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Claycat on "To eBay or not to eBay - what do I do with the stuff meanwhile is the question?"

Claycat — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:55:13 +0000

LOL! Alexa! It is serving ware. It can be used. I don't know how the spout would be for watering plants. :)

I guess I will have to get busy and put a bunch of things on eBay.

akcorcoran on "Giving up on the china and crystal?"

akcorcoran — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:28:36 +0000

Oh - thanks! I'll check it out!

akcorcoran on "To eBay or not to eBay - what do I do with the stuff meanwhile is the question?"

akcorcoran — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:28:02 +0000

That's terrific. Umm... even though I am *supposed* to be cleaning out clutter, I could really use that for a small watering pitcher for plants. Can it be used or is it just decorative?

iSale is terrific - I got it from a MacHeist bundle sale (about 8 softwares for $25) but I'll check and see if there are any coupons out there. If you do keep going, I would recommend it. It will do the search for you (both eBay and Google) and then create an auction for you in one click, plus let you pull pictures from anywhere right into a drag and drop template. Also keeps your information in a template for shipping, return and payment policy, etc. Even timing of auctions if you want.

Since it's supposed to snow another 10 - 20 inches here in the mid-Atlantic, I'm going to try to line up some items to eBay! I checked all my books and some of the more common (no real value on these book sites), I decided I'm just going to donate to the library. It's not worth the clutter. Will try to sell the more valuable and texts from my Master's program. I bought most all of my books on Half.com so I know academics buy there. I had over 100 books (more like 150 to 200) for each specialty - and I had four!

Claycat on "To eBay or not to eBay - what do I do with the stuff meanwhile is the question?"

Claycat — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:42:21 +0000

I got my first bid! YAY! I'm so excited!

Here's the listing.

http://tinyurl.com/yguznr6

Alexa, I was checking out iSale. It is almost $40. I was sad, because turbo lister is free to PC users on ebay, but there is nothing for Mac users. I guess I will just list each one myself. I guess I would buy iSale if I decided to do this on an ongoing basis. Who knows? That could happen! Though, I think I will be so happy everything is gone, I may not want to continue. I guess I will have to wait and see how I feel about it.

Bobbi on "Clutter is a Dream Killer"

Bobbi — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:27:58 +0000

I tend to "flit" from area to area and focus on things-of-a-kind or categories of things. For example, you might have CDs in every room of the house. It is easier to deal with them if I know I have collected them into one place. Tools (screw drivers, allen wrenches, etc.), books, office supplies, even kitchen items are easier to sort if i can see all of them. One of the difficulties of this procedure is having the space to collect. I would also suggest it's the second procedure rather than the first (which is easy - take out the obvious trash and leave the undecided for later). I can't imagine, Greg, getting it right the first time. Maybe the 7th time. Maybe each time is part of the maintenance?

I think it's valuable to "touch your stuff" at least once a year. You still may not be ready to part with an object but at least you have visited it. It gets easier from there to realize you don't want or need it or it might be broken, mildewy or rotten and easy to toss.

badkitti on "Are you a hoarder?"

badkitti — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:36:10 +0000

I really ike the idea of the one in, one out rule - my husband has that imposed on his cars - two classic landrovers and a normal car - when another one comes, one had better already be sold!

bandicoot on "clutter thought process"

bandicoot — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:27:56 +0000

they gave me 3 pairs of socks in korea.
today i tossed seven pairs of wretched miserable old stained mismatched socks and now i have just seven pairs of perfect socks left.
and even that feels like a bit too many.

but i made an effort to get rid of two things for every one new thing that comes in.
it has made me really assess the incoming stuff quite brutally!

badkitti on "Overwhelmed Newbie"

badkitti — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:24:45 +0000

devilot - I think you're doing brilliantly, and I love seeing the before and after photos. Hope the bf enjoys your efforts and his stay.

Abeline on "My "Monk" moment"

Abeline — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:24:30 +0000

LOL. A few days ago I was wandering around the dollar store with some friends, killing time due to a long wait at a restaurant. I found myself unable to resist organizing their keychains. You know, the sassy ones teenagers think are brilliant? They were all on the wrong pegs and all mixed together. Made me nuts.

