Decluttering has turned me into a Scrooge:)
joann23456
13 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (36)
trancegemini_wa
13 years agojoann23456
13 years agoRelated Discussions
Decluttering questions
Comments (14)Talley Sue, that's an interesting perspective. I have come to the opposite conclusion - if an item is donated, I figure it creates jobs in my community - but then, my "charity" of choice is Value Village. I like its vibe in my community and that it provides that many local jobs. I feel like I'm donating to my local economy. I certainly throw away or recycle what needs to go - I don't want to burden VV with excessive disposal costs, after all. There was a time I was so environmentally conscious that I would throw nothing away that could remotely be re-used, but then I realized my house was functioning as a large dumpster :-) And now I have so many more recycling options that I let things go more easily in that direction. I don't want to clutter their shelves with junk either! I think another issue I've become aware of is sending things back into the economic pool while they are current, rather than waiting until they are obsolete. This would apply to electronics and fashions, especially. Either that, or keep till truly vintage :-) I do make these decisions very difficult for myself, but I know that my priority is to avoid regrets - I have so many already to keep me lying awake at night that I don't want to add any new ones. My goal is to feel good about the decisions I make, even if they are delayed. Karin L...See Moredecluttering, in the Wall Street Journal
Comments (10)Maryliz, A vendor needs your credit card number for at least a short amount of time. Here's why. You make a purchase. If the purchase is for a service (something you can't return): The vendor accepts your card and the vendor has to get paid. If the card is VISA/MC/AMex etc and the vendor is sophisticated and has good electronic systems, then the vendor electronically transmits your card number and purchase info to their bank which in turn communicates with VISA etc. A credit of the amount of your purchase passes back through the chain and your vendor gets paid. This total process usually happens within a few days. If the vendor swipes your card through the old card reader, they go to the bank in a few days to make a deposit, submit your card number and purchase info and then the process happens under which they get paid by VISA etc. If the non-returnable purchase is made with a store card, then the vendor sends you a bill up to 30 days later. You send your check or electronic payment in. How does the vendor know to apply your payment unless they have the card number? Now say your purchase is for goods. The same VISA/store card process happens. But then say you decide to return the item. The vendor won't be able to "cancel" the original purchase or credit your account unless they have the account number. But, yes, they could swipe the card again; however, that wouldn't tie back to the original purchase because a new transaction number would be applied. Larger companies use this for inventory tracking. In addition, some vendors use customer information (volume of purchases) to determine pricing for that customer...discounts to big customers for example. The transactions don't end and the use of information doesn't stop when you walk out the door....See MoreFeedback on pics and decluttering
Comments (53)Looks great! You can move a few things away, and have the look be even more clean versus cluttered. This is rally being picky, but these suggestions would be very easy. Except my comment about the TV antenna: First: Front of house: what is that museum piece on your roof? I am kind of joking, but when someone sees an old-fashion TV antenna, it makes them think of the 70s. We have cable and satellite nowadays. Is there no satellite service in your area? I would get rid of the TV antenna  if you want to watch TV, indulge in cable for the next couple of months til you sell. Put the swing in the garage for showings. Kitchen  I also say get rid of the farm people border. For showings, maybe duck the toaster, Kleenex, and all those jars and bottles into a cabinet. If the coffe pot is on the counter, be ready to offer a cup!! Otherwise, just duck it away. Dining room: hide the stuff posted on the fridge (or is it on a bulletin board by phone?). KaliÂs room  remove at least one of the two rugs. They make it look smaller, as there is little space between rug and wall, versus an expanse of carpet. Oh, on second glance, I see three rugs. Also, hide sponge bob and the two dolls. The room has enough decor without them. I agree that the room might look nicer if the window was not covered by the headboard. Can the bed be repositioned with the headboard angled in the corner to the left of the entry (angled with foot into middle of room)? My guess is KaliÂs room looks onto backyard. With bed out of the window, as people look in the room, it will have a great view from doorway to great outdoors, with those trees. KaliÂs Bathroom- in the tiny corner that we can see, there are 5 things, plus towel holder with puffy towel. ThatÂs a lot in one place. Hide some of them in the drawer or cabinet. For showings, hide the hamper if it is easy. Looks great! 15 minutes to college town? That is close enuff. It takes me 15 minutes to get out of my neighborhood. -Row1...See MoreDe-cluttering... but what about the angle food cake pan?
