Getting Rid of "Stuff"

hi Pat, you and I share a similar problem!! I am in the process of decluttering my house and I've found the only thing that helped me was to get professional help....I hired an organizer to come and help me with such things. I have trouble throwing anything away, and in addition to my own stuff, both my M. and my husband have recently passed on, leaving their own stuff to deal with! As for the half used products, my organizer took a box last week of half used shampoos, hair sprays, foot powder, body splash etc, to a shelter that might need it....i will ask her where she took it, and get back to you. I think you and I should keep in touch! We might be able to help each other.

I find that change is hard....I know I have to clean up, but even after the stuff is gone I feel a sense of guilt or loss. I think it helps when the stuff goes to a good cause because then I know it is helping someone who really needs it.

As for the medicines....and there were a lot of those....I still have them, but I'm going to ask the pharmacy or a primary care doctor if they have any recommendations. I know a group of doctors that goes on missions trips to poor countries, and they might need these medications...I will find out and get back to you. For now, I have them boxed up and in my closet....at least they are not taking up space in the cabinet that I can use for other things.

Let me know if you hear any other good suggestions. You and I share a problem that not many other people do, apparently.....I am under the impression that most people would just throw this stuff away without blinking an eye! When I see the stuff in my neighbors garbage, sometimes I cringe!

I sometimes have a hard time getting rid of stuff too. Now my family and friends and I trade. I feel so much better and sometimes I get things I love from someone else.

Go to this web site http://www.flylady.net/ and click on the beginners baby steps link at the left side of the page. The entire site is dedicated to just the kind of things you are talking about. Look around the site, they have tons of helpful information and ideas. They also have support if you sign up for it. I use this site regularly, and it is great for helping you let go of clutter, and find better homes for it.

I know what you are going through, sort of. I have a drawer full of samples of make-up that comes as gifts when I buy what I need. They sometimes are for oily skin, or the lipstick in the "set" isn't really my shade, etc... But what to do?
I would suggest (good advice I should take for myself! lol) throwing a "sampling party"...
Invite some friends over for a girls night and have everyone bring all their excess! Open some wine and have some snacks and PLAY (or just exchange bags of extra stuff)! You might find some new products you like, and so might your friends. At the end of the night, anything no one wants to take home, have someone toss on their way out... Surely you have one friend who is perpetually organized and neat (?).... She should have no problems tossing what no one will use. I would recommend donating any unopened products, but once they have been opened, I wouldn't think most places would be able to accept them (or if they do, can't give them out and end up tossing them anyway).
But really, if you "use" them to throw a party, haven't you gotten your money's worth? Then it should feel okay to throw them out!
Just an idea...

I live in Pensacola Fl. Not sure of where you are, on yahoo there is this group calle freecycle. It is a place where people have items that they don't want to throw away and they offer them for free to others. You might whant to try something like that so you won't feel like you are throwing your money away. Like it is said one mans trash is another mans treasure.

donate the items to your local Salvation Army or soup kitchen/shelter. They can always use products. (clothing, towels, soap, canned good...etc)
Stop by your nearest firestation, sometimes they collect for the shelters...Perhaps your church is having a food drive?

I feel you on the extra stuff. I am the same way. I don't like the product but someone must like it...One time I put it out at a garage sale and let people pick with a purchase or a quarter a piece. Believe it or not people grabed it up. You can also take it to a homless shelter or a shelter for women trying to "restart" their lives. As far as remembering what you like, take a picture of the items you like. It is a lot easier to store a picture. Keep it in you bathroom. Best of luck, now I have to go and clean out me extra stuff... :)

recycle the boxes and go downtown and hand out the products to any homeless people you may see

Hi Pat,

Well, I can't help you on your need to save boxes of things you want to buy again! ;) You know, you could keep a list on your fridge of the products you like, that stays there all the time, so you can just add to it each time you find a new one, and check it before you head off to the store. BUT, with regard to disposing of the products you've tried, I would strongly encourage you to contact homeless shelters and other similar charities - Coalition for the Homeless is a good one, Salvation Army, and also places like Centaur and Hope & Help. They provide food for people in need but it is very difficult for them to provide what are considered "luxury items" - these are your basic toiletries that you and I wouldn't consider luxuries - shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotion, etc. I would bet that these organizations would be THRILLED to have your barely-used products.

Good afternoon,

I am not sure where you are located but please check with your local domestic violence shelter and see if they use them. Also if you have a local freecycle group someone less fortunate on there might be able to use them. Thank you for your thoughtfullness.

