2014 - destash thread The Year of the Great Purge

[OhMari]

Had a charity pickup last week and I am still finding stuff, so whatever charity calls next is going to get a pretty decent-sized load. The kids are off school starting on Thursday and we are going to tackle the basement together. My big kids are outgrowing the need for a playroom, but my little guy still has quite a bit of stuff, so we are going to try to rearrange things down there so there is one spot for the bigger ones to hang out and watch TV, and a different dedicated place for my youngest's toys. Right now everything is all mixed together and they annoy each other by getting in the way when one wants to watch a movie and the other one wants to play. I have 3 dress-up bins overflowing with clothes and my daughter is 10 now and hardly touches it so I will have her go through and see what she can part with. We really only use that stuff when they have to dress up for something for school so it can get pared down. My youngest son only dresses in his superhero stuff, so the fireman, policeman, etc costumes can probably go. I am going to check with the preschool to see if one of the teachers there wants it.

OhMari, hope you are feeling better today. The stomach flu is the worst!

I think I over did it today, the pain sort of came back, blah.

It is hard when you have to arrange a room from a toy room to more age appropriate, just wait till you have to take the swing set down, ( if you have one).

I am tackling and cleaning my kitchen again, I found 4 tiny bullets in the junk drawer. I called my dd immediately and she said she bought them with her dad, my dh, to kill a woodchuck. I told her you can't kill woodchucks, they are endangered. She then told me that is why the bullets were in the drawer, they looked it up after they bought the bullets. Are you baffled yet? I am. I put the bullets in a clear bag and put them in our safety box. Shame on both of them.

 

[dpswift]

I think I over did it today, the pain sort of came back, blah.

It is hard when you have to arrange a room from a toy room to more age appropriate, just wait till you have to take the swing set down, ( if you have one).

I am tackling and cleaning my kitchen again, I found 4 tiny bullets in the junk drawer. I called my dd immediately and she said she bought them with her dad, my dh, to kill a woodchuck. I told her you can't kill woodchucks, they are endangered. She then told me that is why the bullets were in the drawer, they looked it up after they bought the bullets. Are you baffled yet? I am. I put the bullets in a clear bag and put them in our safety box. Shame on both of them.

Keep feeling better. All I did today was shread 2 bags of mail looking for something for DS 26. I was surprised after dinner that DH has no plans to take down the swingset. As far as the woodchucks go one of my dogs would be in big trouble if that was enforced around here. I have no idea why they stay in our yard with 2 dogs going after them constantly.

 

[dreamin_disney]

sold a pair of dd's dressy shoes for $4. These were 5 years old that she only wore once for a wedding when she was 10 and shoes are in excellent condition! The lady that bought the shoes for her DD needed the shoes for a wedding-lol! She had her SIL meet me to pick up the shoes and emailed me saying the shoes were great and I was a lifesaver. When she fist responded to my CL ad she said she was in desperate need of a nice pair of shoes for a wedding. It's motivated me to post a few more things . Yes the stuff is old but in excellent condition because some stuff was boxed up. I might even post dd's flower girls/communion dress.

This is my last week of work so next week I will be posting a lot on CL

 

[dpswift]

I forget to mention in my post last night that I have a bag of old unmarked videos and a backpack ready for the trash. DD21 went through her clothes and has a big bag ready for DD 19 to look through. She may keep a few items but the rest are out.

 

[scottmel]

I just loving reading all this stuff!!!! I posted earlier that I listed a harry potter game on ebay after not being able to sell it for 2.00 at my garage sale....final sale on ebay 60!!!!! Now how sweet is that?

I feel like there is nothing left here to sell! I have sold video games to amazon and cd sets to them as well. I run aound with my scanner app on the iphone and it is like finding treasure when I see the price on ebay or amazon buy back.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I just loving reading all this stuff!!!! I posted earlier that I listed a harry potter game on ebay after not being able to sell it for 2.00 at my garage sale....final sale on ebay 60!!!!! Now how sweet is that? I feel like there is nothing left here to sell! I have sold video games to amazon and cd sets to them as well. I run aound with my scanner app on the iphone and it is like finding treasure when I see the price on ebay or amazon buy back.

Scanner app ?? Please do tell
We have VHS movies, kids books to sell so I'm curious of this app u mention

 

[4 Ears]

to last 2 posts above.

