Every week day in May, I’m challenging my readers to try to find at least 7 things to get rid of. These can be big or small things, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you actually throw them out, sell them, donate them, recycle them, or find someone else who can use them. Think you’re up for the challenge?
Today’s things I got rid of:
- 4 kid’s books
- 1 scarf
- 1 sweater
- 1 cookie sheet
- letter/shapes magnets
- misc. school worksheets we no longer need
How did your clutter-busting go today? Link up your blog post and/or Instagram pictures below. Or, leave a comment telling us how many things you got rid of. Let’s clear our homes of clutter so we can be more productive and efficient!
Amy says
Today a friend came over and helped me clean and de-junk our playroom. It was a PIT! We have a giant garbage bag full of toys to give away, and three kitchen bags full of garbage that we threw away. We also gave a bag of toys to a friend who will like them, and have two more large toys to give away. I had the goal to give away 7 items per day this month, and today is only the second day that I’ve gotten any decluttering done. I would like to play catch up and tackle two declutter areas per day for the rest of the month, and made a list today of 30 areas in our house that need to be decluttered. Thanks for the great challenge!
Melissa says
Last night we got rid of 5 things plus a pile of expired coupons plus shredded some expired/old confidential papers. The five things were: magazine holder, a Martha Stewart Living magazine, a package of bamboo cocktail forks we’ve never used, a mandolin (is that what it’s called?- it slices veggies real thin) that we don’t use as it’s kind of scary, and a glass cutting board (bringing our current total to 7 cutting boards- 2 glass, 2 thick plastic, 3 flimsy plastic…we probably could spare to get rid of a few more of those honestly, but for now we’ll part with one)
Amy says
I wanted to participate in the challenge, but hadn’t yet. Last weekend we found out a friend was having a garage sale to raise money for a mission trip to Africa. He was collecting items to sell this weekend, so we gave him a lot of unwanted stuff. I guess I caught up with the challenge in one night and the stuff is going to further the gospel in Africa, praise God!
Danielle says
I’m still loving this challenge! Thank you for doing this for/with us! Also, quick question: I’m sure I missed something, but this would only be Day 9 for me (so as I post this question, I am on Day 10). I know we aren’t counting weekends, but how did we get to Day 11 for May 13? Sorry for asking a question when the answer is probably staring me in the face! 🙂
Michelle E. says
Loving this challenge, even though it has been quite a challenge, lol!
Marilyn says
We got rid of 19 DVD’s (Veggie Tales that our 9 year old doesn’t want anymore, and I got rid of 13 books that we haven’t cracked open since the initial reading of them. We took them to Hastings, and my daughter got enough from the DVDs that she could buy a cover for her Nook (that we got for $19.97 at Best Buy using the low price match!) The cover was on Sale as well, so YEA!!!! Thanks for the challenge!
Money Saving Enthusiast says
I’m so glad I’m shooting for seven items to ditch (hoping for ten but making sure I at LEAST do five.)
I have to make it a rule to declutter every day or the habit just goes away. I’m glad I’m able to get my home back in order in minutes. Cool challenge. : )
Ginger says
Really enjoying this challenge. So far I’ve gotten rid of 120+ items…. including a piece of frozen salmon that had expired in early 2011. I post a picture of each day’s haul on my FB. I’ve gotten lots of comments from my friends about this.
Carla says
I got rid of the following:
1. Pajama top: Donation bag
2. Sweat shirt: Domation bag
3. Old pack of granola: trash
4. Broken frame: trash
5. Frame: Donation bag
6. Folder with left over paper: Recycle
7. Container of body powder: Donation bag
I am SO happy about this challenge.
Carrie says
Just tonight after work, i filled up 25 large sandwich bags of legos. I am hoping to sell them. I still have a ton of legos to sort through.
I also have a box of 15+ misc. items to take to work to give away for free.
I am really taking this challenge seriously.
jennifer says
I got rid of empty dvd cases, used up notebooks, an outdated shirt and sweater, and socks my son had outgrown.
One thing I’ve noticed, now that we’re nearly two weeks in to this challenge, is that I’m more aware of what constitutes clutter and I’m dealing with it immediately. My old way would be to look at the clutter but not really see it and leave it laying around for who knows how many years.
Carol@simple_catholic says
I didn’t get rid of anything today, BUT, I told my 8-year-old son that I would give him a nickle for each item in his toy box and “junk draw” he got rid of. He got rid of enough items to earn $5.00! Most of the items were old books and broken or unused small toys (like matchbox cars), but still, that’s a lot of stuff. 🙂 Very proud of my little guy!
