Getting Rid of 1000 Things

One of my goals in raising Caroline is to demonstrate a healthy attitude toward material possessions – to be thankful and wise stewards of what we have without keeping things we truly don’t need or want any longer. This year I’m removing 1000 items from our home after being inspired by Mavis at 100 Dollars a Month who did a Get Rid of 1000 Things.

I guess it could have been one of those things I posted about at the start of the year, but it’s only January 15 so I figure this is good enough. We are fairly good about not keeping a bunch of stuff around we don’t need, but I think I can come up with 1000 things this year.

I’m going to track where the items go – sell, donate, recycle/trash, give away, etc.

I’m keeping a running tally, broken down each month. If you decide to do something similar, leave a link in the comments!

January

• 58 manila folders (recycle/trash)
• 17 miscellaneous medical items from linen closet (recycle/trash)
• 12 magazines (given away)
• 9 padded envelopes (recycle/trash)
• 3 phone books (recycle/trash)
• 1 spiral notebook (recycle/trash)
• 2 pair of fuzzy socks (recycle/trash)
• 82 items (donated to Goodwill)
• 1 musical soap dispenser (recycle/trash)
• 2 outdated computer books (recycle/trash)
• 4 turtlenecks (recycle/trash)
• 6 obsolete versions of computer programs (recycle/trash)
• 2 DVDs and book (gave away)
• 1 Barbie Jeep (sold)

February

• 1 older computer program (sold)
• 3 toys (donated)
• 2 girls fleece (sold)
• 23 old paint tubes and misc craft items (trash)
• 3 misc. girls clothing (donated)
• 23 new magazines (given away)
• 12 pillowcases (trash)
• 5 boxes (recycled)
• 2 work shirts (trash)
• 1 workout shorts (trash)
• 5 pair women’s shoes (donated)
• 1 glue bottle (trash)
• 14 misc. items from sewing basket (trash)
• 1 older computer, minus hard drive, for parts (sold)

March

• 25 books (sold)
• 18 books (given to neighbor)
• 45 misc. girls clothing, shoes, toys (sold)
• 6 books (trash)
• 23 girls clothing items (donated)
• 3 books (donated)
• 1 men’s sweater (donated)
• 5 kitchen items (donated)
• 36 dishes, cups, saucers, and bowls (donated)
• 7 shirts (donated)
• 2 toys (donated)
• 2 bags/backpacks (donated)
• 1 window blind (trash)

YEARLY RUNNING TOTAL: 455