Note: This giveaway has ended.
Today, in the post-Christmas gluttony that is December 26th, I offer up a giveaway of Dave Bruno’s The 100 Thing Challenge: How I Got Rid of Almost Everything, Remade My Life and Regained my Soul.
And in case this giveaway seems like one more thing to add to your life, I invite you to read this copy and then pass it along to a friend. And not to brag on my non-consumer cred, but this particular copy was bought by yours truly at the library second hand store on a buy-one-get-three-free day! (Such fantastic deals, I almost stroked out!)
To enter this giveaway, write something in the comments section about whether you are simplifying your possessions and your life. I will randomly choose a winner on Tuesday, December 27th at 9:00 P.M. U.S. residents only, please enter one time only.
Good luck!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Twitter.
Click HERE to join The Non-Consumer Advocate Facebook group.
{ 165 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m trying SO hard to simplify. It is my goal, my focus, my battle cry for 2012.
I am on forced simplification for 2012 – I am graduating in May and will be packing up my life in my car and driving to wherever I can get work in the theatre. Which means cutting down to only what is most important and leaving behind things like boxes of books I have dragged around for 10 years without reading! Leaving behind meaning donating to the Friends of the Library used bookstore of course 🙂
We are surrounded by baby and toddler toys, but we’re trying to simplify the rest of the house. Do we really need/love this item and the space it’s filling in our home?
I am simplifying my file cabinet by scanning much of the paperwork into PDF files.
We are in the process of simplifying our lives for a few different reasons. First, we just inherited my husbands families homestead – it’s a wonderful 1760 farmhouse with 3 acres. We have been taking our time moving in – only bringing those things that MEAN something to us. We have simplified our lives drastically in the past month and a half, but feel we still have too much stuff. The other thing we are simplifying/decluttering/etc for is that we have a dream to sell almost all of our possessions, get out of debt, buy a USED RV and hit the road full-time and do ministry in National Parks. My husband is currently in school for is first of 3 Master’s Degrees, after which he is planning to get his PhD in Religious Studies/Apologetics and become a full-time volunteer minister. He desires to spread God’s word throughout the USA at National Parks. I’m very excited for him and am doing my best to support his dream by helping the home financially by selling all we do not need (and giving much away too!).
Thanks for this great contest – this book has been on my wish list for some time…our library doesn’t have awesome book sales, unfortunately (one of the disadvantages of living in Rural Maine, I guess!).
We have just committed to buying nothing new for the next year. We were already almost there, and we are excited about a new adventure.
Oh yes I am trying to streamline my life (once again) and sometimes hubby even is willing to join in! Since starting my new round of decluttering 4 months ago I have removed 139 items from our home. I focused this sweep by location. Next up are cupboards.
I really, really need to simplify our things. I want to make it easier to keep our house clean and spend less time looking for things this coming year! I have two friends who I have asked to hold me accountable weekly by making me tell them how much I lugged to Goodwill each week. We are thinking of starting to homeschool after the first of the year and I need to focus on that and not on all our junk!
Definitely simplifying things in my life, which has been an ongoing process for the last ten years or so. Love your blog and what you are doing here. You are making a difference, and the world needs more people like you in it. 🙂
Im cutting out the crap in my life everyday. I make donations to the VVA every thursday. Feels so good!
I am trying to clear stuff out here. With an 837 sq. ft. house plus studio, a teenage daughter with an “I need” problem, a college age son who uses his room to store his musical equipment, and a pack rat husband who doesn’t understand that just because the surface is flat it doesn’t mean it’s a storage space, it is an uphill battle.
Gratitude makes what you have enough.
I am battling hard to simplify our possessions in life. I keep a bag or box in the foyer and add things to it as clothes are outgrown, books are read (I have a large collection bought second hand, but they are still items in the house) or decorative items culled down. At first, it was really hard to fill a bag, but as things get less and less “cluttered”, I find we fill the bag / box quicker. Its a wonderful feeling each time drop one off at the thrift store.
my goal for 2012 is to be able to move from my money pit of a home which would allow me to live more cheaply. Before I can think of putting my house up for sale I need to get rid of a huge amount of belongings. Maybe this book could help me to do so.
Thanks for all you do.
I love the idea of this book.
I am trying to downsize for a few reasons. I have a large amount of yarn and knitting supplies for my business, so that takes up a ton of space. I’m trying to get rid of most stuff that isn’t related to that to justify how much space that takes up..
My email address is nicole at knitnicoleknit dot com
Simplifying and decluttering is an ongoing project around here. Every few weeks I pick a room to clean top to bottom and purge of unneeded things, then move on to a different room for the next round. I don’t always see a lot of progress, but at the very least, I am able to keep the accumulation of “things” at an even keel.
I have been leading a very simple life for a long time, except for in one area of my life. I am an artist who has historically made large works on canvas, which require space and lots of materials. I recently made the decision to square my simplicity views with my artistic endeavors. I have begun to make small works on paper, which require almost no space (no need for studio rent), very few materials (save lots of money, few resources, no stuff) and are now very affordable to almost anyone. Very happy about this decision. I thought I was giving up something, when in fact, I have gained so much!
