2015 Declutter and Get Organized Thread

[busymom]

OK, I called the nearest Goodwill today, & they have extended hours tomorrow for dropping off donations. Sooo, I went through some of Mom's things that I'd brought to my house, & I'll be donating 3 boxes of dishes & clothing in her name tomorrow.

I did achieve over the 2014 goal for this year.  For 2015, I don't think I'll do a count.  I'll just continue to purge & organize.  I'll be cheering the rest of you on as you go for your goals.  Go Team! 

[bobosensei]

Yay, I am glad the new thread is up.   I will be a better participator in 2015 

My first task when I get home on Jan 2nd is to get rid of some junk electronics (old laptops, cords, etc.).  I just got photos backed up on an external drive so the laptops can go, but I still want to make a backup CD of the photos.  As much trouble as I have with electronics this seems prudent.  I will also have to take down the xmas decorations, which will hopefully lead to reorganizing the boxes of things in the garage which is mostly decorations though there is some military stuff for DH that I want him to look at getting rid of.  After that I will need to tackle the attic boxes which are mainly clothes and 110 volt appliances for when we move back to the States.  I need to donate some jigsaw puzzles that we have already done, and look into getting rid of some glasses since I bought some nicer crystal stuff to use.

[Deleted]

Welcome (back) to you new people or occasional posters! Good luck on your projects!

After several years on this thread (three?) I've gone through the entire house at least twice. I've decluttered as much as I can so it's really just maintenance at this point, and applying the "one in, one / two out" rule. I'm the declutterer, DH is the hoarder saver. I go through every shelf / closet / drawer every year, except for the basement storage room which I go through, but not every year. We don't have an attic or a garage.

The rest of the house has always been relatively clutter-free, and thanks to this thread, it stays that way. 

DH is a stickler for the tree going down on Twelfth Night. Since that is a work / school day, we will take down and put away all the ornaments on Sunday, and take the tree out to the woodpile on Tuesday night. (DH will chop it up for firewood later.)

[Deleted]

Our basement storage room has two sets of shelves (and the boiler). One half is DH's, and includes paint and tools. The other half is mine and the 4 kids' and the pantry.  

Today I want to go through 6 of "my" 8 shelves in that basement storage room. (The other 2 will take much longer, they're mainly filled with the kids' old school stuff. I've already condensed it once but won't do it again without them.)

ETA: 6/8 shelves done. I got rid of old bank statements, checkbook stubs, and packaging. I also found my gyn file (my gyn retired last year) and my first wedding dress, which I want to get rid of (not sure how yet), and wiped down / rearranged the pantry shelves.  

There are also two bags of DS3's old clothes. I tried to find a consignment shop for several months but never found one willing to take the stuff so hopefully he's ready to just give them away. If he is, I'll take them to work next week for a friend / colleague with two younger boys.

[marvholly]

I am determined to mmake 2015 the year of a MAJOR declutter. I have already arranged for a charity pickup of some clothes and household stuff. I am donating my cat stuff (cat died a couple months ago) to a local shelter. Both are the first 10 days of Jan.

[plugginaway22]

I am working part of today, NYE!  DH is off so he agreed to drop the one box of donation stuff I collected in December.  We are going out tonight but no plans tomorrow, so I will think about what I want to accomplish this year and try to prioritize.
We are almost empty-nesters who are thinking about a down-size in the next few years, so clearing and de-cluttering makes more sense all the time!

[tcu2003]

I'm going to try this again this year. I managed to purge some stuff last year before we moved, but need to do more, so we'll see what happens. I also in general just need to get things organized/sorted/home for everything to be put away. Planning a trip to IKEA soon, so hopefully can get some organization to the playroom after that.

[tcu2003]

Dec 30, 2014 13:17:55 GMT -5 Martivir said:

Beth- I've been able to part with most of the clothes. Especially the newer stuff he outgrows because I just pass it on to my nephew. I have a tub of clothes that I currently can't part with. Like his first Halloween costume that we used to keep him warm in the carseat long after Halloween was over. And all the stuff with our favorite sports team on it. The toys on the other hand are a whole different story. I do have someone willing to take the rest of the gear off my hands but I've decided I am not waiting six months for her to move back to the area. I'll save the stroller because it's part of the travel system that she's getting the car seat for but that's it.

I'm sure you already know this, but don't forget to check the expiration date on the car seat before you give it your friend. Most car seats are only good for 5-6 years from the date of manufacture, and as I think you said your son is 5, the seat may be at/near the end of its lifespan.

{ducking out quietly now...and I mean no harm...I didn't know that about car seats until researching when DS was born a couple of years ago}

ETA: well, rereading, sounds like maybe your friend is buying a new seat that your stroller happens to work with. Oops. This wouldn't apply then. I blame comprehension fail on too few hours of sleep last night thanks to staying up chatting with a college bestie in town visiting for a few days.

[Deleted]

Basement shelves continued ... 7/8 done. I labeled the boxes of the kids' school stuff with their names and rearranged them. The older 3 kids don't have that many.

