2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

Fizz2015

@tibawo I'm with you on the carboot dilemma, I'm do enjoy the atmosphere of a carboot though as long as weather is OK. 
@nannywindow your meal at the garden centre sounds delicious and a lovely trip out. I think I'm in a similar part of the world to you, any recommendations for a good garden centre always appreciated 😀 

Brie

Muddy_Walker said:

Aw to the kitty cats! Nanny it is very hard to wear my dogs out - they are spaniels 🤣 we need a rota as my 2 are not cat friendly at all.

Had to take a step back with the pension thing - I scared myself witless and then cried buckets imagining myself in front of a turned off fire with an empty soup bowl as my pension valuation said the projected figures included the state pension and would run out very quickly.
im hoping I misread that!
so the steps are:
find the lost pensions
see which are defined benefit and which are defined contribution (apparently there is a big difference)
speak to pension wise
decide what to do then.

Then it will be a case of:
do I make additional pension payments
or
buy additional work shares (keeping an eye on the price as they are good right now)
or 
chuck money in a high interest account?

all while still paying the mortgage 🤨😳 and trying to over pay it


coukd we possible have cheese straws and Bakewell tart in the TLC carriage? I’ll pass on the flotation pods as I’d need to get out for a pee too often…

Add to your list - when all the information is available also post it on the pension board to see what help can be got from there.  

Have you checked your state pension forecast??  It was very reassuring when I did.  
Whatever you do don't try to move any DB pensions into DC or SIPP or any other PP.  It's costly and almost always fails.  
PensionWise are very helpful.  Also check if your pension scheme provide some "advice" service.  It won't be advice either way but informative.  Do one, make notes and then figure out what questions you need to ask of the next person.  Don't forget that most IFAs will do a 1 hour session free - it's to sell their services but also can be very informative.

(ex- work pension admin....)

daisy_1571

Don't apologise Nannywindow,  I've loved all the photos 

Daisy xxx

QueenJess

@Liverpool_Anne I never understood why opticians expect and assume you will get new frames when you have a new prescription.  Last time I said I didn't want new ones and couldn't I use my old ones.  Apparently I missed the point that I "could have new ones".  I always use the same frames until they get too worn and then get new ones.  My current ones are getting annoying as the slide down my nose and no matter how many times the optician bends them back, they only improve for 24 hours.  So I probably do need some new ones.

It's a rubbish experience for me as every time I say that I'm very small and so I won't have a choice (unless I went for kids glasses) and there'll only be one that fits.  They always say "no, no, you'll have loads of choice".  After 20 mins they admit defeat and yes I have a choice of 1.

A big frog squashed today, all indoor plants tended to, warm scones are now available in the TLC carriage from the oven with jam and clotted cream (I may have accidentally eaten one....), washing almost up to date and place tidier than it's been for ages.  Still not 100% tidy, but it will look it as I can always bundle the few bits left over into a pile/into a cupboard before the party.  Will just carry on doing bits of tidying until then as I'm still about 200 tidying items behind.  Doubled my 10 target of physical decluttering today!  Still hunting things down in the kitchen and am starting to think about doing the hall coat cupboard (well.. I opened it, thought that this is too much and closed it again ).

Digital:
2 - text message conversations deleted

Physical:
1 - booklet recycled
1 - DS tat recycled
3 - craft stuff recycled
13 - DD toy bits (charity bag)
1 - indoor watering can (Buy Nothing)
1 - plastic lid and box broken (binned)

New total = 2,562

Floss

QueenJess said:

@Liverpool_Anne I never understood why opticians expect and assume you will get new frames when you have a new prescription.  Last time I said I didn't want new ones and couldn't I use my old ones.  Apparently I missed the point that I "could have new ones".  I always use the same frames until they get too worn and then get new ones.  My current ones are getting annoying as the slide down my nose and no matter how many times the optician bends them back, they only improve for 24 hours.  So I probably do need some new ones.

It's a rubbish experience for me as every time I say that I'm very small and so I won't have a choice (unless I went for kids glasses) and there'll only be one that fits.  They always say "no, no, you'll have loads of choice".  After 20 mins they admit defeat and yes I have a choice of 1.

