Thread: 1st Annual “Junk-A-Thon” Challenge

Rules:
Challenge Starts Nov 1st and closes at midnight on Nov 30th. (no reason to delay, plus all auctions will need to be posted prior to Thanksgiving so this will not impact the holiday season)

Items purchased as investments don't count. Your Mickey Mantle rookie card you bought as an investment does not count. The items to be sold is the stuff you have that you no longer need or should have gotten rid of a long time ago. The broken air compressor you uncle gave you because he could not throw it out. The extra rims to the mustang you sold 5 years ago....

The tiffany lamp your grandmother gave you but you hate the look of is game if the only reason you saved it is because you new it was worth something.

The actions for items on ebay or other sites must close prior to the end of the challenge to count. Items on Craigslist or other similar sites must be sold by the end of the challenge. If the item sells after the deadline it does not count

The prize for most items sold/donated is based on number "lots" not number of items in the lot. For example the 4 mustang rims count as one item not 4 items, unless you sold them to 4 different people.

Items donated to charity will count toward “most items” award. 1 standard grocery bag (paper or plastic) filled with stuff counts as one item. So a tall kitchen garbage bag counts towards ~3 items and a large hefty size garbage bag counts towards ~6 items. Other items larger than a garbage bag count as one item (TV’s, couch, kids bike…)

Becouse the goal is to get stuff out of your home items given away count as donations, on freecycle or to your uncle count.

Following this same logic trash can earn you credit. A full kitchen bag of garbage counts as one item (Large hefty bag of trash is worth two items). Normal everyday trash does not count only stuff generated during cleanouts.

Awesome idea Ralph!

Nice idea, but I already been playing for most of the year! Anyone else game?

So, if I sell my old legos at 1 brink per cent...do i automatically win?

Im game. My wife would be happy if I took this action. Since I am basically a newlywed, she would love it if I got rid of my bachelor stuff.

Great idea! Speed ++

We're IN.

This is a fantastic idea.

C'mon fastlaners-- what's holding you back . . . TOO MUCH STUFF!?

-Russ H.

My Fave take on "STUFF":

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac]YouTube - George Carlin Talks About "Stuff"[/ame]

-Russ H.

Challenge Starts at 12:01 Tonight!!!(or 1:01 if you didn't set your clocks back already)

I updated the rules to the secound post so you can get credit for throwing stuff out.

I thought some before and after photo's may be fun. Here is the room i'm hoping to clean out during the challenge:

As of Oct 31st:





This room has been the dumping ground for just about anything we don't really use anymore along with all the stuff one collects when the rest of the family knows you have room for it. To give you an idea, in the back corner are the boxes we never unpacked from college 10 years ago (and we moved in 5 years ago) and the layers have just built up.

Please post you before shots, good luck

Oh I see the plan here...Get rid of stuff now so I can get more stuff for Christmas!

We went through this a couple of years ago and got rid of 3 rooms full and a shop full of stuff. I could do a little cleaning again but I don't think I have enough stuff to win this.

Actually, Runum, its a BIG, BIG part of the PLAN thread.

So the very least I can promise you is major rep speed for DOING.

(and the most-- well, that's what Part II has been about all along-- we just needed to get critical mass to get to it).

This is about more than getting rid of STUFF.

It's about changing your life-- and getting more fastlane.

You're a racer.

What's the best way to improve a car's speed (besides more horsepower/torque?)

(Hint: Weight reduction)

Same thing works for human beings.

Let's all see what we can do to lighten our loads and GET FASTER!!!

-Russ H.

Russ, could not agree more. We have found that if we really want to be serous about getting into the fast lane we need to make sure we optimize our Base.

Your home is a big part of your base, along with some others:

Health (physical and mental),
$$$ skills
Relationship with mate and family

Add them up and you can end up with a strong base to succeed:

Home = Your playing field
Health = Energy and Focus
$$$ skills = Positive Cash Flow
+ Relationships = Support
FASTLANE

Each plays a critical role

My wife and I jumped in a few years back and purchased a rental property. First few years we were breaking even, with the economy turn we are faced with a negative cash flow. We need to optimize the property but we are finding we are tripping over our base trying to find time and energy to do it. Our house is a time sink due to the amount of stuff we need to maintain and clean constantly. As we are cleaning it out we are fining more free time and the ability to focus more.

This challenge for me is to avoid the "someday" mentality to strengthen our base.

A streamlined house allows you to operate more effectively and focus on what you really want/need to be doing.

Wow Scout, that's quite the project!

Just a helpful tip--create four piles: one to keep, one for any "maybes" (stuff you aren't sure if you want to keep or get rid of) and one to sell and one to donate.

This way you can quickly do an initial sort. Once you have your donate pile, call the Salvation Army and get them over there. ...Even if you aren't done sorting, go ahead and call them to make a pick up. Just getting rid of a car load of stuff will make it easier to move about and give you the feeling of progress--which helps keep you motivated.

...I just got rid of about 5 boxes of books and 3 sacks of clothes. I love lightening the load!

Good tip, I like the sort it, then deal with it method, saves a bunch of time.

Stats so far:

$$$: $5.27 (loose change I found cleaning) I did get two items listed on ebay we will see if they sell)

Donations: 8 (two large garbage bags of clothes and two boxes of kitchen junk)

Garbage: 2 (two large garbage bags)

Awesome, I have 350+ items, mostly clothing, shoes, accessories, and even domains that are just waiting to be sold.

I've already taken most of the pictures and descriptions. I just need to take the time to list them.

I'll dedicated a hour or so a day and post the results.

I wish I would've taken before/after pictures after I decided to live more simplistic.

Anyone have any junk updates?

Junk-A-Thon Mini-Challenge

I have a mini-challenge for everyone out thier following this thread.

Take out a grocery bag (paper or plastic) tonight when you get home.

Walk through your house/apartment and fill it with anything you have not touched in the last year or two.

One rule: Try NOT touch the object before you make your decision. This may sound hokey but as soon as you touch it you are re-bonding with object and your memmories or sentiment will win.

Other pointers:
Don't linger, if you are struggling just move on.

Look for multiple objects, ditch your least favorite (ex: coffee mugs, t-shirts...)

Come post and tell everyone how you did.

Good Luck!!!

2nd Junk-A-Thon Mini-Challenge

I have another mini-challenge for everyone.

Virtual Junk-A-Thon Challenge: Empty your desktop of Icons.

This is a good one, remove all items from your desktop screen except for the two or three folders and shortcuts you use (should not be more than the first vertical row.

Just create a new folder called "Old Stuff" or "Current files" and move them all their keep this one folder on your desk top.

Only allow the one or two files you are currently working on to be on your desktop.

Also change your background to a simple color or a very simple pattern. Not distracting or complex.

Just try it for a week, if you see no change (better focus, clearer thinking while on the computer) put back your favorite picture and let the files accumulate on the screen.

Want extra credit: Get your inbox below 20 items, each item must be an action item or action item reminder. Everything else file it or delete it. Create a single folder "Current Nov 09" to put all other stuff you get but want to keep.

Thought I would give a quick update and see how folks are doing.

Just completed my first round of e-bay sold 6 items for ~$175, Good test run, I will start listing more.

Current stats:

$$$: ~$180
Donations: 12 grocery bags worth
Garbage: 3 Large garbage bags

If leaves counted I would be way ahead.

Anyone else have any updates, it is not to late to start....