Decluttering triumph

"...go directly to black plastic bag, do not say the word 'but', not even whispering it to yourself."

Parents with lofts and garages are so convenient aren't they...

I always worried about all the stuff in our loft that my son would have to clear out when we popped off. We were galvanized into clearing it this year to make room for some of their stuff before they went overseas. At least now I know it's not my rubbish - it's theirs! They also had a massive cull so we all felt lighter and less encumbered. Once I start I find it hard to stop.

Forgot to add that I also signed the Gift Aid form.

I recently took a load of things to Scope - they take your details, email etc and attach it to a sheet of papers that contains bar-coded stickers. The stickers are put on the price tags of the goods.

I went in a few days later to have a look around the shop to see if any of it was selling! Saw two of my Phase 8 tops going for £6 each.

I think it's great to receive information about how much money your goods have raised - an encouragement to donate more.

Cheers POGS - they are very compliant with tax rules. I was talking to someone in a small Oxfam bookshop and she said they had made £8k in a year out of claiming gift aid. I find this is a good filter when deciding who to donate stuff to - only to charities switched on enough to claim gift aid. (Useful also for instance if you wanted to give money to a national appeal for a disaster - if you do it over the phone or internet you can gift aid. if you put it into a bucket you can't)
I think it is also a sign of a well run charity. If the trustees are doing this they are more likely to be professional in other ways.

Jess

I am very cautious about giving to charity. I do support the Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth and I like the R.N.L.I.

I found it very interesting Oxfam gave you this news, I didn't know that happened. GOOD ON YOU BOTH.

yes and think of that glow you would get when you had an email from Oxfam telling you how useful your donation has been.

I have a spare room which I could rent out but it would take me forever to empty it. I have acquired so much over the years. I retired 11 years ago, I am sure that I could possibly get rid of my work clothes!

no-wuh charleygirl that's the wrong way round!
My tip for clothes decluttering. If in doubt, try it on and ask yourself "if i was trying this on in a shop would i like it enough to buy it?". If answer is no then it was probably a mistake in the first place - go directly to black plastic bag, do not say the word "but", not even whispering it to yourself.

I have also slowly tried to declutter my house, especially books. The problem is that for every black bagful I get rid of, I acquire at least 2 more. I am a member of the local Freecycle and I often see a load of books on offer and I am frequently the happy recipient.

That's amazing. I have been doing it slowly, a box at a time from the loft and filling a bag a week for the charity shop. It is amazing what you don't miss isn't it?

Gosh JessM that's impressive. You have inspired me to keep on with my massive declutter.

Nope I don't miss it. Feels lighter. I have some stuff in MIL's garage (not a lot) and not missing that either.
Have to confess to about 20 wine boxes full of books piled up in the corner which i have not opened since the move in August. But they are as nothing compared to the books I got rid of.

Good work you and Oxfam. Do you miss any of the stuff you gave?

Well done to Oxfam for letting you know just how valuable a contribution you've made to their funds