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Getting Rid Of It: Eliminate the Clutter in Your Life
You have too much stuff! Your closets are filled with clothes you never wear. You have not seen your kitchen counters in months. Your junk drawer has exploded into an entire room of things you don't use. How can we say that when we don't even know you? Well, because most people do and we were just like you.
In 2008 we put our decluttering and downsizing skills to the ultimate test: Get Rid of Everything we owned in order to follow our dream and travel around the world. From that experience we documented every step in the process to provide you with the comprehensive guide to decluttering your home and putting some extra cash in your packet.
How do you think your life could change if you got rid of some of the stuff tying you down? You don't have to go as far as we did, but you'll benefit from our extreme experience no matter big or small your decluttering project may be. We know decluttering inside and out, and you can take advantage of our experience to create your own clutter-free zone for relaxing, socializing, and spending time with family and friends.
In 2008 we put our decluttering and downsizing skills to the ultimate test: Get Rid of Everything we owned in order to follow our dream and travel around the world. From that experience we documented every step in the process to provide you with the comprehensive guide to decluttering your home and putting some extra cash in your packet.
How do you think your life could change if you got rid of some of the stuff tying you down? You don't have to go as far as we did, but you'll benefit from our extreme experience no matter big or small your decluttering project may be. We know decluttering inside and out, and you can take advantage of our experience to create your own clutter-free zone for relaxing, socializing, and spending time with family and friends.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2011
163 people are currently reading
825 people want to read
About the author
Betsy Talbot
10 books44 followersSince I first learned to read, I've devoured at least one book a week (currently, about three). As curious as I am about what other people write, I'm just as curious to talk about it in real life, especially if we can do it over a great meal.
In 2010, I sold everything I owned along with my husband to take off on a trip around the world that turned into a full-time lifestyle. You'd think this adventure would have replaced some of my reading time, but if anything it fueled it.
In 2014 we bought a house in a small village in Spain, and when we're not traveling, this is where we make our home. It's a beautiful place to live and write...and read!
After coauthoring four nonfiction books with my husband, I'm now writing a romance series for women over 40 called The Late Bloomers. Adventure, love, and self-discovery await these experienced and confident women!
Happy reading,
Betsy
In 2010, I sold everything I owned along with my husband to take off on a trip around the world that turned into a full-time lifestyle. You'd think this adventure would have replaced some of my reading time, but if anything it fueled it.
In 2014 we bought a house in a small village in Spain, and when we're not traveling, this is where we make our home. It's a beautiful place to live and write...and read!
After coauthoring four nonfiction books with my husband, I'm now writing a romance series for women over 40 called The Late Bloomers. Adventure, love, and self-discovery await these experienced and confident women!
Happy reading,
Betsy
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 24, 2012
What a lovely surprise this book has turned out to be. I was expecting an average motivational blurb on how-to-do. I know how to clear up and clean up; but I wasn't getting it done. For months I had promised myself that I would get around to de-cluttering my home; but I wasn't getting it done. I tried making lists with timescales; but I wasn't getting it done. So I picked up this little kindle book. Maybe this will help get it done. It's working - I've started the de-cluttering.
This book lends itself well to the hare who needs to race ahead, the person who needs to read through all the suggestions and exercises in one sitting. I read this in an afternoon and made notes on how I could apply the written word to my cluttered life. I am now quite happy to take the tortoise route and do a thorough job in manageable chunks as recommended by the authors.
The book reads a bit like the news broadcasts. In the introducation we are told what we are going to be told. Then the following ten chapters are laid out in easy to follow logical sections. I could picture myself doing things the authors' way. The last part tells you what has just been said, the summing up of the news or the how-to-do the de-cluttering. The one gripe that I do have, and it is not that big a moan really, is the fact that in the final section, Additional Resources, the authors plug at great length their DreamSaveDo book. But the plug was not uncomfortable.
