justdo
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Joined: June 2013
Posts: 39
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Post by justdo on Jun 15, 2013 14:31:56 GMT -5
Got a bunch of clear sterilite containers to go on an ikea cubbie type shelf. I needed 2 per cubbie, I stink at counting apparently and only got 1 per cubbie. How did that happen? Anyway, I discovered the smaller of the clear totes I am storing the paperwork in will fit there too... so if I can just dump some more papers I'll have fixed my problem for free!!
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justdo
New Member
Joined: June 2013
Posts: 39
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Post by justdo on Jun 15, 2013 18:12:51 GMT -5
Set a timer for 1 hour and purge papers! CHECK!!!!!!!!!! I finally did it! I did it! I cleared out 2 small totes and shredded almost 50% of the shred box!! Setting the timer I got more done because when I got tired I knew I just needed to keep going until it rang. I finally did get sick of sorting at about 40 minutes in and so I started shredding instead. Little cheat I only have two big totes left! I am estimating if 2 smalls took me an hour then 2 bigs will take 2-3 hours. Man, these papers are dusty. Ick. Dries my hands out just touching them! I am SO glad I won't have to sort through these stacks again because I will keep it managed!!
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Post by dtesposito on Jun 15, 2013 18:30:40 GMT -5
Wow, lots of progress being made on this thread! Nekomom, when is your new deadline? I used to subscribe to lots of magazines too, years ago, and finally realized that I didn't have the time to actually read them, I just stacked them up in piles.
Justdo, it sounds like you're going to be caught up fast at the rate you're going, fantastic! Don't burn out your shredder.....
Diane
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Post by nekomom on Jun 16, 2013 17:21:39 GMT -5
Wow, lots of progress being made on this thread! Nekomom, when is your new deadline? Diane, I am out of town, but I found out on Friday that my new deadline is Tuesday.
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Post by nekomom on Jun 16, 2013 17:32:22 GMT -5
I finally did it! I did it! I cleared out 2 small totes and shredded almost 50% of the shred box!! Setting the timer I got more done because when I got tired I knew I just needed to keep going until it rang. I finally did get sick of sorting at about 40 minutes in and so I started shredding instead. Little cheat I only have two big totes left! I am estimating if 2 smalls took me an hour then 2 bigs will take 2-3 hours. Way to go, JustDo! Excellent that the smaller totes will fit your cubbies. Only 2 big totes left = yippee!!!! I am cheering you on! I will resume my paper reduction tomorrow.
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Post by nekomom on Jun 17, 2013 13:51:46 GMT -5
I am back at the papers today. Getting started right now. Appraisal is tomorrow - gasp! I also need to work on some other rooms too. So much to do, but first a few hours dealing with the papers.
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Post by nekomom on Jun 18, 2013 12:10:28 GMT -5
more progress has been done with the papers. contents of two entire largish-sized containers of papers were purged yesterday. still much to do.
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Post by nekomom on Jun 19, 2013 11:29:56 GMT -5
Appraisal is done and I still have too many papers.
Continuing on.
I quickly purged a small stack of papers this morning.
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Post by nekomom on Jun 19, 2013 11:32:12 GMT -5
I only have two big totes left! I am estimating if 2 smalls took me an hour then 2 bigs will take 2-3 hours. Man, these papers are dusty. Ick. Dries my hands out just touching them! I am SO glad I won't have to sort through these stacks again because I will keep it managed!! justdo - How is the paper purging going this week? Have you made any more progress?
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justdo
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Joined: June 2013
Posts: 39
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Post by justdo on Jun 19, 2013 13:08:31 GMT -5
Good job getting back to it after the appraisal!!!! I know for me to have a goal time set and then when it comes and passes it's far too easy to take an extended break My husband had kidney surgery yesterday so today was my first day back at it. I did one large tote this morning. That tote had more trash than anything and lots of non paper items... so embarrassing when you realize it's mostly trash that's been sitting there so long! Ugh. The water company turned our water off this afternoon to work on a broken hydrant on our street so I am holding off on the last tote. The papers make my hands so dusty and I can't bear the thought of touching them and then not being able to wash off. But one last tote!!! I am really proud of me! It's gone quickly since I already had an established and working filing system. I am so shock at how much of my boxes and boxes were trash! I still need to shred about a box worth (pre-sorted now for shredding though!) and I noticed a few mini piles that I missed in the rest of the house that I will need to grab up so I can actually say I'm starting back at zero. And I still have put up two wall pocket boxes for incoming and outgoing mail... which I am realizing is a must do. Then I have to maintain!! My desk *has* been staying clear of papers though! The journal on the desk is helping a lot with that! During my paperwork hiatus this afternoon I am helping the kids declutter some toys. That is a never-ending task for sure!
