2014 - destash thread The Year of the Great Purge

[Ephany]

The summer hasn't been as productive as I had hoped. I had licensing exams scattered throughout June, so studying was my focus. Thankfully that's finished; DD is off at camp so it's just motivating DH to help move the big stuff and I'm slowly working my way through the rest. It's really HOT by 10-11am, so I have get him moving before we turn into puddles working in the garage.

We donated our old washer/dryer set to Habitat for Humanity today. They worked, but have been taking space in the garage for far too long. Also managed to fill up my car with random items for Goodwill last week, so we're slowly moving in the right direction. We've moved twice in the last 5 years and donated/tossed a ton of stuff with each move. Where does it all come from?!

 

[pjlla]

Are you my husband?!?! He has boxes and boxes of cables, plugs, connectors etc. I want to toss all of it!!!

I FINALLY got rid of of tangle of stuff like this at the robotics yard sale last month! I had to let go of that feeling that I might need SOMETHING from the box and just get rid of it! Very liberating feeling! I highly recommend it!......P

 

[DisMomme]

So I still haven't made it to the cellar yet...procrastination

I did, however, get rid of a ton of old papers and junk mail that has been laying around in different places. The Kitchen counters are all now clear and clean!!

DS is having issues with his laptop so tech services is coming here tomorrow to check it out which means I have to clean off the desk in the computer room. It is also our laundry room and, even though all the clothes are clean and folded, they are still in there in piles. It will be nice to get them all put away.

Good luck everyone with your destashing efforts!

 

[dreamin_disney]

I've uploaded some stuff to facebook groups to sell stuff. I did album but I'm not sure if people actually look through the albums. I've made 3-4 albums and got asked two questions about one that had a "LOT" set each album I put to click on photo for price and size . I'm noticing people don't click on photo for info. the one album that two people left comment "size" were the "Lot set" and it had that info.

Then last night I added 3 items with each as a single picture and listing and I got hits. Any tips on the best way to post so it gets noticed?

On one group I have
-an album with everything with $3 each
-an album with items $5
-an album with just kids clothes and shoes
-an album with womens clothes
-an album with teen clothes

so what the best way to do clothes an album by size, price or single?? thanks

78 items listed so far plus 31 items that are in "Lot set"

 

[pjlla]

I've uploaded some stuff to facebook groups to sell stuff. I did album but I'm not sure if people actually look through the albums. I've made 3-4 albums and got asked two questions about one that had a "LOT" set each album I put to click on photo for price and size . I'm noticing people don't click on photo for info. the one album that two people left comment "size" were the "Lot set" and it had that info.

Then last night I added 3 items with each as a single picture and listing and I got hits. Any tips on the best way to post so it gets noticed?

On one group I have
-an album with everything with $3 each
-an album with items $5
-an album with just kids clothes and shoes
-an album with womens clothes
-an album with teen clothes

so what the best way to do clothes an album by size, price or single?? thanks

78 items listed so far plus 31 items that are in "Lot set"

Well, it depends on the rules of your FB yard sale. The majority of the groups that I belong to insist that you put your stuff in albums if you have more than 2-3 items. Otherwise it bumps everyone else's posts way down.

I find that listing the items that are found in the album in the description helps... for example..

"Album of boy's size 3T clothes including

Gap fall jacket, navy blue, NTW $5

Children's Place blue plaid shirt, long-sleeved $3

Disney store Mickey Mouse swimsuit, $5

etc

etc"

That way if I am looking for something specific I will see it in the list and I don't necessarily have to scroll through all of the pictures.

Or you could try taking a photo of the whole grouping of items and have that be the cover photo of the album, but also include individual photos of each item.

Another trick is to go in every few days (or as often as you are allowed to "bump" your post) and re-arrange the photos so that a different photo is first, so that folks see different pictures. Some people are just too lazy or busy to scroll through the album unless something really catches their attention.

Be sure your photos are CLEAR and BRIGHT! If someone posts something for sale and the photo is a fuzzy, blurry, dark cell phone picture with virtually no description, I don't even bother to give it a second of my time, no matter what a deal it might seem to be.