I have the same problem and go to Specsavers, having discovered the Kylie Minogue range are designed for her face size, so can usually find a couple of options. A couple of their DKNY frames are quite slim-fitting too.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks + a weekly Jettison Junk in January

2. Sort out sleep patterns - target bed by 2:00 a.m. & up by 9:00 a.m 

3. Deal with mail & email on a daily basis

4. Don’t put it down, put it away + deal with mini tasks as soon as they are noticed e.g. refill olive oil pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc

5. Commence ‘Operation Frog Tickling’ using the acronym - I.R.I.S. (Identify, Research, Implement, Sign Off) - One per quarter

6. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed 

Saturday is a dark, overcast day. ERNIE was very nice to DH again this month but didn’t love me at all 😉 I forgot to post a picture of the car yesterday, so whilst I remember 🙂

It is still very odd seeing a car parked on our drive 😉 DH is up & about + DSis has been up. DH has made a mostly vegetable soup & has also fried up the lo pasta Bolognaise for his lunch. Fridge is back to having space as all the lo bits & pieces are now in the soup 😉 DSis has just gone out & DH is on the phone to his DSis. She sent a lovely photo of her great grandson ‘proudly’ wearing glasses 🤓 He is apparently thrilled to bits as mummy, nanny & grandad all wear glasses & he was feeling left out 😊

Liverpool_Anne, I did enjoy reading about your Thursday as it sounded like a perfect day 😊 - a bit of decluttering & tidying + some self care & crochet 👏 Hope you managed to finish the blanket border yesterday 🤞

Excellent decluttering bit_by_bit 👏 Pleased to hear that you are gradually getting better 😊 Please take it slow & steady & build up gradually to 2 good days out of 3 🙏 Then before you know it you will have mostly good days 🤞Also hoping that your plan to help out your brother & sister-in-law comes to fruition 🤞😊

Wednesday2000, fingers crossed that your nail & eyebrow lady joins us 🤞as it sounds like she is already on her Decluttering journey 😊

Floss, nice to receive something tangible from paying your council tax 😊 The heated throw sounds perfect for a chilly evening 👏

Excellent decluttering & tidying QueenJess 👏 Sounds like everything is coming together for DS’s party on Sunday 😊

nannywindow, I am relieved to hear that you already have a date for your MRI & that the NHS is on the ball 😮‍💨 I see that your request for a cat to cuddle is being fully catered to 😊 With so many cats to cuddle you might not have enough time to cuddle them all 😉 Although I do think there will be plenty of our fellow declutterati who will be more than happy to help out 😊 I might need to hire someone to make sure all our feline friends are well catered for 🤔 Your DH is definitely getting on board with the decluttering 🥳 but in line with your decision to restrict his visits - will once a week be OK 😉 The “gorgeous attentive waiters” can have a bit of time off or if you are amenable can attend to others who are also struggling at the moment 😉 

London_1, I hope yesterday’s funeral went as well as it could go & that it was a celebration of life 😊 Everything crossed that the trains are running so DGS Jack can visit this weekend 🤞 Excellent work dealing with the Family History documentation 👏 I imagine DD will be pleased 😌 Ooh, Melting Moment  biscuits 😋 Good job there are no calories 😉 I completely forgot about the waitresses - although I seem to remember when they were interviewed most of them said they loved cats 😅 so might not be available to keep an eye on Mr nanny 😂

Loving all the cat pictures 😻 So cute especially -taff’s picture of Fatty & The Princess 😻

Excellent decluttering TC77 👏 Hopefully it will start to get easier as the more space you create the more you will want 😊

Muddy_Walker, sorry to hear about the pension scare 😔 Hopefully once you have gathered together all the documentation & information & discussed with pension wise, everything will become a lot clearer & nowhere near as bad as you think 🤞🙏  Cheese straws & Bakewell Tart 😋 I am sure someone will provide both in the not too distant future 😊

QueenJess, hm shortbread & hm yogurt - you are spoiling us 😊 Are you an Ambassador 😉

Wednesday2000, I am surprised the cats let your dog have a space on the sofa 😉

bamboo_socks, so whatever you are saying is “cute & friendly but lethal” 🤣

Floss, thanks for the supply of antihistamines 👏 The EDT staff are very good though & deep clean regularly + there is a great ventilation system in place 😊

StickyTheStickInsect, Cookie certainly isn’t shy 😉 & as for Violet at least she is keeping your slippers in the house 😂

Liverpool_Anne, a cat cafe sounds perfect 😻 Keeping everything crossed that you are successful in your search for new frames at a reasonable price 🤞🙏  I also wear glasses all day & unfortunately I usually find the frames I like most are the more expensive ones 😔 Excellent decluttering in the kitchen - especially using up the last bits from jars for your lunch 👏 Well done on resisting the temptation to start a new knitting project until you completed the last one 😊

Fizz2015, a successful month of decluttering 👏 & probably underestimated 😉 I am awarding you a medal 🏅 as an incentive to keep up the good work 🙂 I see from my notes that you mentioned 7,000 work emails carried over from 2023 & am hoping that you are managing to clear them 🤞

Moorviews, cat days & dog days 🤔 Reading further down the page I see that nannywindow has made a good point 😊 Even bamboo_socks’s kittens could visit 🤣 Excellent work dealing with financial frogs 🐸 👏 & lucky you - baby cuddles 🥰 Perhaps we should have a couple of days a month when babies are brought in - so mums can experience a few of the pleasures of the TLC Carriage whilst knowing that their babies are being well looked after by the Declutterati Family 😊 Thanks for the recommendation for Muddy_Walker 👏