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justdo
New Member
Joined: June 2013
Posts: 39
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Post by justdo on Jun 19, 2013 16:52:07 GMT -5
GOALS to keep my desk clear: 1.) I have a habit of writing things down while I'm on the phone with people. Notes, phone numbers, etc. I even write down my own phone number as I say it to people to be sure I'm giving it at "reasonable writing speed" :/ I know I can't stop that habit (at least not ready to try right now!) but I can keep all my writing contained instead of on scraps of paper all over I am going to keep a journal type note book on my desk and do all my writing in there. Progress: Doing well! Have kept desk clear of "notes" and written in journal long enough to give myself a check on this--- must keep it up! It's nice to have it all contained! I know where to find my notes now!
2.) I have a shredder right behind me, a recycling bin right behind me AND a trash can right behind me. I will use them. I will not set paper down on my desk unless I plan to do something about it THAT DAY. Progress: Doing well so far... must keep this up for a week before I will check it off. If I have shredded, recycled and trashed continuously by 6/26/13 I will check this off.3.) I need to find a wall mountable inbox/outbox for daily mail. So that way my husband has an UNDERSTOOD place to put mail when it comes in. Progress: Have looked for ones I like and they are TOO EXPENSIVE! Will try Marshall's or thrift shop for what I am looking for. Will continue to look until end of month. If I don't find what I want I may have to put up *something* to fill this purpose because it needs to be there and I can't wait for "perfect" 4.) Need to hang the calendar board that has been sitting by my desk for probably a year. Progress: DONE!! Wrote myself reminders about keep desk clear and shredding etc on white board.5.) Need to hang husband's artwork. Spent money to have that framed at Christmas and it has just been sitting in the corner. If the kids end up breaking it because I haven't put it up yet, it's not fair to be mad at them. Progress: Need to go to Lowe's for the correct screws for this.
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Post by dtesposito on Jun 19, 2013 18:51:52 GMT -5
Nekomom, glad the appraisal is over, do they give you the results right away or does it take a while? Do you then have to decide whether it's worthwhile to refinance? (Obviously I've never done a refinancing!)
Justdo, I know what you mean about finding that you saved trash for years! Usually the result of a "stash and dash" where you just shoved things from a counter into a box and then never looked at it again. If you can't find a wall basket that you like right away you can even just nail a cardboard box up--it won't look very good but it'll let you both get in the habit of putting it in the right place, and it might give you an idea of what kind or size of container you'll need. In my entryway, the outgoing mail container is a little "half-basket" (the back side is flat to fit against the wall) that I think was meant for a plant. My ingoing mail is one of those old-fashioned vertical wooden things with the three compartments. These two items have really prevented my losing important things.
Diane
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justdo
New Member
Joined: June 2013
Posts: 39
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Post by justdo on Jun 19, 2013 20:32:56 GMT -5
I went straight to Marshall's after I posted and found a perfect inexpensive double wall pocket type deal for the mail! I already put it up! I'm so excited. So CHeck on that one too! Stash and dash is exactly what happened there for sure! Ack! I think dumping receipts from my purse is a BIG problem. I am going to start asking shops to trash my receipts for me. The "perfect version" of me scans receipts.... which means "real me" stashes them! I can't have it! No perfect scanning and filing here... that is just paralyzing me instead! Besides I can find all that info w/ online banking! I am feeling much more free already!
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Post by nekomom on Jun 19, 2013 22:53:43 GMT -5
Diane, we don't have the results yet. I am not sure how long it will take. Yes, I do think that we can opt out of the refinance if it will not be worthwhile. There was no deposit.
Justdo, way to go on helping the kids declutter toys. You have great goals to keep your desk clear. I also have a habit of writing things down while I'm on the phone with people, even my own phone number too. Yesterday was purging papers from 2007 and 2008. You are doing great. Keep up the great work. I'm so glad that you found the wall mounted thing for you mail.
I did not do more today as I had to go run errands that I didn't have time to do last week. Now I am in need of sleep. I should be back tomorrow to make more progress.
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Post by nekomom on Jun 20, 2013 9:10:59 GMT -5
I purged another pile of papers this morning. It feels great to get rid of papers in the morning.
I am hoping to come back today and spend a few hours purging even more.
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