25 Items You May No Longer Need

Creating a Simply Organized Life

July 2010

Greetings!

My parents are in their 80's and I think they are still a cute couple.

4th of July Cake

For the last 5 months, they have been preparing to move out of their home of 51 years and into an apartment a few minutes from my home.

Even before they decided to move they began downsizing. Little did I know that my parents are purging animals!

I've never seen two people (especially my dad) have so much fun getting rid of stuff. He has recycled, donated, free cycled, Craig's listed, had a moving sale and tossed items they no longer used or need. My mom has found it a little bit more difficult parting with things they used to use because she remembers all the good times that went along with each item. She found a good home for those items which has made it easier for her.

In honor of my parents move this month I've assembled a list of simple things just about anyone can purge from their homes. These items I listed usually don't have strong emotions attached to them, thus they are easier to let go.

Free up Space in your Life!

25 Items You May
No Longer Need

   1. Expired coupons
   2. Expired medicines
   3. Expired food
   4. Expired spices
   5. Clothing that has been on your "to mend    pile" for more than a year
   6. Clothing from your high school and college days
   7. Bridesmaid dresses
   8. Plastic bags
   9. Magazines and newspapers
10. Newsletters
11. Junk mail
12. 8 track and cassette tapes
13. Books you have read
14. Books that have been on your "to read pile" for more than a year
15. Empty boxes
16. Empty glass jars
17. Wood scraps in the garage
18. Broken toys and other broken items you have been meaning to fix
19. Dead plants
20. Greeting cards with a signature only
21. Chemicals you no longer use-safely dispose of these
22. Old Computers and old electronics
23. Kitchen gadgets that are never, or very rarely used
24. Plastic margarine containers
25. Wedding gifts you haven't used and do not need, especially if you have been married for more than a year
**Bonus item: kids artwork that is difficult to store. Take a photo of your child holding the artwork and then toss or recycle the art.

If you are moving in the next few months, set aside 30 minutes each day to purge a small area. If you aren't moving, pretend that you are and find items that are taking up valuable space but you no longer need or use. Make it a weekly goal to let go of at least a couple items on this list during the month of August.

Simply,

Jill

Jill helps busy people who are overwhelmed by the 'stuff' in their lives and want to find things easily and get more done.

WANT TO REPRINT THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER, BLOG OR WEBSITE? You are welcome to as long as you include the following: Jill Annis, owner of Simply Organized, LLC, helps busy people who are overwhelmed by the 'stuff' in their lives and want to find things easily and get more done. Visit Jill's website at www.SimplyOrganizedWithJill.com.