YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Tidying magazines

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Tidying magazines https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:05:35 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php retailgirl on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1449354 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 23:52:58 +0000 retailgirl 1449354@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I read a new magazine and then recycle it, either take to work and put in the break room or really recycle. Many aren't really appropriate for work, too many articles about sex, ( and these are fashion magazines!) so I only take the home type mags in. But I have been holding on to a full set of Better Homes and Gardens Colonial Homes for years...complete with slip cases. I hate to toss them, can't sell them, nobody wants them, ( local library). I think I am going to have to just toss them. Echo on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1449248 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 19:49:38 +0000 Echo 1449248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love magazines, and I still maintain multiple paper copy subscriptions. However, I do not keep the copies. I read them and discard them or donate them to waiting rooms in the area (my dr. loves to receive the National Geographics and Scientific Americans). The only things I kept were copies of Newsweek (before they stopped printing) from the weeks each of my children were born and a few others that I considered important world events. I very much agree that anything in a magazine can be found online, but I just cannot stand digital copies of magazines. So I will bookmark online pages or info that I looked up after seeing it in a magazine, but I won't keep the paper copies. If I were a good environmentalist I suppose I would go all digital, but I just don't enjoy digital reading. Janet on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1449153 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 16:08:54 +0000 Janet 1449153@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ *raises hand* magazine addict here. It reached critical mass when I was still a graphic designer -- after all, it was my job, designing print publications. Even for years after I left that business, I kept neatly organized archives of back issues in magazine files. And I never ever referred back to them. Over the last few years, I've let a number of subscriptions lapse, and I've gradually thinned the archive. Last month I did a huge purge and tossed years worth of design, photography, gardening, computer, interior design and architecture mags. I kept some that are more current and relevant for right now (kitchen and bath remodeling, for instance, since those projects are impending), but got ruthless on most stuff. My office shelves are much happier for it. I had a big basket of torn out pages for decorating and remodeling ideas -- many I tossed because my tastes have changed, but I started snapping photos of some of them and adding them to my Pinterest boards. I even got rid of quite a few years of National Geographics. Those are always hard to let go. I keep a few print subscriptions -- Nat Geo, a couple of photo industry mags, a couple of interior design industry mags, Harpers (I'd much rather read long pieces in print, not on screen)... But now I mostly put the already-read stuff straight into recycling or pass it along to my friends who are collage artists. I'm tired of dealing with paper clutter! unfrumped on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1449146 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 15:36:04 +0000 unfrumped 1449146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jjsloane's, I also kept Nov and Dec issues of mags like BH&G, with the thought of re- reading since I like getting in the holiday mood and again, the articles he recycled and I hadnt used all the recipes, etc. I could get e- version of the mag but sometimes i think I like certain issues more. I may either toss all , or just save one binder of them. Jjsloane on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1449087 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 13:42:34 +0000 Jjsloane 1449087@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love magazines. I read them and turn down page if it's something I want to go back to. Then I pinterest what I can find of them and if there are still enough turndowns I keep them. If not I recycle - my daycare will take most magazines for collages. I also have a seldom used file for gardening ideas, home decor etc.. My paper version of pinterest. I really could scrap it all. I have a binder system for recipes I really like - I get most from the internet anyway, print and put in sheet protectors. I have one each for my Thanksgiving recipes, Christmas baking, baking in general and other. I've pared down most recipe books, but can't rid myself of all of them.  I need to get scanning and just let it go. DH is another story, I am not allowed to toss any magazine of his (regardless of the fact he has 10 years of Men's Health, GQ, Fine Scale Modeler and assorted sports magazines). I have been secretly stashing them away and recycling when I can (but he takes out the recycling most days). Anonymous on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1448346 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:06:17 +0000 Anonymous 1448346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just went paperless this year (2015).  I love it!!!  I scanned all my recipes (I did it batches to make it more manageable) and I scanned all those loose pages of information I thought I might use someday.   