I’m a professor. You might be surprised how many college students are currently living in poverty. If you live close to a college, you might check with them to see if they have a food pantry or household/clothing closet you could support with your decluttered items.
Recently, I got a big jar, labeled it, “Just Do It”, and every time I think of something that I “should do one day”, I write it on a small piece of paper, fold it, and put it in the jar. Every day, I pull at least one paper from the jar. The only rule is that I MUST do it…no excuses. And no putting it back and drawing out another, either lol 😆. I write things like: Clean out Bathroom Drawers, Organize Junk Drawer, organize my Hanging Clothes, Clean off Top of Fridge, etc… it’s so cool how much I’m accomplishing!!
I think the message of decluttering needs to always be accompanied with a message about buying less. Donating is fine but a lot of the extra stuff at Goodwill also ends up in a land fill. Buy/consume less and you need to donate/sell/trash less.
Exactly, we need to buy less crap in the first place. Production of all the unnecessary stuff is very bad for the environment, not just the disposal of it.
A little tip for towels and linnens: donate them to an animal shelter! They can always use materials to make cozy little beds for all their dogs and cats ❤ I've workee in shelters myself and noticed it always came in handy. Especially materials like cozy old fleece blankets and stuff, but any linnen or towels will do!
I've been in the same home since 1983. Found some veggie seeds dated expiration date of 1984 🤣 And went ahead and tried to plant them and over 50% actually came up.
I'm 71 and trying to rid my life of unnecessary items. You give such logical and easy to understand information and thank you for that. My new way of thinking has become, "Turn it loose. You don't need it and somewhere in the world is a person looking for that item. It's their turn!"
I'm 61 and doing the same thing. My stuff traps me! But after 2 bouts of cancer, I promised my family I wouldn't leave a full house. I'm trying to keep that promise. "turn it loose." I like that!
Just a suggestion for those who don’t want to throw out user manuals and warranty cards for some items. Get yourself a 3-ring binder and some clear sheet protectors. Put all paperwork for each item in its own sheet protector. It can be alphabetical to make things easier. Hope this helps!
Yes, it definitely helps. I do this with bills, menus, and other things. Have a few binders, and recycle ♻️ all the paperwork once finished. I deleted my name, address & other personal details.
When my mom passed on, we found she had a hundred pairs of earrings. I put them in little metal cannisters with clear lids and put them on a table at her memorial. Every woman at the memorial got to pick out a pair of earrings to remember her by.
My suggestion is to do it while your body is healthy! Age does effect your ability to accomplish these tasks! It is taking my husband and I twice as long. I’ve promised myself to schedule regular maintenance!
Yes. Older, ill, injured or chronically in pain, failing eyes sight, can all interfere with our thinking skills and physical abilities to manage this task.
Yes. Also those with severe daily chronic pain (that affects their ability to function), ADHD, and autism make it really difficult to know what to let go of. But if it takes me a year it takes me a year. At least I'll be a happier future me with less junk.
Me too . . Took me all day to declutter my guest room/office/craft room. I didn’t sit very much so it was good exercise but boy was I sore and tired at days end! LOL
You can have art on the walls, books on the shelves and crafting supplies and still be a minimalist. Minimalism is not about getting rid of things you enjoy. It's about getting rid of the other stuff so that you can focus on the things that you enjoy.
I was just listening to some other videos and I love crafting and making my own decorations but I don't jump on the haul bandwagon and go overboard but I was getting a little sad about getting rid of my stuff. I love to cook as well and bake and I do need items that I have to have and may only use it once a month or so. We also have ping pong tournaments once a month with certain friends and I have to have certain serving items and barware and such. It is what is keeping us from going crazy during these hard times. I have downsized a lot in other areas but certain areas, I just tried but can't. Thanks for pointing this out. I feel so much better.
A sidenote on the spices (#2): you can check if spices are still tasty and giving of scent. If they do, don't toss them out, even if they are past their sell by date. You can still use them!
I don't think any of mine have smelled like much when they're past the best before! But definitely the sniff test is far more telling. Sometimes they taste like absolutely nothing!
I discovered as a student that most of my parents’ spice collection had not been used in over 15 years. But at least ¾ were still very flavourful and fine to use! The same applies to tea.
I took my old costume jewelry that had been handed down through the years from relatives after they passed. I took it, broke it all up and recreated them into large initial letters on a suede background then framed them & gifted them at Christmas. First name initials & some last name initials. The recipient was very happy with the gift & got a piece of Grandma's jewelry & the jewelry is no longer hidden in a box somewhere not being loved or appreciated.
As someone who works at a Nursing Home, I recommend donating your magazines, books, shampoo, conditioners, soaps, adult size clothes (other sized clothes to Homeless Shelters), blankets, rags, hand towels, bath towels, pillow cases, interactive games, etc. I know I also get random magazines I didn't sign up for Kallie and I went ahead and donated them to the Nursing Home. Residents get bored and having things to grab and look at is great.
@@imnotkidding6768 I would imagine that they would allow you to drop it off by the door with a mask & probably by appointment. Sorry for the late reply.
@@mariselramos4064 I would imagine that they would allow you to drop it off by the door with a mask & probably by appointment. Sorry for the late reply.
A women's shelter is another place good for donations. The one I used to give to had a "library" of office clothes for job searching. Really a good way to help.
I have been a client in the past at a women's shelter. I appreciated so much all of the free stuff that I was given. A few months later, I lost the baby I was carrying. I donated all her things (crib, clothing, blankets, I had it all) to the same women's shelter that had helped me. It made me feel a bit better during the worst time of my life.
One final thought: I bought stuff for the person I *wanted* to be. I have dishes enough for a huge family dinner, but (a) I don't cook, and (b) my family live all over the country, so getting together is difficult. Very hard to get rid of the wishful thinking, but I'm getting there!
Amen! Parting with things makes me struggle with thoughts of failure and inadequacy. These things are ideas that I thought I could make work but got distracted and never took it past 50%
Once a year I take all of my jar candles, melt them down, get wicks from the craft store, and make another 1-2 or 3 full candles! The smells from these combined candles is always changing which is nice! I also use all of the florals to make one scent, all of the Christmas candles to make another, etc!
I use extra cute mugs as planters! So cute for succulents and small plants. I put small plastic pots inside on pebbles so there's drainage, if needed. 👍🏻
Another idea you can do for mugs is use them for pens on a desk. I had an old mug I loved the look of but never really used so I chucked all my pens in it and put it on my desk 🥰
Love the 1 in, 1 out rule. I had to do that big time with my closet. Then it led to "wow, I have so much crap, I think I'll start doing 1 in, 2 out". And true, parenthood DEFINITELY makes you reexamine your clothing and it's practical application...
I always do the 1 in & 2 out rule, that’s allowed me to simplify my life with simplicity and no stress. So for 1 humidifier I purchase, I might grab 1 dish cloth & 1 pair of socks then place those in the Goodwill or other box for either drop off or pickup.
Seems like the best decluttering tip is-don’t buy so many things. I know others buy us things, but the majority of items were purchased by ourselves and probably bought impulsively. Save time and money by buying less stuff.
I used to impulse buy or go shopping just to go But after the past two years I find I can get away with so much less! I’m retired now so a lot is leaving! My weaknesses are shoes and quilting fabric. Since I have more than enough shoes, I’m donating many, cleaning out closets and I’m starting to feel much freer. I want to finish by the holidays.
linens, blankets and towels can be used by many animal shelters. The dogs and cats don't care if there is a hole, stain, broken elastic, fading or mismatched sets!
I can echo this. Had a clean out last year and rang my local cat haven to see whether they’d be interested - they were THRILLED with my faded towels and bedraggled blankets.
For mugs that are sentimental don’t pack them away! Use them for pens or as a planter etc! I’m a potter and I make ALOT of mugs! I love my mug collection!!!
Best tip, do a no spend for a month. Just pay bills and shop the food you already have. It opened my eyes to just how much for tiny things cost. How much extra food we buy, a lot for some of us. Live like you have no extra money other then for bills. For those in the boat that even this is hard, hang in there.
linens and towels. When we were building a new house after the previous one burned down, I purchased two sets of sheets for each person, and also two sets of towels (bath, hand, washcloth) I found that was all we needed. You really find out what you don't need after a fire destroys everything.
I was taught by Flylady to think about what i would grab if a bushfire/brushfire was coming (i live in rural southeastern NSW Australia) or i needed to evacuate. I started a list but reading your comment has given me the extra motivation to really finish it and gather the things i need and love and get rid of the extra stuff. I hope you are able to find the things you need and things that bring you peace, joy and comfort. Im sorry that you lost your house and sentimental items. I suggest any stories about the things you lost could be written down in a notebook or journal so the memories are kept. Sending blessings from Southeastern Australia, Dot
@@dotcassilles1488 the only thing that mattered was the family. Everything else was replaceable. However, even if there is a fire plan in place it is different when one talks about it in a safe area then when there are flames engulfing your home and you need to find a way out.
I had a towel so old and ravel edged I use instead of a bath mat cause they're too bulky. But once at laundromat I think someone felt sorry for me cause after they left they left a nice beige towel behind lol.
LOL about Tupperware. Though as a former Tupperware rep, I will say that it is definitely possible to replace missing lids. There’s a code on the bottom that indicates the right size lid. If you don’t want to replace them, please donate them, so someone else can find the match they need. Brand name Tupperware has a pretty much forever warrantee, so please don’t throw them in the trash!
@@tomaszwyszkowski2253 Good. Me too. But I did sometimes heat food in microwave in Tupperware. Also I have let food cool down in it before refrigerating. Not anymore.
CANDLE TIPS - Always trim the wick of your candle to 1/4" before burning, burn it at least until the entire top goes liquid (takes approx.1 hour per inch of width with a single wick candle. If you can't commit to this, don't light it), never blow out candle, either push wick over into wax with old fork and restraighten and center, or suffocate with lid to jar to extinguish, keep candle trimmed during burning (extinguish, trim, relight) to avoid black soot from forming on jar and entering your home and lungs.
Why should a candle never be blown out 😮 ? I've read that many times over the yrs but no explanation as to why not. Extinguish, trim , relight. I never realized there was so much "maintenance" w/ candles. Maybe that's why I've had difficulty enjoying mine & rarely use/used them due to reluctance . Curious but want to learn as well. Thank you 😊
That’s really good advice. I never knew about them needing to be maintained. I thought when they burned real quick it was because the quality wasn’t good enough and you also taught me how to keep that suit from happening when I try to smother them. Thank you.
Decluttering can be a challenge. But start with two things a day. Open a drawer or a closet and remove two things. It does get easier. Donate, reuse, recycle.
I do this for a while then somehow get out of the habit when I travel or something. Thank you for the reminder that I could potentially be rid of about 700+ items a year by doing simply this! Most are truly no brainers.
@@1984Skynet Thank you! I needed that information because I am hard of hearing and need slower speech. This video was perfect, enunciation very clear and voice a very listenable pitch.
A few years ago I switched to storing my plasticware with the lids on. Yes, it does take up more space but I have never lost a lid since I switched. Not one! A bonus... you don't need as much of it when it is all matched and usable.
I purchased different sized glass bowls with plastic lids and got rid of all Tupperware. I store them with lids on. You can see what’s in them in fridge, they stack and the glass does great in dishwasher and microwave.
Decluttering under my kitchen and bathroom sinks was so satisfying and I loved how clean they were that it has profoundly changed my buying habits. I resist buying anything I haven't used before and it has stayed clean for over a year now!
Years ago a friend gave me a great way of deciding about getting rid of clothes. Anything that you’ve been “hanging on to” or if you don’t know how often you wear it, turn the hanger backwards on the rack. When you wear something, rehang, correctly. After 6 months, or amount of time you want, any hanger still backwards needs to go. This works great for me.
@@TheSofres yes I’ve been using the Trader Joe’s organic coconut oil on my feet and it is amazing. I do love the lotions that smell good but they’re probably not really good for our skin. I hope you have a blessed rest of your week!
@@cherryrosesingingcovers9001 thank you ma’am and I’m trying to use all of my cleaners and cleansers before I purchase new ones even if they don’t work so well so I can save more money. But I do find myself scrubbing a little harder sometimes…🤣 i’m not going to be buying scrubbing bubbles anymore it just doesn’t work as well as The Lysol gel toilet bowl cleaner. I’ve been using that for my bathtub to clean too. and it works like gangbusters… I’m 49 years old how did I not realize this until now😅 have a great rest of yer week😀
Another tip buy travel size bottles and top them up from bigger bottles I keep a wash bag made up with stuff in these bottles when they're empty I refill :)
I use old clothing items that are too worn to give away and cut them up into strips and make braided rugs. It's a great hobby! During Covid times, I made 4 and used up all old pjs, tee shirts, sheets and fabric scraps! And they were beautiful!
