Enough is enough - the great declutter

Mogkat

I haven't eBayed anything malteasers but I've been ousting a great deal of stuff to charity shops, friends and the bin. I've only been at it with some vigour for the last few months and made a good dent in it but if anyone saw my house today they'd think I was lying cos it's still a ruddy tip

I've been using this thread as inspiration for my work.

Today's list
Out
2 and half rucksacks (and fairly big ones at that) of books to the charity shop :eek: The poor woman looked pained when we explained about the size of our donation, and I did say we could split them between that shop and others in town, but they took them anyway.

That rubbish I sorted yesterday should be going out to the bin soon when I ask himself to do it.

A broken kettle. We use a hob kettle which I'm sure that contributes to a smaller electricity bill given the amount of tea we drink. Himself dropped it this morning and the handle sheared off :rolleyes: It was past its best anyway but the horror of being tealess was too much for me to contemplate so I sent him out to buy another one. I would have gone with or gone myself but the In section will explain why not.

In
A new hob kettle. Not the best model I must admit but it was cheap and tea is one of my major vices and the prospect of a pan of hot water being poured into a mug was frightful.

Also in is a poorly knee. Laden with the books we set off this morning. Chatting about how best to make the donation I trod on a patch of damp mud/yucky leaf mulchness on the pavement and took a tumble. It was rather an elegant one given my size but I walked it off and we continued on our way. Got back to discover a flashback to the playground graze now soothed with cream and a plaster. It's getting stiff now and I'm not terribly mobile.

newlywed

I know it's difficult to part with things (I'm such a clutterbug). Flylady helped me, there was a comment about has the item helped you, have you had your use out of it for what you paid, is it possible someone else would appreciate it now more than you?

That helped me to get rid of lots. I kept thinking of all those clothes that didn't fit and the fact that someone else might appreciate them, not to mention all the books I had on my shelf that were in really good condition and many not even read!

Because of that, when I donate to charity shops, if the staff aren't bothered about you donating stuff (sometimes they look like it's too much trouble to take it from you) then I go to another shop next time and donate there. I find Scope generally much happier to receive goods than some Oxfam branches etc.

pigpen

maltesers wrote: »

Sorry, I'm trying to get inspiration to dispose of long term treasures and 'useful stuff (aka rubbish) but this thread seems to mainly be about selling stuff on ebay.

Actually we all just have loads listed on ebay at the moment because of the half price listing day last week if you check most posts they say how much else they have disposed of.. mine are REALLY easy to read.. in's, out's and ebay's... idiotproof.. even I can keep tabs on what is going out that door!!

Most of my stuff goes to the charity shop, we have 9 down the avenue so it is really easy to get rid that way and because I'm not buying anything it also means I am donating to them in a way which means I'm not filling up my house, buying stuff I don't need or spending money.

I've been 'decluttering' for the last 7 years.. I'm not very good at it.. missyg has an empty house now having decluttered everything in sight.. I've offered her money, alcohol and bribes to do mine but it doesn't work... I think she is just mean!

I've made thousands over the last few years on ebay and amazon selling a lot of the junk I don't want/need.. and am continually filling binbags with pure rubbish and charity shop stuff.

I also have a new philosphy whereby ANYTHING that comes into the house (bar food!) I fill the packaging with stuff to leave the house.. so if nothing else I am staying still in terms of clutter.

newlywed

pigpen wrote: »

I also have a new philosphy whereby ANYTHING that comes into the house (bar food!) I fill the packaging with stuff to leave the house.. so if nothing else I am staying still in terms of clutter.

Does it count if you fill the box it came in with all the plastic wrapping that came with it :rotfl:

That's a good theory, I keep trying the one skirt in, throw one out, one pair of shoes in, one pair out theory.

But I don't get very far doing that, I did better with the theory of two bags of clothes for charity means I can go out and buy some more clothes!!

pigpen

newlywed wrote: »

Does it count if you fill the box it came in with all the plastic wrapping that came with it :rotfl:

That's a good theory, I keep trying the one skirt in, throw one out, one pair of shoes in, one pair out theory.

But I don't get very far doing that, I did better with the theory of two bags of clothes for charity means I can go out and buy some more clothes!!

No the wrappings don't count.. because I keep that for packaging my ebay stuff!! it will often freecycle too.. bubble wrap.. brown paper.. it all goes and even if you do put it all back in the box there is always room left for more stuff!!

The one in one out theory doesn't work.. you never get anywhere.. and you are getting rid of stuff because you don't NEED it so you certainly don't NEED stuff instead of it..

My back room is almost empty!!

floss2

maltesers wrote: »

....I guess it is all relative if you have a lot of stuff I suppose you could get rid of lots of stuff every day and still be cluttered.

This thread started well over a year ago and it is difficult to know who of the original posters and any along the way managed to declutter and how long it took.

One of my main problems is that I come from an OS family who saved everything beacause it might come in useful some time(war mentality) this is why it is difficult to part with things (like boxes of bits of old lace???). I would rather keep stuff than see it chucked away like most charity shops do with most stuff they are given (I speak from experience).

Even though it may seem a bit daunting, I would suggest that you take the time to read the whole thread. There is a lot of helpful information, and support from the posters.

It isn't all about ebay (there is an ebay board for that) but is about how & why people have gained & then cleared their clutter to a level which they are happy with. Charity shops differ in their behaviour & policies, according to which shop/charity and where they are. Many posters have found smaller local charities with shops that will take almost anything for selling (not disposing) and are grateful for everything.

Some of the posters (for example mary43) have lots of stuff from their families & experiences of decluttering which you may relate to. Others (like angeladavis & myself) have been combining 2 homes into 1.

And the OP, charliesmum, still pops in now & again, as do quite a few of the original posters.

pigpen has it right - baby steps, and an IN / OUT / EBAY (or Freecycle / charity shop).

Ellidee

maltesers could you make sure that all your treasures go to a good home ? For instance the lace, if you know anyone who makes greetings cards or dresses dolls, for instance, they would love your bits of lace.

charlies_mum

Maltesers,

I am the OP who started this thread over a year ago. I may have inspired others to declutter, but unfortunately I haven't been very successful. I run a small business, and one of my auction finds has been about 30,000 greetings cards, which are now filling two bedrooms However, I am making lots of money on them

However, I do hope one day to be clutter free, and am taking inspiration from others on here (especially Pigpen) :T

I think decluttering is an ongoing process, and although a lot of us sell on Ebay, we also use Freecycle and donate to charity shops. Just find the best way of decluttering for you, and go for it. Good luck.

angelavdavis

just to prove a point, i got rid of the spare wheelies today on freecycle :-)

pigpen

and I've just thrown the hubby in the recycle bin and all the children in the wheelie bin!

AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!