Another Deb on "clutter thought process"

Another Deb — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:46:37 +0000

A full-length mirror is a good decluttering device for wardrobes. The first time my aunt had one installed, she almost gave every single clothing item to the Goodwill!

MellieTX on "Are you a hoarder?"

MellieTX — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:07:40 +0000

Angelicious- how old were your kids when you started the one in/one out rule? Mine are young enough that I can just "dissappear" their clothing when outgrown, but the toys are another story. My husband just made a hoarder comment about our kids toys.

My personal problem is paperwork, like you mentioned. I don't want to get rid of anything I might need. I'm getting better, in fact made significant progress last night.

Greg on "Clutter is a Dream Killer"

Greg — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:28:38 +0000

Hey Tiggy,

Slow and steady wins the race. I am currently decluttering the whole of my house as well and like you attacking one room at a time. The only advice I can offer is make sure you really focus on the one space and get it right the first time, that way afterwards only a little maintanence is required to have a clutter free house for life.

Good luck
Greg

wintersmom on "Baby clothes"

wintersmom — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:08:57 +0000

Thanks for the feedback! I just freecycled a whole bunch of stuff so I actually have room to store the baby clothes now.

@akcorcoran - Good tip on storage!

wintersmom on "Overwhelmed Newbie"

wintersmom — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:06:08 +0000

@devilot - I had a flashback to my own childhood when you mentioned your conservative Asian parents. I wouldn't be surprised if your dad's car looked like my dad's, with stacks and stacks of fast food napkins turning yellow on the dashboard and a trunk full of everything but the kitchen sink. And I won't even talk about the house! But I completely understand where my parents are coming from...they remember what it was like during and after the Korean War. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck. I think you've gotten a lot of good advice from other unclutterers here. Just remember, it's a process. You'll have some good days, some bad, but don't let either slow or stop you.

Gypsie on "Moving house - the perfect excuse to declutter/tidy"

Gypsie — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:47:51 +0000

Good Luck with moving. DH and I will be moving this summer across the country. As we get ready to move and sell our house we will be taking the time to get rid of stuff. I love moving every few years!

Claycat on "Through decluttering, what have you found out about yourself?"

Claycat — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:10:39 +0000

It's interesting to read this. I wonder if any of us knew who we really were when we were very young. I look back now and wonder what I was thinking!

Yes, we bring a lot of stuff forward and later wonder why. I think it takes awhile to become self-aware. Maybe some people never get there.

Claycat on "Moving house - the perfect excuse to declutter/tidy"

Claycat — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:06:56 +0000

Good luck with your move, badkitti! Pace yourself so you don't get too tired.

Claycat on "My cloth hoarding is rewarded -- dangnabit"

Claycat — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:04:59 +0000

LOL! Wow, Kaz, that is expensive!

badkitti on "Moving house - the perfect excuse to declutter/tidy"

badkitti — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:01:19 +0000

I'm moving from one rental property to another smaller one. Not only does this mean I've been going through stuff to recycle/chuck/donate, but I've an excuse to ask the husband to consider all his stuff too. Hurrah!

The Husband will get a garage at last so nothing of that ilk will darken my door again. Another hurrah!

I'm moving to a bungalow - no more stairs to hoover and store stuff on 'to be sorted later'. Triple Hurrah!

Today and tomorrow morning has been/will be spent getting the place tidy enough as we have viewings on tuesday/wednesday/thursday.

I'll add photos as I load up the new place - see how it comes together.

Kaz in Oz on "My cloth hoarding is rewarded -- dangnabit"

Kaz in Oz — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:01:04 +0000

Gee, thanks for that Claycat! Just what I needed a link to a material site. I have resisted Etsy for so long!!!
Zora - I too have a stash that has increased in value. Most of our quilting cottons are now $30 AUD a metre. Luckily I have enough projects started to keep me going for a while since I didn't finish anything last year, and unless it gets cooler this winter coming I may need to look at another hobby. It gets too hot to quilt here in summer.

badkitti on "Are you a hoarder?"

badkitti — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:54:18 +0000

I'm not a hoarder - I don't even think I'm a 'collector' anymore! Even my sentimental clutter has been trawled through this eveing and binned/recycled.

badkitti on "w/c 18th Jan 2010 : What items left your house for good this week"

badkitti — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:52:42 +0000

OUT: All the clutter from our wedding memories box - I don't need to keep all the cards - and my memories box. Wow! Why is the only time I look at this stuff when I move out?

