Podcast Ep. 22: How to Get Rid of Stuff

We would have titled this one “How to Get Rid of Junk,” except that it’s easier to rid of useless stuff. It’s a lot harder to get rid of stuff that’s valuable but still needs to go because it’s cluttering your home and your life. So we’re discussing how we’ve been able to break that emotional attachment, and then ways that have worked for selling, donating or giving it away. Plus an update on the old farmhouse and recipes for getting rid of leftovers. And some cool discoveries, too!

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Farmhouse Update:

This is the washer and dryer we settled on (good reviews for appliances – which can be hit-and-miss – and I was set on a top-loader after owning a front-loader for 15 years, mainly to be able to soak slipcovers): LG ENERGY STAR® 4.5 cu. ft. Ultra Large Capacity High Efficiency Top Load Washer and Dryer from JCPenny. It was a Hot Deal at $200 off .

I also mentioned the curtains I scored for 30% off on a deal from Target I learned about in an email. I bought four Eclipse Suede Blackout Window ivory curtain panels for our bedroom and ten Layne Heathered Solid curtain panels in white. Yikes, buying this many curtains as once is a big chunk of change, so I was happy to find that daily deal (I also got neutral colors and the longest lengths so we could use them in the farmhouse later). Sign up for their emails to be informed of specials like this (taking advantage of this saved about $30!).

Getting Rid of Stuff

Swedish Death Cleaning – here’s the link to the One Good Thing by Jillee article and here’s a slightly less positive take on it from Fox News. (For the record, we think it’s a good and even loving thing to do for your family…)

The “Law of Containers” concept is from my friend Dana White’s blog, A Slob Comes Clean, and she has a lot more on decluttering and getting rid of stuff if you’re interested (plus a couple of books!).

The Project

Ways we talked about getting rid of stuff:

1. Ebay – use for smaller items that are of relatively high value (or that someone would really cherish).
2. Craigslist – use for large items that people can come pick up. We’ve sold chairs, shelves and tables this way.
3. Garage sales. Here’s an article I wrote with some tips and tricks for holding a garage sale. You can make good money if you have enough stuff, but it’s a LOT of work.  When we were moving this last time, it was easier to make thrift store donations and take the charitable write-off.
4. Thrift stores – here’s one of the tax deductions lists for charitable donations we used – it’s eye-opening for sure!

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up has some good ways of thinking about giving stuff away – mainly to be thankful for it and let someone else be able to enjoy it has helped us.

What’s Cooking

Recipes that use up leftovers & clean out the fridge and pantry:

• Frittatas: Greek Salmon & Vegetable with Creamy Feta Sauce and a Spinach and Chicken version with Tomato Chutney
• Stir Fry on Baked Noodle Pillows
• Soup: Curried Chicken and Rice Soup, Bone Broth Chicken Vegetable Soup, Ham Bone and Vegetable soup

This is Really Cool!

B – AT&T Ticket Twosdays – free movie tickets!
J – Here’s the article with the many health benefits of eating enough fiber. And here’s the list of highest fiber foods that included some surprises.

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