What are some tips to not being a Pack rat?

Question

I need help with Organizing and throwing things out

Answer 1

Sort through thing slowly - maybe one room/drawer at a time - so you don't get burnt out. Make piles to keep, throw away, give to family/friends, and give to charity. Anything that's broken or unuseable - throw out! Anything you haven't used in a year or more - give away. Organize and label everything else as you put it back so things stay organized and in their right places so you don't keep buying things or keeping things you don't need. Try cleaning things out every 6 months or so to avoid dealing with it again in a few years. Don't be afraid to get rid of things. The memory will remain even if the item is gone!

Answer 2

I have a problem with keeping things too, well it is not a problem with keeping things it is a problem with throwing them out!

This is what I do, hope it helps!

Once a year, I buy a package of 30 gallon garbage bags & go through everything I own. I keep things only on the premise that I have used them at least twice in the past year. Everything else gets put into the garbage bags, & when it comes springtime, I throw up a few signs & have a tag sale with the rest!! Puts some extra bucks in my pocket, de-clutters my house & makes me see a worth to me keeping eveything!

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Try flylady.net. She sends you emails to help you get/stay organized. I am a pack rat! To get rid of what I already have, I try to target the most bothersome area first. Make a list of what you want to do and check it off. It will give you a sense of accomplishment. Small baby steps or you will get overwhelmed.

To help in the future, before you buy anything, ask yourself "Do I really need this?" Make yourself wait and think about it. Its taken me years to figure out how to deal with it. Waiting before I buy something has helped a lot. .

Answer 4

Have a friend or relative help you. Be ruthless. Sort everything into 3 piles: keep, garage sale, and toss. Then go through the keep pile and cut it back by at least half. If you haven't used it in a year it goes.
With clothes, everytime you buy something new, something old has to go.
You will feel SO much better once you get rid of the clutter.

Answer 5

I'm a product of my father how lived through the depression, and was a pack rat. It's in our genes. But, I moved recently and couldn't take it all with me. That's when I realized, I don't need that any more.

The major rule is touch it once, and do one of three things:
1. file it
2. throw it out
3. give it to someone else to do something with it

and use this,without getting sentimental about it.

GOOD LUCK (it works for me now)

Answer 6

Understand that when you need something, you will be able to find it outside of your home, even if you haven't saved one. I learned from experience that after a while, I can't find the one I saved, or I forgot I had saved it in the first place, so why bother. Just keep things clear and go find what you want on the outside when the need arises.

Answer 7

get rid of clutter and stay away from the dollar stores. Pack up these things and put them in a box, if you dont miss them have a yard sale in a year.

Answer 8

Just ask "Have I ever needed this in the last five years?" and then ask "Does this have a value to others and can I sell it now?" If the answer is no to both questions, bye bye give away or discard.

Answer 9

if you don`t wear it get rid of it,throw out papers you have read,we all only need so much to be able to live,give away waht you don`t use

Answer 10

If you haven't used it in a year get rid of it.