I organized the recipes in file folders on my computer.  You can file a single chicken recipe under crockpot, chicken, and pasta.  Multiple filings make it really easy to find.  I filed the loose pages (also scanned) into OneNote.  So far this system is working really well.  I intend to continue to scan papers in batches until I am completely paperless.  If you have access to a good scanner, this is a great system.   unfrumped on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1447193 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 15:17:42 +0000 unfrumped 1447193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for all of the ideas and options. I just got a trial subscription on Kindle (a $5 special in case I get the year) to experiment with the format and how it works for me. I think some combination of the ideas above will are the way ahead. It's all about reading and using rather than saving/storing. Sadie on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1447186 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 15:10:29 +0000 Sadie 1447186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For recipes: I scan them (using an iPhone app ScannerPro) and put the pdf files in a folder on Dropbox. We have an old iPad in the kitchen on which I can view the recipes, I can share the recipes folder with family members, and I can access the recipes when I am out grocery shopping or when I am traveling (we often rent a summer place for a week and the whole family cooks together). I still have cook books, but all the magazines get read, ripped, and scanned (if we like the recipe). chadya on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1447146 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 13:51:33 +0000 chadya 1447146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Our Library system has recently begun Zinio service, I can get many magazines I used to buy or subscribe to on my iPad, perhaps your library has this service? Glory on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1447139 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 13:31:19 +0000 Glory 1447139@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am a former keeper as well but I have purged all magazines now. I have also purged about 70% of my books, including cookbooks. I kept a few that I cherish but find I rely almost entirely on the internet.  Emily on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1446958 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 03:20:42 +0000 Emily 1446958@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am a former magazine keeper, but I cancelled my physical magazine subscriptions and signed up for nextissue on my kindle fire instead.  I don't miss the stacks of magazines to store, and if I want to "clip" a page I take a screenshot unfrumped on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1446828 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 23:52:37 +0000 unfrumped 1446828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, such good encouragement to rip off the Band-Aid. Liz, I've been thinking that's exactly what I'll be doing. Anonymous on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1446804 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 22:51:18 +0000 Anonymous 1446804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I used to do this, especially cooking magazines. Now I use the Internet to find recipes and read the reviews to get a feel for time and taste. I still get Cooking Light because it includes nutritional info and was offered at a ridiculously low price. I save the holiday issue and make myself prepare any recipes from other issues that look good within a month's time. Any recipes that get raves get printed out and go into a special binder. Caro in Oz on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1446776 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 22:13:14 +0000 Caro in Oz 1446776@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh yes - I used to have files & folders for everything I'd ripped from magazines & a huge pile of mags that were still intact. I have one file now & edit it fairly regularly. I no longer buy magazines either. I do have a Pinterest account though :) For my recipe files I bought a new & better one & over the course of a year or so every recipe I used & liked went into the new file - everything else was let go. There are recipes online for everything :) Liz on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1446774 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 22:09:59 +0000 Liz 1446774@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, ripping out and filing pages, and keeping old issues is just the low-tech version of Pinterest. I had been doing this with different magazines, and then several years ago I realized it was just busy work that put pressure on me. I decided to stop all that extra work to save all the ideas I was never going to try anyway. If I really ever needed a "storage ideas for your small space" or "Five best new plants for your spring ground cover," then the internet is right there. Not to mention libraries. unfrumped on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1446773 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 22:09:26 +0000 unfrumped 1446773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ abc, cookbooks and gardening books for me. Somehow the "more is better " crept in. Something is changing though. As in Mary Poppins--a new wind blowing. I do have some thoughts of, if I did get more time, I'd think I'll be doing more cooking and gardening. So it can be like seasonal clothing--you don't know you need it when you're out of season. But print materials and instructions ARE easier to "borrow" and even some of those areas will need updating by that time.  