2017 Declutter and Organization Thread

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 28, 2017 18:46:14 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

My plan for the evening is to sort and organize my dad's paperwork.  When I got it out, I realized I didn't do this last year.  I'm sure it was because I was sick and totally forgot about it after my gallbladder surgery.

I had wondered how the pile got so high.  Two years worth of stuff explains it.

This is proving more difficult than expected.  For some reason, I also didn't file the end of 2015.

I keep dad's financial papers in a binder, like the rep payee program sets up for their clients.  At the end of the year, everything is to be moved to envelopes and filed.  

I had done that for all receipts for 2013 and 2014 but only for 9 months of 2015.  That is now done.  

I had not moved any bank statements and I have been keeping the records since 2013.  That is now done through November 2017.

Still need to do the copies of checks but it's waiting until morning.  

I ran across all the paperwork from when I was calling places after mom died and it hit me in the gut again.  

[moneysquirrel]

Dec 28, 2017 19:16:49 GMT -5 debthaven said:

I have pretty much done NOTHING for days except chilling and reading (and keeping up with the kitchen and laundry). I've been sleeping 8 hours a night AND taking naps. I took a 4-hour nap today. I wasn't kidding when I kept saying last semester REALLY kicked my butt.

That is pretty much what my last few days have been like. Sleeping, reading, eating (mainly things I shouldn't) and beading.  No organizing, decluttering, cooking (unless you count nuking something) or anything else I should be doing.  But I am retired and I will get things done eventually.  Actually have beans soaking so I will be cooking tomorrow.

I stayed home but have not made any progress in much of anything.  Glad that the house has been in holiday mode (= neat) and will be for another week.  I don't take Christmas down until after 12th night.  Then it is time to pull out the Mardi Gras decor.  I don't have as much for that season but do have a few items to put out.  

I have updated my Etsy shop and added a few new seasonal items -- Valentine, St. Patrick, Mardi Gras, etc.  No sales yet but having fun getting things made.  Some of these will sell at the craft shows if they don't sell online. I only opened the shop because people kept asking if I had one.  Besides I won't have another craft show until April at the earliest.  Also have a three page list of items that I usually sell that I am out of and need to make before then.  Got two items done and those were the ones I listed on Etsy. 

Almost time for bed.  

[Iggy aka IG]

startsmart, have a relaxing, offline break!

TheOtherMe .  So sorry.  But I also want to say excellent job with all that paper! 

moneysquirrel, your Etsy shop sounds wonderfully organized.  Well done!

debthaven, have a blast with that baby!

Similar to Debt and her tea, I have begun focusing on using up older Keurig coffee pods.  I received a box of 16 for Christmas, and still have 1/3 large container of Folgers.

Speaking of using things up, I went through a massive restocking of our pantry after moving into our new home earlier this year.  This resulted in an average of $416/mo spent in groceries, HBAs and cleaning products according to my Excel spreadsheet.  This doesn't include the 2 Sam's Club trips.  My goal is $300/mo.  Back on the budget beginning January.

Have a fantastic New Year, everyone.  See you next week. 

[Deleted]

The end of 2017 kind of crept up on me.  We had been tossing stuff in a tub in the master closet to give away to the thrift store.  But I had to list it for deduction purposes and then actually bag it up and take it there.  A lot of it was DH's clothes since he gets smaller and smaller.

Today was really the last day to drop off at the drop-off site closest to our house.  I'm sure the thrift store itself will be open tomorrow and you can drop off there, but I'm not sure where that is now because they moved.

So I made myself do it this morning.  Four huge garbage bags and two large boxes later, it is gone.

We can't itemize on federal taxes but do for state.

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 29, 2017 11:03:01 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

TheOtherMe .  So sorry.  But I also want to say excellent job with all that paper! 

Paperwork is almost finished for dad.  Now it's down to filing in binders.  Everything that goes in envelopes is there.  All that is left is the health reimbursement stuff for dad.  I am going to make note in dad's spreadsheet of who to call for his insurance, etc. since everything is out.  Envelopes are filed but not notebooks.  