I’m not actively trying to get rid of things, but I am being more conscious of what I bring in.
I am constantly simplifying but I am also constantly bringing stuff in.
I need to be a better gatekeeper.
I live in a small space, and now work from home – so need space for work-related files, and need to clear out even more than I have.
I grew up lacking many material goods – like warm gloves in a cold climate – and I find it difficult to donate usable goods, afraid I won’t afford to buy a replacement, should I need one. (I do not live near any second hand shops).
I’d love to read this book, as the excerpts I’ve read here and there lead me to think it might give me the confidence and peace to give away anything I don’t need right this minute.
Thanks for the giveaway. Jealous of your book sales!
My hubby grew up in extreme poverty (by his parents choice, his parents could have done something about that but didnt care) in north carolina and he has to fight being a packrat. He is in a constant state of but we might need it 🙂 I compromise with him and we repurpose things together but I have to force the poor guy to get rid of other things lol and convince him it will be alright lol 🙂
I have found that shedding possessions has been far easier than kicking the old bad habits of acquiring or consuming too much in the first place. Thus, for 2012 my mantra is “cut it off at the source.” I’m going full compact this year! Yeah! 🙂
Trying hard to simplify life activities and my house. I have teenagers not on board with this but slowly appreciating less clutter in the house. This would be a great book for me to read and them to “glance” at!
Its almost shamefull to admit that in the past 2 months (yes just 2) I have given away, thrown away or repurposed almost 500 things……I stopped counting @ 480, yup I made a spot on my calendar where I put a mark everytime another item was gone or repurposed. Took a break for 2 weeks and ready to roll this week!
A few years ago I decided my 900 sq ft house was feeling cramped. There were two options, move or he rid of stuff. It’s been a slow process but I’ve donated/sold quite a bit of stuff. It does require a shift in behavior.
My husband and I are working toward a more simple life. We make an effort to not over-schedule ourselves or children who are 10 and 12. We eat breakfast and dinner as a family everyday. We are steadily removing items from our home. This Holiday season not only did we limit the amount of “stuff” that entered our home by drawing names, but we bought at least half second hand. We also encouraged our family to give deeds or consumable items. My favorite gift from my dear husband is totally consumable and will help us focus on our marriage: 12 dates for Christmas, approximately one a month. The dates include: 4 fancy dinners, 2 Broadway show, 4 movies, 1 concert, and 1 weekend away in the mountains this fall. I enjoy your blog daily. Thanks,
Angie
i am always working to simplify
We decided a year ago, while our son was in Afghanistan, that as soon as he got home safe and sound, we were putting our beautiful-but way too big and expensive-house on the market. What once fit four people perfectly-our daughter’s been gone for almost 4 years-was uncomfortably out of sync with what we wanted to do and how we wanted to live. Six months later, we bought a house that has been a work in progress. Even though it was a flip by the people we bought it from, we still have a lot to do. Plus, it’s 1000+ square feet smaller and $500/month cheaper.
I have been working on simplifying for over 2 years. The rest of the family is not on board.
I am on a mission to make changes in 2012 to simplify, go more green, do some gardening , work on a better me ect. I would LOVE a chance to read Dave Buno’s book & pass it on. Thanks for doing the give-away : )
Donna
I am working on decluttering our home so that things are just better organized. I make donations to Goodwill and to people who I know can use the items. There’s always a bag for someone in my breezeway.
Over the past year I’ve made real progress in cutting down buying new Stuff. But I haven’t yet been able to bring myself to start paring down the clutter. I’d love to read this book and would most definitely pass it on!
My husband and I were talking about this very subject the other day. We both decided to go through our things and get rid of unused and very rarely used items.
I am OVERWHELMED by the amount of stuff filling up my house! I find it very difficult to get rid of “something” I might need, but I draw encouragement from this and a few other websites that I follow.
I don’t want my kids to have to deal with all my stuff when I’m gone. Since I’m not going anywhere soon, I can take a little more time to get rid of things. No pressure. Slow but sure. Your blog and several others, really keep me focused and thoughtful about what comes in and what has to go.
I am simplifying my life however not by choice. My husband has left me just after Thanksgiving and has asked for a divorce. I am alone with a mortgage on a house mid-renovation, a car payment, giant dog & no idea what to do next. First thing I could think of was to slow down, take stock and try to make sense of all of it.
I am fighting an uphill battle with a tech loving hubby and a clutter loving son. I am trying though 🙂
Hi Dave,
I run a minimalist blog in French and talk about american minimalist writers. I’ve never had the chance to read your book although I’ve heard a lot about it.
As I don’t live un the US, I’d like to get a digital copy of your book to talk about in on my blog.
Thanks.
Florence
We simplified when we moved from North Carolina back to Michigan only taking what would fit in the trunk of a medium sized car for a family of 5! Since then I have worked to keep it simple in many ways!
