One of my goals this year is to simplify and one of the ways I plan to do that is to sell or donate at least 1,000 ordinary items that are crowding our closets and drawers by the end of July. My goal date is set for the end of July because my neighborhood has a big community yard sale every summer and while I don’t mind dropping stuff at the thrift store, I’d like to see if I could make a few bucks at the yard sale first.
I don’t think I’ve decorated for Halloween in 2 maybe 3 years. It’s just not as exciting as it used to be now that our kids are older and no longer go trick or treating. Back in the day, I’d totally get dressed up and join in the fun… but nowadays, I just want to BUY extra Halloween candy so I have an excuse to eat it. Gone are the days of sneaking a tootsie roll or Butterfinger from their stash {snif snif}.
Now that I think about it… I wonder if I should keep that {10 year old} pumpkin candle and melt it down and use the wax for firestarters. Hmmm.
8 Pumpkin balls and 10 ears of Indian corn.
From the craft room:
Needles that are too small for my hands, note cards, an old phone case, pushpins, a mini flashlight {it seems like we own a million flashlights!}, a compass, and some scrapbooking brads.
Crafts are funny. I think we all go through our phases. We like making/creating a certain something for a few years, and then we move on. But the good thing is, people LOVE buying craft supplies at yard sales.
You know what they say… one mans trash, is another’s treasure. 😉
Keep calm and declutter on!
~Mavis
Year to Date Totals
Donated: 20 items
Gave Back: 45
Recycled: 24 items
Tossed in the Garbage: 59 items
Yard Sale Pile: 544 items
So far this year I’ve purged 692 items. Only 308 more items to go!
See what else I’m getting rid of this year:
- Magazines
- Party Platters, Placemats and More
- Cleaning out the Closet
- Gift Bags, Binders, Glass Frogs and More
- Casserole Dishes and Pie Plates
- Dessert Plates, Crock Pots, Tablecloths and More
- Cookie Cutters, Pickle Forks, Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer and More
- Used Books
- DVD’s
- Rubber Stamps, a Soldering Iron, Seashells, Smencils and More
Kate says
Hi Mavis,
Just wondering how you price your craft supplies at your yard sales? I have a bunch that I’d like to get rid of and I have NO idea what to ask for them. If it were up to my husband we’d be giving all my old craft stuff away 🙂 I guess that’s my secondary plan if I price it wrong!
Kathy says
Oh my stars and garters! Where did you get the Halloween Nutcracker? I have a collection of different ones and that is one I do not have! He is an interesting fellow.
On a sode note, I’ve totally downsized on my holiday decorating, it really isn’t all that fun now that the kids are adults. Easter tree is gone now as well as 3 Christmas trees I used to put up every year, keeping only 1. Halloween, on the other hand, has been kept…so far.
Mavis says
3 Christmas trees! I bet it was magical growing up under your roof…easier to let all of that stuff go when they have their own roofs.
Andrea says
I still have a little one at home. So we have to decorate a bit. I’m trying to get rid of things out of the house, but I’ve run into a few problems. One is that the nearest GoodWill/ Donation place is an hour’s drive away. With having a compact car, it makes it hard to get rid of large loads. I live in a high traffic area so sometimes I just put things on the curb with a free sign on it. The other big issue is that I have a sister-in-law that is a shopaholic and borderline hoarder. When she gets in a shopping mood, she starts looking at things to get rid of so she can replace it with more stuff. So I am constantly being given things (even if I tell her that I don’t want it). Then I have to keep it because she gets mad if she notices I have gotten rid of it. Eventually I can sneak it out though. But as I started going through things, I honestly didn’t realize how much stuff I actually have. It was a shocker.
Mavis says
Ugh, it’s so hard trying to keep the balance of not offending someone you love with trying to keep a clean, clutter-free space.
As an idea, maybe you can organize a Goodwill pick-up in your area? Sometimes thrift stores will pick up, if there enough motivation…might not be available in your area, but it might be worth a couple of phone calls?
Shari says
That candle can totally be repurposed! Hold onto that for your other goal 🙂
Mavis says
I think you are probably right.
Teckla says
Love your posts! Definitely keep that candle for your fire starters, and try planting some of that corn (if it’s real). You might actually be surprised! I’ve had old seeds surprise me before.
Thanks for the inspiration! I’m working on clearing out stuff, but I’m much slower than you are. And you are right, we change over time. I used to do a lot of different crafts, but now focus on just a few. Still have enough supplies to last a lifetime, though! LOL
Chris says
I have that flashlight, it’s awesome! It is goes in my suitcase for travel. It’s the perfect size, super bright, and has a clip. You are right, tho, they do seem to multiply.
Cindi says
I’m on a purge also. Going room by room. Draw by draw. Thanks for your inspiration.
http://thriftysixty.blogspot.com/2016/04/to-end-of-stuff-as-we-knew-it.html
Nancy from Mass says
I love those note cards (especially the Eiffel Tower ones!). I am gifted cards and stationery from time to time because everyone knows I LOVE to hand write cards and letters. I have an aunt and uncle in Florida that i write to about every 3 months – usually about 5 pages. (I have a big family). They always write back also.
If you were still in Mass at the Cape, I would meet you and let you ‘gift’ me the cards (since i am only 30 minutes away from there)! 🙂