Decluttering 2013, the saga continues ...

Sue14

Trying_really_hard wrote: »

Bag of bags (why?!) to the cupboard for bags (again, why?!)

I also have bags of bags, lol, although not as many as I used to keep before starting to declutter, as I now have a clear out every now and then, but I did have to put some in the 'cupboard of doom' over Christmas, to make some room in the tub under the stairs for Christmas drinks.

CT19720 wrote: »

Sorted out and shredded calendars from the past 8 years - why I kept them I'd don't know but all now shredded they are going out the house in a bin bag.

My problem is keeping cards that we are given - christmas; birthdays; valentines ect, I find it very hard to through these things away. Have had a huge cull this afternoon, and only kept the ones I have given to my OH, or handmade cards i've received (I make cards in my spare time, and like to keep the ones I receive for inspiration). So I have gone from having 5 carrier bags of cards, down to one bag, so feeling really pleased with myself.

Popping to work for a few hours tomorrow, so will try and clean the lounge a bit when I get back.

I used to keep all my old calendars, and had loads, but I have started scanning the pictures onto the computer, and then putting the calendars into recycling. I've still got a few more to do but they are quite large, so I don't think they will fit in my scanner. I also kept all my cards for years, ending up with boxes and boxes of them in the loft, but I have culled a lot of them and now only keep some, and then only for a year until I get the following year's cards, and then I get rid of the previous year's cards, IYSWIM.

Sue14

Hi all, I've not posted for a while, but I have been reading about your efforts, well done everyone and keep up the good work! Welcome to all the newbies, you'll find this thread extremely motivational.

I've got rid of a few things, but things have slowed down recently, especially in the past couple of weeks as MIL's partner passed away on the 18th December, which has devastated us all as he was a lovely man, was only 76, and made MIL very happy. The funeral is on Thursday.

When we got our Christmas decorations out of the loft, I took out some decs that I've had for years, but have not used in recent years, and put them in the CS box, including 6 packs of unused paper chains. We had 4 boxes of Christmas cards, which have now been reduced to 1 box, as we used a lot and also put 20 of them in the CS box (we'd had them for at least 10 years and never used them, so I figured we won't use them and might as well get rid), and I had about 10 cards without envelopes so I put them in recycling, also binned a small sticky tape dispenser which hasn't been used for years.

I've used up a tube of hand cream, after cutting open to get every last bit out, and binned the remains of the tube, emptied a hand wash dispenser and put it in recycling, posted 1 ebay parcel, and yesterday I went through my grocery receipts and put all the ones from 2011 through the shredder (the pile was at least an inch thick, lol!), and also shredded another pile of paperwork that had been on top of the shredder for a few weeks.

I'm in again for this year, still a lot to get rid of, good luck everyone!

Hardup_Hester

So far today I have cleared out half of the kitchen cupboards & filled 7 carrier bags for the CS, mostly spare crockery, I also went through all my jars & plastic boxes, kept only jars & boxes with lids, binned the rest.
I have a bag of books for the CS & a bag for Amazon. I shall do the other cupboards tomorrow.
Hester

mineallmine

Sorry to hear your news Sue. How so sad. Glad to see you've been busy and done some decluttering. Take care :A

taplady

well done everyone!

Mineallmine - great tip about clearing the dining table:T

not done any decluttering today - in fact we've been to the sales and bought some more stuff:D but it's to replace some worn out things I've already decluttered.

Back to it tomorrow before I go to work.

belfastgirl23

Debs2009 wrote: »

Hi everyone

decluterring never went to plan today. I was hoping to clear out a bedroom drawer that is full of clothes I don't wear or have never worn. Some still have labels on. I picked some items out and thought maybe I will wear them at some point even though I've had these clothes for years. This is going to be difficult.

I have found a couple of things in a cupboard to put on ebay that I am about to do.


Debbie

I'm bad for this too. My top tip is to bag the stuff up and put in the back of a cupboard or in the attic. Then presuming you haven't needed to use anything from the bag, leave into a second hand shop without opening

bubblegumcola

Well, I've made a wee start to the dining table. The big box that I said was empty actually wasn't! It was full of stuff, so have gone through some of that which was scary. Found stuff in it from 5 years ago! Three work bags belong to DH which he has obviously forgotten about so I've put them next to his desk for him to 'deal with'. All the clothes that were piled up on the box have now found their way to my bed so I've put them in piles and will put them away tonight in everyone's drawers. Mine will have to go in my wardrobe until I build my drawers. Quite pleased that I have managed to get a large carrier bag of clothes filled, stuff which kids have outgrown or stuff I don't need/want anymore for the CS. I prefer giving unwanted stuff to CS as if I keep it to do a boot sale I will just get into a guddle and have an almighty stash in my garage. Getting it completely out of my house is the only way it is going to work but because of the time of year it will have to sit beside the front door until I can get to the CS next weekend, at least I know it will be vacating the house soon.

Have hoovered out the big box as it was dusty and placed a couple of my plastic boxes of paperwork inside along with some loose bits and pieces. I still have one box on the dining table and some loose stuff and also need to clear underneath but it's a definitely heading in the right direction. I reckon I will do a little bit once I get home from work tomorrow but not too much as its Hogmanay. Having a quiet night at home so maybe do some after the bells. I seem to work better in the evenings and I'm not working on the 1st I can try and have a wee lie in if the kids let me.

DS happy I'm making an attempt to clear the table and yes he is old enough to help he is 13, so he could take stuff up to everyone's bedrooms or put rubbish in the bin for me. It's nice to be able to talk about it, plan it bit by bit with everyone's help.

Does anyone have any tips for keeping paperwork? Are folders the best way? How long should you be keeping stuff as I'm never sure.
Thanks x

hedgesparrow

I've turned all my hangers round the wrong way ready for the 1st and I've been decluttering in the landing and the bedroom.

I've thrown lots of random paperwork away and packed up [STRIKE]some[/STRIKE] lots of candlewax for that re-creations project. I'm counting the candlewax as a "thing" as there was loads of it. I also found some yellowing table linen in the back of the "candlewax drawer" (honestly - what is wrong with me?) so it's sitting in a bucket with some bleach. If it doesn't whiten it'll have to go. Other stuff went in the charity bag.

So, decluttered today:

4. Candlewax
5. A shoulder bag
6. little boxes for paperclips etc
7. Bottles of unused moisturiser
8. A lantern
9. and 10. Two book tapes
11. A gag Christmas present
12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Five vintage sewing patterns (I am counting these individually because they are gorgeous and I am loathe to give them away but they aren't my size and I tried selling them on ebay with no luck)

I'm not sure why counting things individually makes me feel better about getting rid of them but if it works for me I'm not going to question it.

I'm off to have a bath and pamper myself for a bit.

flyingmamma

I need to join this thread have been inspired and have been overwhelmed by all the junk in our house! Decluttered kids rooms today... Took 3 hrs but cleared 30 toys for cs 30 broken toys for tip. Decided not to buy any toys or kids clothes except shoes and new uniforms as we have too much stuff. I'm ashamed at the amount of stuff we have 2013 is going to be the year we use what we have and save rather than spend. Gonna go declutter utility room right now!Baby due in 6 weeks so I have til then to sort out the house........

tattooed_lady

Have been inspired by reading these posts!

Over the last couple of days I have cleared out

5 broken belts
3 old purses
DS's leap pad (that he is too old for) to eb*y
An old shoe box
Old electric blanket to go to my mum
My mums hairdryer (return back to her after I borrowed it about 5 years ago hahaha!!):D