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GoinNuts
Just outside the Garden Gate
PeaNut 20196 - 8/19/2001
Posts: 11046 Layouts: 21
Loc: Florida
 |  Posted: 6/15/2009 3:25:32 PM
We have too much danged stuff. Like ten sets of computer speakers. Eighteen extra pillows. Three (unused) printers. Boxes upon boxes of fabric remnants.
And yarn. I have probably 2,000 pounds of yarn. 
Stacks and stacks of books but no bookcase (and nowhere to put one if I did).
Shoulder-high piles of clothes that don't fit, but no one wants to toss because "I'll fit into them again one day!"
Two dozen plastic containers of miscellaneous cables, wires and adapters that we can't toss because well, they might come in handy one day, don't you know? (I'm married to a computer geek. 'Nuff said.)
Six laptop cases (that I trip over constantly).
Countless boxes of papers that DH needs to file, but never 'has time' to do so. 
Five huge remote control cars the boys have recieved as gifts over the years but rarely play with. Yet, they panic if you even mention getting rid of them.
I could go on and on, but I think the picture has been painted, lol.
I.am.ready.to.scream.
Has anyone here ever rented a dumpster? I want to do that sooooooo badly and just start tossing like a mad woman. 
Lisa
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| It is never too late to be what you might have been. ~ G. Eliot | |
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SharlaG
The John Wayne of Aldi
PeaNut 88246 - 5/28/2003
Posts: 31717 Layouts: 0
Loc: West of the Velcro Fields
 | Posted: 6/15/2009 3:29:34 PM
Shoulder-high piles of clothes
DANG, girl! How tall are you? And How did you get the pile that high without it toppling over? Maybe you should concentrate less on this precarious activity of stacking clothing to unbelievably tall mounds.  |
Toilet paper is not made out of lead. -Tangtastesgood
Of course you can break pasta. It's not fiber optic cable. -Sister BDSQ
Sadly, it's never the attractive ones who will publicly appear naked or in underwear. --pyccku | |
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amythyst
someone pass the crayons!
PeaNut 169054 - 9/22/2004
Posts: 7305 Layouts: 176
Loc: in my own little world - but it's ok -everyone knows me here
 | Posted: 6/15/2009 3:30:14 PM
i'll take the yarn off your hands!! LOL
clothing?? - if it doesn't fit now - chances are it won't fit later! i give you permission to weed out one article of clothing a day/week until the piles are gone. lol
start with your stuff first. once you get a handle on that, sometimes (really!) the rest of the household will see and do the same.
get crap out of sight til you have the energy and time and cooperation to deal with it.
no to the dumpster but boxes and boxes to goodwill, clothing passed on to anyone i could think of that might need it (kids stuff that is) adult clothing went to a church that sells them at extreme low cost for a woman's shelter (not only to the women, but the proceeds go to the women as well)
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Burning Feather
I knit so that I do not kill
PeaNut 158336 - 7/19/2004
Posts: 25904 Layouts: 3
| Posted: 6/15/2009 3:30:16 PM
Rented a dumpster and filled it in no time.
I hear you. I not only have my stuff now, but I also have my dad's stuff crammed into DH's shop. Sixty years of stuff to go through. One freaking box at a time. All by myself.
I do, however, think you need to send the yarn to me because I only have 1900 pounds and it's just not fair that you should have more.  |
 <<<<<CLICK and see what's up at our place! You never know what I might say!
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Pridemom
Pride of the Peas
PeaNut 25575 - 12/6/2001
Posts: 16561 Layouts: 45
Loc: Stuck in the Middle With You | Posted: 6/15/2009 3:30:35 PM
Sounds like you need to do something for your own sanity. Would the rest of your family get on board if you plan a huge yard sale with the goal of using the money raised for a big family want? That might get them all on board. Our garage sale this year is going to go towards a Wii, games, and accessories. My kids are more than willing to clear out their stuff to help and it teaches them some good lessons as well. |
Proud Wife and Mom to our Four Little Goons
God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially formed you to
go through it, not without pain but without stain.
-- C. S. Lewis
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SpendHappyPea
~SleePeas~
PeaNut 41207 - 6/25/2002
Posts: 19539 Layouts: 164
 | Posted: 6/15/2009 3:31:29 PM
I feel your pain. So many things go unused or untouched but for some reason I find excuses to keep them. I am way to sentimental. I hate to get rid of something that I might still be paying for If there is something I feel like letting go of that will be the one thing DH will say to keep.
I have had a friend come over and help me in the past and it does help to have someone say you are nuts for keeping something but there are still times when I miss those things that are gone.
My solution? I'm asking DH for a bigger house | |
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Princess Pea
PeaFixture
PeaNut 57475 - 12/1/2002
Posts: 3164 Layouts: 0
Loc: The South | Posted: 6/15/2009 3:31:53 PM
Kudos to you for attempting to start what sounds like a huge project! Is your family on board?
My best advice is to break it down into managable chunks. Make a plan--write it out on paper if you have to. Plan to do one small area a day--or room if you have more time. I've never rented a dumpster, but I would check into charities in the area that will come to your house and pick up your donations.
