Last year I gathered all the pictures throughout the house and then started sorting and decluttering. I made broad categories. Before marriage, 90’s, 2000’s, 2010’s etc. I sorted into these broad categories and decluttering the extra copies of the same picture (if were a picture of one of my children would set aside and give to them the next time I saw them). I put the ones that fit into a cardboard photo box I purchased at Michael’s. The ones that were too large I bought sheet protectors and put them into a binder. Scenery pictures for the most part were thrown out unless they were very meaningful to me. If I didn’t know the person, out it went. It took me about a week to get it all done. Thanks for your posts, they give me ideas of what I can do to make my home more functional.
Michael's sells these sturdy cardboard boxes with lids, shoe box size, they are cheap and great for sorting photos. Buy a box for each child. You will be amazed at how many duplicates and bad photos you have. Going through the photos with others is really helpful! It takes time but if you pick a weekend when there is nothing going on ,take over your dining room, entice helpers with cookies from the oven, you will find it goes fast. Also the memories and stories that you will all share is amazing❤ As far as the basement declutter, do NOT buy containers yet. As you said you had not intended to declutter that day but you filled a whole box to give away! You are doing an amazing job! Thank you for always motivating us to keep doing just a little bit more.
I do have those boxes! I am slowly breaking the piles down into them…really slowly…I need to schedule time for this to actually happen!! Thanks for sharing, Sharon! 🍂🌻🍂
I shop my pantries and freezers before I place a grocery order or go shopping ,then nothing gets forgotten. Here in NorthDakotaa stocking up for the winter is a must.
After being on our decluttering journey for a few years we have gotten to the point where we just don't want our home to be a storage facility. We only store things we absolutely use a lot, or our sentimental items boxes. Otherwise....im not holding on to 1000 screws that I'll never use and can pick up for 4 dollars when I actually need it, instead of storing them for years!
You were so positive about being near the end of the basement decluttering in the last video so was surprised by your expressed frustration in this one. Feelings are important but they should not negate the reality of how much you have done. You have been so consistent, always moving forward, working through the roadblocks as they appear. Since you don't stop neither can l 😀
I keep canned basic tomato products, such as diced, sauce, and paste beans, mushrooms, olives. We use dried pastas, different varieties, Dried potato flakes, and some Bear Creek soups for bases. Oatmeal of course, teas and coffees. Then I start storing up the holiday foods such as cranberry sauce, fresh spices, flour, sugar, salt. I buy what we use and rotate. All Is stored in the same pantry area and is visible and organized in bin dispensers. We just have a side by side refrigerator. I Food Savers sale meats into portions. We use frozen veg packets we can microwave when on sale. I also freeze butter. Anything that we can spare/share is donated to the local food bank, usually from our summer garden.
I keep dried beans, oatmeal, maple syrup, sugar, salt, canned vegetables, sauces. As far as I am concerned these all last forever! I keep them all in glass containers so that critters can’t get in and spoil them. Nuts and flour that can spoil are kept in the freezer.
Karen, you are extremely motivating and REAL! What a feat you've accomplished! It must feel so wonderful! I don't have a basement, but, I've seen how easily families basements become cluttered with everything they own lol! Great job! Have a wonderful Sunday!
I had an idea regarding people not putting things away when they bring it down the basement. Do you think if you made a really large block print labels that could be seen across the room that people would be more able to know where to put things? It would be nice if when you came down to the base of the stairs, you could glance around and see which bin you headed for. Sometimes it’s hard to understand another person’s system And it might help you made it unbelievably simple and easy to see. Sorry if I’m commenting too much!
Great idea! I was thinking the similar haha! Perhaps very big signs for "Outdoor" "Tools" etc. Also, bring household members on tour to show the areas.
So neat to see you’re realization it’s time to organize basement after pictures done. It should be just as easy to put away as it is to be disorganized. Bear in mind for boxes and shelving that you can just flip up the lid on one end and slip something inside and not have something on top For example in tools a box for chalk adhesive and just open lid and put it back. Dana K White says “Take it there now”. So glad to see your knee better and you can do the stairs.
Hi Karen, Love you! I tried photos by dates, but found photos such as all the one child together regardless of age or year was easier. I took a shoebox and covered it in contact paper I already had and put cardboard dividers in such as child name, our home, sport, previous home, old photos, family, friends etc. It sits on cupboard in home office for anyone to take a section and look at. This way you can continue to add to section. I found it was better than having them in albums you had to look through until you found the right one. Perhaps you could do one for each child and give to them and keep the remaining ones for yourself. Someone commented to me, aren't you worried they will get ruined by being handled, however I thought I would rather them be handled and looked at than sitting not being looked at. Love Jo from Australia xxx
You're recognizing the next step in a minimalism journey....I went through this years ago....we don't keep what if items anymore and stopped with food storage....you're doing great
I went through my photos. And, throwing away the ones with things. Anything without people. Any that are blurry or faded. I have threw away all photos or exs. I enjoyed your video as always. Love you my friend. Tell that sweet girl HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY!
Since the start of the pandemic I have really considered my food buying habits. Before I really did not keep much on hand because I was worried about food waste and then suddenly I was looking a empty food shelves and very limited selections so I started to buy things when I saw them. Now we have to deal with the weekly price increases. I am trying to just focus on using what I have before it goes bad and looking for new ways to use the old items in a way that is enjoyable and tasty.
Each dexluttering pass you will get rid of more and more and see things differently. For example....we had a ton of screws that were specifically for roofing after we replaced our roof. So why would I hold on to those screws for 20 years until I need them again. That makes no sense when I could donate them to someone who can use them. You are doing great!!!
What if you had the fridge at the base of the stairs that you used for drinks, Christmas leftovers and the freezer for some bulk buys (chickens; roasts when on sale etc); Sell the big freezer and use the money for containers for new dry storage with lids(ie: baking supplies etc). I also want to suggest that it makes organizational sense to me to have the table saw and paints etc replace the appliances where they were in the basement🤷🏻♀️ Additionally, painting a wall at a time white (enlist family?) and ensuring there are enough overhead bright lights will make this a more pleasurable space.
Thanks for all of your input, Leah. I do like the idea to more the fridge. I need to check if there is a nearby outlet but I think my only outlet is that corner. 🥴 Oh how I love white walls and daylight light bulbs!! ♥️☀️♥️
Thanks so much for making your videos so relatable. You are so inspiring and you make me want to be a better version of myself. You are doing such a great job with the basement. Consistency is the key so little and often is the key xx
I totally agree with not keeping a big supply of "just in case" stuff like gift bags, hardware screws or pens and pencils. Two or three is plenty beyond that, let the store handle that inventory. One thing I would suggest: Give serious consideration to selling or donating your extra freezer and fridge. They are HUGE consumers of electricity and they are seriously under utilized at this point. I heard you say you might unplug them, but once they sit for a year or two, they might not be sales or giving worthy. Plus, if you get rid of them, you'd be that much further down the road toward selling and down-sizing your home. I got rid of my garage fridge about midway through my declutter journey and it was such a great decision. I had been using it for extra drinks and at the holidays only. It was such a waste. I've never looked back.
I agree with Kathleen. The dates on cans and in fact most foods are best if used by. With food scarcity in many parts of the world, I feel, at least for me, I have a responsibility to not be throwing away food unnecessarily.
I boarderline prep. But on the farm and being a hunting family we have freezers full. Saves on the grocery bill thankfully. My cabinets have always been stocked when it's used it's replaced. When the boys were little I canned from the garden every yr. Now I find frozen veggies easier. I need to have my husband attack the basement. That is pretty much his domain until I can't bring in wood for the furnace. As for my cleaning it's scrubbing the cabinet doors. Been way to long and they are 🤢. We are heading into a counter top and sink redo so this is the perfect time.
I heard getting an oven vent reduces oil in the air that leads to sticky cabinet doors. Do you have a vent already? It may be attached to an over-the-oven microwave.
Oh my sister!!! Yes we go through the same thing with our basement and garage. I have knee issues and had a replacement summer of 2021 so it hit me hard yesterday as we tried to wrap up yard work for the summer (Michigan). Putting a plan together for 30 minutes after church with the whole family
OUCH!! I am hearing so many having knee replacement and it is a rough road! I am so glad you got through your yard work and have a plan! Winter is coming for sure! ❄️
We buy quite a few canned goods before the start of every hurricane season (June) and after the end of November, I use them up! Beets, tuna, soups, etc. I can't stand wasting anything! Also, since the kids are all grown & gone, I don't stockpile food like I used to.