In fact I did go to their website to check out what the cost of these additional resources were retailing at. The cynic in me thought ' ha! this book is the sprat to catch the mackeral' I think the cynic in me got it wrong. The website is worth checking out if more hands-on support is needed. This book I have just read is worth recommending to others who have clutter in their lives that is unmanageable. I will use this book as I de-clutter. I have no hesitation in recommending this useful little book.
This book lends itself well to the hare who needs to race ahead, the person who needs to read through all the suggestions and exercises in one sitting. I read this in an afternoon and made notes on how I could apply the written word to my cluttered life. I am now quite happy to take the tortoise route and do a thorough job in manageable chunks as recommended by the authors.
The book reads a bit like the news broadcasts. In the introducation we are told what we are going to be told. Then the following ten chapters are laid out in easy to follow logical sections. I could picture myself doing things the authors' way. The last part tells you what has just been said, the summing up of the news or the how-to-do the de-cluttering. The one gripe that I do have, and it is not that big a moan really, is the fact that in the final section, Additional Resources, the authors plug at great length their DreamSaveDo book. But the plug was not uncomfortable.
In fact I did go to their website to check out what the cost of these additional resources were retailing at. The cynic in me thought ' ha! this book is the sprat to catch the mackeral' I think the cynic in me got it wrong. The website is worth checking out if more hands-on support is needed. This book I have just read is worth recommending to others who have clutter in their lives that is unmanageable. I will use this book as I de-clutter. I have no hesitation in recommending this useful little book.
July 1, 2012
The "Story":
The Talbots live a minimalist lifestyle and explain how they do it and why.
The Review:
The Talbots are really clear with explaining what they do and why. I really liked the idea of getting rid of the clutter that surrounds you so that you can be mentally free of clutter. They talked about how they made money, and I wish I felt like I could actually make money, but I did feel inspired to clean some stuff out. Anyone want to buy some of my clutter?
The Talbots live a minimalist lifestyle and explain how they do it and why.
The Review:
The Talbots are really clear with explaining what they do and why. I really liked the idea of getting rid of the clutter that surrounds you so that you can be mentally free of clutter. They talked about how they made money, and I wish I felt like I could actually make money, but I did feel inspired to clean some stuff out. Anyone want to buy some of my clutter?
January 7, 2014
Wow! I was surprised by how useful and succinct this book was. So many of these types of books might get into the whys and might even give some hints as to how to start decluttering. This book was very precise in giving instructions and some of the roadblocks you might throw up while cleaning.
The only bugaboo I had about this book was the constant "advertising" of their online course. It's nice to know about it, but I didn't have to be reminded at the end of every chapter.
The only bugaboo I had about this book was the constant "advertising" of their online course. It's nice to know about it, but I didn't have to be reminded at the end of every chapter.
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January 28, 2014Quick read
nothing earth shattering but a good practical approach to decluttering your home. A few,good new,ideas. A Quick and,easy read. Would like to read their story
nothing earth shattering but a good practical approach to decluttering your home. A few,good new,ideas. A Quick and,easy read. Would like to read their story
January 16, 2019
A good little motivation story to get you started on your New Years Resolution to Declutter and simplify your life ...
The journey continues for me - but I am making progress .. it feels so good to get rid of the stuff that is really just in the way of your happy decluttered life.
Big take aways for me:
O start small - finish big
O one in - two out - if you buy something new - two existing things have to go
O Start with your closet - if you don’t love it - get rid of it - declutter - organize by category - keep at it.
O Next bathrooms
O Then Kitchens
O save the garage, attic and basements for last - the skills you learn from your smaller declutter efforts will pay off and speed up your mission in these areas - get rid of what you don’t love.
O Keep at it - 15 minutes to an hour on a daily basis will bring great long term progress.
O Finish Strong
O Have fun - encourage your partner - make it a shared goal to declutter
The journey continues for me - but I am making progress .. it feels so good to get rid of the stuff that is really just in the way of your happy decluttered life.