I'm decluttering, too. Good Luck! |
Melissa
Wife, Mommy, and First Grade Teacher
Visit my blog: www.mrswilliamson.com
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
Theodore Roosevelt
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Melmag
PeaAddict
PeaNut 412747 - 2/20/2009
Posts: 1055 Layouts: 0
Loc: In a room, in a house, in a dream | Posted: 6/15/2009 3:32:34 PM
Yikes, I feel your pain.
It sounds like you'd really like to declutter but most of the *stuff* belongs to other family members? Lead by example and start decluttering your own stuff, the yarn, the clothes, the books (if they're yours). You'll feel better once you get started. Have you checked out FlyLady's website yet? Her basic philosophies are sound: Baby Steps!
Good luck! |
| To err is human; to moo, bovine. | |
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Janice_in_TX
I got nothin'
PeaNut 2978 - 2/24/2000
Posts: 13755 Layouts: 58
Loc: on my high horse | Posted: 6/15/2009 3:33:06 PM
A little at a time. That is what I am trying to do. I am devoting an hour every Sunday to cleaning out stuff (Monday is garbage day).
Janice |
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kewPEAzmommy
Silly gangster!!!
PeaNut 182169 - 12/27/2004
Posts: 12762 Layouts: 45
Loc: LOST on Oahu, Hawaii | Posted: 6/15/2009 3:37:19 PM
I'm "GoinNuts" just reading about your stuff!
You need to have someone like Peter Walsh(host of the show "clean sweep" get to your house, STAT!
Since that's probably not going to happen, try watching the show "clean sweep" and follow his advice.But it definitely sounds like you need to have and outsider to help you out, someone who is completely unattached to your stuff.
I just watched "truth be told: I'm a hoarder" last week and THAT motivated me to get rid of stuff...and I'm not a hoarder! |
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peamac
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 340335 - 10/3/2007
Posts: 2294 Layouts: 0
Loc: Colorado
 | Posted: 6/15/2009 3:38:42 PM
I was going to suggest FLylady, but after reading your post, maybe "Clean House."
Love the idea of a family trip or toy, after yard sale.
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MikeWozowski
AncestralPea
PeaNut 174400 - 10/26/2004
Posts: 4323 Layouts: 20
| Posted: 6/15/2009 3:44:14 PM
go to the liquor store. pick up some boxes. fill them one at a time. when you get 4 - 5 boxes ( a carload) go drop them off.
pick up more boxes.
repeat.
or line the boxes with trash bags.to save trips to get more boxes.
the clothes can go in trash bags for sure.
it is not all that hard to get rid of some clothes.
i got rid of about 50 shirts one day. and that was with keeping some of what i probably should have gotten rid of.
the pillows. take up lots of space. an easy toss. toss them all.
the printers ... another easy toss.
24 plastic boxes of cables????? how would you find what you needed with so many???
no judging from me.
do you have a friend that could help you?
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Dizzy_D
AlienGreenPea
PeaNut 226960 - 10/12/2005
Posts: 506 Layouts: 1
 | Posted: 6/15/2009 3:44:32 PM
Here's what I do. First I call Amvets, once I have the pick up appt I then 2 bags one for trash and one for Amvets. I start with one area like a dresser and just go through it. One the
donation bag is fool I put it out where Amvets is going to pick up. Then I keep going until
the day Amvets comes. Usually it's 4 days later. This works for me if not I end up with bags full of stuff in the garage for months.
I have never rented a dumpter but once a year the trash company has a free dump day so
we will up the truck and go dump it for free. | |
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Luvnlifelady
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 289166 - 12/30/2006
Posts: 8683 Layouts: 2
Loc: Southern California | Posted: 6/15/2009 3:45:51 PM
I've been hauling stuff out of here like crazy! Holiday stuff I hadn't used in 3 years, old clothes (just get rid of them - go ahead do it)!!
I am bad though since now I'm hauling IN more stuff. I bought a used ping pong table for the garage and today I'm going looking at a used foosball table! I'm trying to make the garage a place to hang out, so it's all good.
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scoobers
PeaAddict
PeaNut 417049 - 3/28/2009
Posts: 1688 Layouts: 0 | Posted: 6/15/2009 3:52:45 PM
Mike Wozowski almost had it right:
"go to the liquor store. pick up some boxes. fill them one at a time. when you get 4 - 5 boxes ( a carload) go drop them off. "
It should have been:
"go to the liquor store. pick up some FULL boxes, drink the contents, fill them one at a time with your old stuff. when you get 4 - 5 boxes ( a carload) go drop them off. "
I'd have me a big ole' yard sale. Anyone who helps out, gets a cut of the proceeds. Nothing motivates kids like moolah!!! |
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rachag03
WHOOPea!!!
PeaNut 254107 - 3/20/2006
Posts: 21560 Layouts: 29
Loc: Texas | Posted: 6/15/2009 3:53:27 PM
Garage sale...that's what we just did! When we started unpacking after our stuff was in storage for a year we realized just how much crap we had and how much of it needed to go. We used the money for something fun we wanted for ourselves.
