38 Things to Declutter (TODAY) | Frugal Meets Minimalism | JENNIFER COOK

[@kristenfoley774]

I love all of these ideas! It is helping to motivate me for a good spring cleaning!! Vases are always appreciated in hospital for donations too (Likely not at the moment but in the future). We would have patients receive flowers or we as a nursing team would receive from a patient/patient family and we had a stash of vases that had been donated that we would put the flowers in on shift. :)

[@LiMaTho14489]

1. Empty electronics boxes 2. Old stinky dog toys 3. Extra hangers 4. Expired credit cards 5. Droopy underwear 6. Recipes you don’t like 7. Old eyeglasses 8. Kitchen appliances 9. Refrigerator magnets and artwork 10. Old cans of paint 11. Business cards 12. Worn or uncomfortable shoes 13. Paper bills or statements 14. Itchy sweaters 15. Art you do not like 16. Hair ties or clips 17. Expired or used gift cards 18. Children’s books 19. Extra tote bags or luggage 20. Books 21. Unused hair tools 22. Extra chip clips 23. Perfume and samples 24. Old hidden candy 25. Holey washcloths 26. Broken crayons 27. Freezer-burned food 28. Craft supplies 29. Coffee mugs you don’t like 30. Moldy bath toys 31. Holiday decor 32. Discolored plastic food containers 33. Extra bed linens and towels 34. Picture frames 35. Photos with no value 36. Bent or broken hangers 37. Paper clutter 38. Flower vases

[@njoolong]

Still love to hear the rationale 😂

[@helenhanna5065]

Thanks for the time saver

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you Cynthia!

[@eileenlehonnyberg1576]

#25. How do wash cloths become holy? Blessed by the Pope? Aren’t #3 and 36 similar?

[@zickafoose]

Thanks!! I can just take a screenshot! 26 minutes is way too long for a video..

[@amandabartlett1987]

YES! I specifically remember playing in a huge refrigerator box! I made it into a playhouse in my living room! Best memories ever!

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Yes!!!

[@awildandsimplelife]

Great idea! 🙂

[@emmyashbaugh]

I love the donating old linens to animal shelters suggestion!!! Thanks, amazing advice as always!! 💗

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you Emily! 🤗❤

[@Jenn12141983]

Omg I definitely remember playing in a refrigerator box as a kid! I feel so old now 🤣

[@Debbiesdilemmas]

Me too. My parents’ friends had just had a new refrigerator delivered and they still had the box. Their children and I spent hours making it into our house. Those were the days.......fun was free.😊❤️

[@tiffanytempleton2201]

My kids still love to play with boxes! Hehe 😜

[@kimporter9171]

Love your sense of humor, Jennifer! In 2013 after being in the same house for 16 yrs & working in an office during that time, we had to make a big move that forced me to scale down for the 1st time in my life. Oh my, you can imagine all the extras of office style stuff I had accumulated, along with all the junk. This how I sounded as I went through my stuff. I have now done 3 major declutters. We kept scaling down in home size. Now we are mobile on the road.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you Kim! I bet you have great tips on decluttering from doing a downsize.

[@kimporter9171]

@@THEJENNIFERCOOK The hardest things for me to declutter were books, momentos & photo's. I worked on those items last. I would do about 4 seasonal purges each year, 3 different years. Each purge you find more that you wonder, why do I still have this. It becomes so routine after awhile. Assign real estate for everything & never exceed that. Your filing cabinet is full, don't buy another one to fill, clean it out. Same way with books, clothes, multi media. We have been living in a 20 ft RV now for 2 years traveling. We really have to follow that rule now. I love decluttering. Its like a scavenger hunt now. What can I get rid of today!

[@jackieo8693]

The itchy sweater story... Hahaha perfect

[@Esther-ps3vx]

When my kids were little I made a washing machine and a dryer and few other things out of cardboard boxes. Not only did I enjoyed making them but my kids loved playing with them thus saving me money at a toy store. I had a lot of gift cards, so two years back I went online to see how much money is on the cards, tossed out the empty ones and wrote the balance with a sharpie on the others and used them up. December 2020 I started selling on eBay , and I sold my kids books and made some money. Also I make my own custom boxes thus saving me money on shipping. Till date I have not bought even one box. I have stopped taking freebies from conferences as not only do they clutter, but also it is not good for the environment because the companies keep on buying them which eventually goes in the trash.

