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How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
So he made me this deal. If I go home and start cleaning out the attic, the cellar, the barn and the house, and then sell the house, We can spend more time in TV Yaaaaaaaaaa!
Where do I begin???? :dontknow: I have been a collector and horder for almost 40 years,any suggestions would be very much appreciated! ::) |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Nonie,
You have my sympathy. This is not an easy task. They say if you haven't used it or worn it in over a year, you don't need it. As others have said-- they're just "things" Good luck |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Call one of those Television shows on HGTV that are about organization. Maybe they cand get you started and we can see you on TV too.
I have a similar project waiting for me back home. Time to downsize but I am really dreading the process. |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
I'm working on the same thing, Nonie - only on a much smaller scale, I think. Good thing we don't have a barn, cuz it would be full of "stuff" too. I'm finding it hard to throw out things that have even a little bit of sentimental value. But I'm offering everything to our kids, and they don't seem interested in much of anything. So I guess I'll hook up the chuck wagon, too!!
But if it means being in TV more, I'd say go for it! |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Me Too! We should go to each other houses and do the cleaning out. I can throw out stuff that I have no attachment to...
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Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
:'( :'( :'( : ??? ??? ??? :dontknow: :dontknow: Nonie, I sympathize with you since I have a 41 year accumulation and I too have collected. As we have moved about I have kept many things in boxes that I have hardly looked at. Then there are all the cabinets, drawers, closets, you get the idea. Last summer in preparation for selling our house I started going through those boxes and stored items and made a lot of critical assessments. If the kids didn't want it, I couldn't sell it or donate it then time for it to go. I have to downsize 4300 sq feet of space so it was time to put away the emotions (so hard) and start pitching. I filled a 3 1/2 car garage for my sale and over two days I sold a lot of things. Priced them to go and made over $1000.00. Even with all that I still have more to go through. Easier for my husband because he doesn't have the emotional attachment I have but I don't want and won't have the room for a lot of this stuff anymore. Once I started going through it, enjoying the memories and being realistic I could get rid of it. Focus on the move to the next adventure in your life. Don't bring a lot of excess baggage you won't really need. Sorry to go on so much and now I will get back to more sorting and packing. Mik |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Very slowly. :) Seriously, we're cleaning out about 45 years of junk. My hard part is getting my husband to part with things. He wants to give all this stuff to our kids and friends (who don't want most of it) and that slows down the clean up while you wait to hear their answer.
I basically started going through each closet and storage space in the house. We've been filling up our recycle bin like mad and even using the neighbors. So much paper work that I kept, etc. I'm putting pictures and sentimental things into plastic bins and storing them in the front closet. When we move, we can just put everything in the closet into the pod. I'm so glad that we don't have stuff stored anywhere but in the main house (no basement) and sheds (tools, lawnmowers, etc.) My girlfriend hired a dumpster when she moved and was merciless throwing stuff away. My son's two brother-in-laws want the tools so they're going to clean out the shed for us. Hurray!!!!!!!!!! Another option is to find someone who does clean outs for the barns, etc. I like the idea of the clean up show. Good luck. It's hard, and I get tired much quicker than I did when I was younger (for some strange reason ;) ;) ;) |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Oh Nonie,,, it's so hard, I've been working on it for awhile.
One thing that has helped me is to have a good friend go through things with me. She puts a whole new spin on something I may think is great. My friend says, 'Oh gosh, surely you're not thinking of keeping that'!!! Then I take a second look and think, 'Yeah, she's right'. And have gradually gotten rid of alot of things. |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Try to do one area at a time so that you can handle it at a easy pace. If you have alot and do not care to keep the items then the easy way is a auction. They will come in and take everything but understand it will be sold by the box lot which usually will bring $5 to $10 dollars. If you want to do the work then have a garage sale with a large sale. Antiques can be sold by calling a dealer--they want you to price the item and the usual offer is 50% of what they can sell it for. Alot of antiques malls do not require you to have a tax number so you could pack up the best and display it in a rented space. Usually cost around $160 to $200 a mo. to rent. They will sell it for you! Depends on the mall, location, etc. Some charge 10% of what you sell. Good furniture can go to consignment and they usually take 50%. Furniture only brings 10 cents on the dollar at auction!