Sunday …Snow accumulations in the higher elevations tonight, we are just getting a dusting tonight. We got the last of the mulch down just as the snow started to fall. Tonight was clean out the fridge pasta night. They ate every bit! Tomorrow is salmon and eggs night, since I have those to use. Hubs cannot have dairy with the meds he is on for the next week, so I must plan accordingly. Happy to have my chores done for the day, and can watch PBS Magpie Murders of my iPad!
Your frig/freezer looks big enough to store all. Cans are able to be put in the refrigerator section and ice in the freezer. This allowes you to turn off one appliance. Going into winter you may want to have extra then in spring use your stash. Paper and cardboard doesn't last well. Inside the unit usually stay clean. Good job!
Thanks Lisa! I did unplug the spare fridge/freezer. I realized I'll need the one freezer through the holidays as we are quite a crowd when all 7 kids and families are here! Thanks for the encouragement!! 🌻🍁🌻
As a CubScouts Leader I have a shelf full of crafting supplies. I NEED to organize it !! 😅 Ill try to take Before and After pictures. Thank You soo much for the inspiration
I love having a chest freezer, but we keep it in our kitchen. I know if I had to go into a basement I would never use it and would forget about everything in it. I’ve gotten so I only keep a few basic things in our chest freezer. We keep frozen ground turkey, chicken breasts, Soup stock, and soup that can be reheated once. I also keep frozen kale and frozen berries. As well as our ice cream. The ice cream is right at the top and my kiddo knows where to find it. The rest gets used pretty regularly because I make a soup in the crockpot every Thursday. I use up all the extras in our refrigerator and then get stock and kale and or a reheat soup from the chest freezer. We do have a pantry shelf that is in my husband‘s office on the main level right off the kitchen. Again if I had to go downstairs into a basement to get any of this I know I also would not use it. I would also be concerned about critters getting in and munching on it or crawling across it. I think you’re so wise to consider simplifying your food stock in whatever way makes that makes it easy for you to remember it and get to it. Also you are doing so great with your basement!! 🥰 Erica Lucas would say that the fact you’re feeling fed up means you’re ready to grow. Maybe that means decluttering the food from the basement, maybe it means something else. Only you know. I want to applaud you for all you have done and how far you’ve come so far in decluttering and in your health journey!👏👏👏👏👏❤❤❤❤
Thanks so much for that encouragement!! Maybe someday I will have a kitchen that can also hold a chest freezer!! Erica Lucas is great isn't she? So real!
For photo decluttering, get rid of all torn/rip/blurry photos and negatives. Things can be scanned easily these days. Then think broad categories. Family. Each child. Parents. Couple. I have random photos from my childhood, but grouped them not by year, but by what they had in common. High school, elementary, photos with my sister, my parents, baby photos. These are all just in a box, but divided by a notecard with the category label. Easy to find something if needed. I agree with others who have said not to buy a lot of new bins. I can tell you are ready for less, so more bins may just waste money. Keep pairing down until it fits in what you have and then if it's not quite right get a replacement bin or two if needed.
I decide over 6 months ago I was going to stop stocking up on stuff. I have not missed it and if something is out I just go get it. I do still keep enough toilet paper for 3 months. But other than that nope not stocking up. It has saved me tons of space.
Hellooo Karen. I’m so sorry I thought I’d commented on this video, I thought it unusual to have not heard from you! 🥰 came back to check and I’d not commented!! How amiss of me, my apologies. Lovely to see you as always, I’m with you on the storage of extra foods, cleaning supplies etc. I used to buy things on offer in bulk, things on buy one get one free were my weakness. Now with the mindset of not having clutter I’ve definitely pulled right back, my cleaning products and in date food will be kept but I’m not buying more of them. I’ve 4 bottles of glass cleaner, why? Ridiculous. Numerous cans, jars etc. I think sometimes we don’t realise we’ve a bit of a hoarder streak running through us. I’m letting my supplies really run down, it’s not just my cupboards that feel cluttered, it causes me clutter anxiety. I too have a spare fridge and chest freezer, I too forget what’s in there and not long ago hubby had to disinfect the fridge, oh my goodness the smell from it.🤢🤢🤢 It’s turned off now, door left open and it will go to the tip (dump) soon as we get back from our few days away this weekend. Fabulous to see you my dear friend and as always much love and light to you.🥰🥰🥰x
Idea for the freezer - just fill with ice, jugs of water. When you need space to store food remove a jug or two. When I lived alone, most of my freezer had jugs of ice, just so it was full.
I’m no prepper but I do have food storage. I had let it dwindle for a few years after daughter moved out but when she and my granddaughter moved back in I started rebuilding my food storage. Then covid happened and I increased it quite a bit. Years ago I was very grateful for my food storage an a few occasions. I’m very good about keeping things rotated so waste doesn’t happen very often. I keep lots of things. Tons of canned and dry beans, white rice, pasta, condiments, nuts and dried fruits too. Some canned fruit, green beans, corn, tuna..better than bouillon… I’d do the same with toiletries, pet foods etc.
We have a small house, and don't have a basement or garage, so we only have the house for storage. I've repurposed cabinets in my laundry room and some shelves in my hall closet for home-canned food storage. Otherwise, I've come to the realization that I just don't have the SPACE for extra food storage. I was trying to buy food ahead of inflation, but realized that inflation has already hit, so buying a lot of food and storing it in wonky places throughout my house just wasn't worth it to me. I do have a small chest freezer that we have on our screened in back porch, and I use that for stocking up on meat and other deals that I find. That has been worthwhile to me to have.
Oh yes, Tammy!! I can so relate!! Though I have the room this is how I am feeling!! I am not seeing many really good sales these days! And I can always find SOMETHING for us to eat even if a few things are out! ☀️
Because you are on your low carb diet I’m sure your food storage needs have changed. I would unplug the fridge/freezer for now if they aren’t being used. I do like buying clearance meat when I come across it and tossing it in the freezer. But if things get forgotten in the basement it doesn’t save you any money. Way to go on more progress! That’s meal looks delicious.
I’ve been slowly going through photos and making Chatbooks for the ones I want to keep and then passing on the photos to other family members. It takes up less room and so much easier to pull them out when I want to look at them
Declutter as if you are moving to a 2 bedroom apartment Karen with NO garage no basement. I did it in really life. Give your kids stuff to them physically they will soon get rid of stuff. It’s up to them. Just an idea .? 🇬🇧🤓💖💐
I would certainly keep 1 of those freezers available. Now that holiday time is approaching it is the best time to get turkeys hams and large peices of meat. All of that is raising in price since last year so now is the best time to purchase it for the next 6 months of consumption. It's also perfect during apple season to make your apple sauces an apple pie fillings and pre freeze it....
We live in 320 square feet but we have a storage shed right outside the door. It is my domain where I store suitcases, Christmas and a tiny bin of other decor. Also I have two cabinets to keep a waffle iron, mixer, paper goods, tape etc. Last fall we cleaned out my mother in-laws storage that she had paid on for 30 years. Most was junk or ruined by being stored. There were several pieces of big furniture like a dresser and a chair. We managed to get that in and arranged where I can still go in and breathe. Then we sold our house to our kids and had a small china cabinet, desk, table, buffet, and dresser. It is amazing what organized storage is. We got all of that in the shed stacked and arranged. I can still go down both sides and get to all the things I had before and keep breathing.ha Someday we will not live in this garage apt when my mother in-law moves or passes away and we will still have our furniture. I’m so happy to not struggle finding everything we had before all this new stuff had to come in to the shed. The shed is a life saver living tiny and it is smaller than our apartment. I don’t know how people living in tiny houses do it without a shed. I do understand your feelings when you walk into your basement.
I do wonder how people realistically do tiny living! I love to watch those but I don’t think I could do it! So sad how things get ruined in storage! Much better to have your shed where you can keep an eye on things!! 🍁🌻🍁
Hi Karen! I get the thing that you don´t want to store giftbags aso but it´s not a good argument to get rid of them and buy new ones because they are cheap. It´s about the environment, that every little thing we all do counts and that we all need to be careful with our resources. Gifts don´t have to be wrapped at all, they can have just a pretty ribbon or put in a bag/smal sack made from recycled cloth. About food storage. The system you have now might not be the right one for your family. Perhaps you all can have a talk about how to do to get it better for you. It´s always good to have some backup for emergencys etc. I live in Sweden and the authorities here wants us all to have food, water and other supplies in an emergency box. It should be enough to last at least 72 hours/3 days (without using the fridge, stove, tapwater aso). This is in case of a storm, a power outage etc. Then the resources for help can go to people who can´t take care of themselves instead of all of us. ps. a freezer takes less power if it´s full. I would keep the one that is most energy efficient on and keep the ice in it with the food.
today im going for the 100 item challenge i been decluttering so it will be interesting to see if i can come up with that many more things i think i can though we will see wish me luck
i only throw away expired food if its clearly no good anymore because food doesnt expire on their silly little dates i only toss if i can see it has gone bad otherwise we try to just eat that stuff first like foods in cans will bulge when bad etc.