Before then we kept it simple too, we have gone years with no furniture other than a kitchen table and chairs. We have always kept a minimilast wardrobe. The things we do bring into our life we do with conscious decisions on whether it brings some value into our lives or enhances homeschooling in some way.
Funny you put the 100 item challenge here today as I had created a new page last night about 100 items on my OMG HELP page! I love this challenge!
I got rid of 25 things a day in August. It felt great. I the title of this book and have been very interested in reading it. I didn’t want to spend the money to buy it and have another piece of clutter in the house. But, I could read it and then pass it around the family so they can enjoy the book and be motivated to pare down their things too. When everyone is done, the last person can donate it to a library and it can continue being used by lots of people!
I’m moving this year, so simplicity and purging are my top priorities. This is my last year of itemizing on taxes, so I have some lofty goals for Goodwill donations this week!
I’m definitely working on simplifying and getting rid of stuff (do I really need an enormous closet stuffed full AND two dressers worth of clothing, most of which I don’t wear?), but it’s always a challenge. My husband tries to be supportive, but he has an intense emotional relationship with his stuff, and can’t imagine getting rid of any, and discourages me from tossing anything because I might want it someday. It’s quite an adventure.
I am continuing my decluttering efforts in 2012. I have worked on clearing stuff all 2011. A few month ago, I started a small notebook detailing the “hot spots” in my house. These are areas of clutter – too much stuff or homeless stuff or both. Some spots just need simple decluttering and others require more work to make them cleaner, neater, simpler.
I’ve been on a campaign to de-clutter and simplify for a long time while living with a packrat. My biggest challenge is to continue the good work and be respectful of his attachment to his stuff and creative about treating his stuff well instead of just shoving it all into the basement.
This has been my passion (on and off obsession?) for the past two years. While my home (with 2 teen boys, a paper packrat husband, and many animals) will never look like that of Miss Minimalist, I can say that our quality of life has improved! (and I think even my kids would agree though they do not like to see those bags going out the door). We can find things. Clothes in our closets fit and are deemed acceptable (by the wearer & parent) for school. There are actually homes for all our stuff (whether they are in them is another matter). We have more floor space, much appreciated in our 1000 sqf home. And if it ever feels like too much going out, I get some perspective by looking through the pages of the book Where Children Sleep.
Trying to get the hubby on board with the attitude of “do we really need that?” He’s constantly wanting to have what he calls a “purge day” but won’t listen to me when I want to “purge.” Something we have to work on together.
A note to Kelley above: it sounds as if you are making such positive and deliberate changes from a very difficult situation. I hope that many more positive changes and new light come from the darkness of this forced change. Hang in there!
I’m trying to de-clutter and simplify. I started with my hair. I no longer process it. I’ve sold a few books. I also “accidentally” forgot some ribbon at a card-making party the other night. But the real nitty gritty purging is hard. Could I really shred my journals from grad school? I should, cause they’re so lame.
Regarding shredding your journals, or anthing that you’re having a tough time with: I too have some issues with getting rid of sentimental things. My advice, for what it’s worth, is that when you’re not sure about something like that, then don’t do it right now. Just move on, and get rid of something ELSE that’s easier, instead. When decluttering, I’ve found it works to get rid of things in the order of “easy”. You’re not sure if you want to get rid of X? Okay, what’s less important than X? Oh, yeah – I could get rid of Y, that one I’m sure about, and that’ll make some room for X! Work your way down, skipping the “hard” things. At some point, you’ll probably make up your mind about the journals (or whatever “hard” thing X is) – you’ll reach a point where you’ll either say, “You know, I have no idea why I wanted to keep this!”, OR you’ll reach a point where you say, “You know, I really do want to keep X, and now there’s more room because of the other stuff I got rid of, so that’s okay.” Either way, you’ll reach a point where the decision is comfortable. If the decision isn’t comfortable, I suggest you neither force a decision nor stop the process – just move along to a different de-clutter task for now!
When I quickly read the post title, I saw “Giveaway 100 things challenge.” This will the first step in my decluttering and mindful consumption goal for 2012.
Simplifying, decluttering, organizing has been an on-going process.
I’ve been ending the year getting rid of things, planning for a garage sale in the spring and hope to continue this process into the new year!
Downsizing books, using up my yarn stash, and finishing craft projects are goals for 2012.
I would enjoy reading how someone managed to get down to 100 items.
I have fantasies of the people from Clean Sweep coming to my house and helping (forcing) me to declutter my house. I have things from when my kids were much younger, broken items I thought we would repair, things I thought I might use someday…. When I do tackle a room, or an area, i feel great and accomplished. I just need the motivation and energy to do this on a regular basis, instead of waiting until I’m frustrated and overwhelmed.
To me, simplicity and peace seem to be tied together… You can’t have one without the other. May our individual efforts at simplicity make a collective contribution to peace.
