Well, I guess the month is not officially over, but I am calling my part of the challenge over. I was able to get rid of 35 things. For my dresser and closet, it helped me to clear out some space so I can see better what I actually have. As far as saving money, I think that would be it there. If I can see what clothes I actually do have, I won't be so tempted to go and buy more. A feng shui expert I know does say that clutter represents stuck "chi" or energy. So getting rid of clutter can help with that, too.

- gave all clothes to charity, except for a threadbare pair of socks
- gave a lot of plastic bags to charity
- gave 2 books to charity
- recycled some old magazines and one water-damaged book
- took old receipts, old checks, old deposit slips, and junk mail to a place where they are guaranteed to be shredded
- recycled old insurance information packet
- threw away old non-working marker

How did you all do? How did it help you?

I read Ima Saver's entry about her challenge. I was inspired, but I rarely have $5.00 bills in my wallet, but I do frequently have spare change. My challenge is to save all my spare change and use it pay off Hospital Debt #1. That is my #1 priority this year. I feel fairly confident of being able to do it.

Well, I found another shirt that I have never worn. Someone bought it for me and I hate it. I also found a pair of pants that don't fit well. I took both of those to the Goodwill today. While at the Goodwill, I bought a sweater in a neutral color and a pair of khaki pants. The sweater replaces a couple of other sweaters I have that are no longer suitable for work, but I can wear around the house. The pants are a better fitting pair of pants that replace those I took to Goodwill.

That makes 35!

Well, last night and this morning I have made a lot of progress. This is what I found.

- 1 pair of threadbare socks
- 5 old magazines that I no longer need
- 10 pieces of junk mail that I had sitting around for awhile
- 1 bag of receipts I do not need to keep
- more plastic grocery sacks
- 1 box of checks with the wrong address on them
- 1 box of deposit slips from a closed account

That's 31! I don't think I will stop there, though. I have a lot more junk to get rid of one way or another.

-----------------------
Update: I found one old marker and a state employee health insurance information packet from 2 years ago. I guess I don't need that anymore.

That's 33!

----------------

I also wanted to add that I do use the nylon canvas type shopping bags, but I only have 4, so every week, I usually have 1 to 2 of the plastic variety. After they sit around for awhile, they seem to multiple like bunnies. So, after a few months, I gather them up and take them to some place like Goodwill, who seems to be thrilled to get them. I would like to get more of the nylon bags, so I am keeping my eyes open for them. I will also add that I am recycling the magazines, not throwing them away.

Well, with the exception of one of the paperback books, I took everything else to the Goodwill store today to donate it. The paperback book I am going to recycle because it apparently got wet somehow and I can't see someone wanting to pay money for it. This morning, I discovered another clothing item which was threadbare and had lots of holes in it. It hit the dust bin. I don't know what effect this challenge will have on my finances, but perhaps by getting rid of stuff I no longer need or are unuseable, I can make room for other stuff.

That's 12!

Well, I have been looking for more stuff tonight after getting home from work. I found 2 books that I have had since college and have not opened them since. So, because one is in good condition, I will take it to the Goodwill tomorrow. The other is warped by water, so I will take it for recycling.

That's 10 items so far!

---------------------------------

I found another shirt. That makes 11!

Well, I did not think I would be able to participate in the 30 in 30 days Challenge. Well, I did yesterday and didn't even realize it until just now. I gathered up 2 pairs of blue jeans we no longer wear and also a bag full of plastic grocery sacks and took them to the local Salvation Army. Before I get flamed for not reusing my grocery sacks, please let me assure you I have enough plastic sacks to last for quite some time. However, the Salvation Army and Goodwill can't do without donations and I know they can use bags. Also, I found another pair of blue jeans and more plastic grocery sacks to take to the Salvation Army today. I think I will count the plastic grocery sacks as a group. So far, I have gotten rid of 4 things. Wow. That's pretty cool. I also got rid of 2 pairs of socks that were threadbare. I just threw them away. So that's 6 things so far.

-------------------

As an update, I do want to say that I do use reusable nylon grocery bags for the most part.

Well, I got paid again yesterday. I have already paid the gas and electric bills and the AAA membership. My auto/renter's insurance is on automatic withdrawal and will occur later in the month. I also made a payment on the credit card. I bought replacement pages for my planner yesterday. Last year, I was carrying a big, heavy planner that was like a large notebook. I bought another smaller, lightweight one at a yard sale. I am much happier with it, as my back was starting to hurt carrying the old one around. Later today, I will be going to the credit union to deposit some money into my car account, house account, and professional account. I already updated the balances, though. I will be getting updated statements for hospital bills #1 and #2 soon. I will pay those then.

Oh, recently I saw a post on another forum about unclaimed property. Just out of curiosity, I checked to see if any money was available for me in the several states I have lived in. Supposedly, the amount I am getting is between $1-$5, so it's not huge, but it is something. Check this website for your name: [url]http://www.unclaimed.org/default.asp[/url]. There might be money there for you, too! You do have to fill out a form and provide some proof of identification, but it seems so worth it.