2020 Declutter Stuff & Organize Your Life

[nikiz628]

Jan 5, 2020 2:28:25 GMT -5 startsmart said:

Finished the bathroom floor! Pictures are here: imgur.com/gallery/T3iadJk

It took 2 weeks but there were a couple days in there I didn’t work on it at all. I’ll glue in the transition piece this weekend and then the whole bath gets a deep clean soon.

The yard work also started today and so far my dogs have tracked in half the mud from the back. Tomorrow I have some work to do in the driveway, cleaning up flower pots, cutting down scrap wood and painting the garage door.

In addition to tossing some old things, I also have the gardener my old grill! One less thing to take to the and it still works but I never use it. I’ll give the propane tank back to my dad when they visit.

Amazing job!!!

[laterbloomer]

Not to brag or nothing but i washed, dried, folded and put away my laundry all in one day. BOTH loads!!!!! 😋😋😋

[chiver78]

re:balancing checkbook.

I haven't actually written a check for the CU account I opened last May. but I maintain a cash flow spreadsheet that is balanced to the penny against the posted transactions. I use this account for online bill pay and the occasional debit card purchase. I balance the spreadsheet immediately when I use the debit card.

my day to day debit usage is a Discover account that I load with $200 every two weeks when i get paid. I don't balance that at all, it's my coffee/lunch/parking/glass of wine at South Station money. 🤷‍♀️

[TheOtherMe]

I do balance everything to the spreadsheet daily.  

[Wisconsin Beth]

I did not get much of anything done this weekend.  I have GOT to tackle folding laundry tonight, no matter what. I can't find my any pairs of my work jeans.  I've also got a funeral to attend tonight.  My uncle passed away last week.  And another one on Sat. 

I did declutter 3 IPA beers and a 11x17 baking sheet today.  The beer is going to my coworker's household, someone there will drink it.  The baking tray to work.  I've got a 2nd one in the basement that will come to work also, next time I get down to that corner. 

My cheap coffee maker fell off the counter and something cracked and broke on it.  I only use it when we have company over, so 3-4 times a year.  I think it will still work though so I'm going to keep it for now.  The glass pot is fine.  It's just a plastic lid that's broke. 

[bean29]

DD moved her stuff home from her apartment. She goes back to school on the 21st I think. Her DB moved closer to the college he will attend, but it would have put her farther from her school. She looked at an apartment in a small town about 15 minutes from her college town yesterday. She is not thrilled with it, b/c it is tiny, but it is a side by side town house - owner lives on other side...and my BIL and SIL and My DN and her DH live in that town. I think DD was thinking about not taking it, she kept telling me I don't want him to offer it tow me.  I showed DH a picture of it and told him how much $475, and said she does not want room mates, she does not want to deal with living around partying college students. He said tell her to take it, we will keep her rabbits for 6 months.

The Rabbits are a PIA - they are very messy. We had them in DS's old bedroom - carpet in DS and DD's bedrooms needs to be replaced anyways - but their bedding gets pushed all over the place out of the cages.  I have decided if they are staying, I am moving them to the basement.  We don't really have a separate room to put them in down stairs either, but at least we have Tile.

So, right now, DD's bedroom is full of her clothing.  There are a few boxes downstairs and about 3 big boxes by the front door.  DS was over yesterday, and I considered having him carry them downstairs, but if DD gets this apartment - most of the boxes will probably leave.

DS was over to get the exercise bike from DH's work room.  I also sent the lockset with them.  They were very pleased with the lockset.  Two locks, Two deadbolts, and four keys that fit in any of the locks.  I told him if he has any trouble installing to have his Dad or get his Uncle over to help him.

DH worked on our rental yesterday, and he has someone working there today.  I think they installed the carpet yesterday - which should make the downstairs ready to occupy as soon as DD gets her sofa's out of there.  Her cousin is supposed to live in the lower, and my BIL (DN's Dad) in the upper.  They have to put a tile backsplash in the upper, and maybe finish some painting.  I think they have to reinstall the sink faucet too upstairs.  DD does not think DN should live there w/o her Dad b/c DN's Baby Daddy's parents live very close and he is stalker-ish.  DD says he (and his family) are bad news.  My BIL's grew up with the Dad and always said that - they did not want DN to date the kid b/c they said his Dad was bad news.

