Not quite a horder - decluttering

I'm loving the tips, advice and encouragement I'm finding here. And winter wardrobe shopping sounds like a good way to keep my mind occupied in the next few weeks.

I'm finding it easier to toss things now. I guess many of the business cards or other notes I saved because 'I might need them someday' (a journalist never knows when a contact will come in handy) I am now able to say, it's been 4 or 5 years, I am not going to need them. Plus, I want my apartment cleaner for when I'm stuck here for a few weeks recovering. 

Well, the bottom line is I can't afford to stay in this one, especially not now. Goal is to move in with BF into 2 bedroom. My sister has offered to chip in and help fund a professional mover.

Since my surgery is now late Oct, that complicates the timing. I had figured by the end of December, even with chemo, the major recovery period would be over if I had late Sept surgery. Not quite sure what to do now. I might be able to reach a monthly deal with management, but I hear they jack up your rent another $50 or $60 a month for that privilege.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's said this before, but everything in my life had finally fallen into place before all this.

Teka: I use to throw away money on crap. Not anymore ! ! !  I've finally taken control and figured this out. It helps that my kids are older. When I was younger I wish somebody would of explained all this to me and I would have money in the bank instead of stuff in a closet.

Patoo: Keep up the good work on your closets.  My personal clothes closet doesn't look to bad right now. Still room for improvement.Too many shoes. I'm going to straighten them out. Keep the bags flowing to Goodwill. I love black plastic bags. 

Rachelvk: I hope you find it easier and easier to toss things you once thought " I might need this one day."  I too tossed a lot of papers and references. I was in non-profit management. I had a lot of contacts and notes and paperwork to network with.  I did call one contact and the phone had been disconnected. It just proved to me the get rid of it.

Went and looked in my clothes closet and I have over 40 pairs of shoes. No wonder I can't fit anything more on the floor.  Yegads, how many pairs of shoes should a woman have?   How many do you have?

I probably have 20 pairs but you have me motivated to get rid of the ones I never wear.  Sounds like a plan for the weekend!

i got new types of shoes altogether, recently. went back to bikenstocks, for my balance problem. it made a BIG difference.. im so proud.. my whole closet full of shoes went for donation, except, one heels for a minute, weddings, funerals, and a pair of flat heeled over the knee boots for winter.. ahhh, bottom of closet pretty bare.. the birks are costly, so not too many pairs in there...3jays

I am working on getting all the plastic containers out of my kitchen.  As you know it has been in the news about the poisons leaching into our food.. buying all new glass containers.

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SAS, good question.  I don't know about the TV dinners and all the freezer section items.  I am just assuming that the best thing to do is put your frozen dinner into a plate and microwave it that way.  It takes a scientist to figure everything out. However, since BC in my life, I am doing mostly cooking from scratch and baking, avoiding preservatives and soy addatives.  I read every label before buying. 

Yes, welcome NativeMainer.  Don't worry about repeating as it serves as a reminder if we've forgotten older tips.

Hey, I've heard that about plastic containers for years and the thought came to me to maybe just line them with parchment paper as nothing transfers to the food from it.  Might be good if you carry your lunch to work and don't want the heaviness of glass. 

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-parchment-paper.htm

Lots of good uses for parchment paper as well.

One of my problems is I like to read so I tend to collect books. Bought 5 at the Goodwill store just the other day. So now I'm starting to pile books into baskets and on the table...

Will try and work in the garage tomorrow. It's been so hot it's really hard to even think about it. Our office is kept at 73 so 89 is really hot! I could put some things in the attic and it would definitely help with the declutter.

I did get rid of shoes and purses lately. The shoes was a hard one for me since I like many different kinds of shoes.... just found a black pair just like a brown pair of heals that really feel good to wear, so I bought them and find that I don't wear the others as much... so I could get rid of some of the "forgotten" heals... (just a thought)

i also, trnd to read a whole  lot. when i'm finished, i take them to a 2nd hand bookstore, which is closde to us. i get credit towards the next shopping trip. its' wonderful. i've started NOT to collect the "fiction" stuff, deleted a lot; and am saving only imp ones. spiritual  cookbooks, etc. really reduced it. we love books here, so we just have to be pickier... i wasnt a kindle, but i think $$ this is better, for now

i can't remember who said it,, but sacouny is a good brand. i don't wear sneaks at all.. but when i did, it was rebok, or sacouny.....3jays

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Patoo... Oh, so true, but I have a baby jumpy round...seat thing that I don't want to give away, sell or etc. I did that two years ago and had to go out and buy another for my DD when she came for a visit this past July... Yes, I've been trying to put it in the attic since July. Anyway I gave the other away and now when she visits I want to have it available. She's due the first of the year for #3. So, does that count that I'm at least putting it somewhere????

I haven't looked into getting a Kindle since I like the feel of books, maybe someday. I pass, trade, give away and yes, buy books. They don't usually stay here very long... just the really good ones.

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