2014 - destash thread The Year of the Great Purge

[kinntj]

The amount of stuff you guys got rid of is impressive. Good work!

I took two trips to Goodwill and this house is much lighter. I'm starting to back off of of decluttering and this week I'm refinishing the deck. I'm stripping the wood now and it's a tough job.

 

[4 Ears]

This evening I have destashed 2 Fanny packs, thought we would use them going into the parks once we moved down here but havnt in nearly 3 years so, out they go. They will be going to the thrift shop.

Also, destashed just under 50 plastic coat hangers, which is about half of my extras. Don't want to get rid of too many and have to purchase more. These are going to my sons roommate

A couple of days ago I tossed in the trash a bendable cutting board. Had been using it for crafts but it was stained, cracked and cut. Not doing the crafts that I was so out it went.

Not a ton of stuff but freed up some room

 

[pjlla]

Baby steps so far today. I did a quick survey of the bins under my bathroom sink and sorted a few things so that it is better organized and put three items in the "donate" bag and one item in the trash..... in addition to discovering I won't have to buy wrinkle cream for at least 2 years! All this because I was looking for my spare contact lenses......which I am apparently out of!!

Off to do some sorting in my air-conditioned bedroom. I was pulling weeds, but was sweating so badly that I couldn't see any more! ...................P

 

[StephMK]

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.

Where does it all come from?!

Same here! I had such grand plans for all of these projects to be finished. I didn't really account for my naturally lazy tendencies and impressive ability to procrastinate. Congrats on getting your exams done! Studying can take up a lot of time so you have reasons, I've got no excuses.

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

I did that too and it was soooo hard to let that mess go. Silly because it's been there for 8 years and I think I looked through it once.

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!

Way to go! Hope your recovery continues to go smoothly and glad you are feeling better.

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.

Beware because DD came home with more stuff than fit in her room after her first year. I don't really know how that happened because she lived in a small space at school.

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.
QUOTE]

Haha! That made me laugh but good for you for being brave enough to ask! DS12 is brutally honest so I should really try that.

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.

Way to go! You have been BUSY!

This evening I have destashed 2 Fanny packs, thought we would use them going into the parks once we moved down here but havnt in nearly 3 years so, out they go. They will be going to the thrift shop.

Also, destashed just under 50 plastic coat hangers, which is about half of my extras. Don't want to get rid of too many and have to purchase more. These are going to my sons roommate

A couple of days ago I tossed in the trash a bendable cutting board. Had been using it for crafts but it was stained, cracked and cut. Not doing the crafts that I was so out it went.

Not a ton of stuff but freed up some room

Every little bit counts!

I took a trunk full to Goodwill at the end of June, mostly more of my old clothes, DD20's, and some miscellaneous stuff. DH still needs to go through his side of the closet and I'm hoping I can get him to do that this weekend. I want his side to look as nice as mine does now.

We finally have had all the major work completed in our basement from our flooding issues. The place is a total disaster since we had to move everything away from the damaged walls and up away from the floor. Today I started moving the bigger items back in place and gathering up things to wash.

Luckily, I don't store much down there except photos and they are all in big plastic totes. The main stuff is just tons of kid clutter. I need to let go of the remaining toys and just toss or donate the odds and ends that no one uses anymore.

I'm still torn on all the books. We have a ton of kid books and none of the kids like to read the same things. So all of DD20's old young adult novels are not being used. My parents kept mine for me then none of my kids wanted to read those either. Plus with e-books, are they really worth saving? I should probably keep a few favorites and let the rest go, right?

DS12 needs to go through the video games and maybe get rid of some they don't play.

I plan to get rid of a bunch of stuff and will be taking a garbage bag and big box for donations down tomorrow. DS wants to have a sleepover next week once we get it all put back in order.

 

[OhMari]

This evening I have destashed 2 Fanny packs, thought we would use them going into the parks once we moved down here but havnt in nearly 3 years so, out they go. They will be going to the thrift shop.

Also, destashed just under 50 plastic coat hangers, which is about half of my extras. Don't want to get rid of too many and have to purchase more. These are going to my sons roommate

A couple of days ago I tossed in the trash a bendable cutting board. Had been using it for crafts but it was stained, cracked and cut. Not doing the crafts that I was so out it went.

Not a ton of stuff but freed up some room

Hang on to the plastic hangers. We noticed the plastic hangers in the stores are junk. I bought a new pack and the snap off real easy.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

The trailer is back at the house, DH and I picked it up last night. I am really ready to start filling it again!!
DH is also leaving his PITA job on Friday. Granted he will be traveling more but the times he's home, he is just home. No more 100 mile daily commutes!
So he is going to start he personal purge, come hell or high water.

Today I am going through the kids clothes and shoes. We just bought a new round of shoes for everyone. 10 pairs! But they need sneakers and dress shoes for school (stupid uniforms!).
Time to purge the old shoes!!