[@christinebyrnes3164]

We don't get newspapers so to protect our table when my kids do painting I cut open an old large cardboard box, lay it flat on the table under their artwork and it works really well, soaks up a lot of mess too. Then it can go in the recycle bin afterwards. I was getting too many reusable plastic bags from grocery pick up so I switched to the paper bag option, I then rip it up and put it in my compost or use them for kids craft. I try and buy glass 'Tupperware' containers as they don't stain like the plastic ones. Some older beaten up plastic containers I use to store small kids toys or stationery in rather than throwing them out Love these videos 👍

[@EmilyDowgialo]

Yesss one of my favorite things ever, decluttering!

[@liesbethbos3049]

On paint; when I moved I asked friends for their old paint and used it to paint the new place with. I only had to buy a fraction new. Then... I was left with all these paint cans. I poured samples in small old jars in case I need to touch something up. All the rest I donated again.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Great idea!

[@9159bsbs]

Haha! Life is too short for droopy drawers, tight bras and holey socks! I’ve been on a decluttering spree since January and today we dropped off several boxes at the Good Samaritan place instead of the Goodwill. I always offer donation stuff to the neighbors beforehand or use the OfferUp app. Thanks for the motivation. 😊

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Barbara thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@ellenmmcqueen]

Crayons can be sent back to Crayola for recycling. It’s a great program.

[@taylornicole4316]

Loved the tip about old perfumes, I am very scentsitive! I need to do that for sure.

[@Bbasap73]

love your personality….preach, baby!! lol 😂

[@nancybonarowski5427]

You can also donate flower vases to nursing homes for when residents receive flowers without vases.

[@wendyfay16]

Hospitals too ...

[@yolandapagan5656]

Cell phone boxes are great to micro organize drawers. Some of these boxes are organizing my husband's bracelets & necklaces.

[@WilletteB]

I've done some of these and a few more suggested. Thanks for sharing.🙂

[@jefferydewberry7659]

You inspired me to start purging and giving away! amazing how many things i have held on to for zero reason other than the idea that i might need it.

[@adz5bneweng589]

Skip the chip clips. Use rubber bands! Nicely rolled packages that easily stack...

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Great idea! Love saving room too!

[@SimplyBeautiful516]

I like this idea! It’s funny because I use it for bags of frozen French fries and frozen veggies but never thought to use this method for chips. 🤦‍♀️

[@WilletteB]

I bought chip clips once at an outlet store. I find these plastic clips break easily. I tend to use clothespins as my chip clip. It's reusable and one less thing to purchase.

[@Joyce-id3dr]

Because I hang my clothes out to dry in the summertime I have a bag of plastic colored clothespins. I use them to close chip bags, and bread bags.

[@jackieo8693]

I love using rubber bands to keep packages closed

[@orchidgarden2553]

You are so right in the itchy sweater!!! Lol

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Haha right!

[@sueguzman6416]

These are all GREAT tips. Very inspired to make a point of dumping most of these clutter magnets 👍🏻

[@michelletodd7322]

Great ideas that you listed. Sad thing is that I have issues with every last item you talked about. I think it's time to do some good spring cleaning.

[@aprilhoover3481]

Offer leftover paint to community theatre groups or maybe school drama departments for set painting. Brushes, rollers, paint trays are also welcome donations.

[@rhondatallent2396]

I love your videos!🤩🤩 Big boxes are perfect for playing house.

[@njoolong]

We once took a big kitchen appliance box, opened/cut it up and used the big pieces on our staircase to make a slide 🤸‍♀️🎢

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

That sounds like a lot of fun!

[@ellenmmcqueen]

My kids played with the fridge box for months! It was a fort, a canoe, a masterful art project, and a Christmas decoration. Highly necessary for imagination and play without any electronics.

