Did you know that when you #donate good-quality used #clothing and household items to ClothingDonations.org, you are likely eligible for a #tax #deduction? You must determine the fair market value (FMV) of the items you donate, “based on desirability, use, condition, scarcity and market demand for that property,” says IRS Publication 561. In the case of clothing #donations, for example, FMV is based on the item’s condition and what a typical buyer would actually pay for clothing of that “age, condition, style and use.” Fortunately, many tax-preparation software applications include a #donation calculator. #LastMinuteTaxDeduction
Tag: donation
No Fooling: April Is the Best Month to Declutter
Pranksters throughout the world like to kick off April with a deception that makes a “fool” out of gullible believers. From schoolchildren slapping paper fish on their friends’ backs to news reports that the Eiffel Tower is being dismantled, pranks big and small have tricked and amused many a person over the years.
But all fooling aside, April just might be the best month of the year to #declutter and #organize.
April is a month of rebirth. Flowers start to bloom and the weather gets more pleasant. And yet, it’s still too early in the year to be chockablock with social occasions, deadlines and all of the other things that tend to crowd a schedule. It’s the perfect time to spend a few hours or days sorting through your #stuff.
A great place to start is in your #clothes closets. You’ll be swapping out heavy coats and sweaters for breezier garments soon, if you haven’t already; why not make April the month you take a complete inventory of your #clothing? #Store whatever you want to keep, and #donate anything that just isn’t being worn to ClothingDonations.org.
#Spring #cleaning will unearth even more #household items that you no longer want or need, and April gives you the chance to throw open the windows and make a fresh start. As you #declutter, #clean and #organize, decide if you want to stage a #garage or #yard sale at some point in the near future, says Simplify 101; early-season sales tend to be a big draw.
#Clutter itself can make #fools of otherwise rational people. “#Clutter is a master of deception, tricking us into believing that it enhances productivity, comfort and creativity when it does the opposite,” says Miss Organized. “By unveiling the illusion of clutter and taking proactive steps to #declutter our lives, we can cultivate a sense of clarity, purpose and serenity.”
Don’t be the butt of your own joke or waste another minute of your April. Start #decluttering, #cleaning and #organizing now, and you’ll get the last laugh.
Hack These Household Items to Deep-Clean
Sometimes, the best #cleaners and #cleaning tools are hiding in plain sight. For example, toothpaste can eliminate children’s marker and crayon stains on wood surfaces and walls, Treehugger says; it can also polish bathroom fixtures, shine silverware and jewelry, and clean piano keys. Lemon and salt is effective on butcher block countertops and cutting boards, as well as dirty grates on the outdoor grill. You can also use your dishwasher to wash tools, plastic toys, switch covers and certain clothing items. Keep dishes separate, of course, depending on what you’re attempting to #sanitize. #CleaningHacks
How Professional House Cleaners Pick up Dust
When it comes to #cleaning, the professionals don’t use a lot of different products; a general-purpose or DIY cleaner can handle most surfaces and cuts costs. One of their favorite hacks? Using dryer sheets to get rid of dust, hair and other detritus that sweeping and vacuuming might miss. “They’re especially great for cleaning ceiling fans and baseboards,” ProHousekeepers’ Jennifer Rodriguez told Southern Living. “You can wrap dryer sheets over a duster or an extended paint roller for those hard-to-reach places by using rubber bands to hold [them] in place. You’ll be surprised at just how effective [they] are!” #CleaningHacks
Make Spring Cleaning More Fun
#Spring is here, and it’s time for spring #cleaning! If that’s not something you look forward to, helpful cleaning “hacks” can make the task less onerous. Make cleaning as fun as possible by pairing it with a favorite podcast, TV show or music, The Every Girl suggests. Also dedicate small chunks of your day to cleaning so that it becomes routine — washing the dishes after dinner, starting a load of laundry or “resetting” the living room when turn off the TV. “By routinely chipping away at small cleaning tasks every day, you’ll save yourself from having to do an intensive deep-clean later.” #CleaningHacks