So I'm thinking about resolutions and other such things that I can get started in 2008. I plan to do Frugal February again (a month during which I buy nothing other than essentials like diapers and food). But I think I'll start the year with a purge by getting rid of 100 things during January. I'm still figuring out ground rules, like, is getting rid of a year's worth of magazines 1 thing or 12 (probably should be just 1), but the general idea is to get rid of so much of the stuff that seems to be weighing me down.
If you would like to join me in January: The Month of 100 Things, please let me know. I would appreciate support and community and good humor during this time.
Monday, December 17, 2007
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9 comments:
The Houges are in. Jodi was wondering if getting rid of our kids' stuff counts. I'm wondering if I can get rid of Jodi's stuff. Also, as you make up ground rules, does selling stuff count? I like rules and parameters. If you could make it up with bullet points and clear goals and objectives, followed up with some open ended discussion questions that would be great!
Dawn,
I agree with Nathan. Does it count if it's other people's things? And what if 'they' want to give away 'your' things; can you say no in the month of 100 things? And is a CD one (1)or can I count like, maybe all 15 tracks if it's really bad......
Do I sound like a Fire Watch Log entry?
I'm in too! Jeromy and I have a basement and closets full of crap and we've only been in our house for a few months!
Here are some ground rules I'm using. You can adapt as needed - whatever gets the Things out of your house.
1. You can count your kids' Things as part of the 100 Things because chances are you bought the Thing or otherwise procured it.
2. You can sell Things because you're getting rid of them and that counts. Just try not to use the cash to buy new Things because then you're back where you started. I will be bringing some Things to the consignment store. I would advertise these really cool Things on my blog, but then I'm not really making your Month of 100 Things any easier, am I?
3. It's probably not the best idea to get rid of your partner's Things unless he or she is on board with The Month of 100 Things. We're not doing this to create disagreement about, for example, whether it's logically sound to own several hundred cassette tapes of artists for which you own the exact same CD.
4. A Thing is a Thing because it is one Thing that can be acquired, held, used, stored, and now given away, sold, recycled, or (last resort) thrown in the trash. I'm afraid that one recording with 15 bad tracks only counts as one Thing. But my guess is that this process will be so empowering that you'll be begging me by January 20 to make it the Month of 150 Things.
5. Kudos to Newlyweds Becky and Jeromy for committing to the Month of 100 Things. It seems like Getting Rid of Things counters Getting Things As Wedding Presents, so they get extra points for being anti-establishment!
6. One more thing (not Thing, because none of us need one more Thing): please plan to keep a record of every Thing you give away. That way you don't have to commit your Things to memory and you can look over your list with a great sense of accomplishment when you have caused 100 Things to exit your home for good!
Good luck everybody.
Dawn! We were so excited about the month of 100 things that we got a jump start. Today, Jeromy and I got rid of 75 things! We kept a list of all of them and 72 of said things got donated to Goodwill (3 of said things were old maganizes that got recycled).
Thanks again for inspiring us! We plan on continuing this... 100?! No problem!!
Dawn! We were so excited about the month of 100 things that we got a jump start. Today, Jeromy and I got rid of 75 things! We kept a list of all of them and 72 of said things got donated to Goodwill (3 of said things were old maganizes that got recycled).
Thanks again for inspiring us! We plan on continuing this... 100?! No problem!!
Dawn,
This is a little late, but I wanted to let you know that the DeBoer-Moran's are going to be participating as well.
Erin isn't a blogger, and my blog is pretty much lame-o weirdness these days, but we will try and let folks know how we are doing.
I heard about this post from Justin Baeder's blog. I've been thinking a lot about simplification. I'm selling both of my cars and I'm reading a book about technology overload by happenstance. So,at least in this, I feel like a kindred spirit, friend.
I may just join you in this challenge, I know (the other) Justin is.
I just found your blog, and The Month of 100 Things sounds like such a great idea. I know I'm a bit behind, but I'm going to start it anyway. Your Frugal February also sounds great as well.
Samantha
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