Then I got to DS3's school stuff on the 8th and last shelf. DS3 has NINE bags / boxes, and he's not even done with HS yet! 

I put them all in DS1's basement bedroom (next door to the storage room). Hopefully DS3 will go through them with me. My goal is to do those boxes, and finish the 8th and last shelf, by Sunday. 

I certainly wasn't expecting that! Visibly I consolidated the 3 older kids' school stuff, but never DS3's. 

[Martivir]

TCU, you are correct. DS's carseat is kaput( already threw out the bases and the seat itself has been modified to be used for my friend's DD's therapy) and she is getting a model a few years newer. Another friend has the seat but not the stroller. She could care less if things match so it works out nicely. 

I'm going to try to take down the tree today. It's not huge and I don't have a ton of decorations up but DS wants me to keep it up. When I asked him when we could take it down he said they we would not. That it could stay up all year. Sorry kid, I don't think so. 

[Chocolate Lover]

That's a LOT of school stuff Debt! Hope he's willing to purge some!

[Deleted]

Chocolate, DS3 was horrified when he saw how much there was lol.

I just blitzed it all (with some help from him). We got it down from 8 bags / boxes (turns out one was DD's) to 5. We didn't do a great job but it's still a big improvement so I'm calling it good for now. I nearly filled up the recycling bin, and they don't come again till next Wednesday. I figure I have 1.5 years (until DS3 finishes HS) to consolidate them further. 

So 7.5/8 shelves done today. I have to stop and do other stuff now but I should finish the last shelf tomorrow. 

ETA: 8/8 shelves done! DS3 told me to give his old clothes / rollerblades to my friend at work, so I'll take them into school next week. They are "in transit" in DS1's basement bedroom, as is my old wedding dress until I figure out what to do with it.

[Saving4Norway]

Way to make things happen, Debt! 
You're an inspiration! 

[Angel!]

Dec 31, 2014 13:04:15 GMT -5 Saving4Norway said:

Way to make things happen, Debt! 
You're an inspiration! 

Definitely, I hope I can say I've gone throuh my entire house within the next year.

I did get started today. Drug a bunch of boxes and a broken chair out of the garage to the curb for trash day, hopefully they pick it all up. Also tossed a few things from my hall closet.

I feel like I need to really pull everything out and work through closets and drawers, but at least throwing out some random stuff is a start.

I think I will try to get rid of 2015 items this year , 12 down, 2003 to go

[startsmart]

Great job debthaven! I love when our European posters make me feel like a total slacker by accomplishing so much before I get out of bed and you've inspired me to tackle my own school boxes which I did a general pass through this summer. I'm sure there's more to declutter.

I'm still sick, feeling pretty miserable on the couch. If the winds calm down and if I feel human I'll take in the donation. I don't think I'll feel up to taking a trip to the , mostly because if have to move furniture in the garage to pull out my old headboard and just the thought makes all my muscles ache.

I bought new tubs for holiday decor and have now 1 for Fall, 1 for Spring/Summer, 1 with fake flowers and 5 for Christmas. I was really happy to get the ornaments down to 2 boxes and throw the small boxes in the trash.

A friend of mine is buying the old tubs I don't need and I have 3 or 4 more of random stuff to sort through.

All the new tubs are stackable so I want to finish organizing before they go off sale at Home Depot in case I need more.

[busymom]

You should've seen the line at Goodwill!   (For the drop-off area.)  But, at least those boxes of Mom's things should find a new home.

I haven't filed as much of my paperwork as I'd hoped to.  So, that's my project for the rest of the day.

[snapdragon]

I have started another donation pile for next year. I need to print off my photos and write up the costs for taxes. --- I also need to find my other camera. I really miss my Fuji.

Tomorrow is a pick up around the house day. Having to work on Friday is putting a cramp in my wanting to go crazy and exhume the office. 

Everyone have a safe New Year! 

[Deleted]

You've been missed, Norway! 

Angel, that's a great start! I would really advise you to do one drawer / tub / closet / cupboard at a time though. Taking too much out at a time is overwhelming and discouraging, IMO. 

Start, you a slacker?! LOL!

It seems like many of us are off to a great start! (no pun intended, Start lol.) You're lucky that you can get a tax deduction. We can't here, unless we give money (rather than items). 

[Chocolate Lover]

Gee thanks, now I'm looking at storage bin prices online startsmart! 

[Deleted]

DH put away his toolboxes as promised so everything that should be is off the basement storage room floor!   

Have a happy and safe NYE everybody! 

[Malarky]

I'm gearing up for the big purge.  

So far, I've managed to install my new avatar and goals.  

I'm moving all the Christmas stuff to the dining room where I will sort it and put it away in an ORDERLY fashion this year.  

Since I haven't really accomplished anything in the week I've been off (except dearly needed rest)  I'm putting off actually getting rid of anything so when I do, I can add it to my 2015 count.  

I do have a box started in the dining room that I've been tossing stuff in that I no longer want/need.  It isn't nearly full enough since the cats keep popping in and out of it.  