Oh and I hear you on the box of misc cables. We have one of those too. Good thing we keep all those cables since we've used so many of them in the last five years.  |
Canon 5D Mark II ~ 85mm 1.8 ~ 50mm 1.8 ~ 580EX II ~ CS4 | |
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*Angela
Back to Basics
PeaNut 90289 - 6/10/2003
Posts: 7053 Layouts: 0
| Posted: 6/15/2009 4:00:27 PM
My approach to purging is to select one room at a time. Assign four boxes (although you may need multiples of each category for larger projects) - one labeled "Keep," another "Donate," another "Toss" & the last "Maybe." Keep contains items that you want, without hesitation, to retain. Donate houses items that are still usable or of value, but not something you still want. Toss are broken or unusable items. Maybe contains items that still have value/are usable but you're uncertain whether you still want to keep.
Be brutally honest & realistic when sorting your belongings. Take your time (even if one room takes a week) & do it correctly. Once every item in the room is categorized into one of the four bins, re-sort the Maybe box. In my experience, seeing everything often prompts you to re-categorize many of the items that were sorted early in the process.
After the Maybe items have been redistributed, write a reasonable date (in 3-6 mo) on the side of the box (& note in your calendar) to revisit its contents. (At that date, if you've never opened the box to retrieve an item, either re-sort or simply donate the entire box.) Toss contents are immediately put into the garbage bin in the garage. The Donate box should be added to your family's donation pile or placed in your car for delivery during your next errands & telephone the Salvation Army or the like to pick-up larger items (e.g. highchairs, dressers, tables). Keep items remain in the room & are incorporated into the existing or newly-created organizational system.
For me, the one-room-at-a-time approach is a proven success! | |
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dudemansmom2001
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 31670 - 3/5/2002
Posts: 2111 Layouts: 8 | Posted: 6/15/2009 4:03:23 PM
Yard sale anyone?
My friend has hauled off a lot of stuff to a local flea market. Sold most/all her scrapbook stuff there and other things, too.
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writermom1
Proudly sullying the community since 2003
PeaNut 114407 - 11/4/2003
Posts: 11860 Layouts: 64
Loc: At the intersection of Hooterville and Stars Hollow
| Posted: 6/15/2009 4:03:52 PM
Two dozen plastic containers of miscellaneous cables, wires and adapters that we can't toss because well, they might come in handy one day, don't you know? (I'm married to a computer geek. 'Nuff said.)
Six laptop cases (that I trip over constantly).
Countless boxes of papers that DH needs to file, but never 'has time' to do so.
Five huge remote control cars the boys have recieved as gifts over the years but rarely play with. Yet, they panic if you even mention getting rid of them.
I could go on and on, but I think the picture has been painted, lol.
Dh's "just in case" stash. Ask yourself (ask HIM) what are the REAL consequences if he does, indeed, "need" one of those pieces someday. A couple of bucks at Radio Shack? $20 tops? Exactly how do the 'savings' stack up against the space in your home currently being lost to storing this stuff because you might need a piece of it someday? The cost in mental energy? Time spent in digging through to find it? Suddenly a trip to the computer supply store seems downright cost effective doesn't it?
Your boys and the cars. They love them so much? Make them demonstrate this. Where do THEY want to store them? Find room in your room now boys. Both my kids are "collectors." My DD especially. She wants to keep everything. They tend, however, to just set those things on the DR table. Now it's like "oh no you can't get rid of that!" Fine, I say. But they do need to find a good, neat, respectable PLACE for it (ie. shoved under the bed is not acceptable.)
I think a LOT of the packrats and hot messes you see on Clean House and the like suffer from that "eyes bigger than their house" syndrome. They truly think they can just drag home ANYTHING and EVERYTHING and somehow it will all "fit." As if space is not finite.
So I suggest you make your kids see that those precious cars they never play with actually extract a price. Playspace in their room. Having to dust around said cars, etc. |
As for not liking being called a scrapbooker...c'mon that's silly. That's like saying you'd rather be a "call girl" vs. "hooker". ~ 2boysandwill | |
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KC in Philly
PeaAddict
PeaNut 24200 - 11/5/2001
Posts: 1372 Layouts: 0
Loc: Isn't it obvious?
| Posted: 6/15/2009 4:06:35 PM
Just wanted to give you (((((((HUGS))))))))....and let you know I could totally take one set of computer speakers off of your hands. | |
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GoinNuts
Just outside the Garden Gate
PeaNut 20196 - 8/19/2001
Posts: 11046 Layouts: 21
Loc: Florida
| Posted: 6/15/2009 4:09:59 PM
I do, however, think you need to send the yarn to me because I only have 1900 pounds and it's just not fair that you should have more.
This made me literally LOL because everytime I see that huge container of yarn I think of you, BF! I say to myself, "Man, oh, man. The dishclothes BF could make with this stash!" 
In regards to a yardsale...*sigh* It's 100+ degrees here in the sun and 95 in the shade. Even if it were not so blazing miserable hot, DH swore he'd NEVER do another yardsale (we've done two) and he meant it, lol.
I've actually entertained the idea of just carting stuff out and setting it on the driveway with a big For Free sign. Seriously.