@@donnafrei8062 There are lots on line but I copied what I had observed my first grade teacher/neighbor do years ago. Cut strips about 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide. I used a manual rotary cutter on a sewing board as it's quicker than scissors. Fold strips so frayed sides meet in middle and use a small zigzag stitch on the sewing machine to bind them up. BRAIDING: Attach strips together endwise to make several feet of this material. Find colors and patterns you like together and sew three of the strips together at one end. Attach that end with a tight rubber band to a chair post etc and begin braiding (just like you would hair) using medium pressure. RUNNER TYPE RUG Then after you have enough length, begin sewing two braids together using a larger zigzag stitch. You make your individual braids the length you want your rug. And then zigzag them together. ROUND OR OBLONG RUG: You just keep coiling a single braid to the shape you want and with a zigzagging stitch, sew it together. I prefer the round rug as it puckered less and I just basted off the end to use it over the summer. I'll add more to it this coming winter!
Fantastic video. One month ago I started with going through my garage. Purchased clear plastic containers & organized & grouped everything. I either sold or donated my dulplicates. Then I started on my house. I cannot believe how much better I feel everytime I drive in my garage or open one of my closets. I think twice before I purchase anything now. If I don't love it, it does not enter my home.
You absolutely don't have to throw away spices when they "expire". If they're dry, bug-free, and kept in sealed containers to prevent aroma fading - ain't nothin happening to them. It's so wasteful to throw it away. That being said, if you're not using something, you can definitely donate it to a charity kitchen - spices is actually something they would be very glad of, as usually it's not something they'd splash on.
I would add to that if the expired dried spice like basil is discolored or grey then it's also OK to get rid of even if it's expired because I use expired spices all the time but now I just don't buy as many because I know what I use
If anything they lose potency, because those plastic containers are NOT sealed air tight, but I just use more then, and that way eventually I'll run out all the sooner, so I can replace them with fresh spices. I tend to stock up when I find great sales on things that are seasonally popular, and then my back stock has probably had some outdated spices, but I still use them regularly, I just use more!..... And now that I've written that, I realize this might actually defeat my purpose of buying bulk on sale...🤔
I do this. I have a makeup traveling case (a vintage Samsonite) and I keep all that I need, except current medications, so that I just pick it up and go. It has shampoo, lotion, Qtips, face cream, brush, tooth brushes, toothpaste, OTC, sunscreen, etc. All I add is my medications and it's ready to go. When I get back, I check to see what needs to be re-supplied or changed out and put it away for the next trip. I keep a beach/pool bag the same way. It's got sunscreen, flipflops, hat, beach towels, a small pillow. I keep those beach bags ready to go. At the beginning of the season, I make sure I have new sunscreen because I don't want ineffective sunscreen.
I keep travel items that don't "get old" in my suitcase; but I don't travel much, so some things would expire/dry up. Instead, I typed a very specific list of all the essentials I need while traveling. I keep a printed copy in my suitcase ready to be used for the next trip. I used to hate packing because my mind would whirl around trying to remember those little items like ear plugs and spare contact lenses and my neck pillow for the plane. Now when I pack, I don't have to think, "What do I need?" "What was that thing I forgot last time and then needed?" (I did that for so many years! It was so frustrating.) It's so much easier to just go through my list and check things off.
As a senior, I feel blessed that I had to declutter before I moved long distance several years ago. I've noticed that "things" creep in slowly & we need to declutter again & again. Both of my parents & my husband who were all hoarders in their own way have all passed away over the span of several years leaving just me to deal with their "stuff"!! It was overwhelming! In dealing with their stuff, I vowed NOT to burden my only child with my junk. I currently live in a senior complex. My sweet daughter comes over several times a month & helps me. As I going through various areas to declutter, I set the items in a tote & first have her go through the things to see if she wants/needs any of it, The leftover items are put in a community area for anyone who wants it to grab. My daughter is amazed that she keeps putting things out through out the day & everything is usually GONE! This way I'm helping my neighbors, not having the burden of taking it somewhere & my place is getting decluttered!! LOVED YOUR VIDEO & THE GREAT IDEAS!!
I hear ya! We moved cross-country two years ago and got rid of most of our stuff. Well, we just did another huge purge this month, and could do one again. Where does all this stuff come from??!! LOL We do have a really neat little thrift shop in our new hometown, run by seniors, and we've given them a bunch of stuff. They also give stuff to people if they find out about a need, and I'm really happy to help support them in that. People need to help others out when they can, right? :-)
I feel your pain about a year-and-a-half ago I got serious about decluttering I got everything organized labeled and got rid of a ton of things I didn't need I even got my closet down to a dull Roar and then my aunt died somehow everyone thought I needed her clothes things from her kitchen and everywhere else around the house I tried to refuse some things a family member said don't you want to hang on to this for your aunt I felt like I didn't have a choice and my mother visits often so I'm afraid if I get rid of things she will notice but I don't want to leave my kids to go through all this it feels like I did all that work for nothing
@@dawnjackson6299 Oh, I feel for you. When my parents died I got a lot of stuff of theirs (that I don't really need) And that was my own doing. It is hard to not take things if you have a sentimental attachment If you don't have the attachment, box up some of the things you don't want. If your mom says anything say that you have it all ready for HER! It's worth a try and she might not even notice & then you can send it on it's way.
@@vickieg8791 I think you're right some things I do have an attachment to I loved My Aunt very much but my house is too small I really don't have a need for everything maybe I can use this pandemic time too thin it out even more I'm just so overwhelmed thanks for the advice
Wait... people throw away change? It’s money.. why would you do that? If you truly don’t need / care about it give it away. There’s plenty of people who need that change.
I have a little piggybank and my change goes in there. When it is full, i open it up and exchange it at the bank. You will be surprised how much you accumulate. Also look at how much change you will find in the street. People actually drop small denominations either on purpose or accidentally.
I retired two years ago. I still have my office clothes, office shoes and lots of costume jewelry. My daughter and granddaughter dont want any of it so I must pack it up for the thrift shop. It's hard to say goodbye to the shoes---a desert-dwelling stay at home pajama-wearing artist does not need high heels anymore, lol!
Universities/colleges might have a professional attire donation program for students who can’t afford professional attires! It’s always a good idea to donate them there :)
I have found 2 things to be completely true: everything fashionwise eventually comes back in style; & after I have tossed an item I will need said item within 1 week. Never fails!
I put my stuff in a box and leave it for 2 weeks or so. That way I’m sure I don’t need it before I donate it. I always have the urge to get rid of everything!
Old styles do come back but it's never quite the same and looks dated. I agree with you though on throwing something out and invariably within a very short period of time needing that very same item.
thecatatemyhomrwork is right! Styles return about every 20 years but never in the exact way...color, cut, stitching etc vary. There is a saying that if you wore it when it was first in style you are probably too old to wear it when it comes around again. Get rid of it. Free up space. Vintage shoppers will love it. Now I need to take my own advice. 🤭
Every single one of these things I automatically do and I'm glad to hear someone make a video about it. You can't go shopping every week and bring bagfuls into your home unless bag fulls are going out or you're a hoarder. Plus you can help other people by giving away the things you don't use. Great video
Whenever I have a bunch of loose change, I put as much of it in my wallet as possible, and when I go to the store next, I use self checkout and dump all my change into that to pay for my groceries. It take forever, but unlike those coin machines, they don't take 10% or so of the profits or you don't need to roll them up to give ymto your bank to deposit. Easiest solution to mass amounts of change in my opinion.
Bank of America will take your change without rolling them up if your already a customer that has accounts with them. Please check with your bank. It does take a week to be counted towards your balance though.
When I moved 2 years ago, I *thought* I purged. When unpacking boxes, I thought to myself, I actually paid somebody to move this so I could donate it in my new town?! Hahaha
When I have candles that get low I melt them in a pot of water on the stove and when they are liquid I pour them in to old wax melt containers and then use them in my warmers.
Easier way to do this is to put them in the freezer for about 2 hours take them out you should be able to bang them on a countertop on the wax will pop right out in a convenient disc I let that warm up to room temperature and then cut it up to use for my wax melts
I did a good job a few years back when I was into minimalism, but over the past few years, while I finished my bachelor's and almost my master's degree, the clutter came back. This was a great reminder of LOTS of things I still need to declutter. Thank you.
Great advice I needed for my current “Downsizing “ move due to my husband & mother both passing away recently. I always said “ You don’t realize what you have, till you move”
My tip for buying souvenirs - If you must get them only buy MAGNETS. You can put them on the side of the fidge, they dont take up space and are on show instead of tucked away in the back of a cupboard.
Haha I figured this out and my fridge has awesome magnets from around the world but I still have A LOT of coffee mugs in my cupboard from before I learned that they would be souvenirs that took up so much space! 🤣🤣
I don't know about throwing out expired spices that quickly. Some last quite awhile after the expiration date. One way to tell if it still have a strong flavor is to rub a little in your palm and smell to see how potent it is.
@@gitelblima my local police station has a drop off box to safely dispose medicine. I usually keep medicine 1-2 year's after exp date. Once I started having UTI full blown symptoms and took antibiotic expired 3years ago and it did its job without fail. with spices, when they lose their flavour or scent or when garlic powder clumps or sticks together for instance then I toss.
But on that topic: A Sell-by date is *not* the same as an expiration date. So, as you said, if it still smells/tastes good/potent, you can still use it; go ahead and prioritize its use in order to use it up, but the numbers are only a guide :)
@@sarasorensen2650 Maybe try listing ones you just aren't using on Freecycle? Craig's List? eBay Kleinanzeigen? or whatever the local equivalent of "here's a free thing -- who wants it?" is :)
I think first step is to NOT buy what you don't need, you seem to have an impulsive shopper in the house... Second, use what you have in you pantry before going food shopping, I really hate to see good food go to waste... Be creative with it, use those spices, lol. They don't really go bad, just less flavor, so add a little more. I got into the habit of taking the condiment pouches out of the take out bags, you're right they're not great so why take them home? Less waste all around. As for rarely use glassware, again be creative! They don't have to be single purpose. I frequently use my stemware for dessert. And, they would cost a lot to replace should you want some later. Lifestyle do change.
I agree with you about the spices. Terrible advice & waste of money. Sell by date has nothing to do with expiration. I have spices that are a couple of years old.
@@wlknonsonshine , some people have spices in their cabinets from the 1990's!! I think it's different if your spice is just months outdated versus being years even decades old.
I'm guilty of keeping old spices. What I have started to do is tell the fast food places no to napkins, plastic ware and condiments I won't use. Sriracha and soy sauce packets I will definitely hoard (and use)
If you have kids, you have extended family... you will have more than you need. Christmas presents, Birthday presents, and vacations and before you know it your kids have received more than they need. When it's within your power try not to add to the stash by using the money to buy clutter free gifts like movie tickets, a trip to the zoo, cash, etc. Spend time with them, they appreciate that more in the long run, at least young children do.
Also, if you live in poverty - or have escaped it - it's imperative to get rid of the "we might need it someday and won't have the money to get it" mindset! Very refreshing.
I can totally relate. My mom is this way. Even though she's never been homeless, she always thought this way. I can even recall decades ago asking why she didn't give away an old winter coat after she got a new one, and she seriously said she might need it some day to keep her warm if she ended up on a park bench. Even though she was raised in a middle class home and never went hungry. Not sure where that sense of need came from, but it's never left her.
@@sharonsomers My mom grew up _on a farm._ During the Great Depression (1930's). So she got a double-dose of that "Use it up, Wear it out, Don't throw it away!" philosophy.
I so agree. My father never changed his mindset. He always says "I might need it in the future; lets cut that cord of the microwave", or "You should keep that car part, you will have it when the one in your car goes bad". No, thanks dad, I don't have room to keep it. He has a lot of room so he keeps everything, and when he needs stuff, he can't find them, so he buys a new ones. It never ends.
I have noticed this mindset even in myself. My grandmother was a hoarder and I have noticed a very similar mindset in a lot of my family. None of us have very been what I thought of as poverty stricken. Maybe some hard times or whatever (we all have it feom time to time) but no major poverty.
There were so many things I wanted to let go of but hesitated. Watching this video gave me that extra push, the permission ,making it okay to let it go. Very encouraging
Hotel sample shampoos, soaps and creams are great for the homeless. I never give cash, but I make little bags of these types of things with hand warmers and chapstick in the winter.
Ask people without homes what they want, they can't carry anything they don't absolutely need. The shelters nearly always need the soaps and shampoos. I also offer water which I always carry with me for that purpose.
Okay, THIS was the BEST decluttering video I have EVER seen! Every person needs to watch this! I watched every second, and I will save it and watch again every time I need inspiration to clean. I am subscribed! You are AWESOME!!!! Also, I am the only person on both sides of my family that is NOT a hoarder. So I will also be sending this video to them and every person I know. Thank you so much! I know these things, but most of these things I actually have trouble getting rid of too. Now if I can just get my husband to watch this.. yeah right. ❤
7:40 - But why does it have to be on trend? If you like a clothing item, even if it's not on trend, you should keep it. You should get rid of it because YOU don't like it. Not because the trend doesn't like it.
Exactly! Thats what gets people into these cluttered spaces. Same for make up junkies. Always wanting a new better trend. Just get what you like and use it to death.
