Since 2004 we have lived in 5 different houses, 3 different states and one foreign country. We are getting ready to move again for the 6th time in 4 years. We are only moving across the street, but that still means gathering up all our stuff and taking it somewhere else. This past week I have been cleaning out my house like crazy, we took a van load of items to Goodwill and threw away at least that much too. I realized today while I was cleaning out my desk that I hadn’t even looked in many of the drawers since we moved the last time 7 months ago. Most of the stuff went into the trash. I started thinking… why do I only do this when I am moving, why do I hold on to things only to throw them away 6, 12 or 18 months later?
Part of the reason I save things is because I am thrifty, I like to save things just in case I can reuse them for something else. I hate to fill the garbage with items that someone can use!
I have realized though, that my saving things, in some cases causes me to spend more money. I have so much stuff in drawers and in my garage that I can’t find what I really need and buy things I already own.
From now on I plan on using much more discernment when I organize my house. If I don’t think I will use it in the next 6 months it will be donated, recycled or thrown away.
One day I won’t be moving so frequently, I need to get organized now and stay organized. This will benefit me the next time I move as well as keep my house clutter free for years to come.
For more Smart Habit Saturday visit Lara’s blog.
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hahaha! That’s good advice! I am personally more of a “let’s just throw this away, please” kind of person at heart. But my dh is the opposite, so I still live in clutter! LOL
I would rather give it away, too. Rather than throw it away. I like giving things away.
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Taking inventory is a great way to keep track of things, but it sure helps if you get rid of a lot first, LOL! One time, I decided to put my spices in order and found out I had 3 jars of cinnamon–I’d bought the second two as the previous ones were ‘lost.’
Hey, I found something in a magazine that you might like: http://www.packandfind.com
Apparently, this is a free site where you keep track of things. I haven’t checked it out yet, but I think you make lists of where things are: Box under stairs: Christmas linens, for ex. So in December, all you have to do is type in “Christmas linens” and it will tell you where they are. Sounds pretty cool!
Yes, that was a new banner on my blog. Those are the gerbera daisies Mike and the kids gave me for Mother’s Day. And thanks for the sweet comment about the little jumpsuit I made!
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This is such a good idea…I haven’t moved nearly as much as you have but it’s so stressful to go through the stuff and decide what to keep and what to get rid of….
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I am going to jump into the decluttering mode too! It’s been awhile since I’ve done an entire house declutter…since I started Flylady years ago I guess. But we are going to completely remodel the kitchen in 2 wks, so if I have to pack it up, might as well declutter it too!
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Hi I was just over to a blog called 5 J’s and you posted a question on how to permanent marker from dry erase boards…. I have that answer and I bet you have it too =-) All you have to do it take your regular dry eraser board marker, color over the permanent marker and rub off with a cloth. It work, I have done it once or twice =-) Rub off while the marker is still wet.
Peace & Happiness,
Dana
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I need to do this too.
Wow, that’s a lot of moving!
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