I have been decluttering! We’ve been cleaning out our garage and donating lots of good stuff that we no longer need to a thrift store that raises money for a local children’s nonprofit.
I’m focusing on giving away a box a week (minimum) to a local charity. I also plan to sell some old books. Living with limited clutter is a goal for 2012.
Yes – I have been working on decluttering. It is just my husband and myself – and even though we live in a larger house, it seems that every nook and cranny are filled – not to overflowing, but way too much for two people. So I started when I took out the tons of Christmas decorations and gave away several boxes that I haven’t put up in years. I’ve also been reading The Happiness Pursuit (from the library)and was encouraged to continue weeding out my possessions. I’m making some lists for different months – and clearing the clutter is at the top of the list for January. Any and all help is welcome.
We love to de-clutter & donate/sell/give away/recycle. We just went from a spacious 2 bed apt to a small 1 bedroom apt. The left over stuff for a nicely for now, until we get the “urge to purge” again.
More than ever I feel the urge to simplify. Everything is pretty streamlined as it is, but it always feel so good to hold something up and say, “You know, I don’t really need this” and give it away to someone I know who can use it or to the thrift store.
Right after Christmas every year I always get this incredible urge to just pull a truck up to the house and load up everything. I struggle all year to try to get rid of extraneous stuff and then I seem to reload the house on Christmas. There’s always 2012…
YES! Cleaning out right our Christmas trip! Can’t wait to get started.
Yep, I’ve tried very hard for at least the past 2 years to purge our stuff. My husband is slowly getting on board, too. We’ve been selling on ebay and craigslist and giving things to friends/family and thrift stores to get rid of stuff. Hopefully, one day I’ll have much less stuff to organize and clean!
I’ve been wanting to read this one! Fun giveaway. I just donated 5+ boxes of stuff last week and I’m trying to get rid of as much as possible this week as well for the New Year. I’ll likely never get down to 100…but maybe 500? 1,000? 🙂
This has been on my wish reading list for a while! I would luv luv luv to read it! You have a fantastic blog! Thanks for all the work you put into it, it’s very inspiring to me! This was the first holiday season that we were very minimalist.
I constantly de-acquisition and it makes me feel wonderful. However, there are times when things tend to build up. I would love some extra inspiration from this book.
I’m working on simplifying but have a long way to go. I doubt that I would ever do the 100 thing challenge but see how eliminating excess baggage would make for a more peaceful existence.
One of my resolutions for the new year is Less Clutter. I think my family is finally starting to understand me; they gave me a lot of gift cards this year and stuffed my stocking with practical items like tissues, tic-tacs, and chapstick. I was very happy 🙂
I have been working on simplifying for a while. Moved to a snaller place last year. Been giving away things. Today when we empied a room to put down flooring I saw more that could be simplified. I keep looking for ways to cut back, organize better & streamline my whole life.
Yes, definitely! We are anticipating an international move in the next 18 months so that definitely adds to my drive to simplify/declutter.
We did a lot of de-cluttering before Christmas in preparation for the inevitable onslaught of “stuff.” We have worked hard over the years to really scale back Christmas and our families have at least heard the message. Some of them are bitter about it and still bring us lots of stuff on Christmas. So we do our best to 1) pre-emptively purge the house of unnecessary stuff. 2) keep our own Christmas gift-giving on a small scale (and also useful, thoughtful, etc.) and 3) address new clutter right after Christmas before it becomes “normal.” That is our project today and tomorrow.
I need to get back on the declutter wagon. A few months ago I challenged myself remove 10 things a day from my house. It was so liberating.
I had an aha moment the other day. “The less I want the more I realize I have.” I’ve been organizing and cleaning and while I did gather up a bit to donate I’ve noticed I’m hitting that balancing point where I have the stuff I need to live comfortably but not so much stuff to weigh me down. A lot of things I used to find of great importance I’m discovering are not really a big deal for me anymore and it is okay to let go if for no other reason than to free yourself up for undiscovered opportunities.
Libraries are the BEST! Milestone birthdays are coming up for my husband and me, and I am ready to start shedding the heirlooms and valuables.
I would like to do some cleaning out/decluttering. I did a lot over the summer when I had to convert the guest room into a nursery. But now I want to do more. My craft room will be my main focus. Lots of crafts I’ve dabbled in, but never really picked up. Can get rid of a few things, easily.
I like a simple life with not a lot of stuff. My husband is a packrat. Sigh. I try to declutter, but after awhile I just give up. I need some inspiration and motivation to clear out some of the junk. Pick me! 🙂
I am going to set a goal to get rid of one medium sized box or trash full of junk/stuff a week. I notice that when there is less clutter around me, in my immediate living area, that I am able to relax better!!
I have made an effort this year to make life simpler in all ways. I have decluttered possesions and streamlined the activity in my life. I have a quote from Elizabeth Gilbert that helps me remember to keep it simpler in my life…”I am my best self with less on my plate”.
I’m going to declutter this year. I realize that our house is too large for my husband & me. We need to downsize. This book would inspire me.