[@julihath8046]

Suggestion:. Ditch old Tupperware. Their website says they have been BPA-free since 2010. Anything you have pre-dating 2010 contains BPA. It made me sad to ditch mine, but I can also reevaluate which ones I really needed and which ones I didn't.

[@drdianneLc]

I have a flatiron for hair straightening. I was going to pass it on, but decided it could be very useful for craft projects & other out of the box uses. The latest use I have found was for toothpaste tubes. I know it might sound a bit OCD, but I hate when tubes of toothpaste get all squeezed & wonky. Now, as toothpaste gets emptier, I squeeze it more to the top, heat the empty end where I would cut it, I heat seal it & cut off the empty end. It no longer takes forever to squeeze it to the opening or takes up as much space. I know that you can buy those gadgets that squeeze the tube, but not everyone in the family utilities it. I know it must sound crazy to some, but it gives a much more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The flatiron is also great for sealing chip bags & waxed paper bag inserts in boxes of food, keeping it fresh between uses. No need to buy anything different for sealing these things.

[@andreastrauss9456]

Donate your old glasses to your local Lions Club...they reuse!

[@70chevelle54]

Yes! Walmart Optical Center often has drop boxes for Lions Club.

[@annbirdsley586]

I like all these tips... I can relate to the itchy sweater thing! I have been guilty of owning more than one itchy sweater🤪

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Haha yep! Ugh itcy sweaters!

[@TheNinnyfee]

Old underpants: Wash them in the hottest cycle (95 C) and after drying you can cut them up into rags (at least the upper parts) and stuff cushions, plush dolls/pets, etc. with the rags if you have enough. But don't collect them 1 at a time, just when you declutter a whole bunch. I fully agree on itchy clothes, don't even buy them. ♥️ On coffee mugs or other collectibles: even if you like them, set a low limit per person and stick to it. It will keep the clutter away.

[@taylornicole4316]

Love these videos! I cleaned out my closet today and took a lot of things to Goodwill. :)

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Yay for closet clean out day 😃

[@zoilacruz1843]

I am writing down the tips, and every day for 15 min I see what can I get rid of my life!!! ( I set the timer so I don’t go more than 15 min) Thanks for the tips

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

That is a very smart way to do it! Dedicating small amounts of time. 😊

[@feathersky860]

@@THEJENNIFERCOOK YES INDEED ! 👍❤️✔️🦅

[@prayersquad3391]

Try having a size 12 foot. I wore a size 10 in high school. Your size 8 or 9 would be a blessing.

[@vivianblack2951]

Try trying to get a half size after 10, no 10.5, no 11.5, etc. I had 10 in high school and shoe sizes stopped at 9 back then.

[@prayersquad3391]

@vivian I feel your pain! 😄🤣

[@selena0ldenoughtoknowbette244]

Declutter old alcohol..... Declutter old out of date over the counter cold meds... pepto, allergy meds, cough drops, partial lotions, shampoos from hotels.

[@jacquieb112]

A few good reminders for me. Thank you!

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you 🤗❤

[@cindysams9832]

Of all the things you mentioned, I only need to go through towels and underwear ...lol

[@westcoastsands]

You look so radiant!

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you so much!

[@jerrychetty2524]

Thanks Jennifer, I will be starting on a major declutter soon, as I am reorganizing my cupboards and storage space, I did watch this video when it came out and I am back again 3 months later as I said I always go back to re view them. I am quite addicted to your world 🌍❤️😍🔙😎top cat you are

[@chillydawgg4354]

Where I live the local lions club has a drop box for old eyeglasses in the grocery store. Wire hangers can still be used if you come across someone locked out of their car, also I bent one up to hold my phone in the car for gps instead of buying a plastic suction cup thing

[@lynnegordon6749]

I don't find you preachy. Glad I found your channel.

[@marinacarter131]

Old iPhone boxes are great for mailing small items that need extra protection eg. Sunglasses

[@gracemann391]

Love all your videos! Very good advice!

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you Grace!

