Finally getting rid of all your junk has been on the to-do list for years. The clutter in your storage space, mess in your garage, and boxes in your basement all need to go. You’ve put it off long enough. Now is the time to do something about it. The question is: how exactly do you get rid of it?
Dropping everything at the curb often times won’t work. Not every waste management company will take your junk. There are alternatives though. In fact, some of them can even help those in need. And what better way to make your home stand out than by decluttering it? You can eve give to others in the process! Of course, there will be plenty of objects that you can’t just simply pass onto another. So you might have to get a little more creative, but there are a few tips to help with that.
Giving Mood
Few things feel as good as helping someone in need. Whether it’s through emotional support, a financial boost, or donation of a good or service, aiding those in less fortunate positions always lifts your spirit.
Over the last six decades American’s have increased charitable donations by almost 100 percent. Of all donations, 15 percent of them go to human services. When you factor in the almost 40 percent that gifted through religious groups, that’s a ton of people receiving housing, clothing, and material help that they need. The most impressive stat is that more than 70 percent of all giving comes from individuals. Often times the news will be filled with stories of non-profits and volunteer organizations doing good work in the community, but it’s the individual citizens that account for most of the total.
Statistics also show that those who are educated and married tend to give more often. If you own your own house, and you’re looking to get rid of clutter, you probably know the feeling. This is why the best way to clean up your space is to…
Give Away What You Don’t Need
Start with something small like clothes, and make your way up to something big like a boat donation. People are in need all over the country and you’re in a position to help. You’re not using all of that junk, and you want the space for your new game room anyways. Instead of simply pitching those old piles of jeans and tees, help someone who can’t afford to buy clothes on their own.
Recycle Electronics
Chances are that you have at least one old tube television sitting around. With how fast electronics go out of date now, nearly every American home is bound to have some remnants left behind. What makes it tough to discard them is that most garbage dumps won’t take them. So, you’re left on your own to trash them.
The good news is that it’s easier than you think. In fact, many of the big box stores that sold you electronics will now take them back. All you need to do is find a list of stores that will take them and drop your old computer off at the door. If you feel like digging a little deeper, there are plenty of small, individually owned stores that will also do the job.
Burn What You Can
Surely after doing a little bit of cleaning you’ll find plenty of items that can be pitched. Instead of taking the time to lug them out to the curb, just burn them! Of course, that assumes that your local ordinances allow for that. Make sure to check with your hometown before setting fire to any of your ignitable garbage.
Have a Yard Sale (or non-sale)
Anyway is a good way to get rid of things you don’t need, but the best way might actually be to sell them. What’s the worst that could happen? You have to give something away for free that you were pitching anyways? Not too bad.
Consolidate
You don’t need three blenders. And you certainly don’t need space for old boat equipment for a boat you’ll never use again. So maybe when you donate the boat, get rid of the accessories that go with it.
It’s time to cut back on things you don’t need. You’re probably thinking of a few items right now that you can pass on to others. What are they? Will they help someone more than they’ll help you? If the answer is yes, congratulations… you just figured out how to make your home look better while giving to someone in need.
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