I did not grow up in the Leave it to Beaver world where everything is nice and tidy. We had “stuff”. My Mom always worked full-time outside the home, and even returned to college later in life. What went on in the house was what she took care of. Unfortunately, us kids never really helped out a lot and she never asked for it. She’s a quiet workhorse.
I recently assisted with helping my folks part with some of their “stuff” in the hopes of downsizing and moving. Thank goodness we had my sister who has been trained in organization and has the persuasive skills to pose questions about “options” on how to part with something that you no longer need. After almost sixty years of marriage you do get attached to items, even if it’s a plastic butter tub. Everything has a purpose and Mom has taken the purpose of “re-cycling items” to the Nth degree.
Mary Hunt is exactly right in detailing tips on getting organized. We found if Mom and Dad knew that something could be used by someone else they were willing to part with it. And if we didn’t know someone, we could always suggest it get donated to a thrift store. I think we filled up 3 thrift stores to the rafters. The technique of “like with like” was also repeated throughout the house. It shows you how many of that you really have – making it easier to let some go.
After the major overhaul was done – and items were removed it was if a weight was also removed. It was a very freeing experience for my folks and for us kids. It was a struggle to get there – but dang it was worth it.
Aside from the multitude of benefits to be gained from de-cluttering, getting organized and downsized using the tips below can earn you some extra cash or allow you to make valuable donations to worthy causes in meaningful ways when money is tight.
From Mary Hunt’s Everyday Cheapskate
Oh, To Be Organized
I have a theory that most of us would be more than willing to let go of the stuff that’s cluttering our homes if we knew these things would serve a worthwhile cause or help someone else.
Here are those worthwhile causes for your seven biggest clutter problems:
1. Vases, baskets, containers and anything else that held flowers you have received. If they’re cracked or broken, no one wants them. For the rest, take those in like-new condition to the closest flower shop to be recycled.
2. Excess dishes. If you do not use them at least once each year, sell them to an antiques dealer, or give them to a local thrift shop or the church’s annual rummage sale.
3. Pots and pans. Offer them to family members, take them to the thrift shop, or see if your church kitchen or camp could use some decent cookware.
4. Clothing. Can’t bring yourself to dump your good clothes into a collection bin? Find an organization with specific needs. Crisis pregnancy homes, battered women’s shelters and drug rehab centers are just a few of the places that will be so grateful to get gently used clothing that their clients can wear to job interviews. Beyond gently worn? Toss them. Now.
5. Books. If you’re keeping them for show, give it up. No one is impressed. Go straight to Cash4Books.net. If they’ll buy any, print out the prepaid mailing label and get those books into the mail. If not, donate books to your local library. What they cannot put on the shelves will help raise funds at the next library book sale.
6. Bibles and church literature. Call a local church or two and ask if they want them. If not, send them to the thrift shop.
7. Furniture. Place an ad in your local paper or post your items on CraigsList.com to sell them. If you want to give the stuff away, post on the website FreeCycle.org. Or call up the next fundraiser auction that comes along and ask if they will pick up your items. If your furniture is really as great as you think, it’ll be gone before you know it.
Because clutter and organization is a huge problem for many of us, here are more tips to help with the mess:
• Assign a “home” for everything you own, then put things away when you are finished using them. If something doesn’t have a home, perhaps it’s time to rethink that item.
• If you are having trouble parting with something and you want to save the memory of the item, consider taking a photo of it for future reference.
• Organize your kitchen pantry. Group like items together so you’ll know what you have and what needs to go on the grocery list. You’ll be amazed what’s lurking on your shelves.
• Go through your medicine cabinets twice a year (January and June) and throw away expired medications. Make a list of items you need to replace.
Some great suggestions for reducing clutter. Consigning and donating gently used items is a good way to move them out of your home and pass them along to someone who can use them. Other tips:
Sentimental items can be shared with long distance family members.
Store food items that will expire sooner towards the front of the pantry; use them first.
Check with your physician’s office about the proper way to discard expired medications.