vnot
Initiate Member
Joined: Dec 30, 2010 14:05:11 GMT -5
Posts: 73
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Post by vnot on Jan 4, 2011 17:14:19 GMT -5
I was able to clear out my apt of all the Christmas junk that accumulated in December so now we have a nice clean, bright and airy space to enjoy. It just feels so much nicer now that our huge tree isn't blocking all the light from one room. I'm trying to get rid of it for something smaller too. It's amazing that simply clearing some spacy will totally reenergize a home. I'm looking forward to clearing out my closet and working on getting better feng shui in our space too!
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mom2-4monkeys
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 16:20:26 GMT -5
Posts: 144
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Post by mom2-4monkeys on Jan 7, 2011 10:55:33 GMT -5
Hi ladies I am fairly new here to WIRR. I lurked on MSN but now that I can actually sign in, I can post! Thanks for all the good advice here on Feng Shui & Money. So far I started cleaning out the attic to get rid of some baby toys now that my girls are 3! I have been making extra money selling on craigslist and putting into an E.F. Now if only I could organize my own room!
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dianartemis
Well-Known Member
God made me and started laughing
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 15:43:10 GMT -5
Posts: 1,722
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Post by dianartemis on Jan 7, 2011 18:05:31 GMT -5
Someone just sent keria, the original starter of the thread info to this board. Maybe she'll come on over!
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Post by debtheaven on Jan 7, 2011 18:35:34 GMT -5
Hi all!
I've been pretty bad about this recently. My DS2 who is REALLY messy left for a semester abroad today (sniff). I told him I wanted to use his room as an "office" while we was gone and he went all out: got rid of three HEAPING, GIANT, bags of "stuff"! His desk, shelves, floor and bathroom are all cleared up, and he even left me an empty bookshelf to use. Unfortunately, although he promised to, he never got to the inside of his closet LOL. I will probably buy a plastic Ikea box for the things on his closet floor before he comes back.
I also couldn't find an important piece of paper (unlike me) so I spent three hours sorting papers today. I guess between the the holidays and having all four kids at home, I let my Carpbox of papers get out of hand. I still have more papers to go through but it's MUCH better than it's been for several months. It should take me another hour or so to finish the papers, I'm going to try to do that within the next week.
ETA: I'm glad this thread has made it over to the new boards!
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Post by debtheaven on Jan 7, 2011 19:04:45 GMT -5
I hope Keriamon comes back!
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Post by luckyme on Jan 8, 2011 2:41:28 GMT -5
I am fascinated by FS too. I am putting a big new green plant on the right of the main entrance to activate the wealth section. The poinsettias is so last season! De-cluttering is a life long project. It's hard to get rid of stuff.
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Post by debtheaven on Jan 8, 2011 17:26:20 GMT -5
Luckyme Hope it works!
I did another hour of paperwork today and it's still not finished. I probably have another hour to do but it will have to wait for later in the week.
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dianartemis
Well-Known Member
God made me and started laughing
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 15:43:10 GMT -5
Posts: 1,722
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Post by dianartemis on Jan 10, 2011 11:31:11 GMT -5
debtheaven: I hope your son has a blast! Where's he at?
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Post by debtheaven on Jan 10, 2011 14:56:40 GMT -5
Dianartemis Thank you! He's in Mexico. From the sound of his first email, he is LOL! I'm on his third load of laundry that he LEFT. I haven't done his laundry in four years but either I had to do it or wait six months for him to get back. Like the closet, he intended to do it but somehow he never got around to it ...
His older brother who left today (so double sniff) left exactly two items in his laundry basket.
Has Boo's Mom made it over here? I thought of you because of our futon discussion. DS1 asked for a real, quality futon for Xmas to replace his carpy Ikea one. We got it for him and it is wonderful! It was more than we usually spend per child but it was frankly more of a need than a want. I was worried that it would be too heavy for the Ikea base but it seems fine. He was thrilled! More proof that you really do get what you pay for. Our mattress does not need replacing yet but when it does I think we will get a futon too, if I can find one in the right size.
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Post by boosmom on Jan 10, 2011 16:13:47 GMT -5
debtheaven - yup, I'm here. I'm glad you guys found a good futon. Did you find a specialty store that sells the better futons?
DH took a couple of boxes last week to donate. Then I have started filling up another box. I have to get rid of a broken filing bin which has lots of old things I should probably toss/shred. And I washed a bunch of clothes for #1 in the next size up since nothing seems to fit and pulled out her clothes and put them in the various piles -- to sell/consignment, to donate, to give away to friends/relatives.
