Who is destashing in 2010?

[OceanAnnie]

I was doing well before Christmas. I was taking just about a bag a day to the donation center. I put stuff in the vehicle to go, and when I'm running errands I swing by and make the donation. I started up again with donations this week. Today, I had a bag full of books, baskets, and some clothes. Yea!

 

[talulabelle]

Anyone have an attic ? Ours has lots of room to save things but what to keep?

We have an older tv (but digital ready) fans, misc. stuff that will be great for a dorm when oldest ds starts college next year.

But other stuff, I'm not so sure.

If its an important item potentially, I don't want to toss it, but how do I avoid an accumulation of other *might be needed* stuff? How do y'all decide?

I helped clean out my husbands aunts house and my grandmothers house when they passed away. When you are doing this for someone else there are SO many things that you are like "???why on earth did they hold on to this????????!!!!" things that they stashed in their attics or drawers when they thought they might still have some use in the future and then like 40 years passed and it was still there. So this may be a bit morbid, but I try to think about people having to clean out my attic in 50- 60 years (or hopefully more). I try not to put anything up there that if I don't clean it out in the next few decades, someone won't be going "?????????" about my stuff.

 

[dtr_angel]

I'm for this too! I actually started doing some of that yesterday since it was trash night and I had a bunch of things to toss.

I also finally got through sorting my bookcases and DH dropped off the books at half priced books. Mostly romance novels that I got rid of so not a lot of money received but I believe he said they gave him $26 for it all. It was 2 rubbermaid bins worth and 90% of those were bought at the library sale for a nickel each anyway. So I'd guess that we might actually have made a little money on those books!

hmm, that's awesome! I have a lot of books to give away, I wonder if there is any place like that where I live? I guess I can check the phone book

 

[smiller]

I helped clean out my husbands aunts house and my grandmothers house when they passed away. When you are doing this for someone else there are SO many things that you are like "???why on earth did they hold on to this????????!!!!" things that they stashed in their attics or drawers when they thought they might still have some use in the future and then like 40 years passed and it was still there. So this may be a bit morbid, but I try to think about people having to clean out my attic in 50- 60 years (or hopefully more). I try not to put anything up there that if I don't clean it out in the next few decades, someone won't be going "?????????" about my stuff.

It might be considered a bit morbid, but I think it's very practical, too! I think of that as well - I imagine my family having to sort through my papers or my closet and I wouldn't want them to be overwhelmed.

And I don't want to be overwhelmed now, either!

Tossed an old t-shirt today that was what DMom refers to as "mouse-eaten" - the collar has lots of little holes in it. I think it's time to go through all my work shirts!

 

[disneymomjcs]

I love this thread.

I am currently packing up my house L/R D/R and kitchen. We are having an addition put on, their almost done outside. Soon they'll be tearing down walls on the main floor. So I put the living room and dining room set online to sell. I packed half of the china cabinet away.

I am decluttering while I pack. Although my family room looks awful we have 24 boxes that contain our hardwood flooring and I'll be making a makeshift kitchen in the same room. We'll be living on that floor for a while other then the bedrooms.

Last week I had AFS pick up 4 trash bags clothes kitchen stuff etc and two wrapping paper storage containers. It felt great to get rid of some stuff.

I am giving stuff away and packing things up.

 

[hrslvr142]

I started cleaning out my very large bedroom closet and what I want to know is WHO put all that stuff in there??? Okay I live alone so it would be me but nothing is going back in there that doesn't belong so now my bedroom is a mess but it will remain that way until everything has a correct place and that is NOT putting it back in a box to be placed somewhere else. My actual closet looks so nice and that is an incentive to keep it that way. Thanks again for this thread.

 

[kfeuer]

I've enjoyed catching up on this thread. I've been sick almost all month but I have sold a few things on Craigslist (including a big game table that I was thrilled to see go). While I was sick I thought of some more things I can list, too. I've just got to get better and then I'll get busy again!

 

[MinnieLove]

I have seen many people mention the smal "McDonald" type toys that add up in your kids rooms. Our schoold does something cool with them. They request that you send them in to school to put in the "Treasure Box". Just a good use to recycle those little toys that we hate, but the kids love.

 

[bridget]

I actually started an organizing blog

I love fly lady and I could spend hours reading organizng books at Barnes & Noble. I love my subscription to Real Simple, but I think I've got a pretty good system going

http://lazyorganizer.blogspot.com/2010/01/step-2-mail-aka-junk-and-other.html

I'm not perfect. I have my list of things to get organized, but I think I really have my day-to-day routine down, which makes me "feel" so much more organized.

