Fall is a great time for fundraisers like festivals, carnivals and, of course, community yard sales. It's also a great time to clear out your clutter. The weather is perfect for allowing you to spend some time in the garage, attic or outdoor shed, so get in there and start decluttering. You can help out your favorite charity and free up some space at home at the same time. Need some help deciding what to donate? Keep reading for some great tips.
- The Rule of Six. If you haven't used it in six months, it's probably time to let it go. Now, there are some exceptions, but this is a really good rule of thumb. If you haven't played a sport in two seasons but plan to sign up again soon then go ahead and keep your gear. If you didn't take the big umbrella to the beach all last summer, what makes you think you're going to haul it there this year? If the layer of dust is so thick that you aren't sure what color the object is, that's a really good sign that it's been sitting for quite awhile.
- Right Size, Right Now. We often have trouble letting go of things we've outgrown. Sometimes it's for sentimental reasons, sometimes it's because we hope that it will fit again someday. Either way we have something that we can't use taking up space in our home, and that's not good. You have to be honest with yourself when you consider whether or not you're going to be able to use that item again in the future.
- Would You Rather? Often we keep items because we already own them. There is a little bit of guilt associated with admitting that we made a bad purchase and now regret spending the money on the item in question. Holding on to items like this seems like the "right thing" to do, but in reality it hurts in more ways than one. Between the negative feelings associated with the item and our desire to purchase something different there is a lot of strong emotion swirling around. If you would rather have a different size, style, color, etc it might be best to just cut your losses and make the switch. You'll be a lot happier in the long run and you'll avoid the scenario where you have multiples of the same item, but really only use one of them.
- No One Is Going to Want Your Junk. As a society we've become less sentimental about antiques. We tend to appreciate the new and modern. So, why do we feel compelled to hold on to old stuff? If we don't appreciate our parents's junk, why do we think our kids are going to want our stuff? If you truly love and value something, keep it. If you're just keeping it because one day it might be worth something, let it go. Any item that is taking up valuable space in your home is costing you money. You need to weigh that cost against any potential income you could earn later when you sell your "antique." Don't forget to consider the amount of effort involved in selling your item as well. It's unlikely that you'll make a big profit if you just post it on eBay or Craig's List. You'll probably need to contact an antique dealer or one of those replacement companies that deals in old silverware, china and crystal. Add in packing and shipping costs and it may become clear that donating those items now is in your best interests.
Clearing out your clutter is a good thing. It frees up space in your home so that you can store the items that you need and will use. Having a clean, organized space can reduce your overall stress level and improve your mood on a daily basis. When you're not stressed, you can think more clearly and may be able to achieve other goals more easily. Plus, if you donate your items, you can help your favorite charity and get a tax write off at the same time. Do yourself a favor and donate your unused items this fall.
This is a great time to implement Stockpile, as well. You can start with just one room. As you reorganize the items that are left you can create item records in Stockpile easy home inventory system. Adding items is quick and easy because Stockpile is fully customizable. You choose which fields make the most sense to you. Be sure to use areas and locations so that you can be very specific about where items are stored. That will make it easy to find what you need, when you need it. Once you have item records in Stockpile, you'll be able to check your inventory anytime from anywhere. Stockpile easy home inventory system is also mobile compatible so you can use your mobile device to see what you have even when you're on the go. Try Stockpile easy home inventory system today!