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Post by debtheaven on Jan 10, 2011 18:36:05 GMT -5
Nice to see you here Boos! Yes I found a specialty store. There were a bunch of them. I narrowed it down to three but I went with the only one that I could pick the futon up from before Xmas. It was DS1's only present from us and I wanted it for Xmas. None of them could deliver before Xmas, but that was the only one that I could pick up from.
After doing a lot of research I was hesitating between two futons (only cotton or cotton plus latex) and the only place that could get it before Xmas said, you can't make that decision online, you're spending a significant amount of money, your son needs to come in and try both to see which he prefers. I liked their response (honesty is always the best policy), so did DS1, so he went in, tried out both, and chose in time to order it and for me to pick it up and (sort of) put it under the tree LOL.
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Post by debtheaven on Jan 10, 2011 18:46:25 GMT -5
Boos, you can always get rid of that filing cabinet if you need to, and then toss / shred / burn the papers. We don't have a shredder but we do have a fireplace.
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Martivir
Established Member
Joined: Jan 1, 2011 11:56:36 GMT -5
Posts: 303
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Post by Martivir on Jan 10, 2011 21:38:18 GMT -5
After moving into the house I'm convinced that clutter sometimes has a mind of it's own. Mine multiples. I had my MIL drop off her garage sale leftovers in my garage. I sent those plus some of my own to a church rummage sale. I felt like I would put a few boxes of stuff away in the basement and five more would take it's place. I finally cracked down on it and got it to the point that we can actually use the basement. In the end I had a huge box for the city mission, a huge box of clothes for my aunt's nephew's kid, another box of books that I put up on Paperback Swap and two huge bags of garbage. I still have a pile of boxes to go through but it's much more manageable. Mostly it was just putting stuff away. Come spring I'll have even more room when my FIL takes his stuff back and we get our bikes out of there.
And by some miracle DH went through his clothes. He hates going through his stuff and getting rid of what he no longer needs.
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Post by lovemylife on Jan 10, 2011 22:05:36 GMT -5
January always is such a good time for out with the old..I too have been busy cleaning out my kitchen cabinets and getting rid of stuff I don't need or use. My master closet is next and I clean out the idea of maybe downsizing our home with year and buying something smaller. I like things to be simple and neat.
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cheerleadingmama7
New Member
I cheer for savings!!
Joined: Dec 27, 2010 22:34:07 GMT -5
Posts: 39
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Post by cheerleadingmama7 on Jan 11, 2011 0:23:37 GMT -5
Still working at this decluttering a week at a time. I am getting to a point where I am in the nooks instead of working on really huge piles! So I am making progress. We still need to take down all the Christmas stuff, but that will have to wait until this weekend. We don't have any guests staying with us so it will be a good time to get it all down and packed away. This year I am going through each box of Christmas stuff as we put it away. Anything that I don't want anymore is going! Christmas is the first holiday of stuff I am going through and then each holiday throughout the year I will continue the pattern...makes the job more manageable I think. The thought of each of my kids rooms just makes me tense. I have 2 little boys that are not in need of anything...I think that ToysRUs is in their bedrooms....they are always such a disaster. I know it is cause we need to clean them out again. I just keep plugging away one day at a time; one week at a time. Once I get the rest of this decluttering done, I am going to move along to some of the more basic and obvious Feng Shui concepts and incorporate them in to my home. Of course my goal is to get that Chi moving to bring some wealth into my home I am really glad this board is hear - I love to see what everyone is working on and the stories and tips everyone shares. keep them coming!
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Post by boosmom on Jan 11, 2011 0:35:52 GMT -5
Boos, you can always get rid of that filing cabinet if you need to, and then toss / shred / burn the papers. We don't have a shredder but we do have a fireplace. That's true. I just have to keep myself motivated. I'll try to do it this week!
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hopefulinsocal
New Member
Joined: Jan 9, 2011 11:56:17 GMT -5
Posts: 11
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Post by hopefulinsocal on Jan 12, 2011 12:46:42 GMT -5
I like this site. I have sooo much clutter to go through. I am trying to train myself to go into the junk room and do something everyday--sort/toss/shred/file/put away. That isn't going as well as I'd like. But I did start going into the backyard every morning for 10 to 20 minutes pulling weeds, does that count as decluttering? It's little progress, but progress.
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gardenergirl
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:40:02 GMT -5
Posts: 754
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Post by gardenergirl on Jan 12, 2011 14:08:03 GMT -5
hopeful - I would say that absolutely counts as decluttering and from what I remember it's also good Feng Shui. I believe decluttering extends throughout your house, your attic, basement and yard. Probably everything you look at.
