2017 Declutter and Organization Thread

[taz157]

Jan 18, 2017 15:11:49 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Jan 18, 2017 14:54:12 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Iggy, that's a REALLY dumb reason not to buy a house!!! EVERY house has its quirks!

Right?  So, I'm not sure if they'll be back or...?

To be continued...

You get all kinds of wacky things when people are touring when you sell.

We used to live in the West area of where we used to live. Our house was too far west... We didn't hid the fact it was in West area and you could use GPS to figure out where we lived before you went to the house...

[Lizard Queen]

Jan 19, 2017 7:16:46 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

If I threw out clothes that didn't bring me joy I'd have hoodies and yoga pants left and work wouldn't approve! It's a good concept but I think realistically most people have certain things they need that might not fill them with joy.

I agree, but you wouldn't believe how much shit that I have that I never even really liked--usually given to me by other people (cough-mom). Or I used to like it, but don't any more. Or it might be useful for something some day. I've just been holding onto them out of guilt or something. I did, because I had all this space anyway, but it's really been weighing me down.

[tcu2003]

Peter Walsh 31 Days to Get Organized challenges.

Day 1 - TABLE TOPS
Day 2 - SET UP A DONATION BIN
Day 3 - GIFT BAGS
Day 4 – TACKLE THE FREEZER
Day 5 – UNDER THE SINK
Day 6 – TWO DRAWERS IN YOUR OFFICE (OR ELSEWHERE)
Day 7 – SHOES, SHOES, SHOES
Day 8 – THE CRAZY TANGLE OF CORDS AND CABLES
Day 9 – SOCKS AND UNDIES
Day 10 – SUITCASES AND LUGGAGE
Day 11 – GET BACK IN TOUCH
Day 12 – KITCHEN UTENSIL DRAWER
Day 13 – CONQUER THAT MAIL
Day 14 – CLEANING PRODUCTS IN YOUR LAUNDRY
Day 15 – UNDER THE BED(S) CLUTTER
Day 16 - MAGAZINES
Day 17 – PENS AND PENCILS
Day 18 – BROOMS AND MOPS AND THINGS THAT SWEEP

Day 19 – RECIPES AND COOKBOOKS
If cookbooks and recipes and cooking magazines are more common than spices in your kitchen, then definitely check out today’s challenge. We’re in the kitchen and we’re cooking up something great!

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 19, 2017 7:24:08 GMT -5 taz157 said:

Jan 18, 2017 15:11:49 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Right?  So, I'm not sure if they'll be back or...?

To be continued...

You get all kinds of wacky things when people are touring when you sell.

We used to live in the West area of where we used to live. Our house was too far west... We didn't hid the fact it was in West area and you could use GPS to figure out where we lived before you went to the house...

Oh, man, talk about   People sure are divas!

K, the realtor tour started at 9 this morning apparently.  Our young neighbor across the street just became a licensed realtor and is on today's tour.  Cannot wait to hear the inside scoop.

[WholeLottaNothin]

Keep us posted!

[Iggy aka IG]

Regarding decluttering, though I swore I was going to start tossing stuff instead, I have another box ready to donate:

bathrobe
slippers
mittens given to me at Christmas
an unopened box and some extra envelopes of apple cider for the food bank side
packet of hot chocolate
table vanity mirror
car air freshener (it was a stocking stuffer-asthmatics usually don't like this kind of stuff )
4 small glass candle holders from our wedding reception
a plastic container sans lid
set of sheets
the poinsettia tray I mentioned on a prior page

Most of the items above were given to me. SIGH

I also tossed a pair of worn out sandals and slippers.  I pat myself on the back for this one, because it's difficult for me to toss shoes.  I also tossed a pair of holey socks and skivvies.

[Chocolate Lover]

jenpen, participate however much you can! I complain about not getting stuff done more than I update getting stuff done.

I did send a bag full of messed up clothes to the thrift store Mom volunteers at with her yesterday. They use unsellable stuff to make rags and junk. There's a semi trailer there they fill up and it gets hauled off. So that's something anyway.