Have family come in for anything that you might want to keep in the family. You can always rent a storage unit to store the best of the best but also expensive. It is a major undertaking for everyone , myself included. I have downsized twice and need to do it once more ----!!! :dontknow: :dontknow: A well advertised garage sale would be the best and have it in the Spring or Fall. |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
We are in the middle of doing exactly the same thing. I'm trying my best to abandon my pack-rat ways and be sensible about what I take. We are breaking apart the house and sending it to either a condo up here or our house in TV. I am using a few guidelines that are helping me.
1) Decide what you really (I mean really) need in the new place. We are taking very little furniture to either place. Other things like dishes (I can't believe how many we have) we are tossing. Sentimental items (pictures, old cub scout uniform, cards from the kids) we are keeping and putting them in the attic (perpetuating the pack-rat). Also, we are using a POD for the move or our stuff to TV. If it won't fit, it isn't going! 2) Ask the kids, relatives, neighbors, if they want any of the rest. Even giving something away makes me feel OK because it's still in use. Most of our stuff really doesn't interest anyone though, but it means so much to us. 3) Take a long look at what you are "stuck" with, and ask yourself this hard question: Once we are gone (and I don't mean to TV), what will our heirs do with this stuff? If the answer is toss it, bite the bullet and get rid of it now. Save yourself the trouble of moving it around, save them the trouble of going thru it. Good luck to you....it is an unsettling, stressful situation and I know what you're going thru. |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Thankyou, thankyou, so much. Such fantastic suggestions and ideas! sounds like you are not strangers to this awful task. I am so sad to be leaving TV but knowing I will be back for longer periods of time will inspire me to dig right in when I get home. I wouldnt want my kids to have this chore in front of them anyway so one way or another it definitely needs to be done.
I am so thankful for all of you that are so ready and eager to help each other when the need is there. I will put all your great ideas to work soon especially the one about calling in a dumpster or 2! LOL may all your cleaning out days go as smoothly as your helping mine to be. :-* |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Worse yet is Hubby (Nick)--the garage. OMG--talk about a pack rat!!
Motorcycle parts, car parts, tools, tools, tools--did I mention the tools!?! And he keeps bring more stuff home. His excuse--"I might need it someday..." He's been warned--this "stuff" isn't going to TV!!! |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Peggy,
your hubby and I have something in common. I am a great believer that I may need this junk someday and the funny thing is I will remember what I have and go rummaging for it when I do need it and then Im so happy I saved it!! Its a disease I swear!! The truth of the matter is we can do very well without it, its just stuff, and its amazing how little a person really needs to get by and be comfortable. My sister in-law and hubs had a huge beautiful house with all the trimmings. Her bout with Cancer made her realize how insignificant all these things were so she sold the house and everything in it and moved into a 19 foot trailer in Arizona and her and hubs are happy as larks!! Now this may seem a little extreme, but it just shows to go ya its not the house or the furnishings or the accumulated junk that brings you happiness.! I think Im hijacking my own thread! :redface: |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
One thing I have found out is that the beautiful China that we all wanted does not sell ~~~~~~~~~~~~kids do not entertain the way we did. Sterling silver will sell at a high price but a set of Silverplate sells for about $75.00. Do your homework before you sell by going to the Antique Malls and flea markets. Sometimes people throw out articles that are very popular with the 20 and 30 years old. I find that many people try to buy back their childhood with the games and toys. Go to the library and look at the books out on Collections that are "IN" right now. Things that do not sell are rocking chairs, infant toys or furniture, linens (unless top notch).Tablecloths from the 50,s do well --$18 to $35.
