OT: Clutter

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2006
OT: Clutter
7
Sat, 05-31-2008 - 8:12am
This is kinda of off topic (ot). I'm moving again in 90 days and I don't want to move everything again. I will be using a moving company this time, it wouldn't be fair to have my dad & bro come down again. I was curious on how do you dwindle down the clutter?

Jenny

Jenny

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2004
In reply to: countrygirlne
Sat, 05-31-2008 - 10:05am

I move every two to three years.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2008
In reply to: countrygirlne
Sat, 05-31-2008 - 10:51am

I try to categorize things into "sell, donate or throw out."

Avatar for mahopac
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-1997
In reply to: countrygirlne
Sat, 05-31-2008 - 3:52pm

I am always looking for ways to cut the clutter. With a family of 5, it is essential. I can always find things to contribute to a used toy or clothing or book drive, and I declutter clothes seasonally. In your case, however, since you have to do "crisis decluttering," you just have to be efficient. The number one thing you don't want to do is have a yard sale because of the work involved.

Take books to the book donation box at the library.

Take all your bottles and cans back to the recycling center. Same with magazines, newspapers, catalogs, etc.

Go through all the clothes and accessories for your family, and if they weren't worn within the last year, donate them to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, or whoever else takes them. However, if they are not good enough to be sold, just throw them out.

Dishes, glasses, pots & pans, and small housewares can go to them too.

Towels & sheets can go to an animal shelter or vet's office.

Toys are trickier. If you are near a hospital, family daycare, Head Start, Boys & Girls Club, or the like, they may want them. If not, put them in a big box on your lawn, along with the old tricycles and bicycles and Little Tikes stuff, and put a big FREE sign in front of your house.

Drag the furniture and rugs you don't want to the front of the house and put a big FREE sign in front of them.

In fact, anything else you don't want, do the same.

Hope that helps, and good luck with your move!

Kelly

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2005
In reply to: countrygirlne
Sat, 05-31-2008 - 8:03pm

Not a suggestion, just a story.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
In reply to: countrygirlne
Sun, 06-01-2008 - 10:32pm

One of my favorite resources is freecycle. You can check on www.freecycle.org to find a group in your area. I pretty much got rid of stuff exclusively that way in my recent move. It's also a great place to find boxes if you need some.

Peg

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
In reply to: countrygirlne
Mon, 06-02-2008 - 8:23am
Thanks for the tip on the boxes. We may be moving soon, and I was trying to think of places to get boxes. I'll definitely check on Freecycle!
baby in clothes basket
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
In reply to: countrygirlne
Mon, 06-02-2008 - 11:45am
Clutter. Well, DH and I try to declutter a few times a year. The last time, we rented a service where they can take anything without a lot of added costs--i.e., old computers, fridge, old stove/microwave, wood (termites), fence (termites and dry rot), etc.