I think we have also decided that we will move when DD graduates from middle school. The timing will be good because DS18 will be out of college, DS13 will be in his second year of college, DS12 will be starting college, and DD8 doesn't have a really strong desire to go to the HS the boys are going to. This gives us a 5 year plan. I've started my list now of things to do to the house to get it ready.

The next step is taking the 3 mattresses, 2 broken AC units and a few other things to the dump. They are open the first Sat of the month so I told DH we will have those pulled out a ready to go Friday night.

 

[thebeesknees]

Got a charity pickup this next Tuesday, so I am making a new pile here in the front room. Several pair of barely-worn shoes that the kids outgrew way too quickly, a steam mop that I just HAD to have and then hated once I got (back to my trusty old reliable mop), and now I am starting on the kitchen. I have several pots and casserole dishes that have been given to me by my Mom, in-laws, etc over the years that need to go. I have a perfectly good set of All-Clad pots that was a wedding gift that I use all the time and don't need that other stuff taking up space. I got several silicone bakeware items and really don't use them at all because baked goods never brown right in them, so those can go, too.

I am also trying to decide if I should keep my good china. It takes up one whole cupboard under the counter and I only pull it out for holidays. It's a popular pattern, so I know I could sell it easily. hmmmm, decisions decisions!

 

[4 Ears]

DS23 mentioned he needs new cookware, so I am off to the kitchen to pull all my cook and bake ware out to see what I can give to him

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I did 2 bags of stuff from the garage today. One of my ds helped me. Then we found another bag of their old clothes. So I will schedule another pickup. I think the next time they can come is around Aug. 23.

Back to the garage tomm. Its slow and steady there but getting done.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Sold two pairs if pants on Facebook site. We will be refinancing our home which mean someone will be coming to do an appraisal . I told dh and dd that means spare room that holds all dd's clothes that I'm trying to sell needs to be organize. The garage is a mess so we need to clean it tomorrow night and in Sunday .

I have another buy for dd's blouse tomorrow. I'm gonna see what in the garage and do lot sets. Hopefully we get stuff done and cleaned out

 

[pjlla]

The trailer is back at the house, DH and I picked it up last night. I am really ready to start filling it again!!
DH is also leaving his PITA job on Friday. Granted he will be traveling more but the times he's home, he is just home. No more 100 mile daily commutes!
So he is going to start he personal purge, come hell or high water.

Today I am going through the kids clothes and shoes. We just bought a new round of shoes for everyone. 10 pairs! But they need sneakers and dress shoes for school (stupid uniforms!).
Time to purge the old shoes!!

I think we have also decided that we will move when DD graduates from middle school. The timing will be good because DS18 will be out of college, DS13 will be in his second year of college, DS12 will be starting college, and DD8 doesn't have a really strong desire to go to the HS the boys are going to. This gives us a 5 year plan. I've started my list now of things to do to the house to get it ready.

The next step is taking the 3 mattresses, 2 broken AC units and a few other things to the dump. They are open the first Sat of the month so I told DH we will have those pulled out a ready to go Friday night.

Oh my gosh!! You are on a ROLLLLLLL!!!!! I'm so impressed! And good job coming up with a 5 year plan!!

Got a charity pickup this next Tuesday, so I am making a new pile here in the front room. Several pair of barely-worn shoes that the kids outgrew way too quickly, a steam mop that I just HAD to have and then hated once I got (back to my trusty old reliable mop),

Waaaaiiitt... hold the phone. PLEASE tell me WHY you didn't like the steam mop. I am literally looking for a good deal on one right now because I decided it would be a great way to keep the kitchen floor clean without dealing with a big mop and bucket.

and now I am starting on the kitchen. I have several pots and casserole dishes that have been given to me by my Mom, in-laws, etc over the years that need to go. I have a perfectly good set of All-Clad pots that was a wedding gift that I use all the time and don't need that other stuff taking up space. I got several silicone bakeware items and really don't use them at all because baked goods never brown right in them, so those can go, too.

I am also trying to decide if I should keep my good china. It takes up one whole cupboard under the counter and I only pull it out for holidays. It's a popular pattern, so I know I could sell it easily. hmmmm, decisions decisions!

I've been having that "keep it or sell it" decision rolling around in my head as well, regarding my good china. We use it MAYBE once a year.... but lately not even that often! I bought a small set of plain white dishes and mugs from (of all places) the Dollar Store a few years ago and actually would rather use those.... no stress about breakage and they can go in the dishwasher and microwave (unlike my good china which has a gold gilt edge) and because they are white they go with whatever holiday decor I choose to use... and because I don't use them every day, they still feel 'special'. I have a LOT of pieces of my good china.... including 8 soup bowls which haven't even been opened in the 22 years I've had them!! It isn't really in the way, but it does mean that the chest in my dining room is chuck full of dishes, so I can't store my table linens in there.... instead they are in my overflowing linen closet upstairs.

I've been planning to make a consignment appointment soon and if I do, I think I will bite the bullet on the china and let it go.

