I
am blessed with abundance. There is no
doubt about that. I have all that I need
and most of what I want. In fact, I
think I have more than what I actually need.
My
crafts and sewing supplies have runneth over.
I have a dresser full of fabrics, as well as a couple bins and
boxes. The same is true of threads,
trims, ribbons, buttons, zippers and gobs of other notions. I have A LOT of stuff.
I
have loads of paper. Plain paper, colored paper, card stock,
colored card stock. Scrapbook paper of
all shapes and sizes. Pounds of the
stuff! Envelopes of all sizes, labels
too!
I
have canning jars a plenty. I have lids
and rings to go with them. Some are
vintage and some are newer. I love my
vintage jars and collect them to use for food storage. The newer ones are just sitting on a shelf in
my garage.
We
have food. Goodness gracious do we have
food. A very full freezer in our garage
and another full freezer in our kitchen.
Our pantry is stuffed full as well.
At one time it was so full I had to stack some stuff in the
hallway. That was crazy!
 |
| That's a lot of lumber |
I
have a garage that has too much stuff in it.
One area is the corner where I've put the trims and wood I've collected
from the FREE WOOD bin near my work. I
need to use that stuff rather than store it.
I do have plans for a lot of it, but I need to figure out what to do
with the rest.
 |
| I have gobs of sewing & craft supplies! |
There
is a huge banker box full of photos that needs to be dealt with. More photos than I need to keep and although
it is hard to get rid of photos I know it is something I will need to do. I've gone through them a few times and I know
what needs to be done, I just need to do it.
Photos are one of those things I admit I struggle with. But no one can enjoy them if they are piled
into a big box.
 |
| The dresser on the left is crammed FULL of fabrics |
By
using up what I have I know I will not have a need to go out and purchase
something new. If I don't have to
purchase anything new I will spend less and by spending less I have money to
put into my savings account. My goal
this year is to spend less in order to save more. So now I need to focus my efforts on spending
less and using up what we already have.
"All of what I need, most of what I want," is one of my catch phrases! I try to live by this. For enjoyment, I quilt, and make cards. Several years ago, I told myself the only new purchases for quilting would be thread and batting. As for cardmaking, I endeavored this year to make my Christmas cards with supplies I had on hand. (I did need to purchase more white cardstock for card bases.) I am in active "use it up" mode in the kitchen in preparation of our move. I have enjoyed the challenge! As for clothing, I find I wear about half a dozen things regularly (don't work outside the home.) My "uniform" is denim skirts and t-shirts, leggings and skorts for running. (No, I am not one of those "skirts only" women. I have just always found skirts and dresses more comfortable.) The only thing I actively replace lately in my wardrobe is footwear. It is important to me that we have proper shoes.
ReplyDeleteThere ARE areas I will purchase new without hesitation. For instance, DS needs some equipment for a dual enrollment college class--as it's a field he thinks he wants to pursue, the purchase will be made this weekend with no hesitation. Ditto another DS' mouthpiece for his musical instrument. These things don't come cheap, but because we save in other less critical areas by making do, it's not a hardship.
You and I think a lot alike! I'm with you on the equipment for the kiddos too. My daughter needed a tuner and my other one a violin. Done! This year I want to get my oldest a new laptop so she is ready for college. It's all about priorities.
DeletePhotos are absolutely on my list of things to tackle in 2019. I need to both turn the digital clutter into things we can enjoy (photo booths, plus organized storage for the digital photos we want to keep). For the physical photos, I want to scan them, and then do the same. I'll offer the physical photos to my mom first (many of them are family photos of my childhood), but I expect that she'll want photo books & digital copy (that's well organized), not a stack of photos.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a plan, please do share, as I'd love some photo inspiration!
I'm working on a plan so yes, I will share. Photos are tough though. I'm hopeful I can conquer this beast this year.
DeleteYour going to be busy this year
ReplyDeleteNo doubt. I just hope I can do it! LOL
DeleteI know you will
DeleteThanks Debbie! Appreciate your confidence. :)
DeleteYou are not alone, I too have a lot of these same items. I have photos to deal with, most of mine are still on flash drives. I thought to do those photo books for the year but they still take time to make, are not cheap, and I had a bad experience of loosing one before I could order it after spending a year making it. That was awful! I have the same scrapbook supplies as you, I know it is more economical to just print 4 x 6 prints and mount on standard cardstock plus they probably don't take anymore time than the digital books. Maybe do a book like your binders? Decisions, decisions. We won't be bore this year right? :)
ReplyDeleteDo you have plans for what you will do with your stock of supplies?
I've got some ideas for the photos. Just have to schedule the time and get it done. As far as my supplies it will definitely be a lot of homemade gifts this year. I'm going to try not to buy anything for Christmas gifts this year. Not sure how realistic that will be, but I'm going to try.
DeleteI hate to be negative, but it won't work. I keep trying to declutter and the stuff keeps expanding. As each son returns then leaves home, more things arrive while only a few things leave. My mother's house sold yesterday and now I must clean it out!!! MORE STUFF!!!!
ReplyDeleteDrowning...I am drowning in junk!
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
Oh great! Now you tell me! LOL
DeleteI've gotten rid of a lot of crap over the years. I mean A LOT! I can't believe I still have so much. I think it breeds.
Her house sold for $10,000 over the asking price in a few hours (Nashville, a hot market); however, we must clean it out within the week. It will only give us a few days to get it emptied. I hate to give away things that I will one day be able to use like pillows, blankets, towels, dishes...and since I have done so much decluttering at my home this year, I have space.
DeleteI am drowning and going down for the last time!!!!!
Jeannie
I inherited my grandmother's household. We moved it into our garage and it took me years to go through it all. For me it was the emotional overload that took hold. It was quite a while before I was able to let things go. I'm glad I took my time with it though because so much of what I treasure and use every day was hers and I was able to get rid of my cheap crap.
DeleteI wish you all the best!
Thank you for the kind words. I am quite stressed at the moment.
DeleteJeannie
Oh, the photo box ... my nemesis! I need to tackle that too, it runeth over! Also, our emergency backpacks must be dealt with - we each have one. The canned foods and documents in them must be at least 5 years old, I'm afraid to look :)
ReplyDeleteD.
It's crazy how quick time gets away from us and things pile up.
DeleteOh the pains of using what we have. I am with you, I have so much "stuff" that I need nothing else (except to either use it or get rid of it)
ReplyDeleteI'm doing both this year. Enough is enough. :)
Delete