DN and her Dad currently live in the lower of MIL's rental which she wants to sell.  So we need to get that one fixed up so we can put it on the market to sell in spring.

I have been doing my Christmas returns.  Washed my Christmas bathroom rugs so I can put them away.  Did not get the tree down yet, but today is the 6th.  Yeah! so we can take the tree down.  It is supposed to be very warm the next two days, so hopefully we can get the outdoor decorations down.  Next I need to work on filing in my office, and this is hell month for me at work.  W-2's 1099's and financial statements need to go out.  DD would also like to take a mini vacay Jan 17th -20th. 

[moneysquirrel]

Jan 6, 2020 8:42:31 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I do balance everything to the spreadsheet daily.  

I do as well! I also have at least 10 sheets in my spreadsheet.  Some of these are for tracking the checking accounts, saving accounts, CDs, Car Payments, etc.  I like playing with numbers -- retired math and computer teacher here.

Progress is being made on my lengthy list.  Hope to knock a few more items off it before I update it to see what else is still on the list.  So far this morning I ran four errands at least three of them were not on the list.  

Need to get back to work.  See you soon!

[Chocolate Lover]

Jan 6, 2020 0:01:23 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

Jan 5, 2020 15:40:43 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

Emily Ley 2020 Simplicity Challenge


www.facebook.com/emilyleypaper/


Our Annual Simplicity Challenge is HERE!#ASimplifiedLife #SimplicityChallenge2020. 1 step every day for 30 days. Each one takes 15 minutes or less.


Day 1 - Walk your home with a trash bag or five. Be ruthless. Papers. Receipts. Tags. Empty bottles. Go.

Day 2 - Clean out your fridge. Check expiration dates and throw things away.

Day 3 - Clear the clutter from your nightstand.

Day 4 - Simplify your phone. Delete old contacts and unused apps. Refresh your lock screen.

Day 5 - Make a list of anything that needs restocked in your bathroom. Restock what you can from items you already have in your house (if possible), or add to your next grocery list.

Shopping your house first is a great trick we should all try when possible this year. I often “shop” other rooms in my house when I’m redecorating a room. I need to try incorporating that concept when it comes to other things too.

Day 5 kind of floors me. Who DOESN'T do that on a regular basis? I'm sure they are out there, but dang....

[TheOtherMe]

I keep my bathroom supplied.  I can't "shop" any where else is my house for what I need.  I'm the only one who lives here and bathroom stuff is in the bathroom.

I just went through the tote sister brought yesterday.  I know I put things to go in the trash that mom loved.  I don't even like 75% of it, so it's going in tonight's trash.

Sister knows I like pictures and the baby announcements and most of the pictures my half sister ever sent were in the tote.  I will scan and toss.  Her high school graduation picture is there also.  She wrote "to dad with love".  I hope she remembers if he had not taken a night class just because so she had a way to go to night school to get one last class, she would not have a high school diploma.  He refused to let her quit.

I'm sure I will cull more but on the first pass, not much is staying.  I don't even know where this stuff was in mom and dad's apartment and I'm not asking.

[debthaven]

Wisconsin Beth I'm sorry for your losses.

bean29 I get you on the mess from the rabbits ... what about the kitchen? They'll be unhappy in the basement without human interaction (although they have each other).

This week
- pick up pants/Mon

- mend sweater/Mon

- return stroller
- bank

I picked up the pants and returned them. So much for online shopping. The stroller is in the car, so at least it's out of the house. I'm waiting for my friend to tell me when I can return it.

[debthaven]

DH has (supposedly) the last medical appointment for his accident tomorrow. At the crack of dawn, on the other side of the city, with the ongoing transit strikes. I kept tomorrow free so I could take him. This was only possible because my regular Job 1 classes start next week.

I'm really anxious, both about getting there on time and the appointment itself. I'm driving, and like I keep telling DH, I don't teleport.

TheO I'm sorry that your sister = the Energizer Bunny, ie she just.never.stops (being a PITA).