Go to Ebay and put your item in Search before you sell it. Go to completed auctions to find out what it sold for in the past few months. That is the best place to find information and also sell. Maybe someone can sell the item for you in your area. Also they take a large chunk of the auction price plus the fees. There are certain books that sell well --Dick and Jane, Hardy Boys, etc. Do not print out a Ebay form on what it sold for as 95% of the people will not buy it at a garage sale. If all else fails then donate it to Goodwill, Churches, Salvation Army, etc. The memories and emotions and feelings for the "stuff" is the worst part so I would probably "pack rat it" with a family member. I have several boxes of my sister,s things that she could not part with when they bought a Motor Home to travel and live in. It has been three years now and she never even asks to look at her things when she visits. She does know that her treasures are safe and that she can look at them or give them to her children when she if off of the road 040 040 |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Nonie,
This is so hard to do. I have downsized twice in the last few years already and am in the process of doing it again for the TV move. And I had my parents house of 40 years (and they never threw anything away) to do a couple years ago. My simple rule: if it doesn't fit in the TV house, it has to go. I have given away furniture to friends who have liked something, I keep bringing little household items to the office and they magically find a new home with someone, have taken much to Goodwill, and actually thrown out very little. Family treasures I have started giving to young family members at Christmas or other special occasions. Just remember, we can't take "things" to the grave. And remember Kris Kristoferson's lyric, "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." Think how nice it is to be FREE. VK2 |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Nonie
I could say "take it to the lake"...but I know there is no room, "Give it to the Kids" ...like be honest...where are they going to put it with all they have going on, "donate to charity" ...they only take so much and I need to be careful about inflating the 1040 charity line for 2008 that would only cause an audit and other problems, "Ebay"... as much work just getting ready..and I have alot to sell, and an "auction"...I probably would buy it back from myself. At least your have one hurdle (and the biggest) resolved: "hubby" has given you an incentive that is hard to beat..especialy when you know it has to be done sooner or later. Hard to believe he is willing to give up the barn! When you get back to NY just take a deep breath and start slow..room to room. IM sure you will have ot revisit some rooms 2-3 times (or more) before its all said and done. |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
A few years ago we rented a dumpster, parked it in our driveway and went to work cleaning, sorting, and throwing. We filled that dumpster but never made it to our basement or all of the closets. Now that a few years have passed, we have re-accumulated and our 2600 square foot house (not counting basement or garage) is bulging at the seams again.
Our children don't have the sentimental attachments that we do and it really upsets me as to why. Perhaps because we moved so far away from family and my kids never felt that close "bonding" as my husband and I did as kids growing up close to all extended family members. It won't bother me a bit to throw or give away "junk". But the heirlooms will break my heart. |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Nonie,
You are so right about what truly brings us happiness. It's not the china. I think as we get older you realize this. Like I said, they're "things". Hope that helps you let go of the "stuff". |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
WOW VK
THATS HEAVY ..... lets see now , what else can I throw out today.... Not my old letter sweater as there's still a half of a sleeve left (damn moths) maybe my old track medal which is now green (not my school colors) my autographed picture of Lindburg which I've been suspicious of sense I bought it at Marion Market , I KNOW , my picture of Babe Ruth wearing a Nauru jacket.. No I can't do that , Maybe I'll just buy a bigger house , It will be a lot easier... Junkman fumar :dontknow: ;D ;D ;D :bigthumbsup: |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Nonie:,
Very possibly the hardest part about moving is sorting through your possessions. One thing I did was pick out my very favorite things , mostly antique furniture I had collected over the years. It all came with me and is in the guest room. The china and silver and all the things I used to use to entertain with I sold. My kids were not interested in silver candlesticks and silver serving dishes. Anything I had an attachment to was set aside as I sorted and then sorted again until I was down to just a few special things that I knew I had to keep. All the rest was offered to friends and family, sold at a huge yard sale or donated to several charities. It takes some discipline and fortitude but it can be done. So far I have not missed a thing. Hubby on the other hand just packed up crates with old papers and tools and stuff and it all came with us. I could not get him to just toss and sort. Consequently, I can only fit the golf cart in the garage. Slowly, he is now sorting because I have issued an ultimatum !!!!!!!that I will throw it all out if he doesn't have the garage empty before the hot weather. The car needs to be garaged in the summer heat. Good luck.....it means more time in TV .... that would encourage me big time. |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Hey Ms. Nonie, you know and I know and Bernie knows, that I'm going to be nagging you everyday! I had to compartmentalize. I'd say, I'll just do this corner today. But the important thing is not to move one thing to another corner! I would pack as I was clearing out. Then was finally down to the essentials. And as you know, I'm still unpacking things and thinking, "Now why did I pack that?" Also, seriously, I did have to get help. We were on a tighter time schedule than you, but it is an overwhelming job unless you wake up every day and say, "Well, I'll just do this area today." So be prepared for lots of nagging from me and tell Bernie to be prepared to keep his end of the bargin or Barefoot and I will come looking for him and he will be in a whole world of trouble! Grrrrrrrrr. That's my kitten growl and you know what that means. ;)
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Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Look at my post script on the bottom...all the times we moved... These moves represent all the times we've gotten rid of tons of stuff, through garage sales and donations. And we've accumulated most of it back in just the last few months since our last move! It doesn't seem to get any easier. As of this moment, with the books we keep buying, I'm not sure we'll have enough space for the book cases we'll need. That's one of the reasons I'm air conditioning the garage. ::)
Maybe the price of gas will be a mixed blessing - it will keep us from affording to buy more "stuff". :bigthumbsup: |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
DUMPSTER !!!!!
