Is your home starting to look like an episode of "Hoarders"? Perhaps not, but it might be time to get rid of the clutter and get organized. You have three choices - throw it away, donate it or sell it. Which one do you choose?
Toss It - Get rid of old receipts and any paperwork that is no longer needed. For confidential information, be sure to use a cross-cut paper shredder. Throw away anything that is broken and you have no intention of fixing or cannot be fixed. Eliminate expired food in your pantry, refrigerator, freezer or kitchen cabinets. Toss old make-up and other cosmetics that are past their prime. Check with your county or municipality to visit Earth911.com to locate a facility where you can drop off automotive and home-improvement items such as oil-based paints and, pesticides for proper disposal.
Sell It - Some of your items can find a second home and get you some cash in the process! Utilize E-bay, Craigslist, consignment shops or specialty sites for books, clothing and tech items. For books, log on to Bookscouter.com, enter the ISBN number (located over the bar code) and receive price quote from online booksellers who want them. Sell your designer clothing and accesories at The Snob (www.thesnob.biz) and Snobswap (www.snobswap.com). For vintage clothing, try Etsy (www.etsy.com) and Fashiondig (www.fashiondig.com). Have a yard sale!
Donate - Get that warm, fuzzy feeling and even a tax deduction by donating your things to charity. Whether you donate to a local non-profit such as Goodwill, Salvation Army or other local thrift stores, it is easy to eliminate your items from your home quickly. You can either drop off the items at the site or have a truck come pick them up, depending on who you choose. Purple Heart and other veterans organization are also a good choice. Always check with whomever you choose to be sure that they accept the items you have to donate and be sure to get a receipt to use when preparing your annual tax return. When it comes to electronicss, be sure to erase personal information. Erase the SD car, SIM card or destroy the hard-drive. Donate your old cell phones through Verizon's HopeLine program for victims of domestic violence or support the troops overseas at CellPhonesforSoldiers.com. Donate your shoes to Soles4Souls.org and books to your local library. Senior centers and day-cares need arts and crafts. Animal shelters needs towels, blankets and sheets. There are so many choices.
When it comes to eliminating your clutter and getting organized, you have three choices. Toss, Sell or Donate. When it comes to getting help if you are overwhelmed, consider using a professional organizer such as myself, to help you get the job done! Together we can eliminate the clutter and create A Better Space for the things you wish to keep.
In the meantime, I am wishing you an organized day!
