We just wrapped up week 6 of downsizing the items in our house. As I mentioned earlier this month, my goal for March is on DONATING and giving items away.
If you missed it earlier, here is why we are downsizing:
- We have plans to move this summer and instead of upgrading to a bigger, better house, we plan to dramatically reduce our square footage. We aren’t being forced to do this – it’s a choice. We want to spend less on our next “home” so that we can focus more on things we love and value – like travel.
- I want to own my stuff and not have it own me. Ultimately I only want to keep the items that a.) serve a purpose and b.) that bring me joy.
Downsizing progress to date – February was an amazing month and we earned $2,564 by selling items around our house. You can see those updates here:
Week 1 update here – earned $548.16
Week 2 update here – earned $1,283.47
Week 3 update here – earned $432.40
Week 4 update here – earned $300
Week 5 update here – earned $395
Week 6 update – earned $160
Year-to-date – $3,119.03
MARCH progress
After a slow start to the month (read about week 5 here), this week was definitely an improvement! I was able to make two substantial donations. . .
I was able to a large box of food and non-perishable foods to the Thurston County Food Bank earlier this week. They were very grateful for the donations.
I was able to donate a couple bags of paper towels, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, baby wipes (Costco packages) and other toiletries to SafePlace, a local women’s shelter. They were also so happy to receive donations.
In addition to donating items, I also continue to list items for sale in my local Facebook Buy/Sell/Trade group and I was able to move more items this week.
Some of the items I sold this week ::
I didn’t do a very good job taking photos of things this week. I sold some items impromptu and so photos weren’t necessary.
Sold all our extra firewood to our neighbor. We had previously used this in our woodstove, but won’t need it when we move – so this was an easy solution. Earn $50.
Sold wooden playhouse in backyard – $50
Sold kid’s wooden table and chairs – $30
Big lot of Christmas decorations and wrap – $30
This adds up to $160 in sales this week. Not too shabby for not listing much in the FB group and putting a lot of effort into it. This brings my total downsizing earnings to $3,119.03. I have a big pile of stuff to list for sale this next week and hope to get it out of here!
My garage is looking much less cluttered. This week we had the furnace installed and I was so happy that the garage was organized (and cleaned out) enough that I didn’t have move anything around for the work crew!
Check back next Sunday for my next update – hopefully I’ll be able to donate and sell more items this week!
If you’re joining me for Project Downsize – I’d love to hear what you got rid of this week! Pick a goal for this week and share it here, please!
May I ask what FB group you’re posting in? I believe you are local to me, and I love the stuff you’re selling! I’m in a few local groups, just wondering if it’s one of them so that I can keep a look out for your stuff. 🙂
How did you find the Facebook page for selling? I found a buy nothing group and the sell page for north Seattle with no activity since summer .
Hello. I posted five items on Thurston County for sale facebook with pick up same day. I only sold one item but the person was happy to get and I was happy to have at least one empty box in my overwhelmed with clutter home. You inspired me with your system. It works.
Please link or post how you sucessful ly sell on FB. I am on a buy,sell,free page. I posted an item and received “I will take it” with in 20 minutes. Replied with place for transaction – walmart. Then please advise date and time. No reply- zero. Very disappointing for my first try.
Thank you for the inspiration to de-clutter.
Yes! We moved across the country 3 weeks ago. We sold and donated probably 75% of what we owned! I don’t miss any of it 🙂
Jane – WOW! Good for you. Can I ask where you moved from and to? That’s so inspiring!! We have big plans to move this summer into a smaller space and at times the downsizing is overwhelming me. So much stuff to get rid of. It’s been really an eye opener for me in how little we actually need and how much we’ve over done it. 🙂 Sad but true. Glad to be getting rid of it now. I’m so happy to hear you don’t miss it – I imagine I’ll be there, too!
We moved from Ohio to Wyoming 🙂 We overdid it over the years too – easy to do! I didn’t think we had that much “stuff” until I started thinking about taking it 1800 miles. We got rid of so much. We sold most of our furniture with the idea that we would buy only what we truly needed from IKEA once we got out here and go for a very simplified home. I love it and feel so much freedom. I am so much more into going out and doing things and giving my kids experiences in the great outdoors than buying more stuff for the inside of my home! Good luck!!