I decided to convert one of our large front hallway closets into a pantry + storage for large cooking implements. It has just been a space we have used to chuck clutter in. I don’t think I’ve even opened the door in a couple of years (the cat’s automatic litterbox has been sitting in front of it). It was literally stacked floor to ceiling high with stuff. I already put 2 large black trash bags out yesterday. Have one more almost full and ready to go - will probably fill one more at least. I also found some paintings and prints I’d forgotten we even had - I think we shoved them in there when we moved here 29 years ago! 2 of the framed prints are really nice blue and white ones that I may use as the central color scheme for our spare bath that were hoping to have redone soon. 2 are oil paintings that I like that we’ll hang.
Next thing is to paint the inside of the cupboard then install some shelving and a light. I’m also going to clean out the matching closet. It will still be used for coats but anything not worn for a while will go.
It’s a start! Long long way to go.
My husband didn’t even argue about me throwing stuff away!
it’s unusual that I can throw things (even broken stuff) away without him starting to look through it. Admittedly the 2 bags that went in the trash Tuesday were put out while he was doing colonoscopy prep. But he saw the other bag I was filling and didn’t start rooting through it so that is progress.
I put a few pieces of luggage aside that were in that cupboard but I am thinking they may go in the trash. They are not in good condition and I need to start being more ruthless.
Told him yesterday that we need to actually donate the bags of clothes that I have gotten together over the last few years that I give him then discover they never actually make it out of the den (that is his area and I have completely given up on it - think hoarders TV show). With the possible changes to the tax code who knows if we will still benefit from the tax break if we wait. Probably need to rewash, sort and list them though
@swimcatsmom, I thought my husband is the only guy in the world who will check through stuff I plan to donate or throw out, so my strategy is to do it while he is on travel and he won’t know a thing about what I get out of the house!!
In the past, I would haul a few of bags to clothes and some household stuff to Salvation Army throughout the year, got receipts but never bother to detail the donations, just claimed up to the $500 max, though I imagine value would have been higher if I spent the time to do a detail breakdown.
I know there are a few donation value guides, Salvation Army, It’s Deductible etc. I guess my questions are:
How detail do you keep donation record, especially for clothing/shoes/handbags? Itemized? e.g. Salvation Army's guide, a handbag can range from $2 to $25, that's a wide range, so how do I determine value? Same goes with clothing and shoes.
Take pictures of donation(s)?
I plan on a substantial “purge” in the next few weeks since my husband is away, including clothing from myself, my son and my daughter (not my husband’s, can’t touch his stuff lol), lots of household stuff.
Can you guys share your thoughts or your way of doing it?
I transferred around 100 CDs to my computer so I could cull the herd. When I mention donating most of them, H says, “I can throw them in my trunk and listen to them in my car!” The man has one CD. That I bought him for Christmas, years ago. Adele. (One of his favorite singers.) He has listened to it in his car possibly twice. 8-|
Oh well. Moving on. I donated 6 bags of clothes and shoes during my closet switch for winter.
DS is buying a house on Friday - I have been storing stuff for him for years and he (thankfully) needs everything! I spent all day yesterday washing the dishes and kitchen ware he’s getting, washing all the bedding and towels that have been his through the years and they’re all getting loaded into the moving trailer!
Today I sorted through my linen closet and moved blankets we haven’t used in five years into see-through plastic bags into the basement. I also took a twin-bed duvet cover to Goodwill. Then, I took three huge bags of old towels and my 33-year-old’s comforter from when he was two to the Humane Society for the puppies and kitties to snuggle with. When I walked into the Humane Society with all my stuff, the woman behind the desk said simply, “Oh, thank goodness!”
The local pet shelter always appreciates donations of old towels and blankies. In addition to kennel use, they use them to line up boxes for those happy campers that get to go home with their chosen humans, so they go through a lot of this stuff!
So proud of Mr. - he took a box to Goodwill today, too!
@Hopeful820 - I keep a very simple excel spreadsheet of what I donate. Just a column for what it is (ex. womens jeans) than a second column for how many. I just keep one tab for each date of donation and I put the organization at the top of the page. We tend to use the low end number for valuing unless an item is very expensive and fairly new.
@FallGirl, I have done the same thing, using Excel spreadsheet, separate tab for each donation, and detail similar to yours, separate columns for quantity, item description, unit value and total value. Also in groups like shirts/blouse, blazer, jeans, dress pants, coats within heading under women, junior, men etc. Then household in more general grouping.
I have already made 3-4 trips to Salvation Army in past months, all posted on excel. By the time I get done before year end, I probably will have at least half a dozen bags of clothes, plus linen/sheets, household. Want to take advantage of tax writeoff when I didn’t bother in the past.
As far as valuing the items, I share your philosophy. Good to know what others do.
I enjoy reading this thread, and although I’m a highly organized person, my kitchen cupboards and drawers have gotten out of hand! I’m taking it one cupboard or drawer at a time.
My latest project for the weekend t is my refrigerator. My H is a foodie who loves to cook and looks for new recipes all the time. As a result, I’ve got 3 shelves of my fridge (along the door) that are filled with all sorts of sauces that we have used once or twice. We have 4 jars of mustard (different varieties), 3 tubes of garlic paste, 2 tubes of anchovy paste, 3 bottles of fish sauce, 3 bottles of soy sauce --you get the picture. My plan is to get rid of anything that’s expired and consolidate when possible. First step is to take everything out and clean the shelves (which come out). I do this with the shelves inside but haven’t touched the shelves along the door in the last year.
2 bags from 5 drawers in my dresser and night stand. One of the items was a gift from last year that I let age for a year before tossing. Maybe I need a drawer just for that purpose - to put things I don’t want but feel bad tossing immediately. I did write a thank you note at the time, so there’s that.
I have that. It includes hostess gifts that I have no desire to own – eg, some Mary Kay lotion that a house guest gave me, some scented candles (I hate scent!!!), boxes of candy. A few things that I might re-gift. A few things that will go to Goodwill. And a few things that I will throw out completely.
Started in S1’s room today. Filled two recycling bins with old papers and college mail from way back when I joined here. Lol. Also filled two bags with clothes and suits to donate. But I was told to leave the 4th grade shoe box diorama on the closet shelf.
