I’m having my yearly garage sale next week so this week I’m hard at work clearing clutter out of our rooms, cupboards and closets in preparation. Since I love to encourage simple living on my blog and because I also believe you save a lot of time and money by being organized, I thought it would be fun to include you all in my Clear Out the Clutter Challenge.
Starting tomorrow, we’ll be working through our homes room-by-room in an effort to ruthlessly rid our lives of unnecessary things. You’ll get to see real-time before and after pictures of my efforts (yes, I’m even going to show you inside my closets and cupboards–as humbling as that may be!).
I’ll also be sharing ideas for how to streamline your lives, keep things more organized and clutter-free, and how to make money and bless others with your extra stuff. In addition, I’ll be giving away some of my favorite organization resources and tools to some of you who participate in the Clear Out the Clutter Challenge.
Are you with me? Stay tuned for your first assignments tomorrow morning.
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Where does all the junk come from? We had a HUGE yard sale last year, and we’ve already got a good pile started for another one this year. I’m already working on cleaning out, so I’d love to join you! Looking forward to it!
Oh how I need this right now. I’m in!
Count me in! My husband has been wanting me to do this for a while, but I’ve been lacking the motivation…this is just what I need.
I am in. Neighborhood sale is this weekend in my neighborhood. Need to clean out clutter!
Would love to join in but I did my spring cleaning a few weeks ago.Good luck to everyone.You will love the outcome.
I am in! I was just writing some goals last night! It will be fun to do it with others!
I am ready for the challenge! No more CLUTTER!!!!
I am definitely in. In fact, I started the process on my own a few days ago. I hate clutter and I’m always looking for ways to pare down. With young kids at home, I think you need to be especially ruthless with outgrown clothes and toys. I hope that by working with you I’ll see my house with fresh eyes. We never have a garage sale–we always donate our goods to charity–which is a good reminder to those who start to feel overwhelmed. Most charities will come to your house to pick up your unused items. My “trick” to keep myself motivated is to call a charity and schedule a pick-up and then I *have* to de-clutter so I’ll have something to give them when they come!
@cathy,
That is a REALLY good idea! I work so much better/faster when I have a deadline! I’ll have to remember that one…
I am. I satrted last week on my spring break.
I’m so in, I’ve already done 2 rooms (play room and kids bathroom). Unfortunately, just those two rooms took me a week to finish. Ready to get serious!!!!
Yes! I am in! Will have to work around homeschooling, but any small amount of cleaning/organizing can help out right? Thanks!
I’m in! Been working on spring cleaning since last week!
I’m in! I was just saying that we have too much junk around here!
I am having a garage sale next week. Count me in!
I’m definitely joining this challenge. I already am planning our neighborhood yard sale day the last Saturday of the month, so this is a great way to prepare!! I’m definitely interested to see if you have any ideas on storage for a cramped home. We have no garage, shed or basement so storing EVERYTHING in my house is becoming a huge challenge.
Count me in
Perfect timing for Spring Cleaning! I’ve been doing a little de-cluttering for months now, but really need to just do a concentrated effort for each room per day. Thanks for the motivation!
I am really excited about reading your blog through this and trying it out for my family too!
I am so in. I have already started, though my husband has been complaining because I have it all stored in the middle of our garage floor. At times, moreso now, I have been thinking I should just donate everything, though there is that little voice still saying keep it for a garage sale and make a little bit of money. I’m torn, so this is perfect timing!
Im in~ I will be working at it a lot slower than some of you guys since I work full time, but I soo have to get the clutter under control! Cant wait to read your tips!
Me too! We have to move this summer so the timing is perfect!
Can’t wait we have a garage sale coming up next week to!
I am totally with you. Since we are expecting our first baby at the end of the summer I have already started cleaning out closets and cupboards. I have had great success by listing things on e-bay. I have been donating the rest to the salvation army. We have way too much “stuff” around the house and this will really re-motivate me to eliminate some of it. I haven’t missed one single item that I’ve gotten rid of yet!!!
I’m definitely in! One of my goals for 2010 was to clear out things we no longer use or need. I can’t wait to see what you accomplish! Thanks for this wonderful blog.
I force myself to do this regularly! I stay home with our 4 precious kids under 7, in our tiny 3 bedroom home…and MUST stay on top of clutter, so I can keep it the most beautiful it can be, even if small!
