Community Magazine July 2012

The Shaatra Files (shõ•trä) n . An outstanding homemaker [Arabic] File #650: Where to Give the Giveaway? RACHEL DAYAN W e all have some baggage we need to get rid of (and not just on our waistlines). Removing old, unused belongings to make space and reduce the clutter in your home can be hard. It could be sentimentality, laziness, or a strong sense of value that prevents you from tossing decent things into the trash. In any case, overcoming your reluctance can be easier when you consider giving your items to someone who can use them, or even making a few dollars. Here are some ideas to help in your clutter busting. Rolling in Dough Some of your unwanted stuff can mean extra cash in your wallet. Don’t get too excited, because unless it’s made out of gold you probably won’t be getting that much. But if you have a lot to sell, it can still mean a decent profit. If you are computer savvy and have some extra time, list your items on ebay.com or amazon. com. It’s not difficult to list your items, once you familiarize yourself with the selling (and shipping) process. Gazelle. com and Buybackworld.com buy your old electronics, and will tell you on the spot how much (if anything) your old cellphones, cameras and other things are worth. Craigslist.org is a great way to have a local customer come to you for just about any item, especially larger items that would be hard to ship. If you have a lot of good quality stuff that you want to sell but can’t or don’t want to do it on your own, there are businesses that specialize in selling your stuff for you, and you can still make a decent profit, even after their cut. Another option for high-end clothing and accessories is selling to a consignment shop. You’ll get a fraction of the value, but cash in your hand. Do an online search for one in your area. Most will come and pick up. Some national chains, like Play It Again Sports (sports gear), Music Go Round (musical instruments), and Game Stop (video games, etc.) will give you cash or store credit for used items. Local Jewish publications often have For Sale sections that may help you find a buyer for valuable items such as furniture, gowns, or the wig that never looked quite right. If the price of a listing is cheap, it may be worth a try. Do a Missva Opportunities abound to help others with your good but unwanted stuff. Make sure to only give the type and condition of item that the organization accepts. Bundling all your junk in one big messy bag may be easier for you, but it’s very inconvenient for the volunteers or workers who have to sort it. Some items may even cost the organization money to get rid of, like dropping bags of Jewish books in a shul which can’t use them and must pay to have them put in geniza . So the rule of thumb is, never drop off items unless you ask first. There are dozens of gemachs (charitable lending agencies) in the community that specialize in different items, so you can probably accumulate many missvot from your like-new items. Want to give away a beautiful gown? Baby gifts? Furniture? Formula? Purim costumes? Chances are there’s a Gemach that can either to give it away or lend it out. So before you give items away to just anyone, call the specific gemach that lends or gives out the item you have, and see if they can use it. Some organizations collect clothing and other stuff and sell it by the pound to companies that sort it, so they won’t care if the items are dirty or worn out, but most places ask that you only give items in like-new or gently used condition. The Monday edition of Hamodia has a Gemach listing that may be helpful. The weekly Torah Times magazine has a L’Shem Mitzvah section (before the classifieds) where you can list items you want to give away. Fax your listing to 718-633-1008, or call 718-854-6410. Ask Around Sometimes you need to be creative when trying to find a good home for your old stuff. Maybe your child’s school can use your old but good toys, children’s books, craft supplies, even an office chair or CD player! The only way to know is to ask, so go ahead, they might be happy to take it. Something still new in a box? See if there’s a Chinese Auction coming up that would include it in a prize package. Maybe a local Senior Center has a place to hang your old wall art. How about offering your friends? Send a text message or log a social networking post– “David outgrew his toddler bed, let me know if anyone can use it!” There are women in the community who accept used clothing or other items which they sort and distribute, but most are known only by word of mouth. So if you don’t know where to drop your stuff, ask your friends if they know anyone. READER TIPS I didn’t know what to do with the wedding gifts I didn’t want, so I contacted a bridal fund and asked if they had any brides who could use it– turns out they did and I’m so glad! D na Coe I give books to our community schools, extra siddurim to our shuls and toys to the pediatrician’s office. My kids love seeing their toys put to good use when they visit. Ma i To gueman, Professional Organizer 82 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE