Thrifty hoarding vs clutter clearing- which tactic works for you

[wheresmypaddle]

I don't like clutter but at the same time I hate throwing things away that might 'come in useful' one day or save me some money. As a result our (small) home is filling up all sorts of clutter (magazines I 'might' reread one day, clothes I might fit into, books I might lend to friends, old toys DS might regain interest in, CDs I might want to listen to..........).

I try to store these things neatly but that leaves little room to store the rest of our stuff. I have been considering doing some ebaying / charity shop runs but always seem to find an excuse to hold onto things in case they save us money or come in usefull.

A little voice in my head is telling me to get rid of it all this clutter, another voice is telling me not to be so wasteful- can anyone tell me which approach they take??

I used to give all the outgrown clothes in good condition and toys to the central mosque in Edinburgh. Worshippers there made regular trips to the Dungavel Detention Centre to visit and help children living with their families there whilst their asylum applications were being processed.

I agree with finding a cause you want to donate to and it's a great motivator.

The thought of those children not having any wee toys to play with or clothes appropriate for the climate here was heartbreaking.

And then I'd get to speaking with the worshippers there and about being American, and if it would be a problem the things coming from a household where someone was American.

And really having some good discussions, about how people are people, and hopefully distorting a few stereotypes on both sides.

We've got loads now, but the ILs are coming for a visit next week and will take it all away to the mosque again. I texted my pal who worships there to expect it and let them all know we are all still thinking of those who are there, and wish things could be different and we could all live in a world where things like this don't happen to ANY child.

Ever found something you really cherished in a bootsale or charity shop?

Or had a real need for something and you couldn't afford it?

Or sold something you didn't really want on Ebay and made a bit of coin and then got your kids something they really liked or went out for the day or to a concert or ballet or something and it felt really good?

Well, when you think of hanging onto something you don't really want or need, remember that.

And let it go.

Sell it, give it away, whatever.

But pay it forward and feel good!

expat speaks a lot of sense.

I also remember someone saying that if you buy (for example) an item of clothing that cost a lot, and after a few months you realise you don't like it/doesn't suit you or whatever the temptation is to keep it out of guilt as you have "wasted" the money.

It is actually a waste to keep hold of it when someone else will be so appreciative of it.

I occasionally visit a local asylum seeker/refugee group and I find it humbling when I take a few bits and the ladies (usually ladies) are so appreciative. Dd and I stay and play with the children and brings it home how we are all parents struggling in different ways.

For me personally I think God provides for out family (other people think of it as karma or paying it forward or whatever) The number of times we have passed on stuff (or even bought a pack of nappies or similar specifically to give away) it is incredible how we almost seem to get back more (that's not why we give away by the way but is is an odd coincidence)

we found knowing that we could only afford a 20foot container when we emigrated really helped us to decide what was most important to us! Over the course of 12 months we carbooted twice (£300), filled at least one charity boxes/bags a week, donated decent bedding etc to local good causes, and made £1500 on ebay flogging cds, tapes and vinyl....

turned out there was space for another 6 boxes in the container.... nevermind!

anyway.... it was quite difficult at first cos we'd both hoarded for 15 years, but became easier as the year progressed... i guess we probably went through everything three or four times... it's become quite a habit now, and we're both much better at not bringing stuff into the house in the firstplace... being skint has also helped!! and the library, toy-library etc are 'benefiting' from our custom far more then they ever have in the past!!

It's not about having much, it's about cherishing what you do have.

It's about making room in your life for something that suits you and your life and family more.

Do we use it?
Do we love it?
Does it make us money?

If the answer is no, let it go and trust that the space will be filled with something that does.

Clear the clutter.

I have an overhaul every few months and feel much better once I declutter.

Trouble is dp is an inverterate hoarder,so we still have loadsd of his random stuff cluttering up at times!

Someone I know has a box for 'rags' (old bits of cloth) and 'potential rags'. I am the world's worst hoarder, but I think even I may chuck the 'rags' and promote the 'potential rags' to their place!!!

i freecycle - i love when someone comes round who actually has an immediate need for something i want rid of... it gives me a warm glow

non-freecycle stuff i take to the charity shop or recycling. i hate throwing stuff into landfill but other ways of disposing are ok with me.