So many things go unused or untouched but for some reason I find excuses to keep them. I am way to sentimental.
Same here. I have gotten much better, though. It's not so hard anymore for me to toss cards, clothes and other sentimental stuff these days. I still can't bring myself to toss the old Tiger Beats with The Monkees on the cover, however. 
It sounds like you'd really like to declutter but most of the *stuff* belongs to other family members? Lead by example and start decluttering your own stuff,
Yep, it's pretty much everyone else's stuff that I can't figure out what to do with or convince them to toss. I've been brutally purging my own stuff for months now, but they aren't following my lead!
My biggest hurdle is I have no good place to 'store' this stuff as I try to get rid of it. Other than to just cram it back in where I pulled it out from.
Which is basically what I've been doing since 7 a.m. this morning. I picked our spare (aka JUNK) room to go hell for glory on this morning. Now my living room, kitchen, bedroom and garage are piled high with crap I have to deal with.
I KNOW if I just cram it all back in, albeit neater, I'll still have this mess to deal with tomorrow. Next week. Next year.
I will have accomplished nothing but erradicating some mondo dust balls.
Here's what I do. First I call Amvets
Ooooh. We have a charity called League of Mercy that I've donated clothes to several times. Maybe they'll want some of this other stuff? I'll look for an AmVets in our area, too. Back in the day, we used to donate a lot of stuff to Goodwill and the Salvation Army but they started to get very picky about what they would and would not take.
Off to go back to tackling it. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! You live in house almost 20 years, it's amazing what you accumulate without even really realizing it.
Lisa |
| It is never too late to be what you might have been. ~ G. Eliot | |
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gamerbabe
i am not borg
PeaNut 60578 - 1/4/2003
Posts: 14451 Layouts: 106
Loc: Missouri | Posted: 6/15/2009 4:11:44 PM
I found that if I started on my stuff, dh and the kids were willing to start on theirs as well. We tend to limit collections of stuff to a certain number of bins. DH is also a computer geek and limiting the number of cable bins he could have has really helped.
I don't bother with garage sales because I just want the stuff out of my house the day I go through it. We take it down to a thrift store and call it good. It's out of my hair quickly and they can do some good with the money earned. |
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Donna in GA
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 60695 - 1/4/2003
Posts: 2880 Layouts: 0 | Posted: 6/15/2009 4:11:46 PM
I feel your pain. I am married to a computer geek as well. They can make anything "useful".
I say start with the clothes first, then move on to the books. You should be able to deal with them quickly.
If your family starts to moan about it, just tell them to get over it and think about how nice a clean house will be. | |
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Advicegivingpea
PeaNut
PeaNut 260665 - 5/7/2006
Posts: 51 Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 6/15/2009 4:17:02 PM
In addition to Amvets, there are tons of charities that will pick up donated goods, like the ARC, St. Vincent de Paul, etc. What about a woman's shelter for your clothes?
Or Freecycle! I get rid of a lot of stuff that way. | |
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scrappysailorswife
AncestralPea
PeaNut 235775 - 12/11/2005
Posts: 4223 Layouts: 0
Loc: Virginia | Posted: 6/15/2009 4:18:50 PM
Don't mess with a garage sale! They are a HUGE pain in the backside. Start making thrift store runs. Get rid of all the clothes, outgrown toys and other stuff you're no longer using. Anything that is broken or you can't identify...put it in the trash. Start today. Tell your family that if they're not part of the solution, they're part of the problem. Before you know it, you'll have reclaimed your home from the junk! Good luck! |
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**ScrapWench**
an excitable flibbertigibbet
PeaNut 247139 - 2/3/2006
Posts: 10293 Layouts: 0
Loc: swimming in snark-infested waters | Posted: 6/15/2009 4:21:11 PM
thank you for this thread! I am inspired and have been de-cluttering slowly and steadily, but it is all so OVER-WHELMING. |
----Theresa
Lulu: 1960 Nash Metropolitan
Journey without Steve Perry is like s3x without a p3nis, it can be done, but I don't recommend it.
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scrappysailorswife
AncestralPea
PeaNut 235775 - 12/11/2005
Posts: 4223 Layouts: 0
Loc: Virginia | Posted: 6/15/2009 4:35:07 PM
I am inspired and have been de-cluttering slowly and steadily, but it is all so OVER-WHELMING.
ScrapWench...that surprise me! Obviously, I don't know you, but from your posts here, you've struck me as a super-organized, totally on the ball kind of woman. I guess we've all got extra junk and clutter! |
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MikeWozowski
AncestralPea
PeaNut 174400 - 10/26/2004
Posts: 4323 Layouts: 20
| Posted: 6/15/2009 4:36:51 PM
i say donate. do not save for a yard sale. unless the money will be a big impact to you. i like money, really i do, but a yard sale just isn' worth it to me.
make an itemized list of donations and then take tax deductions instead.
oh yeah, i forgot to mention to get a bottle of vodka while you are at the liquor store to "help" you!! | |
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matthewsmom
AncestralPea
PeaNut 78236 - 3/28/2003
Posts: 4898 Layouts: 288
Loc: Nebraska | Posted: 6/15/2009 4:44:55 PM
We have too much danged stuff. Like ten sets of computer speakers. Eighteen extra pillows. Three (unused) printers. Boxes upon boxes of fabric remnants.
