Enough is enough - the great declutter

BWZN93

Charis wrote: »

I planned to do this also. The first thing I scanned yesterday was a newspaper cutting. It did not reproduce well and rather put me off. I intended to scan all the kids' old pictures, old photos, everything I could. Then I realised how huge the files will be if I scan at any kind of quality. My CD burning has been a bit hit and miss. I think this is going to be rather more complicated than I thought. Do you have any good tips?

How did you get paperless bills from everyone? I get them from my ISP and my energy companies, that's about all. I am not aware that anyone else does them. Maybe I should do a search.

Thanks for the reminder. I have come some way with my decluttering and I have had odd moments when I feel undecided whether I really want to pare right down to the minimum. It's odd how we all hang onto things after they have served their purpose. Even relationships. I was undecided about one of those as well, but the decision was made for me. I suspect that's why it's difficult to let go of other 'securities' right now, none of which makes me any more secure if I am honest.

I decided that for most of my stuff, quality scans arent that important but speed is, so I got hold of an auto document feeder scanner off ebay. I bought an external hard drive from pc world (500gb for 70quid - bargain!) and everything gets stored on that in folders, one each for music, movies, personal documents, reference material, photos etc. They are named by the date e.g powergen october 2007 for ease. It also means I can keep the laptop clutter free of everything except programmes and should it crash - I wont lose anything.

I do all my banking online so I registered for paperless billing, my mobile (virgin) is paperless, home phone/internet/tv is paperless, as is Powergen utilities. I havent found out if my water bills and council tax bills can be done paperless yet - but I suspect they cant. I check all my bills as soon as they are available and ensure they are correct - if they are then its not strictly necessary to download them. Ditto things like policy documents for insurance, they are often available online in PDF format saving me the trouble of scanning things. Payslips etc that cant be paperless are scanned and stored in a payslip file as soon as they are recieved, then shredded and recycled.

Many of my photo's have already been scanned and stored online anyway, so for me, most of my storage has already been done previously and just needs cataloging. All my cameras are now digital too which makes storing images a whole deal easier.

There are a few free programmes that can be downloaded to make storing and accessing files easier too, ive not used one yet but it will be something I do soon. I often find that most of my documents are things I never need to look at again once its been checked, it feels quite nice not to have the attachment to keeping things in paper format anymore! When I first got rid of paper, I had phone bills over a couple of years old and realised that I simply didnt need them!

I suppose it is easier for me though as I dont have a great deal of things im emotionally attached to though - I can imagine keeping things like paintings are much harder to part with!

Jo x

pigpen

£270 better off through selling my ebay stuff which I now need to get posted.. do that later!!

Another bag for nursery ready to go...

Why is my house still full of junk when I get rid of stuff this fast???

missyg_3

£240 on my clearout stuff, £500 for my 'big' item that I sold! WELL pleased!

First lot is off to the post office now... I hope they are in a good mood today...

Be back later for a catch up

Uniscots97

Decided to clear through my chest of drawers. I managed to fill a bin bag! Its been put to the charity and I kept a few items back (M&S etc) which I'm going to put on ebay. They've only been worn once or twice at most. Does M&S ladies clothes sell well on ebay?

earthmother

I discovered today that there's a dress agency in town - walked past the place times and always took it for one of these independant boutiques, so never went in.

Apparently they're very good, so the 2 large cases worth of clothes I was going to eBay are going there first - might not get as much money, but it'll be easier for me to do, and clear that part of the bedroom quicker (they're currently blocking the wardrobe).


Also have sorted about a cupboards worth of kitchen stuff we don't need, so I'll stick that on freecycle today/tomorrow.

Does anyone know the rulings on foodstuffs on freecycle? There are 6 cans of Slimfast at the back of a cupboard with this month on them - one of DHs attempts to loose weight that isn't happening any more - at least they were bought on bogof I suppose *frowns at DH*.

missyg_3

Phew, back from the post office and they were very nice and helpful, hope it's the same lady when I go back with the next lot!

I think I might do a car boot sale next. The idea of a set fee, all cash on the day, no postage and packing to worry about is quite an appealing one right now!

Be careful with scanning treasured items like family photos. A scan is just a copy and there is no substitute for having the originals. What's considered a top quality scan now may be a poor one to future generations with the way technology is evolving. I'd highly recommend keeping at least two backups on different media (say one hard drive backup and one set on CDs) in case you have a drive failure or corrupt CD. I also keep a full set of my digital photo library at another family's member's house because if I am unlucky enough to be burgled, computer equipment is going to be one of the first things that goes... (I know this will seem overkill to some people).

Caravanlover, well done with your efforts! I agree it is brilliant to keep only what you need, and I'm also completely with you on not BUYING things! It's only since I've really cracked down, that I realise how we're constantly being bombarded with messages to "buy buy buy".

Pigpen, congratulations on your GREAT result with the ebaying, I knew you would do well! Good luck with parcelling it all up! (Hope everyone pays you quickly too!)

Unixgirluk, you could try doing a search for 'completed' items similar to yours on ebay and see if M&S stuff is selling well. I got WAY more than expected for the suit I've just sold (not M&S) so perhaps clothes do go well, but others will be able to advise you better.

Earthmother, freecycle rules can be adapted for different areas so you are best asking the moderators of your local group. I have certainly seen food on my one, and even offers for people to come and pick their own from other people's gardens! I can't see anyone having a problem with someone offering new, sealed foodstuffs

Well, back to the packaging!!!

tattycath

Well, I'm £75 better off (after ebay fees and my eldest DDs very expensive boots) and I've not even listed a 10th of the stuff I have to list!!! so I'm a happy bunny. Still got tonnes of stuff to do. Well done missyg and pigpen

mary43

Oh you are all doing well selling stuff............wish I'd got something worth selling but I'm having a job giving stuff away..................lol

Well, plans to clear out our 'junk room' got shelved.............had to rush out to get birthday pressies for ex foster girls hubby.........forgot all about his birthday and all the hoard of stuff I've been getting is more 'female' that 'male'...........so ended up spending more than I intended...........lesson to be learned there I think. (though I did get some bargains for my christmas/birthday baskets from charity shops)
Was up early this morning...............one of our lads missed bus back from his mums last night - as usual - was going to get the early one this morning and missed that (told me an hour later........thanks I thought. I could have had another hour in bed...........OH was dead to the world...........lol)
His dad ended up bringing him back so at least he got to school ok.
Don't have the energy now to start on the junk room.........but tomorrow is another day ............no need to go out so good time to start.

Uniscots97

missyg wrote: »

Phew, back from the post office and they were very nice and helpful, hope it's the same lady when I go back with the next lot!

I think I might do a car boot sale next. The idea of a set fee, all cash on the day, no postage and packing to worry about is quite an appealing one right now!

Be careful with scanning treasured items like family photos. A scan is just a copy and there is no substitute for having the originals. What's considered a top quality scan now may be a poor one to future generations with the way technology is evolving. I'd highly recommend keeping at least two backups on different media (say one hard drive backup and one set on CDs) in case you have a drive failure or corrupt CD. I also keep a full set of my digital photo library at another family's member's house because if I am unlucky enough to be burgled, computer equipment is going to be one of the first things that goes... (I know this will seem overkill to some people).

Caravanlover, well done with your efforts! I agree it is brilliant to keep only what you need, and I'm also completely with you on not BUYING things! It's only since I've really cracked down, that I realise how we're constantly being bombarded with messages to "buy buy buy".

Pigpen, congratulations on your GREAT result with the ebaying, I knew you would do well! Good luck with parcelling it all up! (Hope everyone pays you quickly too!)

Unixgirluk, you could try doing a search for 'completed' items similar to yours on ebay and see if M&S stuff is selling well. I got WAY more than expected for the suit I've just sold (not M&S) so perhaps clothes do go well, but others will be able to advise you better.

Earthmother, freecycle rules can be adapted for different areas so you are best asking the moderators of your local group. I have certainly seen food on my one, and even offers for people to come and pick their own from other people's gardens! I can't see anyone having a problem with someone offering new, sealed foodstuffs

Well, back to the packaging!!!

Thanks Missyg, I'll try that.

LouBlue

As flat is going on the market in a couple of weeks, me and OH spent 5 hours clearing out the loft, going through everything, putting to one side what we don't want anymore, haven't decided what to do with it yet, and repacked everything and put it back up there. Do not want any clutter in the flat for potential viewings. Glad I have done this now instead of leaving it til we are moving.