On Fridays at 365 Less Things I share with you my favourite comments from my wonderful readers and my favourite web finds of the week. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Favourite Comments. Enjoy!

Jane tells us about how she isn’t all that comfortable describing herself as minimalist in this comment. I don’t use that title to describe myself either as I don’t believe it is true for me. I am working on a new title.

Like me Megan has become immune to advertising. Read her comment here.

I was amused by Jane’s term Relocation Sorcery. Read what she means by that in this comment

Bergen has some good uses for a smart phone that could potentially help avoid clutter and to save paper. Read about it here.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Here is a great article from www.investopedia.com that Wendy F sent through about the cost of your clutter. You might be shocked at how many dollars you are constantly wasting on unused stuff. Before you even take into account the money you may have wasted on it in the first place.

Here is some more great decluttering advice that Wendy F dug up from the archives of Becoming Minimalist

Here is a Ted Talk I though you might enjoy ~ The Post Crisis Consumer 

Here is a link my husband suggested I share with you all. It is a new challenge happening over at www.bemorewithless.com

Here is another great article on changing your mind.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter a item whose most obvious external feature is self advertising. For example T-shirts with the makers name blazoned across them unless of course the maker is paying you to advertise for them.

Today’s Declutter Item

This decluttering effort reduced the wasted space in my house by 2 x 17litres (18qts) plastic storage containers of stuff. These Star Wars toys were much enjoyed back  in the day but have not been used in at least 6 years. When my son said “I don’t know why you insist on keeping them!” that was my cue to get them out of here. I sold them on ebay for him, which reminds me I had better transfer him the money they fetched along with the money for the skateboard deck.

My son’s old Star Wars collection

Eco Tip for the Day

I am sad to say that eating less meat is better for the environment. So if you can try to replace at least a couple of meat meals a week with plant based offerings. I must admit more and more meat has slipped into my diet again lately but for he sake of the environment I will attempt to back off somewhat.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

On Fridays at 365 Less Things I share with you my favourite comments from my wonderful readers and my favourite web finds of the week. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Favourite Comments. Enjoy!

Jane was way ahead of me on repairing little household annoyances. See her comment  here.

Mark talks about his organising concept that he calls RESET read about it here.

Sanna tells us how having less stuff around encourages her to make quick repairs in this comment.

Jen tells us how she is seeing the benenfits of her decluttering in this comment.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

I watch YouTube videos while I am ironing. It almost makes ironing enjoyable and at least it seems to get finished quicker. Anyway this video is one I stumbled upon that I thought you would all enjoy.

Here is an interesting post from mnmlist.com - Minimalism isn’t just for the affluent

I likes this post so I thought I would throw it in here to see if you could find a way to apply it to your decluttering decision making.

Here is some good advice from Leo at Zen Habits on starting new good habits.

And here is another video that I really enjoyed. Although it isn’t directly related to clutter, the basis of the talk could certainly relate to putting off decluttering even though you would feel better for it. I think I will have to come up with a blog post that relates one to the other.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter something purely kept for memory’s sake ~ Perhaps a souvenir or some other sentimental item.

Today’s Declutter Item

This flour sifter had more sentimental value than use. It used to be my grandmothers but that wasn’t reason enough to keep it. It was donated to the thrift store. And just to make a point on how people evolve while they are decluttering take a look at this blog post I wrote on day 258 of my original declutter challenge.

Flour Sifter

Eco Tip for the Day

When sending parcels do your best to use recycled packaging. Retail stores are great places to pick up boxes and packing materials for free. My hardware store has big cages full of boxes right at the check out. I go there when I need boxes to mail eBay sales.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

On Fridays at 365 Less Things I share with you my favourite comments from my wonderful readers and my favourite web finds of the week. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Favourite Comments. Enjoy!

Jen shared with us a few techniques that work for her in trying to get rid of clutter items in this comment.

Anna B shares her plans to create a space to collect all her “outgoing things” in this comment.