I'm not sure where the "holding onto stuff in our closet because we SHOULD wear it" comes from for other people. I know where it comes from with me. I was raised by a child of the great depression. Let me tell you, that experience of poverty was hard on folks. They developed habits of using things until they fell apart, handing things down until they fell apart - you get the idea. Nothing wrong with that! I have adapted a system like that in raising my children, of sorts, for thrifting excellent quality items and taking good care of them. But my mom would wear something that she hated or had flaws, rather than throw out a perfectly good (insert ugly, outdated blouse here, in an unflattering color). It made for closets that had clutter issues, and needed help. I'm a packrat, no doubt, but I'm trying. I really am. :)
I love it that viewers are providing great ideas for ways to recycle unneeded items. I can more easily part with my stuff if I think it’s going somewhere useful.
My biggest stumbling block is guilt over adding to the landfills. Everything I can donate or personally give to someone else, I do -- but it tends to ride around in my truck for weeks and sometimes comes back into the house! I'm also hanging onto things that are broken but theoretically fixable, and tiny little whatsits that don't seem to belong to anything, because I don't want to contribute to humanity's refuse problem. I had an epiphany last week about the garbage guilt. I'm so burdened by the idea of adding to the waste problem that I have chosen to keep the landfill in my home. It's still waste, it's just cluttering up my life instead of being elsewhere.
so i spent the first half of my day doing nothing but mindlessly scrolling through TH-cam…. but oh my, this video got me going on a cleaning spree! i feel so much more satisfied with my day and productive now. I love this video and the fact that it was very well rounded and not just one specific space was great. great work!! 😁
For the cables, work backwards. Instead of trying to match cables to appliances, match appliances to cables. Go and look at every electronic item in your home and ideally it should have its cable stored with it. Once every electronic has its cable, you can then confidently get rid of everything else.
i just keep extras of iphone charger because i use them daily or they break or i want one at home, one at work, one in my sports bag stored with a power bank so that i never run out of battery. i also keep one in my suitcase for travel. nowadays most appliances come wizh the sane power cord, usb c or usb b, so i have some of those because they go with everything. i sold some extra cables though because i dont need 10, i need maybe 3-4. the really outdated ones, i tossed. like from my nokia from 2001 😂
I did a thing where I boxed up both “mystery cables” and “mystery keys” for a year. Once I proved to myself that I never had to go into that box for an item, I pitched the box.
I have a keyboard that I'm searching for the DC cord. I know I must have it but I haven't found it yet. I have taking to labeling my Kindle cord, and other phone cords.
My mother in law, may she rest in peace, once tried to give me some knick knack off her table and when I said "why mom are you getting rid of that, its beautiful" her answer was "I'm going to shed before I'm dead" and now I use that motto in my mind whenever I'm thinking of getting rid of something.
After cleaning out my mom’s condo when she passed away far too young I made the decision that I wouldn’t hoard things and would give everything away so as not to be a burden to my own kids.
I'm trying to do that also with this ladies ideas and CLUTTERBUGS Cas from Canada. I'm a LADYBUG with ADHD so organizing and decluttering can be difficult! ADHD CAN BE A GIFT AND!! A CURSE!!
I am a clutter bug so is my husband. At age 71,I'm really overwhelmed and want to clean out the house. I need to get my husband on board. Thank you for your great video! !
i can relate, i am sitting here and i need to be tossing OLD crap out. Instead of throwing junk away, i am watching a video on how to throw stuff away. i am such a procrastinator. if i just fill one garbage bag a day. I am getting nowhere...
That's sweet of you to want him to get on board, but that may not be happening. Do what you can. One corner or drawer at a time will be less overwhelming and soon you'll be surprised how much you've accomplished.
If your husband sees you decluttering your stuff...it'll make him think about his own stuff & eventually the penny will drop & he'll soon join you on a decluttering journey. Its working for me. 😎
I was declutering without my guy knowing😁 He was a messy hoarder and never cleaned, just hoarded, so I was the only one cleaning stuff. When they were going missing I never knew where they were😉🤣🤣🤣
I just subscribed. My husband passed away last year and I was not happy to change up our home. The weight of”Stuff” around me was stifling I’m on my way to declutter. Thank you very much.
I'll argue the coat one. We can totally have one winter with 70 degree temps and the next with 10 degree temps ... I need those differing coat types, lol!
I have seen all forms of precipitation and sunshine in a single day herein Virginia it can be 40 degrees in the morning and 85 by midday I've seen rain snow sleet hail Sunshine All in less than 12 hours for keep many different types of jackets you never know what you're going to need
@@soccerchick9841 I did not realize that Missouri weather in Virginia weather were so closely related LOL we have a saying here if you don't like the weather stick around for 10 minutes it'll change
I am 69 yrs old and I've lived in the same place for 8 years. When I moved here, I had nothing but a pillow, a horse blanket and the very 1st quilt I had made with my mom, when I was in my early 20's. I'd been homeless for 6 months, living in my sports car all winter and had lost everything. I had to replace all, but the clothes on my back. I furnished my apartment with my granddaughter in mind. Now, 8 yrs later, she lives about 65 miles away from me, has never visited me, ask me out for coffee or given me her address, so I could give her birthday and Christmas presents. My son, her dad, went no contact on both of us, as soon as she turned 18. She is 25 as of this writing. I have been single since my 20's, took care of my sick parents, worked when I could and did the very best I could since I was 16 yrs old. Now I am sick myself, and in most likelyhood will be admitted within the year to a convalselent home when life and sickness, deems me unable to care for myself. Just today I realized that everything I own will in all likelyhood, be either sold or donated to Goodwill. I have signed and #'d framed and matted prints on my walls, thousands of dollars of fabric in my sewing room. Beautiful furniture decorates my home along with my collection of 3D, large Looney Toon Cookie Jars and coffee cups in my kitchen, on top of my cabinets. And I am broke always living $300 below the poverty line. While my health is deteriating rapidly from leukemia, a rare type of anti immune disease, uncontrollable diabetes, wretched neuropathy from both a back injury and diabetes, plus I am losing my memory from dementia. I can barely walk and recently got lost driving to a Dr appt only blocks from my home. So, I think my hopes of being fondly remembered or Aanyone wanting anything to remind them of what once was my family, of my life, me... is greatly exaggerated in my mind. I believe the best thing I can do for those who won't visit, call or text me, is to just sell everything of value I have and leave nothing behind. Unclutter my apartment and prepare myself for the inevitable. Maybe move to a warmer climate, while I can still drive my car. Go on a great adventure... maybe get a dog companion and get the he'll out of Dodge! Or, spend the summer fly fishing for trout and bathing in natural mineral springs. It sounds like a fun thing to do this summer and then rent a small apt for the winter and sew quilts for extra cash. My last hoorah, sounds very appealing to me, rather than sitting in this apartment, foolishly waiting for a knock on the door or the phone to ring... and growing old and dim witted.
Like you I have no family, lots of beautiful fabric, valuable things from overseas, sewing machines,etc. I will tell you, screw them. You love yourself! Have a cocktail and an appetizer if so choose. Celebrate you. You don’t need to get rid of anything yet. Enjoy your surroundings and don’t let some you tube video make you rethink your situation at this time. The vultures will swoop in soon enough and you won’t be around to care. Anyway I’m an opinionated old bat, and am not letting people have power over me. Your post hit me hard. I related to it. Hope I didn’t offend you or misinterpret your post. If I did, then I apologize.
Yes, do that. Sell all you can and go off on some adventures. If you have any money left you don’t have to leave it to relatives either, find a worthy cause. I wish you improved health and fun in the future in your adventure/ adventures.
Have you ever thought that maybe your granddaughter is wondering the same thing, why you never text or call, and just figures you don’t care enough to do so so why should she? You could both be playing the same game here.
This is honestly the best decluttering video I have ever watched! And that is HUGE! I’ve been watching decluttering videos for years. Thanks so so much! You are a real GEM!!
This is a very helpful comment - I have watched only a few because some are not very interesting. This lady's videos are authentic and good to listen to, plus easy to watch. 😊 🙆🏻♀️ 💖
I honestly don’t get it. If someone has a cluttering problem why will help to have someone tell you to get rid of this and get rid of that? They aren’t gonna do it just because someone says to
Another great way to give mugs a second life if they’re sentimental or from a trip but arent the one you reach for to have your morning coffee is to use them to hold pens/pencils on your desk!
Travel toiletries: I don’t chuck them. I use all of these up when I go to the gym and shower there after my workout. This way, I do not need to shlep a regular bottle of shampoo / conditioner around.
I use plastic bags for a lot of things and I've learned to fold them as you would a flag, over and over longways then in triangles. Takes us way less space and lets you see how many you have. Some second hand stores are glad for you donating them. I too was raised buy parents that grew up in the depression then mom dealt with WWII ration stamps while Dad trooped over Europe where ever Patton sent him. You learn the value of things and not to be wasteful, You use it till it falls apart, then you use it to fix something else.
With that old tshirt you the wrap the pipes outside in winter time Or use for vehicles ,gardening, i take alot of supplies to the animal shelter they appreciate anything given to them
We pick up Christmas ornaments as souvenirs. Once a year we get to remember everything we’ve done in the past and everything we’ve done that year. And after Christmas, it gets packed away. It works for us!
Same here! We also give our children a new ornament every year to mark a big event in their life from that year...driving, graduation etc. They will get them all for their trees when they get homes of their own
I am currently laughing...at myself. A few years ago, I made my husband get rid of his ratty old tree (2nd marriage for each of us) and bought a really cool 4 foot black tree plus spent a fortune on meaningful ornaments. Then I reized "What was I THINKING!? we are owned by THREE CATS! So everything is sitting in the back bedroom. We could resell them, but neither of us has the physical ability to set up a table, haul the stuff out, sit in the sun...you get the idea.
Holding on the gifts because you feel obligated is what a lot of us do unless you are like my mom. She will be gifted something she didnt really like, and then 1 to 2 years later gifts it back to the person that originally gifted it to her. She has done it 3 times with my aunt, and my aunt hasn't figured it out yet.
My mother always gave Dad hankies for his birthday, but he never opened them. Then the following year, mum would find them in his drawer and give it to him again. He never caught on..
I figured out a way to get rid of mystery freezer food. I got a food saver which vacuum seals the food. No freezer burn. I bought a beautiful piece of beef for my beef Bourgogne. I pulled it out the other day from LAST August and it was spot on perfect. No damage. No frost. Same with frozen vegetables. I immediately vacuum seal them once I get them home. I have saved so much money preserving my budget in this economy! Worth the investment. And, I organize my frozen foods in a much better way with dating the package.
Statement about paper manuals is only partially correct. Many appliances are supposed to last for 20 years or more. If you have older items that are still in use, old manuals are NOT always available, or you have to spend way too much time trying to find online. I had two gas fireplaces installed in 2013. Only one manual is available online.
Kallie, thank you!!!! While watching your video I grabbed my canvas bags and purses to declutter the inner contents (I'm terrible about leaving junk inside whenever I switch out a purse) and found my driving glasses! I had been using my prescription sunglasses for months, a miserable thing to have to make use of at night. The best part of decluttering is finding stuff you "lost" 😅
@@Dcarterization I used ro keep stuff for longer thinking it should be put to good use. I've shared pictures of gifted clothes and of books I no longer need... On groups .. For giving away And people would get excited and ask for them. But then these people wouldn't even turn up to collect free stuff. So I guess discarding is the only option.
I had a house fire, so there’s nothing left to declutter. I’m working on getting things replaced, but only the items I really used and some crafting items.
Yep, my childhood home got decluttered the same way, it burned to the ground in 2007, and I miss only my silver spoons and my brown biker leather jacket -- but I have to say it was traumatic when it happened
We flooded twice in two years. Hurricanes decluttered for us. It was traumatizing. But looking back, I’m glad. It got rid of stuff for me that I couldn’t part with.
Thank you for everything, Kali. I get a lot of mileage from your videos. About loose change: Back in the day people made an effort to pay with exact change. Businesses always need change and it seems a little silly for people to be bringing change to the bank while businesses have to send an employee to the bank to get change. Cut out the middleman. Use your change in stores and keep quarters in the car for parking…
Great video! One way I get rid of reusable bags is by filling them up with stuff I'm decluttering to give to second hand stores. I hand it over in the bag.
Throwing loose change is awful advice, especially in these times, i save my loose change and then when i have absolutely no money in my bank i cash out my loose change for produce or gas money to last til payday..
@@tinaw.6178 She didn't tell anyone to throw their money away. She said to collect all loose change in one single place and get it exchanged at the bank frequently.
@@radmoonable people are so weird. I finally got to the part and it does kinda sound like if not for her husbands superstition they might throw change away, which is bad advice and does sound weird. I'm not throwing away any money, 1 penny 100 times adds up to a dollar and HELLO the Dollar Tree???? lol. But bottom line she didn't say throe away money so idk way people are freakin
GREAT video!!! I'm in the midst of a major declutter at my house and agree totally with what you have said. Also, a little tip I discovered was from a tiny house video I watched--let the store be your closet! Don't buy things thinking you might need them just because they are on sale, etc. Wait until you actually do need them, especially with crafting items. My husband and I decided last week that when I get to the closet where our suitcases are stored (not quite to that room yet) we are only keeping our smaller rolling carry ons. We've done several vacations with them and loved the freedom of not having to check bags. Worst case scenario is somewhere down the road if we need a larger one, we have to run to TJMaxx and buy something cheap. And then give it away!