Andrea @the Distracted Housewife.com says
It took me less than 5 minutes to get rid of 18 items. I need to make a point to do this every couple of months!
kat says
I am trying to to get rid of my clutter AND earn extra money because I am trying to buy my first house! I can’t (and don’t want to) take too many items to my future house. So everyday I have been trying to list seven things on Ebay! I already feel so much better without all of the clutter! Thanks for this challenge! It really helped me focus on what’s really important and what is just stuff! 🙂
Marie says
I am continuing to go through my bins of kids clothes 0-size 4T . This weekend I brought up every bin. My living room is no longer visible through the stacks of clothes I’m marking for yard sale. I was able to donate a bag of preemie clothes to the local NICU, found 2 swimsuits and pj’s for my friends boys, 2 Big sister and little sister shirts for two woman at church having babies. Through out some clothing with stains that wouldn’t come out. My goal is to have everything tagged by midweek. Also a non -working TV, 2 cribs, and old computers will be going to recycle. I can not wait to reclaim our unfinished basement so that we can start planning to finish it!!
I sometimes struggle with wondering if I should hang on to something like a cookware piece or not. There are times when having two Pampered Chef batter bowls have come in super handy. But times like this of the purging makes me want to reconsider.
Katie L says
Took our bin of donations out the door to the donation center on Saturday. Sunday night, filled a paper sack with recyclable magazines and damaged books (mostly board books that have been through three toddlers now and finally tore down the middle).
Feeling good about getting rid of the clutter!
FMR says
Sunday I looked through the basket of “stuff” I keep beside the bed. I got rid of multiple magazines, recipes, catalogues and newspaper clippings.
Today: 3 pair of ripped and baggy pantyhose
3 empty boxes
2012 calendar
Julie says
You have really inspired me Crystal! I am one who never gets rid of anything. Once I started, I am still on a roll. To date in May I have gotten rid of over 200 things – some big and some small. I am now shredding 7 years of bank statements…. all over 7 years old!
THANK YOU!!!
Crystal says
Woohoo! I’m so proud of you!
Jessica says
May 13:
donate:
boy’s fleece pj shirt
baby sleeper
bag of assorted toys
several books, some to sell, some to donate
sent my husband into work with half of a cheesecake to share
bag of boxtops sent to daughter’s school
amber says
I found 8 things to day.
4 books
1 puzzle
2 small video game chairs
1 little girls bed canopy
All of these items will be going in the yard sale will are having later this month. I hope to sale enough stuff to buy all our homeschool material for next year.
Shelly says
Today we went through some of my son’s clothes. We have some shirts, pajamas, and training pants to pass along to someone new.
Kimberly says
Just curious as to your criteria for getting rid of these items…..they seem to still be in good condition. With all the baking/cooking/etc you do, won’t that cookie sheet come in handy?
Crystal says
I’m pretty ruthless about not hanging onto things that I’m not sure we’ll use in the future. I figure I might as well pass them onto someone whom I know will use them instead of hanging onto them “just in case”.
The cookie sheet was one we used for magnet worksheets in homeschooling (my kids have now grown out of doing these). I only use airbake cookie sheets for baking/cooking, so that’s why I didn’t hang onto it.
Anna (Frugal For You) says
You are inspiring, Crystal!
Tara says
Crystal, what is the benefit of Airbake? I am interested in replacing some of my cookware that I am afraid may not be that healthy to cook with.
melissa says
That was my thought, too. I would totally hang onto all of that stuff… just in case. Otherwise I’m afraid I’m going to need it later and will have to spend good money to buy a new one. I justify my hoarding habit by convincing myself it will save me money in the long haul. I wonder if there’s any reality to that?
Crystal says
I can only think of a few times when I’ve ended up needing something I’ve gotten rid of. So for us, it’s not been a problem. I do try to be thoughtful in tossing stuff, though–and if I’m pretty sure I might need it in the next year, I’m not going to toss it.
Melissa says
Most of the things I’ve been getting rid of are in almost perfect condition too, but if we aren’t using them it makes no sense to me to keep them. My husband and I got married in our thirties so we both had fully stocked households that we then merged into one. We had doubles, triples and sometimes more of almost every kitchen item imaginable. We just can’t keep it all!!!
Anna (Frugal For You) says
Are you donating your items or stashing them for another famous MSM yard sale? Just curious.
Crystal says
We’re donating them this time around.