Remove Your Clutter Thread

[maple]

Quote:
My friend stopped donating to goodwill/salvation army because she said the people who work there get to take things as they come in, meaning they never get to the floor. In a place where it's essentially supposed to be known for helping the community members who are less fortunatle...she feels it's wrong they get to pick through the items before it gets out on the floor for its intended purpose.

Now she donates to a truck that parks annually or bi-annually? in a local grocery store parking lot.

 

[thechickenchick]

Quote:
Yes! Thats what we do too. I have to be in the right mood to purge clutter. I keep a bag in my laundry room to collect clothes that no longer fit or I am tired of, this goes for the whole family. I also keep a box in the trunk of my car and add items to it when I run across soemthing I don't need or want. Then when I am in the city I donate it. Also that way I carry those items with me for a while, this way I may run across someone who needs the item.

My son came home from a friends house with a like new dvd player the other night. His Mom had been looking for someone who needed one. They got a new one as a Christmas gift and she knew she would find the right person to give it to. He was thrilled as he has been without one for a few months.

 

[krcote]

Quote:
My friend stopped donating to goodwill/salvation army because she said the people who work there get to take things as they come in, meaning they never get to the floor. In a place where it's essentially supposed to be known for helping the community members who are less fortunatle...she feels it's wrong they get to pick through the items before it gets out on the floor for its intended purpose.

Now she donates to a truck that parks annually or bi-annually? in a local grocery store parking lot.

Who cares if they claim your old crap?! It's not in your house any more! AND, the last time I was in Goodwill there seemed to be a more-than-overwhelming supply of stuff in that store. Just guessing the employees don't take it all.

 

[Patchesnposies]

I am not contradicting anyone, because things change. 20 years ago I knew a woman who worked for the Goodwill at an intake station, she took a pair of Birkenstock sandles for herself and was fired for it.

 

[mandelyn]

We've been having a dust issue from the dogs coming in with mud on their hair, drying out, and sending it airborne. I had so many little nick-knacks and small things.. it was a huge chore to dust it all. So I went through every single shelf, and removed things that were "junk"... as in if it isn't worth $20 NOW in resale, it goes away. I have a heck of a beer glass collection from our time in Germany, we had to drink a lot to get all those glasses! So they were washed and stored for sentimental reasons.

Bought this really cool 1830's solid Walnut piece, it has a crazy amount of storage. The top piece is for letters, slots of all sizes. Bottom is a cabinet. Really a nice piece that will hold it's value. I put it right by the front door, so mail gets sorted as it comes in instead of getting piled up. Before we had piles... garbage advertisements, credit offers, ect. Like 20 different piles from where ever it was set down. Now it doesn't get more than 3 ft from the front door unless it's going in the trash. We need to get a paper shredder for the bulk of it.

Then I scored a cute tall boy dresser with 6 drawers at auction for $100. I have a drawer for dog stuff, a drawer for keepsakes, a drawer for medicine cabinet stuff (to avoid the hike upstairs... if I'm working in the yard and allergies start up, there's a drawer with Benadryl right inside the back door!) so that cleared out room in the kitchen drawers AND removed clutter from the tops of things. A lot fits into that thing and it's also a nice piece, Tiger Oak veneer over solid oak, early 1900's.

Right now I'm looking for a long Tiger Oak buffet piece for under the window to the kitchen to go in the dining room. I have a cheesy Ikea type long 4 door cabinet there now, it holds a lot but not that much. Something to store games, and often used items in. My husband is REALLY good about pulling stuff out and leaving it where it lies, so access is important. Hey dude, there's a tool drawer for that!

So now I have more solid surface and less clutter to dust. Just less stuff in general.. did it like they do on TV... keep pile, toss pile, and sell pile. Only keeping things worth dusting. LOL

But man am I glad we bought a vinyl and micro suede couch. Wipe the dark part, only the cushions left to steam clean.

Now if only we had the funds to swap the kitchen to where the dining room is, to make room for much needed counter space and cabinets. The dining room is HUGE. Kitchen is tiny. I could have an island and a full kitchen on one side, and have a custom built office nook on the other side. With a normal size dining room where the kitchen is. As it is, I have maybe 16 sq ft of counter top, making clutter almost inevitable by just a coffee pot and toaster.

 

[Mom 2em All]

I have a small house, a large family, and alot of clutter. In small spaces, a little clutter looks like ALOT.
I hate getting rid of something and then discovering that I really could have used it. Usually though, I will go through drawers- or bags- and say "OH that will come in handy" and then it goes to a new spot to clutter a new area.

So, what works for me is this:
I schedule goodwill to come pick up stuff. (they are coming monday)
Tomorrow, I am going up to the attic and throwing down bags and bags of clothing and etc. and setting them on my porch for pick up.
I HAVE to- because I already scheduled the pick up.