That would be great if Keriamon came back to the boards. She knew so much about Feng Shui.
I've been home from work the last 3 days due to a snow/ice storm in the Atlanta area so I've had lots of time to do some cleaning. I'm so happy that my 9 month old DD has finally gotten over here fear of the vacuum cleaner! She let me vacuum this morning without crying and even smiled at me a couple of times and continued what she was doing. I was so glad.
I went through my kitchen cabinets yesterday and organized them. Even pulled out a couple of things that I don't use anymore that I will probably Freecycle. One is an older sifter another is an onion chopper but it's missing the bottom part. I don't know why I ever bought that thing, I used it maybe 5 times and I've had it about 10 years! It was lurking in my cabinet - I think that is definitely bad Feng Shui!
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Post by lovemylife on Jan 12, 2011 14:11:35 GMT -5
I like this site. I have sooo much clutter to go through. I am trying to train myself to go into the junk room and do something everyday--sort/toss/shred/file/put away. That isn't going as well as I'd like. But I did start going into the backyard every morning for 10 to 20 minutes pulling weeds, does that count as decluttering? It's little progress, but progress.
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Post by lovemylife on Jan 12, 2011 14:18:13 GMT -5
I like this site. I have sooo much clutter to go through. I am trying to train myself to go into the junk room and do something everyday--sort/toss/shred/file/put away. That isn't going as well as I'd like. But I did start going into the backyard every morning for 10 to 20 minutes pulling weeds, does that count as decluttering? It's little progress, but progress.
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Post by lovemylife on Jan 12, 2011 17:13:25 GMT -5
Sorry about the last two postings. Got mixed up! Was going to tell hopefulinsocal that once you get started and see the results it really keeps you going. Way to go. Wish I could find a few weeds to pull under all my SNOW!!
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gardenergirl
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:40:02 GMT -5
Posts: 754
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Post by gardenergirl on Jan 14, 2011 14:34:16 GMT -5
I need to figure out how long to keep certain paperwork. I'm thinking tax returns you are supposed to keep for a long time, but for example, we just paid off a car loan, have title in hand but I have all the previous statements, 4 years worth. I'm thinking I could probably get rid of them now..
I have so much paperwork, all filed away, but it's building up and my filing cabinet is on the verge of exploding. I was staring at it at 8:00 last night. I think that might be my weekend project, figuring out what I can purge, what I need to keep.
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Post by keriamon on Jan 14, 2011 16:20:09 GMT -5
Just in case anyone feels like they're the only people still stuck in their clutter: I'm the original creator of this thread, and I STILL have problems with it, LOL.
Cleaning up is an ongoing battle--at least it is when you have a husband. :-P
Here are some things I keep telling myself, so I will motivate to do clean/declutter:
1. You can do anything for 15 minutes (www.flylady.net). 2. If you really can't do it for 15, you can always do 10. 3. 5 minutes is better than nothing. 4. A half-arsed job is better than no job at all (really, it is!)
And here are some tips for cleaning up:
Keep a box or trashbag going somewhere in your house, and when you come across something you don't want anymore, toss it in there; when it's full, take it to Goodwill or similar. Don't wait and make yourself do a massice decluttering all at once; keep it caught up.
You can never have too many trashcans. Make sure every room has at least one. In some places (bedrooms, bathrooms with two sinks), have a his and hers. Also, make sure you have one next to the front door/in the foyer. As you walk in from your mailbox, sort your mail into keep and disgard, and as soon as you step in the house, toss the junk mail. I also usually open my mail next to a trash can, so I can toss the enevelopes and anything else I don't need to keep.
What are other people's tips and tricks for maintaining their house and keeping the clutter beat back?
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sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
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Post by sheilaincali on Jan 14, 2011 16:53:13 GMT -5
I have been slowly doing this for the past two years- It amazes me every day how much junk we accumulate in our day to day lives. School papers, receipts, junk mail, books, clothes, etc. Trying to get the family to try to not buy anything this year. So far we have purchased a pair of tennis shoes for DH- but that was planned for. I like Keriamon's idea about having a goodwill box ready and putting stuff in it as soon as you decide you don't want the item any longer. I have the perfect placed all planned out to keep the box
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Post by keriamon on Jan 14, 2011 17:17:33 GMT -5
**I need to figure out how long to keep certain paperwork. I'm thinking tax returns you are supposed to keep for a long time**
The longest you need to keep taxes are 7 years for individuals and 10 for businesses (if you have anything weird that happened one tax return year, you might want to keep it 10 years).
