Where do I start?

Question

I would love to declutter and sort my house out. I have a very low home budget and as it's coming up to Christmas 🎄 my budget is 0. I'm panicking just now about everything. Help me please.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

First off don't panic. Start one room at time deciding the what you need and want. Separate piles based on what is being used now and what is not. Store the items you would like to keep in large totes labeled.Once you decide is not needed donate the items.

Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA · Answer

As Janet said - do not panic.  Also see if you have a very trusted friend or relative to help you out for a few hours every week.

While going through your items, see if there is anything you can sell for extra cash.  Also see if you can regift some items that you may already have.

After my mom passed, it took me 2 1/2 years and an unpaid leave of work to empty the house.  I know what you are going through.  Slow and steady is the key.  Hope this gives you a start . . .

Kathleen · Answer

Don't panic. Here is a quote I use all the time
Clutter is the result of refusal to decide. DECIDE.
First decide you are going to do this. Then as every says, don't panic. Start in the room you use least-you are more likely to finish and be more ruthless in what you decide to keep or get rid of. One room a day. Ruthless. If you have decided to do a certain room on that day, turn of the phone, the TV anything that can distract you. Set a reasonable, attainable goal. First, set a goal for the day you must have it finished. You must have a schedule or it will never happen. If you don't have enough days to get it all done before your deadline, be ruthless and decide what rooms are MOST in need. If that means everyone has to stay out of a certain room on a certain day, be ruthless, Explain what's happening and be firm in your goals. I have helped many people do what you want to do, and it is more difficult than anyone admits unless you arm yourself with a firm decision. Trust me, the results are well worth it. Good luck!

CK · Answer

I recently read the term 'Analysis Paralysis'.   What that means is people over-think an issue to the point of doing nothing.  Like others have said,  don't panic and don't think of it as one big project. Think of each room as smaller areas to tackle in a reasonable time limit.

I was hired to do 'mission organization' for a client. Her home was small, her budget even smaller. So basically I gave her an assignment to start with.  Her main goal was to get the clutter down so she could have a comfortable seating place at the end of the day. I told her her assignment was to clean off the sofa. She was to sort through, organize, toss, etc. so that eventually the sofa was useable for something other than 'storage'.   I gave her two weeks for that and she was to call me when completed.  She called and was ecstatic!  'Come see it!' she said.  So I went to 'review'.  The sofa was cleaned off, she was happy to have a soft place to land at day's end.  But...then I said 'Where's all the stuff that was on the sofa?'  'Oh I just moved most of it to the kitchen table.'  Obviously that wasn't much of an improvement. :-(   I had to show her how to sort into 3 main piles before she got the idea of proceeding.  Keep  --  Store -- Throw.   As others too have said, have someone help you because a new set of eyes is your best aid to sort through with less 'attachment'.

Jackie · Answer

I actually just had to do this only because I was moving after 23 years in my home. I got boxes from work, or you can visit your local  stores and ask for them, a lot of times they will just give them to you from recent deliveries. I made a 'keep'  'trash' and 'donate' piles and started one place at a time. Start small not big like a drawer or closet(so it doesn't overwhelm you from the start) and continue til it is sorted. Take your donated stuff to your local salvation army on a daily basis if you can, that way you wont be tempted to go back thru and take things out and keep them the following day. Put your 'keeps' in a box if they are box worthy(totes are expensive) and label them. It is a process that takes a lot of time but the end result you will be proud of your accomplishment. Good luck!

Loretta Clark · Answer

If you really have stuff overtaking you, one great method is to NOT go room by room, but try grouping one or two items of a kind, from all over the house.  For example, pens and pencils.  Think about when and where you use these, and have a place for a reasonable amount of them in each of these location.  Then donate or trash the rest!  It is very freeing to get rid of stuff!  You will have a space you can clean and be comfortable in.

Kiz13621209 · Answer

Thank you for your thoughts, a clear house is a clear mind. So I'll give your ideas a try x

Christine Kay Millier · Answer

What I use for storage that is inexpensive are archive boxes, some places you can get for free are banks and councils, the boxes that they get their computer paper in are the same size as the archive boxes you can buy. I line them with plastic bags, add moth balls to keep out silversish etc and lable them. They are small enough to not become too heavy. Or you can use the shrink plastic bags for storing clothing and fabrics etc. I use the large sip lock bags and just squish out the excess air. I can easily see fabrics trims, elastic, buttons etc. I also keep patterns in ziplock bags. All the pieces are then kept together.