 

[thebeesknees]

I just loving reading all this stuff!!!! I posted earlier that I listed a harry potter game on ebay after not being able to sell it for 2.00 at my garage sale....final sale on ebay 60!!!!! Now how sweet is that?

That's awesome! Congrats!

 

[OhMari]

to last 2 posts above.

I have an IPhone I too want to know what you are doing. Please come back and post Scottmel.

 

[sarahk0204]

$15.75 at the cleaners and 1 box of clothes to the thrift store. Started another box for next week.

Picked up the dry cleaning. Took 2 boxes to the thrift store, and Dad is getting his dress clothes back today.

 

[4 Ears]

Having to dig deep now a days to find stuff to destash but I managed to come up with about 20 small items. More craft/sewing items. I just don't do much of it any more so the supplies just sit there. Last 2 pieces of material are out the door and on the way to a friend whom is most excited to receive it.

The one room I have a hard time "getting into" is the kitchen. I know have some bakeware that I have never used or only once but that stuff is expensive...

What are you coming up with?

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Do you ever get to the point that you are mentally motivated as all get out to sort, purge, organize etc. but physically just can't make yourself do it?!?!?

This is where I am at. I am so tired of stuff. But I have sorted as much of my stuff as I can. DH and the kids need to go through their stuff now. I can get the kids on board after school is out, 18 school days and counting, but getting DH to do anything is like pulling teeth. I try not to pester him to much because he does drive 117 miles to work every day, but come on. Sort 1 bin/box/tote/drawer. Something!! Anything!!!

They all talk about wanting to move somewhere warmer, bigger, more populated, etc but I can not put the house on the market looking like this.

OK, sorry for the vent. I'm having a pity party today.

 

[dpswift]

Do you ever get to the point that you are mentally motivated as all get out to sort, purge, organize etc. but physically just can't make yourself do it?!?!?

This is where I am at. I am so tired of stuff. But I have sorted as much of my stuff as I can. DH and the kids need to go through their stuff now. I can get the kids on board after school is out, 18 school days and counting, but getting DH to do anything is like pulling teeth. I try not to pester him to much because he does drive 117 miles to work every day, but come on. Sort 1 bin/box/tote/drawer. Something!! Anything!!!

They all talk about wanting to move somewhere warmer, bigger, more populated, etc but I can not put the house on the market looking like this.

OK, sorry for the vent. I'm having a pity party today.

I know exactly how you feel. I have had to work almost every weekend this year. On the few occasions that I have been home DH has gone out with the boyscouts with DS. So I have been getting very little done. I have tried but need to be motivated.

I am hoping to have a garage sale next weekend and I took the weekend off. I think that if I can at least get rid of some of the bigger things I will have more motivation to sort. I have seen several things in the shed that can go and I have things in the house in mind.

Maybe when your kids get out of school you can get them motivated by offering them some kind of reward for helping? I have also found when they get to be in their early 20s they want to destash on their own.

 

[scottmel]

Scanner app ?? Please do tell
We have VHS movies, kids books to sell so I'm curious of this app u mention

REd Laser and Shop Savvy apps. Download onto your phone. Scan bar code of item and will tell you where it is sold online and around your area. This gives you a hint if item has any value. then scan on Amazon...then scan on ebay....

 

[StephMK]

I think I over did it today, the pain sort of came back, blah.

Hope you are feeling better!

sold a pair of dd's dressy shoes for $4. These were 5 years old that she only wore once for a wedding when she was 10 and shoes are in excellent condition! The lady that bought the shoes for her DD needed the shoes for a wedding-lol! She had her SIL meet me to pick up the shoes and emailed me saying the shoes were great and I was a lifesaver. When she fist responded to my CL ad she said she was in desperate need of a nice pair of shoes for a wedding. It's motivated me to post a few more things . Yes the stuff is old but in excellent condition because some stuff was boxed up. I might even post dd's flower girls/communion dress.

This is my last week of work so next week I will be posting a lot on CL

Congrats! You're inspiring me to get some stuff listed.

Picked up the dry cleaning. Took 2 boxes to the thrift store, and Dad is getting his dress clothes back today.

Way to go!

Having to dig deep now a days to find stuff to destash but I managed to come up with about 20 small items. More craft/sewing items. I just don't do much of it any more so the supplies just sit there. Last 2 pieces of material are out the door and on the way to a friend whom is most excited to receive it.

