Deleting files doesn't free up storage space
I'm a long-time Mac user with a 2010 MacBook Pro (320GB) now running Mavericks. About a week ago I screwed up my iTunes and tried to restore from Time Machine. But I can't because I only have 38GB free and the TM backup is about 40. So I moved big files over to my attached drive to free up space. But no matter how much I move (and it's been tens of GB) I still only have 35-38GB free (It varies across this range for no apparent reason). The storage allocated to Movies and Pictures decreases, but rather than free space increasing, the mysterious category Backups does. I now have 124GB allocated to Backups. Yes, I delete the files and empty trash after moving all these files from my system. And I restart and even wait overnight hoping that the system cleanup routines that run in the dark of night will do their magic. I have tried several times doing the TM restore of iTunes and each time I get the message that I don't have enough free space. Can anyone tell me how to break free of this. I would sure be greatful. Thanks.
MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9)