Enjoy the new space and freeing feeling of letting your kitchen clutter go!

DS23 mentioned he needs new cookware, so I am off to the kitchen to pull all my cook and bake ware out to see what I can give to him

It's so much easier to let stuff go when you know someone who needs it!

I did 2 bags of stuff from the garage today. One of my ds helped me. Then we found another bag of their old clothes. So I will schedule another pickup. I think the next time they can come is around Aug. 23.

Back to the garage tomm. Its slow and steady there but getting done.

It's great if you have someone who actually comes to get it! Don't think I could get that out here in the boondocks!

Sold two pairs if pants on Facebook site. We will be refinancing our home which mean someone will be coming to do an appraisal . I told dh and dd that means spare room that holds all dd's clothes that I'm trying to sell needs to be organize. The garage is a mess so we need to clean it tomorrow night and in Sunday .

I have another buy for dd's blouse tomorrow. I'm gonna see what in the garage and do lot sets. Hopefully we get stuff done and cleaned out

Keep on plugging away at it!

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

Trying to continue to take baby steps in the declutter process, as I can't seem to find a big block of time to work on an entire room. Yesterday I reorganized just ONE SECTION of ONE SHELF of a corner cupboard in the kitchen.... but I got it emptied, wiped, and reorganized and found one thing for the donation box.

I decided to move all of the overflow pans from my oven drawer down to the basement for now. Hopefully it won't be an "out of sight, out of mind" thing! And hopefully I don't forget where they went when I am looking for pie pans and muffin tins this fall!

Off to make breakfast......................P

 

[dpswift]

We finally got the donation box out of my truck. We also stopped at the consignment store to see what they were taking. I hope to make an appointment for next week. Now to choose 20 items to take over. I saw very little boys clothes so I think they will be first.

 

[mdsouth]

I have been trying to declutter this summer. I donated a ton of clothes ( mine and the kids). This week I have been going through old papers. It is just hard for me to let go of the kids writing and drawings from when they were little. And the books! I need to get off the DIS and get back to it

 

[4 Ears]

I just tossed a sunglasses case that I have moved from here to there and back back again...

Can I get a WOOT WOOT

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I just tossed a sunglasses case that I have moved from here to there and back back again...

Can I get a WOOT WOOT

WOOT WOOT!!!!

Been there, done that!
Why is that glasses cases get shuffled back and forth like they are gold, when you can get a new one at the the glasses store for free?!?

 

[4 Ears]

Thanks Buffy!

 

[bridget]

I have been trying to declutter this summer. I donated a ton of clothes ( mine and the kids). This week I have been going through old papers. It is just hard for me to let go of the kids writing and drawings from when they were little. And the books! I need to get off the DIS and get back to it

Organizing my children's papers was a summer project of mine. I bought binders and page protectors. I just finished today. I did a binder for Preschool, K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7. I save report cards, certificates, samples of writing that they did, some tests, and cards that they made for us on different holidays. I also saved anything with a handprint, but I was able to let go of quite a bit stuff

 

[MAJPLO]

Organizing my children's papers was a summer project of mine. I bought binders and page protectors. I just finished today. I did a binder for Preschool, K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7. I save report cards, certificates, samples of writing that they did, some tests, and cards that they made for us on different holidays. I also saved anything with a handprint, but I was able to let go of quite a bit stuff

Okay maybe next summer I will do something like this. I like the idea of sheet protectors. So far I am saving everything, also in binders, but it is getting a little bit ridiculous. Three binders for first grade, three or four for second, and that's just one kid.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Organizing my children's papers was a summer project of mine. I bought binders and page protectors. I just finished today. I did a binder for Preschool, K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7. I save report cards, certificates, samples of writing that they did, some tests, and cards that they made for us on different holidays. I also saved anything with a handprint, but I was able to let go of quite a bit stuff

I tried the page protectors but a lot of the stuff from the younger grades were on bigger sheets of paper.
I ended up getting a small hanging file folder bin with file folders in their designated colors. I have a folder for each year with report cards, class pics, and papers. Then there are folders to for things like birth certificates, passports etc. They will take each of these totes with them when they move out.

 

[StephMK]

I like the ideas for organizing the kids' papers. Right now, they are separated by kid but I'd like to store them better. Right now they are just in bins. Maybe that will be my winter project.

I almost finished the basement! There was one big bag of trash and 2 boxes of toys & books went to Goodwill Friday. Luckily, the kids did not seem to care or even look through the items. DH also got motivated to clean out his closet and about 20 shirts and 10 pairs of pants & shorts were donated too.

Now that I've gone through most of the basement, I have some empty totes. I sorted through the books so that there is just one bookshelf. I have a big stack that will be going to my school. Some I can use and the rest will be given to the lower elem. teachers.

DS is having friends over tomorrow night so it was good motivation to get it finished. I need to vacuum and move a few things upstairs and it's ready to use.