1. Options: Craigslist, HUGE garage sale (then the remainder to Goodwill/Salvation Army), donate to Goodwill/Salvation Army (tax deductible - make sure to make lists, take pictures of what you donate in case of audit).
And yarn. I have probably 2,000 pounds of yarn.
1. What do you do with yarn? And do you still craft? If not, eBay or Craigslist it.
Stacks and stacks of books but no bookcase (and nowhere to put one if I did).
1. Garage Sale, Half.com, Craigslist, eBay.
Shoulder-high piles of clothes that don't fit, but no one wants to toss because "I'll fit into them again one day!"
1. DONATE! If you fit into them 'one day' they'll be out of style & you'll need new anyway!
Two dozen plastic containers of miscellaneous cables, wires and adapters that we can't toss because well, they might come in handy one day, don't you know? (I'm married to a computer geek. 'Nuff said.)
1. Organize into ONE place - ONE container.
Six laptop cases (that I trip over constantly).
1. How many laptops? Downsize to that number of cases.
Countless boxes of papers that DH needs to file, but never 'has time' to do so.
1. File for what? Are you SURE they can't be shredded.
Five huge remote control cars the boys have recieved as gifts over the years but rarely play with. Yet, they panic if you even mention getting rid of them.
1. Have them choose ONE each to keep. Sell the others & give them the moolah!
I could go on and on, but I think the picture has been painted, lol.
I.am.ready.to.scream.
Has anyone here ever rented a dumpster? I want to do that sooooooo badly and just start tossing like a mad woman. |
***Everyone is gifted. Some open the package sooner*** | |
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GoinNuts
Just outside the Garden Gate
PeaNut 20196 - 8/19/2001
Posts: 11046 Layouts: 21
Loc: Florida
| Posted: 6/15/2009 4:48:41 PM
Or Freecycle! I get rid of a lot of stuff that way.
Unfortunately, I was banned from Freecycle a couple of years ago. I got into an argument with the moderator over the wording in my subject line when I updated that my item was Taken. Oops. Bad me. 
Lisa |
| It is never too late to be what you might have been. ~ G. Eliot | |
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fallgirl
oldie but goodie
PeaNut 52171 - 10/13/2002
Posts: 13160 Layouts: 89
Loc: where there's fall
Count: 1 | Posted: 6/15/2009 5:11:24 PM
If the pillows are used - the local animal shelter might want them for cat/dog beds. Check and see. (Same with extra blankets.)
Ask your local hospital and/or nursing home about the yarn. There are people that make hats/blankets for newborns. Or the homeless.
Unless it is TRULY trash, donate it - don't throw it away. It's a crying shame that people throw so much stuff away that other people would find a use for. | |
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GoinNuts
Just outside the Garden Gate
PeaNut 20196 - 8/19/2001
Posts: 11046 Layouts: 21
Loc: Florida
| Posted: 6/15/2009 5:17:26 PM
We have too much danged stuff. Like ten sets of computer speakers. Eighteen extra pillows. Three (unused) printers. Boxes upon boxes of fabric remnants.
1. Options: Craigslist, HUGE garage sale (then the remainder to Goodwill/Salvation Army), donate to Goodwill/Salvation Army (tax deductible - make sure to make lists, take pictures of what you donate in case of audit). I can do that.
And yarn. I have probably 2,000 pounds of yarn.
1. What do you do with yarn? And do you still craft? If not, eBay or Craigslist it. I make baby afghans for my ever-increasing brood of grandchildren. I have nine GC so far and have only managed to make 3 afghans. But I have the yarn! I also got bugs up my butt a few years ago to make 'themed' afghans for certain family members. Bought the 50 skeins of different colored yarn, wrote up my patterns and that's as far as I got.
Stacks and stacks of books but no bookcase (and nowhere to put one if I did).
1. Garage Sale, Half.com, Craigslist, eBay. A lot of what I have is children's books that I keep around for the grandkids. They aren't so interested in them, however. Aren't messy enough or something. Time to donate, I know, but it's not easy.
Shoulder-high piles of clothes that don't fit, but no one wants to toss because "I'll fit into them again one day!"
1. DONATE! If you fit into them 'one day' they'll be out of style & you'll need new anyway! 90% is DH's and his weight fluctuates. Plus he has this thought that our oldest son can wear them. Who, btw, is 14 and big enough to fit in them. They just aren't his 'style'. Everytime I point this out to DH and make him go through them, he tosses maybe 25%, but can't let go of the rest.
Two dozen plastic containers of miscellaneous cables, wires and adapters that we can't toss because well, they might come in handy one day, don't you know? (I'm married to a computer geek. 'Nuff said.)
1. Organize into ONE place - ONE container. Oh, I need to take pictures. One container would be the size of a small bathroom. I kid you not. We already have two 6' long under-the-bed storage containers of this kind of stuff. Dh goes through it all about once a month and does toss SOME stuff, but it continues to grow. Like rabbits, I think it gets *busy* at night and reproduces while we are sleeping.