I don’t store anything. I buy gift wrapping stuff at the dollar store as needed. I only keep white tissue paper on hand. I use up all toiletries and cleaning supplies before I buy more. Why do you store so many cleaning supplies if you don’t mind my asking?
We have big fridge mostly because of the produce from our own vegetable garden. But due to multiple circumstances (like moving twice in two years time) it's a mess. It's wasteful to buy stuff, toss it and buy again. But if you bought something and try to minimise, the waste has already taken place. It's not more wasteful if it's out of your house. It's part of the process to figure it all out. I recently saw a photo declutter/sorting/organizing video by @erica lucas. I tried to sort through my photos couple of years ago, but then life happened. At least it's down to a shoe box know, although I still have a lot digital. After moving I have to fine-declutter a lot of those stuff (hobby, craft, office, photos,...)
You have made amazing progress in the basement and you should be proud of yourself. I, too, have stopped storing overflow food in the cellar (basement) as it gets forgotten. I still have a freezer downstairs but just before I go shopping I check out my stock and plan a few meals from there and bring up what I am going to be using into the kitchen. I have less meals to buy for and know how much room I have for anything on sale.
Thanks for sharing that, Catherine! I think I will keep a freezer for sale meat but it would need to be more full so I am not losing all the saved money through electricity!! Have a great week! 🍁🍁🍁
With the freezer, you have to factor in the electricity cost of running it. There are some online calculators that will tell you the approximate # of BTUs your model burns in a year. I bet it costs more to run than it would save you in stocking up. I'd donate the fridge and freezer to a charity. Maybe there's a local church or food bank that could use them.
As I’ve pursued simple living I have eliminated deep storage and made it a goal to be able access and put into use any item within 30 seconds. No off season clothes in different parts of the house, school supplies limited to what will fit in the desk, nothing stored under beds, etc. I have increased our food storage due to price increases, shortages, economic uncertainty. But it stored in a space right by the kitchen so I can pull from it and rotate with ease. I put off sorting and decluttering photos for so long, but the physical ones are now sorted. I set up a table and chipped away at them for weeks with post it notes to indicate what each pile meant - some by person, some by year and then I’d note the events of the year on that note. A full paper grocery bag was decluttered which felt great.
As a Mainer I also grew up with American Chop Suey. My mother used ground beef, macaroni and tomato soup (straight from the can). As an adult I added green pepper and onion.
I’d love to have a small freezer. Stock up on meat when on sale. And to have room to purchase part of a cow. No one wants to shop in winter here in upper Midwest(I’m sure you feel the same in Maine).
If your kids/hubby don't want it, chances are you don't want it either. I created a space and box for donations in my garage and "trained" the fam to place their discards in the designated location. When family members have items that are keepers but don't want it in their bedrooms, show them where their keepsake bins are and ask them to place the items in it. Little by little they'll begin to work with the system you are developing. PS: I think a collab series with you and Erical Lucas would be awesome. You definitely have a lot in common and would parrallel each other well.
I pared down my food storage to the bare minimum. Things I know will be used before they are bad. I don´t have much room for it anyways. I think as long as you have the storage room keep what you are most likely need to buy again if you toss it. In my opinion it´s wasteful to get rid of things and buy them again in a few weeks or months. (Waste of resources and of money.) And I think it´s in the nature of any storage space to always feel cluttered. But as long as it´s out of my living spaces I can handle that. Hugs! 🤎🍁🍂🤎
You have to find your own sweet spot on food storage. I don't want to go down every aisle each time I shop, so I do get duplicates. Expiration dates on food are so hard to read, I write in Sharpie the expirations much larger so I can see the dates at a quick glance. Clear boxes are easier to see through, too. We have a small chest freezer and keep a clipboard by it with a list of the contents. Chest freezers use a lot less electricity than uprights.
I know you want to become more minimalist but my opinion is when it comes to food, store some cans of food with a two or three year shelf life out for example if you buy it now make sure it's 2024-2025 in case of an emergency you can't get to the store because of snow because of ice because of a government-fiasco... But the key to it I find is store what you know you'll rotate through so if you always use cans of corn you always use cans of chef boyardee raviolis if you always use cans of tuna or cans of chicken you can buy a case of each or six cans of each and put them back you won't forget them in the basement because it's something that you'll use so you'll say oh I'm going to make corn tonight and you'll run down to the basement and grab the two cans. You have a backup for your family to open and just eat in case you lose electricity. You can make one shelf or one bin full of 2024 another one full of 2025 cans or dry pasta or jars of tomato sauce. Or if you absolutely don't want to you do what your heart tells you to do. 😊🧡
I like the idea of bins that expire in 24 or 25 because if it is full of things that you like you can just empty the bin into your pantry and use the food and then start to add items into that bin for 26 as they go on sale. This would make a manageable but useful food storage for any size family.
We are 22 miles to our grocery shopping, so we keep a 2-3.month supply of the most used items and rotate them when we replenish for the month. We fill our freezer for the Winter with meat, veggies and other perishables we can freeze.
Karen, today you've inspired me to go through some DVD series I've been holding onto. Also some OLD video tapes. The little meal you made looks like something I've thrown together. I have no name for mine. But, it is quick and easy. Cheers
I have some staples for the pantry - flour, sugar, salt, etc. The rest of my food buying is a weekly and plan to have the cupboards run empty by the end of the week. Storing food never works for me. I just don't feel like eating the same thing week after week.
I don’t have a basement so my food storage is just my pantry. I used to have it crammed full. I learned that I couldn’t do a quick look before grocery shopping, so I’d end up buying extra canned goods ( just in case). No more. Your basement really does look good, I understand it’s got going as fast as you would like. How do you feel about almost being done with home schooling. Almost like you are retiring from teaching? Did you cut your hair? It really looks good. Sure enjoy watching your videos.
HI Sonya! Yes, I cut my hair!! It was so long overdo! I do feel like I am retiring but I am excited about the next phase of life and having more time. I am also looking forward to just being "mom" to my kids and not "mom/teacher"! I am also trying not to cram the pantry and fridge and I feel like I have less waste!! Thanks for being here, Sonya! 🌻☀️🌻
Well, I wasn't expecting that today but it seems you weren't either lol. I hate that I sort and organise then people just dump stuff. On Tuesday, a very reluctant husband and I emptied our shed and swept the shelves and floor. We (I) then returned the *keeps* in a more organized way and maybe it will be possible to find stuff in the future. Experience tells me what is more likely but it felt good at the time 🤣🤣🤣, I have also been sewing for a craft stall at Abi's care provider HQ. Santa will be there with a lovely red crushed velvet suit (if I get it done) would a red toga be an acceptable alternative? No ? *sigh* it's clearing the table for cutting out that gets me! 😘
I have 15 people, at least, when I cook which is at least once a week so yes I have food storage plus my husband is a prepper lite....so I won't tell you how much tuna and other proteins we have! But have you seen the prices of protein go up and up so I'm grateful to have the "stock pile" and him.
That's what you might easily have in your future too! Our son and his wife have seven littles and our daughter two so you have more kids then we do. Wait ten years and see just how much food it takes to prepare for after church lunches! 🙃 You might have to put up more shelves down there!
You are better than me I would have baked some items for church or something and used all those sprinkles up that week. Lol but I have two other families I share food with so if I don't like or want something I ask them and they usually take off my hands. They have much bigger families.
@erica lucas just started a foto decluttering series on her yt channel! I think the two videos she just uploaded are already very helpful, so I highly recommend checking her channel out!
I have a lot of pretty severe food allergies. I can't eat out and I have to stick with my name brand food items. But my pantry is set up such that I have a shelf of the items and I pull the food in the back forward. This way I always rotating my staples. Also, being in Florida, hurricane season is very real. So the biggest storage if you keep nothing else would be food you don't need electricity for if you are caught in a bad power outage. And for Florida, I keep 14 days worth of water for me (because I literally can't drink out of a tap). You need to find what is right for you and my suspicion is, is food storage just does not work for you in the basement. It is too far from where you need it to be. So I would say goodbye to the food and equipment in the freezer. For emergency situations, you can buy a box of MREs (meals ready to eat) or equivalent to have long food shelf life (multiple years to a decade).