IN: A new scientific calculator, as my old one sadly died. Items as gifts for friends abroad, so...

PENDING: Items to post - 4 parcels. Can't wait til they arrive

elledee on "clutter thought process"

elledee — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:27:37 +0000

I invested in a nice college sweatshirt when I graduated, the one you can wear raking leaves or camping and is cool because you went there. Unfortunately, that was at a point in my life (and clothes culture) where I (everyone?) wore sweatshirts at least 2 sizes too big.

I finally got rid of it this past year. I've given myself permission to buy a new one should I find one that I really like and fits me (even if it's spendy).

Taking a picture of yourself in awful clothing we keep for some reason is a really good idea...

angelicious on "Are you a hoarder?"

angelicious — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:27:01 +0000

I'm a lot like bandicoot - my home is very tidy and "hoarder" is probably the last thing you'd think visiting it. However... I do have those tendencies. Growing up poor, we used what we could where we could. For years, I over-stocked cleaning supplies and canned foods, because that's what I remember running out of when we were kids. And milk - with two brothers, we were always out of milk. (Now I have two boys of my own, a tween & almost tween, and I see why!)

My biggest "hoarding" right now is paperwork. I have this deathly fear of throwing out some important paper/receipt/bill/whatever. Am taking drastic steps in the right direction: throwing out consumables receipt as soon as I enter them, being brutal with filing, taking advantage of scanner's PDF capabilities. I'm also using the Freedom Filer, which makes life easy and not so easy. o_O

Easiest thing? Being brutal with my kids' stuff. They have way too many tchotchkes (Zoar, you got it right! :) and fave clothes that don't fit anymore or have holes. (Mooom! This my favorite (insert clothing name here)! I don't care if it has holes! What stain? I don't see a stain?!) And instituting the one-in-one-out rule (if you buy/receive a toy, you have to get rid of toy(s) of equal size and/or value. It usually amounts to an entire bag of tchotchkes and a happy mom dance) has helped.

I will not raise hoarders. I will not raise hoarders. Aaaa-ummmm....

elledee on "Through decluttering, what have you found out about yourself?"

elledee — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:23:50 +0000

What I think has been the most apparent to me is that I had NO idea who I was when I was younger. I'm still fairly young that I have random boxes from high school and college, and no doubt I'll change again, but the things I was interested in and thought "defined" me then are seriously worthless now. I have changed so much since then.

My shopping habits have changed...I wander through a store looking at things, and I do look at many things, but I end up walking out with one thing. Prime example, the other day I found myself near a overstock retailer, lots of cool paintings, housewares, etc. I walked through and looked at lots of stuff, and ended up walking out with just one thing (a flower pot for a new plant at work).

Of course, the backlog from when I was a different person still has its way of following me around...

Ginger on "w/c 18th Jan 2010 : What items left your house for good this week"

Ginger — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:15:01 +0000

Out: Bag of clothing, books and CDs have been sent to goodwill (about kitchen bag sized..). It feels so nice!

In: Nothing this time! ^_^

akcorcoran on "To eBay or not to eBay - what do I do with the stuff meanwhile is the question?"

akcorcoran — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:36:25 +0000

@Claycat - that's great! Got a listing?

I'm glad you think it's clear and pictures are good - Thanks! The format is from this iSale software that I have. Do all the eBayers out there think it makes a difference? Can't tell if it's worth using?

Still perplexed on books.

OH, one thing to share! I invested in something that I think will make eBay listing a whole lot easier. I take A LOT of digital photos of my family but struggle with getting the photos off quickly, SO I had looked into an Eye-Fi SD card - that's the SC card that actually sends the pictures wirelessly to your computer via the Internet. Website is http://www.eye.fi/ - you can learn more or buy there but they are also sold on Amazon and other electronic websites (probably eBay too). I invested in one of the higher models b/c I also do video and wanted more options, but the lower level start at a very reasonable price.

