2014 Get Organized & Declutter Thread

[startsmart]

Happy 2014 everyone 

We are kicking off the new year with a new thread and all are welcome to join in and post anytime!

How does this work?
This is a group of WIR posters who are attempting to clean up, declutter, organize and simplify our lives. Since it's not always easy (or fun) we post our goals, lists, questions and successes here in the community. There are no hard rules - jump in and do what works for you and your home.

If you want to read previous years 2013 and 2012 are locked but readable. You don't need to read them to join us in 2014!

Basics for the thread:
1. Be encouraging to one another
2. Share your updates as often as you wish
3. You don't need to respond to other posters but it is a great way to participate and support each other
4. Feel free to track anything to stay motivated - phone calls to return, errands to run, some of our teachers track papers to grade - however there are dedicated threads for losing weight, saving money on groceries and eliminating debt so check those out if you want more in depth discussions
5. Remember when giving advice that we rarely know the whole story and this is not a place of judgment. Try not to take offense when others make suggestions to you and use the private message feature if you'd like something to remain private. You may always edit or delete a post but doing so will not remove quotes from other posters.

Why are some people posting numbers?
Some posters will be attempting to downsize "2,014 in 2014" which amounts to 5-6 items a day or choose their own goal number. If you see a "count" this is probably what it's referring to - if you're not sure feel free to ask the original poster. It's not required or even necessary, do what works for you.

Tip! If you are tracking your items going out this year, create a "signature" like mine below by going to:
Profile and Settings - Select "edit profile" button on the right side of the page - Choose the "Personal" tab - Write in the "Signature" block and Save. Update with your count or goals as the year goes on!

Resources
Handy Donation Tracking Sheet (in excel)
Goodwill's Tax Donation Value Guide (PDF on the page to download)

[startsmart]

Great things to do January 1st:

1. Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
2. Check your fire extinguishers and have them re-charged or replaced if needed
3. Flip your mattress! Or if you have a pillow top, flop it head to toe
4. Record the mileage on your vehicle for the last year (if you drive significantly less, let your car insurance company know! They may lower your rates.)
5. Download the donation tracking sheet in the first post under resources and start tracking everything you take in to make your taxes easier
6. Start a new check register
7. Create new files for the year for bills, receipts, etc.
8. Flip your hangers backward in the closet - anything you haven't worn by July should be donated!

What else am I missing? Anything you do annually or bi-annually to note?

[bean29]

I am going to get rid of one or two storage boxes of Christmas decorations. It all has to fit under the stairs. It was in another spot during remodeling and it either multiplied or the finished space shrunk (possible). Then I need a plastic box or two for the new guest bedroom and I am going to file in my office to empty a box. We had dryer fixed today and I put away a lot of stuff that was hanging out on top of the washing machine. I also need to clean out a few laundry baskets.

[kjto1]

Lol
#3 on your list - flip your mattress.  I was talking to my friend last week, and she was saying something about her mattress - I asked her if she rotated/flipped it on a regular basis.  She had never heard of that

I explained that is helps your mattress wear evenly, and they should last longer.  She was going to try it.

[startsmart]

bean29- space is a good way to limit what you keep! One of my problems is that the garage is SO big it's easy to just throw things out there. I got rid of 2 storage tubs of Christmas decorations this year and didn't even put out a single ornament or put up a tree. Made the last month simpler!

kjto1- It's always surprising to me the things we're just "supposed to know" as adults :-p I read constantly so I pick up on all these little hacks and tricks but still learn new ones!

Rukh- I wouldn't worry too much about annual goals or such, maybe just what you want to accomplish in January? There's a great challenge from another declutter community I visit where the posters try to donate, sell or fix "50 by Friday". Essentially they start fresh every weekend and look for things that need to be fixed (like sewing on a loose button or replacing something broken), can be donated or can be thrown away. It's a nice way to track, week to week, how many things are going out!

