View Full Version : August Purge
I'm continuing my quest to get rid of 1,200 items this year.
Today, I took 30 items to Goodwill, returned three items I'd bought through catalogues, and passed on a book to a friend, so my total for this month so far is 34.
I started following your lead this month, and have hit 100 for August already, but I count each piece of paper I throw away as one item. Paper is my biggest challenge.
I've recently purged six big bags of clothing, a couple of sturdy chaises, miscellaneous kitchen ware, and odds and ends.
Now to begin a new pile.
Teacher Terry
8-9-17, 12:52pm
2 months ago my 5lb dog died and she was always cold even in summer. Plus she loved clothes. When she would see me holding a outfit she would immediately roll over on her back like a baby. I decided to donate her collection to the HS for their garage sale. I also had lots of pink leashes, harnesses, etc. Since I just got a baby boy he can't wear girl stuff:))I kept one dress to remember her by that said drama queen because she was quite the Diva. I don't count items but I have a bag to donate.
TVRodriguez
8-9-17, 12:54pm
Yesterday I took a bag with some of my kids school uniform shirts to goodwill. They were usable but a bit downtrodden, and I kept not using them (I have plenty of shirts left). It helps in getting ready for the new school year b/c now I know that whatever shirt my daughter chooses will be in usable condition.
TVRodriguez
8-9-17, 1:10pm
2 months ago my 5lb dog died and she was always cold even in summer. Plus she loved clothes. When she would see me holding a outfit she would immediately roll over on her back like a baby. I decided to donate her collection to the HS for their garage sale. I also had lots of pink leashes, harnesses, etc. Since I just got a baby boy he can't wear girl stuff:))I kept one dress to remember her by that said drama queen because she was quite the Diva. I don't count items but I have a bag to donate.
Oh, so sorry to hear about your dog! I relate to her since I'm always cold ;) That's a great idea to keep something special to remember her while donating the rest. Sweet.
Teacher Terry
8-9-17, 1:23pm
Thanks! She was my favorite of our 4 dogs and was a Maltese. She was 12 yo. She got congestive hart failure and 8 months later had a few strokes. However, she had the best week of her life right before she died. She loved to travel and I took her with me on a plane for a week. I was visiting friends and family and she went everywhere with me. I never give people food unless we travel and then she gets a little. It was at a lower altitude and she felt better and could actually take a walk which is something she couldn't do where we live. On the way home I was carrying her in a sling and the TSA lady started talking rude and nasty to me for no reason. Cassie started barking and growling at her. I said don't mind her she has some pain issues and the woman said "No she did not like the way I was talking to you." Then she got nicer.
It's been a decade since my last dog died and just this weekend I got rid of his outside chain. Teacher Terry you are brave to move on so quickly.
Teacher Terry
8-9-17, 7:46pm
I have to admit that I have her favorite dress, ashes and tag on the window sill in my office. I really miss that little girl.
rosarugosa
8-12-17, 6:12pm
Added to the outbox today: 3 jackets, 3 shirts and 13 books. I like to purge in little bits while I do housework. I ask "do I want to dust you again in a few weeks, or is this relationship over?" It ain't Marie Kondo, but it works for me.
My YTD on clothing is 16 in and 41 out, so I'm ahead by 25. Very few books come in any more except on loan from the library. I bought several dollar or fifty cent books from the library, but I pass those around and re-donate them.
I culled through some papers from my unemployed days. The Unemployment Commission says you may be audited to determine if you were truly entitled to benefits. Does anyone know if I need to keep these for 7 years like tax records?
With my daughter's permission, threw out two pairs of her shoes today. They were totally worn - got our money's worth out of them. New total for month: 36.
rosarugosa
8-13-17, 5:42am
Yppej: I don't actually know for sure, but I would treat them like income tax records. DH had a period of unemployment several years ago, and we tossed much of the stuff from UE (resource materials, etc) bu kept the critical stuff like the 1099 forms.
