2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

QueenJess

Just popping in again.  I tried to replicate yesterday, but whilst DS was tidying his room he got rid of some things and then I finally convinced DS to get rid of a toy with a million pieces that they don't play with.  So I've suddenly made lots of decluttering progress in that regard.  Just need to finish the tidying - I did 10 already so need to do another 10.

Digital:
13 - photos/videos deleted

Physical:
5 - DS tat (recycled)
3 - DS tat (binned)
2 - DS tat (donated to school)
13 - rechargeable batteries - too many of them! (Buy Nothing)
1 - packaging reused
1 - out of date medicine (pharmacy)
1 - jumper I don’t wear (charity box)
6 - DS books not wanted (Buy Nothing)
1 - scarf I don’t wear (charity bag)
162 - kids you with loads of pieces (had to be individually checked for ones that were broken so I counted them, Buy Nothing, odd few bits binned)
New total = 9,938

May mini kitchen declutter challenge = 36/25

May/June mini clothes declutter challenge = 146/200

I'm so close to 5 figures of decluttering, I may as well aim for that next!  I did order a few organising things, but it's for things I can't get rid of (spare bedding that we use when people come over).  Hoping it'll mean I'll be able to use the shelves in the cupboard without it looking messy and possibly be able to empty the whole wicker basket on the floor in there and potentially give that away.  Hopefully it will look even emptier in that cupboard, but it still has challenges - mainly bathroom overflow that I am almost there in using up (but sadly DH has tons in there as he doesn't have the same mindset).  I did find something out of date in his basket, so I got rid of that.  I probably need to make him go through it, but can still remember how painful it was the last time I did it.  Also got too much wrapping paper in there that I've been trying to use up forever.  The problem is that I prefer re-using the same gift bags again and again (and means no plastic tape) or using brown paper and string/paper raffia, but everyone gives the kids presents which are traditionally wrapped.  I hate throwing it away (or immediately recycling) and try to re-use what I can, but I'm always given more than I can deal with.  We don't really do presents outside of the kids that are wrapped and so even when I reuse it is for the kids anyway! I probably need to be realistic about how to use it up, but feel bad about it.  It's a very silly thing to feel bad about given I didn't generate any of this mess, but it is something I really struggle with.  I have curtailed it over the years, but still have too much really.  I may leave it until xmas, see what I can use up and then get rid of the rest.

Also been catching up on some baking, so there is now fresh hm granola in the TLC carriage along with some yogurt.

vulpix

 Ocean spirit, you have had my dream holiday. As for the combining 2 homes into one, it takes a couple of years to even out. Or in my case his n hers sheds. No I jest, the house worked itself out within a couple of years.

 I had a mammoth trying clothes on session, hung a lot of things to go in the wardrobe rather than drawers and found a top that does nothing for me, so off to the chazzer on Tuesday with one of the baby jumpers I made. Just squeezed enough wool to finish the last sleeve. Inches to spare.

Queen Jess. At the next children’s party use the paper up in pass the parcel.  

 I was just painting the front door and noticed Fluffy approving bit by bits tree. Sorry to spam Fluffy pics. 

Brie

@vulpix
Floof's keeping the roots warm!!

Meanwhile OH has cleared out some glassware to make room for his LPs.  And I made the executive decision to also get rid of the RHS old english roses china mugs that belonged to MiL.  Her birthday today and a card was received yesterday despite her having died nearly 2 years back.  Sadly her address book was lost and I wasn't able to inform any of her friends that still write occasionally.  

Florenceem

Our builder friend sorted out the issue with birds getting insulation material out of the loft. Some plastic bits were missing from under the roof tiles so hopefully the roof is bird/pest proof now.
I was busy on Friday morning at SA getting crates of bric a brac ready for the table top sale. In the afternoon I managed to do some crafting - made more shaker cards.
We were not very busy at the table top sale but raised £520. We had some generous people who paid more than we asked for items. I said £8 for a mirror and was given £20. I unlocked SA at 6.50 am and left at 3.30.
 We went back at 7 to take in the food delivery. There was no space in the SA kitchen fridge for all the chilled goods so I took a bag full home to store in my fridge overnight. 
Went to Church this morning. In the afternoon we had a film showing at SA about Ramsgate's part in the Dunkirk evacuation. We served food after the film.
As it is half term - SA is closed this week apart from homeless breakfast which I am not involved in.

QueenJess

Popped back in to declare I am into 5 digits!  I've started (very slowly) looking at the "easy" physical photos.  I'm on a set from a holiday that I don't look at and make me feel bad, so no reason to keep them really.  Still struggling to get rid of them and so far only got rid of the poor quality ones.  In the back of my head I know I'll eventually get rid of all of them as there is only a point in keeping photos you want to look at or make you feel good.

Physical:
7 - DS tat (charity box)
17 - DS tat binned
3 - seed packets used up
6 - plant pots binned/given away
1 - kids craft stuff used up
2 - broken toys (binned)
1 - plastic bag recycled
23 - physical photos thrown away
24 - postcards etc recycled
New total = 10,022

May mini kitchen decluttering challenge = 36/25

May/June mini clothes decluttering challenge = 146/200

Hoping to reach 11,000 before the end of June

TC77

Vulpix, love the tree and fluffy pic. @Siebrie , as Floss asked what would be best for you and your daughters?

