are taken up by races) and we had a 100 year old maple tree cut down by the DOT last week. I need to have that cut up and removed from the road before Tuesday or DOT will come back and take it. I'm like heck no!! 1 cord of wood is $180 and I have about 5 cord sitting out there waiting for me. We moved what the kids and I could do ourselves and DH is cutting the rest this weekend.
Then I can cut a little every day so it can be stacked and dried for next season.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I have a lot of family drama on my side of the family that has been stressing me out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been so exhausted with the drama, work , my blood pressure/sugar and dd's busy schedule. Well tonight I finally got a burst of energy and it was my way of keeping my mind busy so I cleaned my bedroom and had dd clean hers. I almost fell twice over dh's junk baskets! I realize that I need to seriously get back on the declutter wagon.

I got rid of
-1 bag of trash
-1 grocery bag of water bottles
-pair of shoes
-1 purse

I've lost about 10 lbs and I hope to lose more especially now since I'm healthy eating to now being diabetic :/ Hopefully I can lose more weight like 30-40lbs so I can get off meds. If that happens I'm going to get rid of all my bigger size clothes!!

I told hubby that I would like to get new flooring in the rooms in March. I have some vacation time so I can box things up to move out of the rooms. I'm dreading having to move everything out of 3 bedrooms

In order to do that I need to declutter the garage so we can store the bedroom furniture in there. I've told dd that everything need to come out of her room so she better start going through her things or I will.

I found some new items i bought for xmas gifts but never gave away so I'm going to get rid of those items this year. Plus I have a bag of Halloween goodies I bought last year on clearance. I will make goodie bags to give out to co-workers and some for dd to give to her teachers and friends.I also rolled up our change and will deposit the $128.50 I didnt realize we had that much! It will go to vacvation fund. Any thing we sell from decluttering will also go to vacation fund.

I have so much I want to do but where do I start-lol!

 

[dpswift]

Unfortunately when you have a lot to do it is hard to get motivated. I try to think positively each time I get rid of something no matter how small it might be. When I have a day off I am always disappointed because I never get as much done as I would like.

Yesterday I got rid of 4 old work shirts, and I cleaned out DS 11 dresser. DD 20 went through her clothes as well. Between her and her brother we have a big bin of clothes that she is going to take to consignment shops this week. If they do not take them she can drop them off at the Rescue Mission.

 

[dsneprincess]

Unfortunately when you have a lot to do it is hard to get motivated. I try to think positively each time I get rid of something no matter how small it might be. When I have a day off I am always disappointed because I never get as much done as I would like.

Yesterday I got rid of 4 old work shirts, and I cleaned out DS 11 dresser. DD 20 went through her clothes as well. Between her and her brother we have a big bin of clothes that she is going to take to consignment shops this week. If they do not take them she can drop them off at the Rescue Mission.

I hear you. I have a ton to get rid of from my house. I started off the year great, summer was pretty much a dud, and now I am trying hard to climb back on the declutter wagon. (I'm pretty sure it is trying to run me over!) I am trying to remember that every little bit helps and am fighting the sentimental helpless feelings and getting rid of what I can part with. I have removed over 50 stuffed animals this year and no one misses them. I have started a box of unopened toys for Toys for Tots and I have 3 bags catalogued and ready to take to Salvation Army. I have another laundry basket to be catalogued and then actually need to take the bags there. Does my house look better, you ask? Umm, not really because my toddler pulled out much more than I did at a greater speed. I know I ever little bit helps, but I would REALLY like to see a difference for once. I also always think I will get x, y, and z done and usually don't even get to w but I am trying to keep a positive attitude. This thread and keeping a journal helped me in the spring, so I am going to start doing both those things again!

Good luck! We are all not alone! Apparently, not many peoples homes look like what you see on HGTV daily! We just need to remember that and cheer each other on!

 

[dpswift]

I hear you. I have a ton to get rid of from my house. I started off the year great, summer was pretty much a dud, and now I am trying hard to climb back on the declutter wagon. (I'm pretty sure it is trying to run me over!) I am trying to remember that every little bit helps and am fighting the sentimental helpless feelings and getting rid of what I can part with. I have removed over 50 stuffed animals this year and no one misses them. I have started a box of unopened toys for Toys for Tots and I have 3 bags catalogued and ready to take to Salvation Army. I have another laundry basket to be catalogued and then actually need to take the bags there. Does my house look better, you ask? Umm, not really because my toddler pulled out much more than I did at a greater speed. I know I ever little bit helps, but I would REALLY like to see a difference for once. I also always think I will get x, y, and z done and usually don't even get to w but I am trying to keep a positive attitude. This thread and keeping a journal helped me in the spring, so I am going to start doing both those things again!

Good luck! We are all not alone! Apparently, not many peoples homes look like what you see on HGTV daily! We just need to remember that and cheer each other on!