At the end of the day, all toys must fit in the closets and be put away, so I’m always looking for better ways to neatly organize. I despise “stuff” and am looking forward to clearing more out and making a little $$ at our church sale in a few weeks! I look forward to seeing your pics and how you organize.
I’m in! I started on my closet last week and ARC is coming today to pick up my donation. I hope to have another large batch by the time I am finished with this challenge.
A friend of mine held onto her baby items for quite some time, not able to sell or donate them for sentimental reasons. Our church is helping to start a NEW church one hour away, and she was EXCITED to be able to give those baby things for the new church nursery! If someone has trouble parting with things, find someone who really NEEDS them, or a church, or orphanage, etc. It makes it more personal, and you will feel good about knowing where the items are going!
Yeah!! I’m definitely in! I have been going through the kids closet already to prepare for a garage sale in a few weeks so this will be great motivation for me!
Question – when you are building a stockpile and find that somethings have hung around for a couple of years (candles, airfresheners, etc) do you put those types of things in the garage sale??
@Candice, YES! I often sell my extra stockpile goods at yards sales. I price stuff at about 1/2 of the retail price, and it usually sells well.
I’m with you! I need to do this myself too but haven’t gotten around to it either. I hate clutter and I believe it blocks anything good from coming to you.
This is great! Yes! Count me in!! This is perfect timing for me…I am planning a yard sale as well.
This sounds great. I have been doing this slowly on my own.
You should consider just donating your items to Goodwill (or any other charitable organization) and make a thorough inventory of the items you donated (description, condition, and approximate retail value). The majority of the time, you will receive more money back in the form of a tax refund than you would if you were to go to the work of a garage sale. I have had several “experts” advise doing this over doing a garage sale. You might look into it and weigh your options. Plus, it is A LOT less work!
We usually do that. I keep records of our donations and then enter them into “It’s Deductible” to get the goverment standard on my item’s value. I am amazed at how much that cuts our taxes!
However, this year I am ready to have my 2nd garage sale in my 19-year marriage. We have too much stuff! If I remember correctly, my first garage sale was a lot of work, but I’m ready to take the plunge. Following Crystal’s lead will help. I’ll need it!
@Jenae, Donating is certainly a lot less work than having a yard sale, and you know the stuff goes to a good cause. But the value of the tax break really does depend on your own circumstances. For us, in the 10% tax bracket, it’s worth my effort to do the yard sale. If I donate $500 worth of stuff, I only get $50 off my taxes. Even my most pitiful yard sale netted me more than that. I can donate what’s left at the end of the day.
Count me in! We have a huge yard sale this weekend, so I’ve been preparing, but I need to add more to it!
I’ve been doing a little already, but could definitely use some extra ideas and motivation. It’s such a daunting prospect without encouragement. Thanks!
K Hewett
I am in. I feel like I am always TRYING to declutter, but not getting much done. Motivate me. Please.
I AM IN!!!!!!!!!! My house is shameful! I need the accountability!
I’m in!
Count me in! I need the accountability!
I am in! I really need to do this right now!!! Spring cleaning.
I am in too! I am so excited to see what ideas you have on organizing! We recently had a flood in our basement, so we are getting rid of a TON of stuff and am so excited to carry that over to the upstairs!
I’m in! We’re having 2 yard sales May 1– one at my son’s daycare (so all the baby clothes, toys, etc go there) and one for the rest of the stuff that I do with my neighbors every year. So bring it on!
Count me in.
I’m in! I’ve been doing this all winter, one closet or cupboard at a time and I’m ready get the rest of them done and finish this project!
I am so in. I get distracted though so hopefully this will help me stay on track.
Good timing, we had family come to town last week, which inspired me in one room and made me want to do the whole house. Can’t wait to see what we get accomplished and all the good tips.
Ooohh, I’m going to try to do this with you. I need to so badly! It would be a great way to get everything decluttered to be ready for spring cleaning! I can’t wait to see your posts with tips!
My husband will be happy to see me doing this with you!!
I’m with you…working right now on the clothes closets because I’ve lost 45 pounds and nothing fits anymore! One closet is already done and a yardsale is in my future!
Spent the morning cleaning out my basement. Oh, it feels really good to purge. Goodwill is coming on Monday. No desire to have a garage sale.
I’m in, as well!
I am DEFINATELY in! Weekend of May 14-15 actually! My husband and I started cleaning out our store room this weekend and I’m going through the kids toys this weekend! Ready to get serious and do some major cleaning and selling! I’m really hoping to make enough to pay for our Milwaukee Zoo and hotel trip over labor day weekend!!
