2015 destash - Purge Purge Purge, Purge is the word

[BernardandMissBianca]

I need to be in on this from Jan to June. I have been in the same classroom since 2001 and I am retiring at the end of June. I also have to get some other things cleaned out here at the house. We have been doing some things since both boys have moved out but there is still a lot that I have to do.

You can do it Dona!
Are there any new teachers that could use stuff? I know teachers need to buy so much stuff with their own money now.

 

[donac]

You can do it Dona!
Are there any new teachers that could use stuff? I know teachers need to buy so much stuff with their own money now.

When my dh retires a couple of years ago he started giving stuff to the newest teachers. We have 2 new ones this year and that is where my stuff is going to go.

 

[Debbie]

I need to be in on this from Jan to June. I have been in the same classroom since 2001 and I am retiring at the end of June.

I also have to get some other things cleaned out here at the house. We have been doing some things since both boys have moved out but there is still a lot that I have to do.

When my dh retires a couple of years ago he started giving stuff to the newest teachers. We have 2 new ones this year and that is where my stuff is going to go.

Same here, but I decluttered my classroom when I was forced to move 3 (4?) years ago, so I have a head start on that! Someone asked if I was going to sell my stuff, and I said, "No, you want it? You'll use it? It's yours!" One thing I will do when I go back is collect all of my Christmas books (3 tubs full!) choose my favourites, and pass the others on to my DIL. Lucky her!

 

[Debbie]

Just saw this link on FB a couple of minutes ago. Some good ideas! 15 Peter Walsh Decluttering Projects

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

LoveBWVVBR, I just finished this book too! I am working on my categories, doing clothes now, then books, then Holiday décor. I probably won't follow her plan to the letter but I've already made a lot of progress. DH is finally on board because we know we want to move soon and can't take all of this crap with us!

Did you like the book? I really did! My mom shares a Kindle acct. with me and she read some of it and hated it though. I can't believe it...I think she didn't pay enough attention because I actually thought that the method was brilliant.

Teach your DH the method from this book, or have him read the book too...it really makes it simple. Just keep what you love. Everything else can go

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Sorted the bins with gift bags, bows, and gift boxes. Purged the bows that were squished and some ribbon I won't use (giving that to school for cubbie).
Got 2 bins down to one. I also had DS18 take the bin with the wrapping paper back up to the loft. I was really proud of myself, I didn't buy any wrapping paper this year and we used up 3 rolls.

 

[Ephany]

In for another year! The tree is down but only semi-packed away as we bought a new tree this year and it won't fit in the old tree tote. Guess a run to Lowe's is on the agenda for tomorrow. Tossed out all the old ornaments that were broken or we had no special memories attached. People in DH's family like to go on trips and send us Christmas ornaments of their trip. I love the handmade ones, but we had waaay too many of the 'I couldn't think of anything else, so I bought you a cheap thing to hang on your tree' type. If the weather is nice tomorrow we'll be working on the garage as it's finally not too hot or too cold for DH to wimp out.

I have a huge bag of clothes that DD has outgrown to pass along to a friend. I think I've also reached the place where I can let her old toys go for pennies on the dollar. I know if I sold them on ebay I could make more, but I really don't wanna hassle with all that. My heart says 'noooo, someday you'll get what they're worth' while my head is saying 'just get what you can and free up the space' lol. Things are only worth what people will actually pay for them right?

 

[bcwife76]

I'd like to participate! Mostly kid related (school work, art work, toys, etc) but our front entrance closet, pantry and master bedroom closet tend to be dumping grounds as well if we don't keep on top of it. Are there any rules to this - do we have to report daily/monthly?

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I'd like to participate! Mostly kid related (school work, art work, toys, etc) but our front entrance closet, pantry and master bedroom closet tend to be dumping grounds as well if we don't keep on top of it. Are there any rules to this - do we have to report daily/monthly?

no rules!! You can post whenever you like. Some post daily, weekly, monthly, or when they remember we are here.
I usually just post when I get rid of something or I come up with an organizing idea I like to share.

 

[reginaastralis]

Completely cleaned out my daughter's closet, and since we're going up a size right now, it's nice and empty. Then, ironically, opened presents from my MIL and there was a shirt she'd given dd previously, that we'd just put in the give away pile because "it wasn't her style" ... I thought that was pretty funny.

We're two bags in to our give away pile, and it feels great!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I am in again.

My main areas of focus are:

1. Clothes. I worked on that today. My kids have gone up a size too. Clearing the way for the next size. I overbought for them (shopping sales) and it's been a big process weeding them out. Some sizes (even though they have technically outgrown them) still fit. So it's been some guess work and purge, purge, purge. I have some bins ready to donate and sell.

2. Paper in general. School papers (love the bin idea), mail, receipts, important documents. I need to reorganize.

3. Toys.

I started a couple of months ago, just getting rid of a few household items here and there and some clothes from my closet. Got rid of things I wasn't using. I sold them through consignment. So far I've made $175. That's been nice. I'm going to keep a running total as I go.
------------------

I have been watching the show, Horders. Oh my gosh. It's so sad. Our problem areas aren't close to being that bad, but it sure is motivating.

 

[MAJPLO]

I am in again. My main areas of focus are: 1. Clothes. I worked on that today. My kids have gone up a size too. Clearing the way for the next size. I overbought for them (shopping sales) and it's been a big process weeding them out. Some sizes (even though they have technically outgrown them) still fit. So it's been some guess work and purge, purge, purge. I have some bins ready to donate and sell. 2. Paper in general. School papers (love the bin idea), mail, receipts, important documents. I need to reorganize. 3. Toys. I started a couple of months ago, just getting rid of a few household items here and there and some clothes from my closet. Got rid of things I wasn't using. I sold them through consignment. So far I've made $175. That's been nice. I'm going to keep a running total as I go. ------------------ I have been watching the show, Horders. Oh my gosh. It's so sad. Our problem areas aren't close to being that bad, but it sure is motivating.

I can't watch that show. Gives me anxiety. All I need to do for my own hoarders reality show is go visit my mom. Then I come home ready to throw out just about everything!

 

[Ava]

Toys are also a big problem for us. We now have three kids, 9, 3.5, and 6 weeks. I like to save the toys to pass down, but it results in a lot of clutter. Plus we keep getting more. I need better organization and some sort of rotation system.

Joining in! Toys are a problem for us too. We have two girls, ages 5.5 and 19 months. We saved a lot of toys from our first, but we also keep getting more, so now we have way too many toys! The biggest culprit is stuffed animals, I swear those things just multiply. I currently have two trash bags full of them to get rid of, but don't know where to take them. I hate to just toss them in the trash since most of them still look brand new.

 

[GraysMom]

Joining in! Toys are a problem for us too. We have two girls, ages 5.5 and 19 months. We saved a lot of toys from our first, but we also keep getting more, so now we have way too many toys! The biggest culprit is stuffed animals, I swear those things just multiply. I currently have two trash bags full of them to get rid of, but don't know where to take them. I hate to just toss them in the trash since most of them still look brand new.

Check with your local police department. Some keep a few stuffed animals in their police cars in case they need it to help comfort a distressed child.

Another option is Department of Children and Youth since they see lots of kids who often don't have anything.

 

[bcwife76]

no rules!! You can post whenever you like. Some post daily, weekly, monthly, or when they remember we are here.
I usually just post when I get rid of something or I come up with an organizing idea I like to share.

Sounds good!

 

[MAJPLO]

Check with your local police department. Some keep a few stuffed animals in their police cars in case they need it to help comfort a distressed child. Another option is Department of Children and Youth since they see lots of kids who often don't have anything.

Love this idea!

 

[RellaSprinkles]

I'm in!
Today I donated a Target bag full of clothing that my 6yr old dd has outgrown. I'm guessing 10 items. Possibly more, but I'll stick with 10 for my counting purposes
We have a children's clothing exchange in town where you can donate good used clothing (no spots, must be in good shape) and you can also shop for items you could use. It's a great way to pay it forward and occasionally find something you need as well! It's made it so much easier for me to part with items I was sentimentally attached to (like my dd's adorable Hanna Andersson dress..). Last time I went, I found an adorable WDW hoodie for her!

I'm going to try to keep track of items that have left my home (whether through donation, trash, or sale). I think it will be great motivation to see that number climb!

 

[StephMK]

Check with your local police department. Some keep a few stuffed animals in their police cars in case they need it to help comfort a distressed child.

Another option is Department of Children and Youth since they see lots of kids who often don't have anything.

Those are great options!! I would add a women's shelter for the same reason. I had a shopper buy several beanie babies at a yard sale one time. She used them for prizes at a retirement home. There should be places that will take them. I wish I could get DD14 to give up some. We have a few pop up hampers full of them!

I'm in!
Today I donated a Target bag full of clothing that my 6yr old dd has outgrown. I'm guessing 10 items. Possibly more, but I'll stick with 10 for my counting purposes
We have a children's clothing exchange in town where you can donate good used clothing (no spots, must be in good shape) and you can also shop for items you could use. It's a great way to pay it forward and occasionally find something you need as well! It's made it so much easier for me to part with items I was sentimentally attached to (like my dd's adorable Hanna Andersson dress..). Last time I went, I found an adorable WDW hoodie for her!

I'm going to try to keep track of items that have left my home (whether through donation, trash, or sale). I think it will be great motivation to see that number climb!

Love that idea! I do think it's easier to give things up when you know they are going to good homes to be used.

I went through the hall closet tonight. Tossed some old school directories and several phone books. The tools to the vacuum that broke were gathered up and I'll either donate or try to sell them. I threw away some odds & ends and probably have one more coat to donate after my fall sweep.

The library had the Clutter Cure by Judi Culbertson so I've been reading that. It's pretty good and motivating me to let go of some things. It's helpful to read books that discuss the reasons why we tend to hold onto to things. The book discussed earlier will probably be my next book purchase. I love the idea of surrounding ourselves with only the things we truly love. Something in the book said - if you had a fire or flood, would you pay to replace this item?

 

[OhMari]

We have a showing on our house today and Tuesday. So hopefully we finally get an offer on the house.

My dh went on a vacuum cleaning buying spree in the last week. He bought a new Bissel vacuum/steam cleaner for our wood floors in in our new house. He thought it would work on vinyl floors in our old house. It doesn't.

Yesterday we went to Sears and bought a new Hoover Super doper carpet cleaner. He previously had 3, but they got damaged in the basement when we had water in our basement last Spring. He refurbished and fixed them, but 2 days ago, they both broke down. Before we went to Sears, I made him load up the old ones and we took them to my work and threw them in the dumpster. I have permission to use the dumpster for anything I want to throw away. I have two boxes sitting in my kitchen, that needs recycling and two new vacuums sitting on the steps, ready to go in the basement. I feel horrible for getting into a fight last night, but I tried to explain to my dh, that he needs to go the distance and complete what he started. Get the boxes out of the house and get the floor and carpet cleaners to the basement. I think that is going to be our new motto, "Go The Distance and Complete What You Started."

 

[Tarheel Tink]

I am in too! Immediate goals; declutter guest room, organize pantry, declutter garage and stop adding to my big freezer, actually use the stuff, lol! Then on to the rest of the house in general.