Big take aways for me:
O start small - finish big
O one in - two out - if you buy something new - two existing things have to go
O Start with your closet - if you don’t love it - get rid of it - declutter - organize by category - keep at it.
O Next bathrooms
O Then Kitchens
O save the garage, attic and basements for last - the skills you learn from your smaller declutter efforts will pay off and speed up your mission in these areas - get rid of what you don’t love.
O Keep at it - 15 minutes to an hour on a daily basis will bring great long term progress.
O Finish Strong
O Have fun - encourage your partner - make it a shared goal to declutter
January 8, 2018
Realistic approach to eliminating clutter
I happen to be ADHD and got this book in conjunction with another one about organizing. I happen to be a pack rat of sorts holding a lot of possessions that holds memories. I felt reading a book on getting rid of things would be beneficial prior to organizing my things. It has great tips and tools to help hold your memories and removing useless items from your home and space.
I happen to be ADHD and got this book in conjunction with another one about organizing. I happen to be a pack rat of sorts holding a lot of possessions that holds memories. I felt reading a book on getting rid of things would be beneficial prior to organizing my things. It has great tips and tools to help hold your memories and removing useless items from your home and space.
June 5, 2018
A very practical and useful book with tons of ideas how to declutter and get rid of things to plan for the next adventure. I plan on on getting another one of their books as well. Can't believe it's not higher in customer ranking.
January 19, 2020
Some useful, some wilder ideas to declutter
Has some good points, but concentrates on more extreme cluttering. Definitely good ideas and goes through the house by areas which is helpful.
Has some good points, but concentrates on more extreme cluttering. Definitely good ideas and goes through the house by areas which is helpful.
May 23, 2024
Succinct and nicely organized. Good guidance for beginners and quick review for de-clutterers.
March 2, 2017
some good ideas but I do not wish to sell every thing I own and live out of a 25 pound backpack
March 16, 2015
Great Advice for Getting Rid of STUFF!
Getting Rid of It: A Step-by-Step Guide for Eliminating the Clutter in Your Life by Betsy Talbot and Warren Talbot (2012) offers a unique look at how to get rid of the physical clutter in your life. The authors are a married couple who decided to sell everything they owned so they could travel the world. Their advice on decluttering comes from what they learned during that process.
One sentence in the introduction sets the tone for the book, “We hate to break it to you, but you have too much stuff.” The statement is not judgmental, rather it is given in the spirit of people who have lived with too much stuff. The Talbots offer many examples that the reader can relate too of how that is the case.
Getting Rid of It then gets into the steps of eliminating the clutter promised in the title. Each chapter covers a specific aspect or area of decluttering, starting with the mental preparation, which explains 5 styles of decluttering. I appreciated the Talbots insight here, “None of the methods are ‘more right’ than the others. In fact, the right one is the one that is easiest for you to do.”
The book then gets into selling your stuff with many suggestions from Craigslist to yard sales. Since I prefer to donate my excess stuff, I enjoyed the ability to jump into another chapter that applied to my situation. The chapter on decluttering your garage/attic/storage building I found particularly helpful. Other chapters cover kitchen, home office, closets, and bathrooms.
Since our mental clutter can get in the way of decluttering, the Talbots chapter on sentimental value, dealing with the emotional attachment we assign to things, I found quite useful. Their view, “sentimental value is assigned by you…and if you don’t already honor it, it isn’t special.”
The authors tie everything together with final notes on decluttering and share what they learned about themselves as a result of the process. Getting Rid of It is an easy to read book filled with actionable tips from people who have lived the process.
The eBook version of Getting Rid of It provides quick links to further information, as well as links to their other books and services. Depending on your perspective, it may seem like selling or just good marketing. For example, the Talbots link to their online course, Declutter Clinic, at the end of several chapters.
We researched different aspects about clutter while preparing STUFFology101: Get Your Mind Out of the Clutter, and continue to do so in order to see what else is working for people. Getting Rid of It: The Step-by-Step Guide for Eliminating the Clutter in Your Life is another book I can recommend to help you get your mind out of the clutter.