Six laptop cases (that I trip over constantly).
1. How many laptops? Downsize to that number of cases. We have eight laptops. Most of them are for Dh's work. When he's not using one of the cases for a laptop, he's using it for something else.
Countless boxes of papers that DH needs to file, but never 'has time' to do so.
1. File for what? Are you SURE they can't be shredded. Can you believe we have gone through 3 shredders in the last four years? We shred all the time. The majority of the papers are related to my SS, whom is disabled. We have to keep them, but have run out of filing cabinet space. BTW, we have 12 filing cabinets in our tiny home. It's insane, I swear.
Five huge remote control cars the boys have recieved as gifts over the years but rarely play with. Yet, they panic if you even mention getting rid of them.
1. Have them choose ONE each to keep. Sell the others & give them the moolah! I can do that! IF they can find the chargers. Another topic for another day, lol.
It sounds like I'm making a ton of excuses up there why we keep this junk around. I guess I am, as there always seems to be 'some' reason to hang onto this crap. Hence, the 'overwhelming' part of all this.
Lisa |
| It is never too late to be what you might have been. ~ G. Eliot | |
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GoinNuts
Just outside the Garden Gate
PeaNut 20196 - 8/19/2001
Posts: 11046 Layouts: 21
Loc: Florida
| Posted: 6/15/2009 5:19:08 PM
If the pillows are used - the local animal shelter might want them for cat/dog beds. Check and see. (Same with extra blankets.)
Ask your local hospital and/or nursing home about the yarn. There are people that make hats/blankets for newborns. Or the homeless.
Oh, I love these ideas, Fallgirl! Thank you!
Lisa |
| It is never too late to be what you might have been. ~ G. Eliot | |
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agnes
PeaFixture
PeaNut 11430 - 2/23/2001
Posts: 3218 Layouts: 23
Loc: No. CA 95610
| Posted: 6/15/2009 5:27:18 PM
As someone that doesn't like to have a garage sale(though I love going to them) I've had really good luck getting rid of stuff through Craigslist--you should be able to get rid of the extra printers, laptop bags, pillows, toys, and even lots of yarn. We've been going through a lot of our stuff and trying to pare down, too, so I feel your pain. You might want to start by going through the clothing and just donating what doesn't fit/hasn't been worn/just don't really like it--after making a first step in decluttering, it gets a bit easier to do. Goog luck! |
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KAMINER317
PeaAddict
PeaNut 258134 - 4/19/2006
Posts: 1258 Layouts: 12
Loc: Georgia
| Posted: 6/15/2009 5:40:38 PM
go to flylady.com or read her book, sink reflections. she has lots of tips for decluttering as painlessly as possible! |
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writermom1
Proudly sullying the community since 2003
PeaNut 114407 - 11/4/2003
Posts: 11860 Layouts: 64
Loc: At the intersection of Hooterville and Stars Hollow
| Posted: 6/15/2009 5:54:06 PM
Another tip. Seriously.
If you have stuff that's "kind of good" but not like worth a mint, just put it on the curb. Seriously. I'm not saying leave it out there for weeks but time and again we have found that if we put things out by the road a few days before trash day - they are long gone before the trash ever runs.
Yesterday we cleaned out a corner of our barn. Now, if you have a roughly 10,000 square foot barn, people think you need to fill it. So they will give you stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. At one point I had two boats in there and we don't even own a boat!
Yesterday DH dragged two cool but not to us file cabinet types things out there. I actually wondered if I should have posted "Any Pea in my area come and get 'em" They were that heavy metal but shallow drawers. Just perfect for holding 5x7 or smaller photos, small craft items. Each with a bookplate front. Probably 40 double drawers in each. Weighed a solid ton. Of no use to us and seriously, what would I sell them for? They've been all dusty in my barn for years. They need a sprucin'. So we dragged them out to the road and within hours someone drove up "hey can we have those?"
Seriously, it makes me happy when my trash can become someone else's treasure. I like money too but for some questionable items I find just putting em out for "free" does the trick too! |
As for not liking being called a scrapbooker...c'mon that's silly. That's like saying you'd rather be a "call girl" vs. "hooker". ~ 2boysandwill | |
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~Tracy~
Happea Summer!
PeaNut 85262 - 5/7/2003
Posts: 7666 Layouts: 6
Loc: Minnesota
| Posted: 6/15/2009 6:17:58 PM
This seriously makes me want to hyperventilate!
Seriously, you could do what I do...gradually toss things that DH is hoarding that are broken, missing pieces, damaged, etc. A few at a time and he doesn't even notice that they're missing--ever!
Also, I always try and go through the house each weekend and make it a goal to toss/recycle/giveaway a minimum of 25 things. It sounds like alot, but really it's not when you think of all the little stuff that makes its way into the house each week: Happy Meal Toys, School Papers, Socks with holes, newspapers & magazines, anything broken, etc. It cuts down on the little clutter so you can start to tackle the bigger clutter.
