The decluttering on thing a day thread - part 11

[StealthNinjaMum]

We’re still here.

After 10 threads my house still isn't tidy!

So join me and a lovely group of mumsnetters who simply get rid of one thing a day and report back. Gradually we’re developing good habits, reorganising ourselves, often improving our mental health and having friendly chatter along the way.

So newbies are welcome, just check in with your news and join in the general chat about recycling, organisation and housework.

Previous thread here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3760076-Decluttering-one-thing-a-day-part-10-the-countdown-to-a-clutter-free-Christmas?pg=1

ALSO many of us have set a target to get rid of 2020 items this year and will report on that.

If you buy one of the Really Useful wrapping paper boxes don’t store it on end in a cupboard. Mine now has a knackered clip on one side and bursts open at every opportunity!

Ooh thanks for all the wrapping paper tips! The really useful box does look good, but I know myself and I just don't think I'll be arsed to unclip the box etc in the rush to get out to a party . Good to know re Hobbycraft though @gassylady!

The Ikea thing looks like a really good solution, annoyingly they don't sell it online though. Would also be handy for certain toys as @IWillWearTheGreenWillowMight was suggesting. Might ask in Clintons if I can buy a plastic bag just for now.

This whole exercise has made me really think about my spending, it's ridiculous the amount of stuff that we just don't need/ use. Also to be honest, the amount of well intended but frankly useless tat you get given. I always struggle to get rid of things given as gifts.

Anyone know what to do with old glasses (spectacles I mean!)?

Our opticians has a collection box for old specs, to send to third world countries.

We use a repurposed muesli box for wrapping paper - just wide enough for a large roll of paper so they stay upright. It's down the side of a desk at the moment. Aren't flower bags triangular?

So far in January I have cleared out a bicycle, scooter, 5 bin bags clothes and shoes, 6 large bags toys and games, toddler armchair, 2 gaming chairs, 20+ books sold and donated to school, 3x tassimo coffee boxes, stereo, car seat.

Unfortunately I've had come in for the kids 4x new coats, 4x pairs new school shoes/trainers, approx 3 big bags clothes, a car seat, school bags. I've also bought suitcases and clothes and shoes for myself. What do I do? I seem to be clearing out and rewarding myself with new stuff. Can someone help me with some wise words to change my mindset?

@Suzie0003 That's a lot of stuff you've cleared out so well done, I think as we change the way we think about "stuff" it's difficult for old habits to disappear overnight, inevitably children grow and need new coats/shoes etc so you could have a rule that if a new coat comes in the old one is passed on to charity or sold. When it comes to stuff for ourselves it's more difficult, I've started making a list when I go shopping and sticking to it if at all possible in an attempt to avoid impulse purchases.
Would it work for you if when you see something you wait until the next shopping trip to actually buy it, that would give you time to decide if it's a need or a want.

I have also been rethinking my spending. For the first ever I haven't bought any new clothes for anyone in the house this January. I usually love the January sales and buy bits for during the year. This year I've decided to use what we have and buy when needed.
I spent five minutes in the study and did some clearing so I'm making that a daily habit. Got the glass recycling done and a bag into the textile bank.

I have the really useful wrapping paper boxes as well, one in a cupboard with general wrapping paper and one in the attic with Christmas wrapping paper which I bring down when I fetch the Christmas decorations. I keep a pair of scissors and roll of selotape in each box so I have everything I need in one place.

These people with really useful wrapping bags, where do you keep them? I don’t have cupboards long enough for them! I keep my paper upright in a cupboard in my dining room unit. All paper is kept in a cut down cardboard box to stay in place.I have maybe 4 or 5 suitable for most occasions. Mostly I use plain brown paper (including Christmas presents) but I pimp them up with pretty ribbons, which I guess is another thing to own, but I enjoy making them look nice with the ribbon, and the ribbon is kept above the paper so all together and the selotape and scissors are in a nearby drawer so it’s all close together.

