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What to Do with All That Clutter

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Welcome to Day 4 of our 30 Day Challenge: A Time to Clean. Today we’re talking about what to do with all that clutter in your house. You’re ready to purge so let’s get it out of your house! I’m sharing 15 ways to get rid of clutter below.

15 Ways to Get Rid of Your Stuff @ AVirtuousWoman.org

A Time to Clean: Day 4

Yesterday we talked about How to Deal with Clutter. Next week we’ll be talking more about heart issues {and tomorrow we’ll be talking about sentimental stuff}, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging, wondering what to do with all that stuff you’re getting rid of.

If you’re like me, you hate wasting anything. My husband and I really try to be good stewards of things and even though our clutter issue has grown over the last few years… I still want to be a good steward and not just toss things in the trash that might benefit another family.

We live in a very poverty stricken area – one of the poorest counties in the nation. {#17 based on Median Household Income} Since moving to the area in 2001, I’ve come to view life and things in a much different way. So many people here have next to nothing and I have been blessed with so much. My husband and I moved here specifically to minister in the community. My heart has been broken so many times when I go into homes where there seems to be no hope.

Today, I’m sharing my favorite ways to clear the clutter in my home. If you have any other ideas, please share them in the comments so we can all learn!

What to Do with All That Clutter

As you sort your clutter into boxes or bags – trash, donate, sell, or relocate – you’ll need to decide where each item’s new home will be. Here are some great ideas:

1. Good Will or Salvation Army. Most communities have a Good Will Thrift Store or something similar that you can donate to.

2. Local Women’s Shelter. Call and see what types of items they may be in need of.

3. Animal Shelter or Animal Rescue. Animal shelters are often in need of old bedding for the animals – sheets, blankets, etc.

4. Appalachian Community Center. My husband and I run a Community Center where we give away food, clothing, and household items twice a week – no proof of income required – we just give stuff away.

  • If you’d like to donate, you can send packages to: {USPS} Appalachian Community Center, c/o Melissa Ringstaff, PO Box 1020, Harlan, KY 40831 or {UPS} Appalachian Community Center, c/o Melissa Ringstaff, 594 Ivy Hill, Harlan, KY 40831. If you have questions, feel free to ask!

5. Homeless Shelter. Call and see what they can use. My husband and I take boxes of purses and totes to a homeless shelter each month because the homeless need bags to carry things in. {These bags come from donations to our Appalachian Community Center.}

6. Used Book Store. My favorite used bookstore is McKay’s in Knoxville, TN. It’s amazing. Huge! We love shopping there. I buy a lot of my homeschool curriculum there, as well as books to read, games, music, and more. So, anytime I can bring in some books/ CD’s/ DVD’s/Games for trade and get in-store credit, I’m happy!

7. Homeschool Classifieds. If you homeschool, you can either take your used books to a bookstore like the one above, or you can post them for sale on HomeschoolClassifieds.com. I’ve used it before many times to buy and sell. It’s easy to use!

8. Gift a friend or family member. The books I went through yesterday were divided up – one box to take to the used bookstore and two stacks of books for my step-daughter and daughter-in-law. I pass down my youngest daughter’s old clothes that are in good condition to my grandkids!

9. Freecycle Network. Freecycyle is a program where you can post things you have that you want to give away {or see if you can find something you need}. You can see if your community or surrounding area has a Freecycle Network in your area on their website.

10. Craigslist or Ebay. I’ve sold quite a bit of stuff on Craigslist and Ebay over the years. Plus, you can list FREE stuff that you just want to give away on Craigslist, too!

11. Half.com. The first year that Half.com existed my husband and I made $5000.00 selling books. We don’t list as many books anymore, but it’s a great way to make some extra cash!

12. Yard Sale. I remember the year we moved back east, we had a yard sale before we moved and made SO much money. It was so exciting we kept going into the house looking for more stuff we could part with. Whether you get that excited about having a yard sale or not… it’s a great way to make a little extra cash for your family. If you feel you can spare the cash and want to donate it, a yard sale is a great way to help raise money for a worthy cause.