[moneysquirrel]

Updating this list:

Jan 4, 2020 15:47:31 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

Scheduled for later --mostly next week:
*Run dishwasher -- tonight or tomorrow 
*Bed room -- Roomba
*Living Room -- Roomba once tree and all decorations are out of there
*Begin removing ornaments from tree and storing for next year
*Wrap tree and store in garage
*Remove indoor door decorations and store away
*Remove outdoor wreath from door and store away
*Store Nutcracker collection
*Store Nativity Collection
*Dentist appointment -- Wednesday 
*Handyman -- Monday  Rescheduled for next Tuesday
*Yard man -- Tuesday
*Grocery
*Bank
*Crochet -- aiming for at least 2 rows each day (2 rows = 1 color)  Need 37 colors plus fringe have 11 colors done Have 14 colors done 
*Beading -- aiming for several hours of work per day Ongoing
*Gym -- Hoping at least three trips this week
 *Organize at least two one area


Note: House looks so empty with all the Christmas decorations packed away.   

[bean29]

Jan 6, 2020 12:27:31 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Wisconsin Beth I'm sorry for your losses.

bean29 I get you on the mess from the rabbits ... what about the kitchen? They'll be unhappy in the basement without human interaction (although they have each other).

This week
- pick up pants/Mon

- mend sweater/Mon

- return stroller
- bank

I picked up the pants and returned them. So much for online shopping. The stroller is in the car, so at least it's out of the house. I'm waiting for my friend to tell me when I can return it.

They actually are in my kitchen RN, but we have a sliding door to the backyard and I worry when we open the door to let the dogs in the backyard, that it is too cold for the Rabbits. unless I put a much smaller table in the dinette, or I let their Cages sit on the kitchen table, there is not enough room.

[debthaven]

I'm not sure where you live bean29 but our rabbit goes into the garden all winter (not when there's snow though). HIS choice! Like with dogs or cats, you just have to be attentive to when they want to come back inside. (Our bunny scratches at the front door if we're not fast/psychic/attentive enough.)

You got so much done moneysquirrel !

[bean29]

Jan 6, 2020 17:31:40 GMT -5 debthaven said:

I'm not sure where you live Bean but our rabbit still goes into the garden now, and it's winter here. Like with dogs or cats, you just have to be attentive if they want to come back inside. (Our bunny scratches at the front door if we're not attentive enough.)

You got so much done moneysquirrel !

I live in Wisconsin. It is not too cold RN, but our normal weather in Jan/Feb/March is pretty cold. If the Rabbits were outside, I assume they would have winter coats, but because they live inside they are not thick enough? It is about 32 degrees, will be warmer for the next few days, then it will get colder.  we have some snow on the ground, not a lot, but that is unusual. Usually we would have at least a foot of snow on the ground RN. Just remember Global Warming does not exist.

[debthaven]

Bean our rabbit lives in the kitchen, on the floor. He used to have the run of downstairs but now he's old and pretty incontinent, so we keep him in the kitchen.

The front door is right off the kitchen, so he still wants to go out, even during cold winter temps. Rabbits shouldn't get wet though, so we don't let him out if there's snow. He has hiding places from light rain, either under the front door awning or under plants, so we do let him out in light rain.

Sometimes he begs to go out, does a few crazed-rabbit runs around the garden, and comes right back in LOL.

But they really do need human interaction. 

I agree, they do not have the thick coats of outdoor rabbits. I guess it also depends on whether your rabbits have always gone outside or not. Ours has, so he generally goes outside every day, even when it's cold. He parks himself outside the kitchen door when he wants to go out, so it's clear LOL. For sure his coat is not thick enough to LIVE outside.

We don't have other pets though.

[busymom]

Holy cow!  DH is actually getting rid of the stereo system he bought back in college.  Some of you may remember the style, as it had a case with a glass door that housed most of the pieces, and the speakers are about chest-high.  I've been hinting for years, since I can't remember the last time he hooked up all of the wiring, and it's finally going out the door.  

[debthaven]

Wow busymom !!! That is a miracle LOL.