One of this weeks mini missions has inspired Wendy B to work on her key clutter. Here’s her comment

I like the way Sanna goes about Christmas gift giving and receiving. You can read about it here and in this follow up comment.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Kim sent through this link that I thought you would all enjoy.

Loretta was also kind enough to send me a link this week. I had my doubts about posting this one because I didn’t like that they made it sound entirely pretentious to eating local, organic and in season foot, because for some that is an environmental choice not a form of snobbery. I really did mostly agree with the rest of the article though so I decided to share it with you anyway so here it is.

Here are a couple of articles that Moni sent with tips on yard/garage sale safety. There are some very sensible tips here and some common sense ones as well. I only hope that you see them as good advice and not let them scare you off having a garage sale altogether. Article 1  Article 2

Mark from markadamdouglass.com has been commenting here just recently so I went over to his blog to do a little exploring. I found this short but simple post that I thought you might enjoy. Take a look around while you are there as I am sure he has plenty more wisdom to impart.

Today’s Mini Mission

Do a small section of a larger decluttering task that you’d rather avoid~ like my photo decluttering task. If you attack this task in small doses it will be eventually be completed without being such a drag.

Today’s Declutter Item

In keeping with today’s mini mission I have weeded out another handful of duplicate, out of focus and just bad photos. That’s one more small step towards getting this task out of the way.

Decluttered Photos

Eco Tip for the Today

Most people have digital cameras these days but some still think “old school” when it comes to printing and insist on hardcopies of everything. Why not save paper and ink and only get the photos printed that you intend to display. Even sending copies to family and friends can be done digitally. No need for waste there either.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

On Fridays at 365 Less Things I share with you my favourite comments from my wonderful readers and my favourite web finds of the week. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Favourite Comments. Enjoy!

Grace from Brazil tells us about some of her unusual and sometimes unplanned ways to declutter her stuff in this comment.

Deb J has made an impression on more that just her mother if this comment is anything to go by.

I also wanted to share with you two more success stories on readers influencing others around them. They were both in response to Deb Js post about her mom. Lynn’s comment & Juhli’s comment.

I loved this comment from Anita. It is nice to know my eco tips are having an influence. Here’s hoping Anita has her way with getting rid of that second fridge.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

The latest Ted Talk featuring Rachel Botsman on Collaborative Consumption.

It’s that time again Buy Nothing New Month this coming November. Consider a pledge to buy nothing new or better still nothing unnecessary at all.

If you live with a minimalist wardrobe shrinking things in the dryer would be a bit of a tragedy right. Well here is a link that can undo those dryer booboo.

Here is a reminder for my NSW Australia environmentally friendly readers who wardrobes either need decluttering or revising the no guilt way. Raid My Wardrobe is on again soon in Newcastle with dates to be announced for Sydney and the Hunter Valley.

For those of you who think they still have way too much stuff check out this post on how the other half live. Mind you even these folks may have too much for the limited space they live in.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter something used for cleaning.

Today’s Declutter Item

With every computer related gadget you buy comes another set of cables that you already have an abundant supply of. These two found their way out of hiding somehow and were immediately decluttered. Who knows how long that phone cable has been hanging around clearly unused because it is still in its packaging.

Cables

Eco Tip for the Day

Any plastic bag that you do acquire can be reused. I use food packaging, such as bread bags, cereal box liners etc, to bag up meat scraps which I then keep in the freezer until bin day so I only have to empty my kitchen bin once a week.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

On Fridays at 365 Less Things I share with you my favourite comments from my wonderful readers and my favourite web finds of the week. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Favourite Comments. Enjoy!

This comment from Jen tells how she has embraced the slow decluttering approach and the benefits there of.

Loved this comment from Lena on how one small action caused a chain reaction resulting in only one thing decluttered but a whole lot of satisfaction gained.

GreyQueen left this comment in response the Cindy’s post this week ~ Makes me want to have another sort through of my scrapbooking paper. In fact today (Wednesday) I am going to an event to make Christmas cards for the troops to which I will be taking an offer of paper for others to use. It’s a win win situation.