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Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Wow, Nonie! Did you ever touch a cord with a lot of people! We want to downsize and have been unable to face the reality of what that will mean. We have lived in our house (big - 5 bdrms, 5 baths, huge attic, full basement -- thankfully no barn! ) for going on 35 years. Please keep us posted on how you manage this.
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Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Nonie, How many months have you been here? What items did you really miss while you were away from them? I have finally discovered that most of the "great stuff" I have in my Pa home is not very important anymore. I don't even know where I would put it down here.
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Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
When we were away for two months this winter, we realized how little we need the extra stuff. I had only taken a week's worth of clothes for each of us and it worked out great. I think it will kind of be freedom to be released from much of our stuff.
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Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
sheets, towels, blankets and afghans in whatever shape are really needed by animal rescue and animal shelters. They help soften the concrete and you would be doing a good thing.
I just cleaned out a closet. Just how many old yellow and green (three houses ago) towels do we need to clean the car. How many sets of sheets for two beds. We just went thru some shelves of old collectibles and took out the miscellaneous, duplicates, and odd ones to sell on Ebay. Now I think all could go on one shelf. Donated our old glassware and china to goodwill. I always look at it as making someone else happy. :-) I found one box of Tshirts that were packed away two years ago that no one knew we even had. Ana |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
A lot of good suggestions. We been going through the same in anticipation of our move to TV once house sells. We have gone through 2 phases and ready to start again and do a deeper dive. We just have get our daughter to remove her clutter as she no longer lives with us.
Has anyone tried "Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui" by Karen Kingston- Free yourself from Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Clutter Forever. I think this book covered all of the bases to allow yourself to accomplish clearing your clutter. It helped us get in and keep the right might set. ( It is easier for some people than others, obviously) |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Regardless of what "beady" says there's a lot of "good stuff" out in that garage. I know the "guys" can relate. :beer2:
Seriously though, I do feel it is important to maintain some personal items for your home... photo's paintings, books, memorabilia, etc.. They are, after all, reminders of your life's experiences. I for one, cherish many of those memories, I do not want to live in a Southern Lifestyles furniture showroom. I really noticed this when we were house shopping. Just a thought. P.S. I've used a lot of the tools and didn't have to go to Lowe's and spend more $$ to get them. :bigthumbsup: |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
A reciprocating saw, one brand is known as "Sawzall," may just be your new best friend. They saw through just about anything, depending on the blade. Be sure to wear safety goggles and hearing protection.