Hey Karen, you are doing really well so don’t be hard on yourself. 👏 You’ve made such progress this year already and remember you even did some decluttering when you had your bad knee. However, I think your family could help more by ‘putting things away rather than just setting them down 👇somewhere’. After all you have been kind enough to put the systems in place, so perhaps you should offer a word of encouragement to your family to ask them to do it. Point out that when they don’t you have to waste your own time correcting it later. You shouldn’t really have to be doing it for them at this stage. Also, I think that extra food storage isn’t working for you if you are having to throw stuff away, so perhaps set up a monthly check system where you note what you are not using and either create meals to use it up, offer it to neighbours or make sure it gets donated to a food bank. Don’t get disappointed by what you perceive to be a slowing of progress because we are all here cheering you on. 🫶🏻🍂🍃🍁🫶🏻
We are getting rid of our basement fridge as well. I thought it would be convenient but i just forget about it and the food goes bad. I do keep a few dry goods though just in case of shortages.
I decided this year to stop buying rolls of wrapping, instead I will use folded sheets. Takes less space. Plus no get together because situation with nephew. They will have med bills, and gas prices are average7$. So it will be cards with gift cards this year. 😥
@@ThisMainerMom have you thought about how you’re going to spend your extra time after they graduate? Are you worried about “empty nest” syndrome? I would think after so many children it would be hard emotionally.
@@ThisMainerMom no but I know a few and I know that depression is an issue. They seem lost at times. It’s like sudden retirement. Without a plan for the future it can be scary. I’m getting ready for retirement and realizing I need a plan. 😊
I think you need to do a packing party (tip from the minimalists) Pack up the spare stuff you were wavering over and date it - 3 months, a year - whatever you’re comfortable with. If you don’t go looking for it, donate it! No opening allowed unless there is something in particular you have in mind
it does get overwhelming i know. dont let it get to you. i try not to impulse buy. i do go through everything canned frozen ect. its hard to decide what to keep and not too. with the photos you could scan themnand put them.on a cd .
Hi Karen, don't ya just sometimes feel like a hamster on a wheel when it comes to decluttering?? When my 4 kids were home, I felt like decluttering/reorganizing took up so much of my time!! They had so much stuff! I agree, don't buy a lot of containers, etc. until you see what you are really going to need and where it is going to "live".
You should label stuff then you wouldn’t even have to think of where stuff goes, just look for the proper label and I find that it really helps me and my husband who is always saying where is this or where is that lol.
I tend not to keep.even things I use to eat & haven't been hungry for. I would rather eat a fried egg than a can of green beans. And egg is healthy protein.
Can you replace it in under 20 minutes for under $20? That’s another cool way to consider Whether you want to store an excess of something. And if you do let something perfectly good go, Donate it or put it on Facebook buy nothing And you bless somebody who really needs it now.
Honestly I only use the extra fridge/freezer either when my sons and their families are visiting or on a holiday! The extra fridge is unplugged in between and I need to defrost the freezer so I can unplug it. 😃
@@ThisMainerMom Try not to let things scare you, that is what they want so you spend more money and they make more money. God doesn’t want you to be fearful.
Our Crossroads will accept outdated cans as long as it's within the year......We keep our overflow on shelves in the garage..Easy to get to..Also extra freezer and fridge out there. I think I'm finally convincing my husband that we don't need to buy so many things in bulk. He once needed a can of mushrooms, so he bought a whole case...I eventually threw them away...Now, I am more careful watching dates like that and donate before it's too late. Paper goods, toilet paper and paper towels do not outdate, so we keep plenty of extras. Best used by dates do not necessarily mean they are outdated and can't be used. I still wind up throwing too many things away because they were over bought, but I'm working on it. I like to see empty shelves or at least partially empty, but husband wants to see them full.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Keep in mind that the dates are BEST BY dates not expiration dates. Use those quickly, they don’t necessarily need to be tossed.
Yes, open the can and smell it. They are way longer good as we think! ♥
I am famous for the sniff test!! 😂
Thanks for sharing, Kathleen! I do need to get over that fear!! 🙌
Last year I gathered all the pictures throughout the house and then started sorting and decluttering. I made broad categories. Before marriage, 90’s, 2000’s, 2010’s etc. I sorted into these broad categories and decluttering the extra copies of the same picture (if were a picture of one of my children would set aside and give to them the next time I saw them). I put the ones that fit into a cardboard photo box I purchased at Michael’s. The ones that were too large I bought sheet protectors and put them into a binder. Scenery pictures for the most part were thrown out unless they were very meaningful to me. If I didn’t know the person, out it went. It took me about a week to get it all done.
Thanks for your posts, they give me ideas of what I can do to make my home more functional.
I love this so much!! It must feel SO good to have it done! 🙌♥️
Michael's sells these sturdy cardboard boxes with lids, shoe box size, they are cheap and great for sorting photos. Buy a box for each child. You will be amazed at how many duplicates and bad photos you have. Going through the photos with others is really helpful! It takes time but if you pick a weekend when there is nothing going on ,take over your dining room, entice helpers with cookies from the oven, you will find it goes fast. Also the memories and stories that you will all share is amazing❤ As far as the basement declutter, do NOT buy containers yet. As you said you had not intended to declutter that day but you filled a whole box to give away! You are doing an amazing job! Thank you for always motivating us to keep doing just a little bit more.
I do have those boxes! I am slowly breaking the piles down into them…really slowly…I need to schedule time for this to actually happen!! Thanks for sharing, Sharon! 🍂🌻🍂
I shop my pantries and freezers before I place a grocery order or go shopping ,then nothing gets forgotten. Here in NorthDakotaa stocking up for the winter is a must.
Yes, I try to do this but I need to keep a running basement inventory to really be effective!! Thanks for sharing, Jeanie! 🌻🌻🌻
It’s drives me nuts to search for expiration dates… I take a sharpie and write them big so next time it’s easier to see!!!
Great idea with the sharpie, Tammy!! Thanks for sharing!! 💐
After being on our decluttering journey for a few years we have gotten to the point where we just don't want our home to be a storage facility. We only store things we absolutely use a lot, or our sentimental items boxes. Otherwise....im not holding on to 1000 screws that I'll never use and can pick up for 4 dollars when I actually need it, instead of storing them for years!
Yes, I so agree and I don't want that either!! 👍🏻💗
You were so positive about being near the end of the basement decluttering in the last video so was surprised by your expressed frustration in this one. Feelings are important but they should not negate the reality of how much you have done. You have been so consistent, always moving forward, working through the roadblocks as they appear. Since you don't stop neither can l 😀
You are so right! I know alot of creators will say, "you don't know me really". But you all? You know me!! I appreciate you! ☀️♥️☀️
I keep canned basic tomato products, such as diced, sauce, and paste beans, mushrooms, olives. We use dried pastas, different varieties, Dried potato flakes, and some Bear Creek soups for bases. Oatmeal of course, teas and coffees. Then I start storing up the holiday foods such as cranberry sauce, fresh spices, flour, sugar, salt. I buy what we use and rotate. All Is stored in the same pantry area and is visible and organized in bin dispensers. We just have a side by side refrigerator. I Food Savers sale meats into portions. We use frozen veg packets we can microwave when on sale. I also freeze butter. Anything that we can spare/share is donated to the local food bank, usually from our summer garden.
I love hearing all you are doing for food storage, Jeanne!! Thanks so much for sharing!! ☀️🍁☀️
I keep dried beans, oatmeal, maple syrup, sugar, salt, canned vegetables, sauces. As far as I am concerned these all last forever! I keep them all in glass containers so that critters can’t get in and spoil them. Nuts and flour that can spoil are kept in the freezer.
Thanks so much for sharing that, Lynn!! That's super useful information!! 🍁🍁🍁
Great job on your decluttering journey! I’m cheering 📣 all the way! Getting stuff done over here also while watching your videos!
Thanks so much, Blanca!! I appreciate your support and I hope it is going well over there!! 🍁💝
Karen, you are extremely motivating and REAL! What a feat you've accomplished! It must feel so wonderful! I don't have a basement, but, I've seen how easily families basements become cluttered with everything they own lol!
Great job! Have a wonderful Sunday!
Thanks so much for that encouragement, Anna!! I appreciate you! 💐
@@ThisMainerMom ❤️
I had an idea regarding people not putting things away when they bring it down the basement. Do you think if you made a really large block print labels that could be seen across the room that people would be more able to know where to put things?
It would be nice if when you came down to the base of the stairs, you could glance around and see which bin you headed for.
Sometimes it’s hard to understand another person’s system And it might help you made it unbelievably simple and easy to see.
Sorry if I’m commenting too much!
Great idea! I was thinking the similar haha! Perhaps very big signs for "Outdoor" "Tools" etc. Also, bring household members on tour to show the areas.
