We had a big yard sale last month, for two weekends (well, the first weekend we only had it one day, got rained out...). We got rid of a lot, and donated a bunch of boxes of stuff (ours, MIL's and my sister's) to the goodwill. We need to do another de-cluttering, we're just holding on to wayyy too much, and with the upcoming birthdays/holidays (mine, 4.5 y.o. ds's and Christmas), more stuff will be coming in (we get mostly gift certificates/money from relatives, which we'll use to get items we've been wanting for awhile-ie. pyrex storage containers to replace tupperware...). I think both dh & I have a hard time letting go. Childhood items. Clothes. Stuffed animals (k, this is me, where I'm like "my best friend when I was 14 gave that to me before she moved away.."). Misc. items that I think "someday, one of the boys might be able to use this in a craft". Ugh. Help me. I am in a funk, I need to get rid of stuff to simplify even more. But it's hard when I see something and think I should be able to sell it instead of give it away. We don't want to have another yard sale this year. I'm not holding onto this stuff for another year to sell later. So do I just bite my lip and donate it all? Unless it might go on ebay? lol. Is getting simplifed sooner more worth it than the few $$ it might make (especially when finding the time to take pics, and list...)

i am not expert on decluttering by any means
(was finally able to throw out 10year old spices, my dad's old clothes - he died four years ago - etc). yes, i had the stuffed doll that my first boyfriend gave me lol.

BUT i find it easier to only list fs stuff that i know will sell - baby stuff in my area and just give/lend nursing/maternity stuff that was too good to throw away.
what nobody wanted, i either donated or threw away.
for me simplifying was worth more than the $$ it may bring.

Hope - mamathyme - has been such an inspiration and encourager :heart: in this.

the only catch now is too not pick up/accept/buy any more things or books that are not needed. i don't want to do this decluttering thing again!

hths

Donation can make a big difference in your tax return, if you take the time to record what you donate. We use a computer program "It's Deductable" that calculates the thrift shop worth of each item and keeps track of your impact on your tax return. I make a list of our donations, each piece (almost), item, brand, size, condition, and take digital photos of each bagfull (spread the items around the bag marked #1, #2, etc.) This documentation, along with the donation receipt, and the software really has increased our tax returns.
Good luck decluttering - seems like that's all we do lately! :D
Sonya

I am in the same boat right now.
I am hooked on the t.v. show "Clean Sweep" which I find to be really motivating.
I am thinking of just getting rid of the stuff now.
I figure for the amount of money I may get selling on e-bay or taking to a consignment store--I'd get more worth
spending the time with my beautiful 3 month old daughter or spouse.

Trust me Just DOnate!!!

It will help clear your house, but more importantly it clears our mind a lot!!

Originally posted by JAmico314
Trust me Just DOnate!!!

It will help clear your house, but more importantly it clears our mind a lot!!

Yeah, that! I had a yardsale and donated the leftovers, and I feel WONDERFUL!!!! I feel so free, and I am finding even more stuff now that I can do without that I am donating. I love this feeling. Now, if only dh would get rid of more stuff:rolleyes:

If you do have a consignment shop where you can drop off clothes and such, it might be worth the effort! It requires a LOT less than listing to sell online (IMO).
I took a huge load of clothes back in the spring to a consign.shop, and yesterday was able to pick up a check that covers our groceries for the week. :-)

but if there is anything say a consignment shop would take I would take it there. Now I am expecting my 5th so I always ask for store credit because they give you more than if you take a check but that's up to you.

Another thing to look into which doesn't require much effort is to look in the phone book for a womens shelter. They accept toys and baby equipment and clothing (women and children) and sometimes small housewares. When you donate to them you can really know you are directly improving someone's life!

Aren't we blessed to have such abundance?

Warmly,
Debra

Originally posted by volvomom

Aren't we blessed to have such abundance?


How true. :thumbsup:

Aren't we blessed to have such abundance?

[/B]


Oh goodness yes! It amazes me when people can complain that they have nothing when they clearly have a house (apartment etc.) stuffed to the gills with STUFF. Of course stuff might not be what they need...anyways...


We went through the boy's toys again, organized, pulled some to donate, cleaned out the computer room, and I went through all my jars/containers I had saved and picked some to recycle. Also went through the sippy cups/kids dishes and pulled about 8 sippy cups to donate,lol. I have taken things to a consignment shop before but was seriously appalled at the amount that we got back. I think I'll still try to ebay some in the fall when things on there pick up a bit! I need to clean out my closet and the cubby/closet/shelved area we call the "hole under the stairs",lol.

We're getting there!