I thought this was a really interesting question, Yppej, and when I Googled it, I think it seems to vary by state? So make sure to check your state's laws on this. Good luck!
Teacher Terry
8-13-17, 1:25pm
Rosa: I sometimes do what you do when dusting and ask myself if I want to dust it. If not it is history.
Tomorrow is trash day, so I filled up the rest of my barrel with black plastic. I skipped it this year and my squash produced later but I will take that tradeoff given how unsightly it was, plus on windy days although I had the edges and strategic parts of the center anchored down with rocks it would often flip up and cover the plants and I would need to fix it.
About half the plastic is still in the basement and I will tackle it on another week when I have room in the barrel. It is getting to be fun thinking of what I can go through and toss to keep up with you all!
I recently found a smallish, affordable, darling house in Oregon. Unfortunately, I'm still buried in this one--or soon will be. My beloved went to look at it today. and he loved it--very unusual. If I were a more efficient person, or a risk-taker, or had some energy, I'd just pull money out of my house, make a down payment, and go for it. But alas. I was slowly moving toward packing, but now I'm motivated. Too late for this one, but maybe I'll catch the next gold ring..(I see the price has gone up 25K since it was first listed. Crazy market, that one!)
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/10673-SW-127th-Ct_Tigard_OR_97223_M29698-37678#photo1
It's nice, but the price! I have more square feet and Zillow values my house at $200,000.00 less.
It's nice, but the price! I have more square feet and Zillow values my house at $200,000.00 less.
That's an average price for hereabouts. A friend says that she bought the only habitable house in Portland under $200K a year and a half ago (believe me, she saw them all), and it's appreciated $140K since. Unless I want to move to an outlying area like Olympia or Corvallis or buy a condo--anything's possible--that's the price I'm going to pay.
Teacher Terry
8-13-17, 4:02pm
Jane, I loved that house except for the half wall around one part of the kitchen which could easily be removed. Super cute. My office is small and is also the guest room. So today I went through it again and got rid of a bunch of stuff. Then I was able to put somethings that had been sitting on the floor in there which made it feel much better. For instance, I have a huge basket of tests that I was able to put in there. Some things like these I need to keep until I fully retire from testing.
Jane, I loved that house except for the half wall around one part of the kitchen which could easily be removed. Super cute. My office is small and is also the guest room. So today I went through it again and got rid of a bunch of stuff. Then I was able to put somethings that had been sitting on the floor in there which made it feel much better. For instance, I have a huge basket of tests that I was able to put in there. Some things like these I need to keep until I fully retire from testing.
The two things I would change about that house would be to replace the gas heat with electric forced air and make the wall between the kitchen and living area higher. I don't like "open concept." Maybe I'd leave a pass-through, but maybe not. :~) Guess it's a moot point. It will probably be $400K next week. (Note to self: paint next house pink...)
Teacher Terry
8-13-17, 5:05pm
My old house is not open concept and I am fine with that. My kitchen and DR are open but you can't see the kitchen mess from the LR. The house was built in 1950 and I just love it. It was a foreclosure and we redid everything before we moved in 5 years ago. At 1400 sq ft it is the perfect size for 2 and I was so happy to be done with 2 levels. I am more motivated to put things away when it does not involve a flight of steps. I just thought the partial wall looked dumb so I could see totally enclosing it too.
I didn't like the half-wall either--it looks like a lame afterthought. The size of the house and the yard are perfect for me, as is the single story. It's a mile or so from my SO and close to shopping, amenities, etc. Not far from my old condo. It has set a benchmark for prospective digs. (But I was drooling over an Olympia condo with a stunning view of the sound...) Must start packing.
I would probably drool over your house, too. Love MSM!
I liked the half wall because it offered usable storage and counter space while keeping the kitchen bright and open. I'm a fan of the open layout. My kitchen used to be all closed up and I felt depressed in there. And having it closed off meant that I was tempted to keep it looking messy. Now that it's open it looks nice all the time and I enjoy using it. Of course, different strokes and all that.
