|
|
Post by Di on May 7, 2012 12:15:04 GMT -5
I got mad and tossed 99% of my "important" papers about 2 years ago. I haven't needed them since (actually I hadn't needed them in the previous 5 years or so)
|
|
|
|
Post by morningglory on May 7, 2012 12:16:57 GMT -5
Di Dreaming, how awful that the power went out! But at least you are looking at the bright side--getting rid of all that questionable stuff. Wow, a whole garbage bag full! What's a PROK?
As for the nightstand--I already have several items on there (even ones that are supposed to be there!), so I need a different solution. If I had a bigger nightstand it might work, but only if I limit myself to one or two books to have handy! (I actually do read more than a couple at once, partly because I also read aloud to my husband and children (different books), and also because I like to study a variety of subjects during my down time.
|
|
|
|
Post by morningglory on May 7, 2012 12:19:38 GMT -5
Di Dreaming, that is very encouraging about not needing the papers. For sure I haven't used these at all beyond their initial importance (while the event they relate to was still active), and they have just sat in stacks all over the house, or shoved into drawers, closets, on shelves, etc. My impulse is to sort them all into file folders and file them away, but honestly I do not think I will ever have a chance to browse through them, fondly reminiscing, and it will end up being more stuff my kids will eventually have to deal with!
|
|
|
|
Post by Di on May 7, 2012 12:24:55 GMT -5
PROK was some strange rolled things in a HUGE ziplock bag that contained what I think was pork.. they were put in the freezer by an ex boyfriend the were labeled "PROK" (there were also some labeled "turkey" I just tossed. The power didn't actually go out except in the garage, a Ground Fault outlet went out that controlled the outlets out there. Thank goodness I did have a heavy duty extention cord.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sunshine on May 7, 2012 21:30:14 GMT -5
I just washed one of the dog beds, and the rubberised side must have been perishing - three holes appeared, and lots of foam in the washing machine. "I can't throw it out, it was expensive." "I could cut off one side and use it for another dog bedding top." (I have a huge pile of those already. In fact, I should get rid of some.) I can.... Toss It Away! W00T! Tossing it, right now!  Update - I'm so glad I posted this. I almost talked myself out of it, between the keyboard and the rubbish bin. That was a hard one, and I have no idea why.... but, it's in the bin now  |
|
|
|
Post by lizzie on May 8, 2012 3:57:37 GMT -5
Good throwing, sunshine! Also, you could look at it as a safety issue, now no-one will eat the foam or perished rubber in a thoughtful chewing reverie, and then need a trip to the vet.
|
|
|
|
Post by morningglory on May 8, 2012 6:18:07 GMT -5
Way to go, Sunshine! So glad you threw it out!
|
|
|
|
Post by Sunshine on May 8, 2012 6:52:45 GMT -5
That's a good point Lizzie, I hadn't thought of that - thanks! And thank you M'Glory With those papers and so on... if they are anything government, you can probably just request copies if you ever need them for something. I think CLSS had a thread somewhere about papers that need to be kept for tax etc, and those that don't. I now throw out instruction manuals, because they are all available online anyway. Ditto many other things - if I can Google it, I really don't need a copy of it. Good luck! |
|
|
|
Post by morningglory on May 8, 2012 7:30:49 GMT -5
One of my issues with keeping my own copies of documents is so I have evidence if the government (or a business or other organization) has conflicting info. As protection. It's like we used to keep receipts in case a store didn't have a record of our sale, we could prove we bought it and when and how much we paid (in case we needed a refund, for instance). I actually have had situations in which I had to use my own documentation to prove something. It's less common as organizations and businesses get more organized and computerized, but there can still always be glitches.
But, honestly, the vast majority of the paperwork I have in these stacks isn't anything I need for those kinds of reasons. It's things like receipts for things I bought years ago (even if I don't own them any more), all associated paperwork for an event in my life, etc.
For example, I had bank papers for several certificates of deposit that I bought in 2006 and that matured in 2007. Even though those CDs were cashed out at maturity and I no longer have any of these accounts, it was extremely difficult for me to tear those papers up and throw them out! I had the idea that I might need to prove the amounts or know the account numbers in the future. I guess it was always drilled into me to keep my own copies of everything for the reasons mentioned in the first paragraph, and I have a kind of fear of letting documentation go--like it exposes me to unknown risks. It's like they are amulets for the 20th century. (I specifically say 20th, not only because that's when I formed these habits, but because everything being computerized now, even having our own electronic copies of things, makes these "amulets" a bit old fashioned.)