[Iggy aka IG]

Feedback from the realtor tour:  It went great btw. Now lets find a buyer!!!

Thank you all for your support!  I'll keep you posted.

[Iggy aka IG]

Real estate home tour detailed feedback from our realtor:  10 agents on tour, 3 homes in our town.  Ours was the largest home.  She heard no negative comments about the home or the price, but the carpets should be cleaned (yep, we knew that) and the cabinets need to be washed down and oiled because they are dusty in the morning light (yep, knew that, too).

The other two homes have small bedrooms, and a shallow garage, needs interior paint and too many stairs respectively.

Oh, and she thanked me for the banana bread. 

[startsmart]

Finance class is done! We went for nearly 2 hours and then I had to record another 3-4 videos after the call wrapped. Whew. I also lost power for a couple hours last night so I'm really glad for clear skies before the next storm sweeps in tonight. After the power came back I worked on sewing since I have so many burp rags pinned and ready to go. Maybe, maybe I'll be able to get through the box of 75 before the end of the month. Maybe. My assistant didn't show up this week and isn't going to be available much after February so I guess it's time to look for someone new...

Heard that my car is almost done so I should be able to go pick it up tomorrow. Drat, those lingering items are STILL on my list so I'm going to clear off my desk and work on them (literally files sitting on top of my personal computer with the scanner. Right there.) 

Jan 1-7th:
go through papers in the office - halfway done
scan 2016 files from office and add to shredding box

Jan 8-14th:
Sort through sweaters to donate
buy and attach new gutter downspout in the backyard

Jan 15-21st:
Caulk and paint quarter round in the master bedroom
Paint quarter round in the hall closet
Teach finance class
Pack all the boxes back in the closet
Finish reading 3 books (2/3 done)
Workout 3 more times this week (2/3 done)
Bag up stuff for donation
Clean out fridge

[busymom]

Hi Kids! I did another 10,000 steps today. While I'm excited at all the activity I'm getting in, it's really cutting into my time to do other things. I need to lose the weight, but I need to get stuff done around the house, too. Maybe once the scale gets moving in the right direction, I'll do fewer steps, because I'm using up at least 2-3 hours each day to get my steps in.

We've got another big sNOwstorm headed our way next week. I'm refilling the pantry & the freezer just in case the weatherman is actually right. I already went to the butcher shop & Target today, and I'll probably go to the grocery store either this weekend, or Monday.

Once again, DH's boss didn't get payroll into the bank, so I'll be sitting on a pile of bills until the money is actually in our account.

Just for the record, you all are decluttering Rock Stars!!

[moneysquirrel]

Updating the list before I return to correcting the 7th projects:

Jan 15, 2017 19:25:08 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

This week's list:

Home/Personal

Continue with progress
Dentist -- Monday
Exercise – Monday
Home Insurance – Tuesday

School

Grade Projects – 5th -- @60
Grade Projects – 7th -- @85 -- in Progress
New 6th Grade Project
New 5th Grade Project
New 7th Grade Project
Duty
Professional Development

Crafts – Some will take longer than one week

Continue crocheting baby gift (pattern has 74 rows and 2 ruffles) – hope to get to row 55 this week. I did get a few rows past 30 the past week so aiming high this week.
Bead Woven Bracelets (2) – BLk/G and Purple/G
Continue work on pin -- beading done -- assembly still needed

[naughtybear]

I actually cannot get motivated enough to try and sell or give stuff away so it's going to the garbage or goodwill. Out with the old !!

[tcu2003]

Jan 19, 2017 20:33:40 GMT -5 busymom said:

Once again, DH's boss didn't get payroll into the bank, so I'll be sitting on a pile of bills until the money is actually in our account.

Wait, does this happen often?!?

[busymom]

Jan 20, 2017 0:06:27 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

Jan 19, 2017 20:33:40 GMT -5 busymom said:

Once again, DH's boss didn't get payroll into the bank, so I'll be sitting on a pile of bills until the money is actually in our account.