Oh boy. My new hobby is decluttering/simplifying. I’ve been making slow but steady progress particularly this past year. I donate so often to Goodwill that it is almost embarrassing. My Goodwill gives you a tax slip AND a 20% off coupon and I enjoy using them and sharing them randomly with people in front of me at the cash register. I feel like getting rid of things I no longer need or love has lifted a huge weight off of me and made it easier to find/use what we do have.
I plan to take part in The Compact this year – still working on my personal rules for it. I am also focused on personalizing my home and decluttering. Other related 2012 items are not to carry a credit card balance and save leftover fun/grocery money for bathroom remodel. Thanks for the giveaway, I enjoy your blog.
After having everything smoke damaged in my house from a small fire three years ago I learned that I had way too much STUFF. I’ve done a lot of purging but still have more to do. This past year I’ve concentrated on clothing. I’m proud to say I have minimal clothes. 6 pairs of pants, 15 tops, 6 pairs of shoes, just enough socks, underwear and bras.
2012 is the year I have clear counter and table tops.
love it! your timing couldn’t be more perfect!
PLAN to begin the de-cluttering effort again, early in the new year (once the in-laws have returned home). I think I have my husband on board this time – he opened an infrequently used closet to retrieve a game and a small avalanche of random household items came crashing down. Success??
Lately I’ve been giving a lot of thought as to why I’m hoarding all this stuff. Possibly issues with being uprooted too many times in childhood, losing all my “treasures”, substituting things for people and love, and the tough one – having too much stuff means I cannot kill myself, because it would be so unfair to the kids to have to deal with all the junk in the house. I’m working on it, slowly, and with psychiatric help, but it’s so hard.
I really wish there was a definitive class on how to sell things on the internet, using MY computer, MY camera, etc. And really, it needs to be visual. Words are good, but pictures leave less room for error.
I think I’ll go to the library and check this book out.
I am going through my boys’ old toys and giving them to the local hospital.
We moved from a huge old house where we raised our 4 kids and entertained their endless stream of wonderful friends, to a little house that’s just right for Grandpa and Grandma. So what to do with all the “stuff”? We started with a huge garage sale where we didn’t mark anything but just asked for a donation of the amount the item is worth to the new owner. Then gave loads and loads to Goodwill. Freecycled a bunch, and made the kids take their “valuables” to their own homes. Then the movers came. When we realized we would never get a car in the garage at the rate we were going we opened up a booth at a local Antiques Mall and began to sell off 40 years of accumulation. It feels great to have less – lots less. AND we can park the car in the garage.
I Am trying to simplify my life. We have cleaned out four houses in the past few years and stuff becomes just stuff. Unless it is mine. I seem to be the only one who wants to keep all the family photos and memorabilia, so I need to make room for that. I will happily give up a cabinet of plastic containers for that. I still have tons of napkins from Hong Kong that everyone has collected for years that I need to release. I watch hoarders just to keep myself in line. When you live a big life with family and entertaining, etc. 100 items just doesn’t do it. But I am throwing out the unnecessary stuff.
I would LOVE to have a copy of this book! And I promise to pass it on, as I now do all of my books except my art books. It’s hard! But I’d rather have the space and serenity. Did I say yet that this is hard? I used to own a bookstore and books are near and dear to my heart. But simplicity and passing things forward is more important to me at this point in my life.
I’ve just read Dusti Arab’s Conquer the Clutter and The Minimalist Mom…again. And so I’m inspired to do yet another round of decluttering. Today, I’ve tackled the family room and kids’ room. At the same time. So really, I should be pursuing a copy of Leo Babauta’s Focus. But I still want this book. 😉
I think I’ve simplified my life wonderfully over the past year and now it is time to simplify my possessions! I would love this book.
We do the usual move stuff out to make room for the new. I, however, would like to declutter more than the usual.
This book looks like it is really up my alley. I could use more incentive to keep going on the decluttering issue…for me it is an issue. Thanks Katy.
I realized I have too much stuff and had a giant meltdown. The result was not putting up a tree or any decorations. I need serious help!
Hi Katy!
My goal for the new year is to USE THINGS UP. That, plus decluttering my book collection, should be a good start.
Thanks for the giveaway, and Happy New Year!
Every year I attempt to declutter after the Christmas season…..this year I’m more ready than ever to do this on a large scale! This website is such an encouragement to me!!!
I have been trying to get my life under control for about 5 years and am finally seeing light. The clutter is all moving out. Peace and tranquility are moving in. I’m buying less of my food. Growing and preserving more. Clerks at the thrift stores in town know me by name. 😀
You have NO idea how much I need this! Please?
We are trying to down-size our many possessions! But, it is so slow…my dear hubby has soooooo much! It is an issue I would love to help him deal with…maybe a book would help! 🙂 Cheeryshirley
Yes, I love the idea of making life more simple. It is easier said than done. Since I spend a lot of time inside during the winter, I plan to clean out my basement this winter.
