2014 - destash thread The Year of the Great Purge

[QVCshopper]

I have been decluttering for a few years now. We moved last year and got rid of a lot. Over the past year, I've gotten rid of even more. So, how do you know you are done? Or are you never done?

I'm to the point where if someone puts up an In Search Of request on a yard sale site and I have it, I usually sell it. But, my attics are empty, finished basement is empty, I even have some built-ins that are empty. I have a few closets with off season stuff and other essentials that we need.

Can you destash too much? I have 3 kids, so we will always have "stuff"--they are always growing, interests changing--so that's impossible to get away from. And I've really reduced the amount we buy new. Maybe I need a new focus? I did take off the summer from destashing.

 

[4 Ears]

Well, I had that trash bag full of stuff and they didn't come and pick it up. So today I took it to the nearest thrift store. It is gone...

I took 1 of my 2 vacuums, I know I know and am loving seeing that corner empty now.

QVCshopper- We moved 3 years ago from a 4 bedroom, 2 bath... house, into a 40 foot RV and from time to time I still find things to get rid of. So to answer your question I am not sure you are ever done. Can you declutter too much? I declutter a little at a time now, some things I am not sure of so I wait until the mood strikes me again. If I havnt used it in that time frame out it goes.

From the last 4 years of decluttering I have only regretted leaving my cross shredder and copier/scanner with my eldest son. Honestly, those are the only 2 things I think, dang I wasn't very smart with those

Have I had to rebuy items that I destashed? Unfort yes BUT it was craft items. Colored pencils, I had to borrow a 1 hole paper punch for a craft. All very little cost items so I don't feel too bad about it.

Hope this helps

 

[thebeesknees]

We went and bought DH a new suit last week, as his old one was looking pretty worn, so I decided to make some room in his closet before I hung it up. I got a bag of clothes for the scheduled charity pickup on Thursday. Mostly dress shirts, polos, etc. that I got for him and he wore once, only to decide they "don't fit right". Couple pair of dress pants he never liked, either. Should probably go through the shoe bin too and see what no longer fits the kids, now that summer is over and they will be needing their snow boots soon. Those take up so much room in the bin!

The master bedroom and bathroom are looking pretty good. I think we are ready for our fall company up there - now I just need to do the rest of the house!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Purged 8 shirts out of my closet and 5 cook books. Kids also went through a box of books my brother brought over, they took a few they wanted and the rest are boxed up and ready to take the the Book Barn to sell.

ETA: cleaned out the nook in the kitchen too. Purged all the disposable chopsticks. Then split the nice sets so one will go to the RV and one will stay home. Also purged the cookie cutters. They are now in a manageable container in the cart.

 

[dpswift]

I have been decluttering for a few years now. We moved last year and got rid of a lot. Over the past year, I've gotten rid of even more. So, how do you know you are done? Or are you never done?

I'm to the point where if someone puts up an In Search Of request on a yard sale site and I have it, I usually sell it. But, my attics are empty, finished basement is empty, I even have some built-ins that are empty. I have a few closets with off season stuff and other essentials that we need.

Can you destash too much? I have 3 kids, so we will always have "stuff"--they are always growing, interests changing--so that's impossible to get away from. And I've really reduced the amount we buy new. Maybe I need a new focus? I did take off the summer from destashing.

I do not think that you are ever totally done destashing. What made me happy 3 years ago, I have no desire for today.

Maybe you are just happier with a simpler life. As long as you are not selling things that you need to replace I do not think it is a problem. Just instead of it being a primary focus maybe a secondary one?



I have not done well at all but my kids are going to Disney next week and I have taken some time off from work so I am looking forward to some free time to sort.

 

[QVCshopper]

Thanks 4 Ears and dpswift for your advice. I think you’re right: you are never really done, but it should be a secondary focus. I just started to destash again in Sept. after doing nothing this whole summer. There’s a kids clothing collection coming up, so I think I’ll try to get some things together for that, and maybe continue to sell the odd thing as I find it. Otherwise, I might try to move onto some other home projects now.

I think a lot is mental for me. The less I have, the less to manage, clean, keep track of, etc. Plus, my parents have a hoarding situation and I think I am trying subconsciously to prevent that.

Good luck with your projects, too!