Anyway, the KEY is that when I take a picture on my dig camera, it sends it to the computer. Great for kids but ALSO fabulous for eBay! It's why I finally got those boots up there. There's no hassle of taking pictures for eBay! I took out the boots - shot them. Walked back to my computer and they were already there. Dropped in template and posted. I think now I could line up all the items and take pics so they are all on hand as I sit down to put up listings.

For those of you who are eBay gurus and/or have stores, it might be really useful!

akcorcoran on "Kitchen Canister Quandary?"

akcorcoran — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:50:46 +0000

Hi everyone - Sorry, "Snowmageddon" here in Baltimore kept me away!

@charmed2482, let me know if you decide to go for canisters - I know A LOT about them and where to get them! :-)

So, three updates:

1) I had guests and my daughter's birthday party this weekend (though it was postponed due to snow) and friends + kids over yesterday - and the kitchen held up without clutter! Just before bed, I did a simple straighten and it was completely clutter free and clean. Was *such* a nice feeling! And, hubby came to me this morning and said said he really enjoyed having the clean kitchen - made you want to keep it that way. Success!

2) Next stop is drawers and cabinets, but I'm just worried about time. Do you think it's possible to do the drawers a bit at a time - it's hard b/c I'd like to think about the whole drawer scheme at a time, but that would take a lot of time...

3) I did use the snow time and help to purge my daughters' art room / our laundry room! My Mom and I plowed through things and she was super helpful b/c she wasn't emotionaly attached. I have this HUGE bag of coloring books that they've aged out of that we can give away, so that's nice. Will post pictures if I get a chance - but alas, I don't think I have a before...

Claycat on "My cloth hoarding is rewarded -- dangnabit"

Claycat — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:47:01 +0000

Zora, if there is material you don't want, you can sell it at Etsy!

http://www.etsy.com/

Here is some material that is selling right now.

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=supplies&search_query=cotton+material

Claycat on "To eBay or not to eBay - what do I do with the stuff meanwhile is the question?"

Claycat — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:39:23 +0000

I checked your listing again. You had the numbers and everything and good photos. Your bidder probably doesn't need anymore info. The listing looks good!

Claycat on "To eBay or not to eBay - what do I do with the stuff meanwhile is the question?"

Claycat — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:36:49 +0000

That's great that you have a bidder, Alexa! Maybe it is a good idea to post info like that in the description. However, sometimes people bid on something that is an older style, because they had some like it and really liked them.

I finally posted my first item last night!

Claycat on "Giving up on the china and crystal?"

Claycat — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:32:25 +0000

Alexa, often the pattern name or ID number of the china is on the underside. The silver usually has the maker name on it.

akcorcoran on "To eBay or not to eBay - what do I do with the stuff meanwhile is the question?"

akcorcoran — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:31:00 +0000

Hi everyone! Sorry for the radio silence - digging out of "Snowmageddon" here in the mid-Atlantic!

@katmeowrine, is there an advantage to having a store versus just listing items to sell? And, when you buy stuff - do you look for discounts / sales on items you know you can sell at full price? Or tag / garage sales? Not necc going to pursue it, but I've always been curious?

@all, feeling pretty great b/c I finally managed to list something - and I have a bidder! I was nervous b/c the item is old and there is a newer style of the boots (that are honestly better) but I priced accordingly and someone bid right away. To all the eBayers, do you think I need to contact the bidder (towards the end) to be SURE they know that it's the older style of boots? I thought I was really clear and upfront about the style number and the slight rubs in the boots. And, it says no returns? I'm just not sure of seller etiquette (though no one has ever contacted me about an item). Listing is here:
http://bit.ly/aQEeJW

Might use snow day to list some more!

akcorcoran on "Giving up on the china and crystal?"

akcorcoran — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:18:09 +0000

Thanks, Claycat - perhaps it's a sign when I can't remember the name of the patterns of my china (2 Limoges patterns?) and my silver! ;-)

Mrs.Mack on "My cloth hoarding is rewarded -- dangnabit"

Mrs.Mack — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:16:38 +0000

Think of it this way. It's now expensive enough that you're not likely to be purchasing a lot more to add to your stash, and that means you'll need to use up what you've already got if you want to sew.

If anything, the high prices will encourage you to use what you have, rather than let it sit there while you go get more.