Been away from the thread for a week or so but been busy. Sold a variety of baby clothes and maternity clothes on eBay (how are you doing rose with this?) and have to post tomorrow. This month so far I have made over £200 selling stuff I don’t want!

Outs: a mug and some nail clippers.

Outs two army style water bottles that kids wanted so badly and never use because they are a really impractical shape. All the bits of a manual that are not in English - fits in the items box so much better now. Our really useful wrapping paper box lives on a shelf in the study with spare printer paper, pens ate

Outs:

A collection of dried up pens, last years desk calender, business cards I no longer need, an old perfume atomiser and two make up bags.

Also out (tomorrow) will be the bag of stuff I brought home from work in July. I’m back to work tomorrow so will be taking this back with me.

So, joining in for the first time, glass out to recycling box ready for Tuesday collection. Football goal disentangled from the hedge that has grown through it (last used probably 10 years ago!) to add to items being collected on Tuesday by a waste disposal company I have used before. 400/2020

A couple of bracelets and a decorative pot into charity bag. Lots of congratulations on new baby cards into recycling

It was nice to read through the cards but I struggled to work out who some were from (friends of our parents) so realised kids wouldn’t have a chance 😬

Outs: 12 pairs of knickers and another holey sock.

Reastie - That's quite a bit of money to make from things you don't need anymore. Well done!

Welcome, @pollyannaperspective! You're doing really well to be at 400 already.

Reastie that’s good going on the selling! Well done!

Out today a pillow, about 50 coat hangers, a pair of shoes and some clothes into a bag for the charity shop tomorrow and a load of things tidied and the boxes they were in into the recycling..

Do I get DH wins too? He’s decluttered his man cave - I can see the floor again and he’s had loads of outs of small paints and packaging into the bin.

I had been steadily tidying and decluttering as DC both at university now. New Year and decided to start reorganising our paperwork and relocated filing cabinet and clearing an outbuilding. Lots of out of date paperwork shredded and managed to get a proper handle on past pensions so a good win. Outbuilding cleared and contents being collected Tuesday. Think 400 'items out' is a fair approximation.
Just got to find a solution to a 20l container of old oil and no lid, so probably oil and water mix.

I've spent the day decluttering, cleaning and tidying my landing, out went:

A large box of miscellaneous items belonging to DD its in the garage and she has three months to come and collect it.

Two black bags full of rubbish, two pairs of curtains, a large box of books for charity, two large bags of toys for charity, a dolls pram, two vases, two puzzles, various household items, a wall clock, two boxes of out of date mini eggs, large box of packaging, gift bags, a dress, 1 game, notice board, 2 pictures.

I've earmarked ten items for sale and transformed the messiest area of the house into a useable space.

99/2020

Marking to join in later :)

Out today--too small pants and lots of DCs' drawings into recycling. I kept the best ones.

Garage and garden are looking much better thanks to DH.

Nothing today. Had 3 items someone was going to collect through Freecycle but didn't show up. I have some others who were interested so will message them.
Also have something for sale on Gumtree and had two supposedly interested but then nothing after I've responded.
Bloody time wasters!!!

Smallest pickles bed frame went to the tip today along with a kids IKEA chair that SIL gave to us, it has moved around various rooms and never been used so it has gone.

I’ve also done some work on my wardrobe, it looks much tidier. There are still a few more bits to sort but I ran out of time. I filled a couple of bags for life for charity of clothes but I think there’s more to go, it appears a third of my wardrobe is taken up by cardigans, surely I don’t need them all?! I’ve also got an entire box of jeans, which to be fair is mostly what I wear but I need time to try them all on and get rid of some. I really need a better place to store my shoes as well, I don’t really want them taking up space in my wardrobe that could be used to store clothes but I can’t think of anywhere else to keep them, our under stairs cupboard is full to the gills with camping gear.