[startsmart]

Lol chocolate lover! I got the Sterlite ones from Home Depot and I'm building new storage towers in the garage for them next month.

It seems I only need to tell myself that I can't do something and then I'll do it. Got the couch moved in the garage and everything moved so I can get the headboard to the . Waiting for my headache to abate and then I'll do my drop offs.

Moved all my paint drop cloths into a smaller tub and I'm going to keep those until I finish painting the outside.

Electrician is coming Sunday to give me a quote on new kitchen lights and adding some outlets - if it's possible to do without upgrading my panel. That should give me sufficient motivation to get the house cleaned up!

[Chocolate Lover]

I'm trying to resist the urge until I'm further into purging, I suspect I may end up with a few empties and I'm so cheap I won't buy new ones when I have empties. Even if I'd prefer clear. I'll just get out the masking tape and markers and label those things the cheap way. 

[startsmart]

Added 120 to my final 2014 count today! 

Dropped off 2 pieces of furniture at the (cost me $5) and the 2 bags of donations at Goodwill. I also threw out some buckets that were cracked and broken and the plastic cover for the kitchen light. 

Just moved out the new tubs to the garage and swapped out my kitchen table with the new one from the garage. 

Not doing much tonight since I feel too crappy to go out - the dogs will be freaking out soon due to the fireworks, I'm sure, so just settling in for the evening. 

Feeling good about my goal for 2015 since I got over a thousand items out this year and have much more to do. 

[Saving4Norway]

I need some focus this week in order to be productive.

Get Mutual Fund online access
Put away laundry
Write Annual Report
Correct 10 papers per day
Volunteer at thrift store (tues 10-1)
Go to gym daily
Decide on Athleta returns
Pack up Christmas
Finish thank you notes

Hmmmmm, it's Wednesday night an I'm not off to a roaring start...

[whoisjohngalt]

I am in again.

I have to have to HAVE TO loose the "baby' weight bc if nothing else that will allow me to get rid off tons of old clothes.  For some reason I can't get rid of anything that I can't try on and I can't fit into anything I have - I have some serious issues.

My husband FINALLY started getting rid of some stuff in the last few months and I try to nag convince him to get rid of more.

Also, I am hoping to get rid of some of the baby stuff as well.

And paperwork.

Did you know that if don't file away your paperwork for YEARS, you won't have to do it bc it becomes obsolete and you can just shredded?  Doesn't everyone have paperwork that has remained unpacked for the last 8 years?  No??  OK, then....

And if all else fails, I'll just keep clicking on this thread bc I LOVE startsmart avatar!

[msventoux]

Dec 31, 2014 23:06:41 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

....

Did you know that if don't file away your paperwork for YEARS, you won't have to do it bc it becomes obsolete and you can just shredded?  Doesn't everyone have paperwork that has remained unpacked for the last 8 years?  No??  OK, then....

....

Yes.    I shredded and got rid of most of it last year.  I recently cleaned out the last untouched storage area and found another box to go through, then I should finally be done with it. 

[Deleted]

Happy New Year to everybody! We went to a party at our close friends' house, my dentist and his wife were there too (because I don't see enough of him LOL.)

I went through those bags of clothes to give away this morning. DH's and DD's stuff are in bags by the door, ready to go into the donation bin when I go out. DS3's sports stuff is packed up for my friend at work.

But DS3's clothes are expensive, brand name items (mainly gifts from his gdmother) so I told him to try selling them on a FB selling site he belongs to. Not sure if it will work because the items are more MS sizes. I may try the local consignment shop again (they had too many boys' clothes the last two times I tried). 

[Sharon]

I am going to keep plugging away at the house this year.  It is starting to look better but there is so much more to do.  Now if DD would ever finish getting her stuff out.  Yes they took some more stuff when they moved from small apartment to slightly bigger duplex but there is still a bunch of stuff to go.

Even though they have been married a year she still tends to think of her room as her space, and so do I to a degree.  It was her childhood bedroom.  We will eventually get there.  I didn't move every single thing out of my parents house when I moved out.  It took a while before it was all gone.

Today I want to get the outdoor lights down and put into the attic.  There are two Christmas tree stands that also need to go into the attic.

[3catslady]

I am going to join in here and see if I can get things accomplished that I've been trying to get done for the past 6 years.  I always start out on a good note but after 2 or 3 days, I've had it.  I don't feel like doing anything and I just let it go until I get another splurge of "get-r-done".  I have been reading this thread for the past year and I like what has been said and the way you encourage others.  I also need the accountability that I know you will give me.
For the new year I want to go through the 20+/- tubs I have out in the other room.  That is my main goal.  The second thing  is to get all my jewelry in one place instead of scattered in 4 drawers, 2 tubs and a couple boxes.  If I get those 2 things accomplished, I will be a happy camper.


Today and the rest of this week, I want to go through 1 tub.  I have empty boxes for the things that are going to my GF's church for their yearly give-away.


Week ending 1/3/15:
go through 1 tub of clothes.