Wait, does this happen often?!?

    DH works more than one job.  One is for an entrepreneur, and unfortunately that guy at times forgets to put money into the payroll account for his employees.  And, it's not unusual for DH to get paid a day or two late.  It's not the end of the world, but I do have to watch our bank account closely before paying bills.

[Lizard Queen]

Jan 19, 2017 20:33:40 GMT -5 busymom said:

Hi Kids! I did another 10,000 steps today. While I'm excited at all the activity I'm getting in, it's really cutting into my time to do other things. I need to lose the weight, but I need to get stuff done around the house, too. Maybe once the scale gets moving in the right direction, I'll do fewer steps, because I'm using up at least 2-3 hours each day to get my steps in.

We've got another big sNOwstorm headed our way next week. I'm refilling the pantry & the freezer just in case the weatherman is actually right. I already went to the butcher shop & Target today, and I'll probably go to the grocery store either this weekend, or Monday.

Once again, DH's boss didn't get payroll into the bank, so I'll be sitting on a pile of bills until the money is actually in our account.

Just for the record, you all are decluttering Rock Stars!!

I hear ya. I usually work out for an hour, but find it really cuts into my day, interfering with housework. Walking is great, but takes forever. If you increase the intensity of the workout, you can cut the time.

[tcu2003]

Peter Walsh 31 Days to Get Organized challenges.

Day 1 - TABLE TOPS
Day 2 - SET UP A DONATION BIN
Day 3 - GIFT BAGS
Day 4 – TACKLE THE FREEZER
Day 5 – UNDER THE SINK
Day 6 – TWO DRAWERS IN YOUR OFFICE (OR ELSEWHERE)
Day 7 – SHOES, SHOES, SHOES
Day 8 – THE CRAZY TANGLE OF CORDS AND CABLES
Day 9 – SOCKS AND UNDIES
Day 10 – SUITCASES AND LUGGAGE
Day 11 – GET BACK IN TOUCH
Day 12 – KITCHEN UTENSIL DRAWER
Day 13 – CONQUER THAT MAIL
Day 14 – CLEANING PRODUCTS IN YOUR LAUNDRY
Day 15 – UNDER THE BED(S) CLUTTER
Day 16 - MAGAZINES
Day 17 – PENS AND PENCILS
Day 18 – BROOMS AND MOPS AND THINGS THAT SWEEP
Day 19 – RECIPES AND COOKBOOKS


Day 20 – YOUR CLOSET (YOU CAN DO IT!)
Clothes. Clothes. Clothes. You knew this one was coming! Take a deep breath and jump in feet first. You can do this!

[debthaven]

In today's video, PW suggests going through just ONE type of clothing: ie coats, t-shirts, pants, etc.

[Jaguar]

I think I've found my purrfect weapon ......... the vacuum cleaner .......... I only recently started using a vacuum cleaner in my livingroom, but I've noticed a real big drop in the pest noise. So I've started vacuuming the livinroom more often, especially that wall. The noise level was 100%, now it's maybe 0.1%, like it's that noticeable.

I use to use just a swifter in there, um no more, it's going to be both from now on. I'll vacuum more now as well, just to drive them nuts.

[jenpen]

 YAY, the bedroom set is gone!!    

I went through everything from the dresser last night and am keeping only about one third of it. The rest is in the garbage or being packed up for Goodwill.  I also went through 2 large bags of clothing from my sister.  I'm donating at least half, the rest I need to try on.  I only had the energy to look through and pull out what was obviously outdated or not my style.  I'm heading upstairs as soon as I post this to trying things on and get my bed cleared off.  I also want to go through my closet while I'm doing this.  My goal is to have everything loaded into my car to take to GW tomorrow. 

Not super happy that I don't have a replacement dresser yet, since I don't know where I'm going to put the stuff I'm keeping.  BUT the bed frame had been sitting in my dining/living room for the past 4 months...so glad it's gone!!!!

[debthaven]

Yay JenPen!