Giving myself the evening off to watch my hoops team.  

Have also gone back to opening kitchen drawers while cooking and I'm finding things that are now gone.  Instruction manuals for things I didn't even move here! 

[startsmart]

New thread started here >>>> ymam.proboards.com/thread/55231/2018-get-organized-declutter-stuff

Moderators - can you lock this thread on Monday? 

[Jaguar]

Dec 29, 2017 17:42:18 GMT -5 startsmart said:

New thread started here >>>> ymam.proboards.com/thread/55231/2018-get-organized-declutter-stuff

Moderators - can you lock this thread on Monday? 

Yes I'll lock it.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Dec 27, 2017 0:31:37 GMT -5 chapeau said:

Tomorrow I’m going to clean out and inventory the pantry. Definitely the one in the kitchen, but if I could do the basement area where we store canned goods, too, that would be fabulous. It will depend on DD, though. I promised her that we’d play together tomorrow, after I get the upstairs area cleaned up, and that’s the most important thing to do.
Does anyone want some Aldi brand Frosted Flakes? They were $0.99 in August or September when DH was there, so he bought 10 boxes. We’ve used 1. At this rate, we have a 5-year supply! He does not know how to shop from a list. May have to find a chore other than grocery shopping for him in 2018. Or find some kind of shock collar that zaps him if he goes off list...

Okay, I feel bad, but I chuckled at the 10 boxes of Frosted Flakes. AT least he's trying?

Dec 28, 2017 12:21:29 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

startsmart , thank you for starting the new thread.

Question for y'all:  You know those Christmas photo cards some people send you?  What do you do with them?  Do you keep them forever?  For awhile?  From just certain people?  If you keep them, how do you have them organized?  I appreciate your input.  I have about 15 years worth of these and regular photos cluttering my home office.

I have a file in the regular file drawer of cards of all types--thank you notes, invitations, Christmas cards. When it gets full, which takes several years, I have a box in the garage. I suppose that box will simply be thrown away when I die, but I like looking through the file a few times per year. 

Dec 28, 2017 13:19:54 GMT -5 startsmart said:

UGH I am so off on my sleep that I overslept the alarm and only woke up when my cleaner arrived today. I was wondering who kept knocking...

I'm not that far off my sleep schedule, but I'm pretty far off. Next Tuesday is going to be wretched!

Dec 28, 2017 20:11:22 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Also, it's that time of year again ... yes, it's tea decluttering time!

Thankfully, there's very little unwanted tea to declutter this year, just 6 bags of jasmine tea. Everyone here claims to LOVE jasmine tea, but I've been keeping track, and no one has touched it in over a year. So I'm drinking it till it's gone. Let's see if anyone notices.

   

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

For the next two days: 
grading, grading, grading..........I'm actually going to set the timer and force my self to grade for 30  minutes at a time.
Novel Section #1 Notes
7th grade December Conventions Tests
November/December Vocabulary Tests
Week #15 Current Events Articles Quizzes

Christmas put away
inside of house completely put away
inflatables in garage drying out
box of decorations for DD to take with her

[debthaven]

Thanks for starting the new thread startsmart !

Good luck with the grading Knee Deep in Water Chloe !

This weekend
- Shitepile/Sat
- file online reclamation for mattress/Sat
- make haircut appt for next week/Sat
- set up baby bed/Sat
- get teething toy for Baby/Sat
- pick up deliveries as they arrive: baby mattress, DS2's gift

I'm furious because the transporter says on their website that the baby mattress was delivered yesterday. It wasn't, and they're closed till Tues. The bed comes with a very thin mattress, so that will have to do for now.

Christmas vacation was very late this year, so next week is my second week off (I just have a 1.5h faculty class on Wed).

[chapeau]

Dec 29, 2017 23:32:15 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Dec 27, 2017 0:31:37 GMT -5 chapeau said:

Okay, I feel bad, but I chuckled at the 10 boxes of Frosted Flakes. AT least he's trying?


Yes, he is trying. And he knows that we have to do better this year.

