Question: Question: I have so much clutter! How do I get rid of my stuff?
The easiest way to get rid of your clutter is to do just that - get rid of it! But often times that is difficult to do because we have personal attachment to our things or, we are afraid that we will need it one day.
The fact is, in order to achieve organization we must eliminate the clutter, and the easiest way to do so is by donating our un-used items to people who truly need it. Not only will you reduce your clutter, you will be doing a good deed too. It's a win-win situation! Oh, and did I mention that many places offer a tax advantage too?
Answer: Choosing where to donate your items is a task in itself because there are so many options available. Donating to your local shelters is always a good start. Or, you may want to consider these options:
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The Goodwill:
They accept your new or gently used items - like clothing, appliances or furniture - and sells them in their Goodwill retail stores. - The Salvation Army: They accept used furniture, clothing and other household items. Plus, the sale of each donated item goes to support their addiction recovery programs.
- One Warm Coat:
They accept used or new coats and they give them to children, women and men who are in need of warm coats. - The On It Foundation:
They accept used or new desktop computers, notebooks, keyboards, mouses, educational software or anything else related to computers. On It stands for Opportunities Necessary to Increase Technology. They provide free computers, computer training and Internet access to low-income families. - Collective Good:
They accept used mobile devices (Cell Phones, PDAs or Pagers) and recycle them. - Operation Happy Note:
They send used or new musical instruments to our deployed service men and women throughout the world. - International Book Project:
They accept all books and donate them across America with the intent to promote education and literacy. - The Lionsclub International Foundation: They accept prescription glasses and recycle to people in need. Either visit your local branch or contact your eye doctor who may have a donation box in their office.
- Help1Up:
They remove your used furniture free of charge and provide for families in need. - Dress For Success:
They accept new and gently used women's business suits, attire and accessories and provide them for disadvantaged women to succeed in the professional workforce. - Excess Access:
For a small fee, this company will link your donation items with the wish-lists of nearby nonprofits that can either provide pick-ups or accept drop-offs.
If you have clutter to get rid of, the good news is that there are a lot of people who are in great need of your clutter. Make yourself feel good and make someone else feel even better by donating.
One last tip: While there are many charitable organizations available, I recommend verifying their legitimacy prior to donating your items.