It's why I hope libraries with print collections continue. I could see getting my visual feast fix at intervals there--have certainly done that with various subjects, checking out a dozen books on a topic and enjoying picking and choosing amongst the offerings, and no $$ outlay. abc on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1446728 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 21:01:22 +0000 abc 1446728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have always kept magazines for some strange reason.  I think it was learned from my mother, who to this day has stack upon stack of old magazines just waiting to be re-read (but let's face it, rarely are). I have to say since switching to Next Issue I have no regrets.  I can read back issues on many mags, and some even allow me to go back several years worth.  I rarely do which now doesn't surprise me. Also I think now that we live in a digital age the need to keep printed materials is less.  Next up for revision is my recipe collection and cookbooks.  They carry more memories than the magazines so they're harder for me to let go, but let's face it - when I need a recipe 99% of the time I just google or go to one of my favorite online sites.  I rarely if ever actually thumb through a paper cookbook anymore. Keep us posted on how it turns out. doubleh on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1446682 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 19:35:35 +0000 doubleh 1446682@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ No!  I haven't and I don't think I can; much as I like the concept.  I have too many subscriptions, but most of them I ravish from front to back upon arrival.  What I have noticed though is that if for some reason "I didn't get to it" I can purge a magazine without any remorse.  I don't know what I'm missing, so no love lost.  I will rip and file the few things I do see, but no longer keep back issues (unless it's relevant to work, but again, most things can be pulled up online) so storage is not my issue.  (haha- I made a pun there, see?  And didn't even realize it)  On the other hand, I can't throw a magazine in the trash/recycling.  I am perpetually trying to rehome.  I could save a lot of time if I could cyber-subscribe....best of luck; let us know how it goes! Anonymous on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1446679 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 19:32:13 +0000 Anonymous 1446679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My DH has at least 10 years worth of This Old House magazines that I have been hounding him to get rid of so I can have my bookshelf space back. He has made a small dent tearing out the articles he wants to hang onto. Now just 7 more years worth to go. I used to get lots of magazines and have settled for Good Housekeeping which I read, then toss when the new one arrives. I had considered getting a digital subscription, but found that I get most of the articles for free on my FB and Twitter feeds. I used to tear out articles and then store them away only to go back and toss them after a while. Yes, the internet is a great source of information so I use that most often. As for my recipes, when I tear one out of the magazine and I try it, I often tweak the recipe and if it is a keeper I type it up and add it to my digital and physical cookbook. That way I can add additional info to the recipe when I need to. But now I get feeds from Bon Apetite and Cooking Light and print recipes after reading the reviews and suggestions and then try it on my own. unfrumped on "Tidying magazines" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tidying-magazines#post-1446659 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 19:00:16 +0000 unfrumped 1446659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My name is unfrumped, and I am (was) a magazine-keeper. Not nightly news-worthy stacks, but filed in binders, very neatly--especially gardening, but also decorating.  Also had files of pages torn out. One reason, especially for gardening, was that it seemed obvious that a lot of articles were recycled every year or so, "How to prune clematis", or furniture refinishing, and so on. Plus, I like thumbing through great photos of gardens and such. Well, even before Tidying, I'd begun reducing my collection. Then I wanted to do more, but I do love Fine Gardening and have several years' worth. But, hello, most everything I'd want is available now on the 'net, and is searchable for what you want when you want it. So....I'm considering taking the total plunge and going paperless. I'm thinking internet seaches, possibly a tablet e-subscription or 2  if I really want, and the occasional single mag for the print experience. With that, I gain several linear feet of shelf space, minimal file cabinet needs, no torn pages floating around. Similarly recipes. A long-time ripper and filer without doing nearly as much cooking as my bulging files would suggest (though I do cook!). (not yet reaching the cookbook collection!)  And of course many that I try are hmm, meh, I don't need a recipe for that. Thinking of allowing myself one every week or so and has to be tried out  within the month. I'm thinking I am at an interesting crossroads of time of life, experience that these "files" weren't so useful, the digital age, and the Kondo book all together. Anyone out there taken the magazine -tossing plunge in a BIG way and live to celebrate it?