Sherry · Answer

I keep a black trash bag (so I can't see what I put in it yesterday and pull it back out) near my door to the garage. As I go through my house, I daily pick up things I haven't used in 6 months, and put them in the black trash bag. Once a week I take this bag to the local place that sells items to help the deserving and donate my items.

When I haven't worn/used something in 6 months (or a year, you choose the time), I remind myself that I am 'blessing some other family' with my donated item.

I am a nibbler, not a shark. I accomplish more taking small bites (weekly trips to donate) than one or two days of massive giving stuff away. I don't really miss the things I've donated once they are out of my house. I have been pleasantly surprised at the freedom and space having less clutter has yielded. This process has also curbed my retail therapy...seeing all the money I spent on things I didn't use is sobering. I wish I had the cash instead of the stuff now. Happy blessing others with your unused stuff!

Swinnen Lisette · Answer

I know it is very difficult but I did this as follow: I started in one cupboard with all the glasses. I decided I never have more than 8 people over for dinner (maximum space on the table), So I kept 12 glasses of each sort , red and white wine, long drink, liquor,..and threw the rest away. Same thing with plates and so on. I got rid of all the books that will not be read again. all empty carton boxes of things I bought. All manuals and warranties of things I don't even have any more. If you see your films or series on streaming, like I do, no need anymore to keep all the dvd's. Got rid of all sheets and towels, except 3 sets per person who can sleep over in my house. I Tried to give a place to each item I have. Now I don't have overloaded furniture anymore which make is so much easier to clean.

And I know that I will need something the very week after I threw it away, although I didn't use it for years but that's normal. But if I didn't need it all this years, it means I did it with another item all those times.

Just take your time when you are cleaning your house and incorporate 1 cupboard or wardrobe to do entirely. All items who don't belong in that particular cupboard are to be moved, or in the trash, or in the place where similar items are. Good luck

And I know that I will need something the very week after I threw it away, although I didn't use it for years but that's normal. But if I didn't need it all this years, it means I did it with another item all those times.

Just take your time when you are cleaning your house and incorporate 1 cupboard or wardrobe to do entirely. All items who don't belong in that particular cupboard are to be moved, or in the trash, or in the place where similar items are. Good luck

KarolLee Pàrrish · Answer

http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar.html

Bab11044662 · Answer

Get some boxes free at liquor stores. Mark some that says donate, throw away, keep, etc. Amazing how fast it will go. and if you have children, get them to do the same for their clothes and items.

Mary Gendron · Answer

I keep a bag in my bedroom. If I try something on and it doesn't fit anymore, I fold it and put it in the bag. When it's fulI, donate it. Also If you haven't worn something in ages, donate it. I retired, don't need the 5 pairs of black pants, kept the newest one , donate the rest. Cupboards-same thing, if you don't use it, get rid of it. My brother in law moved into a smaller place, people helped him pack everything. I helped unpack and throw out outdated canned food, and dozens of coffee mugs (One man only needs a few coffee mugs) Throw out chipped or broken items, if you haven't fixed it right away, it never will be.

Sal3170064 · Answer

Some good ideas. Especially sorting into keep, sell, trash or donate boxes. That's how I sort. Now it's sorting how to sort what you are keeping. Clear a space in one room. Then put things in piles of which room does the item belong in. When you have sorted a big enough pile take it and put away. Choose boxes that will have space to add more. If you have a budget use shoe boxes or other sized boxes, but cover in fabric, add a label. As you get any cash to spare gradually replace with see through stacking boxes suitable for space you are storing the boxes.

Roll fabric and clothes and towels upright in baskets or boxes, rather than on top of one another, this way you can see what you have.

Liz Straughn · Answer

As far as Christmas with no cash, (or birthday gifts, for that matter), as you are going through things, think of 're-gifting' items. I have a box of things I get as gifts or have purchased that I no longer use or want. Much is in new condition. Save those for down the road when you need a gift.

Liz Straughn · Answer

I label with a sticky note if someone gave me a gift I won't ever use. That way, I won't re-gift it to them or anyone in their family!

Zest it Up · Answer

I totally understand the frustration! Here's how I purged my house and got rid of some things: http://zestitup.com/how-to-purge-tips-tricks-to-simplifying-life/

Where do I start?

Suggested Project Book

You Still Have Time to Get the Backyard Oasis of Your Dreams

Other

More

Where do I start?

Suggested Project Book