It seem Lena has been having a particularly enthusiastic week when it comes to decluttering. Good for you Lena. I loved this comment she left on Tuesday’s post. Who needs sentimental clutter to conjure up thoughts of a loved one when their wise words are always lingering just below the surface of our memories.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

This guest post form over at Miss Minimalist is more about being eco friendly than decluttering but that is important to me so I have included it.

Loved this episode of The Midway Simplicity Show with Tammy Stobel

Cindy sent through this link full of eco tips from oprah.com

Here is a great post from Cat’sMeow that was sent through to me by Sanna.

And even my husband was finding me links to share with you this week. This one for huffingtonpost.com reveals what many people waste their money on without even giving it a second thought and wonder why their credit card debt is so high.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter something made from glass

Today’s Declutter Item

This is the closest thing to glass that I have to declutter today. I had kept this bowl because my son preferred it to the other large bowls we use for serving pasta and curry. He hasn’t used it for some time so out it goes.

An Odd Bowl

Eco Tip for the Day

If you are one for ironing just about anything ~ sheets, underwear, pyjamas, tea towels etc ~ do yourself a favour and give it up for the sake of the environment. Electrical energy won’t be the only energy you will be saving.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

On Fridays at 365 Less Things I share with you my favourite comments from my wonderful readers and my favourite web finds of the week. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Favourite Comments. Enjoy!

Deb J agrees, through first hand experience, that the brain can be retrained in this comment.

Laura took all the right steps to do the right thing to dispose of out of date medication that she found in her medicine cabinet. She shares her experience in this comment . For anyone in Australia ~ I believe every pharmacy/chemist in Australia will accept expired medication so it is a easy as dropping it off the next time you are there.

Elizabeth is one smart nana. Learn why I say that in this comment

Deb J said just the right things to inspire another reader judging by this comment from Connie

I also loved this comment from Melisa. Keeping up with the Stewarts can be as hard if not harder than keeping up with the Jones.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

I recently discover Daily Lime a web blog where they post great environmentally friendly tips each day. They don’t always relate to my situation but I read them all and learn some good stuff. Here are just a couple that I felt compelled to share with you. Link 1 & Link 2 . I highly recommend you subscribe to this blog if you are at all interested in reducing your carbon footprint.

Lynn sent me this link from link from Zen Habits. I must admit it took me 10 days to get around to reading it but I am sure glad I did. What a great post! Thank you Lynn, keep them coming.

Cindy sent me this great piece from Oprah.com comparing everyday items we use in our homes. It gives great advice on making the greenest choice.

I can find a link between this post from The Minimalists and decluttering. See if you can find one. In fact I think I will write a post about my thoughts on this very soon.

Here is a link shared with me by Low Income Lady with some good advice on how to declutter your social networking time.

Before I finish with today’s post I wanted to ask your honest opinion of the Friday Favourite posts. Do you look forward to them each week or would you be happy if I used Friday for another post or guest posts from your fellow 365ers. Let me know your feelings on this so I can decide whether to change thins up a bit or leave them as they are.

Today’s Mini Mission

 Declutter a pair of shoes you rarely use.

Today’s Declutter Item

These are one of those “I might need it some day” items. The fact is that some day might very well come but by that time these boots could have perished so much that they fall apart on first use. After five years of them wasting away in my closet I think it is time to send them off to the thrift store before that eventuality becomes reality.

Warm Outdoor Boots

Eco Tip for Today

Save water and electricity ~think twice about how often you really need to wash your clothes and linens. Underpants and perhaps socks are the only clothing item the really need to be washed after one use. Most other clothing items are usually clean and fresh enough to wear twice unless badly soiled the first time round or if the weather is extremely warm and/or humid. Sheets need only be washed once a week at most while towels can last up to a week provided they are air dried between use.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

On Fridays at 365 Less Things I share with you my favourite comments from my wonderful readers and my favourite web finds of the week. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Favourite Comments. Enjoy!

Deb J is sadly only too correct in this comment and we are no different here in Australia.