You mentioned getting a smaller dresser for your closet. Can you look online and either order or pick one up this weekend?

[debthaven]

I didn't do much today.

I emailed the bank, because I got a Nastygram from someone I have never heard of. It looks like we have a new banker AGAIN. I only met the old one two weeks ago, she's only been there for three or four months! But she was very pregnant, so I guess she's on maternity leave.

We've managed to get the household account and real estate accounts into much better shape since the summer, but my personal account is still not doing great.

It's a new billing cycle so I ordered ink from Amazon (I like to have an extra cartridge in stock) and tomorrow I'm going to see about my tire. 

I also went shopping today ... in my basement pantry! There's going to be a lot of freezer / pantry eating this month as we compensate for Christmas and having everyone at home.

ETA: I finally added the kitchen loan to my signature. Very depressing.

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 16, 2017 13:35:13 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

This week:
Focus on office to do's-Cleared out 100 unread email messages, turned in my 2017 sales projections to my DM, turned in this month's newspaper insurance column, received several referrals, had a productive lunch and coffee date yesterday, and wrote several new pieces of business.  My desk has exploded with file stacks.
Mail out the rest of the 2017 calendars-Um.  Yeah... Well, the mailing list has been refined....
Walk the treadmill every day-Not even close
Coordinate meet-ups at my trip destination-One thus far, need to plan 3 more.
Start reading a new book-It got as far as from the bookshelf to the counter.



 

End of the week follow-ups above.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

[debthaven]

Wow Iggy, 100 unread emails?! I try to do Inbox Zero. Doesn't work but I'm usually under 10.

[debthaven]

I'm up WAY too late. Money is so tight, I got that Nastygram from the bank yesterday, I'm freaking out.

So I asked DH, can I look at your bank account? He said of course! He said, I've been meaning to look at it myself, because something's wrong. I said, what's wrong? He says, my account has a lot more than it should have. So I'd be very happy for you to look at it.

Turns out, DH has been getting disability payments, every quarter for 15 months. I knew about the payment in Jan 2016, which is why I wanted to look at his account again, I was wondering if there was another strange payment this year. Turns out, that payment has been paid every quarter since Oct 2015. But DH didn't know.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. We have his / hers / our accounts, so it's not like that money is mine.

But, it's there. And DH was able to pay the second half of DS3's campus housing for this year without touching his savings. But he couldn't figure out why he had enough.

[naughtybear]

Oh come on Debt that is pure incompetence to not acknowledge that.

[jenpen]

Jan 20, 2017 17:41:02 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Yay JenPen!

You mentioned getting a smaller dresser for your closet. Can you look online and either order or pick one up this weekend?

I've been looking at different places on-line, including Craigslist.  Really, the Malm 4-drawer chest from Ikea would be ideal and the best price.  But it's a 4-hour round trip drive to the nearest Ikea.  I just checked shipping charges, and it would cost $129 to ship a $119 chest of drawers   I wouldn't mind making the trip, but I know from experience that I'll lose a whole day going there and I already have too much to do this weekend.  I'll see how tomorrow goes...if I can get done what I want to around the house, and then make some decent progress on work I brought home with me, maybe I can go Sunday.

[jenpen]

Oh, debt, that's just . . . mindboggling. Though I must admit to laughing a bit.  So did that news at least shut down your freak out?  Hope you're able to get some sleep soon!

[jenpen]

I'm beat. I gave up on doing anything in the closet tonight, but I purge it pretty regularly so it should be fairly quick to do tomorrow. Main thing was I tried on the stuff from my sister (ack! I kept 18 new tops!!) and some shorts and pants that I'd set aside last night.  Most of the latter don't fit right so they're in the Goodwill box.  

I also bought/downloaded tax software and imported last years data, cleaned the cats' litter boxes, fed the cats and myself, and am going to start on all the piles of paper downstairs while I watch TV and    I can at least get rid of junk that can be recycled, and deal with the important stuff another day.  

[debthaven]

Well doh Naggie, why do you think I handle all the other accounts, and all the paperwork?!