Even if in the photo it seem OBVIOUS to you what is being sold, please include a description. Sometimes it is hard to tell in a picture whether the item is an article of adult clothing or children's clothing. Or is that a cereal bowl or a serving bowl??

Be flexible and ready to "deal".... you really want it GONE and you're not trying to get rich. Some times a fast dollar is better than a slow $5.

Bump your items/albums as often as you are allowed on the page, but definitely not more than once every 24 hours, to be fair to other sellers.

Expand your selling area if you are willing to travel around a bit to meet folks. I belong to about 6 different groups that overlap different towns around me.

And my last piece of advise.... patience. I've seen things languish on some of these FB groups for months with nary a glance from anyone (or so it seemed) and suddenly the right person/people see it and there are multiple offers for an item!

Best of luck selling!................P

 

[dreamin_disney]

Well, it depends on the rules of your FB yard sale. The majority of the groups that I belong to insist that you put your stuff in albums if you have more than 2-3 items. Otherwise it bumps everyone else's posts way down.

I find that listing the items that are found in the album in the description helps... for example..

"Album of boy's size 3T clothes including

Gap fall jacket, navy blue, NTW $5

Children's Place blue plaid shirt, long-sleeved $3

Disney store Mickey Mouse swimsuit, $5

etc

etc"

That way if I am looking for something specific I will see it in the list and I don't necessarily have to scroll through all of the pictures.

Or you could try taking a photo of the whole grouping of items and have that be the cover photo of the album, but also include individual photos of each item.

Another trick is to go in every few days (or as often as you are allowed to "bump" your post) and re-arrange the photos so that a different photo is first, so that folks see different pictures. Some people are just too lazy or busy to scroll through the album unless something really catches their attention.

Be sure your photos are CLEAR and BRIGHT! If someone posts something for sale and the photo is a fuzzy, blurry, dark cell phone picture with virtually no description, I don't even bother to give it a second of my time, no matter what a deal it might seem to be.

Even if in the photo it seem OBVIOUS to you what is being sold, please include a description. Sometimes it is hard to tell in a picture whether the item is an article of adult clothing or children's clothing. Or is that a cereal bowl or a serving bowl??

Be flexible and ready to "deal".... you really want it GONE and you're not trying to get rich. Some times a fast dollar is better than a slow $5.

Bump your items/albums as often as you are allowed on the page, but definitely not more than once every 24 hours, to be fair to other sellers.

Expand your selling area if you are willing to travel around a bit to meet folks. I belong to about 6 different groups that overlap different towns around me.

And my last piece of advise.... patience. I've seen things languish on some of these FB groups for months with nary a glance from anyone (or so it seemed) and suddenly the right person/people see it and there are multiple offers for an item!

Best of luck selling!................P

Thank you!. I met with a buyer and made $10 on a new frame/shelf I had sitting around. I just posted the item when I posted to this thread. Hopefully stuff starts moving . I have a few more weeks off of work

 

[OhMari]

I found a great surprise today a whole box of hinges left over from our new kitchen cupboards that we put in our house 20 years ago. We replaced the handles from a white marble handle to a new black iron. Some of the cupboard doors were not closing properly anymore and my dh was able to change almost every hinge. THey look great too. After 20 years they were looking dingy. So it does pay to clean out old storage areas.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well I have made progress with the closet today and I am proud of myself.

I have one bag full of clothes to donate - 25 items so far.

It doesnt seem like much to others I am sure but I have to take my time sorting the stuff and trying it on etc. It pretty hard and time consuming since the L side of my neck is cut out from cancer and I cant move my L shoulder that well etc.

Just happy that I am feeling well enough to do it etc.

I am going to schedule an online pickup for next week. I will have my ds put the bags in the garage until then.

Thinking I should limit myself to one bag a day because I dont want to aggravate my neck or shoulder etc.

Happy decluttering to all!

 

[pjlla]

Well I have made progress with the closet today and I am proud of myself.

I have one bag full of clothes to donate - 25 items so far.

It doesnt seem like much to others I am sure but I have to take my time sorting the stuff and trying it on etc. It pretty hard and time consuming since the L side of my neck is cut out from cancer and I cant move my L shoulder that well etc.

Just happy that I am feeling well enough to do it etc.

I am going to schedule an online pickup for next week. I will have my ds put the bags in the garage until then.