[@martinherrera9755]

It would be so nice if ppl think before they advise people to cancel receiving mail a lot of hard working people that I know and family members that I love depend on this job of delivering mail that’s why I Will never cancel mail coming to our house we 🙏 take care of it as soon as comes inside our house…

[@sandrascustomcleaning634]

And old holiday covid.Thanks for tips

[@whateverjuli7265]

Hallo Jennifer, a lot of greetings from a German viewer. I really enjoy your Videos, they inspire me so much, although living and spending Money here is so much different from the US. Like two different worlds ! I also liked your cooking Video, i am a vegan too. I will try To make it ☺️ I wish you all the best!

[@gloriaousley7075]

Great ideas.....Love your channel❤️

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you so much Gloria!

[@VeganMangoQueen]

Wow the refrigerator box reminded me of college days when a girl in our dorm cut eye & arm holes in one & pulled the fire alarm then ran around outside in it while the bldg evacuated. Sounds so weird now but oh those were the days 🤣

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Oh my gosh you just made me laugh so hard! 🤣

[@bruce5895]

Tip # 32 for saving your money, trade or barter for what you want.

[@deborahroper3694]

Great video 👍

[@TheKelmonster]

I just looked at my smartphone's warrantee and it requires the original box. The warrantee is for one year, so I will recycle the box in a couple months.

[@rachelleuthold5378]

recently discovered: switch audible for overdrive (and a library card). free (and better for working humans and the environment)!

[@prayersquad3391]

My mother used to reuse my dad's boxers to polish the furniture. I think it was her idea of sex education. 😄🤣

[@liliamrodriguez3020]

Great video

[@99zanne]

Any Lion’s Club will take glasses. Also, expired credit cards are useful in the craft/art studio.

[@awildandsimplelife]

Great info! Thanks for sharing this. ❤️

[@Sabiha-30]

Fab list!

[@deborahw.5980]

About a year ago I minimized my ear decor . . . I now wear only one pair of earrings, the same pair, all the time. I feel so much lighter!

[@gitouttamycage9221]

Old hidden candy??? There's no such thing!

[@jearodz]

yes, there is, hiding in the purses, bags/ backpacks, drawers, etc.

[@factsoverfiction7826]

@@jearodz I think OP was joking.

[@carlenegilstrap2871]

If you live in the South, hair-bows and barrettes are still a thing. Lol

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Haha yep!

[@suefrack2958]

I couldn't believe just how many of the things you listed I have and need to get rid of! Are donation places open to receive things?

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Hi Sue, I think it depends on your area. Call and check around.

[@lindabourketempleton4040]

Put your Amazon boxes on the porch with donations in it , someone will take them for you 😝

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

🤣🤣🤣

[@momof2momof2]

Lolol you don't have a big foot, I wear a 12. 99.99% of the art in my home is on a gallery wall in my living room, and are paintings my late Mom painted. I must be doing well, because I don't have to get rid of anything on the list :) tfs 🥰🌵🏜️❣️💕💞💗💖💘💝🥰🌵🏜️❣️💕💞💗💖💘💝

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

❤🤗

[@KJF1617]

Eye glasses...donate to Lions Club or Rotary Club Paint...Restore stores will often take partial to full cans of paint Luggage, totes...foster care organizations often take these pieces for children to use when being moved. Better than garbage bags that have a negative connotation Craft supplies or craft books...nursing homes, school art classes, Boy's and Girls' Clubs.

[@NLY1WAY4U]

Lions Club takes old glasses. Look for drop offs at Walmart or your eye doctors office.

[@anothercappyd.c.9913]

We are ready to sell our place, we need to declutter !

[@altaneri6980]

Great video! I have decluttered alot of what you mentioned. We have coffee mugs from the Waffle House and the hubby will not part from them 😅

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you Alta! Must be an amazing coffee mug 🤣

[@karenyee9812]

In regard to freezer burned meat. Contact local dog rescues. Sometimes they will have dogs with special needs who eat raw meat for some reason or another. They are usually overjoyed to receive a donation of free freezer burned meat.

[@mamakaka73]

I had an old container of paint that I gave to my dsughter that is in her diy stage for her crafts. Maybe you can find a teen that likes to diy they will gladly use it.