Great idea, thanks for sharing!! Comment all you want! I love to chat!! ☀️♥️
Love the tour idea, Hanna!! 🌻
So neat to see you’re realization it’s time to organize basement after pictures done. It should be just as easy to put away as it is to be disorganized. Bear in mind for boxes and shelving that you can just flip up the lid on one end and slip something inside and not have something on top For example in tools a box for chalk adhesive and just open lid and put it back. Dana K White says “Take it there now”. So glad to see your knee better and you can do the stairs.
So true!! Thanks so much for sharing, Jill!! In the video I said Lynn White who does have a channel but I meant DANA White!! 🧐♥️
Hi Karen, Love you! I tried photos by dates, but found photos such as all the one child together regardless of age or year was easier. I took a shoebox and covered it in contact paper I already had and put cardboard dividers in such as child name, our home, sport, previous home, old photos, family, friends etc. It sits on cupboard in home office for anyone to take a section and look at. This way you can continue to add to section. I found it was better than having them in albums you had to look through until you found the right one. Perhaps you could do one for each child and give to them and keep the remaining ones for yourself. Someone commented to me, aren't you worried they will get ruined by being handled, however I thought I would rather them be handled and looked at than sitting not being looked at. Love Jo from Australia xxx
Thank you so much for the input and help, Jo! I appreciate and love you too!! ♥️♥️♥️
You're recognizing the next step in a minimalism journey....I went through this years ago....we don't keep what if items anymore and stopped with food storage....you're doing great
Thanks so much, Barb!! I really appreciate that confirmation!! ☀️💝
I went through my photos. And, throwing away the ones with things. Anything without people. Any that are blurry or faded. I have threw away all photos or exs.
I enjoyed your video as always. Love you my friend. Tell that sweet girl HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY!
Thanks so much, Sherry, for your thoughts on photos!! 💕🍁💕
Since the start of the pandemic I have really considered my food buying habits. Before I really did not keep much on hand because I was worried about food waste and then suddenly I was looking a empty food shelves and very limited selections so I started to buy things when I saw them. Now we have to deal with the weekly price increases. I am trying to just focus on using what I have before it goes bad and looking for new ways to use the old items in a way that is enjoyable and tasty.
Yes, you are wise!! ❤️
I totally agree with you about food storage. This way you won't pay for extra fridge and freezer to constantly run!
So true!! Thanks for that, Carolyn!! 🌻
Here for you. Out of sight is out of mind for me so my storage room always alarms me. You've made great progress.
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Esther!! ☀️
Each dexluttering pass you will get rid of more and more and see things differently. For example....we had a ton of screws that were specifically for roofing after we replaced our roof. So why would I hold on to those screws for 20 years until I need them again. That makes no sense when I could donate them to someone who can use them. You are doing great!!!
Yes, so true, Emma!! I love it!! 🙌
What if you had the fridge at the base of the stairs that you used for drinks, Christmas leftovers and the freezer for some bulk buys (chickens; roasts when on sale etc); Sell the big freezer and use the money for containers for new dry storage with lids(ie: baking supplies etc).
I also want to suggest that it makes organizational sense to me to have the table saw and paints etc replace the appliances where they were in the basement🤷🏻♀️
Additionally, painting a wall at a time white (enlist family?) and ensuring there are enough overhead bright lights will make this a more pleasurable space.
Thanks for all of your input, Leah. I do like the idea to more the fridge. I need to check if there is a nearby outlet but I think my only outlet is that corner. 🥴 Oh how I love white walls and daylight light bulbs!! ♥️☀️♥️
Hi Karen, thank you for the fun basement declutter and the super yummy meal idea. Greetings from Germany
Thanks so much, Irene!! I am so glad you enjoyed it! ☀️🌟☀️
Thanks so much for making your videos so relatable. You are so inspiring and you make me want to be a better version of myself. You are doing such a great job with the basement. Consistency is the key so little and often is the key xx
WOW! You made my day!! ♥️
I totally agree with not keeping a big supply of "just in case" stuff like gift bags, hardware screws or pens and pencils. Two or three is plenty beyond that, let the store handle that inventory. One thing I would suggest: Give serious consideration to selling or donating your extra freezer and fridge. They are HUGE consumers of electricity and they are seriously under utilized at this point. I heard you say you might unplug them, but once they sit for a year or two, they might not be sales or giving worthy. Plus, if you get rid of them, you'd be that much further down the road toward selling and down-sizing your home. I got rid of my garage fridge about midway through my declutter journey and it was such a great decision. I had been using it for extra drinks and at the holidays only. It was such a waste. I've never looked back.
Thanks so much for your thoughts and help! I do really appreciate it! 🌻🌻
Wow! Amazing how much goes when we get aggravated! Good job!
That's so true!! Maybe I should get myself aggravated every time I declutter!! 😂
I agree with Kathleen. The dates on cans and in fact most foods are best if used by. With food scarcity in many parts of the world, I feel, at least for me, I have a responsibility to not be throwing away food unnecessarily.
True! I need to get over that fear!! ☀️
I boarderline prep. But on the farm and being a hunting family we have freezers full. Saves on the grocery bill thankfully. My cabinets have always been stocked when it's used it's replaced. When the boys were little I canned from the garden every yr. Now I find frozen veggies easier.
I need to have my husband attack the basement. That is pretty much his domain until I can't bring in wood for the furnace. As for my cleaning it's scrubbing the cabinet doors. Been way to long and they are 🤢. We are heading into a counter top and sink redo so this is the perfect time.
I heard getting an oven vent reduces oil in the air that leads to sticky cabinet doors. Do you have a vent already? It may be attached to an over-the-oven microwave.
@@ber1779 I do have an over the range microwave which I forget to turn on. But it's also my own fault for forgetting to clean them for a few years
HI Christy!! I love hearing how you do things...thanks for sharing!! You definitely utilize your storage well!! ☀️🙌💝
Oh my sister!!! Yes we go through the same thing with our basement and garage. I have knee issues and had a replacement summer of 2021 so it hit me hard yesterday as we tried to wrap up yard work for the summer (Michigan).
Putting a plan together for 30 minutes after church with the whole family
OUCH!! I am hearing so many having knee replacement and it is a rough road! I am so glad you got through your yard work and have a plan! Winter is coming for sure! ❄️
Erica Lucas just did a photo organizing video!!! It looked very helpful!
Thanks, Tammy!! 🌻
We buy quite a few canned goods before the start of every hurricane season (June) and after the end of November, I use them up! Beets, tuna, soups, etc. I can't stand wasting anything! Also, since the kids are all grown & gone, I don't stockpile food like I used to.
Same here. Some get donated to the food bank as would only be eaten if desperate i.e. not my favorite flavors but have good shelf life.
Thanks so much for sharing what you do, Kathryn!! It's super helpful!! 🍁🍁🍁
Thanks for sharing, Esther!! ♥️
Sunday …Snow accumulations in the higher elevations tonight, we are just getting a dusting tonight. We got the last of the mulch down just as the snow started to fall. Tonight was clean out the fridge pasta night. They ate every bit! Tomorrow is salmon and eggs night, since I have those to use. Hubs cannot have dairy with the meds he is on for the next week, so I must plan accordingly. Happy to have my chores done for the day, and can watch PBS Magpie Murders of my iPad!
Magpie Murders? Sounds good!! I love mysteries!! So glad you are all ready for winter! The weather patterns seem crazier these days! ❄️☀️
Your frig/freezer looks big enough to store all. Cans are able to be put in the refrigerator section and ice in the freezer. This allowes you to turn off one appliance. Going into winter you may want to have extra then in spring use your stash. Paper and cardboard doesn't last well. Inside the unit usually stay clean. Good job!
Thanks Lisa! I did unplug the spare fridge/freezer. I realized I'll need the one freezer through the holidays as we are quite a crowd when all 7 kids and families are here! Thanks for the encouragement!! 🌻🍁🌻
As a CubScouts Leader I have a shelf full of crafting supplies. I NEED to organize it !! 😅 Ill try to take Before and After pictures. Thank You soo much for the inspiration
I would love to see those pictures, Jenny!! 🌻🌻
I love having a chest freezer, but we keep it in our kitchen. I know if I had to go into a basement I would never use it and would forget about everything in it.
I’ve gotten so I only keep a few basic things in our chest freezer. We keep frozen ground turkey, chicken breasts, Soup stock, and soup that can be reheated once. I also keep frozen kale and frozen berries. As well as our ice cream. The ice cream is right at the top and my kiddo knows where to find it. The rest gets used pretty regularly because I make a soup in the crockpot every Thursday. I use up all the extras in our refrigerator and then get stock and kale and or a reheat soup from the chest freezer.
