#45: Why We Got Rid Of Half The Toys In The House

We had an “a-ha” moment while we were away on spring break, which led to a LARGE whole-house purge (including plenty and plenty of toys) and a ridiculously surprising reaction from our kids. So this week we talk about what inspired the change, and how it has shaped our outlook moving forward. We also share how we got so chummy with our neighbors – and how you can foster a more social atmosphere with yours. And we learn why paying attention to house staging pointers might pay off, even if you have no plans to move. Plus Sherry finds inspiration in the success story of one of her go-to accessory designers and I find inspiration by gawking at people on the beach. Like a creeper.

You can download this episode from iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio – or listen to it below! Then use this page to check out any links, notes, or photos that we referenced. Note: If you are reading in a feed reader, you might have to click through to the post to see the player.

What is New

For everyone who has asked, here is the listing for the place we stayed in Cape Canaveral for Spring Break. There are more pics of the place on Airbnb, but we have included a few of our go-to shots here.
More importantly, here is the Simplicity Parenting book that Sherry read twice and cannot stop raving about. Even if you are not a parent, it has some good reminders about the role that “stuff” plays in our lives, and some good actionable ideas for simplifying life in general.

Also, Burger had the time of his life.

Updates

In case you want to hear more of my so-called voice twin (not to be confused with Joey’s hand twin), you can listen to all six episodes of the S-Town podcast on their website or wherever you listen to our podcast (warning, it does have some adult language).
Also, is it weird that I keep jamming out to the S-Town soundtrack?

And here are our original episodes where we referenced S-Town (Episode #42), our totally not spoiled escape room (Episode #43), and what to do with paint sample cans (Episode #37)

What is Not

Here is the article on How to Stage Your Home For Living by Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist, which we realized today we confused the Joshua from The Minimalists documentary (which we discussed originally in Episode #30). Both Joshuas, both minimalism fanatics, but not the same guy. Sorry! But the Joshua who wrote the article we discuss also has a strong book too.
Also, here is the old episode where we talked about staging a house to sell (Episode #41).
And since this episodes seems to be especially self-referential, below is Episode #33, “In Pursuit of Doing More & Buying Less,” which is a good supplement to many of the things we talked about this week:

Listener Question

Below is a pic from our neighborhood Thrift Store Date Night that prompted this listener question (the episode that we talked about it originally was Episode #39). That is us in the green & yellow get-ups.
And here is an old post about that moving sale we hosted years ago that turned into an impromptu neighborhood meet up.

We are Digging

This is the Fatboy Lamzac that we mentioned seeing on the beach, but there are less pricey options too, like the Air Lounger and the more colorful (and more colorfully named) Chillbo Baggins. Update: only use these on sand/land and not in water (we have since heard about multiple issues with people being sucked under water if they break/pop/deflate).
Also, here is the beach cart we used at our rental, or the version that turns into a table which is fairly cool too.
And of course, the “quicksand” blanket that does not hold sand. Kinda mind-blowing, eh?

If you wanna listen to How I Built This, the podcast about how big business got their start, you can find episodes (like the Kendra Scott one Sherry enjoyed) on their website or wherever you listen to our podcast. Let us know if there are any others you recommend!
Oh, since Sherry promised a visual of Kendra Scott earrings for anyone who has not laid eyes on ’em yet, she has these in turquoise/gold, these in rose quarts/gold, and these in platinum drusy/gold. Literally, she wears them like it is her job.

Psst- Looking for something we have dug in a past episode, but do not remember which show notes to click into? Well, here is a master list of everything we have been digging from all past episodes.