[Deleted]

I’ve been having a strong urge to declutter even though we’ve only been in this house for almost 6 months. One problem is that with DBF and I combining households, we have a lot of duplicates. We have 2 coffemakers, 2 vacuum cleaners, duplicate electronics, blah blah blah. Add in what the sellers left, and we have even more duplicates. I think the sellers meant well with what they left since it’s all useful, like lawn equipment, a fireplace set (and firewood + starters), etc. (I think they moved into an apartment) but I had most of the lawn equipment they left and DBF had a fireplace set. They even left a step stool and I already had one. They left a working tv that was already mounted on a wall, so between that, his and mine, even with TVs in most rooms, we still have an extra tv just hanging around, unplugged. Are you starting to get the picture?

We didn’t immediately ditch all the duplicates because our neighborhood has an annual yard sale and I’ve always felt like selling or even giving away things that aren’t broken is better than throwing them away. Our storage room is stuffed though, and some of this stuff is still in the house. The yard sale is several months away, and I don’t even know if I have the patience or tolerance to have a yard sale.... I’ve never had one. Really though, I just want all the unnecessary stuff gone.... like yesterday.

We also still had about 6 moving boxes to be sorted out, mostly mine, books, cd’s and photographs. DBF has 1, kitchen stuff that could probably mostly be trashed since we haven’t looked for any of it in almost 6 months. I got rid of 2 of mine this morning, so down to about 4 now.

I also need to declutter clothes. I went from one extreme (not having a real wardrobe) to the other (having more clothes than 1 person probably needs). I can at least get rid of the size 4’s since over the past couple of years I grown into an 8 (which is starting to get tight, but that’s a whole ‘nother conversation) and I don’t see myself ever getting back to a 4.

I don’t have a plan yet, I’m working on it. DBF says he’s not a hoarder or pack rat, but some of the stuff around our house says something a little different.

Anyway, I’m back in a decluttering phase.

[debthaven]

@pinkcshmere, as you know I'm not in the US, but can you do FB marketplace to sell those items? I think that's what chiver78 does. Other people here also sell items, so hopefully they will chime in.

Also, welcome!!! Very happy to see you here.

[Deleted]

Jan 6, 2020 17:50:08 GMT -5 busymom said:

Holy cow!  DH is actually getting rid of the stereo system he bought back in college.  Some of you may remember the style, as it had a case with a glass door that housed most of the pieces, and the speakers are about chest-high.  I've been hinting for years, since I can't remember the last time he hooked up all of the wiring, and it's finally going out the door.  

I have a home theater system with surround sound and whatever, that I wanted to get rid of before I moved, since I hadn’t had it hooked up for a few years, but DBF says no, keep it. It’s been sitting in a moving box since we moved. It’s a receiver and 5 small speakers with 2 stands, all Sony ( the 6th speaker, the woofer, got blown by that stupid contractor that did some work on my house, he sloshed water in it ).

Problem is, it’s wired, and most stuff is wireless now, which is why I never put it back together after the woofer got blown. It had awesome sound when I used it, but it’s also close to 20 yo, I’m sure there’s been tons of improvement since then. We’ll probably NEVER use it, but that’s the kind of stuff DBF likes to keep around “just in case” he finds a use for it one day. Which also explains why we have a lot of random home and car audio parts and speakers around the house. Sighhhhh.

Maybe your DH can talk to him? No?

[Deleted]

Jan 6, 2020 17:59:47 GMT -5 debthaven said:

@pinkcshmere , as you know I'm not in the US, but can you do FB marketplace to sell those items? I think that's what chiver78 does. Other people here also sell items, so hopefully they will chime in.

Also, welcome!!! Very happy to see you here.

I’ve thought about looking into something like that, but never actually did it. I really would prefer that this stuff went to somebody that can use it instead of the trash. 

Thanks for the suggestion and the warm welcome!

[chiver78]

Jan 6, 2020 18:13:50 GMT -5 @pinkcshmere said:

Jan 6, 2020 17:59:47 GMT -5 debthaven said:

@pinkcshmere , as you know I'm not in the US, but can you do FB marketplace to sell those items? I think that's what chiver78 does. Other people here also sell items, so hopefully they will chime in.

Also, welcome!!! Very happy to see you here.

I’ve thought about looking into something like that, but never actually did it. I really would prefer that this stuff went to somebody that can use it instead of the trash. 

