SPRING-Clean Declutter - Need Help

[Former-Member]

Hi @Former-Member and everyone. Swap meet was good - thanks for asking. I didn't buy anything except my lunch and parking and sold a few things so it was a postive outcome. My major problem is still picking up stuff off the side of the road. I get obsessed with things like TVs or computers and have to pick them and bring them home to see if they work. I have five in the dining room at the moment. Need to get my act together and get rid of some. I wish people wouldn't throw out things that still work. Apart from tempting people like me it's just so wasteful. The house next door to me was a rental and the last renters (Chinese students) left everything behind - clothes, furniture, beds, everything. All perfectly good and it just got thrown out on the street. At least call up the salvos or someone and donate it to charity. I really hate waste.. must be a Scottish thing. My dad was from Glasgow and couldn't bear to part with anything or see anything useful thrown out. 

It's great that you're dealing with paperwork. It's so easy to just let it accumulate and then it takes time to go through it and throw out the stuff you shouldn't have kept in the first place. I really like the idea of three things a day - that's a great philosophy. Now if I could only avoid bringing home three things a day I might break even.

Hope you're OK @Former-Member - I know it hasn't been easy for you recently but I'll send good vibes your way and wish you all the best - hope to hear from you soon. Everyone else happy decluttering and keep up the good work.

[Awpgirl]

@Former-Member thanks. I still have to develop of system for myself to keep that room decluttered.

[Awpgirl]

Today I am tackling a big box of tangled wires & cables. I have fought the urge to chuck the whole box out and purchase the required cables as needed.

The task has a few steps to it
Untangling and identifying the cable; ensuring the cables won't get tangled again and finding a place to store them so I can find them when i need them

If anyone has any ideas on how best to do this please let me know.
Thanks

[Faith-and-Hope]

@Awpgirl things like this are available for keeping cords detangled -

If you cu-t the legs of a pair of stockings into rounds, they make brilliant soft bands to tie things up with, including hair.

[Former-Member]

@Awpgirl budget alternative is a loo roll holder, bread tags can also be used as markers

[Former-Member]

@Former-Member
Well done re: swap meet.
Could you donate the TVs to a women's refuge or the like where they could be passed onto people who have often left situations and have next to nothing?

[Former-Member]

Hi @Awpgirl - I think I'm well qualified in the art of cable management  Always coil or fold them up so they don't get tangled. Throw out multiples - for example you don't need ten phone charger cables. Use twist ties, rubber bands or double sided velcro - you can buy it in big rolls and just cut off what you need. This is one cable drawer, I have three (I did say I have a hoarding problem) 

[Former-Member]

Keeping things uncluttered is an ongoing challenge for me too.

[Former-Member]

Good idea @Former-Member - I've given stuff away in the past but a lot of the charities won't accept electrical goods as they need to be tested and they don't have the resources to do that. I've got a lot of children's books too that I'd like to donate. Difficult to find organisations to take that sort of stuff. Don't know if you know of anyone?

[Former-Member]

What State are you in @Former-Member? This might help fellow declutterers offer good suggestions.