Key words here are Organization, and Less Fortunate.
For the things that you need to remember or must have a copy of, maybe you could take a photo of it and put it on the computer. If that is too involved keep those items in a plastic container and in a closet or the garage, if you have one. Boxes,bags and papers attract roaches and bugs.
A heartfull incentive to get rid of most of the extra stuff is the Less Fortunate. There is always somebody that needs that 1/2 of a tube of toothpaste or lotion. If you live in FL there are always media stories on collecting items for our poorer countries around us, like Haiti, or elsewhere. Homeless shelters might take the stuff, Food kitchens sometimes also give bathroom care items. There are people on street traffic corners begging for help. I would think that if they really needed help, anything might help, but you might ask them first if they would like that kind of help. You know, as long as all these items are not expired, (check the expiration dates) Liability is a big deal in some places.
Good luck Pat. You've done the first step and I believe that you are on your way!

There are tons of free recycling groups on Yahoo. If you are in the Orlando area, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrlandoFLFC/

You post the items you want to get rid of and people email you a response requesting the items from you. You choose who to give it to and how they pick it up. Easy!

For medications, since you are likely not a doctor with a federal DEA number, you can't pass those along on your own. You can offer them back to your doctor to give to indigent patients, or in Orlando, contact Stepping Stones Medical Supply and they can often accept them for their patients.

:)

For what to do with the opened/tried products-freecycle! Google freecycle and your city and then join the group. Your items will most likely be taken in a heartbeat by someone who can use them. It's a great group. The goal is to keep things out of the trash, create less waste and get items to people who can use them.

If you really want to get organized and feel less cluttered you have to rid yourself of the excess like the boxes and old containers. Recycle them. Any directions you would ever need for a product can be found on-line!

I'm the same as you... lol. I used www.freecycle.org to give away the products that I no longer used/didn't like. There are alot of people out there in need. Hope this helps!

K.

Hi Pat! Wow....what a lot of "stuff"! Well, it sounds like you need to get organized...and it sounds like you are bringing in too many products to do so. To be honest, to me it sounds like something deeper....like trying to find happiness in that next thing. As long as something is not absolutely horrible, I would use it up, and just remember I didn't like that product. Is this type of clutter just in your toiletries, or all over the house? I think it is time to have a pep talk with yourself, and realize, for the most part, lotion is lotion...stop buying, use up those 2 tubes of toothpaste, and just buy one type of each item at a time. As far as not writing down the ones you like...well, you are responsible for yourself...so I suggest that you select a set spot for the list of "items you like", and just force yourself to use it. How about just taped to the fridge?...or in a bathroom cabinet? I have had a few toiletries I wasn't using (from gifts, etc), and I have always sold them in yard sales. It surprises me every time, but people do buy used items like that. Also, if you have any high end, you never know..it could sell on ebay. A way that I stay organized is to keep a running list in my kitchen, for both groceries and toiletries. When I get to about 1/2 full of an item, whether ketchup or moisturizer, I write it down...and then have the replacement on stock before I run out. Maybe challenge yourself to stop the wasteful spending, and after you have made that change, reward yourself with putting the money on a new bag, or something, or donating it to charity. Good luck
A. :)

Try craigslist. And don't forget to recycle those boxes!!

find the place where bums hang out and hand it out to them.

Hi, Pat. I used to have this problem when I was younger, but now I have tried pretty much everything, and I know very firmly what I like and don't like, so I don't face this dilemma very often anymore.

Even when new stuff comes out, I read the labels carefully, smell the product before I buy it, and try to avoid making too many impulse decisions about stuff that is very different from what I am used to. I also try out stuff that my friends recommend -- that way, I can see what effect the stuff has on them before I experiment on myself.

What I do, though, when I end up with a partial tube or bottle of something that I don't care for, is this: I give it away to someone who really needs it. I have one friend in particular who is not making ends meet very well, and he is a very un-picky person. He will use virtually any toothpaste, any soap, any shampoo, and he is extremely grateful for all my hand-me-downs. He does the same for me if he gets ahold of a hand lotion that smells too girly for him. My suggestion to you is that you find a friend who would love to try the stuff you don't want anymore, and then lovingly donate it to him or her. Alternatively, if you don't have any friends who could use this kind of loving assistance, you could box it up and see if the nearest homeless shelter or battered women's shelter would accept these kinds of donations. Sometimes individual homeless people who are mentally stable do mind people giving them stuff either.

If you give these things away to someone in need, you are definitely not pouring money down the garbage. You don't have to feel any guilt whatsoever, and in fact, you can feel good that you helped someone, maybe even made someone's day.

The only other thing I could think of is to have a garage sale and try to get a dollar here or there, but typically, people won't pay for half-used items. You are probably better off giving these things away.

I commend you on wanting to cut through the clutter!

