An important part of any
de-cluttering purge is having a final destination for the items that will make their exit
from your home permanently. This post is
put together at the request of a reader to help you in finding homes for your
unwanted items. If you have a topic
about which you’d like to read, please let me know. Email me - Julie at customexcelspreadsheets
(dot) com.
Throughout the year, I
keep a thin box in my laundry/utility room that collects items destined for
donation. I deliver these items to their
destination whenever the box gets full.
My semi-annual purge also yields boxes and bags of items for immediate
donation. As part of the purge, I plan time for dealing with the donations
because I don’t want to look at the clutter once I’ve decided to part with it!
Get a Little Back
Many folks are happy to buy things second hand (I know I am!). Second-hand children’s stores are becoming quite common and your community is likely to have a place you can get a little
money for your children’s clothing, toys, and decorative items that are still
in good condition. Many of these places
may also have incentives for trading in out-grown clothing for credit toward
the purchase of clothing and toys your kids can use today or in the
future. Also check for local second-hand
or consignment stores that may buy adult clothing, movies, music, and other items, or help you sell them.
Household items, clothing, and
electronics in good condition can be listed online at sites like craigslist.org
or eBay for free or a small fee relative to the selling price. If this is too complicated for you, there are
businesses out there like “iSold It” that will sell things on your behalf for a
commission.
Websites to Aid in Donating Household Items
If you don’t have a
favorite charity in your area that accepts donations (I usually go to the local
Hospice Thrift store with mine), or you have donations too large to take
somewhere yourself, you may benefit from one of the following means of donating
household items. Please see the
appropriate website to see if the service is available in your area.
http://www.excessaccess.com/
Sign up for free. You create a list of items you have for donation.
They'll match the items up with local non-profits and provide tax deduction
receipts.
The Vietnam Veterans of America group takes clothing, housewares, small appliances, toys,
and tools. You can schedule a pick-up online (if this service is
available in your area) and the driver will pick-up your donation and leave a
tax-deductible receipt.
Other Items
Cell Phones for Soldiers Donated cell phones are sold to recyclers and the proceeds are used to purchase
calling cards for troops stationed overseas.
The charity was started by a young brother and sister with $21 of their
own money and has raised millions of dollars and sent more than a half million
prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas. There are now more than 3000 collection sites
across the country, or you can mail your phone to them directly. Each donated phone equates to an hour of talk
time for a soldier.
Computers: The National Cristina Foundation matches computer donations up with local not-for-profits that can take them.
Eyeglasses: Donate your old prescription eyeglasses so the frames can be reused to
provide eyeglasses to those in need all over the world. Many eye doctors, as well as LensCrafters,
Sears Optical and Target Optical locations have donation boxes for Lions ClubsInternational, or you can go to neweyesfortheneedy.org to donate
your old glasses to that program.
Figuring your Tax Deductions
The Salvation Army puts
together a list of common donated items along with low and high values for
calculating the appropriate tax deduction based on your donations. You can click here to see this list, or
you can email me – Julie at customexcelspreadsheets
(dot) com – for a free Excel spreadsheet
to easily calculate your deduction!!
Proper Disposal of Dangerous Household Items
Expired or unused
medications can be dangerous if disposed of improperly. Many pharmacies will take these and properly
dispose of them for free. Inquire with
your local pharmacy or search for one in your area at http://www.disposemymeds.org/.
Batteries, many home
electronics, CFL light bulbs and other household items have chemicals in them
that are dangerous to the environment (and us!) and should be disposed of
properly (not in the trash). Most waste
management facilities will have a means to dispose of these. They also take used motor oil at any time
(many auto parts stores will also take used oil). Designate an area in your home to store these
items until they have accumulated enough to warrant a trip to the disposal
facility. For example, I keep a large
zip-top bag labeled “dead batteries” next to the stockpiles of fresh batteries
and empty it when it is full.
Other household chemicals
such as gasoline, paint and other chemicals that pose an immediate danger such
as flammables or explosives should be disposed of at special household
hazardous waste facilities. Ask your
waste management company or visit the following website for more information: http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/hhw.htm.
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