I told my girls- we arent opening the bags. If we havent seen it in years, we dont need it. Just going to carry the stuff out.

Thats my tomorrow plan.

AND- when my mother went on vacation for a week last year, I cleaned out her basement.

I didnt get rid of ANYTHING- but I threw out obvious garbage, and kid toys that none of us have used for decades. DECADES. There was tons of items that I wanted to throw away but I knew I better not touch.
I organized her basement and made it is easy to find anything and everything.

She is still mad at me for it.

So, I am going to remember her basement as I empty my attic and my closets. I do NOT want my kids to come over one day and have to do it.

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

Quote:
There is a homeless shelter 20 minutes from me that does and I have also noticed that Goodwill sells opened HBA items.... even used lipstick.

Just call ahead and ask.

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

Quote:
I have really got to know the nearest Goodwill and I can tell you they have STRICT rules about donations. Employees are not allowed to pick throught items first, not allowed to hold items back for themselves, must make all purchases while off the clock and are not supposed to buy anything until it has been available to customers for 48 hours! I think that last rule is crazy, but that's how they handle donations here.

I haven't seen anyone mention www.flylady.net as a resource for ending clutter, but she is wonderful. At one time I was doing quite well with keeping clutter at bay. Then the chronic migraines worsened and I've really let things pile up on me. That and I have trouble resisting a bargain.... I stopped in Goodwill to see if I could find a baby gate a few years ago and I was shocked to see all the antiques, art, furniture and household goods so cheap. I love the great stuff I have found there, but along with absorbing my late F-I-L's household it sure has added to the clutter.

I'm going to go clean something, now and hopefully I can post some results here.

Good luck everyone, and as Flylady says remember, it didn't get this way overnight, and it will take some time to get it fixed

 

[maple]

As far as my friend saying she won't donate to Salvation Army because of the reasons I mentioned...it hasn't swayed me. I do know she said, she volunteered there to sort and that was how she knew this. I for one, love that they have a truck and will do pick up. I have acquired things through the years whether it be because my mom got rid of something and I took it or a garage sale item replaced something of mine...oh, and I finally gave up my college furniture like the papazon chair....and my now x's futon that was just taking up space. My church's rummage sale is soon so I like to donate items to them when it is that time again.

Today my friend had 2 missionary young gentlemen and 1 older gentleman come with a truck and helped me move some of my big peices into a storage unit until my new house is closed on and I can move in--which may be a month or so out. This frees up so much space. And enables me to keep area clean much easier if I am not having to contend with, like others stated-- nick nacks, dust, and wads of pet fur balls flying on the floor getting in every nook and cranny. Now I have a couple of bare rooms. And this house (my childhood home) is long from several additions and has many rooms yet to empty and clean.

I have started accumulating give away items on one side of the front porch. And the men said they would be back to help this week which is our spring break and my kids are now, as of little bit ago, with thier dad on his visit for a week, so this will make it easier to go through unwanted toys and actually keep rooms clean without toys appearing and games being left out thanks to a very active 5 year old who keeps me on my toes. I have a pile I sorted from the garage last fall of things to go to the reclamation center and the scrap metal yard....the garage and wood shed still has a lot to go through as well. It is amazing what 3 strong men can do in half a day. I am so very thankful and blessed by them and my friend to send them my way.

My x renigged his offer of leaving me the mower (no surprise there) but I still have my dad's Case mower, so a friends dad said he'd take it mon. and tinker with it so hopefully he can get it going again and I won't have to worry about that expense of either hiring to mow or buying a new or used one I could probably find at our local auction.

Progress is being made but there is STILL a lot left to go.




** Mandelyn...I like your method, with the drawers. That is very handy.



Ok troops---onward declutter march!!!!

 

[sheaviance1]

Quote:
My friend stopped donating to goodwill/salvation army because she said the people who work there get to take things as they come in, meaning they never get to the floor. In a place where it's essentially supposed to be known for helping the community members who are less fortunatle...she feels it's wrong they get to pick through the items before it gets out on the floor for its intended purpose.

Now she donates to a truck that parks annually or bi-annually? in a local grocery store parking lot.

In my neck of the woods the Salvation Army/Goodwill hires people who are less fortunate and as much in need as everyone else. They get first pick, but it comes out of their pay a little at a time. I still donate there and at the Mustard Seed. I think it is great that they are still true to there original calling. I understand that is not the case everywhere.

In the spirit of this thread, I can live without all that junky plasticware in the kitchen that is missing lids. If it has a lid, I'll keep it, but there will only be about two pieces left in the cupboard when I am finished!