2026 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD - our Year of Redistribution

TC77

@Moorviews lovely to hear you've gone back to sewing. Its quite a basic class but she's getting us to make templates etc and in good habits , we will be making pj's... at least they're not meant to be seen in public.

Thank you for all the best wishes for decluttering work...it hasn't quite sunk in but need to be focused on the job of sorting my house.

Starting to use my filing cabinet and pulled out a pule of files from the eaves and decided these are better than the brand new but more complex suspension files I wobbled from a neighbour about 5 years ago. No cs wants them but have a taker from a freesite so will count when gone.

Will update later.

@ionafan I hope your DH is getting support still from health services and youre accepting help for yourself where possible.

Florenceem

Morning all. I had a second pain free night.

I heard rain last night so good job I took my bag of cardboard & paper recycling in to the garage.

I opened the door to young J to find a Lind. Easter egg in my porch. They were being sold at £3 instead of £15 - bestie's son bought them for his mum and I.

J is busy upstairs painting in the small ROD.

MrsSD - have a great time on your trip.

Does anyone remember The Penny Pincher Paper - 1980s/90s? I found them in 2 box files when clearing out the small ROD. I put them on Freegle but no takers. I thought as we are in a time of food/general inflation - someone would want them.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Daily To Do List - written the night before
2. Sort out sleep patterns - initial targets: bed by 03:00, up by 10:30
3. Don’t put it down, put it away + deal with mini tasks as soon as they are noticed e.g. refill olive pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc.
4. Commence ‘Operation Financial Frog Tickling’ using the acronym - I.R.I.S. (Identify, Research, Implement, Sign Off) - One per quarter
5. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed
6. Plan & Execute ONE Major Project - 2026 New Bathroom
7. Target 2026 items out

Saturday we were up & dressed by 08:30. I had a bad night as there are feather pillows on the bed. Eventually managed to use the ‘bed runner’ & a towel folded up to make a pillow. It had rained overnight & although there is some sunshine today is a lot duller with a high of 22°C & low of 11°C. DH moved the bike as when we arrived yesterday we blocked everyone in. Unusually we were not the last people at breakfast 😉 Several cups of coffee later having had croissants & bread with apricot jam, I returned to the room with the adaptor plug that has been loaned to us (DH had accidentally packed the U.S. adaptor plug 😬) DH stayed chatting for a while then returned to the room for a nap whilst I went out for a ciggie but ended up chatting to lots of different people for over an hour 🤭 DH’s phone & watch & my iPad are now fully charged so we are heading off for coffee & a light bite. 

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🙏💐💐🌟⭐️❤️💐💐⭐️💐❤️ ⭐️🎖️🥇 

DH Awards: 🏅🏅🏅🏅

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2026: 789/2026

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £165.11

TC77

Afternoon, have just unpacked 2 boxes delivered some months ago from my dad's. There is a lovely staffordshire tea set my dad said he wanted me to have - I have put it away but it may have a holiday here and then move on however, I will try using it. other items earmarked for CS and maybe some for sale.

2 large cardboard boxes to recycle full of newspaper from 1985 and 1996! (counting each as 5)

Other packaging x 3 , 5 brochures, 7 lots of paper recycling

Have large bag of toiletries and others for bank of things (need to find where it's moved) and donation centre and will count when out.

Discovered bag of towels and sheets for the animal rescue place - and the vintage heavy cotton/linen sheet which I decided not to keep , although kept the pillow cases. Thinking I could use the sheet to make PJs at my sewing class as the teacher suggested finding a sheet. Would have loved one of the multi striped flannelette sheets I had as a kid 😄

I am definitely at the making much more mess stage… but have found the 2 chairs to try and sell which were under the boxes..

Rediscovered my dining table and washed the table cloth which is now for the garden and I've put a nicer linen but informal cloth on which is much for restful in pattern.

Hope everyone is doing as well as they can and finds time tor relax at some time over the weekend.

Also unwrapped the stool I had upholstered (with other things) and moved to my bedroom to go with my dressing table. I will post a picture as I love the fabric.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Daily To Do List - written the night before
2. Sort out sleep patterns - initial targets: bed by 03:00, up by 10:30
3. Don’t put it down, put it away + deal with mini tasks as soon as they are noticed e.g. refill olive pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc.
4. Commence ‘Operation Financial Frog Tickling’ using the acronym - I.R.I.S. (Identify, Research, Implement, Sign Off) - One per quarter
5. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed
6. Plan & Execute ONE Major Project - 2026 New Bathroom
7. Target 2026 items out

Saturday continued: we left at 12:25 & were going to have a coffee then visit the Castle - largest one in Europe. So much for the best laid plans of mice & men 😅 We found a cafe where 3 of our group (R, I & N) were sitting down to lunch. DH & I joined them & were tempted by the food, so shared a Croque Madam, chips & salad. We then spent the rest of the afternoon until 17:30 having interesting conversations ranging from the ‘orange monkey’ to bike accidents & empires to pensions 😅 whilst drinking beer. The weather definitely approved because it has been a bright, sunny afternoon. Several other people turned up in small groups of two, three or four some for a light lunch others just for coffee. When our group broke up DH & I went over to the ice cream van & DH treated us to a two scoop cornet - DH had hazelnut ice cream whilst I had a scoop of chocolate & one of pistachio 🤤  We then walked down to the castle & had a quick look from the outside 😉 Back in our room by 17:40. DH is having a nap & I am taking the opportunity to try to catch up with the cheerleading 😉

Yorkie1, I cannot for the life of me remember who coined the word “Declutterati” although I do remember it was someone’s OH/DH 🧐  I am enjoying the conversation about door curtains & remembering ‘bead curtains’ especially in bookies doorways 😉😉 Lovely cheerleading ☺️ Hopefully you weren’t too click happy with your first online food shop 🤞  Well done on finally reaching a decision on your landline/broadband supplier 👏

 TC77, a cautionary tale of click happy ordering 😂 although I am pleased to hear that most of the tins were taken back 😮‍💨 

Florenceem, hopefully you can get the TV set up quickly 🤞 

vulpix, very kind of Fluffy to keep the seat warm 🙊

Excellent decluttering Brambling 👏

One page caught up but now I do need to get changed for dinner. I hope every is having a lovely weekend 😊 See you later 👋 

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🙏💐💐🌟⭐️❤️💐💐⭐️💐❤️ ⭐️🎖️🥇 

DH Awards: 🏅🏅🏅🏅

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2026: 789/2026

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £165.11

Dizzycap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81984362#Comment_81984362

@ weenancyinAmerica - Thank you so very much for sharing this with us and I feel that although I would hate anyone else to experience such pain and numbness, I don't feel so alone with it. So thank you xxx

I too have suffered for over 6 years with the first MRI showing a slight disc bulge in my lower back. I was warned it would get progressively worse, but unfortunately, I had 3 falls last year and one was exceedinly bad leading me to whip my head back so that I didn't break my jaw. The end result was that back in December after starting to be physically sick with pain and the pain greatly affecting my blood pressure to dangerous levels, an emergecny MRI was undertaken for over 2 hours. My damage is severe; 3 fractures along my spine from bottom to top and a break/chip at the nerve juntion in my neck which is why I don't get or get wrong signals for co-ordination and bodily functions etc. An operation would now not achieve very much, so neck & back braces that monitor my movements and send electrical shocks to my lower back and neck nerves to correct incorrect signals whilst healing was the only option. Unfortunately, it seems i'm now experiencing deteriation on the right side of my spine, hence loss of feeling in both hands when I sit or come out of sleep which is exceedinly strange? It's definately not a medication or circulation issue because I have monthly dopplers and heart scans etc which show no collateral damage, but an increase in wear and tear is evident in my spine. Swings and round abouts, but I'm determined to stay as mobile as I can, regardless of pain and the copious amounts of medication I take, before I can no longer physically do the things that I love - Especially pottering in my garden & taking babyface out for a walk; using my legs.

I'm now learning to accept that I must start using a sit on walker when I go out, so using the doggie trolly to take babyface out for a walk is a good transition. I've also recently used the doggie trolly for a light shop at Lidl and didn't think anything of it, so all I need to do now, is to actually get my walker; and I'm looking 😉.

retiredinfrance

Yes, it was my DH who coined the word - declutterati!
So, good evening my declutterati chums from rainy France.
Many belated thanks to you , Mrs Salad Dodger for my 2 gold medals .Im ashamed to admit that I haven’t posted in a long time . No real reason , laziness, tiredness, to much to do mess. Every now and then I would make a list , then lose the list .So , I will make a greater effort. Basically I am nibbling away at stocks, buying less and less in the Charity shops but still have lots to do on the admin from , the books and the garage. I’m working away at the garden, though, mainly due to DH now over 80 and not able to do as much as he used to , both in the garden as well as in the house.
Many condolences and kind thoughts are with those of us who have been bereaved or have had troubling times. DH and I are fortunate in that all health issues are more inconveniences than problems , but , touch wood! I do read along and chat to DH about all our chums.
Total was, I think, 125/365, to which I can add,

1 pile admin paper

2 pairs of trousers ,1 dress and 8 blouses

30books. more I’m sure , but that’s fair enough.

2 frying pans- in getting rid of all coated with nonstick stuff.

New total-115+44=159/365.
I have two lots of books waiting to be sold but I’ll add them when they have gone. I’m also trying to have only clothes in natural fabrics .

I also decluttering kilometers from my usual journeys by googling the most efficient route,driving very slowly along our empty back roads, as an attempt to to make the petrol go further . My supermarket trip is now 8 kms shorter per return trip and if I go to our local Lidl it’s a saving of 10 kms. mSE and every little helps .Now 2.93 euros a litre.

Hugs for all , R.

GrannyKate

Not a lot to report in today but I have attempted to start packing. Sox has decided to dig a hole in the back lawn to roll in the dirt as everything is so dry. Not done much but did some shopping and had a barbecue at DS2s. Came home and went to sleep. DD's friend (who volunteers with cats) sent a nice picture of a handsome tabby curled up asleep in the bed I sent down earlier in the week. (Sox had ignored it for a year) DD and hubby embarked on the cruise and were waiting to sail to Norway. A good result as old day bed with truckle was collected by nice young couple for their mum's new flat. £75 paid towards the new bed which was also delivered. They did not want mattresses so I intend to use one for the new bed.

I have contacted the builder re doing the rest of the hall after my holiday. I am going to get that done then work on cleaning out and organising potting shed, utility room and garage. I will consider the lounge in the Autumn. I updated my 'big jobs' lists and have done more than I thought

439 Bed sold and collected - new one delivered

440 A few frogs done but more to go.

weenancyinAmerica

@Dizzycap - sending soft hugs. I use a walker all of the time. I was lucky and my insurance company paid for it. It is actually a junior rollator as a regular walker was too high for me to reach the ground when I sat back in it!

Florenceem

Young J finished the painting in the small ROD. He is coming here on Monday to put back the door furniture and help me build the Ike. unit. Then I can start sorting stuff to be stored in that room.

I popped out to get some bits for the picnic tomorrow.

I sewed up another pair of gloves - ladies size - I tried them on.

Started a pair of gloves using a very vibrant colour yarn.

Attach photos of the robe I treated myself to yesterday - better in real life.