I started using sentimental mugs as succulent pots and put them on my patio! We don’t get snow or cold weather here much so they thrive in them. Just an idea for green thumbs like me.
With every additional recommendation I felt somehow singularly called out 😂 now on my way to declutter my purses/ board games/Tupperware/ undergarments/ fridge/ etc etc. This is why I listen to decluttering videos. They Re-inspire and educate me on a topic I know many struggle with.
We have been slowly doing this. We made it a goal to go through all my cleaning supplies before I can buy anything new. Clothing I just did. I also turned my hangers backwards and flip the hanger back around when I wear it.. Anything I don't wear by the end of the year is being donated. It feels great decluttering.
I did this a few months back. We decided to stick to one main type of cleaning supply (I like a vinegar spray) for most surfaces, and a specific, smaller bin for the bathroom (hello bleach and CLR). Made sure to label everything and put the Mr. Yuk stickers on (even though they're locked away). Rags for the bathroom stay with the bathroom cleaners (and are washed in their own load because bleach). It also really helped having just two dedicated spots for cleaning supplies (aside from the broom and hoover) because then everyone knows where things are when there's a mess.
I am not a professional declutter worker, however, I do own an estate sale company and I’m an auctioneer. All the items she mentioned we have at most estate sales. Take a weekend and set up your sale. Merchandise it like a store, wipe down and put out cleaned items that are ALL tagged with a price. I did this every year when I was raising 6 children. We used them money to buy their new school clothes. Advertise it well on ALL platforms…not just social media. You won’t believe what you will make. If you have inherited so much stuff that it has taken over your life, call in a professional like myself. It is worth the fee and so helpful. Professional estate sale companies are worth their weight in gold. It will help you get your space back again and bring in some big dollars for you! Everything she listed we find at pretty much every home we go into to have an estate sale at. The mug and water bottle one made me laugh because it was so truthful…along with the intimates! My favorite one and the one she did not mention was the garage. I’ve actually done a sale before where we found 75 measuring tapes! Really? Who needs 75 measuring tapes!
Great point and I am preparing a 1-day backpack and a 3 - day backpack for disaster prep, etc. So as i am decluttering clothes, i am putting non favorite sweaters turtlenecks - tshirts in those back packs . Also making a bag for winter emergency, extra clothes, gloves things u would need if u were ever stuck away from home to survive. Going to buy some of those mylar emergency blankets.
@@bobbybaucom4489 Except those are just categories. There are many individual items in them. tetracycline is in at least 38 different medications (www.drugs.com/drug-class/tetracyclines.html) There ae dozens upon dozens of different eye drops. And there are different medications with nitroglycerin in it www.drugs.com/ppa/nitroglycerin.html
I just retired at the end of August and that's exactly what I've been doing. It was too much to try to do after a 40 hr week but now I'm ready to tackle all the extra "junk". Thank you for pointing out a few things I didn't even think about and confirming what I had already planned to do. This was extremely helpful!!!
A lot of these items make sense. For me personally, I keep the hard copy manuals. It's easier for me to grab the manual, such as when I had to fix the garage door opener. I also staple the receipt inside the cover of the manual so if the appliance goes on the fritz, it's easy to see if it's still within the warranty period. At least once a year, I do go through the drawer where they're kept and toss what needs to go.
Have a tote full I need to go thru. Hubby retires from military in Feb so won't be needing them anymore plus like she said, if you have an event, you usually buy a new one.
I am so chuffed to tell you that I’ve completed the list from start to finish. I’ve also cleared everything from my loft and garage and made £500 selling on Marketplace. I now rent out my garage space for £60 per month so I’m making money, literally from nothing! The feeling is incredible to know exactly what you own and where it is. I had 6 storage boxes of pre-mobile photos, so I sorted out the ones I wanted to keep and took photos of them 😁 I’m left with a small cardboard box of really old sentimental pictures and that’s all.
Not sure if anyone's suggested it, but I like to upcycle mugs into little hanging pots for my succulents, especially the really goofy or sentimental ones I don't use often but don't really want to get rid of.
Let me just say this video saved my new kitchen sink counter top! I went to de-clutter under my kitchen sink and noticed some dark black spots. My first fear was bugs, (now I kind of wish it had been) but turns out those flakes were from my counter top flaking from water damage. I thought when I installed the sink I put a good seal around it, but it seems the seal wasn't working. Thank goodness I found it before it got too bad. Next you've talked me into getting rid of my bowling ball. The last time I bowled was right before I gave birth to my oldest son. He passed away last year in May. I was holding on to the bowling ball for sentimental reasons But I realized I will always remember the day I went into labor and keeping the ball will not lesson those memories of my son. Great video. Thanks
😢❤ it sounds like you loved your son's incredibly in it's very blessed to have a mother like you and I'm so sorry we're coming up on my anniversary of my mom dying and that's going to be a really hard day yet I have to believe it or not I still haven't had the memorial service I thought it would be good to have that service soon
I’m a professor. You might be surprised how many college students are currently living in poverty. If you live close to a college, you might check with them to see if they have a food pantry or household/clothing closet you could support with your decluttered items.
That's a great idea. Especially with families not being able to maybe provide this year.
Great idea!
I agree. Especially around Lake Charles, LA or others LA areas who suffered back to back hurricanes these last few months. Great idea.
@@outoftheklosset, yes, you’re exactly right.
@@janismhart6641, sending love!
Recently, I got a big jar, labeled it, “Just Do It”, and every time I think of something that I “should do one day”, I write it on a small piece of paper, fold it, and put it in the jar. Every day, I pull at least one paper from the jar. The only rule is that I MUST do it…no excuses. And no putting it back and drawing out another, either lol 😆. I write things like: Clean out Bathroom Drawers, Organize Junk Drawer, organize my Hanging Clothes, Clean off Top of Fridge, etc… it’s so cool how much I’m accomplishing!!
Love this idea!
That’s a good idea 😊
Excellent idea and habit!
Brilliant idea that I'm going to copy!
Great idea! I'm gonna do this! Thank you!
I think the message of decluttering needs to always be accompanied with a message about buying less. Donating is fine but a lot of the extra stuff at Goodwill also ends up in a land fill. Buy/consume less and you need to donate/sell/trash less.
I like this much better.
@@alderaan20 Yeap - less work to declutter, save the environment and save the hard earned money
Exactly, we need to buy less crap in the first place. Production of all the unnecessary stuff is very bad for the environment, not just the disposal of it.
Don't throw out stuff because of the expired date. It's been proven that those dates are b.s and are there just so you think you need to buy more....
Stopped shopping about 10yrs ago
A little tip for towels and linnens: donate them to an animal shelter! They can always use materials to make cozy little beds for all their dogs and cats ❤ I've workee in shelters myself and noticed it always came in handy. Especially materials like cozy old fleece blankets and stuff, but any linnen or towels will do!
I always donate all my towels, blankets, and pillows to the animal shelter too. 🙂
Not all shelters will accept used linens, so just check with them beforehand!! Great tip!
Good idea.
I live here too! Do you have a suggestion which shelter to donate them to? Your FAV
What a great idea! I never thought to do this. Will also take the advice of checking with the shelter to see if they accept used towels and linens.
I've been in the same home since 1983. Found some veggie seeds dated expiration date of 1984 🤣 And went ahead and tried to plant them and over 50% actually came up.
Cool! Jurassic veggies!
I found a coupon in my parents house the expired in 1978 😑
Seed companies put exp dares so you'll buy every year.
hahahaha!
@@marjoriecohn3868 they are guareented for the first year. I rotate a food prep of them yearly
I'm 71 and trying to rid my life of unnecessary items. You give such logical and easy to understand information and thank you for that. My new way of thinking has become, "Turn it loose. You don't need it and somewhere in the world is a person looking for that item. It's their turn!"
I AM TRYING TO DOWNSIZE TOO WANT TO LIVE IN A STUDIO APT OR VAN
I'm 61 and doing the same thing. My stuff traps me! But after 2 bouts of cancer, I promised my family I wouldn't leave a full house. I'm trying to keep that promise. "turn it loose." I like that!
@@brahms1545 Yes, very liberating. And God bless you and your health. Stay strong.
I love this! I wholeheartedly agree because something you don't need may be something your neighbor needs and vice versa.
Eccellent thought
Just a suggestion for those who don’t want to throw out user manuals and warranty cards for some items. Get yourself a 3-ring binder and some clear sheet protectors. Put all paperwork for each item in its own sheet protector. It can be alphabetical to make things easier. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the great tip!
Organize that stuff in a way that you 'll know when it is time to bin expired warranties' cards.
This absolutely! Your insurance will use them as proof of ownership/purchase should they need to be replaced under your policy!
7 moves that’s a lot of money for relator fee and moving cost .
Yes, it definitely helps. I do this with bills, menus, and other things. Have a few binders, and recycle ♻️ all the paperwork once finished. I deleted my name, address & other personal details.
When my mom passed on, we found she had a hundred pairs of earrings. I put them in little metal cannisters with clear lids and put them on a table at her memorial. Every woman at the memorial got to pick out a pair of earrings to remember her by.
Love this!
I love this 🥺🥹💕✨️
❤
This is so beautiful, thank you for sharing
My suggestion is to do it while your body is healthy! Age does effect your ability to accomplish these tasks! It is taking my husband and I twice as long. I’ve promised myself to schedule regular maintenance!
Very very true.
You can that again × 10
Yes. Older, ill, injured or chronically in pain, failing eyes sight, can all interfere with our thinking skills and physical abilities to manage this task.
Yes. Also those with severe daily chronic pain (that affects their ability to function), ADHD, and autism make it really difficult to know what to let go of.
But if it takes me a year it takes me a year. At least I'll be a happier future me with less junk.
Me too . . Took me all day to declutter my guest room/office/craft room. I didn’t sit very much so it was good exercise but boy was I sore and tired at days end! LOL
How I keep my coffee mug stash limited: Let your children wash your dishes. They will automatically be thinned out over time.
😂😂😂
😂😂😀😂😀😂ingenious!
💥😂😂
LOL LOL
🤣🤣🤣
You can have art on the walls, books on the shelves and crafting supplies and still be a minimalist. Minimalism is not about getting rid of things you enjoy. It's about getting rid of the other stuff so that you can focus on the things that you enjoy.
Thank you for pointing this out!
Truth
I was just listening to some other videos and I love crafting and making my own decorations but I don't jump on the haul bandwagon and go overboard but I was getting a little sad about getting rid of my stuff. I love to cook as well and bake and I do need items that I have to have and may only use it once a month or so. We also have ping pong tournaments once a month with certain friends and I have to have certain serving items and barware and such. It is what is keeping us from going crazy during these hard times.
I have downsized a lot in other areas but certain areas, I just tried but can't. Thanks for pointing this out. I feel so much better.
Exactly. I think it's a misconception.
Yes! Minimal Mom explains it wonderfully
A sidenote on the spices (#2): you can check if spices are still tasty and giving of scent. If they do, don't toss them out, even if they are past their sell by date. You can still use them!
I don't think any of mine have smelled like much when they're past the best before! But definitely the sniff test is far more telling. Sometimes they taste like absolutely nothing!
If you have a morter and pestle you can grind them and get a lot of flavor from them
I discovered as a student that most of my parents’ spice collection had not been used in over 15 years. But at least ¾ were still very flavourful and fine to use! The same applies to tea.
@@sharonmaley7741or a coffee or spice grinder
If they haven’t been used in 15 years then they’re obviously not being used so it hardly matters if they still have flavor.
I took my old costume jewelry that had been handed down through the years from relatives after they passed. I took it, broke it all up and recreated them into large initial letters on a suede background then framed them & gifted them at Christmas. First name initials & some last name initials. The recipient was very happy with the gift & got a piece of Grandma's jewelry & the jewelry is no longer hidden in a box somewhere not being loved or appreciated.
GENIUS!!!!!!!
Great idea!
That sounds hideous
Great ideal...something useful & beautiful💕
Excellent idea!
As someone who works at a Nursing Home, I recommend donating your magazines, books, shampoo, conditioners, soaps, adult size clothes (other sized clothes to Homeless Shelters), blankets, rags, hand towels, bath towels, pillow cases, interactive games, etc. I know I also get random magazines I didn't sign up for Kallie and I went ahead and donated them to the Nursing Home. Residents get bored and having things to grab and look at is great.
Are they accepting donations during the pandemic?
@@mariselramos4064 same question
Great suggestion.
@@imnotkidding6768 I would imagine that they would allow you to drop it off by the door with a mask & probably by appointment. Sorry for the late reply.
@@mariselramos4064 I would imagine that they would allow you to drop it off by the door with a mask & probably by appointment. Sorry for the late reply.