[Sharon]

I got so much done yesterday including getting another pile of stuff down to UGM for another end of year donation.  By doing some rearranging in the garage I was able to move the big pile of disaster supplies into the garage, which is where that stuff should be.  By getting that stuff out of the office I can now easily reach my fabric etc.  It also keeps the office from looking like a hoarder room with just a path through the crap.  There is still more work to be done in the office but it looks so much better.

In DD's room I hiked the empty boxes that held the pack n play and the highchair back up to the attic.  We will be using those two items for a while so no need to keep the boxes in the way.  That clears up room in DD's room. 

Overall things are just looking better around the house.

[Blonde Granny]

I started in on my office space this morning due to looking for some papers on the car. Nope, not in the safe and not in the files in the desk drawers.....checked in the car too. Have no idea what I could have done with them.

I guess I really do need to start 2018 on the right foot and organize, organize, organize....and above all KEEP IT THAT WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not only keep the paper work under control, I need to keep my attitude and and my brain under control and working properly.

[hopetoberich]

I will need to join in 2018.
Its been years since I posted but i have been reading lately on this thread and think this will motivate me.
I just need to keep moving with sorting through papers taking out trash downsizing.

[Blonde Granny]

Welcome back hope! I can verify hanging around WIR is going to keep you motivated in more ways than decluttering and getting organized.


BG

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Dec 30, 2017 11:24:07 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

I will need to join in 2018.
Its been years since I posted but i have been reading lately on this thread and think this will motivate me.
I just need to keep moving with sorting through papers taking out trash downsizing.

Welcome!

[wvugurl26]

Trying to get stuff put away and organized today. Christmas took over for a bit. I have to get the guest room prepared today. Slow going though as I can tell this is a day where steps are going to kill me and I live in a three story townhouse.

[hopetoberich]

Thanks for the welcome.
Blonde granny i think i remember when you joined years ago. And of course i remember most of the names here.
I use to post on the grocery challenge thread regularly. Its been years since i did any coupons but still have things in my stockpile.
This year a co worker got me a pt job and i have been given her things i won't use from the stock, hair care mainly. She put a few $$$$ in my pocket this year and she loves the things for her daughter's.
Im looking for a home i can come to with updates and i need ideas too. So here i am.
Glad to be back.

[Blonde Granny]

I go back to the MSN days, that was however when I was using a different nickname. Either way, we're happy to have you back.

[bean29]

Well, I had a busy morning. I went to the credit union and got a check to pay my 2017 Property Taxes (1st installment due in Jan), and a transfer to my Main Checking. Went home, made copies, filed the withdrawal and tax payment info (we have 3 properties, 2 are escrowed) made a deposit at my bank, went to city hall to put tax payment in drop box, stoped to get some lab work done, stopped at Goodwill to drop off donations, and now am at work to do some payroll year end stuff. I made an estimated State tax payment, and next will do a Federal Payment before I start “Working”. DD is coming home tonight so we can get pedicures tomorrow, and DH has NY’s reservations at a resort in Lake Geneva. We are meeting friends.

[dee27]

I have to work on organizing the garage and purging stuff we no longer use, but I am waiting for DH to put the tree away and store the ornaments in the attic. Also, it has not been above 21 degrees outside, so it is too cold to declutter. Inside the house is in good shape since I declutter on a regular basis.

[moneysquirrel]

Just keeping up with the usual things so that I won't fall behind.  Have been getting a few large batches of things cooked and placed in the freezer for later days when I don't feel like being in the kitchen.  Also a head start on a few meals by browning ground meat to have it ready for whatever strikes me in the future -- have several things I can do with that at a short notice.

Currently have a few crochet afghans in the laundry as I will be passing them on soon to DS and DGS.  Both expressed an interest and as I have several others I can easily let them have these.  I will need to mail DGS his as I am sure that he will not have enough room to take it back to college with him on the plane.  

The current one that I am working on is getting close to the end.  Only have about 4 to 6 rows left and then the fringe.  I should have it finished soon.  Between this one and the one that turned into a blanket last year I have managed to use up almost an entire garbage bag of yarn.  A few years before DM passed she decided to pass her yarn stash over to me.  So far I have the two items mentioned above and at least three baby gifts created from her stash.  Not sure but will see if I have enough after for another baby item.  A have a friend with an infant that will receive it if I do manage to squeeze another one out.

I will be back to focusing on continuing my efforts of getting things out of the house in a few days.  


startsmart -- Thanks for starting the new thread.  I will be back as I want to stay on track.


hopetoberich-- Welcome!

[moneysquirrel]

Knee Deep in Water Chloe -- Good luck with the grading.  I definitely do not miss that activity.  I do miss the students but not the grading.


debthaven -- They will miss the tea after it is gone for at least several months. Maybe.

startsmart -- Enjoy your time offline.  You deserve a break from all of the emails, etc for a while.

Everyone -- Have a great New Years as I am not sure if I will be back online tomorrow. 

[busymom]

DD & I tackled a project we've talked about doing for awhile.  I've got LOTS of Christmas stuff, & knew it was time to let her choose some of it for herself, once she decides to move.  Of course, I have more stuff than I remembered, but she DID choose some things that are important to her, & we even set up a "garage sale or donate" pile.  It really is a shame to find things that you've completely forgotten about, so that's a clue that you'll manage just fine without them.  


Our tree always stays up until the New Year.  Just something we've done for years, mostly because we're so rushed here before Christmas, that we don't really have time to sit & enjoy the tree until afterwards.

[dee27]

Dec 30, 2017 20:49:25 GMT -5 busymom said:

DD & I tackled a project we've talked about doing for awhile.  I've got LOTS of Christmas stuff, & knew it was time to let her choose some of it for herself, once she decides to move.  Of course, I have more stuff than I remembered, but she DID choose some things that are important to her, & we even set up a "garage sale or donate" pile.  It really is a shame to find things that you've completely forgotten about, so that's a clue that you'll manage just fine without them.  


Our tree always stays up until the New Year.  Just something we've done for years, mostly because we're so rushed here before Christmas, that we don't really have time to sit & enjoy the tree until afterwards.

We think alike. I "donated" Christmas ornaments and decorations to DD and household goods to YDS. I gave him 2 A/Cs which we don't need since we have a whole house A/C system, down comforters, sheets, a microwave, and kitchen stuff. ODS got tools and a table saw. Anything the kids will not need and clothes I donate to Goodwill. Downsizing gives us more room in the closets and cabinets.

[Sharon]

I worked more on the office today and ended up making another donation run today.  The office is really looking good.  I may need to get another bin for fabric.   It looks like I need a farm animals bin.  I also decluttered all the leftover invitations, programs, RSVP cards from DD's wedding.  They were married 4 years ago this past December.

DD and family came back late afternoon for a "quick" visit.  DSIL is heading out to work in AZ for 3 weeks this coming week.  I had told them I would get pizza.  DGD fell asleep and had a nap so their visit wasn't as quick as they had planned.

[taz157]

Sharon - I thought your DD and SIL had been married for about 2 years, not 4. 😱😱 Time flies! 😜

[debthaven]

DS1 arrived late last night.

This morning I cooked a big pot of sweet and sour meatballs for tomorrow's dinner with all the kids. I also made two apple-and-berry crumbles. One crumble is for the pot luck NYE dinner at our friends' house. The other crumble is for tomorrow's family dinner.  DGS is allergic to cow's milk, so I made our crumble with vegan butter, since DDIL can't eat dairy these days. The consistency of the topping was strange but hopefully it will taste OK.

[WholeLottaNothin]

I didn't reach my goal of 1000 items this year but 830 isn't bad. I will start posting on the new thread now. Happy new year everyone!

[plugginaway22]

We painted our kitchen pantry closet and DH added one more shelf which made a big difference!  I also got rid of a lot since every single item was pulled out onto kitchen floor and counters.  Will need to work on some of the kitchen cabinets to get rid of more seldom used junk.