My decluttering efforts are still underway but have been a bit slow lately. My slow down has mostly to do with my ability to get things out of my house. We have a lot of clothing, especially girls clothing and now my own that has to be listed, sold, and shipped on EBay. This process, while I have gotten it down to a pretty efficient process, still takes a lot of time to do. I would spend at least 4 hours a week listing things.
I've finally gotten pretty fed up with the piles just sitting on my bedroom floor waiting to be listed or waiting to be purchased. I started looking at other sites that might be better to list for girls clothing. I came across Swap.com, an online consignment store. Swap.com takes on a lot of the work in listing items for you. They take pictures, they group items, and they post the items for you. It is up to you to set a purchase price once the items are ready to be posted. They also take care of the storage and the shipping which is awesome. To be fair, EBay has been fairly profitable and I still think it is great way to get rid of things you no longer need but should definitely be done on a consistent basis to avoid becoming overwhelmed with items as I have been and then trying to sell everything at once!
I decided to try sending in the stuff that hasn't moved on EBay after a couple of relists to see how it goes with Swap.com. I ordered a box and shipping label from Swap.com and it was delivered to my doorstep. I folded up the clean clothing nicely and filled the box. Swap.com claims that each large box averages $150 in income for a seller. I'm not sure if this is more or less than what I've been making on EBay but I figured I would give it a try. They do have a seller guarantee as well where if your items don't sell, they will buy them (at a discount rate of course). Swap.com takes a portion of your profit, I haven't determined if it is in line with EBay/Paypal fees for EBay sales.
Right now Swap.com has a 60 day processing period for each box that they receive so it will probably be awhile before I know what kind of success I will have. The important thing to me now is I am moving this stuff outside of my house and it is no longer cluttering up my bedroom floor! I'll keep you posted on how it goes and if my first box generates $150 in income.
Showing posts with label minimalism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label minimalism. Show all posts
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Minimalist Lifestyle?
An interesting thing has happened since I have been working on decluttering my house. I have started to really think a lot more about my purchases and what I truly need to buy. I have had bouts in my past of "retail therapy". In fact, it was one of the ways I managed to stay in a bad marriage years ago. While I am not nearly that bad these days, I still buy too much. And as I have been getting rid of things, I really don't want to fill the spaces back up. I've started to learn that there are always going to be things to buy. But in order to get something new, I have to get rid of or use up what I am purchasing. Clothing has been especially bad for me in the past. Not only clothing for myself but also my girls. I love dressing them up in cute things and I love shopping for those cute things. Or at least I used to. Bags are another one I have a problem with although I have done a lot better this last year. I am still carrying a Fossil bag that I bought over a year ago and still think it is the best bag I have ever owned. I know the reward now of taking my time to select the just right bag.
I have found the last couple of years, I enjoy shopping a whole lot less. I also enjoy cleaning and organizing a whole lot less. Perhaps that is because the two go hand in hand. I'm starting to really want to think through a purchase even if it is small and determine if I really need it and will use it. There are things I've purchased in the past because I thought they were cool or I wanted to be like that thing but in reality, my interest once I got the item home began to disappear. You know it isn't good when you don't even want to remove it from the bag. I also used to buy things because I could surely find a use for it or had good intentions for it one day. One day never came over and over and over. I was also horrible at returning items... they just sat forever in my house gathering dust. I have been so wasteful.
So my mind has been drifting towards a lifestyle change. Nothing immediately drastic but a slow migration over time. I'm more successful with this approach anyway, I've learned. I really do want to continue to pare down my belongings and only own what I truly need and use. My collectable hoarding family may revolt against me but this feels right to me. I really only want to own things that I love and use. I don't want too full shelves or cabinets. I don't want to hold onto 10 different bottles of lotion when I only really love one. I expect this migration to be a continuous pare down of items, continuous passes that I make in the house to remove items that are not being used. As items continue to dwindle down, the more at peace I expect to feel.