 

[Rootskate]

Made another trip to Goodwill this morning with a bunch of stuff. Tonight I am planning to take the "junk" drawer out of the desk and sort through it while I pop in a movie. I am so thrilled with my bedroom closet! It is as neat as a pin with absolutely nothing in there that I don't want or need! Thank you all for the inspiration!

 

[LovableGluttons]

I cleared out a computer armoire that we keep the printers, paper, ink, etc. in. Also DH's desk! I emptied mine, now to get rid of mine.

IKEA has these great bookcases that can make a room look like walls of bookcases, but neat. We want to redo the den with these, and have two work areas with small office chairs that you can do your work at, but with doors to close on any unfinished work.

Everytime I walk into my kitchen pantry, I smile. It's so nice to know exactly what's in there, that none is expired, and it looks great!

I've love the den to be like that.

I need to get rid of an air hockey/pool table in the bonus room/landing area upstairs.

Think someone would haul it off my curb if I dragged it out there. Selling it would garner enough funds to make it worth selling it. LOL

 

[bridget]

I am working on my computer cabinet! OH MY GOODNESS. Although I'm rich... I found lots of change and a book of stamps I also found a Quiznos stamp card worth a free sub

The one thing I need to do is organize all the back-up cds/photos, etc!

I'm taking before, during and after photos. Now I've just got to figure out how to post them!

 

[TarzansKat]

Can I join?

Becoming pregnant with our second child has quite literally lit a fire under my butt, that's for sure! We live in a two bedroom apartment, and properly utilizing our space with only the things that we actually use has become my new priority. If it's sitting in a closet and hasn't seen the light of day for a year, it's gone.

So far, I've made great headway on my clothes (some maternity, some not) that were in our storage unit. All my maternity clothes have been washed and are ready to use, and when I'm done with them, they'll get donated. I had all my old tees from college, if you can believe that, and I'm getting rid of those as well.

I have already gone through our kitchen and pantry, and thrown out and re-organized. My next step is my son's room. He has a lot of duplicate toys, and a lot of those shelving units with bins that are just junk catchers. Today I bought a really nice bookcase for our living room (which is where some of his toys go), and plan to organize toys/board games/books there.

I'm looking forward to cleaning out and being accountable, because regardless of how quickly I get it done, there's going to be a whole other person in this house come summer. Albeit, a small person, but still. It's time for efficiency and less...well crap!

 

[dyna]

After years of trying to get DH to help destash....he'd fill up a spot as soon as I emptied it he himself is on the wagon actually doing the destashing himself

He started in the youngest DD's room 19 yrs old an been told for yrs to get rid of enough stuff that everything fit in closet or dresser ect NEVER HAPPENED long story short DH went in an tackled that job New Years Day he was in there all day but got most of the junk an clutter out along with clothes that no longer fit.....room now needs a good dusting an cleaning. The Goodwill liked us that day I'm sure!!!!!

Last Saturday DH spent the day hanging curtain rods an decor stuff that he bought at disney but had never hung up it was a small start not everything went as planned but we both making an honest effort!

Yesterday DH tackled his half of the closet an the top of his dresser I can actually see the ceiling above his dresser now an there is a wall behind it too. Guess that means I need to do my half of closet as well HUH? I've done my half once or twice a year it mostly just needs straighting up a bit.

OHHHHHHHHHHH yesterday DH managed to find clothes he had been looking for for 2 yrs LOL I learned many yrs ago not to go thru his stuff an throw stuff away did that few weeks after we moved in together an he still has not let me forget it.

I cut off the curtains an hemmed them that goes in kitchen been waiting 2 yrs for dh to hang curtain rod

We have a 3rd bedroom upstairs that has been sort of gbaby nursery sewing room an catch all I got to admit most of the mess here is mine...but that is also where the disney stuff waiting to be hung lived in the crib that is not being used right now.

This room is sort of a family project DD did straighten up the baby dressing table while here last week babies to big for it but it comes in handy for their change of clothes, swim stuff etc.

I did pull out a few things from there that missed the last goodwill trip i'' do that later today...weather not been the best for hauling stuff off either.... My uncle is coming soon to get the crib an booster seats. I have another box of magazines that goes to an aunts house when I go out that way later this month

I am so HAPPY DH is destashing he's only working on it on Saturdays his only day off of the week He was even up outta bed an started by 7am yesterday that's a 1st don't think he'll start that early every Sat.

We prolly halfway done destashing the upstairs.......then for the basement!!!! It no better than the upstairs of course.

In the past when DH has destashed he usually just found another spot for his stash this time he is actually getting rid of stuff throwing out YAY!!!!!!!

I think renting the condos for disney might have helped dh realize that when he retires an we move to smaller place he not gonna have room OOHHHHHH I know a good one to use on him the less stuff ya own the easier it is to find your lost sweat pants etc an other lost items hehehe

 

[PrincessParty]

I am working in my kid's room. I swear to you I don't have ADHD until it comes to cleaning and organizing. (I have an ADHD DD so I want everyone to know I am not making that statement lightly, so please no flames.) So far 2 bags of trash. I did buy 2 pop up laundry hampers yesterday to put their stuffed animals in. The under the bed boxes didn't work well. I am hoping to get it done today.

My real goal for 2010 is to do my pictures. Get them saved to cd's and the printed ones in albums. Have a good day today everyone.

 

[kristinw3girls]

I'm doing pretty well with this mission! Yesterday I took 5 large bags of clothes to Goodwill. Does anyone really need 23 pairs of black pants? Crazy! I have also started my girls on their rooms too. My DD9, is the youngest so no need to save ANY clothes that don't fit her. I managed to clear off 1 of my 2 closets. I'm planning on working on the second one today. This one isn't too bad, just messy mostly. I've also signed up for the flylady daily e-mails. They (along with this thread) seem to keep me on track. I just want my house to be inviting and not be embarassed if someone unexpectedly stops by. I wouldn't feel the need to keep visitors on the porch. I could actually invite them in and enjoy the company! IMAGINE THAT What a blessing that would be. Keep it up everyone, your post's are keeping me going!



Kristin

 

[smiller]

Made another trip to Goodwill this morning with a bunch of stuff. Tonight I am planning to take the "junk" drawer out of the desk and sort through it while I pop in a movie. I am so thrilled with my bedroom closet! It is as neat as a pin with absolutely nothing in there that I don't want or need! Thank you all for the inspiration!

Great job on your closet! I can't wait to be happy about mine - just one good cleaning & organizing day away!

I organized another kitchen cabinet today (baking supplies & vitamins) and found some old Benefiber and Sambucol (CVS, anyone? ) so that felt good to get rid of.

I'm also cleaning out the fridge - whatever is fresh (and will go bad within the next several weeks) is getting eaten or tossed by Wednesday. I'll be staying at DSis's for a while, so I don't want to leave a stinky fridge for Roomie.

Tonight's plan is to tackle my bedroom (at least start) and tomorrow's plan is to do light whole-house cleaning, finish the bedroom (to a certain extent), and get everything packed and ready for the temporary move to DSis's! A little laundry and last-minute items on Tuesday night, and I'll be ready to go!

 

[delmar411]

My real goal for 2010 is to do my pictures. Get them saved to cd's and the printed ones in albums. Have a good day today everyone.

This is one of my major to-dos for 2010 as well. I'm finding that a lot of the pics I want to print are not 4x6 photo quality for some reason and I wish I had known that years ago and could have retaken a lot of the pictures at the time.

They do print out but tend to be very grainy/blurry.

 

[delmar411]

dyna~ sounds like you and your DH are making some major progress! Great job!

AFM, I'm almost done with getting the photos up on the stairway. I've spent the entire day doing this and it's getting there. I need to find 4 real nails for 2 of the frames since they've got some sort of weird hardware for hanging. But I know I have a box of nails, I just need to remember where I put all my hardware and tools (that place where I'd be sure to know where everything is! LOL).

I destashed 4 bins from my bedroom last night. Mostly paper clutter that I had brought upstairs to deal with. I'll bring up a couple more bags tonight and try to get through those. I've been falling asleep very early for me so nighttime has been hard to get stuff done since I'm literally just falling over in bed and going to sleep!

I have a few goals this week:
get all the school supplies/office supplies put away where they belong (I have a dresser in the front room that holds it all and the TV sits on top of it)

finish sorting the paper clutter

deal with the art bins ~ pull them out of ODD's room, organize by use/type of craft, find a better home than DD's closet since she's getting into them and making a mess,

 

[bridget]

I can't figure out how to post pictures.

http://lazyorganizer.blogspot.com/

This is under my sink. My house is pretty clean (actually spotless), but sometimes things like closets, drawers, pantry, get a little out of hand.

Yesterday I did the computer cabinet which was a huge chore

Next up on my list... my daughter's dresser and my closet.