Wow you got a lot out. Going through kids things are the worst for parents because with each item you either remember how much they loved it when they got it or how much it cost. I had thought that I had gotten rid of most of our stuffed animals until we got a dog and he keeps finding them.

As kids get older and you are less emotional it gets easier. I was down to one box of old baby clothes and I went through it with DD18 and I was able to get rid of most of it.

I did not get anything done yesterday because I thought I was working a half day and it turned out to be a full day.

 

[ilovepete]

We are still going here. Yesterday we got rid of a big item, a couch! Happy about that one. I'm also consolidating a lot of things so that they take up less room (like photos). I've sold a lot of other things as well - kids toys, clothes, household things. I can't believe we still have things to get rid of, but I am still finding stuff!

 

[dreamin_disney]

I just finished decorating my front livingroom window and fireplace with Halloween decorations. I still have the den window and and the front of the house. Theres a few Halloween items that I will be getting rid of once the holiday is over.

I got about 5 boxes from work and I plan on filling those with clothes to get rid of.

Tonight I'm on a decluttering kick and finally got dh to clear his junk off the den entertainment center and to clear all his plastic recyclable water bottles and powerade bottles off my dinningroom floor-lol!

I just realized that in two months we will have people over for parties and I really need to get started on my gararge incase the weather is cold we can have the kids/teens play fooseball and hang out in the garage.

I keep telling dh the sooner we do it the sooner he can fix it up with his sports stuff but he's not motivated as long as he gets to sit on his recyliner her ion the den-lol!

DD has been working on her room and it looks great oneday then the next it looks like a disaster!!! The other day we went to Hollister and she bought
2 pairs of jeans
2 tank tops
2 tops
2 pairs of short
1 zip up hoodie
all for $75 I made her pay $22 towards the cost. We got home and her room was a mess ! I told her she doesnt get to have any of the new clothes until her room is clean. She got rid of another bag of stuff.

I need to get motivated to get on the ball! Everytime i hot the garage door opener and my gararge opens i just hate seeing onside of the garage full of stuff. I feel like hoarder just enough space to pull my car in-lol!

I think i will have to make a list and work on things in sections


btw-
-one large bag of plastic bottles
-1 bag of dd's clothes
-1 medium bag of junk
will be leaving the house tomorrrow

 

[rmom50]

so..... are you sayin some of you can get a car in your garage?

 

[SleepyatDVC]

I need to declutter too!!!!

I have bags and bags of clothes ready to donate. Should I call for a pickup from one of those companies thatsony they are a "charity," drop off at the nearest clothes drop box, or drive to a Goodwill?


Thanks for the advice.

 

[dpswift]

I need to declutter too!!!!

I have bags and bags of clothes ready to donate. Should I call for a pickup from one of those companies thatsony they are a "charity," drop off at the nearest clothes drop box, or drive to a Goodwill?


Thanks for the advice.

I would drive to Goodwill if you are planning on using it as a donation otherwise I would drop it off at the closest place. You have to get the stuff out while you are motivated.

Once again I just had 2 days off and did not get much done. On Mondays I have been able to find one or two bigger items that will fit in the trash and throwing them out. We have a big box in the basement that I am going to fill with things to get rid of also.

 

[Eastern]

I read this thread when I need motivation. Decluttering never ends; it can be depressing. You just have to remember to do a little every day. I usually tell myself '5 items per day' to declutter, even if it's just 5 shopping bags! It's doable, and it adds up over time.

 

[dpswift]

I read this thread when I need motivation. Decluttering never ends; it can be depressing. You just have to remember to do a little every day. I usually tell myself '5 items per day' to declutter, even if it's just 5 shopping bags! It's doable, and it adds up over time.

That is what I try to do. I know over time it adds up but right now it does not feel that why. I guess I should think about all the bags, papers and toothbrushes I would have if I did not this. I wish I could get my family onboard.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I made a small list to get me started.
Thank goodness for the boxes I asked for at work. I got 5 boxes with lids and I asked the maintance man to save me some more. I bet thhe was curious why I need so many boxes-lol!

1.Organize dd's clothes by size and box the clothes after I take pics for Craigs List

2. Go through dd's purses and bags, take pics and upload to CL

3. Go through dd's shoes and box after taking pics.

She gave me several bags of get rid of stuff. I find it easier to organize stuff by size and keep it in all in a box with a label with the size on it.
example: all smalls, mediums , pants by size etc
.Then i stack the boxes under my folding table that I have set up in my spare room.

I also reposted some of my old craigs listings. I hope to get rid of an old baby swing, 2 car seats and a bouncer, really nice fake tree and a glider and ottoman . If I can get rid of those then it will open up a lot of space. I would love to get rid of fooseball table but not sure if dh will sell it. its not like we even use it, expcept for putting junk on it-lol!