Threw out two pairs of worn-out shoes yesterday. New total for month: 38.
iris lilies
8-19-17, 12:00pm
I recently found a smallish, affordable, darling house in Oregon. Unfortunately, I'm still buried in this one--or soon will be. My beloved went to look at it today. and he loved it--very unusual. If I were a more efficient person, or a risk-taker, or had some energy, I'd just pull money out of my house, make a down payment, and go for it. But alas. I was slowly moving toward packing, but now I'm motivated. Too late for this one, but maybe I'll catch the next gold ring..(I see the price has gone up 25K since it was first listed. Crazy market, that one!)
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/10673-SW-127th-Ct_Tigard_OR_97223_M29698-37678#photo1
Oh I dont know, the only personality that house is showing to me is the pinkness. We would pay $235,000 for that.
I have been trying for months to get my son to replace his smelly urine stained mattress. The box spring broke months ago. To me it is common sense that you go to a store and lie down on the mattress and try it out, and today I finally got him to go to two stores, both local. You would have thought the world was coming to an end with all the complaining abiut driving somewhere. We left an hour after we agreed to because it took him so long to get ready.
At store #1 he agreed on one mattress but we wanted to comparison shop. Store #2 was overpriced so we went back to store #1. By this time there were other customers there and in an attack of social anxiety he pushed me aside and rushed away from them to the mattress area, then decided he didn't like the mattress he liked earlier after all. He then decided he must have a pillowtop, but was too stressed out to shop any longer. His favorite mode of shopping to avoid people, online, isn't going to work as those companies don't offer pillowtops, but he won't listen to me and said he must do online research and it is too stressful to try to make any decisions now and this whole day I wasted his time and all he got was a headache.
Among his plans is that he can find out how to build a bed frame with cinderblocks. Even though he is not the one paying he has a rigid idea of how cheap a bed should be that is not realistic, especially for a pillowtop. It is so hard to declutter when someone else is involved, especially someone with an anxiety disorder who has difficulty with choice and change. He is 23 and legally an adult, but emotionally still immature. So I guess it was a frugal day because I didn't spend any money. But I am frustrated.
I have a foam mattress that came all squished up in a box, delivered, I then added a foam topper. I may replace the topper with something else eventually. Could your son buy the mattress and a pillow topper separately? I would avoid mattress stores just on general principle.
I don't know Jane, but he will undoubtedly spend weeks researching this online. Both stores were small, locally owned, no pressure businesses. One does not offer their salespeople any commissions. I too avoid the high pressure chains.
Edited to add: Where did you get yours from?
Oh I dont know, the only personality that house is showing to me is the pinkness. We would pay $235,000 for that.
I liked the layout, the finish, and the little side porch, as well as the color, the neighborhood, the property size, the fenced back yard, and the nice mature tree in front. As well as a little entryway, which is often hard to find. When I look at real estate, I typically look at 100 properties for every one I like, even a little. I suppose my current house has more character, but I hate its layout and wasted space (and a thousand other things). There's very little habitable in the Seattle or Portland areas for around 235K. My old condos--also with a nice layout--are going for about 250K, with much less space. Probably not for long.
It was years ago; I bought it on line. You could look on Amazon or IKEA. Both have a wide assortment of affordable foam mattresses.
I went through my sock drawer today and discovered I have TONS of socks. Found 21 that had holes or were without partners and put them in the trash. New total for month: 59.
Do any of you find when you throw out things that it raises the bar for what you have left, and then new items look subpar (e.g., new white items look dingy)?
I took 10 old bath towels to the Humane Society for dog bathing. Oh she was so so happy to have them:cool: (why did I have 10? I keep a box in my car trunk and when it's full it get's "emptied").