Comments (25)An angel food large tube pan is needed for this recipe. I make it when we have house guests. It keeps for 5 days. Apple Tube Cake Makes 12 to 14 servings Angle food pan is a must for this cake. There is NO substitute for a tube pan — do not use a bundt — cake has too much batter for that. 4 cups unbleached flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups granulated sugar Grated rind of 1 orange 1 cup orange juice 1 cup vegetable oil 4 large eggs 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla 1/3 cup demerara (coarse granulated brown) sugar (or dark brown sugar) 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 5 tart Granny Smith apples Nonstick baking spray Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat the oven to 350 F. Coat the tube pan thoroughly with the nonstick spray; set aside. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and granulated sugar in a sifter and pass it through into a bowl or onto wax paper twice.Transfer them to a large mixing bowl (or mixer bowl) and set aside. Grate the orange into a 1-quart measuring cup with pouring spout or mixing bowl. Squeeze and add the orange juice, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla. Beat lightly with a fork to thoroughly mix; set aside. Mix the demerara sugar thoroughly with the cinnamon in a small bowl; set aside. Peel, quarter and core the apples, then slice them into ¼-inch thick pieces. Transfer to a bowl and toss with 3 tablespoons of the demerara-cinnamon mixture; set aside. Add the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and mix on low until the batter is smooth and evenly textured with no small lumps. Pour half the batter into the bottom of the tube pan. Scatter half the apples over then sprinkle with half the remaining demerara-cinnamon mixture. Add remaining batter evenly over the apples. Add the remaining apples and sprinkle the remaining demerara mixture over it. Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes or until a cake tester or skewer inserted into several spots in the cake ring is withdrawn clean. Cool on a cake rack for 1-1/2 hours. Remove ring by placing the cake carefully on a cup or jar and easing the ring away. Continue to cool the cake on the rack until it reaches room temperature. To unmold (optional) place a double layer of paper plates on top of the cake. Invert it, ease the ring off the cake. Then turn the cake right side up on a platter. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar....See Morewestvillager
13 years agogayle0000
13 years agojoann23456
13 years agossnydercpa
13 years agotalley_sue_nyc
13 years agojannie
13 years agoChemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
13 years agomustangs81
13 years agoBumblebeez SC Zone 7
13 years agokarinl
13 years agojoann23456
13 years agoFrankie_in_zone_7
13 years agoUser
13 years agojannie
13 years agoiread06
13 years agojannie
13 years agojannie
13 years agolascatx
13 years agoUser
13 years agojoann23456
13 years agotalley_sue_nyc
13 years agocefoster
13 years agojoann23456
13 years agowestern_pa_luann
13 years agojannie
13 years agosherwoodva
13 years agokarinl
13 years agomommabird
13 years agotalley_sue_nyc
13 years agobrendalyntc
13 years agotrilobite
13 years agojannie
13 years agojannie
13 years ago
Related Stories
DECORATING GUIDESAfternoon Project: Declutter Your Bookshelves
Overstuffed bookshelves can easily turn into an eyesore. These shelf-clearing projects are bound to help
Full StoryLIFEDecluttering — How to Get the Help You Need
Don't worry if you can't shed stuff and organize alone; help is at your disposal
Full StoryMOST POPULAR4 Obstacles to Decluttering — and How to Beat Them
Letting go can be hard, but it puts you more in control of your home's stuff and style. See if any of these notions are holding you back
Full StoryDECLUTTERINGDecluttering — Don't Let Fear Hold You Back
Sure, you might make a mistake when tackling a decluttering project, but that's OK. Here's why
Full StoryMOST POPULARBlast Decluttering Roadblocks Once and for All
Change your thinking to get the streamlined, organized home of your dreams
Full StoryLIFE'Not My Precious Books!' — Pain-Free Ways to Declutter Your Library
Have your books and neatness too, with these ideas for paring down and straightening up a beloved collection
Full StoryDECLUTTERING5 Ways to Jump-Start a Whole-House Decluttering Effort
If the piles of paperwork and jampacked closets have you feeling like a deer in the headlights, take a deep breath and a baby step
Full StoryDECLUTTERINGFoolproof Ways to Declutter Your Kitchen
If you find yourself fumbling through cupboards to find what you’re looking for, it’s time to take action with these simple steps
Full StoryORGANIZINGDecluttering Ideas From Around the World
Home organizers share their tips on how to think and live more clearly
Full StoryORGANIZINGYour Total Home Organizing and Decluttering Guide
Take it slow or be a speed demon — this room-by-room approach to organizing and storage will get your home in shape no matter how you roll
Full Story
western_pa_luann