The Great Declutter Part 2

seabright

I have found using freecycle to be a great help. I find it far easier to part with things if I think someone else will be using them, rather than just sending something perfectly good to the tip.

nimbo

be a bit harsh - if you can stick it on Ebay. that way the proceeds can be used for the latest craze in games...

with the things that have sentimental value - get a box for each child - about the size of an A4 paper box, and fill only that...

i'm the worst for keeping tat - but you need space to live, and there is no point keeping hold of things that in later years will just be filled wth dust - and have forgotten memories attached....

threemuttleys

This is going to be my job for the new year.

I hate clutter, and the Oh is terrible for it. My thoughts are, if it isnt beautiful or useful then its going in the bin/freecyle/ebay/charity shop (wonder if I can freecycle the OH!)

Pink.

Hi supa-girl,

It might seem a bit overwhelming at first, and it's a difficult job (especially if you're a hoarder, like I am) but it's so worth it when you do manage to declutter. It frees up space in your head as well as your home.

Get yourself four bin bags/boxes or whatever containers you have...

bag 1) broken bits and bobs/rubbish that nobody uses/needs anymore and would be of no use to anyone else. Bin it.
bag 2) things not worth selling that you can give away to somebody else who may find it useful....family/friends/freecycle/freegle etc.
bag 3) things that may be useful to someone else and could earn you a little extra cash (ebay/gumtree/local newspaper free ads etc)
bag 4) stuff you need to keep, that once you've made a hole in the decluttering, you will find a place for and put away.

There's an existing thread on decluttering that has lots more advice:

The Great Declutter 2010 Shiny New Thread

I'll add your thread to that one later to keep the ideas together.

Pink

pinkmami

The Works sell those folded boxes 2 for £10 & they're great for the kids "special stuff"!! With all the other rubbish well to be blunt - you just have to throw it away! My husband is also a hoarder.....drives me bananas!!!!

If you can't sell it bin it.

DUKE

Oh the very thought of clutter fills me with absolute horror! :eek: I've read all the books .... & they say if you don't wear it/use it within 3 months then you never will. I like to give my stuff away 'with love' to the charity shop as someone out there can make good use of the stuff that's just gathering dust in my house. Good luck

freyasmum

seabright wrote: »

I have found using freecycle to be a great help. I find it far easier to part with things if I think someone else will be using them, rather than just sending something perfectly good to the tip.

Totally agree with this!

I can't bring myself to throw perfectly good, but outgrown, toys out I would far rather someone else had some enjoyment out of them.

I'd probably sell the smaller, but higher value items on ebay or something like that, but I don't think it's really worth it for the bigger things. If you have no one in the family to take them, are there any refuges or childrens playgroup locally?

nodwah

As for games - as long as they have the box and the booklets with them intact you can trade them in at various places, even Asda and Tesco now. My kids are quite happy to do this at Game for instance and they get credit points to buy more stuff (oh dear). You could probably get more money selling them but it's a lot less hassle and I've actually not had much sucess on ebay or amazon lately

shikoku

Okay this may sound a little bit daft but it works for me and I find it clears out the clutter at a steady rate all year round.

I call it 'Six Useless Things.'

Periodically I wander around my home, gather up and dispose of six useless things. It doesn't matter what they cost or even if they have never been used, if they are of no use to me then I get rid!

It amazing what you can dispose of slowly but surely without the trauma of all in one go.

Anything qualifies, dishcloths past their best to coats I've never worn (and never will)

Last time it was a cache of black pop socks which I once needed for work (under trousers) accompanied by the vile court shoes that went with them.

beemuzed

Oh dear! This reminds me that both DH and I have dreadful hoarding instincts and there's so much we ought to go through! I think it's the teacher element coming out - you can always make use of things at some point! (Or not, of course!)
I can't do the "if you haven't worn it for a year" thing as some clothes just don't get worn as regularly and yet I know they will get worn again someday - such as the two or three formal outfits that only get worn once in a blue moon.
I keep meaning to try ebay, but just don't know where to start.
I have this year used freecycle, and also taken loads to the charity shops....but yet there is more!
Perhaps I'm doomed to remain a hoarder really.
Good luck supa-girl - and if you find the magic formula, please let me know!