January List
finish staining and assemble second bathroom shelf
remove the tool storage in the garage
organize tubs & banker's boxes in the garage
find someone to take away my loveseat
sell 2 more bookshelves + nightstand + small shelf
give old blender to my parents
create a warranty and manual binder for appliances & furniture
finish painting and varnish the mantle
rent and steam clean my carpets

February List
*Take blender + spare parts to my parents (mid-Feb)
Return the party supplies
*Borrow a truck and donate loveseat to Goodwill
*Sell or donate small nightstand (aka sm shelf) and Ikea drawer
Deep clean my car inside and out
Clear leaves from the roof and gutters
Lay more grass seed before vacation
Sand and prime 2 outdoor tables

I'm going to try to have more "big" projects this year - looking back at last year's thread I had a lot of "do laundry" and "sweep floors" lol - while I might still have some of those lists (because it's fun to cross things off!), I want to tackle the bigger projects, especially with planning to move at some point this year.

[Saving4Norway]

Happy New Year everyone!!

DH is home today so there are some jobs I'd like us to tackle together:

Yard work

Pack up Christmas

Massive vacuuming (moving furniture)

[Works4me]

Starting out by cleaning and organizing the storage shed. Tons of empty boxes from stuff ordered online and what not. Counting them - can't wait to see the total. Have to cut them up to fit in the recycling bin - onward and upward!

[constanz22]

Thanks for starting the new thread! I hope the intro doesn't deter others from joining. It sounds a little formal to me, but that's JMHO. We are far from "formal" here.

Well, I was in bed by 9pm last night after a 15 hour migraine, one of the worst I've ever had. If it wasn't single digit temps and NYE and a 30 min drive, I may have considered going to the ER, something I have never done for a migraine, but this was awful. Anywho, got rid of it somehow in the night, and was up, showered and out the door by about 8:15 am. Made the rounds and did a bunch of returns I had to do. I was hoping I'd get it done before most people were even up, and I pretty much did. I don't go to WM EVER, hate, hate, hate that place but bought something online I had to return. I was there before 9 am and there were about 10 cars in the parking lot. Woohoo!

I am off til Monday and we are getting a BIG snowstorm tomorrow and Friday, so, I will have plenty of "home" time to work on some cleaning stuff. I already started packing away my Christmas decorations but need to finish that up.

[grits]

I have been digging through things. I found a new set of nesting cobalt mixing bowls, and a new cd player/radio. I am contemplating donating them, and buying what I want.  I shall continue digging, and donating.  

[constanz22]

Jan 1, 2014 17:15:35 GMT -5 grits said:

I have been digging through things. I found a new set of nesting cobalt mixing bowls, and a new cd player/radio. I am contemplating donating them, and buying what I want.  I shall continue digging, and donating.  

Sell them!  Check your area for Facebook selling groups.  I sell TONS of stuff on them.  Double bonus, declutter and make a little money!

[grits]

I would but I know someone who can use a pick me up, and can use them.

I found them in a box of stuff I was going to give away years back. I kept the bowls because they were a Christmas gift. Arg! My brother had me go to a store they shop at that I hate. I wrote down specifically what I wanted on a list. I gave them a choice from $1.95 to $11.95. Instead, they went to a diff store, and got me what I hated. There is no cure for stupidity. I have had them so long, I don't even remember the year they got them for me. They are new, unused, never going to be used by me if I can help it, I hate the shape......siblings can be our punishment on earth.

[KaraBoo]

I'm going to at least hang out and read the thread...this may be my only post, but will be cheering others on and gathering ideas (sometimes I only have time to read, not post).

One of the things that is currently helping me (granted, I've only really gotten into this for the last couple of weeks - it may not be helpful later for me, but others might find it useful - I've been using this method before, but without clear purpose until now):

I am making lists on my Smartphone - I have a "reminders" app, "notes" and an app called "Any.Do" (all free or included with the phone).  