Shopping smarter is a component of this plan as well. Today I have made major improvements to my necessity shopping like groceries. I only buy for a week and I buy things that I know I will eat vs. complicated ingredients that I have good intentions to use but never quite get around to it. I've noticed that the more space I have in my fridge and cabinets, the more likely I am to make something from my fridge or cabinets. As far as clothing goes, I plan to get my clothing down to about 25% of what I currently own. This is happening a bit on it's own because as I have lost weight, things that are too big have been let go. I am hesitant to replace much because I feel like the weight loss will continue and I don't want to spend the money only to have to replace the clothing a month later. I did save quite a bit as I had gained weight so I have been able to dip into the back of the closet and pull out things that are smaller and now fit. I have bought a few basic things to get me through like plain t's but for the most part, the spending has been pretty low on clothing. I have also stopped buying all the kids clothes. This was harder than buying clothing for myself! We have gotten down to reasonable wardrobes for both the girls that I can supplement each season with a few new items. Makeup shopping is coming to a halt for awhile. I may also cancel my ipsy bag here soon. I like the surprise of each month but I don't try half the things they send me so they sit in drawer collecting dust. One thing I do want to change about makeup and health items is what I purchase going forward. I have a real desire to buy eco-friendly, no animal testing products. I plan to use up what I currently own but brands that aren't kind to the environment will not be repurchased after they are gone. Crafting supplies will be reduced as well. I actually don't buy much these days anyway but when I do, it has to be because I am doing the project that day. Not in two weeks or a month. The same goes for supplies for house projects. I have stopped purchasing physical copies of books and music for the most part which has really cut down the on growth. (Although I do need to get my music all saved to our family shared drive and go through books that I will never read or read again).
I have been spending a lot of time researching minimalism. There are some great blogs and youtube channels out there that are helping me to change my mindset. I can't picture myself a minimalist just yet but am looking forward to the transformation and the positive impacts it will have on my life.
I have found the last couple of years, I enjoy shopping a whole lot less. I also enjoy cleaning and organizing a whole lot less. Perhaps that is because the two go hand in hand. I'm starting to really want to think through a purchase even if it is small and determine if I really need it and will use it. There are things I've purchased in the past because I thought they were cool or I wanted to be like that thing but in reality, my interest once I got the item home began to disappear. You know it isn't good when you don't even want to remove it from the bag. I also used to buy things because I could surely find a use for it or had good intentions for it one day. One day never came over and over and over. I was also horrible at returning items... they just sat forever in my house gathering dust. I have been so wasteful.
So my mind has been drifting towards a lifestyle change. Nothing immediately drastic but a slow migration over time. I'm more successful with this approach anyway, I've learned. I really do want to continue to pare down my belongings and only own what I truly need and use. My collectable hoarding family may revolt against me but this feels right to me. I really only want to own things that I love and use. I don't want too full shelves or cabinets. I don't want to hold onto 10 different bottles of lotion when I only really love one. I expect this migration to be a continuous pare down of items, continuous passes that I make in the house to remove items that are not being used. As items continue to dwindle down, the more at peace I expect to feel.
Shopping smarter is a component of this plan as well. Today I have made major improvements to my necessity shopping like groceries. I only buy for a week and I buy things that I know I will eat vs. complicated ingredients that I have good intentions to use but never quite get around to it. I've noticed that the more space I have in my fridge and cabinets, the more likely I am to make something from my fridge or cabinets. As far as clothing goes, I plan to get my clothing down to about 25% of what I currently own. This is happening a bit on it's own because as I have lost weight, things that are too big have been let go. I am hesitant to replace much because I feel like the weight loss will continue and I don't want to spend the money only to have to replace the clothing a month later. I did save quite a bit as I had gained weight so I have been able to dip into the back of the closet and pull out things that are smaller and now fit. I have bought a few basic things to get me through like plain t's but for the most part, the spending has been pretty low on clothing. I have also stopped buying all the kids clothes. This was harder than buying clothing for myself! We have gotten down to reasonable wardrobes for both the girls that I can supplement each season with a few new items. Makeup shopping is coming to a halt for awhile. I may also cancel my ipsy bag here soon. I like the surprise of each month but I don't try half the things they send me so they sit in drawer collecting dust. One thing I do want to change about makeup and health items is what I purchase going forward. I have a real desire to buy eco-friendly, no animal testing products. I plan to use up what I currently own but brands that aren't kind to the environment will not be repurchased after they are gone. Crafting supplies will be reduced as well. I actually don't buy much these days anyway but when I do, it has to be because I am doing the project that day. Not in two weeks or a month. The same goes for supplies for house projects. I have stopped purchasing physical copies of books and music for the most part which has really cut down the on growth. (Although I do need to get my music all saved to our family shared drive and go through books that I will never read or read again).
I have been spending a lot of time researching minimalism. There are some great blogs and youtube channels out there that are helping me to change my mindset. I can't picture myself a minimalist just yet but am looking forward to the transformation and the positive impacts it will have on my life.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge
In the general theme of declutter, I researched some approaches that I could use to help with this initiative in my house. Over on the on White House Black Shutters Blog I found the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge that gave me some great ideas. Most importantly reminded me of all the places I should be looking to declutter... places I often forget. While the challenge suggests using it as a lent activity, I'm already geared up to go now so no waiting for me. One bag or one location a day, I can handle that.