Thinking I should limit myself to one bag a day because I dont want to aggravate my neck or shoulder etc.

Happy decluttering to all!

Oh my! Prayers for your continued recovering coming now! And yes, limited yourself so that you don't overdo it! But nice job getting 25 unwanted items out of your life!

****************

Evening all! Back on the "declutter wagon" with gusto today! I decluttered a flower bed to the tune of about 20 pounds of weeds, vines, and prickers!

Then, when it started raining, I got my DS to help me sort through the VERY LAST box of "junk" that came out of his room during our recent room make-over. And triple woohoo that the majority of the box was old school papers that went STRAIGHT to the recycling bin! We have officially cleaned/organized/decluttered every single bin, box, drawer, and shelf in his bedroom!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Okay... it's a pretty small room.... but at least it is done!).

Now to clean up DD's room before she comes home at the beginning of August! That is where the REAL challenge begins! Wish me luck!......P

 

[dreamin_disney]

Thank you!. I met with a buyer and made $10 on a new frame/shelf I had sitting around. I just posted the item when I posted to this thread. Hopefully stuff starts moving . I have a few more weeks off of work

I got rid of a 9 piece "Lot Set" of clothes that's I've had boxed up. I made a few dollars, not a lot but a couple more bucks

The rest of the clothes are in albums list to be sold as indivuals. I think I might have to do LOT SETS to hopefully move stuff faster

I uploaded a few more items and hopefully post some more during the week.

I have some old home interior framed pictures I need to get rid of. I have no idea how to price or if they will even sell -lol!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Went through more scrap stash last night. I filled a gallon size ziploc bag with ribbon, another with stamps and entire binder with embellishments. I'm going to give them to the Sisters at our school, they make cards.

 

[4 Ears]

At this point on my day off, the only thing I can report to be destashed is a handful of weeds from my potted plants.

Have you done better than I?

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I haven't been back to this thread in a long time. I got a part time job and I was preparing for my dd's high school graduation party, we had a lot of family from out of town. Then the day after her party my dh's stepfather passed away so it's been pretty hectic around here.

Anyway, I am getting back to it. My dd is now getting ready to leave for college. While she's in her dorm one of my sons will be using her room so he can at least have his own room during the school year. Today I'm going to start decluttering in there and "de-girlifying" her room. I also have started having my boys try on school clothes so I can figure out exactly what I'm going to need to buy and what can be passed down.

Everything I declutter will be boxed up to donate to the next marching band fundraiser yard sale. I donated enough to get my son a $25 credit toward his fees in the spring, hopefully he'll be able to get another credit.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Got 2 boxes of shred stuff to the bank today and when DH gets home from the store, we are loading the trailer for the rummage sale. I will keep a tally of all the stuff we give to the school. I' m so excited! Last night DS18 and I went all over the loft and garage post it noting all the things I want to get rid of.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I made a lot of progress today.

I did 2 more bags of clothes, so the total for the week so far is 5 and I also had 1 bag of crap/junk which I am throwing out.

Taking a break now to do some laundry folding, have to cook a dinner for an elderly couple at church and of course now I am dissing.

I had my one son look at a dress I was trying on and I asked him - do I look fat in this dress? He thought I was funny looking. It got donated.

Wed. is the pickup so I have to be done by tues. I think I am making a major dent in this so I am happy.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Ok list number 2!
All this Is in the trailer ready to go to the rummage sale
Wooden shoe organizer from ikea
Coffee table
2 dining tables
13 chairs
2 stools
3 Bookcases
Shelves
Video cabinet
4 piece queen bedroom set
4 piece twin bedroom set
Hutch
Buffet
Grandfather clock
Closet organizer
Stroller
Nice walker
Wheelchair

Oh and my mom took 4 suitcases.

Tomorrow we go through the boxes of kitchen items. I'd say 99% of it will go to the sale. So happy to see this stuff go!
We also flagged 2 air conditioners, a bag if wreaths the mice got into, and a few other things for bulky waste on the first Saturday.