I am getting stuff together to donate to our Church Yard Sale. I lack the time or motivation to do my own yardsale (not a Saturday morning person!), but I feel great donating to my Church, plus it’s tax deductible that way, and all the extras go to Goodwill anyway, so it will end up with someone who needs it more than me! We are trying to clear out the “spare” junk room for our 1 year old’s bedroom – we’ll get her moved out of our room eventually!
I am in! I am getting ready for a baby in 2 1/2 months and just finished a basement remodel. I will link up on my blog too. Thanks for the extra incentive. Staci
I’m in, I want to start this badly along with some of friends!
Hi Crystal! Thank you for this challenge! I am with you, girl! I just found out that we are moving June 2011, which is a ways away, I know. However, we have an adoption to complete and a house to sell before that time comes, so I think now is not too early to start getting things ready–simplifying, organizing, fixing up the house, etc. I want this to be a smooth move, not a crazy time… Thanks–I’m in!
So…has anyone else received the instructions for today? I can’t find them…
They are coming in just a short while. I’m behind today because I got up late!
I am in!!!! We just went through a ton of clothes and I too am getting ready for a sale.
Sounds like fun! I am having a garage sale next weekend! I need to clean out and declutter, I just hope I can convince my hubby to do it too!
I’m in. I’ve been sorting through things slowly since January. We’ve been in our house over 2 years, and some boxes are still unopened. Yikes! My big sale is April 24, and I’m in high-gear to finish cleaning out. Thanks for the challenge!
I had just started this myself. It will be good to have some extra help and motivation to keep going. I have a yard sale at the end of the month.
This is an on-going project in my house. With three growing girls, the clutter keeps coming. Here’s a post I wrote recently about how empowering it was for my then-three year old to declutter her room: http://www.sleepypendoodle.com/index.php/2010/02/27/cleaning-up-clearing-out/
I’ve been working on this little by little. I can’t figure out where it all comes from.
Yea! This will be great motivation for me. I can’t wait!!
I’m in!
I am definately in.
Yes, please! I am trying desperately to clean up and clean out. Just did my boys’ room this weekend, except for the windows, but get a little intimidated at the thought of doing the rest of the house. (I keep up on cleaning out kid toys and clothes pretty well.) Inspiration, please!
If you have a lot of kids stuff, think about selling it at a Just Between Friends sale near you. Go to http://www.jbfsale.com to see if there is one near you. I made over $500 at our last one! Just a thought, happy cleaning!!
Count me in!!! I am trying to sell my house for potential commercial property and I am getting rid of everything unnecessary. I am not doing a yardsale. I am donating it all to the family domestic violence shelter. They need this stuff much more than we do!!
I am in. We currently live in a small house and having 3 children: 9, 2, and 1 yrs old, I need to simplify and organize even more. Two weeks ago, my husband and I gathered and organized clothes that the children can no longer wear. We will sell these items very inexpensively at a local church sale next week. We also organized closets that same week. However, I know I need to purge some more. Excited about doing this.
HELP!!!!!
Can you confirm if we are starting this today? Are you posting the updates and assignments on twitter or facebook, not here on MSM?
thanks!
Trixie
@Trixie, I was wondering the same thing!
I am in. Our neighborhood Garage sale is in a few weeks an I can’t wait to get rid of some of this stuff. I also desperately need to clean the garage!
I am so ready and in for this. Any clever ideas for small apartments are welcome.
This is great! I need to get ready for a community garage sale at the beginning of next month! I’ll play along as I’m able to in the evenings.
I’m in! We are having a yard sale at the end of the month and the spring cleaning bug has definitely bitten me!
Happy organizing!
Woohoo! there’s a big sale coming up and I need to gather all of my things to sell.
I’d love to join. We have a garage sale planned for this weekend and it’d be great to have extra motivation to get through everything. I’m amazed at the pile we already have. We have a sale every year, so how do we have so much stuff to sell? We live in a small apartment and try to be minimalists, but it still adds up!
I am so ready to join you on this one! I went through our hall closet yesterday and couldn’t believe how much stuff I found to get rid of. I can’t wait to tackle the rest of the house!
Did I miss the assignments somewhere? for this morning?
Count me in on the challenge…I want to be clutter free and to get organized in my small little townhome. What a great idea; I’m looking forward to all of the ideas and especially the challenge.