I plan to donate a LOT of clothes and shoes after the holidays. If I don’t wear in more than 3 times in a year (dress clothes not included) then I just don’t need to hang on to them.
I would love to read this book. I have been reading other books and purging items in order to simplify. For me it is due to my own chronic illness that affects my energy level. With less clutter it will be easier to clean thus saving my energy for other things.
The excess stuff in my home, that we will most likely never miss, could be used to bless others. I’m going to be better at doing that in 2012!
When something comes in our house, something must go out, so that makes for much more mindful decision making about purchasing anything!
Last year in January, I got rid of 5 things per day from our apartment. It was AWESOME. Might consider doing it again this year. Though space is not so much a premium in our new place, it still feels darn good.
The Navy is thoughtfully moving our family of 4 to South Korea this summer, and we can only take 2500 pounds of our things. We do not want to have anything in storage, and want to only take what we love. We are starting to sell the furniture, but it is difficult to help the kids pare down, and difficult to let go of the loved books and mementos, despite being pretty minimalist already!
The Air Force kept clutter in check for my family for over 20 years 😉 We were stationed in Turkey so I commiserate with the hassle of moving overseas.
I found the threat of having to pay for weight overage freeing when it came to decluttering. It became easy over the years to decide what was truly worth that precious pound limit.
The really important things we shipped to my mother to keep for us, but for the rest, i powered through each room and made quick cuts. I knew if I pondered over every item, i wouldn’t be able to part with any of it. I gave myself 20 mins to think about what I would grab from that room if I was having to evacuate my home and knew(fire, flooding, etc) it would be gone when I came back. it is amazing how little is truly important to you when it comes right down to it.
Good luck with your packing and move!
It feels really good to purge. I just took a bag of stuff to the nearest Goodwill to prepare for the new year! Always nice to start off a new year with LESS baggage!
I cleaned out the vanity in my bathroom this morning. I’m hoping it will be easier to clean if I have less stuff. The kids craft cabinet is next on the list!
I’ve been working hard at cleaning out my excess stuff, but it’s a never ending thing. I’ve gotten rid of 3 boxes and 2 bags already, but I’m not sure how much more to dump on poor goodwill. I’ve been doing this for only a month and the local store already knows my car. If that’s not a sign I have to much I don’t know what is. By the way all that came out of one room and there is still more to go. Once I’m done I will have stocked the whole place. Yay!!
I love your way of life and your lack on consumerism, and am looking to pare down our household our belongings while family relocates overseas temporarily. This book would be an inspiration!
Yes, Just took another van load to the garage ready for Goodwill. Will try online sales again but I don’t have much luck.
I’m current in the process of simplifying my life by selling or donating all the books in my garage from college, high school, etc.
I’m currently in the process of simplifying my life by selling and donating all the books in my garage from college, high school, etc.
We are in the process of finally getting around to decluttering we should have done when we moved 5 years ago. We had a baby then, and now we have three kids, so there has not been a lot of time to get around to it. All the baby stuff can finally go, yay! The basement was seriously starting to look like an episode of Hoarders. Ugh.
My husband and I have been trying to get rid of things slowly but surely but with 3 kids and Christmas it has been a challenge this past month.
Three goals this week to get me started….pantry, fridge and closet.
I have purged so much clutter in 2011 but it will continue in 2012. I can’t seem to keep the clutter out. My kids and husband are all boarders I swear lol. However I have made great progress and won’t stop till I reach my goal of simple clutter free environment!
We have started to purge and began with the basement and attic. Next the upstairs rooms as we are empty nesters and no longer use them. Our goal is to spend at least 6 months on the road in our RV when I retire in April. Your blog gives me a good shot in the arm when the “maybe we should keep this in case we decide not to sell the house and downsize” starts. There are plenty of people in the world that will be happy receive the stuff we no longer need.
Thanks for writing the blog!
I would love to win this book, I am looking for ways to convince my husband to down grade our Stuff!
I live in a 5000 square foot farm home that has been in my husband’s family since 1923. Lots and lots of stuff. Last year I challenged myself to get rid of half of the stuff. It has taken me a solid year…but I did it. Last month my husband brought in all of his late mother’s furniture and knick-knacks (her home was just as big as this one and chuck-a-bucka full)…so I’m challenging myself again…I will only allow a very few precious items to remain in the home the rest will need to be re-homed.
i’m trying but i have so must to unload and i dont know how!
For the past year and a half my step daughter and grandson have been living with us and they just recently moved out. I am taking this opportunity to move out the clutter with them. I am de-cluttering the house as I gather up the things they “forgot” to take, and it feels great. I feel as though I am re-claiming my space. I hope to continue all year and beyond.
just purged the closets – 10 bags to goodwill! thanks for keeping up the inspiration
My husband and I are in a transition period. We have one child who is an adult and was living in the dorms but recently moved back home to finish school online while waiting to go to basic training so won’t be home for too much longer,and another child who is almost an adult and has one foot out the door with his future plans, so we are taking a look at what we want out of life now that we will be focusing on *us* vs the children. I am going through every item in my home and looking at how it fits in our new life. Is it worth the upkeep? Is it something that no longer applies as a household with no younger children and soon no children? Is it worth taking up space for items we will want when we have grandchildren?
