Minimal March anyone?

[Dave Gray]

Now that February is coming to a close, I issue another challenge: Minimal March

It's essentially spring cleaning, de-cluttering, downsizing, simplifying month.

Does anyone do any kind of spring cleaning?  Who wants in?

[Brian Fein]

I want to do this also but I need help here.  I am a hoarder at heart and need to detach. 

I started selling old stuff that has value on eBay.  I made over $200 in February selling stuff.  I want to continue this, and also free up the space in the house.

You should come over and be a consultant... 

[Dave Gray]

I will help, if you want.

I think that there's a lot of emotional attachment to things with people and they need to work through that part themselves.  Here are some tips that I think have been helpful for me:

Clothing --
- go through and donate things you know that you don't like or don't fit
- turn all of your hangers backwards, so that when you wear things and put them back, you can see which things you've worn after 6 months or a year.  It's easier to get rid of a shirt you think you like when you literally haven't taken it off the hanger in a year.
- a good question to ask yourself when looking at clothes objectively: "If this shirt were destroyed, would I re-buy this?


Brian, what kind of stuff are you specifically having trouble getting rid of?

One good thing that I did was to recognize the concept of my fantasy self vs. my real self.  If you have a bunch of tennis stuff, but never make time to play and it's taking up needed space, make a change.  Just be honest with yourself about who you are and how you live.

[Brian Fein]

^^ We had this conversation 1 year ago.  I remember it vividly. 

I just think there's a lot of junk in the house that I feel like I wouldn't mind getting rid of it, but throwing perfectly usable and acceptable items into a dumpster irks me a bit.  I'd rather donate them or give them to a friend or sell them.

I could have a hell of a garage sale, if my community allowed it.

[Dave Gray]

Yeah..don't throw away.  Donate stuff.

But also, stop bringing in new stuff.  Where did all this stuff come from?  Why do you have it?

[Buddhagirl]

I would join, but I just moved the first of the year and I got rid of EVERYTHING. I was basically too lazy to pack that shit and pay someone to move it.

I got rid of 4-5 carloads of stuff (donated, of course) AND my sectional, mattress, etc. It was AWESOME and I honestly felt lighter.

[Brian Fein]

Yeah..don't throw away.  Donate stuff.

But also, stop bringing in new stuff.  Where did all this stuff come from?  Why do you have it?

accumulation from 7+ years.

Example: I have had a set of couches which I got used when I moved into my house.  They were a matching set of loveseat and sofa.  I recently got a new sofa from a neighbor and I "got rid of" the old one by leaving it in my community's clubhouse.  I can't bring myself to put it out for bulk trash pickup because I feel weird about breaking up the matching set.  But at the same time, if someone who wanted it came and picked it up, I'd be fine to give it away for free.

I know it makes no sense but I can't explain it.  I probably have mental problems.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

When I was moving, I got rid of some furniture by calling up a church who split it between a person exiting foster care & another who had lost all her furniture when she was evicted during a hospital stay. 

It actually took about 6 or 7 calls to different agencies until I found someone who wanted it and could haul it away. 

[Dave Gray]

I had a pretty good first weekend.  A set of drawers (called a buffet) was overstuffed and led to some drawers coming apart and breaking.  I fixed them, but also used to opportunity to move some stuff around and clear out some other things.  Our wedding china was in there, but we're using this as a way to include the china and start to use it.

I also cleared up some areas that were ugly and consolidated a set of speakers into my entertainment center.  I also wrapped up all the cords so it's nice and neat and you can't see the wires underneath things.

We took a few things to donate to Goodwill, which was mostly clothing.

We went through our tupperware and matched up lids and got rid of ones that we don't use.  We had a bunch that had been sent to us from our parents that we returned.  That was a big help.

Still planned for this month:
- I have to do another pass on my office.  I am building up a collection of old computer stuff that I'm not using.  I need to straighten up on those things and re-organize, at the very least.

- I want to get rid of an old generator that I haven't started in 5 years and is taking up considerable space.

----

Side thought: Having a baby makes this very difficult.  New toys are always coming in and you have to constantly try to free yourself of toys that are no longer used or are not age appropriate.  Additionally, even if your kid does play with all the toys, you can't have them all out at once or it's bedlam.  We are constantly trying to find creative ways to move toys around or bring them in and out on a cycle.


I'm also thinking about getting a new bed.  My bed now doesn't have anything but a metal frame underneath...no headboard or footboard.  I want to get one that has drawers built into the sides for storage as well as a way to limit pet hair from circling under there.

[Brian Fein]

I'm interested in your generator.  Let's discuss that.  I'm in the market for one.  How big is it?

The bed with drawers really helps.  I recommend it immensely.

[Dave Gray]

I'm interested in your generator.  Let's discuss that.  I'm in the market for one.  How big is it?

The bed with drawers really helps.  I recommend it immensely.

Dude....name your price.

Here's the story:

It was originally $600.  I have started it one time to test it during a hurricane season.  It was so loud (and I lived in a condo at the time) that I only meant to start it to run a fridge if we lost power and I had no other choice.)  We haven't had a hurricane since.  Now, my living situation has changed and I do not keep it maintained, so even if a hurricane came through, I doubt it would start, since I haven't put gas or oil in it for 5 years.

I will give you the power details and all that. 

I was planning on selling it to a local place that buys them, but I was going to have to work to get it running before I did that and didn't want to have to if I could help it.  But, aside from dust, it is brand new.

[Brian Fein]

Lets talk offline. How much was the place willing to give you? Do you know?

Its a common story with generators. I was looking for a small one for tailgating and other stuff.

[Fau Teixeira]

I want to do this also but I need help here.  I am a hoarder at heart and need to detach. 

I'm interested in your generator.  Let's discuss that.  I'm in the market for one.  How big is it?

just say no .. junkie

[Brian Fein]

^^ I realize the irony of your statement.  However, I like to collect useless items and let them sit in my garage unused.

[Dave Gray]

The bed with drawers really helps.  I recommend it immensely.

Do you have one?

How many drawers and are they on the sides?  And how does that work with a nightstand?

There are a few I've looked at, but I can't find the perfect one.