Declutter Challenge: February Update

Time to check in and see how things are going with the Declutter Challenge. February was the month I had to admit I am too sentimental which leads to saving too much stuff-specifically cards and things made by my kids. While I have gotten better at letting go of this kind of stuff over the past couple of years, I still have loads of it from past years. I waded through scores of greeting cards as well as papers from my ahem 9-year-olds Pre-K & Kindergarten years and tossed, tossed, tossed. I did not count every single one but I'm sure I came close to my yearly goal if you counted them all individually. I know. It feels good to be getting rid of it.

I also decluttered by doing one of my favorite things, consigning! I love selling the girls gently worn clothing and toys at seasonal consignment sales. You get rid of the stuff and get some extra cash in your pocket. I prefer seasonal consignment sales over regular consigment stores because the turnaround is so quick. You get your money within a week to a week or two with the sales whereas you only get it monthly or quarterly through a store. The exception is consignment stores that pay up front but you usually get less money that way. So I stick with the seasonal sales.

Now for the update. Goal reminder: Declutter 50 items a month for a total of 600 items by the end of the year.

Here's how I did in February.

I tossed/recycled:

grocery size bag full of cards-at least 50-will count as 1 thing

5 owner's manuals for things we no longer own

8 old, worn towels & pot holders

an old food journal from when I obsessed about such things

bag of school papers-too many to count-will count as 1 thing

old foot stool

bag of 20 small toys

Placed in Yard Sale box:

2 pr. girls tights

5 Christmas themed frames

2 Christmas themed acrylic containers

1 Activity book

2 throw pillows

2 small dolls

Barbie Tea Set

Sold at Consignment Sale:

3 Wii Games

3 dolls

22 clothing items

My Monthly Total: 95

My Yearly Total: 164