While i have never had alot of clutter, being a military family who moved around often, being retired now and settling in one place for the last five years has allowed clutter to creep up.
So far, I have been radically paring down my dvd collection to movies that my husband and I like. If the kids want to keep some of the dvds they like then they must move them into their spaces and take them when they leave. Otherwise the dvds are being donated to my dentist’s office for the tv play area.
I have pared down my books, which is the hardest thing for me. The books that are in good shape or are a complete series have been donated to my small library collection and the rest have been donated to thrift stores or to the library free pile.
My husband and I have just decided that the fewer items we have to upkeep the more time we will be able to concentrate on getting to know each other again as couple vs mom and dad with kids at home. I want to be able to focus as much time as possible on my husband(and vice versa) and things we would like to do together, not look at a messy pile and have it keep creeping up on me that I really should do something with all that junk. Besides, I have been looking at items I don’t need and trying to remember that my donated item may be a Godsend find to someone down on their luck in a thrift store.
Just had my 10th anniversary of my November 1, 2001 resolution to “Get Rid of Ten Things A Day.” Sadly, I can still do this. Every day.
Everytime I go to Goodwill I tell myself I am not allowed to go unless I am bringing stuff there to drop off. It makes the trips less frequent and I feel like I am purging a lot more often too!
About a year ago, I got rid of 10 things a week for 52 straight weeks. Unfortunately, things are creeping back into my home. I’m thinking of doing my little 10 thing a week challenge again.
I love this idea!
As an only child, I inherited all my mother’s worldly possessions earlier this year. After schlepping her stuff cross country to Tigard, then, a few months later, to a house in Portland, I realized I had two households worth of belongings to deal with. I’m finally getting to the point where I am able to look at things objectively and get rid of things that aren’t necessary or of great sentimental value. I really benefited from your post about giving away wisely and not just dumping everything at Goodwill. I was able to give dress clothes to a women’s shelter and books and some other things to a friend for a yard sale. I’m not moving with lightening speed but forward progress is forward progress.
I am currently devouring every minimalist blog I can find. I have gotten rid of a lot of unused items in my wardrobe, along with a lot of random trinkets. Almost every day, I find something new that I don’t need. The current problem is NOT trying to get rid of my partner’s stuff. I know he’ll come around eventually, but it’s still hard to not start throwing some of his things out 🙂
I found this book quite inspirational. Funnily enough I just mentioned it in my blog (astalander.blogspot.com) and then found your link on the ‘100 Thing Challenge’ FB page. Though it is written by a guy (named Dave) it has really prompted me to reduce the size of my wardrobe and now I have dropped make up. So many things to think about when you decide to live more simply. I am even thinking about the way I speak – about honesty and integrity… Dave’s book also helped me to re-gift. I have now given given away loads of things that are precious to me and once I started I found I was looking around for other things to give to someone who would be blessed by it. Now as I think about how to live more simply in 2012 I am reading Penelope Wilcock’s ‘In Celebration of Simplicity’. Life is good when the living is easy!!
After 23 yrs of marriage, 4 kids, and the 4,000 sq ft dream house he just had to have…we divorced. Spent 18 months purging all the ‘stuff’ to finally make room for ‘a real life’, and am now living with my son & my partner in a lovely little 700 sq ft house. And even now, we challenge ourselves daily to question each & every ‘thing’ we touch…and to find new homes for what is truly not needed. I wake thankful every day for the immense feelings of relief and joy now filling the space in my life once taken up by stuff . The yoke of an over-abundance of belongings is one I don’t ever want to bear again. This so-called ‘lack’ of things owned feels almost a guilty pleasure…especially now that I can stop at any given moment in my day, and take time to look at the world around me with fresh eyes and a lightened spirit, knowing I am finally free!
Less? Yes.
This sounds like a terrific read!
I am taking the compact challenge this year and would like to read more about the minimalist lifestyle.
Over the past year I have gotten rid of approximately half my stuff. I have donated a ton, sold some and given away some to friends that could use it. I continually find more I can live without. The more I let go the happier I am.
the house we bought almost 7 years ago is too big for us (but it has a rented carriage house out back to help pay for taxes) so it slowly occurred to us that we could vacate the upstairs and rent it out as a separate apartment while my family lived in the downstairs. preparing for this required us to get rid of almost 1/2 of our possessions and be very creative with our use of space. shedding all of this stuff felt so good we continue to do it regularly and we’ve finally gotten some of our non-consumer values to impact the kids. (where will you put this if you buy it? is it worth getting rid of something else you love to make space for this?)
thanks for the good ideas and support, katy!