Reminders - is used for anything I do on a regular basis - daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.  I can set up multiple lists for what I need - I've included lists for birthdays, Christmas presents and occasional events (anniversaries, boss's day, etc).  Anytime I run across something that I realized I have either forgotten about or have a good chance of forgetting about in the near future, I add it to the appropriate list and if needed, add a reminder for an appropriate amount of time in the future.  For example - with birthday gifts, I set the reminder a month in advance so that it's on my radar as I'm shopping for other things.  

If I find or complete something well in advance of the event - no problem, I can go in and mark the item off as complete and the reminder won't pop up until the next occurrence/year.

Notes - I'm using to remember things that are important but not necessarily to be completed - gift ideas for myself (so I have a ready answer for when someone asks me what I want); medications I'm currently taking; quotes; goals; etc.

Any.Do - is my to-do list that are extra projects that need to be completed, but don't fall into a rotating category (cleaning out my closet for example).  I can open up the list, gauge how much time I have to complete something specific and pick an item off the list to work on.  The app even has a built in little voice that says "Way To Go!" or "WooHoo!" to provide verbal encouragement for marking something off the list (cracks me up to hear it and makes me happy at the same time since DH could care less that I completed a project).

Anyway - these things are really helping me stay motivated and organized and I hope sharing will help someone else as well.

[Deleted]

- I took that bag to the donation bin
- I took the bottles to the bottle bank (our recycling pick up doesn't take glass). 
- I went through the "shoe box" and light bulb / battery bag in the broom closet. That closet is all tidy now. 
- I brought the bag of books for my friend's church sale upstairs from the basement. I will put it in my trunk tomorrow for our next Book Club.
- We finally started "decluttering" the fridge (eating leftovers). I didn't want to serve leftovers to DS1's GF who only visits once or twice a year, but we made good progress on that today. I plan to do the same tomorrow. 

We will take down the tree / pack up Christmas on Sunday.  

ETA: Welcome Karaboo! I love making lists too, although I tend to write them on paper (or here).

[Deleted]

When I went through the entire basement storage room last year (forcing DH to go through his half for the first time since Dec 1999 when he brought that Stuff in), I decided that I would go through two shelves of my half every year. (Me and the 4 kids share 6 shelves, the other 2 are the pantry.)

Well, I've changed my mind. Amazingly, one year later, everything still fits neatly on the shelves, so I just can't be bothered.   

I honestly can't think of anything for me or the kids or the house that needs doing, besides regular maintenance (cleaning / laundry / Shitepile (paperwork). (DH is another story. His closet is a mess. I offered to help him, but I won't do it alone, and he's not interested.)

So for now, for the first time since the old Feng Shui threads on MSN, I have NO projects on the horizon. Amazing! It's good timing too. Our play is in early Feb, and we have a LOT of rehearsals in January (me 2X/week, DH 3X/week), so it's just as well. 

A couple of thoughts on your posts:
- Sheila, I never thought about it, but we really don't bring much into the house either.
- Start, do you even have 2014 items to get rid of after this year?!
- Sarahjese, it looks like you are off to a great start! I think starting with the storage shed was a great move.
- Constanz I am glad you are feeling better! 

 

[The Captain]

umm, I totally emptied out and cleaned my purse, does that count?

I need to declutter so appreciate the inspiration!

[Deleted]

Famous last words ... I just thought of a project, and I think I can even do it before I go back to school on Monday! 

DS3 was in Oliver! last year, and the teacher / director bought an old wooden trunk from our local SA place. She asked if anybody wanted it afterwards, and sold it for what she had paid for it (20e, about $25). It was aesthetically in bad shape but structurally sound, and I fell in love with it. DH hated it so it sat in the basement for months. I finally cleaned it up somewhat and brought up upstairs to the LR last year. It lived in the spot where we put the Christmas tree, so I had to move it. DH wanted me to get rid of it. I said I would but I ended up putting it into the kitchen.