[@wendyfay16]

OR - Ask first if your local hospital would use extra *vases*. OR - Ask if they have a *book &/or magazine* trolley that goes around for patients. OR - Doctor &/or dentist might also be pleased to receive clean *Children's Books* and *Toys* that are still in good condition for their waiting rooms. OR - Donate New smaller sized *toothpaste* and *toothbrushes* (in small toilet/make-up bags) or Handbags that can be used for job interviews, to your local Women's Shelter, or Youth Centre, OR - CLEAN *warm blankets* or *sleeping bags* to Women's Shelters Or Youth Shelters OR - bundle up age appropriate gift bags of *toys*, *coloured pencils*, etc. for children who have had to leave home in a rush. OR - Good Condition/Quality *Work/Business Clothes*, or *Baby* and *Children's Clothes* are also helpful for Womens Refuges. Remember that if you don't want them because they are too worn or outdated to wear for a new job, or job interview, then let goodwill or someone else use them. - New make-up, small containers of shampoo, conditioner and other new items like this from aircraft or hotel rooms can be gifted in a nice bag, or handbag, overnight bag, backpack, etc. especially for people who are living on the streets. Remember that these items are better in small containers because they have to ne carried around during the day. Even extra new *pillows* can come in handy. If you have a lot of spare *pillowcases*, just run a row of stitching around the top opening and add a drawstring to *use as a pillowcase*, or *a bag* with a drawstring or sew handles on it & can also be used as a daytime carry bag. OR - Sew up the 2 sides of a *sheet lengthwise* starting far enough down to be able to slide into it at night as a sleeping packet, or add a few press clips to the top half of the side. OR - sew them widthwise for children or smaller people. OR - sew a few pillowcases together by their sides leaving the side opening open, then a pillow can be slipped into each opening to use as some warm/more comfortable cushioning as a mattress with the top one being used as a pillow. Or - sew something waterproof to the underneath of the pillowcases or 'sleeping bag' sheets. Even older shower curtains or heavy plastic from new mattresses, etc can be used. Great to stop any dampness coming up onto the base, or even to reduce the cold coming up from the ground. Even better if you have a heap of spare sewing accessories that you can use to add clips onto the plastic and fabric base so the plastic can be removed for washing. We have vans that are set up with a shower or 2, and washing machines so that the homeless can wash their clothing, etc while having a shower. 2 young Aussie young people began it, and they now have several around Australia that set up in the local park for a morning, afternoon or whole day. This is where toiletries can also be used. Remember that women also have additional needs to men ... so a little bag with those personal needs, and maybe small shampoo and conditioner can also be included for them. And a razor for the men? Just remember that they may have to carry them around with them during the day. Check to see if your local animal shelter can use your unused, or clean pet toys or beds, or warm bedding, or anything that can be used to sew or knit boots for animals who have been hurt in bushfire, or just need a warm bed after a flood. REMEMBER that your local *Homeless*, *Women's* or *Youth Shelters*, or *Animal Refuges* or *Rescue* Groups will give items that are clean quality/good condition to groups/people who need them most Before the Op shops, or Goodwill stores because they will often be purchased just to be cut up for rags or craft items, or for the buttons. There are so many People and Animals who are always in need who remain hidden during the day. -Local Shelters- will know where they go at night OR could even give them out with their *Food Trucks* for those who sleep on the streets.

[@ioannisnikolaidis2023]

Actually we don't throw our underwear in the trash but we recycle them in the blue bean which is for clothes

[@JC-vz9hz]

Knickey recycles old undergarments. I just found this out.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Wow didn't know that! Thanks Jennifer

[@karynward6205]

Theatre groups with their own costume wardrobe always need more hangers

[@dominiquehazzard5925]

the wax crayon put them in cupcake case and in the microwave

[@martibriley1841]

My son played with an empty refrigerator box and broke his collarbone. Never let him have a box again.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Oh no! 😥

[@tammycobaugh276]

Book jackets cover hard cover books

[@noreenpociej5145]

I’m surprised a ,minimalist would decorate with books that will just sit there with no other purpose and collect dust.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Hi Noreen, we had those from before I knew about minimalism. However, I do enjoy the look of them on the shelves.