A women's shelter is another place good for donations. The one I used to give to had a "library" of office clothes for job searching. Really a good way to help.
I donate the extra toiletries from traveling. They appreciate and need that stuff.
I have been a client in the past at a women's shelter. I appreciated so much all of the free stuff that I was given. A few months later, I lost the baby I was carrying. I donated all her things (crib, clothing, blankets, I had it all) to the same women's shelter that had helped me. It made me feel a bit better during the worst time of my life.
THANKS FOR THAT INFRO
@@mommalynnette8190 I’m sorry for your loss.
One final thought: I bought stuff for the person I *wanted* to be. I have dishes enough for a huge family dinner, but (a) I don't cook, and (b) my family live all over the country, so getting together is difficult. Very hard to get rid of the wishful thinking, but I'm getting there!
Amen! Parting with things makes me struggle with thoughts of failure and inadequacy. These things are ideas that I thought I could make work but got distracted and never took it past 50%
Use “sentimental “ mugs as pencil pots, storing makeup brushes, art brushes,collecting loose change etc.
Nah she just throws out her loose change 🙄
@@ImaginaryCupcake , she never said she throws out money!!!
Yes! This is what I started doing...but I think I have too many pens. 🤣
Drill a hole in the bottom and you have a cute little planter too
@@johnnarogers5636 Really great idea!
Once a year I take all of my jar candles, melt them down, get wicks from the craft store, and make another 1-2 or 3 full candles! The smells from these combined candles is always changing which is nice! I also use all of the florals to make one scent, all of the Christmas candles to make another, etc!
I use the left over wax in a wax warmer. Works great to get the last of the smell.
I use the jars for spare coins and small craft supplies.
Coolest idea EVER !!!!
Is it hard to do? I've been wanting to do this, but have no idea where to start.
@@cjpietropinto9293 can I ask how you get the wax out of the jar completely? I always struggle with that!
I believe putting the candle in the freezer will help remove it from the jar
I use extra cute mugs as planters! So cute for succulents and small plants. I put small plastic pots inside on pebbles so there's drainage, if needed. 👍🏻
I like this idea. Would look cute on tiered shelves.
What a fun idea!
Another idea you can do for mugs is use them for pens on a desk. I had an old mug I loved the look of but never really used so I chucked all my pens in it and put it on my desk 🥰
Great idea!!!!
Our mugs , coffee cups ..reproduce and I have emptied them several times lol! People give us new cute mugs..and it starts all over again!
Love the 1 in, 1 out rule. I had to do that big time with my closet. Then it led to "wow, I have so much crap, I think I'll start doing 1 in, 2 out". And true, parenthood DEFINITELY makes you reexamine your clothing and it's practical application...
I always do the 1 in & 2 out rule, that’s allowed me to simplify my life with simplicity and no stress. So for 1 humidifier I purchase, I might grab 1 dish cloth & 1 pair of socks then place those in the Goodwill or other box for either drop off or pickup.
Seems like the best decluttering tip is-don’t buy so many things. I know others buy us things, but the majority of items were purchased by ourselves and probably bought impulsively. Save time and money by buying less stuff.
And only take home free/cheap things becaus you really need them, not because they were a bargain
Yes, Iwas thinking about it all the time
I used to impulse buy or go shopping just to go But after the past two years I find I can get away with so much less! I’m retired now so a lot is leaving! My weaknesses are shoes and quilting fabric. Since I have more than enough shoes, I’m donating many, cleaning out closets and I’m starting to feel much freer. I want to finish by the holidays.
People giving gifts need to give perishable items. Not stuff.
Absolutely! 👌
A great idea for getting rid of linen/towels & blankets that are old is to Animal Shelters or Veteranan Clinics. Always needed at these places! 🐅🐆🐈🐕🐖🐁
Animal shelters are begging for old linens right now - especially, with cold weather coming.
In the UK ours are currently refusing them due to Covid. I have tried at 4 separate shelter to donate bedding and towels and nobody will take them!
@@acheeryheart2622 That's stupid. But what can you do?
This! I work at an animal hospital/boarding and every few years we need more blankets, sheets and towels.
And clean, decent towels for bathing.
linens, blankets and towels can be used by many animal shelters. The dogs and cats don't care if there is a hole, stain, broken elastic, fading or mismatched sets!
I can echo this. Had a clean out last year and rang my local cat haven to see whether they’d be interested - they were THRILLED with my faded towels and bedraggled blankets.
I got rid of my old towels this way.
I need them for my 7 dogs 😄
For mugs that are sentimental don’t pack them away! Use them for pens or as a planter etc! I’m a potter and I make ALOT of mugs! I love my mug collection!!!
Me too lol that's the only thing I can't get rid of. It's my only hobby, collecting mugs.
Best tip, do a no spend for a month. Just pay bills and shop the food you already have. It opened my eyes to just how much for tiny things cost. How much extra food we buy, a lot for some of us. Live like you have no extra money other then for bills. For those in the boat that even this is hard, hang in there.
The one, "53 items to declutter" is the best one I've heard. Enjoyed it.
linens and towels. When we were building a new house after the previous one burned down, I purchased two sets of sheets for each person, and also two sets of towels (bath, hand, washcloth) I found that was all we needed. You really find out what you don't need after a fire destroys everything.
I was taught by Flylady to think about what i would grab if a bushfire/brushfire was coming (i live in rural southeastern NSW Australia) or i needed to evacuate. I started a list but reading your comment has given me the extra motivation to really finish it and gather the things i need and love and get rid of the extra stuff.
I hope you are able to find the things you need and things that bring you peace, joy and comfort. Im sorry that you lost your house and sentimental items. I suggest any stories about the things you lost could be written down in a notebook or journal so the memories are kept.
Sending blessings from Southeastern Australia, Dot
Going to do that. Paring down will give me lots of room
@@dotcassilles1488 the only thing that mattered was the family. Everything else was replaceable. However, even if there is a fire plan in place it is different when one talks about it in a safe area then when there are flames engulfing your home and you need to find a way out.
@@dotcassilles1488 I hope you were successful in letting go of material stuff; I’m about to dive in and try this myself. Stay safe down there
I had a towel so old and ravel edged I use instead of a bath mat cause they're too bulky. But once at laundromat I think someone felt sorry for me cause after they left they left a nice beige towel behind lol.
LOL about Tupperware. Though as a former Tupperware rep, I will say that it is definitely possible to replace missing lids. There’s a code on the bottom that indicates the right size lid. If you don’t want to replace them, please donate them, so someone else can find the match they need. Brand name Tupperware has a pretty much forever warrantee, so please don’t throw them in the trash!
Maybe made from poisonous stuff. Transfers to food, especially if heated in microwave, or food is hot.
Good to know!
Tupperware brand is very pricey too. What a waist of money down the drain.
@@dorsetboronia4551 we store food only in glass containers
@@tomaszwyszkowski2253 Good. Me too. But I did sometimes heat food in microwave in Tupperware. Also I have let food cool down in it before refrigerating. Not anymore.
CANDLE TIPS - Always trim the wick of your candle to 1/4" before burning, burn it at least until the entire top goes liquid (takes approx.1 hour per inch of width with a single wick candle. If you can't commit to this, don't light it), never blow out candle, either push wick over into wax with old fork and restraighten and center, or suffocate with lid to jar to extinguish, keep candle trimmed during burning (extinguish, trim, relight) to avoid black soot from forming on jar and entering your home and lungs.
Candle warmers
Why should a candle never be blown out 😮 ? I've read that many times over the yrs but no explanation as to why not. Extinguish, trim , relight. I never realized there was so much "maintenance" w/ candles. Maybe that's why I've had difficulty enjoying mine & rarely use/used them due to reluctance . Curious but want to learn as well. Thank you 😊
That’s really good advice. I never knew about them needing to be maintained. I thought when they burned real quick it was because the quality wasn’t good enough and you also taught me how to keep that suit from happening when I try to smother them. Thank you.
Decluttering can be a challenge. But start with two things a day. Open a drawer or a closet and remove two things. It does get easier. Donate, reuse, recycle.
I do this for a while then somehow get out of the habit when I travel or something. Thank you for the reminder that I could potentially be rid of about 700+ items a year by doing simply this! Most are truly no brainers.
This is the best tip yet. I get overwhelmed easily and but this I can do. 😊
Love that you speak quickly with so much info. In some videos people speak so slowly I get bored before they even get to their info. 😊
You can adjust the speed. Go to the three dots in the right corner and choose the playback speed.
@@1984Skynet Thank you! I needed that information because I am hard of hearing and need slower speech.
This video was perfect, enunciation very clear and voice a very listenable pitch.
@@donnahalsted7718 you're welcome.
A few years ago I switched to storing my plasticware with the lids on. Yes, it does take up more space but I have never lost a lid since I switched. Not one! A bonus... you don't need as much of it when it is all matched and usable.
I solved the problem by buying only one type and size, all exactly the same.
I purchased different sized glass bowls with plastic lids and got rid of all Tupperware. I store them with lids on. You can see what’s in them in fridge, they stack and the glass does great in dishwasher and microwave.
I do this too. I put smaller ones inside of bigger ones to help with the space issue.
@@ccrbonline1752 that's what I do, but I have 3 different sizes. I also only get square containers, they fit in the cabinet and fridge much better.
@@ccrbonline1752 o
Decluttering under my kitchen and bathroom sinks was so satisfying and I loved how clean they were that it has profoundly changed my buying habits. I resist buying anything I haven't used before and it has stayed clean for over a year now!
Years ago a friend gave me a great way of deciding about getting rid of clothes. Anything that you’ve been “hanging on to” or if you don’t know how often you wear it, turn the hanger backwards on the rack. When you wear something, rehang, correctly. After 6 months, or amount of time you want, any hanger still backwards needs to go. This works great for me.
for someone who has ocd, i couldn’t do it. great idea tho.
Love the idea but the backwards hanger would drive me nuts LOL. Maybe put a ribbon on it?
@@realtalkswithdena I get that. I’m like that about those things too. For some reason this didn’t bother me
6 months is no good There are more than six months of winter in U.K. so I would be naked in summer not a pretty sight
@@joanfordham1305 OMG - you’re too funny. Thank you for putting a smile on my face today
I used all my travel sized stuff. And I’m not buying anymore lotion or body cream until l use all that I have. I’ve saved money just doing this!
Clever
I use coconut oil as a replacement for lotions. It's natural and I don't have to keep reapplying.
@@TheSofres yes I’ve been using the Trader Joe’s organic coconut oil on my feet and it is amazing. I do love the lotions that smell good but they’re probably not really good for our skin. I hope you have a blessed rest of your week!
@@cherryrosesingingcovers9001 thank you ma’am and I’m trying to use all of my cleaners and cleansers before I purchase new ones even if they don’t work so well so I can save more money. But I do find myself scrubbing a little harder sometimes…🤣 i’m not going to be buying scrubbing bubbles anymore it just doesn’t work as well as The Lysol gel toilet bowl cleaner. I’ve been using that for my bathtub to clean too. and it works like gangbusters… I’m 49 years old how did I not realize this until now😅 have a great rest of yer week😀
Another tip buy travel size bottles and top them up from bigger bottles I keep a wash bag made up with stuff in these bottles when they're empty I refill :)
I use old clothing items that are too worn to give away and cut them up into strips and make braided rugs. It's a great hobby! During Covid times, I made 4 and used up all old pjs, tee shirts, sheets and fabric scraps! And they were beautiful!
What a great idea. Any suggestion where I can find "how to"?
@@donnafrei8062 There are lots on line but I copied what I had observed my first grade teacher/neighbor do years ago. Cut strips about 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide. I used a manual rotary cutter on a sewing board as it's quicker than scissors. Fold strips so frayed sides meet in middle and use a small zigzag stitch on the sewing machine to bind them up. BRAIDING: Attach strips together endwise to make several feet of this material. Find colors and patterns you like together and sew three of the strips together at one end. Attach that end with a tight rubber band to a chair post etc and begin braiding (just like you would hair) using medium pressure. RUNNER TYPE RUG Then after you have enough length, begin sewing two braids together using a larger zigzag stitch. You make your individual braids the length you want your rug. And then zigzag them together. ROUND OR OBLONG RUG: You just keep coiling a single braid to the shape you want and with a zigzagging stitch, sew it together. I prefer the round rug as it puckered less and I just basted off the end to use it over the summer. I'll add more to it this coming winter!
@@janetstonerook4552 Thank u so much!
@@donnafrei8062 You are so very welcome!
I made a quilt for my dog :) Old blanket on bottom and cloth patches on top. Dog loves it :)
Fantastic video. One month ago I started with going through my garage. Purchased clear plastic containers & organized & grouped everything. I either sold or donated my dulplicates. Then I started on my house. I cannot believe how much better I feel everytime I drive in my garage or open one of my closets. I think twice before I purchase anything now. If I don't love it, it does not enter my home.
You absolutely don't have to throw away spices when they "expire". If they're dry, bug-free, and kept in sealed containers to prevent aroma fading - ain't nothin happening to them. It's so wasteful to throw it away. That being said, if you're not using something, you can definitely donate it to a charity kitchen - spices is actually something they would be very glad of, as usually it's not something they'd splash on.