Getting Rid of It: A Step-by-Step Guide for Eliminating the Clutter in Your Life by Betsy Talbot and Warren Talbot (2012) offers a unique look at how to get rid of the physical clutter in your life. The authors are a married couple who decided to sell everything they owned so they could travel the world. Their advice on decluttering comes from what they learned during that process.
One sentence in the introduction sets the tone for the book, “We hate to break it to you, but you have too much stuff.” The statement is not judgmental, rather it is given in the spirit of people who have lived with too much stuff. The Talbots offer many examples that the reader can relate too of how that is the case.
Getting Rid of It then gets into the steps of eliminating the clutter promised in the title. Each chapter covers a specific aspect or area of decluttering, starting with the mental preparation, which explains 5 styles of decluttering. I appreciated the Talbots insight here, “None of the methods are ‘more right’ than the others. In fact, the right one is the one that is easiest for you to do.”
The book then gets into selling your stuff with many suggestions from Craigslist to yard sales. Since I prefer to donate my excess stuff, I enjoyed the ability to jump into another chapter that applied to my situation. The chapter on decluttering your garage/attic/storage building I found particularly helpful. Other chapters cover kitchen, home office, closets, and bathrooms.
Since our mental clutter can get in the way of decluttering, the Talbots chapter on sentimental value, dealing with the emotional attachment we assign to things, I found quite useful. Their view, “sentimental value is assigned by you…and if you don’t already honor it, it isn’t special.”
The authors tie everything together with final notes on decluttering and share what they learned about themselves as a result of the process. Getting Rid of It is an easy to read book filled with actionable tips from people who have lived the process.
The eBook version of Getting Rid of It provides quick links to further information, as well as links to their other books and services. Depending on your perspective, it may seem like selling or just good marketing. For example, the Talbots link to their online course, Declutter Clinic, at the end of several chapters.
We researched different aspects about clutter while preparing STUFFology101: Get Your Mind Out of the Clutter, and continue to do so in order to see what else is working for people. Getting Rid of It: The Step-by-Step Guide for Eliminating the Clutter in Your Life is another book I can recommend to help you get your mind out of the clutter.
July 20, 2015
I bought the Kindle version of this book some time ago. I have started the process of ridding our home of clutter in preparation for a move, I took only a couple of hours to read this helpful book. The first chapter gets right to the point, "We have too much stuff." I found useful suggestions for ridding clutter from closets, kitchens, bathrooms, garages, storage sheds, etc. It is the first book of this sort that I have read that not only suggests selling some items but actually gives hints on how to do so. It includes several websites to refer to for more information. Also included were suggestions on how to preserve old photos digitally along with options for backup in case your computer dies. It includes suggestions for digitally storing articles and recipes that we so often add to our clutter by clipping and saving but so seldom use. It includes hints on organizing cleaning supplies and computer files. Easily read in two to three hours with enough suggestions and websites to make it worth the time. Obviously they were pushing their online course on eliminating clutter but the book gave me plenty of ideas. It also helped me put into perspective those sentimental items that are hard to part with and the feelings of guilt over ridding myself of gifts I've received but can't truly appreciate.
January 1, 2014
Great for those needing some motivation to declutter. The authors do mention their Declutter Clinic several times, but they also give practical advice you can follow to clean out your house. I did think the information was a little out-dated. I wouldn't recommend using Craigslist as much as the authors do, simply because it has become a home for scammers and thieves. If you're a former linebacker, you may feel safer using Craigslist than I do. I'll just stick to Ebay, Freecycle, and donating to my local thrift store.
This book also has advice on how to make yourself get rid of those sentimental items that you really don't need (or in some cases, even want) anymore. Over all, it's a good combination of room-by-room culling and changing your attitude toward your stuff.
This book also has advice on how to make yourself get rid of those sentimental items that you really don't need (or in some cases, even want) anymore. Over all, it's a good combination of room-by-room culling and changing your attitude toward your stuff.