13. Consignment Shops. If you have a consignment shop in your area, they can really be a great way to make a little money on gently used clothing and baby items.

14. Used Eyeglasses can be donated, too. We take our used glasses to a local eye doctor who collects them.

15. Dress for Success. This organization provides low-income women with business attire to help them get a job.

So, there you have it. 15 places to get rid of your stuff.

Today’s Goal

  • If you feel like you have too much stuff, write down places you might like to donate to or otherwise get rid of {sell} your stuff.
  • Pick up a journal and write down your thoughts about what He has shown you or print my free prayer journal.
  • Choose an area in your home you want to tackle.
  • Fill at least one bag or box full of stuff to give away.
  • Take a picture of your bag. Share it on Facebook or Instagram – use hashtag #atimetoclean {optional}
  • Leave a comment below about what you chose to get rid of and anything else God has laid on your heart.
  • Do your best to wake up early tomorrow and spend time in prayer. Use your prayer journal. I’ll be waking up around 6:00 am.

Let me know what you plan to do with your stuff in the comments below!

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17 Comments

  1. I give most of my stuff to Salvation Army, since they really serve the community, and reach out with Christ. Goodwill doesn't do that. I also donate to our local pregnancy ministry. And sometimes when the church knows of someone in need. I've used Freecycle too. Such a good feeling to give someone something they need, and you have, and don't need!\God bless you and your family, Melissa!
  2. Your local VA hospital accepts good clothing for the veterans that are homeless. The VFW and American legion in some places also accepts clothing. The women's auxiliary accepts donations of fabric and yarns for their making of lap ropes and such items for the veterans and the new babies. heck first though not all aux. have an in group sewing circle.
  3. Does the eye doctor give the glasses away free to needy people? This may be something I'd be willing to send. Thanks, Libby
  4. Good Morning Melissa I am missing my lesson for Friday 22 in my mail. Your shares are such a gift Hopefully it is fixable! Kitty Cox
  5. I haven't received any more of your 30-day challenge e-mails since this one last week. which is so sad. I've sent the link to a few friends and we're all bummed out that they stopped coming. Please help. Thank you so much! Mia
    1. Hi Mia, I sent out an email yesterday evening. Did you receive that one? My daughter got married this weekend and I just wasn't able to get the email out on Friday. Be looking for another one today!
  6. Your local Lions Club is a good place to donate used eye glasses., http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/how-we-serve/health/sight/eyeglass-recycling.php
  7. I just recently heard about an organization in our county that gives a duffel bag filled with sets of clothing and a toy to each child entering the foster care system. I plan to donate some of my son's clothes he has outgrown to this group. My friends who foster have found it very helpful to receive this bag of needed items. They said it has kept them from having to make midnight runs to Walmart for clothing or diapers when they get a placement late at night.
  8. I'll be honest that I am trying to move away from donating so much to Goodwill and S.A., etc, and trying to find ways to donate in a way where the items will be given to those truly in need for free. Not all communities have them, but Catholic Charities is one option for this, and also for those of us in the season of young parenthood, donating baby clothes, gear and maternity items that are in used but good condition to local pregnancy centers is a great option too. I still bring odds and ends to the thrift stores, because it is way better than tossing them if you don't have an individual to give them to directly. I just don't like the prices that these places sell stuff that is frankly in really crummy shape for. The other thing, in the interest of stewardship, is to make the effort to sell some of our unused and unwanted items. There are a lot of things I will just give away because I know my family is blessed with abundance, but sometimes there are larger, higher value items that to give away rather than not attempting to sell it feels like poor stewardship for my family. I won't try to sell something for a premium, but when, as new homeowners, my husband and I are struggling to scrape together the money to cover some of the updates and maintenance that was neglected by the previous owners, selling some things helps us bridge the gaps in our budget. By selling just 4 small items to earn back about $150, we were able to take care of a project that would have blown our budget last month. Stewardship takes many forms! I like your ideas and this series of posts. Thanks Melissa!
  9. Thank you Melissa. I do appreciate all of the information you and others have shared. With gratitude, Amelia

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