Make a list and start figuring it out piece by piece. It really can happen and it will make you feel so much happier and peaceful!  | |
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Virago-go-go
BucketHead
PeaNut 327240 - 7/12/2007
Posts: 551 Layouts: 0
| Posted: 6/15/2009 6:32:25 PM
Yep, it's pretty much everyone else's stuff that I can't figure out what to do with or convince them to toss. I've been brutally purging my own stuff for months now, but they aren't following my lead!
This -- not your surplus of stuff -- seems like the real problem. If you can't get family buy-in on living a less cluttered life, you'll forever be waging an uphill battle.
Do your DH and kids not see clutter as a problem because "Mom will take care of it -- she always does." Maybe they'll straighten up once they realize real consequences for not managing their belongings with a critical eye?
Get your DH on board: explain to him that it's necessary for the family to live in a clean and orderly environment. Explain that you're not devaluing him or his interests by throwing away things; you're making room for him to continue pursuing his life. Then the two of you can come down like the hammer of Thor on the kids! | |
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kewPEAzmommy
Silly gangster!!!
PeaNut 182169 - 12/27/2004
Posts: 12762 Layouts: 45
Loc: LOST on Oahu, Hawaii | Posted: 6/15/2009 7:00:47 PM
Like rabbits, I think it gets *busy* at night and reproduces while we are sleeping.
This cracked me up cause I have a "loved one" who says this about her clutter. Honestly, you sound a lot like her even down to the yarn. She has multiple afghans going on at the same time, and sometimes her family members will get lucky and actually get a completed one!
And for that reason, I actually let her keep them all.
I won't give away her identity cause if she found out I was sharing her "dirty secret" with thousands of people-she'd kill me! So, I'll refer to her as "loved one".
How is your purse/bag/backpack, stash? I counted them and she had over 100!!!
She's at the point where she's fed up as well and I helped her to get rid of 80% of what was in her half of her bedroom. I had a formula where I would place 10 items in front of her and she HAD TO get rid of 8 items from that batch. And of course she had dupe. items, and she was only allowed to keep one.
And her husband is no innocent party, he has about 23 PCs sitting on a shelf waiting to get refurbished. How does one get so many PCs? His friends give them to him when they don't want to just throw it away.
I forgot to answer your dumpster question, we were going to do that, but they had a truck so we could put stuff in the bed. But guess what would happen? Someone would find their way into that truck and would continually take stuff out. So I had to have them get a stash of BLACK trash bags and I would stuff them, tie them and even tape them up before I had them toss it into the truck. It actually worked.
Just do a little every day, I know it's overwhelming. Good luck! |
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Kimmie75
Will I ever get to Buckethead?!
PeaNut 349753 - 11/28/2007
Posts: 404 Layouts: 0
Loc: Outside of Boston | Posted: 6/15/2009 7:03:36 PM
I rent a dumpster every other year. It is part of my spring cleaning. It is amazing the amount of crap you can accumulate in your shed, basement and attic. My philosophy is that you need to keep things moving in and out of your house. Every year you bring home more stuff, therefore other stuff needs to leave. Once you get into that mindset, you will be amazed how much easier it is to let go of stuff. | |
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msbee
Mommy Peas-alot
PeaNut 100930 - 8/10/2003
Posts: 9780 Layouts: 118
Loc: nc
| Posted: 6/15/2009 7:15:27 PM
we are working on this too.
one afternoon I got dh to agree to come work in the bedroom with me. we filled a couple of bags each for donate and for trash.
DH hoards computer books and magazines in addition to computer parts.
the papers regarding your SS. can you scan them and store them digitally? also check to see how far back you really need to keep paperwork and documentation. make sure you aren't storing duplicates of documents. I have some medical paperwork stored. when I went through it last time I discovered we had duplicates of some of them. I pitched one of them.
Unless the books you are keeping for the kids have sentimental value box them up and take to the women's shelter.
used clothing can really be needed right now as so many families have had their income cut and are unable to replace worn out clothing.
Ask your husband to pick one or two outfits in each size range and pitch the rest. if your son isn't going to wear his dad's old clothes he is not going to wear them. it's not worth fighting with your son over trying to get him to wear the hand me downs. It's not worth the mental energy. get rid of those clothes and enjoy the freed up space
Keep working on it.
Don't forget to give yourself credit for all you have accomplished so far. |
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Princess Pea
PeaFixture
PeaNut 57475 - 12/1/2002
Posts: 3164 Layouts: 0
Loc: The South | Posted: 6/15/2009 7:44:18 PM
You may be overwhelmed, but this thread is inspiring me to "keep on keeping on!" I'm going to clean a closet  |
Melissa
Wife, Mommy, and First Grade Teacher
Visit my blog: www.mrswilliamson.com
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
Theodore Roosevelt
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PEAS well w/ others
If I can't scuba then what's this all been about?
PeaNut 257161 - 4/11/2006
Posts: 11649 Layouts: 0
Loc: looking for the pineapple on each episode of Psych
| Posted: 6/15/2009 8:00:53 PM
I'm off work next week and have decided to declutter! I have all of the kids clothes from years and years past that I need to donate. Plus they have tons of toys (Santa's fault) that they don't play with. These also need to be donated. I really do have my work cut out for me... |
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'Life isn't like a bowl of cherries or peaches, it's more like a jar of Jalapenos--what you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.'