The one room I have a hard time "getting into" is the kitchen. I know have some bakeware that I have never used or only once but that stuff is expensive...

What are you coming up with?

Now that we are out for summer, hoping to tackle the basement and all the old kid toys.

Do you ever get to the point that you are mentally motivated as all get out to sort, purge, organize etc. but physically just can't make yourself do it?!?!?

OK, sorry for the vent. I'm having a pity party today.

Vent away! I feel like that today, mentally really want it finished but just don't want to do the work to finish any projects.

REd Laser and Shop Savvy apps. Download onto your phone. Scan bar code of item and will tell you where it is sold online and around your area. This gives you a hint if item has any value. then scan on Amazon...then scan on ebay....

Great, thanks for sharing - sounds perfect for decluttering help!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

At this point I am taking other tasks off my list.
Today I got DS17's boutonniere and the corsage for his girlfriend done. Prom is tomorrow.
Last night I ordered the decor for Class Night. That will be here the 6th.

I think I will sort something in the craft room. I have pretty much decided I want all that stuff gone.

 

[dpswift]

Yesterday DS 22 went through his clothes and got rid of some. I went through 3 bins quickly and got it down to 1 to keep. I also filled half of a large box with things to go.

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

I have been trying to purge over here. I read to throw out one thing for everyday of the month. ie 1st one thing. the 31st 31 things. I only managed to get rid of 114 items. Fell way short of my goal. DH is driving me crazy. Tried to go into shed today filled to the brim with work tools. Filled like not even being able to walk in makes me wonder did he throw it in. Then I go into playhouse same thing. Work crap. Then wander upstairs to our junk room. I worked hard all winter cleaning it out. Set up my nordic track (yard sale purchase) for my family to burry it again.http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/confused24.gif I am desperate to declutter. I had done well last year. Vets received over 30 pickups with 3 to 8 bags each. How do you all keep going if your family sabotages your efforts? Am I alone in this issue? If not what have you found successful to get family on board? I have two midteens and one hubby who is blind to mess.

 

[dpswift]

I have been trying to purge over here. I read to throw out one thing for everyday of the month. ie 1st one thing. the 31st 31 things. I only managed to get rid of 114 items. Fell way short of my goal. DH is driving me crazy. Tried to go into shed today filled to the brim with work tools. Filled like not even being able to walk in makes me wonder did he throw it in. Then I go into playhouse same thing. Work crap. Then wander upstairs to our junk room. I worked hard all winter cleaning it out. Set up my nordic track (yard sale purchase) for my family to burry it again.http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/confused24.gif I am desperate to declutter. I had done well last year. Vets received over 30 pickups with 3 to 8 bags each. How do you all keep going if your family sabotages your efforts? Am I alone in this issue? If not what have you found successful to get family on board? I have two midteens and one hubby who is blind to mess.

I am in the same boat. It is made more difficult because we all work different schedules. The one positive that I have noticed is that around age 20 the kids seem to want to purge. Suddenly everything that had been important is suddenly ok to go. Do your teens have anything worth selling? DS 22 has always been willing to get rid of his video games towards credit for new ones.

DH is tough. He remembers every item he has ever owned. Right down to an old cardboard box that he used to paint pinewood derby cars in. Yesterday I went though a bin of kitchen items from 5 years ago when we redid our kitchen and he agreed to get rid of the coffee mugs from all of the places he used to work.

If you are doing well with your day of the month thing great. However I have found it easier to get rid of say 10 things a day or a grocery bag full each day. If I stay motivated great and I do more. But if I worked a ten hour day and came home to expect myself to throw away 31 items I would be overwhelmed.

Another idea to get your teens motivated would be some type of reward. Say a dinner out for a certain amount of bags gone. Having too much clutter is expensive you have to keep buying the same things.

 

[fofinia]

I went looking for some specific items in my son's closet and found an box of dress up clothes. I went through it and found old hardened up playdough, old notebook, broken jewelry, backpack. Found enough to fill 1/2 a trash bag. Doesn't feel like it made a huge difference but at least I know what's in that box now! Have a ton of baby clothes to get rid of. That's next!

Oh yea! And two weeks ago I nagged Hubby enough to get rid of an old washer and dishwasher that have been sitting in our basement! One more old appliance to go out of the basement (and the crib).