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All those years of monthly checking account statements from long ago have been shredded. I have not received a paper checking account statement in the mail for a number of years (having discontinued them), as I just check my balance online from time to time and make sure everything jibes with my register. It's great that society as a whole can save a few trees and we as individuals can reduce the paper clutter at home. My credit union switched from monthly to quarterly statements for their savings accounts several years ago - also an excellent move.
I admit, I'm a saver. I don't think I could get rid of love letters, ever.
The love letters were hard to dispose of. I was widowed (13 years ago after an 18 year marriage) and my former husband and I were in a long distance relationship for a year during our "courtship" and then again during the course of our marriage, when my son was in high school he was transferred and I stayed with the house while my former husband lived out of state before emails (late 80's). So we did alot of letter writing. But they were private and there was probably 200 of them (we'd each saved one another's). Now, at this stage in life and 8 years remarried, I didn't think if something happened to me that I'd want anyone to read them. I skimmed a few...swallowed hard....and tossed them. Sweet love, another life... *sigh.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fern435
You are wise to start downsizing/tossing things ahead of time. ....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Curmudgeon
At least. One for electrical issues. One for plumbing. One for carpentry. One for automotive. One for yard work. One for general maintenance. Maybe one for guns and outdoor equipment.
You can never have enough and certainly don't want too few.
A finished, oversized garage with work benches and a sizeable work shed are things of beauty.
My neighbor (single guy, of course) has a nice little shop. 120' x 240' with a 3 story apartment inside.
plenty of room for tools and toys. BUT really a PAIN to downsize!
He will need SEVERAL dump-trucks when it comes time to move.
I have considered having workshops in 20' Shipping containers so you can just load the shop(s) up on your semi truck and move. Many folks are building living pods in Storage Containers with the same idea. (not that I would try THAT.)
Also, be sure to take labels off old prescription bottles before you trash or recycle them.
I kept putting these aside, trying to come up with a good way to either take off the labels or obliterate the writing. Markers didn't work -- you could still see the lettering.
Finally came up with a very easy solution -- I file off my info and the Rx name with a nail file! Simple, easy to do, and absolute -- can't read a thing!
Just a reminder to everyone to shred any old tax returns, credit card bills, resumes, etc. You really don't want your identity solen or fraudulent charges on your credit card. We recently had someone stead our credit card # and use it for European vacation charges. Luckily, the credit card company caught it right away. Also, be sure to take labels off old prescription bottles before you trash or recycle them. I'm shredding 10 years of old cancelled checks and statements. Still have all the very old tax returns to do. Trying to do the easy things first--before the emotional items.
We had so much paperwork - stored for 30 years- that we burned it
all. We would have been shredding for weeks. Saved on electricity, too.
I kept putting these aside, trying to come up with a good way to either take off the labels or obliterate the writing. Markers didn't work -- you could still see the lettering.
Finally came up with a very easy solution -- I file off my info and the Rx name with a nail file! Simple, easy to do, and absolute -- can't read a thing!
Great idea I have been tearing off sections and throwing the rest od the documents in the recycling bag. Then shredding things with my SSN. I probably am at something of a risk now with all I discarded via blue bags on the curb..
Happiest day of my life is when I sold all my garden equipment....(hoses, edgers, etc) and moved out of a big house and into a bare bones condo ....No room for much storage at the condo so I can't hoard...
All I have left in storage are my Military and medical/dental records and my high School yearbook....I'm thinking of trashing the yearbook one of these days....Only then will I be truly FREE....
We actually downsized twice, in prepearation for retirement. Once bought a smaller house, 2007, and then sold our second home, 2010. We have not missed any of the "stuff". We will be doing a long distance move when we do retire, and very little will go with us. We are starting to dump things for that date 2 years from now. Except of course all the tools as stated above.
I highly recommend doing it early. it also gives you the opportunity to sell it easier.
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goodbye old love letters......
.)
I have been tearing off sections and throwing the rest od the documents in the recycling bag. Then shredding things with my SSN. I probably am at something of a risk now with all I discarded via blue bags on the curb..
