Clutter Free!

My husband is home for a few weeks, and he has tackled a big project. He is cleaning out our basement, garage, upstairs- ok, our entire house! While I am at work all day, he is at home with our two year old. He has taken over my old job for a while, and I must admit he's good at it.

Our basement is 1/2 finished on one side, and a bit cluttered on the other. With three girls, it's easy to become overrun with toys, shoes and just about anything else you could imagine. I came home from work the other day to find the entire 1/2 of the unfinished part of the basement cleaned. There was no more clutter! Where do all of the stuff go? What would I do without the old size 11 boots that I needed for my 2 year old? All of it went to charity. All of the old baby clothes, toys, crib sheets and yes, the old boots. All were reminders of babyhood, and they are now all gone. Is this why I had been neglecting the basement for so long? Had cleaning and purging these items seemed to hard for me.? Yes, but now that I had someone else do it for me, I am OK.

My husband knew what needed to go, and he helped all of us by downsizing. These material items were consuming our living space and our lives. I take pride in knowing that some baby is wearing my daughters' baby clothes. It's even sweeter to know that when I open the upstairs closet tucked away in the back is a knitted hat and baby sleeper. It's just one reminder of how little my girls were at one time. My husband knew that we both needed something to hang on to.

How to de-clutter your life:
~ Ask someone help you clean
~ If you have difficulties getting rid of items, ask your husband or mother to clean when you are not home/ be sure to set aside all items of value- photos etc.
~ Donate to charity- this is tax deductible. I have found that garage sales a a good way to make money, but often items go unsold, and back into the garage and/or basement

The Jones' are Bankrupt!

After all this time of keeping up with the Jones, I have learned today that they are bankrupt! Really, how many times have you wanted to be like somebody else? Was there ever a time when you wanted a new car because your neighbor got one? Maybe you felt bad because your best friend had a bigger house than you did. Whatever the reason, chances are you have coveted another person's life and would try to outdo them. This is referred to keeping up with the Jones'.

Because of our economy, many people can not afford to keep up with the Jones'. In fact, they don't have to because the Jones' are bankrupt! It is sad that so many people have placed their self worth on worldly possessions, but it is true. With the current state of the economy, it is to be expected that people will have to do without a lot of material possessions that once made them happy.

If this has happened to you, how do you become happy? You must downsize your life! You need to look at what you have and sell it or give it away. Also, consider moving into a smaller house, get rid of a car, or cut off your cable TV. You will learn to be happy because of the simplicity in your life, and your children will thrive because of all the attention they are receiving from you! So, simplify your life and learn to live again. The Jones' will follow your lead. I promise.