Tightwad versus De-clutter

tinselfairy

We had a major declutter of the loft a couple of years ago and all the bits that went back up listed so we know exactly what's up there. Also we have a small garden storage shed and we wrote of list of those contents. DH has a plethora of electric DIY tools which only ever get used once in a while and it stops the 'where did I put that?' questions as he can just refer to the list.
Must also say that was pre-DS and the loft is needing another declutter!

carolt

Am i the only one who feels huge amounts of guilt on both sides? - guilt at throwing stuff away that might be useful and I once paid good money for, and guilt at being surrounded by pointless clutter and mess all the time, unable to find the stuff I really need on a day-to-day basis? I suppose at the end of the day I have to admit that I wasted money on stuff I didn't need - sadly once you've bought things (with a few exceptions like antiques) they decrease in value very rapidly, and even if unused, let alone used, will fetch very little on ebay or elsewhere.

Note to self - buy less!

vivw_2

carolt wrote:

Am i the only one who feels huge amounts of guilt on both sides? - guilt at throwing stuff away that might be useful and I once paid good money for, and guilt at being surrounded by pointless clutter and mess all the time, unable to find the stuff I really need on a day-to-day basis? I suppose at the end of the day I have to admit that I wasted money on stuff I didn't need - sadly once you've bought things (with a few exceptions like antiques) they decrease in value very rapidly, and even if unused, let alone used, will fetch very little on ebay or elsewhere.

Note to self - buy less!

i agree totally with you and find it slightly easier to get rid of useful clutter if I put it on freecycle and clutter up someone elses life. Joking aside ....it is easier if you feel the item is not totally wasted.

lizzyb1812

Good thread - made me think of a couple of points:-

Storing duvets - Morrisons are doing BOGOF on underbed storage - made of soft fabric but in a long drawer shape, if you see what I mean. Less than £2 for 1 and now on BOGOF. They have a couple of other shapes/sizes as well.

Amy D - one poster (amateur tycoon?) mentioned "philosophy" in their post. Amy D's stuff is all about the philosophy of being a tightwad/MSE. It's not about copying what a person does, but about taking on that attitude. I don't have a huge attic to store 5 future years kids clothes, but I do have a basket (or 5) on top of my kitchen cupboards with a year's supple of Tresemme purchased on BOGOF and other bargains with long use by dates.

And the baskets look great and get me over my "why is the space on top of kitchen cupboards not used" gripe

lizzyb

vfairbrass

Thank you for all your replies to my original post- I won't feel so bad about the margarine tubs now. I am only partially through reading the Complete Tightwad Gazette and agree that it is her philosophy that I will take away with me rather than many of the suggested money saving options (I find Martin's Thrifty book best for them). Where she has the advantage is bringing up her children from scratch in this way. I have to admit that my teenager daughters are deeply aggrieved about my change of approach. I think I have spoiled them in the past - they are particularly complaining that I never go food shopping anymore, what they probably mean is that the cupboards aren't full of snack meals and they are having to take packed lunch to school. Tightwad doesn't seem to have any solutions to this as she finished writing before her children were that age.
Valerie

vivw_2

Keep with it, vfairbrass.
Your OS ways will eventually rub off on your daughters which will make their lives easier when they leave home. My daughter is 22 and she was the one that told me about this site. She lives on a low income but because she was brought up watching the pennies and doing things for herself, she is able to live well. They will thank you one day

Queenie

vfairbrass wrote:

... I have to admit that my teenager daughters are deeply aggrieved about my change of approach. - they are particularly complaining that I never go food shopping anymore, what they probably mean is that the cupboards aren't full of snack meals and they are having to take packed lunch to school...

Being "different" to their peers is really hard at that age, but the good side is that environmental issues should be a major help in explaining to them why you are doing what you do. By discussing with them issues in the news about being charges per weight of rubbish, environmental issues, the benefits of cooking from scratch from a health point of view etc., etc., you will find that, no matter what they say today, it will have a positive impact on them for the future. Teens will complain about many things (just LOVE that advert for Quorn at the moment where the pedantic teen girl gets upset because her stand to be different from them and be the only one eating Quorn backfires when the whole family enjoy it too :rotfl: :rotfl: )

HM snack meals can be just as tasty and fun to make!! Do you let them take turns in the kitchen cooking up things they like? My two lads (11 & 12) love it when they are given the opportunity to make/bake/create in the kitchen.

Ellie2758

sophiesmum wrote:

I just open mine out and keep it under the mattress then change them over when needed. Do this with all beds/quilts in the house.

sophiesmum

Thanks, sounds good to me. I do wonder though, suppose the weather gets variable and you're not sure which type of duvet you'll need that night. Wake up sweating and have to lift up the mattress (complete with DH) to get to lighter-weight duvet :rotfl:

Ellie2758

guineapig wrote:

I manage to roll my kingsize summer/double winter ones into large pillow cases,( that match the bedding) and they stay on top of the bed either as a decorative item ( that looks appropriate;) ....) or you can use it as a "spare pillow"

If you find you can't fit them in a regular size case, then open out a bedspread/sheet ( that contrasts) put the rolled up duvet inside sort of sausage roll style, then tie up the ends of the bedspread/sheet ( like a christmas cracker;) I use lace to tie up the ends ...........)

Then you have a nice squishy ( and might I say very comfy) large bolster:D

HTH?

This, I like! A contrasting colour eh? Now that's something I'm not very good at. Room is mainly yellow, with navy curtains. D'ya think a yellow sheet would be tooooooooo much? I think a navy one would be too dark. Do you mean candlewick bedspread? Do they still sell bedspreads these days?

taplady

vfairbrass wrote:

I got the Complete Tightwad Gazette for Christmas this year and am working slowly through it - a fantastic book with lots of useful ideas. BUT last Christmas's book was one on De-cluttering which I also took to like a duck to water and have decluttered the whole house as much as possible. Tightwad seems to imply a massive amount of clutter in that you save absolutely everything, just in case. How can I combine the two philosophies?
Valerie

I have just finished reading the Complete TWG and really enjoyed reading it! I have taken on board some of the ideas but am more inclined to declutter than hoard. What was the decluttering book you had vfairbrass? might give me some ideas;)