 

[4 Ears]

My most recent destash will be a contract cell phone plan that we were paying WAY too much for. We went with inexpensive Straight Talk phones. This will save us about $90 a month New phones should be here today, wish me luck in getting them set up LOL

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

I have done well this week. Three barrels out this morning and numerous bags that would not fit. I would have done more but the trash man already came. One whole barrel came from my sons room. I told him for 2 weeks to clean it or mom would. Well, clearly he did not care. I have been giving small items to friends and patients who I think I will appreciate them. Maybe today I will try to go through my clothes as I have the day off. I like the idea of the 33 wardrobe. I wear scrubs 5 of 7 days. I was caught at the store in my really ugly shorts. I was talking about it at work and I patient heard. "Don't keep anything you don't want to be seen in." Good advice. I have 3 new scrubs that I like after that comment and out go the "Building 19 $5 special" ones I hated from the start. Goal Christmas pictures that do not have to be taken at an angle to cut out the clutter. I am sorry to even admit that I have done this.

 

[pjlla]

I have done well this week. Three barrels out this morning and numerous bags that would not fit. I would have done more but the trash man already came. One whole barrel came from my sons room. I told him for 2 weeks to clean it or mom would. Well, clearly he did not care. I have been giving small items to friends and patients who I think I will appreciate them. Maybe today I will try to go through my clothes as I have the day off. I like the idea of the 33 wardrobe. I wear scrubs 5 of 7 days. I was caught at the store in my really ugly shorts. I was talking about it at work and I patient heard. "Don't keep anything you don't want to be seen in." Good advice. I have 3 new scrubs that I like after that comment and out go the "Building 19 $5 special" ones I hated from the start. Goal Christmas pictures that do not have to be taken at an angle to cut out the clutter. I am sorry to even admit that I have done this.

If ANYONE can understand, we probably can!! No shame here!

As soon as I saw you mention Building #19, I knew you were from New England! I really miss that store!

Good for you for taking the advise with clothing. I need to do the same. I am a bit of a clothing hoarder and "saver"! I have things I really don't like, but for some reason I keep them "just in case". In case of WHAT? Suddenly wanting to look icky and unattractive???

My only destashing of late has been ..... well.... nothing I can think of! I spent week before last doing yard work pretty much every day (destashed a lot of weeds and brush I suppose) and last week was spent away for four days and then working for two days (although I did help my parents destash their attic and managed to only come home with TWO items to keep and two to sell for them).

Off to do laundry and maybe find a minute to destash one shelf or drawer!............P

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

PJLLA you made me smile today. Thanks.http://www.disboards.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

 

[StephMK]

My most recent destash will be a contract cell phone plan that we were paying WAY too much for. We went with inexpensive Straight Talk phones. This will save us about $90 a month New phones should be here today, wish me luck in getting them set up LOL

Good luck!! Sometimes the pay as you go phones have some issues getting set up but we love ours. They save sooo much money over contracts for our use. Let us know how you like Straight Talk!

I have done well this week. Three barrels out this morning and numerous bags that would not fit. I would have done more but the trash man already came. One whole barrel came from my sons room. I told him for 2 weeks to clean it or mom would. Well, clearly he did not care. I have been giving small items to friends and patients who I think I will appreciate them. Maybe today I will try to go through my clothes as I have the day off. I like the idea of the 33 wardrobe. I wear scrubs 5 of 7 days. I was caught at the store in my really ugly shorts. I was talking about it at work and I patient heard. "Don't keep anything you don't want to be seen in." Good advice. I have 3 new scrubs that I like after that comment and out go the "Building 19 $5 special" ones I hated from the start. Goal Christmas pictures that do not have to be taken at an angle to cut out the clutter. I am sorry to even admit that I have done this.

Definitely no shame here! I can't tell you the number of random pics I've either re-taken or made the kids move to avoid some unpleasant household background.

If ANYONE can understand, we probably can!! No shame here!

As soon as I saw you mention Building #19, I knew you were from New England! I really miss that store!

Good for you for taking the advise with clothing. I need to do the same. I am a bit of a clothing hoarder and "saver"! I have things I really don't like, but for some reason I keep them "just in case". In case of WHAT? Suddenly wanting to look icky and unattractive???

My only destashing of late has been ..... well.... nothing I can think of! I spent week before last doing yard work pretty much every day (destashed a lot of weeds and brush I suppose) and last week was spent away for four days and then working for two days (although I did help my parents destash their attic and managed to only come home with TWO items to keep and two to sell for them).