 

[dpswift]

Ok list number 2!
All this Is in the trailer ready to go to the rummage sale
Wooden shoe organizer from ikea
Coffee table
2 dining tables
13 chairs
2 stools
3 Bookcases
Shelves
Video cabinet
4 piece queen bedroom set
4 piece twin bedroom set
Hutch
Buffet
Grandfather clock
Closet organizer
Stroller
Nice walker
Wheelchair

Oh and my mom took 4 suitcases.

Tomorrow we go through the boxes of kitchen items. I'd say 99% of it will go to the sale. So happy to see this stuff go!
We also flagged 2 air conditioners, a bag if wreaths the mice got into, and a few other things for bulky waste on the first Saturday.

Wow that is great that will free up a great deal of room.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Went through the boxes today. Merged 3 boxes of pots and pans to 2. Kept 1 chili pot and a few small camping pots for the RV. Kept 2 aluminum cookie sheets to use for body work on DS's truck ( aluminum body).
Went through 2 boxes of dishes. Gave mom 2 teacups and saucers for our local museum for tea parties. Kept 3 platters to research due to age. Kept 3-100 year old teapots. Kept 2 small salt and pepper shakers for the RV.
And sorted and got rid of 1 box of knick knacks. Didn't keep anything from that box.

I have one more bin to sort but it's mostly lamps. Those will go to goodwill since the rummage can't take anything with a plug, to much of a liability.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

BernardandMissBianca - wow that is really an accomplishment! Congrats for sure!

I did another clothing bag today, so far the donation total is 6 but I have 1/2 bag ready in my room, so I think the grand total will be 7. Thats alot for me.

 

[pjlla]

Ok list number 2!
All this Is in the trailer ready to go to the rummage sale
Wooden shoe organizer from ikea
Coffee table
2 dining tables
13 chairs
2 stools
3 Bookcases
Shelves
Video cabinet
4 piece queen bedroom set
4 piece twin bedroom set
Hutch
Buffet
Grandfather clock
Closet organizer
Stroller
Nice walker
Wheelchair

Oh and my mom took 4 suitcases.

Tomorrow we go through the boxes of kitchen items. I'd say 99% of it will go to the sale. So happy to see this stuff go!
We also flagged 2 air conditioners, a bag if wreaths the mice got into, and a few other things for bulky waste on the first Saturday.

Went through the boxes today. Merged 3 boxes of pots and pans to 2. Kept 1 chili pot and a few small camping pots for the RV. Kept 2 aluminum cookie sheets to use for body work on DS's truck ( aluminum body).
Went through 2 boxes of dishes. Gave mom 2 teacups and saucers for our local museum for tea parties. Kept 3 platters to research due to age. Kept 3-100 year old teapots. Kept 2 small salt and pepper shakers for the RV.
And sorted and got rid of 1 box of knick knacks. Didn't keep anything from that box.

I have one more bin to sort but it's mostly lamps. Those will go to goodwill since the rummage can't take anything with a plug, to much of a liability.

YIKES!!! You are on FIRE!! Wanna come help me??

BernardandMissBianca - wow that is really an accomplishment! Congrats for sure!

I did another clothing bag today, so far the donation total is 6 but I have 1/2 bag ready in my room, so I think the grand total will be 7. Thats alot for me.

Seven bags is quite the haul!!

**************************

I don't have a lot of time for decluttering today, but I did a bit yesterday and filled a bin with plain old JUNK that needs to go! And I still need DS to go through his games and toys in the playroom with me. He isn't nearly as attached to stuff as DD is, so he is usually willing to part with stuff... but of course, is lazy about actually SORTING the stuff.

Next up later this week is a kitchen destash. I got a new range that has a double oven, but of course, that means I lost that bottom oven drawer that held all of my muffin tins, pie pans, broiler pan, and my largest roasting pan! Plus I had been storing my big paella pan and my two cast iron skillets in the oven, but I don't want to do that any more (since I think that is how I broke the glass in the old oven door ). Ideally I would love to declutter my bakeware cupboard enough to fit all of this stuff in there.... but it will be a stretch. Next choice would be to clear a shelf in the basement near my overflow pantry area, for the stuff I only use every few months (like the large roaster and pie pans). But again, the BEST plan would be to get rid of stuff, rather than just find a new storage spot!

Off to get prep for my work tonight and then I might have an hour to declutter and clean before lunch and showering!.................P