How do you get rid of unwanted stuff?

Hi everyone!

As you know, I am trying to declutter my home at the moment. Last weekend we did a carboot sale and in the past I have sold things on ebay. When a charity bag comes through the door, I will fill it. The best one is the air ambulance because they take anything, which is good for books because I still have loads. So how do you get rid of your unwanted items?...

I use charity shops, but it is difficult because I have to rely on my daughter to drop stuff off for me when she's at work in town (we live in a village and I don't drive).

I use charity bags that come through the door, but this doesn't happen very often and half the time they are bogus made-up charities, although that hasn't happened recently.

I sell at the carboot sale, but this costs us £10 pitch, so you have to make that back before you start to profit. It's an early start because we travel to Finmere in Buckinghamshire which is a large one. This is still the best way for us though.

I used to do a lot of ebaying (buying and selling) but like Frugal in Bucks, I've had many bad dealings. First there's the time to photograph and list items, then there's the fees to pay, it has to be packaged and taken to the post office, you get a certificate of posting, but there will always be people who try and get stuff for free and say it hasn't arrived when I bet it has. These people are straight on to you, sending messages and threatening action. I just refund them because it's easier than losing 100% feedback. I just find it a hassle for 99p!

For now, I will stick to carbooting!

Thank you for your comment Frugal in Bucks. I am often interested in other people's lives because you pick up ideas to use yourself and also it entertains me because my life is quite dull, busy but dull! Daisy doesn't allow me time to wallow in my own self pity, but we have been through a hell of a lot in the past few years, and sometimes I dwell on it. Daisy has helped us through by giving us a positive focus, she brings joy to our lives every single day. She makes us grateful for what we have too. It does wonders for my sel-esteem that people out there are reading and are coming back to read again! It amazes me when you see the amount of comments that some bloggers receive on a single post, but I read some blogs every day and comment with the rest. I suppose it's what interests us and I'm more likely to spend any spare time I have reading blogs rather than watching tele now! When I hurt my back, I read Frugal Queen's blog from the start and took loads of notes. Some of her advice is part of our lives now and how we run our home - there's still so much to learn!!!

I probably won't blog over the weekend, so see you Monday...

Mandy x

Freebies at the dentists!!!

Hi

This morning we went to the dentist. This is a big deal to me because it really scares me. I worry about for ages before I go and this was only a check up! Thankfully I have no further problems, but I still have treatment hanging over me. I need to have a root canal treatment and then a crown on one tooth, but as it will cost me over £1000 and I don't work at the moment, it may have to wait a while. I have the money saved for the root canal (£520), vut not the crown yet. My teeth cause me a lot of problems. I have extra nerves in my bottom jaw which means I am never completely numbed for a procedure. The dentist has reassured me today that she will use different methods to make sure I am numb so I don't need to worry.

Another problem is that I have very thin enamel and this is because I suffered with hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness) with Alice throughout my pregnancy. The acid eroded my enamel and this means I am prone to fillings.

My wisdom teeth are impacted and some not even through yet, but causing me trouble. I have to have the top wisdom teeth out at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford because they have cavities because I can't get to them to clean them properly. The dentist can't get to them to fill them so they have to go. This will be done under local anaesthetic so I am petrified to face this. The surgeon said that my nerve runs so close to my bottom wisdom tooth that he will not remove it. If he touches that nerve, he will paralyse my face, so he won't take the risk. 

Another problem is that I suffer from bruxism (tooth grinding/clenching) which led to TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). This can be really painful. I have to wear a mouth guard at night to protect my teeth and relax the muscles in my jaw. This has been caused by my stressful life and traumatic experiences.

My teeth have caused me a lot of anxiety over the past few years and cost me a huge amount of money, but I need to preserve them cos I won't get any more! So I was really pleased to get a couple of freebies today... toothpaste samples!!! There were two boxes of different samples and Alice picked up one of each. We discovered later that Charlotte had also picked some up too. They are travel size, but they were free! They will do for the kid's bathroom because I have to have special toothpaste because of my thin enamel.

I have been a bit happier today because Alice was with me, but now she has gone back to her boyfriend's house. Tomorrow is another day.

Much to the horror of my family, we had ham salad and new potatoes for tea. They were annoyed because it's winter. I was bored of meat, spuds, veg and gravy dinners and fancied a change. When I'm down, I really lack motivation to do anything and that was what I was like yesterday.

After the dentist, we had a look round a couple of charity shops. Why are they so expensive now??? Every jumper I picked up was at least £7.99. I can buy them for less in Asda. I didn't buy anything.

Looking forward to a relaxing Sunday

Mandy x