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Waste Not... Consider these options when cleaning out your clutter

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with RE/MAX Preferred RS152252A

I am in a Facebook group that is encouraging me to throw out, give away or somehow rid myself of all the extra things in my life that are cluttering my house and mind, one item per day.  As it turns out, the March 2012 issue of The Oprah Magazine is all about clearing the cutter out of your life.  In the magazine I learned that there are great websites to help you get rid of things while helping others such as:

Loved Twice.  According to the website they collect gently used baby clothing, sort them and distribute them through social workers to hospitals, shelters and clinics.  

Local animal shelters often take your used linens and blankets.  I know our local Chester County SPCA does.  Click here to see the list of items that the shelter could use.  The list includes sheets, towels and blankets along wtih kitty litter (non-clumping), leashes, stainless steel bowls, etc.  

Hope Phones:  This organization will take old and even broken phones to help medical workers in developing nations text each other regarding patients and treatment.  This seems a very worthwhile organization.  

Tunes 4 the Troops: According to their website,  as of 1/26/12, this organization has shipped over 1,000,000 DVD's, books on CD and I-pods to our troops overseas.  Wow.

Pitch in for Baseball:  This great organization will take your bats, balls and gloves and distribute them to kids in impoverished areas of the United States and throughout the world.

To simply help the environment, you can send your dried up pens, highlighters and old binders, etc. to TerraCycle, a company that transforms used stuff into flowerpots, benches and plastic lumber!

If you are interested in de-cluttering your life, pick up the March issue of the magazine.  There is a really funny article about Gayle King's closet makeover that will make you laugh.   The alternative to de-cluttering is learning to love the stuff.  Some days that's easier said that done, but if you are thinking of selling your home, de-cluttering goes a long way towards bringing a quicker sale.  

Posted by

Susan C. Mangigian

re/max preferred
117 Campus Blvd, Suite 155, Newtown Square, PA 19073

610-719-1700 main office, 610-299-6237 cell 

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Team Honeycutt
Allen Tate - Concord, NC

It is so hard to get rid of "things" in my life. The one a day approach sounds like a good idea. It would be easier to do one at a time. Thanks for the information on places to doinate to thst perhaps will help others.

Betty

Mar 03, 2012 12:29 AM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Flylady.net is a great website for helping those who may be overwhelmed with their clutter. I agree that clutter is one of the biggest detractions when selling a home.

Mar 03, 2012 12:34 AM
Mihir Gandhi
First Team Real Estate - Placentia, CA
Real Estate in Placentia - North O.C. CA

Thanks for sharing the information - it is a 'win-win' situation for the giver as well as the receiver!

 

Mar 03, 2012 12:54 AM
Nancy Conner
Olympia, WA
Olympia/Thurston County WA
Oh I like the one item per day idea - sounds much easier than facing the multitude of things all at once. And your list of resource sites gives me some great ideas of where to start! Good to have to pass on to clients, too, but for starters, I'm going to find my item for today and just do it.
Mar 03, 2012 12:58 AM
Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Susan, that's a great list of ideas on what to do with the 'stuff' when we're decluttering our homes. 

Mar 03, 2012 01:06 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Susan, great advice.  Anything that reduces the strain on our landfills helps us all...

Mar 03, 2012 01:29 AM
Leslie G. Rojohn
MoonDancer Realty - Sylva, NC
GRI, ABR ~ MoonDancer Realty

The longer you live in a house the more cluttered it gets.  We've been in ours for almost 27 years. :(  Imagine the task before us.  We've been making a list lately of all the things we need to get rid of by either donating or selling.  It does seem to overwhelm you, but the one thing a day concept seems more humane on ourselves.  Thanks.

Mar 03, 2012 02:45 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Susan-This is a great post. I am a clutterbug but I try hard to keep some sort of organization but doesn't work most of the time.  My problem is I get rid of stuff but then just get more stuff.  I will have to give this a try. Happy Saturday

Mar 03, 2012 03:23 AM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Susan, I suggested this because it applies to us all. We should each support these organizations and thank you for the reminder you lovely lady!

FEATURED

DIARY OF A REALTOR

Deb

Mar 03, 2012 01:03 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Susan, wow. I didn't know of any of these organizations and great ways to clear the clutter for sure.

Mar 03, 2012 08:45 PM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Hi all.  My closest friends would laugh at the thought of me writing a post about getting de-cluttered because like many of you, I am a queen clutter bug.  The group on facebook is open, I think, but the admin has to add you.  If you'd like to belong, send me a note on facebook or a friend request and I'll see about adding you.  I don't exactly do something every day but it's a great inspiration and the woman who admins it posts daily about things she's tackling.    Deb, thank you so much for the feature.  xxoo

Mar 04, 2012 01:32 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Susan...

How did I miss this? Excellent and useful advice for "collectors" like me.

Featured in the Group "Whacked!!!"

Mar 04, 2012 06:27 AM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Thank Richard!  xxoo

Mar 04, 2012 11:23 AM
Mary Sheridan
Keller Willliams - 1033 Hamilton Place,Johnson City TN 37604 - Johnson City, TN
Creative Marketing, Buyer Agency 423-943-7655

I need to update my similar list of places for sharing what we need to "de-clutter".    One favorite in Johnson City for books, toys, puzzles, and small toiletries is The River, a place where homeless women can go for laundry, quiet time, showers, and friendship.    I did a blog about it, but I understand that it's not appropriate to put our own links in comments.  

Mar 05, 2012 09:46 PM
Bonnie Vaughan
Scranton, PA
CNE SFR - Buyers/Sellers - Lackawanna & Surroundin

I have been trying to get rid of clutter for years.  It seems to hide until I trip over it.  When I lost weight I hung onto my "big" clothes for years, you know - just in case.  Before I moved to Pa I donated tote after tote to either my church thrift shop or the Salvation Army.  Both places put it to good use.

The towels ( How did I get so many towels/)  I was determined only to bring 6 along with me.  I gave away two garbage bags full to the animal shelter.  I still have two totes full.  Heaven forbid I see a sale on towels - I can barely contain myself.

Blankets, towels, bedding, kitchen items I try to set aside for when I hear of a family burned out or left homeless

Mar 06, 2012 10:31 AM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Mary, I'll try to find your post and read it!

Hi Bonnie, same here.  No matter what I do, I can't tame the clutter around here, particularly my desk area where the papers and bills and daily stuff just keeps piling up.  Overwhelming, isn't it?

Mar 06, 2012 09:14 PM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Hi Susan! I have tons of stuff I need to go through and get rid of. I'll start with the pile of old cell phones I have laying around.

Mar 08, 2012 04:05 AM
Caprice Couselle Realtor Morristown Homes For Sale
Keller Williams Realty - Morristown, NJ
First Time Home Buyers,Relocation,Horse Farms

Hi Susan. I love to use freecycle.org, when I am helping someone prepare their home for sale. I also think it is  easier to part with things if you know you are giving it to someone that can use it. Giving  it away is better  than ordering a dumpster. Caprice

Mar 15, 2012 10:35 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

My rule is if I bring something new into my life I must get rid of something I no longer need or use.  It's a great way to keep clutter under control.  There's a bag of clothes by my front door on its way to Goodwill today.

Apr 28, 2012 10:43 PM
Vicki Doudera
Camden, ME

Our Habitat "ReStore" is also a great place for unwanted items, especially furniture, building supplies and appliances. (Not really clutter -- but unwanted stuff, for sure!)  You can search Habitat for Humanity to find the affiliate closest to you with a ReStore.  The money generated goes into helping hardworking needy families purchase Habitat homes.

 

Jun 07, 2012 11:15 PM