Decluttering thread

[crazycatlady]

I'm sure a lot of us are in the process of decluttering (mods move this if necessary) and this could be a support thread/motivation thread.

Any advice on what to do with old photo albums? These are not family photos (think college parties) and I have no need to keep these. I hate to just send them to the trash. (Note-- the people are no longer in my life).

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Alumni association ?

See if there is a web site or mailing list for your particular class year. Maybe someone there will want them.

[fierywoman]

2. move them to digital somehow?

[crazycatlady]

3. They're not valuable enough to digitize

Honestly if there were photo recycling, I'd bring them there.

I am also wondering if the albums themselves are worth anything or not.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. I am intermittently decluttering.

What a PITA but it's got to be done - my accumulated stuff is starting to overwhelm the space I have to put it in and I'm just sick of having to deal with it. I've thrown away a bunch of stuff but more needs to go. If you have no use for the photo albums and no interest in ever looking at them again, just toss them in the trash. I've started to get really ruthless about things like that. If I haven't looked at something for years (or even forgot I had it), out it goes unless it's something especially valuable or a family heirloom. Most of it is just crap.

[crazycatlady]

5. These photos haven't been touched since I left my parents' house

Roughly 15 years ago. Still in the box I packed them in.

I figured that if I haven't touched it since, time to go bye bye.

[TexasBushwhacker]

6. Try putting them on Craigslist or Freecycle

I had a big box of old photos that belonged to my mother. I picked out a few to keep and listed the rest. An artist ended up taking them. She made art that used old photos. She was thrilled to get them.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. Raises hand.

I saw a post on Craigslist a while back. A public storage facility was having an auction of stuff left behind in abandoned units. I was seriously scared by the pictures they posted. It looked like my life.

I'm trying, but it's a struggle.

[Stuart G]

8. Which is the fastest safest way to get rid of it?...than that is it...

Waiting for some opportunity, like put it there, or take it there..well that is ok for some,,,but the stuff I have, I haven't used in years. If I wait to put it on some list, or take it over there, it will stay right where it is. So what if I throw out old books, of no value..but someone could use them?..ok..where and when?..you take it to them......

I have saved stuff...no one can use..why?..cause I keep stuff ,,,,,,,,,that is why..

If getting rid of it, quickly and safely..and it goes into the garbage..then that is quickly and safely for me..........................After all............it is my old stuff........

OH NO.............YOU MEAN THERE IS A THROW OUT POLICEMAN WHO WILL GIVE ME A TICKET IF I DON'T THROW IT OUT THE WAY YOU WANT ME TO THROW IT OUT???????????????

OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stuart G]

9. DECLUTTERING THREAD..........GREAT IDEA............WE WHO SAVE STUFF............

NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET........................... ..............why you ask?

CAUSE WE SAVE TOO MUCH STUFF...........................

would you like some old books?college texts? magazines? how about some old 1962 yearbooks?

[crazycatlady]

10. Yearbooks are a great regret for me

High school was not the best time in my life (haven't talked to anyone in my class since graduation).

Remind me why I spent $200 on yearbooks in the 90s?

[femmocrat]

11. Books are my stumbling block.

I hate to throw away books, but I really don't know where to get rid of them! I put some on eBay, not much luck. We do not have a decent-sized library here to donate them to.

The Literacy Council used to have a big used book sale here, but they no longer bother. I wonder if books are forever.

I also have old yearbooks, not only mine, but from my kids! I actually do look at mine occasionally.

I stopped buying magazines years ago. Waste of time, space, and money!

On edit..... great place to leave some kinds of magazines -- the Laundromat!

[Phentex]

13. Try Better World Books

Some people may have to ship them, but it might be worth it.

https://www.betterworldbooks.com/go/donate

[femmocrat]

14. Thanks!

I will check it out. We do not have one here.

[womanofthehills]

15. Since I joined Audible, I basically stopped buying books

Since I stopped buying books, I have listened to so many more books than I would have read because I can listen anywhere. So now I have over 150 titles on Audible and nothing new added to my bookcases over the last few yrs. I confine my books to two bookcases. Every time I'm in my size down mode, I will make myself get rid of a few more books. Off to the local thrift store.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

16. I put a Little Free Library in my front yard

and that's where I unload books I'm not likely to read again. That way other people get to read them and they're not cluttering up my house. Check it out: https://littlefreelibrary.org/

[Fla Dem]

12. I shred old photos.

I'm sure they deteriorate fairly quick in the trash, but there just something about tossing them in a trash bag that bothers me. Shredding them makes sure they'll never see the light of day again. Also, strangely it gives me a sense of closure, particularly with old pictures of friends from long ago, or deceased relatives.

I've digitized a ton of family pics and that's how I got rid of the photos.