March 9, 2007

Conquering Clutter

Read "Conquering Clutter", by David Dudley, writing for AARP.

Posted by Sandy McGhee Yanzy at 12:30 PM

July 12, 2006

Tax Deductions and Donated Items to charity....

Mary Hunt, in her 6/3/06 column "Everyday Cheapskate", wrote:

By the way, I will take a deduction for the fair-market value of the items I donated to charity as allowed by the IRS. I use the valuation system "It's Deductible (Intuit)" because the values for more than 850 specific household and clothing items comply with IRS guidelines. Go to www.itsdeductible.com/

Or you can check the Salvation Army's Valuation Guide for a simplified list at www.satruck.com/ValueGuide.asp

Posted by Sandy McGhee Yanzy at 6:55 PM

March 10, 2006

The "FlyLady" helps to Declutter....

http://flylady.net/pages/FlyingLessons_Declutter.asp

FlyLady has divided the home up into 5 different zones. Don't worry if you think you have more than 5 zones in your own home (we all do LOL - Laugh out Loud), follow FlyLady's Zones. Her zones will hit on all the major living areas of your home. Each week, we work in a different zone. Each month, we repeat all the zones. In a few months, you will notice that the main parts of your home will look great. Then you will be ready to tackle some of the "other" areas of your home!

http://flylady.net/pages/FlightPlan.asp

http://flylady.net/images/Detailed_Cleaning_Lists.pdf

Posted by Sandy McGhee Yanzy at 10:28 PM

February 22, 2006

McFreeCycle

McLean County Freecycle, is an online exchange opportunity for residents of McLean County. It is open to all people who want to find a home for those items that can still be used and keeps it out of the landfill. Whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano or an old door, feel free to post it. Or maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself! Individuals and nonprofit groups are welcome to participate! Everything posted must be free and legal for all ages.

This network is brought to you by The Freecycle Network, a nonprofit organization and a movement of people interested in keeping good stuff out of landfills.

For information on recycling additional items: http://www.ecologyactioncenter.org/waste-solutions/

Posted by Sandy McGhee Yanzy at 7:18 PM

February 7, 2006

Recycling helps to declutter.

Locally, working and non-working electronic donations of appliances and electronics are accepted daily by the Normal Public Works facility on Warriner Street in Normal, Illinois. Call ahead (309-454-9571) to determine if unloading assistance is available that day.

Posted by Sandy McGhee Yanzy at 9:24 PM

February 7, 2006

Donate and thus Declutter

Mary Hunt, columnist and self-professed cheapskate, suggests we donate to "do good" AND at the same time, to "declutter"! In the column in the January 23/06 Pantagraph, Mary lists some organizations that help us to do just that:

For perscription eyeglasses, visit www.lionsclubs.orgor www.neweyesfortheneedy.org

To "recycle" those bicycles in our garage, www.p4p.org

Wedding and prom dresses are accepted by www.makingmemories.org and by www.promspot.com

Cell phones are refurbished and distributed to those who need them. Visit www.wirelessfoundation.org

Posted by Sandy McGhee Yanzy at 9:13 PM

January 13, 2006

Clutter Control tips for Everyday Living

• Reduce the number of items stored.
• Sort items into 3 boxes:
  • Keep
  • Maybe
  • Discard
• Consider storage before an item is purchased
• Buy items that serve multi purposes.
• Store items near where they are used.
• Store together all items used together.
• Store frequently used items in spaces most easily seen and reached.
• Return items to their place after use.
• Keep storage needs flexible.
• Sort mail when you receive it.
• Set up a schedule to "declutter."
  • Set a timer.
  • Do one room each month, week, or day.
  • Involve all family members to "help."

http://www.ace.uiuc.edu/cfe/living/clutter.html

Posted by Sandy McGhee Yanzy at 5:16 PM

January 12, 2006

What To Do With Stuff

Knowing the steps to take and what resources exist will guide you in getting rid of "stuff." Visit "WHAT TO DO WITH STUFF"

Posted by Sandy McGhee Yanzy at 2:33 PM

January 10, 2006

Flawless Food Storage

For "flawless food storage", The Good Housekeeping Complete Clutter Solution suggests "Know your priorities. Sort foods according to how often you use them. Put bulk items on the bottom and place at eye level the items you use every day."

Posted by Sandy McGhee Yanzy at 6:40 PM

January 10, 2006

12 Month Rule

"A friend at work told me he tries to live by the 12-month rule: if you haven't used something in the past 12 months, you don't really need it. Out it goes." Quote from Terry Greenberg, "Clutter Wars have my mind dazed, confused" - Pantagraph, 1/1/06

Posted by Sandy McGhee Yanzy at 6:29 PM