Another example is things I hang onto for historical/sentimental value. For instance I kept all the paperwork with a legal procedure from several years back, not just the final court order (that I actually do need to use periodically). I kept the instructions from the state, forms filled out to petition the court, forms sent to me by the court about the date and time to appear, and so forth. So yesterday, although it was difficult, I threw out everything except the aforementioned court order (which is genuinely essential) and the clipping from the newspaper of the legal announcement (a step in the legal process). I put that clipping in my keepsake box.
There are many things that fall into that category--like the vehicle documents I mentioned yesterday. I have this idea that I would fondly browse through the information, or that descendants would be fascinated to read it. In fact, as I enter the latter portion of my life, I don't want to spend any time on that kind of thing. Looking at baby photos of my kids, yeah. Reading old legal documents or car receipts, no. And although some descendants might find such things interesting, I hope that I leave behind much more meaningful and substantive things to dwell on.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hurricane on May 8, 2012 11:05:08 GMT -5
Fabulous job all, on the tossing! Warms my heart every day to come here and see people improving their lives.
A word on keeping any kind of receipt/other paperwork.....at all the stores I shop at, you can return something without the receipt if you used a credit card and the if the purchase still has tags on it....the computer just pulls up the info. So that helps keep the mess down if the area you live in has that same technology. Recently a stone fell out of the necklace my hubby gave me for Xmas....I did not have the receipt but the store happily repaired the necklace for me anyway. Really, there is no need to keep hardly any of that kind of paperwork anymore. Hospitals have copies of your medical records that they can send anywhere, banks keep very close records as well, so does the county for court documents. A big part of squalorous thinking is, "I need to keep this because such and such might happen in the future." Living in a mess isn't worth sacrificing your future for in any way, shape, or form. So I guess I have to agree with Di....I also threw out 99% of my paperwork years ago and have never regretted it.
Glory, I was particular impressed with the tossing of the gift wrap....it sounds like that almost got you derailed, but you didn't let it. It really does get easier as you go along! And Sunshine....good for you with the pet bed!
|
|
|
|
Post by morningglory on May 8, 2012 14:23:09 GMT -5
Still chugging away! Finding some good stuff mixed in with the trash. Anything I can put to use right away, I am doing. Other stuff gets TOSSED.
It's going to be hard going through the drawers of my nightstand. I have stuffed all sorts of stuff into those lower drawers that I haven't seen in YEARS.
Question: What do you do with things that belong to other people (borrowed items) that you no longer know how to contact. I think there is at least one book in those drawers that were lent to us years ago and the people have since moved away.
|
|
|
|
Post by moonglow on May 8, 2012 14:31:55 GMT -5
Good throwing, sunshine! Also, you could look at it as a safety issue, now no-one will eat the foam or perished rubber in a thoughtful chewing reverie, and then need a trip to the vet. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA It is to laugh!! If I made a trip to the vet everytime D-the-destructo-dog chewed something up, they'd be building a new clinic!! But so true, anything that looks like someone else started the chewing is fair game! |
|
|
|
Post by moonglow on May 8, 2012 14:39:23 GMT -5
Question: What do you do with things that belong to other people (borrowed items) that you no longer know how to contact. I think there is at least one book in those drawers that were lent to us years ago and the people have since moved away. Morningglory, forgive yourself and move on. I have lots of practice forgiving myself, for lots of different things, in the process of desqualoring. It WILL be different going forward. Keep up the great work everyone! |
|
|
|
Post by Hurricane on May 8, 2012 15:02:19 GMT -5
Question: What do you do with things that belong to other people (borrowed items) that you no longer know how to contact. I think there is at least one book in those drawers that were lent to us years ago and the people have since moved away. Morningglory, forgive yourself and move on. Totally agree with Moon....forgive yourself, then TOSS the stuff. |
|
|
|
Post by Sunshine on May 8, 2012 16:29:00 GMT -5
The people who once loaned you those things have probably completely forgotten about them. If not, you can be sure they have decided not to worry about those things, as they haven't been chasing you for them.
We all make mistakes. It's okay to let them go.
|
|