I hate clutter, so I constantly go through stuff and chuck or pass on to charity shops. I am not massively interested in buying things and I have no interest in gadgets so the house is relatively clutter free.

However, Ds is 2.2 and we may have another. In my very small house I have three huge vacum bags of boys clothes under our bed. I would secretly love to just get rid of the lot but know i may need them. I think I am a compulsive de-clutter person!

Can I recommend a 'cupboard of many things'?

I am a hoarder who hates clutter and have a large floor to ceiling cupboard in my living room. Everything that I'm not sure what to do with goes in the cupboard until it is more or less full, which happens about once a year.

Then we spend an evening with much wine going through the cupboard and redistributing the contents to bin bags, the 'box of important things' or the attic.

I have to agree with expat, she talks a lot of ense.

In fact, I'm going to repeat her incase anyone missed it:

It's not about having much, it's about cherishing what you do have.

I used to be a hoarder. Then last year when we found ourselves homeless I have to get rid of almost all our stuff.

It was the best thing I ever did.

After hoarding crap for 10 years I am now an avid chucker.... def not into the bin but to Charity shops and freecycle.
The house is looking great but the loft and garage still need to be tackled the stuff in the loft is unbelievable it started off with stuff from our old loft which looked fine as it's a big loft but after 5 yrs of being here...Oh dear. Still it's on the to do list and as a good friend is opening a charity shop up very soon It will be an idea time to clear that loft.

I have send all my books to a Charity shop mil was very shocked "but you love books". I now own 10 books all non fiction and use the library that's in my road.

I too am a ruthless declutterer and can honestly say , hand on heart, I have never thought 'Oh damn, if only I hadn't thrown out..' You won't miss ANY of it.

Keep what you love, keep what you use. And that's it.

If you lived near me I'd come round and help you, I love it!

Oh dear, am I the only hoarder on here?

Maybe it is a definition thing. Reading the OP I would never keep any "magazines I 'might' reread one day, clothes I might fit into, books I might lend to friends, old toys DS might regain interest in, CDs I might want to listen to.........." but I do have things like a box of old handbags which the DCs will play with. I will have no problem getting rid of these if we ever move to a house with no storage or when the DCs are older and perhaps no longer interested in that game.

Right, am inspired. We're (hopefully) moving soon and our house is bursting with crap we don't need/want. I've been doing some emotional work on myself and I wonder if physically clearing the space will help too...

Remember that it's not an all-or-nothing exercise. You don't have to throw everything out. Just be discerning about what you keep. I have a few bits of furniture in the garage that will look fabulous when we move to a bigger place, and some boxes of books that I love but can't store in our current flat. However, ordinary stuff (e.g. paperbacks, clothes I'm sick of) that is easily replaced goes to the charity shop or on Freecycle.

Charity shops are a godsend for lots of people on a budget. If that expensive skirt never really suited you, better someone who looks great in it wears it to a job interview than it sits in your wardrobe until your children call in the house clearance people when you die.

I've decided I am a "discerning hoarder"

Currently have a dad off realcycle taking apart the bed in our spare room its going to become DP studio. It has been used for lots of storage for the last year. Ive given away 10 bin bags of stuff to car booters off real cycle but probably have to give away just as much again b4 its a decent studio. This is actualy a small room just was floor to celling full.
Me and dp r both terriable horders but this is very inspiring thread!

I think I'd be a natural ruthless declutterer because I love the feeling of chucking away unwanted stuff if it wasn't for my laziness making me look like a hoarder.

Right, so far this morning I have cleared out a whole box of jewellery and put the lot in a bag for the charity shop. Am on a roll now. Books and clothes are next on the list.

It feels goooooooood.

Oh, and the bathroom cabinet is full of crappy toiletries that I get given for christmas and will never never use. So why do I still have it?

There must be some sort of psychological reason for all this clinging on to crap.

Old/unused toiletries are vile. If you really cannot face chucking them, you have to be super disciplined and make yourself use them all up before restocking. We have spontaneous generation of cosmetics in this houehold (DP runs a chain of cosmetics/health & beauty shops) and I am ruthless!

Have quite cheerfully just chucked the lot. (Actually, I might put some of it on freecycle or the like, there's quite a bit of baby lotion etc that we've never used.)

Have pared down my books. Clothes are next. Am on such a roll!