Off to do laundry and maybe find a minute to destash one shelf or drawer!............P

OMG, that totally made me laugh but also was like a lightbulb moment too. What a great way to look at those "I should or feel obligated to keep but don't really enjoy" items, and not just clothes. Why keep or force ourselves to use stuff we don't really like. That is going to change how I look at certain things so thanks so much for that!!

I have not done much decluttering lately, other than paper. I went through the pile of unfiled paper items and filed them. I took out the old papers we no longer need and either tossed or put in the shred pile. My goal today is to go through the cereal/art cabinet. We don't use most of the supplies in there so why keep them when that space could be used for something else.

For school, I am creating binders with extra worksheets, lesson plans, etc. for different concepts in math, reading, and writing. I'd like to be able to easily pull out some work when I have unexpected needs or want to find a specific activity. Most of my stuff is kept electronically but I do have several extra worksheets and printouts that I'd like to organize.

I am in the process of creating a household binder to organize our life stuff. I think it will help to have all contact/acct info in one place and I'm going to try & start a regular cleaning schedule for weeks and monthly items. There is also a section for recipes because I tend to forget certain seasonal dishes that everyone likes but I don't make as often. This may become a separate kitchen binder, depending on how organized and motivated I get.

It will also give DH a reference book if anything ever happened to me. I handle all household bills, repairs, finances, etc. and he's pretty much clueless about how to run all that stuff or where to find everything. Our neighbor died unexpectedly and it made me think about our lives and what could happen. I need to make sure we are prepared and getting organized will really help.

I might try to go through my closet again. I am really inspired by that don't keep what you don't look good in idea!

 

[4 Ears]

So far, good with Straight Talk, yes took a bit to get it set up.
Pretty sure it just needed more patience than I have

Popped over to a friends house today and she was just a destashing away. I thought, hmm, what can I find?

I destashed 4 tops 1, the sleeves were funky and I felt odd while wearing it, a Tshirt that had seen better days, an extra top I take to work in case I need a quick change and it had ink on it, and 1 I am just too filled out for

What were you able to banish from the house over the weekend?

 

[StephMK]

I got rid of a black sweater that was stretched out and had two run in it. I could cover the runs with a scarf but why keep it when it doesn't look good anymore. Out it goes.

I also cleaned out the cereal/craft cabinet & drawer. I thought I'd been keeping on top of the cereal but it was embarrassing how many expired boxes we have! I saved the unsweetened ones for bird food for the winter. I pitched a bunch of dried up paints & brushes and tossed some old markers.

Now I can move the remaining craft items to another cabinet. I had room to put the big Costco boxes of chips for lunches in the cabinet instead of on the dining room table. It leaves me an empty drawer and I can't figure how to best use it yet. Oh the possibilities!

I started working on our home binder. DH was happy and it will also be good if, heaven forbid, we ever have an emergency of any kind.

 

[sarahk0204]

Today was thrift store day. Another 4 boxes gone.

I heard about a big kids consignment sale happening next week, and I finally decided to list a few items. I went searching for the box that the booster chair went in. I found out that it was filled (no surprise) with items. However, these items were probably 50 3.5 inch floppy discs (basically our entire backup before hard drives).

Our local recycling center takes computer stuff, so the discs, a couple of keyboards, and 2 towers are headed there this weekend.

 

[pjlla]

So how's every one doing on the destash and declutter? It seems like many of us are slowing down as this year starts to wind down. But we've all made some progress, and that is what counts!!

StephMK, I love your "home binder" idea. I've toyed with the idea of doing something like that for years. Maybe that should be my long-term 2015 project. .... I could get one portion done every month for the entire year (that would help remind me of seasonal things like taxes and Christmas club).

I did just a bit of destashing recently.... I changed wallets and decided to start carrying a purse again (I had some shoulder issues a few years ago and stopped carrying a shoulder bag because it was causing pain). As I changed wallets I cleaned out and cut up a bunch of expired store credit cards, some frequent shopper cards from stores I don't go to, etc. Then I tossed the old wallet and took my other "overflow" credit card wallet and put it in the donation bag. I put the now filled wallet into a purse that I had been stashing in my closet for YEARS, added a few things I've been missing out on carrying around (chapstick, mints, comb) and filled my purse and it is ready to go. While searching for this purse, I took out a few other pocketbooks and wallets that I've had in storage for a long time and added them to the donation bag.