It is covered with (torn, worn, dirty) fabric. I started tearing the fabric off, there were huge clouds of dust, so I stopped. Under the fabric, there's wood, and it appears to be in good shape. 

I don't know how to reupholster it in fabric, and I know I wouldn't have the patience. But I'm thinking I can strip all the fabric off, clean it up, and seal it! It would be clean, and I could always reupholster it later, if I wanted to. 

Start this is EXACTLY the sort of thing you do so well. Once I strip all the fabric off, I may ask you for tips!

[Deleted]

Welcome Captain! Yes that counts ... I did that too today!

[mizbear]

Happy New Year everyone!

I will post my list again- with edits in the AM.

I am burnt out from today (made a base for my chili and did some cleaning and laundry) and still giddy from my run-in with Mr. Bear yesterday....

*le sigh*

[startsmart]

debthaven- the projects always have a way of finding us! And yes, I definitely have a ton of things to get rid of, I'm thinking of all the crafty stuff that I never use, going through my family photos (3 generations worth), the boxes of files in my garage and paring down my linens, cleaning supplies, candles and books again.

Eventually I'd like to get it so my collectible books can go into storage, I can sell most of my furniture and then pick up and move

Today I finished staining the main wood I'll need for my shelf project. I'll need to cut a few more boards for support but need to pickup a saw. Another day or 2 for off-gassing and then I can assemble the shelf. Maybe over the weekend.

[Deleted]

the projects always have a way of finding us!

Start that is SO true! I've torn off all the fabric now, and the wood is indeed in great shape! I'm thinking maybe I'll even clean and wax it instead of staining it. But I need a cutter for the last bits of fabric, and I don't know where DH hides them. 

It's past 4 am, yikes! The roofers are coming at 9 for the leaking gutter so I'd better go to bed now! But I'm looking forward to putting that trunk back into the LR on Sunday when the tree goes. I'm thinking I will use it to store the Christmas decorations, and then it can live in the LR for 49 weeks of the year, and live in the kitchen for the 3 weeks the Christmas tree is up. I had used it to store other things, so when I moved it to make room for the Christmas tree, I had to find a new home for those things. But if I use to to store the Christmas decorations, I wouldn't have that problem. 

It's like an old-fashioned Pirate's chest, it's really nice. 

[plugginaway22]

I lurk on the de-cluttering thread, because just reading what you are all doing motivates me!  I am going to try to be more accountable this year with the house and our lives.
Today was a good start.  Instead of just randomly packing up all the Christmas decorations, I spent a few hours considering everything.  Got rid of 2 large garbage bags of things that we no longer get out, or things that I just never liked.  Some is trash, some is donate.  Also packed the things better and consolidated all holiday plastic tubs in the basement storage room. 

I also updated my spreadsheets for year end so that upcoming FAFSA and taxes will hopefully be easier.  Now to just keep the momentum going!

[Deleted]

Welcome Plugginaway! Sounds like you're off to a great start!

I hope that you and the other new folks will keep "plugging away" lol! 

[raeoflyte]

I need to come up with specific weekly/monthly goals for the house but just haven't been able to. We'll be moving at some point probably may-august, and there is a ton to do before then...

I'm guessing I should start on the basement that has a lot of storage and just start tossing and packing, and then move up through the main living areas.

Wishing I had done more decluttering last year.

Sent from my ADR6410LVW using proboards

[Waffle]

Happy New Year Everyone! 

I finally got around to cleaning out the dresser drawer - it's now about 2/3 empty.  A few things belonged elsewhere in the house, but a lot of it went straight to garbage. 

My next project will be working on the bedroom closet - that seems to be a never ending project.  On the positive side - I've already purged the shoes and purses and I've sold, thrown out and donated enough clothes that there are only 2 full tubs left in it - at one point I had 9 full plastic tubs in it.  On the other hand, I know I still have clothes hanging up in the closet that I don't wear.  And I went shopping today and bought more clothes. 

