Tag: declutter

Be the Genius Behind the Garage Sale

Posted on by Jordank

Now that you’ve celebrated #America’s #250th birthday, it’s time to get serious with your summer #organizing and #decluttering and finally get rid of some of the extra #stuff that’s just getting in the way of living your best life — and make a little extra cash while you’re at it.

That’s right: It’s time for a #garage or #yard sale. There’s no better way to recoup some of the #money you’ve spent on #clothing that doesn’t fit, disused #housewares and appliances, and forgotten sporting goods than to throw open the garage door and slap a price tag on them.

The good news? Lots of people are out enjoying warm weather and looking for good deals. The bad news? It does take some effort — and thought — to host a good garage sale. Elevate yours to a must-shop by observing a few genius ideas.

First, #cull through your merchandise. Anything with flaws — clothes with holes, chipped dishes, inflatables that don’t hold air — should be fixed or thrown away. Don’t waste your time pricing anything that’s not in usable condition; toss it or put it in a “FREE” box.

Next, #curate the items you sell. Put knickknacks together in one place, kitchen stuff in another and tools in another. Sort clothing by gender, age, color and season and media by category. If you have furniture or other large items for sale, put them on the parkway for easy pickup or make a flyer with pictures.

Price all items fairly. Your trash may be someone else’s treasure, but your goal is to reduce the volume of your stuff and make a few bucks, not to gouge people for your castoffs. What would you pay if you wanted whatever it is?

Finally, advertise. You don’t have to spend money on a classified ad — do those still exist? But do make large, colorful, easy-to-read signs with directional arrows and include the times, dates and address.

“Put them up early on the day before your sale so people see them coming home from work,” says Instructables. “The more people come to your sale, the better you will do, so do what it takes to get them there.”

Hosting a garage sale isn’t rocket science, but paying attention to a few details goes a long way. And to make the #purge complete, you can #donate any leftovers to ClothingDonations.org by scheduling a #pickup after your sale. Happy #decluttering!

Does Dad Need a Professional Organizer?

Posted on by Jordank

Does #Dad really need another tie or pair of shoes? #Father’s Day gifts don’t have to add to the #clutter. Tickets to experiences such as concerts and sporting events can treat him while adding nothing to the amount of #stuff stored in the home (assuming he resists buying a lot of souvenirs), and his favorite consumables can be good options, too. Or you can give the gift of #organization, says Just Organized. Many of a typical #dad’s favorite spaces — the garage, workshop, mancave and home office — tend to be dumping grounds for all kinds of #junk that could be #decluttered and #organized. Help him yourself or hire a professional; he won’t forget it! #FathersDay

Start Downsizing While Parents Still Have Their Health

Posted on by Jordank

The best time to have a conversation about #decluttering and #downsizing with a parent is long before you need to, says Reader’s Digest — when they are still healthy, independent and not in the middle of a move. That way, they can decide where the most meaningful items will go in a more directed, yet theoretical way. Avoid using words that subtly undermine the value of their lives’ possessions such as “#trash” or “#junk,” and instead use words such as “preserve,” “repurpose” and “donate” to help them let go. Start by asking which items matter to them most — it may not be what you think. #FathersDay

Give Dad the Gift of Decluttering

Posted on by Jordank

Show dear old #Dad that you care on #Father’s Day by helping with a few household tasks, says SpaceWise. You can help out with his lawn and landscaping, install or troubleshoot software, or paint a room. Or you can #organize a closet, #declutter the garage or basement, or help prep the home for #downsizing. Any help you can lend will be a thoughtful gesture that shows you care. And if you find anything that still might be useful to other families, you can easily give it a second life by #donating it to ClothingDonations.org with a #free #donation #pickup. #FathersDay

Help Dad Increase his Decluttering ‘Toss Rate’

Posted on by Jordank

Confronting a lifetime of #possessions isn’t an easy challenge for anyone, so how can you help an aging #father #downsize? It’s more than just asking them to tackle their own #clutter, because like most people, they can get distracted by the #memories engendered in an object and lost track of the task. Getting involved in the process — holding up each item, one at a time, for consideration and a decision — results in better “toss rates,” says The Homes I Have Made.  “It forced him to truly confront the volume of items he owned. As he fatigued with the decisions, they became easier to make.” #FathersDay