We do have a pantry shelf that is in my husband‘s office on the main level right off the kitchen. Again if I had to go downstairs into a basement to get any of this I know I also would not use it. I would also be concerned about critters getting in and munching on it or crawling across it.
I think you’re so wise to consider simplifying your food stock in whatever way makes that makes it easy for you to remember it and get to it.
Also you are doing so great with your basement!! 🥰 Erica Lucas would say that the fact you’re feeling fed up means you’re ready to grow. Maybe that means decluttering the food from the basement, maybe it means something else. Only you know. I want to applaud you for all you have done and how far you’ve come so far in decluttering and in your health journey!👏👏👏👏👏❤❤❤❤
Thanks so much for that encouragement!! Maybe someday I will have a kitchen that can also hold a chest freezer!! Erica Lucas is great isn't she? So real!
@@ThisMainerMom yes, she is very real. So are you!
Thank you! That’s the best compliment I could receive! ❤️
Thank you! That’s the best compliment I could receive! ❤️
For photo decluttering, get rid of all torn/rip/blurry photos and negatives. Things can be scanned easily these days. Then think broad categories. Family. Each child. Parents. Couple. I have random photos from my childhood, but grouped them not by year, but by what they had in common. High school, elementary, photos with my sister, my parents, baby photos. These are all just in a box, but divided by a notecard with the category label. Easy to find something if needed.
I agree with others who have said not to buy a lot of new bins. I can tell you are ready for less, so more bins may just waste money. Keep pairing down until it fits in what you have and then if it's not quite right get a replacement bin or two if needed.
I appreciate all your advice and input, my dear friend!! Thank you very much!! 🌻🌻
You have come so far and you’re still going!👏👏well done, Karen😍❤️❤️
Thanks so much Mette!! I so appreciate your encouragement !! 🍁🍂🍁
I decide over 6 months ago I was going to stop stocking up on stuff. I have not missed it and if something is out I just go get it. I do still keep enough toilet paper for 3 months. But other than that nope not stocking up. It has saved me tons of space.
That's good to hear, Denise!! Thanks so much for sharing!! 🙌♥️
Hellooo Karen. I’m so sorry I thought I’d commented on this video, I thought it unusual to have not heard from you! 🥰 came back to check and I’d not commented!! How amiss of me, my apologies.
Lovely to see you as always, I’m with you on the storage of extra foods, cleaning supplies etc. I used to buy things on offer in bulk, things on buy one get one free were my weakness. Now with the mindset of not having clutter I’ve definitely pulled right back, my cleaning products and in date food will be kept but I’m not buying more of them. I’ve 4 bottles of glass cleaner, why? Ridiculous. Numerous cans, jars etc. I think sometimes we don’t realise we’ve a bit of a hoarder streak running through us. I’m letting my supplies really run down, it’s not just my cupboards that feel cluttered, it causes me clutter anxiety.
I too have a spare fridge and chest freezer, I too forget what’s in there and not long ago hubby had to disinfect the fridge, oh my goodness the smell from it.🤢🤢🤢
It’s turned off now, door left open and it will go to the tip (dump) soon as we get back from our few days away this weekend.
Fabulous to see you my dear friend and as always much love and light to you.🥰🥰🥰x
I can so relate to you!! I think 2020 and the shortages since have really done a number on us all to and rekindled that need to stockpile! ❤️
Idea for the freezer - just fill with ice, jugs of water. When you need space to store food remove a jug or two. When I lived alone, most of my freezer had jugs of ice, just so it was full.
Thanks so much for input, Eileen! I appreciate you! ♥️☀️🌻
I’m no prepper but I do have food storage. I had let it dwindle for a few years after daughter moved out but when she and my granddaughter moved back in I started rebuilding my food storage. Then covid happened and I increased it quite a bit. Years ago I was very grateful for my food storage an a few occasions. I’m very good about keeping things rotated so waste doesn’t happen very often. I keep lots of things. Tons of canned and dry beans, white rice, pasta, condiments, nuts and dried fruits too. Some canned fruit, green beans, corn, tuna..better than bouillon… I’d do the same with toiletries, pet foods etc.
Thanks so much for sharing what you do, Michelle!! It's very helpful!! 🍁🍁🍁
Erica Lucas recently posted about how she’s sorting her photos
Thanks, Faith!!! ♥️
We have a small house, and don't have a basement or garage, so we only have the house for storage. I've repurposed cabinets in my laundry room and some shelves in my hall closet for home-canned food storage. Otherwise, I've come to the realization that I just don't have the SPACE for extra food storage. I was trying to buy food ahead of inflation, but realized that inflation has already hit, so buying a lot of food and storing it in wonky places throughout my house just wasn't worth it to me. I do have a small chest freezer that we have on our screened in back porch, and I use that for stocking up on meat and other deals that I find. That has been worthwhile to me to have.
Oh yes, Tammy!! I can so relate!! Though I have the room this is how I am feeling!! I am not seeing many really good sales these days! And I can always find SOMETHING for us to eat even if a few things are out! ☀️
Because you are on your low carb diet I’m sure your food storage needs have changed. I would unplug the fridge/freezer for now if they aren’t being used. I do like buying clearance meat when I come across it and tossing it in the freezer. But if things get forgotten in the basement it doesn’t save you any money.
Way to go on more progress! That’s meal looks delicious.
I’ve been slowly going through photos and making Chatbooks for the ones I want to keep and then passing on the photos to other family members. It takes up less room and so much easier to pull them out when I want to look at them
I love the idea of Chatbooks, Lynn!! GOALS!! ♥️
Erica Lucas just did a video on photos which was very helpful, she just focused on sorting first.
Thanks, I'll check it out!! 🍁🌻🍁
Declutter as if you are moving to a 2 bedroom apartment Karen with NO garage no basement. I did it in really life. Give your kids stuff to them physically they will soon get rid of stuff. It’s up to them. Just an idea .? 🇬🇧🤓💖💐
Thanks for your thoughts, Kim! Definitely a work in progress!! 🌻🌻🌻
I would certainly keep 1 of those freezers available. Now that holiday time is approaching it is the best time to get turkeys hams and large peices of meat. All of that is raising in price since last year so now is the best time to purchase it for the next 6 months of consumption. It's also perfect during apple season to make your apple sauces an apple pie fillings and pre freeze it....
Good point, Lori! Thanks for sharing!! ☀️☀️☀️
We live in 320 square feet but we have a storage shed right outside the door. It is my domain where I store suitcases, Christmas and a tiny bin of other decor. Also I have two cabinets to keep a waffle iron, mixer, paper goods, tape etc. Last fall we cleaned out my mother in-laws storage that she had paid on for 30 years. Most was junk or ruined by being stored. There were several pieces of big furniture like a dresser and a chair. We managed to get that in and arranged where I can still go in and breathe. Then we sold our house to our kids and had a small china cabinet, desk, table, buffet, and dresser. It is amazing what organized storage is. We got all of that in the shed stacked and arranged. I can still go down both sides and get to all the things I had before and keep breathing.ha Someday we will not live in this garage apt when my mother in-law moves or passes away and we will still have our furniture. I’m so happy to not struggle finding everything we had before all this new stuff had to come in to the shed. The shed is a life saver living tiny and it is smaller than our apartment. I don’t know how people living in tiny houses do it without a shed.
I do understand your feelings when you walk into your basement.
I do wonder how people realistically do tiny living! I love to watch those but I don’t think I could do it! So sad how things get ruined in storage! Much better to have your shed where you can keep an eye on things!! 🍁🌻🍁
Hi Karen!
I get the thing that you don´t want to store giftbags aso but it´s not a good argument to get rid of them and buy new ones because they are cheap. It´s about the environment, that every little thing we all do counts and that we all need to be careful with our resources. Gifts don´t have to be wrapped at all, they can have just a pretty ribbon or put in a bag/smal sack made from recycled cloth.
About food storage. The system you have now might not be the right one for your family. Perhaps you all can have a talk about how to do to get it better for you. It´s always good to have some backup for emergencys etc.
I live in Sweden and the authorities here wants us all to have food, water and other supplies in an emergency box. It should be enough to last at least 72 hours/3 days (without using the fridge, stove, tapwater aso). This is in case of a storm, a power outage etc. Then the resources for help can go to people who can´t take care of themselves instead of all of us.
ps. a freezer takes less power if it´s full. I would keep the one that is most energy efficient on and keep the ice in it with the food.
Thanks so much for your thoughts...very helpful!! 💐
today im going for the 100 item challenge i been decluttering so it will be interesting to see if i can come up with that many more things i think i can though we will see wish me luck
i only throw away expired food if its clearly no good anymore because food doesnt expire on their silly little dates i only toss if i can see it has gone bad otherwise we try to just eat that stuff first like foods in cans will bulge when bad etc.
I hope you will let me know how it went! I bet you’ll be surprised at what you can come up with!! 😎❤️
I need to get over that fear of spoiled food!!
I don’t store anything. I buy gift wrapping stuff at the dollar store as needed. I only keep white tissue paper on hand. I use up all toiletries and cleaning supplies before I buy more. Why do you store so many cleaning supplies if you don’t mind my asking?
Well, I think it started in 2020 when I couldn't find what I wanted!
I need to go and organize my basement too. Is more organized than last year but still needs some work done. Love your videos!! ❤
Thank you Nayda!! I hope it goes well in your basement!! 💐
We have big fridge mostly because of the produce from our own vegetable garden. But due to multiple circumstances (like moving twice in two years time) it's a mess.
It's wasteful to buy stuff, toss it and buy again. But if you bought something and try to minimise, the waste has already taken place. It's not more wasteful if it's out of your house. It's part of the process to figure it all out.
I recently saw a photo declutter/sorting/organizing video by @erica lucas. I tried to sort through my photos couple of years ago, but then life happened. At least it's down to a shoe box know, although I still have a lot digital. After moving I have to fine-declutter a lot of those stuff (hobby, craft, office, photos,...)
It's all a process isn't it? We can only do what we can and we keep trying! I am glad we are in it together dear friend!! 🍁🌟🍁
You have made amazing progress in the basement and you should be proud of yourself. I, too, have stopped storing overflow food in the cellar (basement) as it gets forgotten. I still have a freezer downstairs but just before I go shopping I check out my stock and plan a few meals from there and bring up what I am going to be using into the kitchen. I have less meals to buy for and know how much room I have for anything on sale.
Thanks for sharing that, Catherine! I think I will keep a freezer for sale meat but it would need to be more full so I am not losing all the saved money through electricity!! Have a great week! 🍁🍁🍁
Erica Lucas did a good recent video on photo organizing and decluttering.
Thanks so much, Christian!! 🌻
I can't believe you decutterd down there I thought you were done lol oh that dish looks awesome 😎
Sadly no I keep finding more!! 🧐
With the freezer, you have to factor in the electricity cost of running it. There are some online calculators that will tell you the approximate # of BTUs your model burns in a year. I bet it costs more to run than it would save you in stocking up. I'd donate the fridge and freezer to a charity. Maybe there's a local church or food bank that could use them.
True! Great point thanks! 💐
Erica Lucas is going through photos on her channel right now
Thanks so much for the recommendation!! 🌻
As I’ve pursued simple living I have eliminated deep storage and made it a goal to be able access and put into use any item within 30 seconds. No off season clothes in different parts of the house, school supplies limited to what will fit in the desk, nothing stored under beds, etc. I have increased our food storage due to price increases, shortages, economic uncertainty. But it stored in a space right by the kitchen so I can pull from it and rotate with ease.
I put off sorting and decluttering photos for so long, but the physical ones are now sorted. I set up a table and chipped away at them for weeks with post it notes to indicate what each pile meant - some by person, some by year and then I’d note the events of the year on that note. A full paper grocery bag was decluttered which felt great.
Wow! Love it, Rachel! I love hearing what you have done! Super helpful! 💞
Karen, You look absolutly fantastic❣️love Jannike from Sweden 🇸🇪❤️
Thank you so much, Jannike!! I appreciate the encouragement!! ♥️♥️
As a Mainer I also grew up with American Chop Suey. My mother used ground beef, macaroni and tomato soup (straight from the can). As an adult I added green pepper and onion.
Oh yes I think I have had it with tomato soup too!!! ♥️
I’d love to have a small freezer. Stock up on meat when on sale. And to have room to purchase part of a cow. No one wants to shop in winter here in upper Midwest(I’m sure you feel the same in Maine).
Yes, we hibernate in the winter! ☃️
If your kids/hubby don't want it, chances are you don't want it either. I created a space and box for donations in my garage and "trained" the fam to place their discards in the designated location. When family members have items that are keepers but don't want it in their bedrooms, show them where their keepsake bins are and ask them to place the items in it. Little by little they'll begin to work with the system you are developing. PS: I think a collab series with you and Erical Lucas would be awesome. You definitely have a lot in common and would parrallel each other well.
Thanks so much for your thoughts! I will reach out to Erica! We have been in the same group collabs before but don't really "know" each other! ♥️☀️♥️
I pared down my food storage to the bare minimum. Things I know will be used before they are bad. I don´t have much room for it anyways. I think as long as you have the storage room keep what you are most likely need to buy again if you toss it. In my opinion it´s wasteful to get rid of things and buy them again in a few weeks or months. (Waste of resources and of money.)
And I think it´s in the nature of any storage space to always feel cluttered. But as long as it´s out of my living spaces I can handle that. Hugs! 🤎🍁🍂🤎
Thanks so much for that input, Joy! I appreciate you!! HUGS!!! 🍁🌻🍁
Try painting the walls its going to look amazing
I would love that!! 🙌
Great low carb meal you made. 😊
Thanks so much!!💐
You have to find your own sweet spot on food storage. I don't want to go down every aisle each time I shop, so I do get duplicates. Expiration dates on food are so hard to read, I write in Sharpie the expirations much larger so I can see the dates at a quick glance. Clear boxes are easier to see through, too.
We have a small chest freezer and keep a clipboard by it with a list of the contents. Chest freezers use a lot less electricity than uprights.
Yes, so true!! Thanks for sharing what you do; it's helpful!! 🍁🍁
I know you want to become more minimalist but my opinion is when it comes to food, store some cans of food with a two or three year shelf life out for example if you buy it now make sure it's 2024-2025 in case of an emergency you can't get to the store because of snow because of ice because of a government-fiasco... But the key to it I find is store what you know you'll rotate through so if you always use cans of corn you always use cans of chef boyardee raviolis if you always use cans of tuna or cans of chicken you can buy a case of each or six cans of each and put them back you won't forget them in the basement because it's something that you'll use so you'll say oh I'm going to make corn tonight and you'll run down to the basement and grab the two cans. You have a backup for your family to open and just eat in case you lose electricity. You can make one shelf or one bin full of 2024 another one full of 2025 cans or dry pasta or jars of tomato sauce. Or if you absolutely don't want to you do what your heart tells you to do. 😊🧡
I like the idea of bins that expire in 24 or 25 because if it is full of things that you like you can just empty the bin into your pantry and use the food and then start to add items into that bin for 26 as they go on sale. This would make a manageable but useful food storage for any size family.
Thanks so much for that input, alli!! It's super helpful!! ☀️🌻☀️
Yes!! 🙌
We are 22 miles to our grocery shopping, so we keep a 2-3.month supply of the most used items and rotate them when we replenish for the month. We fill our freezer for the Winter with meat, veggies and other perishables we can freeze.
WOW!! 22 miles is a long way, especially in winter! I am so glad you found what works best for you!! 🌻♥️
Karen, today you've inspired me to go through some DVD series I've been holding onto. Also some OLD video tapes.
The little meal you made looks like something I've thrown together. I have no name for mine. But, it is quick and easy.
Cheers
I am so glad you were inspire, Julie!! 💞
I have some staples for the pantry - flour, sugar, salt, etc. The rest of my food buying is a weekly and plan to have the cupboards run empty by the end of the week. Storing food never works for me. I just don't feel like eating the same thing week after week.
Thanks for sharing that, Mette! It's helpful!! ☀️💗
I keep my food stash all together where I can see it. I can't stand that no sugar ice cream. Recommend Breyers carb smart ice cream. Tastes great.
Thanks, Valerie! Yes, it would need to be where I can see it for constant storage! 👍🏻☀️
I don’t have a basement so my food storage is just my pantry. I used to have it crammed full. I learned that I couldn’t do a quick look before grocery shopping, so I’d end up buying extra canned goods ( just in case). No more. Your basement really does look good, I understand it’s got going as fast as you would like. How do you feel about almost being done with home schooling. Almost like you are retiring from teaching? Did you cut your hair? It really looks good. Sure enjoy watching your videos.
HI Sonya! Yes, I cut my hair!! It was so long overdo! I do feel like I am retiring but I am excited about the next phase of life and having more time. I am also looking forward to just being "mom" to my kids and not "mom/teacher"!
I am also trying not to cram the pantry and fridge and I feel like I have less waste!!
Thanks for being here, Sonya! 🌻☀️🌻
My basement is the same! Ugh a constant place for progress…..but I still fell like I can’t breathe haha
Pass the oxygen!! We got this!! 🙌🙌
Thank you very much for your video ♥️♥️.