Well done on today’s decluttering Floss 👏 & congratulations on your PB win 🥳

Muddy_Walker, your spaniels are sooooo cute 🐶🥰

Dfw38, how lovely that you got to spend lots of time with DD2 😊 Excellent work sorting out both DDs’ clothing 👏 Hopefully this means you will have a bit more space 🤞 Hopefully when the weather gets better the three of us can have a few nice days out + DSis will finally be able to visit her friend who lives near Brighton 😊

tibawo, definitely sounds like you are moving in the right direction with your decluttering 👏 Good luck with selling your unwanted/no longer needed items 🍀 

nannywindow, absolutely no need to apologise for sending us into Animal Magic World 😊 There is still plenty of decluttering being accomplished 😉 I sometimes forget that the EDT & its many carriages is only virtual 😂 Yesterday sounds like a lovely way to spend time especially as the intended coffee & sticky bun morphed into a proper lunch 😊 & hopefully no need to cook in the evening 🤞😉 Also the added bonus of doggy Cwtches 🤗 Well done on decluttering a few tadpoles (before they turned into frogs) 👏 I am happy to help out with eating a few of the cakes 😉

Lovely post Fizz2015 😊

Brie, thank you so much for the pension information 😊 I would second your mention of keeping any DB pension as is 👏 

Well said daisy_1571 😊 the cat & dog pictures have certainly brightened up a very dull day 🥳 

QueenJess, I am with you on that -  although in the chain shops, it isn’t really the actual opticians who try to ‘persuade’ you to have new frames - they don’t really care as long as you get the new prescription - it is the other staff who are presumably on commission 😔 I never considered ‘1’ as a choice 😂 more a like it or lump it scenario 😉 Excellent work dealing with the frog & keeping the house tidy 👏 - at least until the party 😉 Now I have caught up I will pop into the TLC Carriage for a warm scone with clotted cream & jam 😋 Do you have a preference as to whether I use the Cornish or Devon method of adding the cream & jam 😅 Perhaps wait until after tomorrow’s party before tackling the hall coat cupboard 😉

DSis is back from her shopping trip & has been quite lucky - she found a birthday card for Brother in a  trolley & she found a £1 coin on the floor 👏 

See you later but meanwhile cwtches 🤗 all round for those who prefer them to cat or dog or even baby cuddles 😉

MrsSD: I AM A ⭐️ - 🥇 🎖️ 💐 🌟 🏅 💐 🎖️ 💐 ⭐️ 

DH Awards: 🏅 

DSis Awards: 🏅 

Decluttering Target 2023: 199/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £5.00 

London_1

Hi chums just decluttered from 6 bags for life and a box of family history stuff plus Uni and old exam papers down to one bag for life and a box with FH books in.
 I have been at it since 7.30.am this morning and apart from a half hour off for lunch its been non stop. I have filled three recycling bags with shredded paperwork .

At least the sitting room is looking a lot less cluttered now. I didn't realise how much stuff I had collected over the years. Got to work out what I can do with the umpteen empty file/folders I have empty to dispose of. I may ask my next door neighbour as I know she has a 12 year old who may find a use for them, seems a shame to just bin them.

Its feet up now and relax for the rest of whats left of today I think.

  JackieO xx

BudgetingBelinda

Another wardrobe done. And I now know why I was putting it off… 3 black bags of rubbish, 2 charity shop bags. I was ruthless. Then I cleared out the car of rubbish. Fills up every week with snack wrappers etc. 1 trainer 🫣 other lost.. thanks DS! Feel very productive but also aware of how much more there is to do. My utility room is a frog and a half. Will keep pecking away. I do feel like I’m making a dent and it does really enhance my wellbeing. 2024 is looking like a good year, to become debt and clutter free! Slow and steady 💪🏼🤞🏼🎉

florianatwobob

Fear nor Mrs SD we were both looking equally disreputable! We did scrub up quite nicely yesterday for DSis’s early birthday trip to see the Monet Immersive in London. 

Also had a trawl round a vintage market in Brick Lane, more retro than true vintage but I do love London street style. 

DSis has been in the kitchen….anyone for home made (caraway) seed cake? I have mostly tackled my old nemesis….my ironing pile. 

Muddy_Walker

Brie - thank you! 

Having had a good sleep (jab weekend ) the sensible part of me is like “you won’t be destitute”.
The spaniels have kept me company today as always on treatment weekend but dog2 (the all brown one in my picture) has shoved his nose in some prickles somewhere in the garden so I’ve just decluttered some thorns.

I want curry now….🤣