I would add to that if the expired dried spice like basil is discolored or grey then it's also OK to get rid of even if it's expired because I use expired spices all the time but now I just don't buy as many because I know what I use
If anything they lose potency, because those plastic containers are NOT sealed air tight, but I just use more then, and that way eventually I'll run out all the sooner, so I can replace them with fresh spices. I tend to stock up when I find great sales on things that are seasonally popular, and then my back stock has probably had some outdated spices, but I still use them regularly, I just use more!..... And now that I've written that, I realize this might actually defeat my purpose of buying bulk on sale...🤔
I agree
@@juliab8992 😂😂 partly I agree, partly yes, good observation at the end hahh
But would a soup kitchen accept opened spices?
Suggestion: Keep all your travel supplies in your suitcase, from slippers to shampoo.
I do this. I have a makeup traveling case (a vintage Samsonite) and I keep all that I need, except current medications, so that I just pick it up and go. It has shampoo, lotion, Qtips, face cream, brush, tooth brushes, toothpaste, OTC, sunscreen, etc. All I add is my medications and it's ready to go. When I get back, I check to see what needs to be re-supplied or changed out and put it away for the next trip. I keep a beach/pool bag the same way. It's got sunscreen, flipflops, hat, beach towels, a small pillow. I keep those beach bags ready to go. At the beginning of the season, I make sure I have new sunscreen because I don't want ineffective sunscreen.
@@sharonh.harris1924 and @Carolyn Davis. This is sage advice! Thanks!
I did that but now I can’t travel I found things had gone out of date and my torch had died.
I keep travel items that don't "get old" in my suitcase; but I don't travel much, so some things would expire/dry up.
Instead, I typed a very specific list of all the essentials I need while traveling. I keep a printed copy in my suitcase ready to be used for the next trip. I used to hate packing because my mind would whirl around trying to remember those little items like ear plugs and spare contact lenses and my neck pillow for the plane. Now when I pack, I don't have to think, "What do I need?" "What was that thing I forgot last time and then needed?" (I did that for so many years! It was so frustrating.)
It's so much easier to just go through my list and check things off.
Remember to nest suitcases inside one another for storage.. And put a few trash bags in too. Dirty clothes and shoes stay off of clean clothes.
As a senior, I feel blessed that I had to declutter before I moved long distance several years ago. I've noticed that "things" creep in slowly & we need to declutter again & again. Both of my parents & my husband who were all hoarders in their own way have all passed away over the span of several years leaving just me to deal with their "stuff"!! It was overwhelming! In dealing with their stuff, I vowed NOT to burden my only child with my junk. I currently live in a senior complex. My sweet daughter comes over several times a month & helps me. As I going through various areas to declutter, I set the items in a tote & first have her go through the things to see if she wants/needs any of it, The leftover items are put in a community area for anyone who wants it to grab. My daughter is amazed that she keeps putting things out through out the day & everything is usually GONE! This way I'm helping my neighbors, not having the burden of taking it somewhere & my place is getting decluttered!! LOVED YOUR VIDEO & THE GREAT IDEAS!!
Eunice Benedict. great idea.x
I hear ya! We moved cross-country two years ago and got rid of most of our stuff. Well, we just did another huge purge this month, and could do one again. Where does all this stuff come from??!! LOL We do have a really neat little thrift shop in our new hometown, run by seniors, and we've given them a bunch of stuff. They also give stuff to people if they find out about a need, and I'm really happy to help support them in that. People need to help others out when they can, right? :-)
I feel your pain about a year-and-a-half ago I got serious about decluttering I got everything organized labeled and got rid of a ton of things I didn't need I even got my closet down to a dull Roar and then my aunt died somehow everyone thought I needed her clothes things from her kitchen and everywhere else around the house I tried to refuse some things a family member said don't you want to hang on to this for your aunt I felt like I didn't have a choice and my mother visits often so I'm afraid if I get rid of things she will notice but I don't want to leave my kids to go through all this it feels like I did all that work for nothing
@@dawnjackson6299 Oh, I feel for you. When my parents died I got a lot of stuff of theirs (that I don't really need) And that was my own doing. It is hard to not take things if you have a sentimental attachment If you don't have the attachment, box up some of the things you don't want. If your mom says anything say that you have it all ready for HER! It's worth a try and she might not even notice & then you can send it on it's way.
@@vickieg8791 I think you're right some things I do have an attachment to I loved My Aunt very much but my house is too small I really don't have a need for everything maybe I can use this pandemic time too thin it out even more I'm just so overwhelmed thanks for the advice
I could hardly wait till this video ended so I could start my decluttering! You're motivating me, thanx!!
Wait... people throw away change?
It’s money.. why would you do that?
If you truly don’t need / care about it give it away. There’s plenty of people who need that change.
And there's been a change shortage this year too lmao
I'm not throwing away ANY $$! Hard Pass.
Take it to the store to the change machine in the grocery store or to the bank if it’s open...who knows with the c-19 what’s open?
@@xrayiiis13 r
I have a little piggybank and my change goes in there. When it is full, i open it up and exchange it at the bank. You will be surprised how much you accumulate. Also look at how much change you will find in the street. People actually drop small denominations either on purpose or accidentally.
I retired two years ago. I still have my office clothes, office shoes and lots of costume jewelry. My daughter and granddaughter dont want any of it so I must pack it up for the thrift shop. It's hard to say goodbye to the shoes---a desert-dwelling stay at home pajama-wearing artist does not need high heels anymore, lol!
There are groups that collect business clothes for women who need them to go on interviews etc.
I’ll take em!
Take some photos of them and make a collage or something.
Universities/colleges might have a professional attire donation program for students who can’t afford professional attires! It’s always a good idea to donate them there :)
@@barbarameyer649 Dress for Success helps out women needs clothes to apply for jobs.
I have found 2 things to be completely true: everything fashionwise eventually comes back in style; & after I have tossed an item I will need said item within 1 week. Never fails!
I put my stuff in a box and leave it for 2 weeks or so. That way I’m sure I don’t need it before I donate it. I always have the urge to get rid of everything!
even parachute pants?
Especially cuts on jeans and toe style on shoes
Old styles do come back but it's never quite the same and looks dated. I agree with you though on throwing something out and invariably within a very short period of time needing that very same item.
thecatatemyhomrwork is right! Styles return about every 20 years but never in the exact way...color, cut, stitching etc vary. There is a saying that if you wore it when it was first in style you are probably too old to wear it when it comes around again. Get rid of it. Free up space. Vintage shoppers will love it. Now I need to take my own advice. 🤭
Every single one of these things I automatically do and I'm glad to hear someone make a video about it. You can't go shopping every week and bring bagfuls into your home unless bag fulls are going out or you're a hoarder. Plus you can help other people by giving away the things you don't use. Great video
Whenever I have a bunch of loose change, I put as much of it in my wallet as possible, and when I go to the store next, I use self checkout and dump all my change into that to pay for my groceries. It take forever, but unlike those coin machines, they don't take 10% or so of the profits or you don't need to roll them up to give ymto your bank to deposit. Easiest solution to mass amounts of change in my opinion.
Same
Omgosh I'm totally doing this with the change I recently found in a tin!!
Bank of America will take your change without rolling them up if your already a customer that has accounts with them. Please check with your bank. It does take a week to be counted towards your balance though.
Thanks for the great idea!!!
@@capricornlife5778 are you a procrastinator?
When I moved 2 years ago, I *thought* I purged. When unpacking boxes, I thought to myself, I actually paid somebody to move this so I could donate it in my new town?! Hahaha
We’ve all been there, I swear ‘stuff’ materialises and multiplies overnight.
Same thing happened to me
Same thing happened to me! Made me sick! Then i DID purge and it feels so nice!! WONDERFUL!
Same. I moved 13,000 miles to stock my new local Salvation Army.
I’m about to move and I need to unpack and repack those boxes thanks
When I have candles that get low I melt them in a pot of water on the stove and when they are liquid I pour them in to old wax melt containers and then use them in my warmers.
I use old wax to make fire starters ot off cardboard egg cartons and dryer lint
@Ty T yup on the stove in a pan.
Ty T only the type candles in a glass jar container, put pillar candles in an old glass candle jar too.
@Ty T yes, I use an empty soup can or whatever.
Then put that in a pot of water, like a double boiler.
Easier way to do this is to put them in the freezer for about 2 hours take them out you should be able to bang them on a countertop on the wax will pop right out in a convenient disc I let that warm up to room temperature and then cut it up to use for my wax melts
I did a good job a few years back when I was into minimalism, but over the past few years, while I finished my bachelor's and almost my master's degree, the clutter came back. This was a great reminder of LOTS of things I still need to declutter. Thank you.
Great advice I needed for my current “Downsizing “ move due to my husband & mother both passing away recently. I always said “ You don’t realize what you have, till you move”
Kathleen Barragan, I'm so sorry to read about your losses of your husband and mother. I am saying a prayer for you. I hope your move is good for you!
So sorry to read of your loss and hope your move went well.
So very sorry for your loss.
Deepest condolences for your losses.
So sorry to hear about your loved one’s passing. Take care! 🥰
My tip for buying souvenirs -
If you must get them only buy MAGNETS. You can put them on the side of the fidge, they dont take up space and are on show instead of tucked away in the back of a cupboard.
Great idea, you can never have enough magnets!
That exactly what I do as well !
I but demitasse spoons (when I can find them). display them in sp9n racks and enjoy them daily
Haha I figured this out and my fridge has awesome magnets from around the world but I still have A LOT of coffee mugs in my cupboard from before I learned that they would be souvenirs that took up so much space! 🤣🤣
I buy Christmas tree ornament, as a travel souvenirs. This way every year decorating Christmas tree becomes a time for good memories and conversations
I don't know about throwing out expired spices that quickly. Some last quite awhile after the expiration date. One way to tell if it still have a strong flavor is to rub a little in your palm and smell to see how potent it is.
This. Medicines are the same as long as you keep them away from heat and sunlight. And never throw medications in the trash nor flush them.
@@dovie2blue what then are you supposed to do with medicines if you can't throw them in the garbage??
@@gitelblima The police will have special days of collection when you can take them in to be destroyed safely. Whatever you do, don't flush them!!
@@gitelblima my local police station has a drop off box to safely dispose medicine. I usually keep medicine 1-2 year's after exp date. Once I started having UTI full blown symptoms and took antibiotic expired 3years ago and it did its job without fail. with spices, when they lose their flavour or scent or when garlic powder clumps or sticks together for instance then I toss.
@@gitelblima My Walgreen's has a bin in the pharmacy specifically for "discarded medication". Check *your* local drug store.
7 minutes in and im already looking at two big bags of stuff I can toss with no guilt! Thanks Boo 🙂
just an FYI for spices, if you can't find an expiration date, just give it a whiff, if you smell nothing, it's time to toss or replace if you like it
But on that topic: A Sell-by date is *not* the same as an expiration date. So, as you said, if it still smells/tastes good/potent, you can still use it; go ahead and prioritize its use in order to use it up, but the numbers are only a guide :)
Save the glass bottles with lid. Just buy new spices in little bags or bulk. Save 💲💲💲
We never make it that far with our spices. All 53 of them.
@@sarasorensen2650 Maybe try listing ones you just aren't using on Freecycle? Craig's List? eBay Kleinanzeigen? or whatever the local equivalent of "here's a free thing -- who wants it?" is :)
They don't really expire ever if stored properly too.
I think first step is to NOT buy what you don't need, you seem to have an impulsive shopper in the house... Second, use what you have in you pantry before going food shopping, I really hate to see good food go to waste... Be creative with it, use those spices, lol. They don't really go bad, just less flavor, so add a little more. I got into the habit of taking the condiment pouches out of the take out bags, you're right they're not great so why take them home? Less waste all around. As for rarely use glassware, again be creative! They don't have to be single purpose. I frequently use my stemware for dessert. And, they would cost a lot to replace should you want some later. Lifestyle do change.
I agree with you about the spices. Terrible advice & waste of money. Sell by date has nothing to do with expiration. I have spices that are a couple of years old.
@@wlknonsonshine , some people have spices in their cabinets from the 1990's!! I think it's different if your spice is just months outdated versus being years even decades old.
I'm guilty of keeping old spices. What I have started to do is tell the fast food places no to napkins, plastic ware and condiments I won't use. Sriracha and soy sauce packets I will definitely hoard (and use)
If you have kids, you have extended family... you will have more than you need. Christmas presents, Birthday presents, and vacations and before you know it your kids have received more than they need. When it's within your power try not to add to the stash by using the money to buy clutter free gifts like movie tickets, a trip to the zoo, cash, etc. Spend time with them, they appreciate that more in the long run, at least young children do.
Also, if you live in poverty - or have escaped it - it's imperative to get rid of the "we might need it someday and won't have the money to get it" mindset! Very refreshing.