We are moving in June so this is perfect timing! Maybe we won’t have to move so much junk…and can have a yard sale and make a little money too(it’s amazing what some people will buy!)
Thank you thank you thank you…I need inspiration…I am a horrible packrat and maybe seeing someone else get rid of their stuff will help me part with my piles of junk
Count me in! Although I feel like I have to sneak away old toys from the kids while they are not looking
I am definitely in. I need some major help in the decluttering dept.
I’m in. Was not ready to start tomorrow, but I guess I am now
I have the spring cleaning bug. I have thrown out 4 bags of trash and have a number of items to get rid of via garage sale, ebay, Craigslist, GoodWill. Tomorrow is trash day so that helps motivate me too.
I’m in, oh boy I have so much stuff that we could get rid of
I started doing this about a month ago. We have lots of stuff in our garage and more will be there. Will have a neighborhood sale the beginning of June and what I do not sell will go to the Salvation Army. Our children are grown and gone and our house is so full. We do not need everything. There is no reason why we cannot live much simpler. I cannot wait for the challenge
For once, I am ahead of the game!
I learned to start in the rooms away from the living room. This is because once my living room is clean, I feel like I have success and stop. So, I started with my bathroom. I’m ashamed to say that I have so many samples that I haven’t even touched so I won’t have to buy much shampoo for a while!
Next, I went through my bedroom and especially my closest. One pile was clothes that still fit. Two piles were clothes that, regardless of fit, I was not going to wear again so they go to the consignment shop or Goodwill. Two other piles were clothes that don’t fit now. If I am not losing the weight that I keep promising to myself within 3 months, those piles go to Goodwill or the consignment shop.
I’m currently working on the kitchen and den at the same time. I’ll let you know how that goes!
I’m in!! Maybe this will kick me into gear for Spring cleaning that I just can’t seem to get started this year!!
Oh I am so ready! Count me in!!
I am joining in! Actually, I have been decluttering since the day we bought our house (November) and I haven’t stopped since! Many things were just given away, but I have 8 boxes of things going to my moms garage sale in May and hoping to double that in the next few weeks. Good luck to all my fellow declutterers!
We’re assuming we’ll be downsizing once my dh is employed. So I’m decluttering with a vengeance and planning a garage sale within the month. I am looking forward to your challenge and suggestions.
I am trying to do this right now but have the syndrome of “mayb I’ll use that someday.” I’m in.
I have that same syndrome. Can’t wait to hear how to get rid of it.
I’m so in! Can’t wait! I would also love tips on how to do a successful garage sale from start to finish.
I LOVE to declutter!!!
Just discovered you blog today so I have a bit of catching up to do but I’m in… Thanks for the inspiration!
Does it count if you clear out a real live Ground Hog?
I am *kicking and screaming* inside but will do it…LOL. I am in!
Count me in!
I am in! I can’t read and didn’t realize today was kitchen day. I started in the bathrooms. I will catch up though!
Okay I must be a big goober, but for the life of me I can’t find the first challenge. Coming in late in the game but what to do all of them!
This is such a natural time of year to do this sort of thing. We moved just before Christmas and have oodles of stuff that just doesn’t fit this house, not enough closets even though there is more footage. I have been in the kitchen this past week and have gobbs of dishes to go and this weekend as I get out the summer clothes and put winter things away, some is just going out the door! Work requires most of my energy and the going is slow, but I am making progress and this motivation is a good thing, thanks.
My husband doesn’t read blogs, but when he got up this morning, he started cleaning the garage out. It was a HORRIBLE mess that really made me a bit angry every time I stepped in there. He’s a “keeper” person and I’m a “pitch it” person. It’s not totally finished, but its is so much better! We threw away so much stuff that was unusable, was able to do some organizing, straightening, and it actually looks 1/2 way decent! I can’t wait to see what you post next!
I love seeing your before & after pictures! We do the SAME thing in our house!! I really should take pictures! Every year April we go through every single corner of our house (attic, garage, closets & all!) and make a huge pile for the annual garage sale! And every year we make $500 plus on our sales so it keeps me motivated to know that extra $$ comes f/ cleaning out the house!!! Thankfully I always have a box in the kitchen that is labeled “garage sale” so as the kids outgrown something I make sure to price it & throw it in there so my pricing doesn’t take so long come sale time! April is my favorite month of the year because it’s clean out time!! Yaaaeeee!
I wanna join. Is it too late?
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