And today I will fling some zucchini to neighbors:help:
I went through my sock drawer today and discovered I have TONS of socks. Found 21 that had holes or were without partners and put them in the trash. New total for month: 59.
59! Yikes!
I ordered a pair of drawstring jeans on eBay (fortunately for very little) then found a trove of miscellaneous jeans (including that style) while I was filling a donation bag. Oops.
http://thesweethome.com/reviews/best-foam-mattresses-you-can-buy-online/?utm_source=The+Sweethome&utm_campaign=3cc3732c59-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e23d0abb6f-3cc3732c59-87728673
These prices seem high, especially compared to IKEA.
Thank you Jane. He said he is too stressed to even think about mattresses but I think he will come around eventually.
I found these a few days ago, discounted at Target: http://www.shopirisusa.com/easy-access-heel-bootie Thought about them, measured what I would need, then went back and bought the only four boxes they had. Managed to fit my seldom used or out of season shoes in them, and threw away nine shoeboxes! What I like about them is that I can just open the little door in front and pull out a pair, instead of unstacking boxes until I get to the one I need.
Did I need them? Not really, but my closet shelf looks so much more open. I rearranged a few things in there and it looks much more spacious.
We had to move our big book shelves and in order to do that we had to take down approximately 1 gazillion books. We used that as an opportunity to donate 2 big boxes of books to the library. Books remaining: 1 gazillion - 40.
Pony Mom, I think finding ways to store things that makes them easier to get to is *well* worth the money!
Congratulations, Florence, on getting rid of 40 books.
I threw out another pair of worn-out shoes today. New total for month: 60.
I tackled the tool drawers today. The impetus was a box that toner came in. I am following the Konmari advice and putting any boxes that come in to the house to good use as tidying compartments. While cleaning I tossed 9 items I no longer use.
rosarugosa
8-26-17, 9:54am
DH weeded out 7 shirts today on his own initiative. Between the two of us, we have 51 more clothing items out than in this year, about evenly split between us.
rosarugosa
8-26-17, 1:42pm
Two more books out the door. Three books on cooking with lemons is a bit much.
We have determined the old insulation should all go. We are careful to keep food put away securely, so the mice have been bringing in things like acorns and leaving their shells in the insulation. Some also smells of mouse urine.
DW and I spontaneously joined this challenge yesterday.
She's got a little time off work, so she started decluttering and organizing (not the same thing lol) spots like the basket by her living room chair. This spread to the basket by her side of the bed and then the room she uses as a big closet/dressing area. Somehow I caught the bug and returned to working in the room I use as my office. By dinnertime we had decluttered her hot spots, a good chunk of her dressing room and my office, the entryway closet, the linen closet, the hall closet/pantry, and under the sink in the main-floor bathroom. :+1:
Two boxes to take to Goodwill; three items listed on craigslist and Facebook for-sale; lots of cleaners which will go to hazardous-waste pickup (I don't use 'em and I'm the one cleaning); two pieces of furniture cleared out completely and ready for redeployment (perhaps to someone else's house); and a recycling bin which will be full for Tuesday morning pickup. We also found bits and bobs (bars of soap, dishwasher detergent) we will use up before buying more of the same.
The big difference this time: consulting with one another real-time on what goes where. I am hopeful the organization stays a little longer because DW understands why I keep things the way I do and I understand what she has where and why. :)
Finally got a new mattress set ordered for DS so the old one can go. I am trying to replace and toss worn out things now that I am working again.
mschrisgo2
8-28-17, 2:23am
Wow, Steve! Congratulations on the spontaneous clean out!
Threw away most of the clothes in purgatory, a cover for a size ironing board that I no longer have, and some stained/broken potholders. The more I clean the more clearly I am able to see and analyze what I have left because it is not covered in junk. I don't know I can claim credit for inspiring him but DS filled up 4 trash bags from his room today in a back to school cleanup.
rosarugosa
8-29-17, 7:54pm
Sure you can, Yppej!
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