Thanks for being here for the journey, dear friend!! 🌻🍁🌻
Well, I wasn't expecting that today but it seems you weren't either lol. I hate that I sort and organise then people just dump stuff.
On Tuesday, a very reluctant husband and I emptied our shed and swept the shelves and floor. We (I) then returned the *keeps* in a more organized way and maybe it will be possible to find stuff in the future. Experience tells me what is more likely but it felt good at the time 🤣🤣🤣,
I have also been sewing for a craft stall at Abi's care provider HQ. Santa will be there with a lovely red crushed velvet suit (if I get it done) would a red toga be an acceptable alternative? No ? *sigh* it's clearing the table for cutting out that gets me! 😘
Yep, not fun to tidy and tidy !! It’s wonderful of you to do so much work for dear Santa!! You’re a wonderful Mama!! ❤️❤️
You are doing great!
Thanks so much, Nancy! I appreciate that encouragement!! 💐
I have 15 people, at least, when I cook which is at least once a week so yes I have food storage plus my husband is a prepper lite....so I won't tell you how much tuna and other proteins we have! But have you seen the prices of protein go up and up so I'm grateful to have the "stock pile" and him.
We all have to do what works best for us! 15 is a good amount to keep up with! ♥️
That's what you might easily have in your future too! Our son and his wife have seven littles and our daughter two so you have more kids then we do. Wait ten years and see just how much food it takes to prepare for after church lunches! 🙃 You might have to put up more shelves down there!
You are better than me I would have baked some items for church or something and used all those sprinkles up that week. Lol but I have two other families I share food with so if I don't like or want something I ask them and they usually take off my hands. They have much bigger families.
Those are great ideas, Ashley! I know my teens will use alot sprinkles at holiday time so that will help! 🙌💖
Frugal Fit Mom has lots of RUclips ideas about stocking up, or not, on food. And she is funny!
Thanks so much for the recommendation! I'll check it out!! 💐
My new catch phrase… “Lord willing and the creek don’t rise!” Thanks!
HAHA!! It must be "Mainer speak!" 😂
@erica lucas just started a foto decluttering series on her yt channel! I think the two videos she just uploaded are already very helpful, so I highly recommend checking her channel out!
Thanks so much!! I saw one of those! I love her honesty!! 🌻☀️🌻
I have a lot of pretty severe food allergies. I can't eat out and I have to stick with my name brand food items. But my pantry is set up such that I have a shelf of the items and I pull the food in the back forward. This way I always rotating my staples. Also, being in Florida, hurricane season is very real. So the biggest storage if you keep nothing else would be food you don't need electricity for if you are caught in a bad power outage. And for Florida, I keep 14 days worth of water for me (because I literally can't drink out of a tap).
You need to find what is right for you and my suspicion is, is food storage just does not work for you in the basement. It is too far from where you need it to be. So I would say goodbye to the food and equipment in the freezer.
For emergency situations, you can buy a box of MREs (meals ready to eat) or equivalent to have long food shelf life (multiple years to a decade).
Thanks so much for your input, Emily!! Very wise!! 💐
Hey Karen, you are doing really well so don’t be hard on yourself. 👏 You’ve made such progress this year already and remember you even did some decluttering when you had your bad knee. However, I think your family could help more by ‘putting things away rather than just setting them down 👇somewhere’. After all you have been kind enough to put the systems in place, so perhaps you should offer a word of encouragement to your family to ask them to do it. Point out that when they don’t you have to waste your own time correcting it later. You shouldn’t really have to be doing it for them at this stage. Also, I think that extra food storage isn’t working for you if you are having to throw stuff away, so perhaps set up a monthly check system where you note what you are not using and either create meals to use it up, offer it to neighbours or make sure it gets donated to a food bank. Don’t get disappointed by what you perceive to be a slowing of progress because we are all here cheering you on. 🫶🏻🍂🍃🍁🫶🏻
Thanks for all of that encouragement, Beth! I appreciate you!! 😍💐
We are getting rid of our basement fridge as well. I thought it would be convenient but i just forget about it and the food goes bad. I do keep a few dry goods though just in case of shortages.
Yes, that's me Genny!!! Thanks for sharing !! ♥️
I decided this year to stop buying rolls of wrapping, instead I will use folded sheets. Takes less space. Plus no get together because situation with nephew. They will have med bills, and gas prices are average7$. So it will be cards with gift cards this year. 😥
That's really interesting, thanks for sharing Lisa Ann!! ♥️
How many of your children are you homeschooling this year?
3 youngest! One senior and 2 juniors!
@@ThisMainerMom have you thought about how you’re going to spend your extra time after they graduate? Are you worried about “empty nest” syndrome? I would think after so many children it would be hard emotionally.
I’m sure it will have its hard spot! Definitely will do lots of RUclips! Would love to travel! Are you an empty nester?
@@ThisMainerMom no but I know a few and I know that depression is an issue. They seem lost at times. It’s like sudden retirement. Without a plan for the future it can be scary. I’m getting ready for retirement and realizing I need a plan. 😊
I think you need to do a packing party (tip from the minimalists)
Pack up the spare stuff you were wavering over and date it - 3 months, a year - whatever you’re comfortable with.
If you don’t go looking for it, donate it! No opening allowed unless there is something in particular you have in mind
Great idea, Emma!! Thanks for sharing!! 🙌
it does get overwhelming i know. dont let it get to you. i try not to impulse buy. i do go through everything canned frozen ect. its hard to decide what to keep and not too. with the photos you could scan themnand put them.on a cd .
Thanks so much for sharing, Sarah! It's helpful!! 🍁☀️🍁
Hi Karen, don't ya just sometimes feel like a hamster on a wheel when it comes to decluttering?? When my 4 kids were home, I felt like decluttering/reorganizing took up so much of my time!! They had so much stuff! I agree, don't buy a lot of containers, etc. until you see what you are really going to need and where it is going to "live".
Yes I am definitely a hamster in a wheel!! I’m so glad I can redeem it a bit by making videos!! Have a great weekend, Barbara!! 🍂🍁🍂
Hello. I think your camera roll is new. Usually, when it's used up you can't see any film. But I might be wrong. Anyway, great work.
Thanks for sharing that!! You’re right!! I’m glad you mentioned it before I paid to have it developed!! Thanks!! 🌻🌻🌻
You should label stuff then you wouldn’t even have to think of where stuff goes, just look for the proper label and I find that it really helps me and my husband who is always saying where is this or where is that lol.
True! It's all about slowing down and doing it! ☀️
I just get motivation
I'm so glad!! ♥️
I tend not to keep.even things I use to eat & haven't been hungry for. I would rather eat a fried egg than a can of green beans. And egg is healthy protein.
Thanks for your thoughts and sharing what you do , Lisa Ann! It's helpful!! 🌻
Can you replace it in under 20 minutes for under $20? That’s another cool way to consider Whether you want to store an excess of something.
And if you do let something perfectly good go, Donate it or put it on Facebook buy nothing And you bless somebody who really needs it now.
Yes, great ideas!! Thanks for sharing, Christian! 🙌💝
With the amount you've thrown away, you don't need the extra fridge and freezer.
Honestly I only use the extra fridge/freezer either when my sons and their families are visiting or on a holiday! The extra fridge is unplugged in between and I need to defrost the freezer so I can unplug it. 😃
Food does not expire, it has a best before date. Canned food lasts about a year past the best by dates. Dairy, meat & medicine does expire.
Thank you for sharing that!! Those dates scare me good!! Have a great weekend dear friend!! 🍁🍁🍁
@@ThisMainerMom Try not to let things scare you, that is what they want so you spend more money and they make more money. God doesn’t want you to be fearful.
Our Crossroads will accept outdated cans as long as it's within the year......We keep our overflow on shelves in the garage..Easy to get to..Also extra freezer and fridge out there. I think I'm finally convincing my husband that we don't need to buy so many things in bulk. He once needed a can of mushrooms, so he bought a whole case...I eventually threw them away...Now, I am more careful watching dates like that and donate before it's too late. Paper goods, toilet paper and paper towels do not outdate, so we keep plenty of extras. Best used by dates do not necessarily mean they are outdated and can't be used. I still wind up throwing too many things away because they were over bought, but I'm working on it. I like to see empty shelves or at least partially empty, but husband wants to see them full.
Thank you for sharing, Pat! I appreciate knowing I am not alone!! 🌻🌻🌻
For sure you didn't find the screw because there's no loose screws in thr basement 😂
😆🤣
Watch Erica Lucas for photos.
Thanks, Jamie!! 💙