Lovely day out with friends yesterday and being very lazy with 3 days off work. I am desparately trying to clear stuff (well mentally I am but in reality I'm not) ideally before DD2 home in 9 days. DD1 has offered to come round if I will get rid of things, said not going to if I just keep coming up with justin excuses
5 textiles recycling, 2 items in CS bag, some paper and other small bits out, Light bulb, Xmas decoration and large box that had pencils in it. Not been successful with lots of things I want to sell. Another week and will go to CS.

Mrs SD glad you had a lovely few days away. Reading how much everyone has been doing, and think a cup of tea and cake in the TLC carriage for everyone is well deserved. Also a pen out, rounding up to 800 (or may be down as I do forget). 

London_1

Evening chums busy day again, another Tip run with DGS Ben using his muscles
 two rooms completely emptied upstairs, now only my bedroom with two chest of drawers and two bedside cabinets plus my bed to be moved by the moving chaps.

Sitting room has 11 packed boxes in it and conservatory had around 6 plus electric airer and standard lamps plus some bedding in plastic bags sealed up.Duvet and pillows and cushions. Freezer has around five days dinners in and only one small shelf in my kitchen cupboards with odds and ends on .Its like camping out in my house .I'm literally only buying a couple of days food at a time

Still waiting for completions date, but I don't think in will be this week as my buyers are away on holiday which they had booked last year. But technically everything is in place just a bit of a wait for paperwork to be finalised.

All of my DDs four sons were home this weekend, as two live in London. One is up in Essex at Uni, and the other one is still at work in his boarding school where he teaches Thank goodness for half term as it will be the last time for a while before they all get to be back with us all.
DGS Mikey is 20 next Saturday so is going back onFriday as his pals at Uni are doing him a BBQ.
DGS Henry is off on his travels on Saturday as well as he's flying off on holiday to Egypt with his pals.he will spend his 23rd birthday with his pals at their all inclusive holiday complex 
DGS Ben is going back to London on Friday as his half term will be over but he said he will come down to the Island in the summer holidays 
DGS Jack is going back to his house on the school where he works as a lot of the children parents are overseas so they don't go home for half term so he will be helping to keep them amused for a couple of days as he is similar to a housemaster at school 
We had a lovely dinner all together tonight with a lot of laughter and joking.

Finger crossed it won't be too long before we go though as we have a builder lined up to do a bit of work for us plus the movers are just waiting as well for a date. 

Onwards and upwards chums 

JackieO xx

EnergyShifter

I've had a lovely few days off so far.  A nice mixture of relaxation and productivity.  

Pleased and surprised we've had as much sun as we have.  Spent a good few hours in the garden.  Finished the final module of my discipleship course yesterday.  Only the residential to go now.  I will miss it. 

Decluttering wise:  

I was given a small bookshelf which I painted up and put in the office - this meant that I could relegate the truly horrible plastic storage unit to the loft.  I got rid of the rug that was in the office which was a cat hair magnet and replaced it with a cheap and cheerful indoor / outdoor rug to put under the office chair.  The room looks so much fresher.

I got rid of the fancy & expensive cat litter box enclosure that was in my back room.  It looked really nice but was hopeless.  I won't go into detail but suffice it to say it became very smelly in spite of me being on top of the cleaning.  I've reconfigured the back room and it looks nicer.  Need to get a new covered litter tray tomorrow.

Wishing everyone a lovely Bank Holiday weekend. ☀️

GrannyKate

Morning all.  Glad to see Fluffy approves bit by bit's tree.  Well we had torrential thunderstorms yesterday afternoon but it looks sunny this morning so I've put some washing out.  I need to pack for my short break in Norfolk with DGS4.  Picking him up on the way.  Trying to tidy the house.  I looked at three bungalows 1) Very nice and clean but small inside and out. 2) nice area but only two bedrooms - think it will sell quickly and mine not sold 3) really liked layout and garden but realistically it is on a hill with steep drive and changes of level inside house - not a practical choice at my age.

590 Banking done
591 DS2 sorted some kitchen stuff of his and 2 items to go
592 Checked money for France trip and one dsil has overpaid me and the other one sent her share yesterday afternoon.  I will pay it straight over to my Credit card ready for next month's bill. 
 
I need to reconsider my estate agent and price when I come back from holiday.  Nothing happening although places seem to be selling a bit more now.  Some frogs to deal with today. 

Siebrie

Chieveley said:

Siebrie said:

We have sold a children's bike for €80, and a faulty electric bike for €120. That money is in my secret moneystash.

I'm not really in a good place right now: I'm 52 and I've decided I don't want to grow old in this village, where I have no friends and there are no shops in walking distance; dds have a few friends around here (but only 1 each in the village itself, 1 of which will probably move further away within the next 3 years), but not BFF's. I love the house and garden, but the lack of social contact and ease of life (everything nearby) is wearing me down. Husband has been making sounds of leaving Belgium and moving back to either The Netherlands or Africa (or 50/50).

I still have your very old thread bookmarked https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6245592/divorce-slowly#latest
Is divorce slowly still likely? (hope i don't look like a stalker)

Hi Chieveley, Yes, it's still on the cards and we kind of discussed divorce and agreed on it, and then he ended it with his affair partner (turned out he wasn't the only one she was seeing - he can't even do cheating well) and actually spends more time with us. We're now living amically together; I'm checking options of returning to my home town, saving up money in cash, getting dds' Dutch passports renewed and requesting a Dutch national number for them, so they can change schools to The Netherlands (I need his co-operation on the passport renewal). In the meantime, he has given me thrush and HPV, so I'm not looking for any intimacy with him, which annoys him. There is so much I need to do, that I just sit down and feel like I'm stuck in my chair and can't get up.