February 28, 2015
Recap of typical cluttering advice woven in author's story
This was a well organized, well written e-book. However, I was disappointed in that I learned nothing new about clearing clutter. Most of the tips were tried-and-truisms (e.g., monitor how frequently you wear clothes in your closet by turning hanger's direction of lesser worn items; after no use in x months, donate them...). The book is a fast read and offers basic information on handling clutter, but it wasn't right for me. The author spent a lot of pages talking about her motivation to sell most of her goods and use the money earned to travel. I could have done without this memoir slant...but like I said, this book wasn't right for me.
This was a well organized, well written e-book. However, I was disappointed in that I learned nothing new about clearing clutter. Most of the tips were tried-and-truisms (e.g., monitor how frequently you wear clothes in your closet by turning hanger's direction of lesser worn items; after no use in x months, donate them...). The book is a fast read and offers basic information on handling clutter, but it wasn't right for me. The author spent a lot of pages talking about her motivation to sell most of her goods and use the money earned to travel. I could have done without this memoir slant...but like I said, this book wasn't right for me.
September 3, 2012
Great book. The authors help you understand why you keep the things you do in a simple manner without being condescending if you choose to keep things. I highlighted so many quotes in this book. This one in particular struck me, where they talk about all the sentimental feelings we have when we come across something we'd forgotten we had:
"if an item is truly valuable to you, you will not lose track of it or forget about its existence."
Enjoy the moment you found it, relish the memories, and process the feelings that come with it. Then, give it to someone who will get more use out of it rather than it sitting in a box.
"if an item is truly valuable to you, you will not lose track of it or forget about its existence."
Enjoy the moment you found it, relish the memories, and process the feelings that come with it. Then, give it to someone who will get more use out of it rather than it sitting in a box.
January 5, 2014
This was a free book I downloaded to my kindle quite a while ago. I thought it was a fast read, well written and has inspired me to get better organized this year. Many of the presented ideas are not new but I found it all to be a good reminder. There was a detailed section on placing items for sale on craigslist or ebay if you are trying to make money. Things I feel motivated to tackle now: clean out freezer, spices, utensil drawer and garage. I also plan to set up a charger station, organize all my "cords" and "gadgets". I will keep working on clearing book shelves and definitely transferring old photos to digital photos! Nothing new here but gives you a kick to get started.
August 25, 2014
I think this book is written to an audience of single or married with no children. Some interesting ideas and it did what I wanted it to: inspire me to go through our stuff. I just don't think a 40 something year old married, mother of 4 who home schools is really the intended audience. The bit about decluttering the linen closet made me feel good. It's the one area of my house that is already decluttered and organized. I do not have any extra towels or sheets to get rid of! There are books better suited for familes, especially homeschooling families, to encourage and support you in your efforts to declutter your life.
February 10, 2014
I've read lots of these simplify books and this one is really good! They give you some reasons to reduce, some understanding of why you don't, haven't and can't seem too and then they give you a simple plan/schedule to get you moving. And that is the crux of their book and advice - Just begin and keep moving. You're going to like this book!
I re-read this book because I was about to start eliminating clutter via the second round. I thought their advice was good as it worked well on the first round, so just a review.
I re-read this book because I was about to start eliminating clutter via the second round. I thought their advice was good as it worked well on the first round, so just a review.
January 1, 2014
Some good ideas
There are countless books out there about decluttering and this one is probably like most of those. I had a hard time relating to the authors who went from packrats to selling every single thing they owned and backpacking around the world. I can't live like that. I need some good strategies on getting rid of the clutter, like where to start, and some systems to implement that will reduce clutter in the future. This book mentioned a few of these but oversimplified, trying to get the reader to download their workshops in order to get the details.
There are countless books out there about decluttering and this one is probably like most of those. I had a hard time relating to the authors who went from packrats to selling every single thing they owned and backpacking around the world. I can't live like that. I need some good strategies on getting rid of the clutter, like where to start, and some systems to implement that will reduce clutter in the future. This book mentioned a few of these but oversimplified, trying to get the reader to download their workshops in order to get the details.