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flstamper
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 234135 - 11/30/2005
Posts: 2331 Layouts: 3
Loc: Sunshine State
Count: 175 |  Posted: 6/15/2009 8:10:30 PM
WOW you've gotten tons of good suggestions.
Mine is to pick a room and work at it till it's done. I tend to wander from room to room and then the decluttering isn't as obvious. So pick a room. Go into it and work clockwise until you need a break. Next decluttering session start where you stopped.
As far as stuff that belongs to others no good ideas about that. I just get rid of the me and the we stuff.
HTH |
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2009 LOs Done: 1
2009 Cards Done: 76
2008 LOs Done: 44
2008 Cards Done: 76 + Christmas Cards of course!
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dalayney
Shut the PEA UP! Yer gettin me all twitterpaited!
PeaNut 123471 - 1/9/2004
Posts: 13478 Layouts: 118
Loc: Bristol, Wisconsin | Posted: 6/15/2009 8:16:50 PM
We're in the process of moving. (from Nebraska to Kenosha/Bristol Wisconsin)My hubby is already up there working, and he'll be back at the end of the month to get the boys and I and follow the moving van/rig up in our jeep.
So it has been my job to go through... gut/purge and pack. We rented one of those huge roll off dumpsters. And innocently enough I thought.... naw..... I won't fill that. (it's like 12 or 14 yards?)
Lord have mercy. Where in holy heck did all of this stuff come from? I can't freakin' believe it. I swear, we have more stuff in the dumpster and taken away by the trash guys... than we do actually packed. I'm almost embarrased by all this stuff we're throwing away. But I keep thinking, if I haven't touched it in 5 years, why am I keeping it again? And I also realized that so many people have given us stuff. And I think out of me, just being "me", I just accepted it. Cuz this stuff isn't "us".
And the stuff I did keep, but am now getting rid of it. I think I had the best intentions to "ebay" it, or "garage sale" it. (all of the baby clothes, baby toys, etc, etc. ) But it never got done, and I just don't have time to do it now. And is sure in the HELLo is not going with me.
But this has really, woken me up. I will never buy something unless I truely want and need it. I will purge more often and not keep stuff thinking, "Oh, one day I'll sell it on ebay, or use it." I will never buy the supplies for another dang project, until I finish the box of stuff that I AM keeping. I don't care how brilliant it is.
So although this last two months have totally sucked big huge donkey breath, it will give me a huge fresh start up in our new home. And hopefully it taught me to never be so dang wasteful again. |
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Burning Feather
I knit so that I do not kill
PeaNut 158336 - 7/19/2004
Posts: 25904 Layouts: 3
| Posted: 6/15/2009 8:28:18 PM
But it never got done, and I just don't have time to do it now. And is sure in the HELLo is not going with me.
It may suck big time, but you are doing it the right way. We moved EVERYTHING in the last move because it was such a rush. What a waste of money to move that all.
And now I've made the same mistake with my dad's stuff. It was just an effort to get his house empty so we could sell it and despite my best original intention to purge and sort before we moved it, it was just too overwhelming to do there.
<<<<<< BF - who is going out to the shop to tackle at least one of those damn boxes RIGHT now. |
<<<<<CLICK and see what's up at our place! You never know what I might say!
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jely_bean
PeaAddict
PeaNut 273211 - 8/18/2006
Posts: 1749 Layouts: 3
Loc: in a land downunder
| Posted: 6/15/2009 8:29:22 PM
i'm sure it's been said, but start with one room and spend 15 minutes in there. do one thing at a time. doesn't all need to be done overnight. and you would be surprised at how much can get done at a time. do the 3 bins - toss, keep, donate. and do them immediately. if you are tossing, take it to the trash bin right away, donating, put in a bag in your car, keeping, find a home for it.
good luck!
and i know what you mean about all the cables and parts, i'm married to a computer geek and my dad was one too!
jd | |
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TreeLover
Liberally conservative, conservatively liberal
PeaNut 401406 - 11/28/2008
Posts: 7437 Layouts: 0 | Posted: 6/15/2009 8:58:39 PM
Call the 800 Got Junk people and be done with it.
You'll be glad to have the freedom of piles gone. Just reading about this has made me shiver a bit, I can't imagine the emotional chaos it causes to live amongst all that. | |
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Dawnypea
plays with scissors
PeaNut 44788 - 8/8/2002
Posts: 10964 Layouts: 269
Loc: somewhere with glue dots on my fingers
| Posted: 6/15/2009 9:03:52 PM
For starters, start in one room and work a small space (10 feet, one closet). Get three boxes. Keep, Donate, Trash. Finish that space. Never take out more than you can put back. Trash the trash box, put the donate in the car and put the put away stuff where it belongs. Little by little it will work. It took me about 10 months to declutter and it takes time.
Dawn | |
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Chowwgn
PeaNut
PeaNut 203216 - 5/1/2005
Posts: 187 Layouts: 0
| Posted: 6/16/2009 1:33:46 AM
What great ideas! Everyone has inspired me to go clean something!!! | |
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