[busymom]

You all are doing VERY well.  I think we're all motivated to get projects accomplished this year!  Nice to see some new friends, too.

FAFSA is DONE! (Amazing, considering how many times the site crashed on me today.)  At least, I'm done until we get our taxes completed, & submit that info.

My back is acting up a bit (probably because our weather is in the deep freeze), but I had DH help me go through all of our bathroom cabinets.  We threw out at least 30 things.  If I can average 6 items a day, my house should have a lot less clutter by the end of 2014. 

[whoisjohngalt]

I so so SOOOO need to do this.

I've yet to find what motivates me, though.  I was on 2013 thread for 5 minutes and didn't get far at all

I mostly need to organize stuff, not really declutter.

The only items I really have to get rid of are all the "baby" clothes that my kids grew out of.    But my husband is keeping every.single.item that they wore bc, well......you never know if we might need them again.    But since he is keeping it all in "his" space, I can't complain (too loudly)

But I do very much need to organize my whole house, and I have a pretty big house....oh help me G-d

[raeoflyte]

Lena don't even get me started on saving kid stuff! We can't say we're done even though a third is completely out of the question at this point. My sil says she wants all of our baby stuff, but she keeps putting off even trying to get knocked up. I'm dreading even looking at those boxes...

Sent from my ADR6410LVW using proboards

[FreeSalsa]

Hello Declutterers!  Happy New Year!  I didn't post over the holidays but I was reading along.

I spent the holidays with my in-laws, mostly, and it was good, mostly, but there were a few moments....Also, it was reeeeally cold there, which I am not used to any more.

We really have to keep up the decluttering this year.  Our lease is up in August and we decided that this year we really want to move.  Also, some personal stuff came up that means we may have to move even before that.

First projects are unpacking from the holidays (part flight, part road-trip) and returning Christmas purchases (duplicate sizes, changed my mind, etc.)  Then I have to catch up on paperwork and start my first annual "clean out the file cabinet" that I've been meaning to do for years.  I just re-organized most of it but part of the scheduled maintenance is to clean out the last year's stuff in January.

[Works4me]

Cut 28 boxes for recycling filling almost 4 paper bags and the empty Tide box! Here everything has to fit in the recycling bin without overflow or they do not pick up as it all is done by one driver and the automatic pick up arm on the truck. Looks like I will be filling that bin for several weeks to come.

Also put the trash out for pick up tomorrow - recycling is Mondays and trash is Thursdays. Fortunately there is no limit to how many bags here and I had 5 of the 13 gallon ones plus lots more in the weeks to come.

One of the reasons I am cleaning out the storage shed first is so that I can move my bicycle out there - right now it is in the middle of my office/guest room, blocking the door to the half bath. I am also hoping that I might be  more inclined to ride it if it is more easily accessible.

My goal is to go through everything in every room here at home plus the storage shed here, the storage shed at my house ( currently living in what was my father's house) and have furniture and family misc. in storage to sort through, purge and generally reduce the amount of stuff in my life. My long term plan is to move in a year to 18 months - no idea where but I am beginning the preparation process now.  For example there is an antique dining room set with matching living room tables that belonged to my grandmother that I realize now I will most likely never be using so I am going to clean it up and maybe pass it on to my cousin. Lots of stuff like that to deal with and purge, pass on, donate or toss. Since both of my parents have passed on now it is up to me to decide which heirlooms to keep and which to pass on - daunting but also freeing.   

[Deleted]

Sarah, good for you for getting a great start. Might it be worth renting a dumpster? 

The trunk is finished, and drying in the kitchen. I'm very pleased with it. I took off all the fabric, and sealed it with two coats of a colorless seal. It looks "shabby chic" but it's clean now. If I had realized how much dirt there was under the upholstery, I probably wouldn't have bought it.