This week I have worked on my bedroom (minus closets) which is actually an easier task than some other spaces in our house. I don't even want to think about my two linen closets right now! (I may be a bit of a bedding addict). I cleaned out the side tables and both dressers. I couldn't believe all the old stuff I came across... cords that go to who knows what, old medicine, scentsy refills, clothing that hasn't been worn in years... Under the bed wasn't a problem, though. We recently got a new headboard and when we set it up, we pulled out all the dust bunnies and lonely socks from under the bed so I feel pretty covered there. To be honest, our bedroom is one of the more minimal rooms in the house. I like it to feel open and clean, perfect for relaxing. Of course, the animals sleep in there too so it has challenges. It doesn't hurt that it is a big room to begin with. There are a few things I would like to change in the room still, including:
- Have an electrician move our cable cord to another wall
- Buy a new mattress and box springs (really high on our list for this year)
- Find the right mirror or mirrors to hang over our large dresser
- Fix the wall hangings that are now off center from our headboard
- Find a chair for one corner of the room
Not too far left to go in finalizing our bedroom. And it really doesn't look bad now but I would like to get it just how I want it.
I may post some pics after we get the rest of it done. Our house has been a work in progress since we moved in a few years ago but this last year has really allowed us to start making it our own.
This week I have worked on my bedroom (minus closets) which is actually an easier task than some other spaces in our house. I don't even want to think about my two linen closets right now! (I may be a bit of a bedding addict). I cleaned out the side tables and both dressers. I couldn't believe all the old stuff I came across... cords that go to who knows what, old medicine, scentsy refills, clothing that hasn't been worn in years... Under the bed wasn't a problem, though. We recently got a new headboard and when we set it up, we pulled out all the dust bunnies and lonely socks from under the bed so I feel pretty covered there. To be honest, our bedroom is one of the more minimal rooms in the house. I like it to feel open and clean, perfect for relaxing. Of course, the animals sleep in there too so it has challenges. It doesn't hurt that it is a big room to begin with. There are a few things I would like to change in the room still, including:
- Have an electrician move our cable cord to another wall
- Buy a new mattress and box springs (really high on our list for this year)
- Find the right mirror or mirrors to hang over our large dresser
- Fix the wall hangings that are now off center from our headboard
- Find a chair for one corner of the room
Not too far left to go in finalizing our bedroom. And it really doesn't look bad now but I would like to get it just how I want it.
I may post some pics after we get the rest of it done. Our house has been a work in progress since we moved in a few years ago but this last year has really allowed us to start making it our own.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Clutter
I come by it naturally. My grandmother was a bad case. She never threw anything away. Of course, she lived at a time where basic needs were rationed and at times she had very little and scrimped and saved just to make it. I hold onto too much stuff. I am the sentimental sort and I also am creative. This is a bad mix. I can always find memories in stuff and I can always think of ways to make things out of stuff. I have a 3800 sq ft home and can pack it full but when it is... I am miserable. I want less stuff. I want to open drawers and cabinets and have room to put things away. I hate cleaning and more stuff means more to clean. So I am working on letting go of stuff and only keeping what is really important to me. I also want to make the shift in thinking from quantity to quality. I know that nicer things hold up longer and thus I need less of them but yet the urge to buy buy buy takes over. Shoes and bags are good examples of this. When I get the thing I really want, I use it like crazy. When I get the thing of the moment... well usually, it sits after a few weeks never to be touched again. I have decided to start making my way through my house getting rid of things I don't love. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of things I love and won't be parting with but I also have a lot of just ok stuff. Now obviously if it serves a functional purpose, then I'll be keeping it. But if it is hanging out in the back of the closet, tucked in drawers never to be seen again... I'm finding it and finding a new home for it. Today I started with a bag of clothes I had previously weeded out. I donate a good amount to Goodwill but things have a lot of value still... like things with tags still attached (sigh)... I am selling on Ebay, etc. Lucky for me, I am not much of a collector... other than just general stuff so I don't have any collectibles to disband. My family on the other hand... all 3 of them... collecting fools. So things need to have a place... a home. I also made my way through my jewelry box and got rid of bunch of junk jewelry. Did you know if you let the cheap stuff just sit for years it starts to get crusty and green... yuck! Anything sentimental is still in box but things that are old, not wearable, no longer my style have left the building. Wish me luck... I have a feeling this is going to take all year.
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