Summer is ending and fall is fast approaching and the cleaning bug is heading in. Pretty soon we are going to be pulling our sweaters, jackets and boots out of storage or the back of the closet or under the bed, or wherever you stashed them. Some people may have dropped off their winter closed as used clothing donations at a Red Cross donation center. If that’s the case, you may have to buy a new jacket. Whatever the case may be, the changing of the seasons is a good time to step back and evaluate your home. It’s amazing how much stuff we pick up over time. You could have done a deep spring cleaning and then just a few short months later, your possessions have once again cluttered up your home. What better time to go through everything than that weird in between not summer anymore but not yet fall time? Here’s a few tips about what to do with the things you’re getting rid of.
- Yard Sale
If you have a garage or a large front yard then you could set up a few tables and blankets on the ground and sell your things to passers by. The best way to advertise a yard sale is to find out when your community usually has yard sales, which is probably on a Saturday or Sunday when most people aren’t working. Then, draw up some signs on the nearest main street that say ‘yard sale’ with an arrow pointing your direction. Lots of people purposely go out looking for yard sale signs on weekends. You can also advertise your yard sale on sites like Offer Up or Craig’s List. It’s a good way to attract attention in order to get rid of things you don’t need or want as well as make a little money. Don’t be too picky when it comes to prices if you are going to do a yard sale. People don’t usually want to spend a lot and will probably barter for lower prices once they find an item they want. - Donate
The Red Cross donation center and other organizations are always looking for clothes donations as well as other things. The great thing about these organizations is they may actually pick up the items for you. If you gather all of the things together that you want to donate, you can then call the Red Cross donation center and arrange a time that the Red Cross pickup service can come and get your donations. It’s a great way to clear out your home but at the same time, still put those items to use with families that need them. You may never know who your stuff went to or how it helped but it will make you feel so good, knowing that you’ve played a part in potentially changing a life. There’s really no excuse not to donate. You’re getting rid of the things anyway, it doesn’t put you out if you don’t even have to go to the Red Cross donation center; they come to you and the items are helping someone. It’s a win/win/win. - Sell Them
Offer Up and Craig’s List were mentioned earlier in regards to advertising your yard sale. If you have the patience and don’t mind not getting rid of stuff immediately, you can take pictures of all your gently used items and put them on these sites for people to see. It’s sort of like an online yard sale. Sometimes you will get better prices for your items than you would at a real yard sale though. Once you accept someone’s offer, it’s up to you whether you want to deliver the item to them or have them come and get it. If you take the items to them, you might make a little more money if you charge for delivery. However, it can be a lot more convenient to have them come to you.
Getting rid of stuff is a good idea. It helps not only to clear your home and make it easier to keep clean but also to clear your mind. It’s easier to focus and concentrate on other things when you know your home is in order.