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What’s the 60-30-10 Rule?

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage Realty FA100041320

Question: What’s the 60-30-10 Rule?

 

Answer #1:

There are 2 answers to this question. The first is from my very wise old J cousin in Philadelphia.

 

Get rid of 60%, donate 30% and keep 10%.

 

Of course, “get rid of” could mean recycle, and not necessarily throw away for many items. Don’t be wasteful. Consider if it’s a piece a friend or family member might want. Its possible it could be re-purposed in someone else’s home. You never know if they might find value in restoring your trash into their treasure.

 

Everyone loves to donate, and charities love to receive donations. Just be sure your donation is worthy to the cause and not trashed toys, soiled clothes or broken light fixtures you don’t want to dispose of yourself.

 

Want to donate, but no time to haul it away? Here are just a few of the local organizations in the Colorado Springs area that would appreciate your donations, some will even come to your door to pick them up – contact them to schedule or for more details on drop-off locations.

 

·        www.use.salvationarmy.org/

·        www.goodwill.org

·        www.pickupplease.org/donation-pickup (Vietnam Veterans of America)

·        www.donationtown.org/charity/arc-donation-pick-up.html

·        www.lupusco.org/donation

·        www.ccharitiescc.org/donate/donate-material-goods/

·        www.wrainc.org (Women’s Resource Agency)

·        www.tessacs.org

·        http://habitatrestorepp.com/

·        www.hsppr.org/ (Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region)

 

I know my list is far from complete, so please feel free to include a link to your favorite donation spot in your comments.

 

Tomorrow, I’ll tell you the second answer and address that leftover 10%.

 

Posted by

 

Colorado Springs Realtor

 Front Porch Real Estate

Front Porch Team Real Estate & Property Styling | kimgaston719@gmail.com

If you'd like to know how we can creatively stage and sell your home for the most money in the shortest time,

please call me at 719-661-6987.  

To view inspiring Before & After staging photos, visit my portfolio at:  www.FrontPorchInteriors.com

 

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Jack Wickham
Clarksville, TN
Building with Integrity

Kim, I probably could do that and it would make my wife very happy.

Mar 09, 2013 06:51 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Kim, I try to do this in the spring and in the fall. It makes me feel good to know I am helping someone else and thinning out my home at the same time.

Mar 09, 2013 07:10 AM
Kim Gaston
RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Very true, Edward. I believe a few of these agencies will gladly accept gently used furniture.

I'm sure your family member is so thankful to have you, Janelle. Having a partner to help sort through years of accumulation is a godsend.

So happy to help, Cliff and best of luck to you!

Ha! Jack, she'd probably allow a few more things in, if a few went out, too! Thanks for visiting.

Mar 09, 2013 07:10 AM
Kim Gaston
RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Good for you, Debbie! Twice a year definitely keeps things feeling a bit more under control. I'll be doing some purging of my own soon, too.

Mar 09, 2013 07:13 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

About a month ago I donated suits, sport coats and pants that were practically new that I will never fit into again.  Also, when I sold furniture, I always gave my customers a flyer from the Furniture Bank so they could donate what they were replacing.  Great post.

Mar 09, 2013 07:16 AM
Brad MacKenzie
Brad MacKenzie - Duxbury, MA
Turning Houses into Homes on the South Shore

Very cool. I've never heard of the 60-30-10 rule, but I like it, and I'm putting it in my back pocket for future use!

Mar 09, 2013 08:19 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Kim I'm so into the 60 -30 -10 idea!  We all have way too much stuff.  Give it to somebody that really will appreciate I say!

Mar 09, 2013 09:44 AM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Hi Kim,

Great rule - although it seems like most people, to include myself get rid of or donate 10% and keep the rest.   Before I can convince my sellers of that, I've got to see if I can do that with my own stuff.  It would be nice to get rid of the unused stuff. 

I loved your list of links.  You had my favorite, Goodwill and the HSPPR is on there.  I recently read on the HSPPR website about two other places that accept donations of items to benefit pets:

http://www.stpaws.org/index.php 

http://pikespeakpetpantry.org/ 

Have a great Sunday

 

 

Mar 09, 2013 10:51 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Hi Kim, you are so right on-the 60-30-10 rule is totally on target.  Around here, the Vietnam Veterans also pick up all kinds of things and come by monthly so they are a pleasure to work with! I am going to advise this rule to all my staging clients.

Mar 09, 2013 11:17 AM
Elyse Berman, PA
LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

Hi Kim,  I've never heard of this rule but I like it!   Great list you've compiled.

Mar 09, 2013 11:52 AM
Kim Gaston
RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Hats off to you, Roger for helping others look their best as they might really need interview clothes. I'm sure your clients appreciate having a resource to donate their furnishings, just as the local furniture bank appreciates the donation - the best type of recyling! 

Thanks, Brad. It keeps things simple and focused.

Exactly, Anna! I'm guilty as well and need to do some spring cleaning myself.

Hi Sondra! Thanks so much for including those links. I have not heard of them - 2 more ways to help our 4-legged friends!

Hey Joanna - thank you, that's great. I can't take the credit for thinking of it, but happy to pass it along.

Thanks, Elyse. Appreciate you coming by.

Mar 09, 2013 12:45 PM
Edward Gilmartin
CRE - Boston, MA

After donating lots of clothing to the Salavation Army it certainly makes one think twice about making decisions in the future about purchasing items of clothing or shoes that you could do without.

Mar 09, 2013 10:20 PM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN
Hi Kim, I had to stop by as I read part 2 first. This is not unusual for me as I actually start most books in the MIDDLE. When you get to the end it is then fun to speculate how the book begins. I must admit I was expecting to look at some rooms decorated in the 60-30-10 principle. Fun to be surprised!
Mar 10, 2013 06:25 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

We should be revisiting this rule every so often....stuff accumulates so fast these days!

Mar 10, 2013 08:21 AM
Kim Gaston
RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Yes, that's so true, Edward. If we took a few moments to consider if its a need or a want, things become a little more clear if its worth purchasing.

Bruce, I like your theory! I'm sure its a bit more exciting to find an unexpected beginning. Thanks for reading.

Hi Sharon! It does and I'm as guilty as anyone. Need to remind myself more often.

Mar 10, 2013 11:46 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I like this one.  This goes with my 30-10-1 rule of selling ( if in 30 days you have not had at least 10 showings and 1 offer, price is too high!). 

Mar 16, 2013 11:57 PM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Kim, as I scan my horizons in the home this guide is going to let me breathe again.  I don't donate often enough and this rule can change that almost effortlessly.  Thank You!

Mar 17, 2013 02:00 AM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

I like Gary's rule 30-10-1. Mine is 14-0-0. If no calls, showings in 14 days and no offer, lower price. Keeping only 10% of stuff is a good rule. It always amazes me how 90% ends up back in our homes. Thanks for your post today,

Mar 17, 2013 02:21 AM
Kim Gaston
RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Gary, I like that one, too. Do you mind if I borrow it?

Kevin, I'm glad it was helpful. We could all use a little help with the process, one box at a time.

Your 14-0-0 is a good one, Pamela. It can easily be overwhelming for sellers, hopefully a little guidance in the right direction gets them motivated to purge.

Mar 17, 2013 05:26 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Good Tuesday morning Kim Gaston -

I had not heard the term 60-30-10 before.  We have a garage full of things for Habitat for Humanity to pick up this morning at 8:00.  

Mar 21, 2016 11:10 PM