Peace,
Syl

Hi Pat,
You may want to check with a local homeless shelter or a local charity to see if they can use some of the "stuff" you are no longer interested in using. I know a lot of times they take the small trial size or hotel size products but not sure if they take ones that have been "used". It may be a health issue though.
If you still feel the need to hang on to it then you may want to put things in a "guest" bathroom so guests could use when they come to visit.
I am a professional organizer so I deal with people all the time who have a hard time getting rid of stuff. Remember, you've already spent the money on the product so whether you use the product, save it and don't use it or throw it away, the money is still gone. Keeping a product you don't use is probably costing you more because you're spending time and energy stressing out about the product and having it is a constant reminder. If a local charity won't take it and friends or family won't take it then you need to figure out a way to get rid of it. Is it worth the stress?
As for keeping things to "remind" you of what you like... here's a couple of suggestions:
flatten the boxes so they don't take up as much room and have a spot where you can store the boxes to refer to.
once the replacement product has been brought in, the original should be tossed (recycled if possible).
if you don't have the product with you at the store, how do you remember which one you need? Have a box or a bag to put the used product so you can transport it in your car when you go to the store.
Hope this helps. If you have additional questions, call Clutterbusters!! @ ###-###-####

Even though they are donation places, some will not accept half used products or anything that has been opened prior.

Why not just try to stick to some of the simple things that have worked for you. Like the ones when you were growing up they would be easy to remember and some are still a household word. If you can began to think of the money you have been wasting, you may be less apt to act on impulse and compulsion. Remember, the book of Revelation says all we will have when we pass on is our white linen. That means your good works. Honey, trust me, with this body I don't want nobody seeing it but the doctor and my husband who says it is lovely, but that is kindly because he is my husband (lol)
Turn your focus a little. You will feel such satisfaction.

The next time you find that you are dabbling in excess, ask for samples, they will be less bulky and less wasteful. If you can see your way through to say, "no, I will donate this money to a needy or homeless person and stick to what I am using now," You bless yourself and increase their territories.

So many are suffering now, no jobs, insurance, income, food transportation, clean clothing, or necessary clothing. It hurts inside when I think of this, the News is a dismal place and I cannot view it without praying and shedding tears for those who are without and being thankful that I can do little things here and there to help others. If you have in excess, share, and not necessarily your used things. If you can focus that energy to buy things that become something you did not necessarily need or want, you will feel so much better putting it on someone who needs.

I think you have a generous spirit. This may be the forum of which you needed to accentuate it. If all else fails, give them to teen-aged girls you know who will trust using your used toiletries because they know you and that you are clean and careful.

I know this is coming after the fact, but, I felt compelled to say this to you. My very best to you.

Take pictures of stuff and then throw away.

Call a homeless shelter or a veteran's shelter and see if they could use it.

I was reading everyone's posts and they are just wonderful ideas. I always give my friends the goodies I don't like and always tell them - if you don't like it either, give it to someone else. It creates that chain. I think once you start figuring ways (solving your dilema), you'll feel better about it and you won't have to think or worry about this issue. I also use the guest bathroom suggestion. Just make a small basket and only fill to its capacity. Don't stick a ton of items under the sink - people will not understand if that is for you or them.

Good luck - and just remember that you don't want to horde the products, you want them to have a home and be used :)

Hi Pat

Oh can I ever feel your frustration as I am also like that but I have learned that it's better to give it away or sell it for a low price at a yard sale or donate it..
I have found using craigslist to offer items like that for just the cost of S&H it goes pretty fast and people have been not only happy with what they got but greatful as well cause as you know those products can be costly.

you might also try offering the items to the members of mamasource by letting everyone know that you have a list of the items you wish to get rid of and if they are interested they can email you and get the list and only pay the S&H or you can charge a small fee it's totally up to you but you will get it out of your hair pretty quick..

I know your thinking those trip's to the post office..Well you can do a one time once a week shipping..just let the people know you will ship say at the end of the week or on what ever day you want and only do it once each week.

I hope this helps.

S.
Palm Bay, FL.

Freecycle is a wonderful thing. It's a group through Yahoo. Basically you join the group and can give away stuff to others instead of throwing it away. I love it and felt better about getting rid of some of my items. I did't want to just trash stuff and I felt better giving it to someone who could use it. It's amazing what you can find on there. :) Good luck.

where do you buy your products? if its at a make-up counter or something like that maybe they can keep a little profile on you and what you like

Visit www.flylady.com. She is very helpful with clutter busting!!! :)

well, it sounds like you have a classic case of "horders syndrome" :). my in-laws have this problem too. they have stuff from over 30 years ago that is moldering and broken and all sorts of other stuff that they just will not get rid of. i would say since your stuff is used (especailly the toothpaste) you'll just have to throw it out. unless you have some good friends that you can give them to. charities won't take things that are used and open for the most part, but you might be able to ask about the lotion.

Women in Distress, homeless shelter or even a local church may take the unused items, but if not I would post it on freecycle. You'd be surprised what people post on there!