I appreciated this honest and to the point comment from Klyla.

Lena gives a good example in this comment of a previous point I was making in response to Ideealistin.

I liked  Kimberley’s take on lists. Her primary reason for making them really met with my approval.

Here is another good post from The Minimalists

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

How does this post from Lindy Asimus relate to clutter. That is simple to explain. Focus you mind on each decluttering task as you carry it out. Don’t concern yourself with what has gone before ~ the mistakes that brought you to this point ~  or how much work there is still to be done. Instead be mindful and grateful of the item/s you are relieving yourself of in this moment. 

Decluttering can sometimes be about repurposing things you love and would like to keep by using them differently than intended. For instants if you need a planter pot for a cute natural decorative display why not utilise something already in the home rather than go out and buy something new to perform the task. Check out this post from the clever people at Apartment Therapy.

Here is another link from Apartment Therapy that my book loving 365ers are going to love.

Here is a nice story that I found over at bemorewithless.

Today’s Mini Mission

Remove excess items from kitchen benches.

Today’s Declutter Item

Nothing much to tell about these items. They just aren’t used enough to waste space on so out they go.

Microwave Dishes

Something I Am Grateful For Today

The good life I have.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

On Fridays at 365 Less Things I share with you my favourite comments from my wonderful readers and my favourite web finds of the week. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Favourite Comments. Enjoy!

I loved this comment from Annabelle she has clearly learned her lesson about purchasing things she didn’t really need.

 Also thought this comment from Katharine was inspiring. Being excited about doing chores because of the joy of living in a clean an tidy environment is a better attitude than whining about the effort involved. Mind over matter ~ if you don’t mind the work the effort doesn’t matter.

It seems we are treated every week to a little wisdom from Spendwisemom, who lives up to the wise part of her pseudonym. Once a worthy task becomes a habit you in turn become a better person.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Another great post from Mohamed at Midway Simplicity

This link was shared by Kathleen D ~  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katy-wolkstanley/saving-money-tips_b_1702291.html?ir=San%20Francisco ~ Thanks Kathleen.

Jez sent me this link http://www.paulgraham.com/stuff.html

Here is a funny blog link that Moni sent to me regarding travelling light.

This link will take you to a survey being carried out by  student of the University of New England currently conducting research into blogs that focus on sustainable living as part of my Masters degree.  It only takes 5 minutes to complete if you feel inclined to help out.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter storage containers that you no longer need due to your decluttering efforts. These are another thing that I move to the garage when emptied. Once I am sure that I don’t have a use for them I make the final decision to declutter them permanently. The more useful or versatile the container the longer it takes for me to come to this decision.

Today’s Declutter Item

Since simplifying my pantry so it isn’t cluttered with ingredients that I rarely use I have been able to eliminate some pantry storage containers. I sent these with some other kitchen items to my daughter to use in her new apartment. She has none so these will be helpful to her.

Pantry Storage

Something I Am Grateful For Today

Making an early start on some spring cleaning. Like Katharine in the comment above I do enjoy a clean home. Right now I am working on cleaning the windows inside and out and their tracks. I am grateful the all of my windows can be easily accessed both inside and out even the second story ones. I am also grateful for how easy this is to do with a little vinegar and water, a variety of microfibre cloths and a stiff bristled artist brush.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

On Fridays at 365 Less Things I share with you my favourite comments from my wonderful readers and my favourite web finds of the week. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Favourite Comments. Enjoy!

Here are some wise words from Spendwisemom

Cat’s Meow’s thoughts on skimming the surface of clutter.

Kimberley believes in quality over quantity.

Gotta love this comment from Jane she said it the way I think it. Sadly I feel inclined to be slightly more diplomatic at times ~although I can get a little cheeky ~ but God bless you Jane you just said it how it is.

Cindy particularly like this comment for Ideealistin in response to her post “Don’t let “Value” Fool You”

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Here is some more simple yet helpful advice from Mohamed at Midway Simplicity.