"Why such a saw?" you may be asking. Well, you know that big junk in the basement that you have no idea how you are going to get back up the steps? Hit it with a reciprocating saw. Carry it up and out in as many pieces as you choose to cut it into. This is also an excellent way to interest your husband in the clean up and out project. Tell him that you want a "Sawzall." There are other brands. I just like to say "Sawzall" because the word pretty well sums up what this tool can do. When a friend told me about all the stuff her husband was sawing up and getting rid of, including a mattress and a refrigerator (but we won't talk about that), I knew that a "Sawzall" was the tool of my dreams. So I rushed home and told Mr. Boomer that I really wanted a "Sawzall. Well, Mr. Boomer galloped down to the local Depot and perused the aisles for the perfect gift for me. So, girls, you might want to try this. It can be quite rewarding. But you know how it goes when your husband is drooling up and down the aisles of Home Depot. Oh my, the things you have to say when you call him on the cell to get him to leave and come back home. :redface: Oh, and I also have Mr. Boomer convinced that the food processor is a power tool. This delusion has made him quite helpful in the kitchen. Boomer |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Sam,
Thankyou for the wake up call. Actually I have missed nothing up north and have done very well without any of it! Good thing to keep telling myself when I start going thru it all. Thanks! |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
We are giving quite a lot of things to our local thrift shop.
Glad to have the hint about the towels, sheets and quilts, etc. for the animal shelter. We had a metal file cabinet purchased from a second hand store many years ago. My husband took it back to them and got $20. We are only planning to take "memorbilia," but that seems to amount to quite a bit. ha, ha. Thank goodness our photos go on disk now. My son said he found an old pay stub from years ago in some things I had given him. |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Libraries may accept donations of books and magazines - We just donated a set of children's encyclopedias.
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Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Get a dumpster and go to the home depot and hire a couple of UN documented aliens and start throwing stuff out unless it has to do with golf or fishing it can be replaced, so get rid of it. ( I being politically correct, that rarely happens)
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Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Cant thank you all enough for your great ideas and suggestions. When I am on my knees in the cellar holding grannies old shawl(I really have it), with tears in my eyes I will re-read all your posts and realize they are just"things" and I cant take them with me either to TV or the grave. :'(
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Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Nonie, I just spent some days packing boxes of things I'm not going to use while house is on market. I made decisions again not to take some things I thought last summer when I was sorting I still needed. Keep thinking about how much room I won't have. I had linens from my mom and grandmother and finally made decision to sell since they have just been sitting in drawer all these moves. Kept just a few special pieces. Hard to turn off the emotions but have to be realistic. Kids don't seem to want the things we thought were so important. Good luck and shed a few tears and keep all the great memories.
Mik |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Mikark,
:agree: Our kids are the same, don't even WANT the things we thought were so wonderful and necessary when we were young. They have totally different ideas about life. They save money to go to Europe or on a cruise instead of buying 'stuff' like we did. So we figure the memories ARE the most important,,, and we'll keep those... :bow: I have gotten rid of most of our stuff. My hubbys Santa collection is our big problem now. He doesn't want to part with it bit it really takes up tons of space for something that's seasonal. He's the Clark Griswold of our neighborhood, so it'll be hard for him... But I think he's mentally starting to accept now tho that they will have to go... |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Nonie:
don't get rid of grannies shawl. I still have a crochet afghan my grandmother knit for me. I keep it in the linen closet and every once in a while take it out and wrap up in it(during the cold days in Dec and Jan). I have tried several times to part with it, but just can't. Those are the things to keep. Give away the "I might need this some day "items. Mint: Keep the santa collection and display it year round. I know of one villager that has a Christmas collection out all year long. It is about what makes you happy and who you are.The Santa collection makes your hubby happy and is part of who he is, so I vote to keep it. :bigthumbsup: |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
Quote:
Easter weekend they invited us to their new home and we arrived on Saturday, towing a large, stuffed to the limit, covered trailer, behind my husband's full Avalanche, (that's a truck). We helped them unload the truck, then we unhitched the trailer, took our grandchildren and told our kids we would be back the next day to celebrate Easter. What a great weekend. We got to have our grandbabies (2 & 4) all to ourselves overnight...and we emptied a large quantity of "stuff" from our house. Long story, short...if they don't come for it take it to them. Worked for us. |
Re: How do you clean out a 37 year accumulation? HELP!
We got a dumpster about a year ago and filled it to capacity.....why of why am I afraid to get rid of, "STUFF"? I joined a DECLUTTER list on the internet and it helped.....
Good Luck! Shirleevee |
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