I can totally relate. My mom is this way. Even though she's never been homeless, she always thought this way. I can even recall decades ago asking why she didn't give away an old winter coat after she got a new one, and she seriously said she might need it some day to keep her warm if she ended up on a park bench. Even though she was raised in a middle class home and never went hungry. Not sure where that sense of need came from, but it's never left her.
Yes its hard!
@@sharonsomers My mom grew up _on a farm._ During the Great Depression (1930's). So she got a double-dose of that "Use it up, Wear it out, Don't throw it away!" philosophy.
I so agree. My father never changed his mindset. He always says "I might need it in the future; lets cut that cord of the microwave", or "You should keep that car part, you will have it when the one in your car goes bad". No, thanks dad, I don't have room to keep it. He has a lot of room so he keeps everything, and when he needs stuff, he can't find them, so he buys a new ones. It never ends.
I have noticed this mindset even in myself. My grandmother was a hoarder and I have noticed a very similar mindset in a lot of my family. None of us have very been what I thought of as poverty stricken. Maybe some hard times or whatever (we all have it feom time to time) but no major poverty.
Half way through the video, I got up and cleaned out my health and beauty bin. THANKS FOR THE NUDGE 💓
There were so many things I wanted to let go of but hesitated. Watching this video gave me that extra push, the permission ,making it okay to let it go. Very encouraging
Me too. My partner has been getting on my nerves about my mystery food.
I use my plastic shopping bags as small trash can liners. They work great and keep me from having to purchase other plastic trash bags.
I use mine when I clean the cat box
My state has eliminated plastic bags at stores. It’s for the environment, a good thing. Great you reuse yours though
I do that too
@@marybalantic1370what state is it? What do cat owners use to empty litter without plastic bags?
@@marybalantic1370 Just out of curiosity, what do you use to put your trash into?
Hotel sample shampoos, soaps and creams are great for the homeless. I never give cash, but I make little bags of these types of things with hand warmers and chapstick in the winter.
OMG me too + a bottle of water
Ask people without homes what they want, they can't carry anything they don't absolutely need. The shelters nearly always need the soaps and shampoos. I also offer water which I always carry with me for that purpose.
My son has donated over 300 bags of personal items by collecting the Hotel soaps from neighbors that travel!!!!
@Michael Herrell I know they may like the little bottles of booze but it probably is a big NoNo in the Goodie Bag!
What a great idea!
Okay, THIS was the BEST decluttering video I have EVER seen! Every person needs to watch this! I watched every second, and I will save it and watch again every time I need inspiration to clean. I am subscribed! You are AWESOME!!!! Also, I am the only person on both sides of my family that is NOT a hoarder. So I will also be sending this video to them and every person I know. Thank you so much! I know these things, but most of these things I actually have trouble getting rid of too. Now if I can just get my husband to watch this.. yeah right. ❤
7:40 - But why does it have to be on trend? If you like a clothing item, even if it's not on trend, you should keep it. You should get rid of it because YOU don't like it. Not because the trend doesn't like it.
Exactly! Thats what gets people into these cluttered spaces. Same for make up junkies. Always wanting a new better trend. Just get what you like and use it to death.
On trend? For heavens sake land fill is full of clothes as it is ,
On trend ? I have just thought of something I never need,ever-it is the phrase ‘on trend ‘
@@joanfordham1305 Then what would you recommend I use instead?
@@christinebeames2311 people need to recycle clothes they don’t want or aren’t wearable anymore.
I'm not sure where the "holding onto stuff in our closet because we SHOULD wear it" comes from for other people. I know where it comes from with me. I was raised by a child of the great depression. Let me tell you, that experience of poverty was hard on folks. They developed habits of using things until they fell apart, handing things down until they fell apart - you get the idea. Nothing wrong with that! I have adapted a system like that in raising my children, of sorts, for thrifting excellent quality items and taking good care of them. But my mom would wear something that she hated or had flaws, rather than throw out a perfectly good (insert ugly, outdated blouse here, in an unflattering color). It made for closets that had clutter issues, and needed help. I'm a packrat, no doubt, but I'm trying. I really am. :)
I could have written this entire comment word for word.
Well said!!! 👏🏽👏🏽
@@rangerlove7 I understand. I really do.
I totally get this as well...
@@pamelaq6185 It was the world before "fast fashion." That's another take on it.
I love it that viewers are providing great ideas for ways to recycle unneeded items. I can more easily part with my stuff if I think it’s going somewhere useful.
My biggest stumbling block is guilt over adding to the landfills. Everything I can donate or personally give to someone else, I do -- but it tends to ride around in my truck for weeks and sometimes comes back into the house! I'm also hanging onto things that are broken but theoretically fixable, and tiny little whatsits that don't seem to belong to anything, because I don't want to contribute to humanity's refuse problem.
I had an epiphany last week about the garbage guilt. I'm so burdened by the idea of adding to the waste problem that I have chosen to keep the landfill in my home. It's still waste, it's just cluttering up my life instead of being elsewhere.
so i spent the first half of my day doing nothing but mindlessly scrolling through TH-cam…. but oh my, this video got me going on a cleaning spree! i feel so much more satisfied with my day and productive now. I love this video and the fact that it was very well rounded and not just one specific space was great. great work!! 😁
For the cables, work backwards. Instead of trying to match cables to appliances, match appliances to cables. Go and look at every electronic item in your home and ideally it should have its cable stored with it. Once every electronic has its cable, you can then confidently get rid of everything else.
Just like your food storage contains... matching them to the lids.. Yup!!!
i just keep extras of iphone charger because i use them daily or they break or i want one at home, one at work, one in my sports bag stored with a power bank so that i never run out of battery. i also keep one in my suitcase for travel. nowadays most appliances come wizh the sane power cord, usb c or usb b, so i have some of those because they go with everything. i sold some extra cables though because i dont need 10, i need maybe 3-4. the really outdated ones, i tossed. like from my nokia from 2001 😂
I did a thing where I boxed up both “mystery cables” and “mystery keys” for a year. Once I proved to myself that I never had to go into that box for an item, I pitched the box.
@@marthasalter405 Great idea!!
I have a keyboard that I'm searching for the DC cord. I know I must have it but I haven't found it yet. I have taking to labeling my Kindle cord, and other phone cords.
My mother in law, may she rest in peace, once tried to give me some knick knack off her table and when I said "why mom are you getting rid of that, its beautiful" her answer was "I'm going to shed before I'm dead" and now I use that motto in my mind whenever I'm thinking of getting rid of something.
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.
Yes. Swedish Death Cleaning. Keeps your kids from having to tackle it at such an emotional time.
After cleaning out my mom’s condo when she passed away far too young I made the decision that I wouldn’t hoard things and would give everything away so as not to be a burden to my own kids.
I'm trying to do that also with this ladies ideas and CLUTTERBUGS Cas from Canada. I'm a LADYBUG with ADHD so organizing and decluttering can be difficult! ADHD CAN BE A GIFT AND!! A CURSE!!
I am a clutter bug so is my husband. At age 71,I'm really overwhelmed and want to clean out the house. I need to get my husband on board. Thank you for your great video! !
i can relate, i am sitting here and i need to be tossing OLD crap out. Instead of throwing junk away, i am watching a video on how to throw stuff away. i am such a procrastinator. if i just fill one garbage bag a day. I am getting nowhere...
you do not need your husband! marie kondo describes in her book how you can declutter even when your family is not onboard (yet).
That's sweet of you to want him to get on board, but that may not be happening. Do what you can. One corner or drawer at a time will be less overwhelming and soon you'll be surprised how much you've accomplished.
If your husband sees you decluttering your stuff...it'll make him think about his own stuff & eventually the penny will drop & he'll soon join you on a decluttering journey. Its working for me. 😎
I was declutering without my guy knowing😁 He was a messy hoarder and never cleaned, just hoarded, so I was the only one cleaning stuff. When they were going missing I never knew where they were😉🤣🤣🤣
I just subscribed. My husband passed away last year and I was not happy to change up our home. The weight of”Stuff” around me was stifling I’m on my way to declutter. Thank you very much.
I'll argue the coat one. We can totally have one winter with 70 degree temps and the next with 10 degree temps ... I need those differing coat types, lol!
This sounds like a Midwest winter and I totally agree, lol!
I have seen all forms of precipitation and sunshine in a single day herein Virginia it can be 40 degrees in the morning and 85 by midday I've seen rain snow sleet hail Sunshine All in less than 12 hours for keep many different types of jackets you never know what you're going to need
Ditto. I need a 30 degree coat, a 0 degree coat, and a separate one for work/farm chores
^^ same I live in Missouri, so I need a coat one day, a rain jacket the next, and a tank top the next 😂😂
@@soccerchick9841 I did not realize that Missouri weather in Virginia weather were so closely related LOL we have a saying here if you don't like the weather stick around for 10 minutes it'll change
I am 69 yrs old and I've lived in the same place for 8 years. When I moved here, I had nothing but a pillow, a horse blanket and the very 1st quilt I had made with my mom, when I was in my early 20's. I'd been homeless for 6 months, living in my sports car all winter and had lost everything. I had to replace all, but the clothes on my back. I furnished my apartment with my granddaughter in mind. Now, 8 yrs later, she lives about 65 miles away from me, has never visited me, ask me out for coffee or given me her address, so I could give her birthday and Christmas presents. My son, her dad, went no contact on both of us, as soon as she turned 18. She is 25 as of this writing.
I have been single since my 20's, took care of my sick parents, worked when I could and did the very best I could since I was 16 yrs old. Now I am sick myself, and in most likelyhood will be admitted within the year to a convalselent home when life and sickness, deems me unable to care for myself. Just today I realized that everything I own will in all likelyhood, be either sold or donated to Goodwill. I have signed and #'d framed and matted prints on my walls, thousands of dollars of fabric in my sewing room. Beautiful furniture decorates my home along with my collection of 3D, large Looney Toon Cookie Jars and coffee cups in my kitchen, on top of my cabinets. And I am broke always living $300 below the poverty line. While my health is deteriating rapidly from leukemia, a rare type of anti immune disease, uncontrollable diabetes, wretched neuropathy from both a back injury and diabetes, plus I am losing my memory from dementia. I can barely walk and recently got lost driving to a Dr appt only blocks from my home. So, I think my hopes of being fondly remembered or Aanyone wanting anything to remind them of what once was my family, of my life, me... is greatly exaggerated in my mind.
I believe the best thing I can do for those who won't visit, call or text me, is to just sell everything of value I have and leave nothing behind. Unclutter my apartment and prepare myself for the inevitable. Maybe move to a warmer climate, while I can still drive my car. Go on a great adventure... maybe get a dog companion and get the he'll out of Dodge! Or, spend the summer fly fishing for trout and bathing in natural mineral springs. It sounds like a fun thing to do this summer and then rent a small apt for the winter and sew quilts for extra cash. My last hoorah, sounds very appealing to me, rather than sitting in this apartment, foolishly waiting for a knock on the door or the phone to ring... and growing old and dim witted.
Like you I have no family, lots of beautiful fabric, valuable things from overseas, sewing machines,etc. I will tell you, screw them. You love yourself! Have a cocktail and an appetizer if so choose. Celebrate you. You don’t need to get rid of anything yet. Enjoy your surroundings and don’t let some you tube video make you rethink your situation at this time. The vultures will swoop in soon enough and you won’t be around to care. Anyway I’m an opinionated old bat, and am not letting people have power over me. Your post hit me hard. I related to it. Hope I didn’t offend you or misinterpret your post. If I did, then I apologize.
Yes, do that. Sell all you can and go off on some adventures. If you have any money left you don’t have to leave it to relatives either, find a worthy cause. I wish you improved health and fun in the future in your adventure/ adventures.
Hello! How are you today?
Have you ever thought that maybe your granddaughter is wondering the same thing, why you never text or call, and just figures you don’t care enough to do so so why should she? You could both be playing the same game here.
You're not the ONLY one, 🤔😢
This is honestly the best decluttering video I have ever watched! And that is HUGE! I’ve been watching decluttering videos for years. Thanks so so much! You are a real GEM!!
I collect decluttering videos too.
@@johnkthompsonis LOL
This is a very helpful comment - I have watched only a few because some are not very interesting.
This lady's videos are authentic and good to listen to, plus easy to watch. 😊 🙆🏻♀️ 💖
I honestly don’t get it. If someone has a cluttering problem why will help to have someone tell you to get rid of this and get rid of that? They aren’t gonna do it just because someone says to
@@aslmad1 That's what I did. It helped a great deal..
"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."
Another great way to give mugs a second life if they’re sentimental or from a trip but arent the one you reach for to have your morning coffee is to use them to hold pens/pencils on your desk!
As an artist, I use mugs to hold paint brushes
I have a really nice one that I use for makeup brushes
My favorite one I use as a makeup brush holder 😊
Nicole HUTCHINSON Mugs are great. So many uses
Sheeya I love your idea Great for the kitchen windowsill. I have quite a number of mugs from travels
Travel toiletries: I don’t chuck them. I use all of these up when I go to the gym and shower there after my workout. This way, I do not need to shlep a regular bottle of shampoo / conditioner around.