I am not big on pocketbooks and purses, so now I'm down to one black one (currently using), another black one with a pretty silk scarf woven through it, one brown one, one pretty leather striped Dolce and Gabanna I got at a thrift store this past summer (love it but don't know when I might ever use it) and a pink striped designer bag I got for a steal at a yard sale last summer (which I have also never used). If I can convince myself to part with one of the striped bags I probably will.... but I figure if a woman can't find room in her closet for just 4 extra pocketbooks, what is this world coming to!!????????!!

I'm also really good at collecting free and cheap furniture that I always intend to make over, but don't always get around to. I did really good painting two bookcases (one that I already had and one that I bought specifically for a purpose) last year for DD's dorm.... but I have recently acquired a large dining room table (with a leaf)for free, a bookcase (bought it from a FB yard sale thinking it was in okay shape but it fell apart before I got it home ), and a free small two drawer night table (I have a purpose in mind for it). The bookcase was nearly going to the trash because I didn't think it would take paint well (it is that cheapo particle board stuff from Walmart), but I decided to take a risk and try my hand at decoupage... and so far I am pleasantly surprised!! I have the entire outside shell covered, inside and out, and now I just need to decoupage the shelves. I am using pages from a few old books.... a WWII book about battle ships, and old Readers Digest condensed book with some cool vintage graphics, and an old mechanical engineer's handbook with lots of neat graphics and charts. This will be a bookcase for my son's room and if the finish holds up, I could see him using this for many years.

If the bookcase goes together well and seems to hold up, I plan to decoupage the night table and give it to my DD to use for a printer stand. Her printer is currently on a plastic crate in her dorm. I just need to decide if I am going to cover it with something Disney or with fish and ocean pictures.

Anyhooo..... off to try to finish up the two shelves while I have an hour to myself! I'll share a picture later when it is all done!................P

 

[pjlla]

Made a few baby steps in the decluttering process today. I was heading to work this morning (I sub at an elementary school) and I often bring in styrofoam produce trays and other containers for the art teacher. I had a big plastic coffee "can" ready to bring her, but threw it in a paper bag and added about 8 more plastic jars/containers that I have been "hoarding" in my basement. It wasn't much but a step in the right direction at least!

I'll be home by myself for a good bit tomorrow and will probably make some strides in the ongoing cleaning and decluttering process! TTY over the weekend!.............P

 

[sarahk0204]

A few baby steps for me as well. Upon further searching for the consignment items, I discovered that I still had my nursing bras and maternity pantyhose and tights. Yes, my signature is correct. My twins are 10 years old. I haven't been pregnant since 2004 and haven't breast fed since 2005.

Out they go!

 

[pjlla]

A few baby steps for me as well. Upon further searching for the consignment items, I discovered that I still had my nursing bras and maternity pantyhose and tights. Yes, my signature is correct. My twins are 10 years old. I haven't been pregnant since 2004 and haven't breast fed since 2005.

Out they go!

....................P

 

[dpswift]

I have been getting some work done with the kids gone although not as much as I would have liked. I keep checking Facebook to see if they have posted new pictures.

I have cleaned out 2 1/2 shelves in my food cupboard. I tossed all open snack foods and cereal thinking that they will go stale by the time they get back. I found a few things from 2012 and 2013 so they went out as well.

I put aside a handmade picture frame and a handmade photo album that we received at our wedding 24 years ago for goodwill. I feel guilty doing it but I do not like them.

I have been washing all the special care clothes that have been building up. I will sort them by person and I as sure several will end up in the goodwill bag.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I got rid of another 7 items and made $20 on Fb selling page. I might sell a couple pairs of pants tomorrow.

I went through a few boxes in the garage and got rid of a few old pieces of clothes that were old and dingy.

Now with the weather getting cooler I'll be able to go through stuff in the garage.

I'm hoping to get rid of more stuff so that money can go towards our vacation in Dec. Plus dd get 1/2 the $$ of clothes she sells. Since I do all the work taking pictures and listing I get the other 50% , oh and it only on clothing she bought herself. She cleaned out her room and told me she had two more medium bags of clothes :/