**but for example, we just paid off a car loan, have title in hand but I have all the previous statements, 4 years worth. I'm thinking I could probably get rid of them now.. **
I would get rid of all of them, except for the final paperwork which shows where you paid off the loan and the account was closed. I would keep that for as long as I have the car.
**I have so much paperwork, all filed away, but it's building up and my filing cabinet is on the verge of exploding. I was staring at it at 8:00 last night. I think that might be my weekend project, figuring out what I can purge, what I need to keep.**
Here's how I have my cabinet organized, and it works really well for us (especially when I take the time to file things in it!):
Top drawer (Temporary): One folder for each month of the year. I put utility bills, checking account statements, and copies of any paid bills in the folder for the month when it was due. I do this for a year. When I come back around to that month again (a year later), I shred/burn everything in that folder and put fresh stuff in it. I have never regretted tossing this stuff after a year.
If, however, we get in a disagreement with anyone over payment, I make a separate folder just for that problem and keep it for however long it takes to get settled and stay settled.
Second drawer (Long-term): Things that need to be kept fairly long term. This is where you should keep records for your vehicles (maintenance records) and receipts for the purchase of big-ticket items or things which are under warranty. When you get rid of that item, get rid of that folder.
I also kept receipts from paying my student loans in this drawer until they were paid off, then I kept the final, account settled sheet and tossed the rest.
I also keep insurance information and policies here. When you change insurance or get a new policy, toss the old and put in the fresh.
Third drawer (Long-Term): Manuals and instructions. Everything that comes with an owner's manual or assembly instructions, I put the information in this drawer. I have folders labeled "small appliances," "lawn and garden," "large appliances," "excercise equipment," "furniture," etc. When you have something to file, go through the folder and make sure everything in it is still relevant; if you have paperwork on something you have gotten rid of, get rid of the paperwork. Also, this is a good place to put those special allen wrenches and extra screws that come with everything. I have a small box in this drawer (behind the appropriate folder, of course), called "treadmill parts." It has been very handy knowing where those parts are when I have had to disassemble it to move it between rooms!
If you prefer, you can keep your receipt/warranty information for products here with their manuals.
Fourth drawer (Permanent): We keep all permanent legal documents in this drawer, including passports, Social Security card, vaccination records, birth certificates, marriage and divorce records, titles to cars, etc. If you have to get out of your house quickly, you can grab everything in this drawer and leave with it, although it's really best to keep these documents in a safety deposit or fire-proof box.
Medical records can also go in this drawer.
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Post by keriamon on Jan 14, 2011 17:24:05 GMT -5
I have been slowly doing this for the past two years- It amazes me every day how much junk we accumulate in our day to day lives. School papers, receipts, junk mail, books, clothes, etc. Trying to get the family to try to not buy anything this year. So far we have purchased a pair of tennis shoes for DH- but that was planned for. Sheila, if you haven't already heard of them, you might like The Compact (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thecompact/). It's a group of people who pledge to buy nothing new for a year. You're allowed to buy things used (since that's a form of recycling), although there are exceptions, including food and underwear! Anyone who's trying to get out of debt ought to live The Compact until they're out of debt!
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constanz22
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:32:17 GMT -5
Posts: 4,219
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Post by constanz22 on Jan 14, 2011 18:14:51 GMT -5
keriamon Welcome back! People will be thrilled to see you. There have been many inquiries here and on the old MSN thread, wondering how and where you were and hoping for you to return!
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dianartemis
Well-Known Member
God made me and started laughing
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 15:43:10 GMT -5
Posts: 1,722
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Post by dianartemis on Jan 14, 2011 20:10:18 GMT -5
Hi Keria - Welcome to the new home!
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gardenergirl
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:40:02 GMT -5
Posts: 754
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Post by gardenergirl on Jan 14, 2011 21:21:31 GMT -5
Hi Keriamon! I was SO excited when I saw you post. I was a lurker on the old MSN website and loved it so much I brought it over here. It's nice to see you back and I can't wait to benefit from your wisdom again!!!
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Post by stormynight on Jan 15, 2011 10:31:52 GMT -5
Found the board and got activated. Body decluttering is going well. Down about 12 pounds and changed sizes from XL to L. Funny how one keeps taking the Xl to the fitting room only to find out they are way too big and has to get get a L and once in a while a M. I am buying some new clothes but for every one item I buy one to two are going out. The SA is doing a pick up next Sat and I have a couple of bags ready to go and I will do more this weekend. I am also going to do a paper purge with a cozy fire. I am almost all paperless now so old statements and bills can go. Glad to see everyone here. I like this decluttering, organizing and simplifying as an ongoing theme.
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