January 11, 2014
This book interesting to read as well as helpful. I like how it discusses an area of the house, how to de-clutter it, and then a weekend challenge at the end of each chapter. They have some novel ideas for selling items you no longer need. It addresses the psychological reasons why we don't want to get rid of stuff, though I think it could have gone in to that aspect deeper, they do end each chapter with an invitation to get more in-depth help from their web site.
July 10, 2015
This book provides a do-able plan of action to eliminate extra stuff in your life. All of us own way too much. Clutter is overtaking our lives and making it hard to find room for what is important. By freeing ourselves from the extra things in our homes, we also free up our lives and our routines. The authors managed to use the money the made selling extra stuff to travel the world full time! An inspiration for everyone, even if all you want to do is create a more livable home.
January 12, 2016
I don't know when I downloaded this book but I finally got around to reading it while on Christmas break at my parents. I enjoyed it, and am really anxious to get back home and start working on purging my house of unnecessary and unwanted stuff. I'm not looking to downsize and travel the world like they did, but the tips and ideas they shared would work for any kind of lifestyle. I can't wait to get home and get started!
December 18, 2014
This is a great book! Because I'm a minimalist, I've followed several of these instructions for years. However, there are several things they discuss that I did not know and I found those very helpful. I'm really glad I read this book, and I'm going to keep it around as a reference guide as I continue to work at having even fewer possessions.
September 5, 2015
Great tips and inspiration
lots of good tips,step by step direction on how to do everything they describe in the book. lots of encouraging words and common sense that really makes you question why you have held onto some possessions for so long. the book also makes it easier to let go of these personal possessions.
lots of good tips,step by step direction on how to do everything they describe in the book. lots of encouraging words and common sense that really makes you question why you have held onto some possessions for so long. the book also makes it easier to let go of these personal possessions.
February 20, 2014
Good Start to Understanding Clutter
I thought this book was a good first step to Understanding what clutter is, how to deal with it, and the benefits achieved from decluttering your space. The authors provided a pretty simple, easy to understand assessment of room to room decluttering techniques and various options to rid yourself of the unwanted objects.
I thought this book was a good first step to Understanding what clutter is, how to deal with it, and the benefits achieved from decluttering your space. The authors provided a pretty simple, easy to understand assessment of room to room decluttering techniques and various options to rid yourself of the unwanted objects.
September 14, 2015
Good set of basics, not much more.
If you've already studied several books on decluttering, the only thing you are likely to get out of this book are repeated tips on how to sell your items on craigslist. If you are new to trying to purge your life of extras, especially if you hope to make money off your discards, this book may be a good starting place for you.
If you've already studied several books on decluttering, the only thing you are likely to get out of this book are repeated tips on how to sell your items on craigslist. If you are new to trying to purge your life of extras, especially if you hope to make money off your discards, this book may be a good starting place for you.
February 16, 2012
Enjoyed this on my kindle. entertaining as a read and full of useful tips and advice. Just good to hear about how others achieve this. also quite good to read I am trying along the right lines for simplifying my life. Well recommended by my good friend Cassie Tillett.
June 17, 2015
I read this in two hours. Some stuff was not feasible for me to do, but took some of the advice. I like how to clean out linen closets, utensil drawers, and closets. The best suggestion was on how to get rid of sentimental items.
January 4, 2014
Useful information.
Some very good tips on removing clutter from your house. It also includes tips on how to overcome obstacles based on your personality type. Will definitely use some of these strategies.
Some very good tips on removing clutter from your house. It also includes tips on how to overcome obstacles based on your personality type. Will definitely use some of these strategies.
January 23, 2014
Although there were many good ideas throughout this book, it was actually an ad for their website and program. There was a continuing mention of going to their site to learn more about the program. That was a turn-off to me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews