Using things up vs declutter

lil_me

I banned myself from buying any more toiletries last year until I ran out, even after throwing anything away that had been open more than 12 months I had LOADS! I now have a big box which has the extras in, then out the ones I am using at the time which reduces having loads of part used things laying around, when they empty I get another out of the box. Box has a list in so can check off what is left. No kidding most are lasting me still and I put myself on the 'ban' last September It is working, DPs shower gel stash (he likes Mint Source so I bought loads every time I seen it on offer) and mine is now in single figures :rotfl: yes it was that bad!

Sets I won't use and haven't opened I donated to the school for raffle/tombola prizes.

Hope we have a good summer, I have 14 bottles/tubes of unused sun cream

Sallys_Savings

lil_me wrote: »

I banned myself from buying any more toiletries last year until I ran out, even after throwing anything away that had been open more than 12 months I had LOADS! I now have a big box which has the extras in, then out the ones I am using at the time which reduces having loads of part used things laying around, when they empty I get another out of the box. Box has a list in so can check off what is left. No kidding most are lasting me still and I put myself on the 'ban' last September It is working, DPs shower gel stash (he likes Mint Source so I bought loads every time I seen it on offer) and mine is now in single figures :rotfl: yes it was that bad!

Sets I won't use and haven't opened I donated to the school for raffle/tombola prizes.

Hope we have a good summer, I have 14 bottles/tubes of unused sun cream

Please don't forget if you keep suncream too long it will not have as high a factor as on the bottle.

lil_me

Yeah I realise that thanks, it was only bought last year, end of summer sales I am bad for I was suprised to find this did have a 'use by' date on the bottles which is December 2008. I did have to throw another bottle out which I feel was well past it's use by date as it had seperated. It's all factor 50 should hopefully be ok.

Littlebean_2

I know exactly what you mean. I have regular battles between the 'Flylady-me' who wants to fling everything out and the 'MSE-me' who wants to be as frugal as possible and use everything up/find alternative uses. I think the bottom line is that if having the stuff hanging about is making you feel guilty/getting you down then fling.....If you can be strict with yourself and use it up then do...
I definately learnt my lesson about stockpiling toiletries though - how many bottles of shampoo does a girl need in a year for heavens sake!

Softstuff

hmm, on both sides of the fence here. My frugal nature says use it up, yet the me who now has a red face from using a facepack only about a year old says bin the damned lot!!

Tartan_Mum

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's in this position.

Littlebean has summed it up perfectly.

I've recruited my sister to come round next week to go through it all. She's been prepped to be ruthless so we'll see what we can use between us, what needs to be binned and what could be donated to others.

Sorry about your face Softstuff. Sounds painful. Ouch!

In the meantime, I'll need to force myself to spend an extra five minutes after EVERY shower using body lotion. I usually skip that bit when i'm in a hurry..... and with a 7 month old, I'm usually in a hurry!

Thanks again to all
a soft-skinned TM x

belfastgirl23

Tartan_Mum wrote: »

Let's face it though - no one needs 12 different types of hand cream!

TM x

I had about the same amount I still have one in my bag, have one on my desk, one in the kitchen, one in the bathroom and one beside my bed. :eek: But I'm getting through them gradually.

I did find myself about to buy some more in Boots the other day - how insane am I??

teedy23

I,m trying to use mines up too, any leftover suncreams from hols I do use as a moisturiser when I,m home, keep the satches of conditioner from hair dyes to take on holiday as it,s light ,and use the bottle instead. I do get fed up of some ,and leave it halfway through ,to moulder at the back of the window ledge then have to throw out, but I,m working on that

vfairbrass

I had a massive declutter when I first discovered Flylady some 18 months ago. Since then I have found that there are things I chucked which I could really do with and in some cases have had to rebuy them. I wasn't Old Style when I decluttered and think I went too far. It's mainly the kitchen/baking/gardening things that I made a mistake with. I'm now restocking from jumble sales wherever possible.

Softstuff

Tartan_Mum wrote: »

Sorry about your face Softstuff. Sounds painful. Ouch!

Thanks, it's calmed down now thankfully. The boss at work would have given me such a ribbing if it hadn't.