-marlo
We are a military family and move regularly. I have found that when I own less stuff, I am MUCH less stressed during each move. So, I am in a constant state of evaluating our belongings and purging as necessary. As a result, I really appreciate what I have instead of being weighed down by it.
I’m a housewife and am interested in learning more ways to stretch money.
Working all the time at simplifying my life and family. Having both successes and failures along the way, but the effort is there.
My huge cedar closet is a major dumping ground. I want to completely empty it after the first of the year. What would it be like to have an empty closet ( or drawer or cabinet) in the house? Why do we have to fill every space with STUFF?
Love your blog!
This year we thought we were moving out of state so we got rid of a ton of stuff. We decided not to go ahead with the move and stay put a little while longer but we continue to constantly good through items and give them away. I love it, its so freeing !!
Unfortunatly I think more is coming into my life than going out. I definatly could use the book’s help.
We are going through the spaces in our house (one per week) to try to better organize the possessions we have and want to keep while identifying the possessions that we no longer have a use for and finding other uses for those item. So far, it is great to have a cleaner home and it feels good to have less clutter. This book sounds like the perfect read for us while trying to decide what to do with the pile of *things* we no longer need or want.
I’ve been trying to get rid of a TON. I have lots of boxes filled with things I don’t need/want anymore just waiting to be sold at an upcoming yard sale. And I am so happy to report I didn’t receive many unwanted gifts during Christmas- mostly just Whole Foods gift cards etc!
I mean that I’m glad I didn’t receive things that take up space. (I welcomed the grocery gift cards with open arms!)
Child at college seems to bring home more items than the time before at each break 0 help !
My fiance and I are trying to be very careful and deliberate about what items we register for so as not to create problems with clutter and too many possessions. I had to remind him of this when he suggested a waffle maker:)
Getting rid of STUFF out of our garage!!!
I have been trying to weed things that are unused, unneeded, and unnoticed, so there is more room for things that are used, needed and noticed!
We live in a small house, and now that we have a little one, have found it completely necessary to simplify. We garage sale things, craigslist things, freecycle things, and donate the rest to the local salvation army. We’ve simplified and made some much needed money in the process! But, we still have a LONG way to go, and are trying to give up in-the-moment attachment to certain items that end up spending years in a box…
I’ve been trying to cut back my possessions to what I really need – moving several times in recent years has helped me out in this quest, so I’m similar in that way to some of the above commenters. However, I’m also quite the sentimentalist and procrastinator, so I have quite a challenge ahead of me! I’ve decided to try and get rid of 20 things before the new year starts, and maybe the 5 things a day in January that the commenter above tried will be a manageable goal so that I can continue the purge.
I’ve been through a few rounds of decluttering, but it’s a constant process. And always in readjustment as my needs change in response to the rest of my life changing. Other people’s stories are always the most inspiring!!
When my husband was let go over a year ago, we moved from a 1400 ft. home to a 624 sq. ft. home. We’ve gotten pretty good at letting stuff go. Still a ways to go, though. There’s always a bag for Salvation Army.
I am in a constant state of purge and the inevitable in-flow of goods. The ebb and flow of thrift. I have designated donate and consignment boxes that I regularly place items into and drop off when I make my weekly thrift store visits. I enjoy reading your blog every day via email and would be stoked to win this book and would be happy to pass it along when I am done. 🙂
With a son going to college next year, downsizing sounds like a good way to save money for tuition. But of course, he will come back for vacations and summers, and my house has been renovated in a way that simplifies my life. Sigh. Anyway, I decided to declutter as though we will move. I recently discovered there is a good consignment place nearby that will take the family art and knicknacks that I feel guilty about giving away or selling at a garage sale.
I am weeding out my stuff to organize my house. I have 2 bags of clothes that I no longer need or want to go to charity. That was todays stuff to toss. My goal is to get rid of at least a bag a day until everything in my house is useful. I do not want the clutter of “someday” stuff.
I’m constantly getting rid of things. I’d love this book for the new year, to help me deal with the clutterbugs in my family. Happy New Year and happy uncluttering to all.
I pared down to one of many gadgets in my kitchen. In my closet I only have what fits now, is in perfect condition and makes me feel fabulous when I wear it. 🙂
I am trying so hard to combat clutter, and I feel like this book would really inspire me with fresh perspective and motivation!
I’d love to win this book. The irony is the one area where I have been most ruthless about downsizing lately is my bookcase! But it is a book that I have been wanting to read nonetheless, so I would welcome it into my home despite my current frustration with my overflowing bookcase. (Actually, I’ve got the overflowing part taken care of, I just haven’t reorganized the books since I moved & DH unpacked them all helter skelter onto the bookcase.)
We are always attempting to downsize. Moving about ever year certainly helps! 🙂
Hope I’m not too late! For me it’s on again off again. I find it’s very easy to slip back into old habits of accumulating and consuming.
I am trying to get rid of the clutter that builds up in a house but there’s no way I could get it all down to 100 items. I wouldn’t even be able to choose just 100 books!
trying to reduct clutter