When I travelled, I would take the small bottles, put them in a zip lock bag, and give them to the homeless.
Also great for donating, for making homeless shelter kits.
and the small bottles are easy to re-fill from the full size too, I get the product I prefer in an easy to carry size
What a great idea!!!
With manuals, NEVER throw out the one for a sewing machine. They are not always online plus if you see, you use them a lot.
I agree! Especially a serger manual!
Yes, I’m a bit hesitant to throw manuals away, especially if they are for older things.
I use plastic bags for a lot of things and I've learned to fold them as you would a flag, over and over longways then in triangles. Takes us way less space and lets you see how many you have. Some second hand stores are glad for you donating them. I too was raised buy parents that grew up in the depression then mom dealt with WWII ration stamps while Dad trooped over Europe where ever Patton sent him. You learn the value of things and not to be wasteful, You use it till it falls apart, then you use it to fix something else.
My mom came here as a refugee. Saved string, cardboard, pins, etc.
Tina
With that old tshirt you the wrap the pipes outside in winter time
Or use for vehicles ,gardening, i take alot of supplies to the animal shelter they appreciate anything given to them
We pick up Christmas ornaments as souvenirs. Once a year we get to remember everything we’ve done in the past and everything we’ve done that year. And after Christmas, it gets packed away. It works for us!
We do the same thing! If we can't find a Christmas ornament, we look for a key chain and remove the keyring & add a hook 😄
@@julieb2102 same!!
Same here! We also give our children a new ornament every year to mark a big event in their life from that year...driving, graduation etc. They will get them all for their trees when they get homes of their own
I add old ornaments to gifts as a wrapping add on to the bow. People love it.
I am currently laughing...at myself. A few years ago, I made my husband get rid of his ratty old tree (2nd marriage for each of us) and bought a really cool 4 foot black tree plus spent a fortune on meaningful ornaments. Then I reized "What was I THINKING!? we are owned by THREE CATS! So everything is sitting in the back bedroom.
We could resell them, but neither of us has the physical ability to set up a table, haul the stuff out, sit in the sun...you get the idea.
Holding on the gifts because you feel obligated is what a lot of us do unless you are like my mom. She will be gifted something she didnt really like, and then 1 to 2 years later gifts it back to the person that originally gifted it to her. She has done it 3 times with my aunt, and my aunt hasn't figured it out yet.
Go Mom! 🤣😂That's hilarious!
Has your aunt gifted anything back to your mom yet that your mom gifted back to her?
My mother always gave Dad hankies for his birthday, but he never opened them. Then the following year, mum would find them in his drawer and give it to him again. He never caught on..
@@tinaw.6178 lol
@@melaniekennerley6401 my late father-in-law tried to give his wife the same birthday card the following year. but she knew. lol
I figured out a way to get rid of mystery freezer food. I got a food saver which vacuum seals the food. No freezer burn. I bought a beautiful piece of beef for my beef Bourgogne. I pulled it out the other day from LAST August and it was spot on perfect. No damage. No frost. Same with frozen vegetables. I immediately vacuum seal them once I get them home. I have saved so much money preserving my budget in this economy! Worth the investment. And, I organize my frozen foods in a much better way with dating the package.
I like having my paper manuals and paper menus. They are just a ton easier to read on paper than my phone screen.
Fact I can never actually find the god damn manual I need online.
I agree ! And I've checked online menus only to find the place didn't have some of those items after all.
I read best on my laptop.
Not only that , but, with todays “world” issues, one flick of a switch our internet can be taken away, pictures, music etc
Statement about paper manuals is only partially correct. Many appliances are supposed to last for 20 years or more. If you have older items that are still in use, old manuals are NOT always available, or you have to spend way too much time trying to find online. I had two gas fireplaces installed in 2013. Only one manual is available online.
Kallie, thank you!!!! While watching your video I grabbed my canvas bags and purses to declutter the inner contents (I'm terrible about leaving junk inside whenever I switch out a purse) and found my driving glasses! I had been using my prescription sunglasses for months, a miserable thing to have to make use of at night. The best part of decluttering is finding stuff you "lost" 😅
Me too!
Yes, I agree!
Id like ideas of what to do with stuff i want to get rid of.
Amen!!!
@@Dcarterization I used ro keep stuff for longer thinking it should be put to good use. I've shared pictures of gifted clothes and of books I no longer need... On groups .. For giving away And people would get excited and ask for them. But then these people wouldn't even turn up to collect free stuff. So I guess discarding is the only option.
I wish that would work for my bank card. Haha. Had to replace it twice.
I had a house fire, so there’s nothing left to declutter. I’m working on getting things replaced, but only the items I really used and some crafting items.
I am so sorry you went through that! I hope everything wound up working out ❤️
❤🙏🇨🇦
Yep, my childhood home got decluttered the same way, it burned to the ground in 2007, and I miss only my silver spoons and my brown biker leather jacket -- but I have to say it was traumatic when it happened
We flooded twice in two years. Hurricanes decluttered for us. It was traumatizing. But looking back, I’m glad. It got rid of stuff for me that I couldn’t part with.
Of what state are you in maybe I can give you some things to help you get started again
Thank you for everything, Kali. I get a lot of mileage from your videos. About loose change: Back in the day people made an effort to pay with exact change. Businesses always need change and it seems a little silly for people to be bringing change to the bank while businesses have to send an employee to the bank to get change. Cut out the middleman. Use your change in stores and keep quarters in the car for parking…
Great video! One way I get rid of reusable bags is by filling them up with stuff I'm decluttering to give to second hand stores. I hand it over in the bag.
I do that also! :)
What a great idea thank you! Lol I have way too many reusable bags and had no idea what to do with them
The fancy dress E.T insert clip made me laugh out loud. All great tips/ideas, thanks for sharing!
Me too! That was the funniest one!😄
Throwing loose change is awful advice, especially in these times, i save my loose change and then when i have absolutely no money in my bank i cash out my loose change for produce or gas money to last til payday..
She didn’t advise anyone to throw away their change
The country is going through a coin shortage right now. Many stores can’t even give you change in coins.
@@HelloMyNameIsAlli lol I'm still watching but I was like wow, she said throw away money?
@@tinaw.6178 She didn't tell anyone to throw their money away. She said to collect all loose change in one single place and get it exchanged at the bank frequently.
@@radmoonable people are so weird. I finally got to the part and it does kinda sound like if not for her husbands superstition they might throw change away, which is bad advice and does sound weird. I'm not throwing away any money, 1 penny 100 times adds up to a dollar and HELLO the Dollar Tree???? lol. But bottom line she didn't say throe away money so idk way people are freakin
GREAT video!!! I'm in the midst of a major declutter at my house and agree totally with what you have said. Also, a little tip I discovered was from a tiny house video I watched--let the store be your closet! Don't buy things thinking you might need them just because they are on sale, etc. Wait until you actually do need them, especially with crafting items. My husband and I decided last week that when I get to the closet where our suitcases are stored (not quite to that room yet) we are only keeping our smaller rolling carry ons. We've done several vacations with them and loved the freedom of not having to check bags. Worst case scenario is somewhere down the road if we need a larger one, we have to run to TJMaxx and buy something cheap. And then give it away!
I have heard of people who buy clothes on vacation then donate them when they go home. no luggage or luggage fees!
@susanramsay4189 my sister and her husband took stuff that they didn't care about and did that! Then they had room for souvenirs.
I started using sentimental mugs as succulent pots and put them on my patio! We don’t get snow or cold weather here much so they thrive in them. Just an idea for green thumbs like me.
With every additional recommendation I felt somehow singularly called out 😂 now on my way to declutter my purses/ board games/Tupperware/ undergarments/ fridge/ etc etc. This is why I listen to decluttering videos. They Re-inspire and educate me on a topic I know many struggle with.
We have been slowly doing this. We made it a goal to go through all my cleaning supplies before I can buy anything new. Clothing I just did. I also turned my hangers backwards and flip the hanger back around when I wear it.. Anything I don't wear by the end of the year is being donated. It feels great decluttering.
I did this a few months back. We decided to stick to one main type of cleaning supply (I like a vinegar spray) for most surfaces, and a specific, smaller bin for the bathroom (hello bleach and CLR). Made sure to label everything and put the Mr. Yuk stickers on (even though they're locked away). Rags for the bathroom stay with the bathroom cleaners (and are washed in their own load because bleach). It also really helped having just two dedicated spots for cleaning supplies (aside from the broom and hoover) because then everyone knows where things are when there's a mess.
I do this too. It's changed my closet.
Yep the flip the hanger thing is a game changer!
I am not a professional declutter worker, however, I do own an estate sale company and I’m an auctioneer. All the items she mentioned we have at most estate sales. Take a weekend and set up your sale. Merchandise it like a store, wipe down and put out cleaned items that are ALL tagged with a price. I did this every year when I was raising 6 children. We used them money to buy their new school clothes. Advertise it well on ALL platforms…not just social media. You won’t believe what you will make. If you have inherited so much stuff that it has taken over your life, call in a professional like myself. It is worth the fee and so helpful. Professional estate sale companies are worth their weight in gold. It will help you get your space back again and bring in some big dollars for you! Everything she listed we find at pretty much every home we go into to have an estate sale at. The mug and water bottle one made me laugh because it was so truthful…along with the intimates! My favorite one and the one she did not mention was the garage. I’ve actually done a sale before where we found 75 measuring tapes! Really? Who needs 75 measuring tapes!
A backpack for a grab and go bag for emergency evacuation is important.
That's called MY PURSE 🤣🤣🤣
Great point and I am preparing a 1-day backpack and a 3 - day backpack for disaster prep, etc.
So as i am decluttering clothes, i am putting non favorite sweaters turtlenecks - tshirts in those back packs .
Also making a bag for winter emergency, extra clothes, gloves things u would need if u were ever stuck away from home to survive. Going to buy some of those mylar emergency blankets.
@@gabye. 😂
10:20 - Depending on the medication, some can actually become toxic over the years! So it's good to get rid of it for that reason.
Only a few: tetracycline, eye drops, nitroglycerine, and possibly Aspirin.
@@bobbybaucom4489 Except those are just categories. There are many individual items in them.
tetracycline is in at least 38 different medications
(www.drugs.com/drug-class/tetracyclines.html)
There ae dozens upon dozens of different eye drops.
And there are different medications with nitroglycerin in it
www.drugs.com/ppa/nitroglycerin.html
I just retired at the end of August and that's exactly what I've been doing. It was too much to try to do after a 40 hr week but now I'm ready to tackle all the extra "junk". Thank you for pointing out a few things I didn't even think about and confirming what I had already planned to do. This was extremely helpful!!!
Going through my contacts and finally deleting all of them I didn't even know, remember or will ever reach out to was such a relief!
A lot of these items make sense. For me personally, I keep the hard copy manuals. It's easier for me to grab the manual, such as when I had to fix the garage door opener. I also staple the receipt inside the cover of the manual so if the appliance goes on the fritz, it's easy to see if it's still within the warranty period. At least once a year, I do go through the drawer where they're kept and toss what needs to go.
I keep a folder of downloaded manuals on my PC and just print the pages I need that day! Plus the search function on computers is very sexy 😀
That's exactly what I do too, Megan.
Just got rid of three evening gowns that were in my closet for 20 years, crazy 🤣
Have a tote full I need to go thru. Hubby retires from military in Feb so won't be needing them anymore plus like she said, if you have an event, you usually buy a new one.
But you might need one of those gowns one day! 😂
Awesome!
I've had my one evening dress for 30 years 😁
I am so chuffed to tell you that I’ve completed the list from start to finish. I’ve also cleared everything from my loft and garage and made £500 selling on Marketplace. I now rent out my garage space for £60 per month so I’m making money, literally from nothing! The feeling is incredible to know exactly what you own and where it is. I had 6 storage boxes of pre-mobile photos, so I sorted out the ones I wanted to keep and took photos of them 😁 I’m left with a small cardboard box of really old sentimental pictures and that’s all.
Not sure if anyone's suggested it, but I like to upcycle mugs into little hanging pots for my succulents, especially the really goofy or sentimental ones I don't use often but don't really want to get rid of.
Let me just say this video saved my new kitchen sink counter top! I went to de-clutter under my kitchen sink and noticed some dark black spots. My first fear was bugs, (now I kind of wish it had been) but turns out those flakes were from my counter top flaking from water damage. I thought when I installed the sink I put a good seal around it, but it seems the seal wasn't working. Thank goodness I found it before it got too bad.
Next you've talked me into getting rid of my bowling ball. The last time I bowled was right before I gave birth to my oldest son. He passed away last year in May. I was holding on to the bowling ball for sentimental reasons But I realized I will always remember the day I went into labor and keeping the ball will not lesson those memories of my son.
Great video. Thanks
May the Lord comfort you in the loss of your precious son.
😢❤ it sounds like you loved your son's incredibly in it's very blessed to have a mother like you and I'm so sorry we're coming up on my anniversary of my mom dying and that's going to be a really hard day yet I have to believe it or not I still haven't had the memorial service I thought it would be good to have that service soon