Just for the fun of it I am adding a link this week to the auctions I have going on ebay. You can amuse yourself by checking there progress occasionally and keep your fingers crossed that I sell everything at higher than the starting price. Please, if you live in Australia, don’t be tempted to buy any of it. 😉

It is good to see I am not the only blogger repeating the same message over and over again. This message is worth being reminded of over and over again.

Here is a great article with tips on how to get rid of your stuff including getting it valued before selling.

Today’s Mini Mission

Round up all your hair accessories ~ These tend to end up scattered all over the place making them impossible to find when you need them. They end up in school bags, handbags, bathroom drawers, bedside cabinets, in the little nooks and crannies in the car, sports/gym bags, coat pockets and even under the sofa cushions. I own four hair clips but at the moment I only know where two of them are and they aren’t my favourite two.

Today’s Declutter Item

This little storage container was no longer needed. It is roughly  9″ x 5″ x 2″ (230 x 130 x 50mm) and was full to capacity with pens. How many pens does one household need. The bulk of the pens were decluttered long ago and this container moved down into the pantry. It wasn’t getting used so off to the thrift store it went.

One more storage item I don’t need

Something I Am Grateful For Today

My little boy turned 21 today (now yesterday). That is almost two more years than we thought we would have him  to love and cherish after his terrible accident in 2010. Words can not describe how grateful I am to be able to celebrate this day.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

On Fridays at 365 Less Things I share with you my favourite comments from my wonderful readers and my favourite web finds of the week. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Due to the fact that we missed last weeks favourites I have included a few extras this week.

Favourite Comments. Enjoy!

I had a good laugh reading this comment from Jean & Wendy. What fun ladies they would be to spend two years on Norfolk Island with.

I loved this comment from Sanna, where she has come to the realisation that once a home is decluttered properly there need never be any more Spring cleaning.

We have a new reader MelD who left this comment, among others, this week. She sure has learned to minimise  what she carries with her on a daily basis and when travelling.

I think Ideealistin gives some good advice about saving toys in this comment.

This comment from Deb J says it all about how we end up cluttered in the first place. I am so glad she has seen the error of her ways.

We got some great comments on the Pick Your Battles… post on Tuesday which deserve repeating in case they were missed. I love how the comments really bring home the point of a post especially when they are generated from genuine experience of the issue. Here are some of those great comments ~ From Katharine and Wendy B and Spendwisemom.

Here is some great advice from Wendy to Moni on what to do with rarely used small kitchen appliances. She said exactly what came to mind when I ready Moni’s comment. Doing a shift at the thrift shop once a week gives me the confidence to declutter items like this because they are very easily replace secondhand and cheaply like Wendy suggests.

Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!

Both Clare and Laura sent this link to share with her fellow 365ers. I loved the connection made between the amount of general clutter in one’s home to the number of magnets on one’s fridge.

This post from The Change Blog has a few helpful suggestion on how to make small incremental improvements to your lifestyle.

This post has nothing to do with clutter but it holds some interesting tips about clothes washing that may save you a dollar or two.

I have bought this web site to your attention before but it is worth mentioning again and again. I have linked directly to the about page but please explore other areas of the site. People are even branching out to implement dog sitting collaboratives where pet owners can reach each other through a web site to take care of each other’s pets when they are away, saving them the cost of boarding them in expensive kennels.

Here is a great web article Cindy sent me the link to about textile recycling. Thanks Cindy.

Here is a short but straight to the point article about consumption from The Minimalists.

Today’s Mini Mission

Declutter something that you are keeping “just in case” the person who gave it to you notices it missing.

Today’s Declutter Item

Here is another craft bargain that was too good to resist at the time. I bought these for next to nothing on clearance thinking that I would use the beads for a future project. I am sure I could find a use for them eventually but the object of my craft room declutter was to fit all I was keeping into a certain space. These were just one of those things that didn’t make to cut while attempting to achieve that goal. They were donated to the thrift store.

“Bargain” Beads

Something I Am Grateful For Today

 A little alone time.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow