2016 Destash - The more things you own, the more they own you

[BernardandMissBianca]

YAY Just got a facebook message that rummage sale is taking donations as of today!!! So I'm loading up my car in a bit for round one.
I hope I remember to take photos of all the bags headed out.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

We were a military family for 15 yrs. My husband served nearly 20 yrs and I joined him 5 1/2 yrs into his career. Not knowing what we needed from move to move, we kept almost everything. Well, he retired 5 yrs ago and we still have lots of stuff. I've been trying to get rid of it but some of it is time and I've had a bunch of health issues arise recently. Trying to sell most of it to fund activities and such on FB garage sale sites. Some of it just gets donated to Goodwill for the tax write-off as it's not worth selling.

What's funny, is I'm super OCD about order and stuff not being in its place. With kids, I've tried to be better, but no matter how much I try to teach them to pick up after themselves, it's some foreign concept that's impossible for them to understand. Drives me nuts especially when I'm tripping over shoes, toys, etc. Hopefully this thread will give me the motivation I need.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I sold a few more things on ebay this week, donated more books and tried to sell some kids water toys on Craigs List but they haven't sold yet.

I won't be selling anything next week since we'll be on vacation but when I get back, I'll relist and keep trying.

 

[lovedisney123]

Joining in even though I am a late starter, but I hope to downsize a lot this year! Nice to mind other people going through the same thing.

 

[pjlla]

Good morning all! Not sure if I mentioned previously or not, but our pool finally bit the dust this past winter, so DH took it down a few weeks ago. I found a scrap metal shop to bring the big panels to and DS and I busted our behinds yesterday folding these HUGE panels down to a manageable size and loading them in the back of my car. Also loaded up a bunch of yard junk (leaky hoses, broken tomato cages) for the dump. Our 260 pounds of scrap metal netted us a grand total of..................................... $8.13 I had originally thought I'd give DS half of whatever we got.... but it was such a small amount I gave him the whole thing. I really thought I might get $30-$40 or more for it.... but alas. But it was more than we would have gotten at the dump and it was an adventure! The scrap metal place was actually pretty interesting! And I was going into town to buy groceries anyhow, so it wasn't an extra trip.

DS's graduation party is 9 days away!! Time to whip this place into shape!..............P

 

[OhMari]

Good morning all! Not sure if I mentioned previously or not, but our pool finally bit the dust this past winter, so DH took it down a few weeks ago. I found a scrap metal shop to bring the big panels to and DS and I busted our behinds yesterday folding these HUGE panels down to a manageable size and loading them in the back of my car. Also loaded up a bunch of yard junk (leaky hoses, broken tomato cages) for the dump. Our 260 pounds of scrap metal netted us a grand total of..................................... $8.13 I had originally thought I'd give DS half of whatever we got.... but it was such a small amount I gave him the whole thing. I really thought I might get $30-$40 or more for it.... but alas. But it was more than we would have gotten at the dump and it was an adventure! The scrap metal place was actually pretty interesting! And I was going into town to buy groceries anyhow, so it wasn't an extra trip.

DS's graduation party is 9 days away!! Time to whip this place into shape!..............P

I don't understand the people that scrap your garbage for metal. We had bulk pick-up and we put out on the curb, our shop vac, a Bissel floor cleaner, that broke and Bissel sent us a new one. Someone picked them up, cut the chords off and brought them back. My dh told me, the took the copper out of the chords. He said it probably was a whole penny worth of copper. I know pennies add up, but really? My old neighbors dd is married and her husband does this and has no job. He actually got in big trouble for going in businesses dumpsters and taking the scrap metal.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

It's the weekend!! I have pregnancy insomnia and I think I'm going to do move prep which always includes organizing/purging while everyone sleeps.

Did anyone do the bathroom missions? If so, how'd it go. It's not the most glamorous, but expiration dates are never ending!!

 

[lovedisney123]

My DH actually joined in this weekend. He isn't quite as 'committed' to getting rid of stuff, but it was a start. I do better when he is at work

 

[damskipi13]

Finally got to take the leftover items from my moving sale to Goodwill today. I also sold all of the remaining large items. All told, I made ~$1000 and will have a decent tax deduction to boot. A woman contacted me via Facebook to ask for donations for a woman escaping from a bad situation, so she got a box too. It feels sooo good to have all of that stuff out of my life and do some good at the same time. Hopefully living in a small apartment for the next few years will keep me from re-accumulating.

 

[melmel]

I finally finished my basement project yesterday! It took me about a month longer than I planned, but it's done and that's all that matters. I still have a few things to sort that just got moved around to get finished. But I feel very accomplished that I went from a hoarder looking basement to a working giant playroom for my boys.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

I finally finished my basement project yesterday! It took me about a month longer than I planned, but it's done and that's all that matters. I still have a few things to sort that just got moved around to get finished. But I feel very accomplished that I went from a hoarder looking basement to a working giant playroom for my boys.

Woo Hoo!! I have an expression that "Progress is a process" It doesn't have to be finished overnight, but just keep making constant progress.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

just unpacked a box of clothes that I had been hanging onto for sentimental reasons - they are going through the wash (smell a bit musty) and then to goodwill - except one marching band t-shirt that DD wants

 

[dsnycrzy]

I am finally completely done my basement. Now on to other parts of my house. I did start my bedroom closet. Thats going to be hard but I have about one trash bag worth in a pile so thats a start.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

First pass of lego/mega blocks/imaginex bins done!! We will finish this afternoon.
Car load # 2 is ready to go to rummage sale now. Leaving in about 15 minutes.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I have been cleaning out the spare bedrooms, but having some accountability will help me, I think.

Goal for this week: I have two underbed storage tubs that have been under my bed for about 3 years. If I haven't needed the things in those tubs until now, I suspect I won't need them in the future. I am not even entirely sure what is in those tubs. I am going through them and donating everything I can't put into use.

 

[C_leen]

I've been slowly working on the Kon Mari method. Not at all fast like she recommends, but her system is helping me think about things and the joy they bring or do not bring. It is true that I am finding this system KILLS the clutter from coming back.

Since going through my drawers and closet this winter, I have only had to tweak my closet a few weeks ago mostly due to the season's change. I had a clearer idea of what I was truly wearing of my summer shoes and clothes. But my closet remains neat. My drawers are neat too. And my clean clothes get put away MUCH faster because they fit where they need to go. I still own a few too much of a few sub-categories, but this has helped me NOT buy anything new. I get in the mood to shop and I remind myself of this process and how my wardrobe is still shaking out items and purchases must be for carefully considered.

We had a garage sale a few weeks ago and it was a bust due to rain. Luckily my H remembered our church was having a rummage sale and we were able to run everything that didn't sell up there that same afternoon. A truckload. Gone.

Yesterday I finished re-reading a book I had loved and kept since 1987. I remembered there was a free lending library nearby, so I put it in there. Bye bye beloved book.

So my next problem areas are papers which collect on my dining room table, kitchen counter, the steps and on the guest bed. I need to re-read that section of the book for sure.

 

[Debbie]

I've been slowly working on the Kon Mari method. Not at all fast like she recommends, but her system is helping me think about things and the joy they bring or do not bring. It is true that I am finding this system KILLS the clutter from coming back.

Since going through my drawers and closet this winter, I have only had to tweak my closet a few weeks ago mostly due to the season's change. I had a clearer idea of what I was truly wearing of my summer shoes and clothes. But my closet remains neat. My drawers are neat too. And my clean clothes get put away MUCH faster because they fit where they need to go. I still own a few too much of a few sub-categories, but this has helped me NOT buy anything new. I get in the mood to shop and I remind myself of this process and how my wardrobe is still shaking out items and purchases must be for carefully considered.

We had a garage sale a few weeks ago and it was a bust due to rain. Luckily my H remembered our church was having a rummage sale and we were able to run everything that didn't sell up there that same afternoon. A truckload. Gone.

Yesterday I finished re-reading a book I had loved and kept since 1987. I remembered there was a free lending library nearby, so I put it in there. Bye bye beloved book.

So my next problem areas are papers which collect on my dining room table, kitchen counter, the steps and on the guest bed. I need to re-read that section of the book for sure.

Good for you! I'm going slowly as well. I have done many of the categories, but need to revisit with a proper vision at some point. For the time being, DD is heading to Finland for her Masters, so is working on her stuff. Once she has gone, I will attack her room with vigour. NOTE: I have warned her to pack everything that she thinks she will want when she returns to Canada for good in 2 years, so she has been packing carefully. We'll be working on this together for the next month.

 

[toystoryduo]

I think I'm starting to find some motivation again, but just when I find mine, my DH has lost his. LOL! He hasn't worked in the garage in a few days now, but he did say that he will get back on track tonight. Here's hoping!

I listed 4 items on eBay Sunday, and 3 of them sold already. I have 2 more listings almost done for tonight. I just need to wait until my DH gets home so I can take pictures and add them to the listings. Slowly, but surely, getting more stuff out of the house.

Tomorrow, I will work on books and curriculum. I'll check eBay to see if the items are selling. If not, they will go into a box for Goodwill.

 

[CheriePenguin]

Finally took several bags of things to a Toys 4 Tots drop off at our fire station. A huge stuffed Tigger (from DS12's 1st birthday party! ), a bag of nice stuffed animals (from our smoke-free and pet-free home), plus some games, books, puzzles, etc.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I cleaned out our pantry style cupboard yesterday. I was frustrated at how many duplicates of things I found in there because I thought we were out, but it had actually been pushed to the back. I did throw out some things that were WAY past the use by date. I filled a Kroger bag of stuff to donate to the food pantry and filled a shopping bag with cookbooks I never use for our next garage sale.