Thanks for the suggestion and the warm welcome!

in addition to FB marketplace that posts wherever it does (I haven't figured out that algorithm yet..) there are also myriad town and regional yard sale pages. I'm in a handful of them for Cape Cod and the surrounding areas. when you place an ad in Marketplace, the app asks if you want to list in any/all of the various sales group you are also a member of. you can select individually. for example, I'm in one that is clothes/shoes only. the small appliances I posted over the weekend weren't posted in that group.

[TheOtherMe]

The rabbits have a nurse?  I'm confused.

[startsmart]

Backyard work is done! I need to buy another bag of grass seed to put down because the one I had did about half the job but then it’s just watering twice a day for the next few weeks.

I do need to power wash the exterior but I’m going to wait until we are closer to pictures and listing.

My parents *should* arrive Thursday for a few of the chores I can’t do alone and to move boxes to their garage. My dad is supposed to take back a bunch of random stuff he loaned me over the years and wants back so that’ll free up some room.

I am also hoping we can get my Cadillac running and out of the garage for a bit so I can pack easier in there.

[wvugurl26]

Another idea for duplicate household stuff, see if any housing groups in your area have a store. There's one local to me that takes donations and when clients get housing they are given a voucher to shop in the store.

I'm still trying to get rid of duplicates and triplicates in some cases. DH had stuff, I had stuff and we got wedding gifts.

[CCL]

debthaven Does your bunny just hop out the door then come right back? Or do you have fenced yard to contain him? I've never known of a bunny who didn't hop away when they had the chance. 

You all have been really busy decluttering. The new year is off to a great start!

[nidena]

Jan 5, 2020 1:57:49 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

Jan 5, 2020 0:37:31 GMT -5 nidena said:

I'll also be decluttering my social media exposure.  Every three or four days, I have been turning my cell phone off and not turning my computer on so that I force myself to take a break from them.  Sunday will be my second time, this year, doing this.  I'm curious to see what I accomplish as a result of doing this.
I'll be cleaning off the table/desk in my room tomorrow.  Since it's the only raised, flat surface in the room, it collects all the paper and magazines and such that I get.  I haven't cleaned it since I got back on Tuesday so it's definitely due.
Bought no new clothes today, despite stops at both Target and Dillards.  It was tough but I stayed focused on the things that I actually there to get.

Oh boy, I need to do this as well. I can’t completely break from social media because of a few reasons:
1. I run DS1’s schools PTO fb page. I also run the Little League fb page.
2. So many things DS1 is in involved in use sm for updates, etc.

But I had mentioned to H that I would love to implement screen free hours at least a few times a week and see how it goes. Good luck with your own SM “declutter”.

I can't completely disengage either.  I'm compiling a list of bra stores across the United States and part of the information going on the list is their facebook page, if they have one.  Today, I vetted nearly 30 stores for existence and input their location, phone #, website, FB, IG, and Twitter info.  It's a long, tedious process.  Grand total, so far, is just under 280 stores and I've made it through Mississippi (alphabetically).  Still have Missouri through Wyoming to go.

[finnime]

Jan 7, 2020 0:59:29 GMT -5 nidena said:

Jan 5, 2020 1:57:49 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

Oh boy, I need to do this as well. I can’t completely break from social media because of a few reasons:
1. I run DS1’s schools PTO fb page. I also run the Little League fb page.
2. So many things DS1 is in involved in use sm for updates, etc.

But I had mentioned to H that I would love to implement screen free hours at least a few times a week and see how it goes. Good luck with your own SM “declutter”.

I can't completely disengage either.  I'm compiling a list of bra stores across the United States and part of the information going on the list is their facebook page, if they have one.  Today, I vetted nearly 30 stores for existence and input their location, phone #, website, FB, IG, and Twitter info.  It's a long, tedious process.  Grand total, so far, is just under 280 stores and I've made it through Mississippi (alphabetically).  Still have Missouri through Wyoming to go.

Why bra stores? Why across the U.S.?

[bean29]

Our Tree is down. I took down all the Christmas decorations except the nativity scene (tonight) once everything is boxed up I can slide the boxes back underneath the stairs and close the door until next year. I also have some ornaments on the coffee table that need to be boxed up. I did not buy anything new this year, but DH bought a stuffed toy that sings the Macarena Song. It is cute, I am tempted to send it to a friend but may be better to wait till next year.