Comments on: Cleaning Out My Closets & My Mind

By: J. Money

J. Money — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 19:13:02 +0000

@Mike- Saving Money Today – haha, good luck w/ that sir. know one way to avoid that? not having a garage ;) (although, basements are probably worse — I swear everything migrates there after every cleaning session)
@Briana @ GBR – It’s the best right? Jammin’ out to Jay-Z or some Bon Jovi! I actually installed my old stereo into my new bookshelves in the bedroom so now it’s always on!

By: Briana @ GBR

Briana @ GBR — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 21:40:57 +0000

I do the exact same the thing. Crank the music up and get trash bags upon trash bags of things to donate. Thanks for the Goodwill Valuation Guide; definitely needed that.

By: Mike- Saving Money Today

Mike- Saving Money Today — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 02:33:03 +0000

You’re so right…it’s amazing how much crap we accumulate. In the fall we cleaned out the basement and got rid of a TON of stuff…next up is the garage, if I can find it!

By: J. Money

J. Money — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:42:39 +0000

Funny story – I went yesterday to donate all 7 bags of clothes/items to Salvation Army, and came back with a table :) I didn’t mean to (believe me) but it was so damn cool! And only $20. Just goes to show that the only true way NOT to buy stuff is to not go into stores or anywhere online, haha… 300+ items and only 1 back ain’t too bad though.

@twentysomethingmoney – So true! I barely think of/remember stuff I’ve given away. And when I do, it’s not like it’s every super important.
@Sunshine – Hmmmm… you already try googling it?
@Mummyscrooge – That’s the key – once stuff is out, don’t fill it back up!
@Investing Newbie – Not if we keep doing it every couple of months ;) I like the gradual way better – although it’s not as exciting as seeing the 1-time major difference.
@~Carla~ – Hahaha… bow chicka wha wha!
@Molly On Money – Good for you! Esp during a staycation, that takes skill ;)
@Sarah – Good call! I have these Armani jeans that have been re-patched and stiched a few times – and only costs $10 or $15 a visit (an older lady that lives down the street from us). Unfortunately I’m starting to outgrow these jeans, but still a VERY valuable person to know for sure. Good addition.
@Steph – Yeah, that is a problem that comes up… even w/ me. It can take months for me to finally list something so I’ll usually end up taking it out to donate if there’s nothing expensive in there. Or if I’m just lazy/too busy. As long as it’s out of the house though, it’s a-okay :)

By: Steph

Steph — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:29:48 +0000

I actually love to clean up and out all the stuff I no longer find useful. I love the minimalist idea too. I have a dream that one day I will be able to buy one of those old shotgun style houses in the New Orleans French Quarter and they are pretty small.

The biggest problem I have is that I tend to make my three piles/bags/boxes and the “sell” pile seems to sit forever. I never seem to find the time to photograph and list each item nor do I have the desire to take it to the consignment shop and wait for them to pick through my stuff and tell me what they will take (I always feel insulted when they refuse something “like my crap’s not good enough for you??”).

I suppose if I had some high dollar stuff it may get me more motivated, but as of right now, I just can’t seem to do it.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:17:40 +0000

As a girl with way too many clothes, I tend to do the same thing, but tweaked a little. Maybe other women can relate:
A pile to donate
A pile to throw away
A pile to sell on eBay
A pile that needs some lovin’ from a tailor or a cobbler
I can’t express how important it is to have a good tailor and a good cobbler. My $398 Frye boots that have gone through hell and back looked brand new after I got it back from my favorite cobbler. I could have kissed him, I was so thrilled! Many more years of wear out of an expensive pair of boots for only $30?! Yes, please. Tailors can also do miracles-if the reason why I don’t wear a favorite jacket is because a hole has sprouted in the pockets, my tailor can redo the lining of my coat for much cheaper than it would cost to go buy a new one.

By: Molly On Money

Molly On Money — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 05:49:13 +0000

I had a ‘stayvacation’ over the holidays and ended up spending several days clearing out all the crap that accumulates. It’s rather shocking!

By: ~Carla~

~Carla~ — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 01:35:51 +0000

The first thing I need to purge is my girls toys… I really should have done it *before* Christmas, but oh well.. wanna come help?? :P lol!!

By: Investing Newbie

Investing Newbie — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 01:29:55 +0000

I actually had to do this against my will recently! I decided to redesign my room and since the theme was “minimalist” I ended up with a lot less “spaces” to hide my stuff. So I had to face the hard facts about what I was going to give away/chuck. In the end, my room is a lot more spacious and less junky, but I’m sure in a year or so, I”ll have to do the same thing again.

By: Mummyscrooge

Mummyscrooge — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:41:32 +0000

We are moving soon so have been having a big purge. It does clean out your mind.
I have also started a minimalist journey so hope not to refill the new house.

Great Post