Enough is enough - the great declutter

Spendless

I started today on the dreaded paperwork, and I stopped after an hour or so, cos I was getting tired and I'd rather do the job properly after a longer period, than half-heartedly in less time.

My house is becoming tidier. The laundry pile we are almost at end of, but we are going away this w/end, a sort of re-cuperation celebration,,cos dh's surgery has been successful and he is now to be monitored for next few years.

I have spoken to our builder and he will be starting work soon to build a linen cupboard/wardrobe over our stairs. Once that is done, the house can finally be finished off.

Soapy955

I have two bookcases filled to overflowing with books. Well a lot of them I haven't looked at for years so I am gradually getting rid of them. My Mum says there is a book recycling point at the local Sainsbury's so I just give her one or two carrier bags full of books to take for me each time she visits.
It's slowly clearing room on my bookshelves and making them look neater.
A lot of the books I was just keeping out of habit and I'm looking forward to the day when I only have books there that I look at regularly!
Each time I clear some more I think to myself that there can't possibly be any more I can get rid of, and then as I sit looking at them, another one jumps out at me shouting to be got rid of!!

There are however, some I could never get rid of, such as an animal encyclopeadia I have had since I was about eight, and my old comic annuals from the 70s! No, Beryl the Peril, no matter how much you wanna get chucked, you're NOT going!!!

Uniscots97

earthmother wrote: »

The decluttering has ground to a screaching halt - just when I needed to get more done not less

I never made either of my carboots last month - hubby has been really ill and I just haven't been able to leave the kids with him (not that they have been that healthy either).

That means that now, less than a week before our landlord inspection, I have a hall and bedroom full of boxes with nowhere else to put them - honestly, the postman the other day asked if we were moving again there are that many boxes around.

Think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and stick it all in the paper - won't get anywhere near what I would at a carboot, and it won't be gone in time for the inspection, but I've got to shift it soon and at least I can honestly tell the agent it's in hand.

The problem ebay sale (big piece of furniture) I said about last week has finally ended - with an NPB. Went to do a second chance to the underbidder only to find they've opted not to receive them - so now that's still stuck here too.


And to top it all, I've had conjunctivitis on and off for over 2 weeks now, and am feeling decidedly flu-ey today too.

Sorry for the whinge, but everywhere I look is a tip, and right now I just feel like giving up

Sending you a hug :grouphug:, I'm sure you'll get rid of your stuff in the paper. What about putting a card up in the local newsagents or the supermarket?

Uniscots97

In: Nothing

Out: carrier bag full of junk, lots of old tights (although they've been cut up to fill a cushion I've made, still need lots to fill it though!!!!).

zarazara

(((((((((HUGS))))))))))) earth mother.
Cant you bite the bullet and just freecyle it all? give it all, say,10 days, then what evers left take to charity shop? At least it will all be gone and outof yourway and doing omeone else some good.

pigpen

Earthmother.. the landlord isn't allowed to tellyou how much clutter you can have.. he is there to inspect the building and any furnishing which belong to him.. your stuff is your stuff.. I'd leave it where it is unless it is really getting on your nerves and say you have boxed it up ready to bung in the car for a car boot on such a date and you are hoping to raise enough money to book a holiday or whatever... be really positive about it and offer to let him come back to do another inspection when it has gone.. why lie or let it go cheap?

In..

1 new watch strap

Out..

1 old watch strap!! lol
1 binbag of rubbish

The bins were emptied again today so I can fling a few more bags of junk in them.. and a bag of rubble in each... I will have the front of the house cleared if it kills me!!!.. I am so fed up of looking out of the window at a pile of rubbish.. and when I've got my way through that lot I am going to go out with the hedge trimmer and hack the darn hedge down to a reasonable height.. 7ft high is too much.. drives me loopy!!

earthmother

Thanks unixgirluk and zarazara


I'll stick a card up in the Co-op, but I've yet to have any luck with them before. If it comes to it, it will have to go to freecycle/charity - the problem is, a large amount of it is the boys old toys, and the only way I got them to part with them in the first place was the promise of the profits when they sold. We're letting them down enough right now without breaking a promise too.


Still feeling a bit grotty today - but I did manage to get a load of washing through this morning and empty the rubbish bins, so it's not all bad. Think that's it for the day though.

As for hubby, just got to wait for a week, see if today's new pills do anything (the doc actually made a house call *thud* didn't think they did them any more), otherwise he's back into hospital again before the month is out.

earthmother

Thanks Pigpen - I seem to have been saying that to people for a while now, the first carboot was supposed to have been over a month ago, but as you say, it's the truth.

pigpen

earthmother wrote: »

Thanks Pigpen - I seem to have been saying that to people for a while now, the first carboot was supposed to have been over a month ago, but as you say, it's the truth.

exactly!!! .. And how upset would the boys be if you said sorry guys you can't have the money because I gave all your stuff away..

Positive thinking..

Can it be restacked somewhere less 'in the way'?? Just until you are all well again and can manage the car boot.

Do you have a friend or family member who could watch the children while you do a car boot with another friend ??? I absolutely would NOT do a CB on your own.. some people get really aggressive and pushy and of course there are the thieves sadly.

You'll get there.. focus on getting yourself and your family well first.. their health is of utmost importance!... I'd possibly be asking the LL to wait and delay his visit because hubby is ill and you wouldn't want him to catch anything (and if you do.. don't tell him!!)

essexgal

earthmother wrote: »

Thanks Pigpen - I seem to have been saying that to people for a while now, the first carboot was supposed to have been over a month ago, but as you say, it's the truth.

You and me both:rolleyes: trouble is I find I'd rather wander round and look at other peoples stuff - probably save more that way by picking up the bargains than selling....:o - hmmm and I wonder where all the clutter comes from:rotfl:

I don't know what type of property you rent so this may not be possible - if you are on a reasonably busy street and have 'outside space' at the front could you put a table outside and try and sell some of the stuff (sort of home car boot) . Of course this only works if you've got space and passers-by.... Advantages are no car boot fees, you can do as much or as little as you want, loos and refreshments are handy....My daughter and her friend did this one summer - didn't make a fortune but enough to keep them happy, and got rid of enough 'clutter' to make me happy....:D

essexgal