The Story of Stuff

March 5, 2011 by Janet · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Buying Habits, Clear the clutter, Frugal/Simplified Living, Healthy Habits

Did you know that only 1% of goods you consume or purchase today will still be in use 6 months from now? Think about that! Isn’t this alarming?

If there’s anything positive that can come from our current economic recession is that we are consuming less stuff. Which means that if we are consuming less, then each household is producing less waste that goes to landfills. That’s a good thing.

You’ve got to check out the The Story of Stuff. It is an alarming 20-minute movie that follows stuff from mine to landfill. From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from our view. Because the marketing messages encourage us to continue our voracious appetite to consume.

This short film will teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change forever the way you look at all the stuff in your life.

Originally posted 2009-02-13 13:24:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Tags: Going Green, recycle, reduce footprint

What to Do with Garage Sale Leftovers

March 5, 2011 by Janet · 1 Comment
Filed under: Downsizing/Moving, Healthy Habits, Home Organization

In my old disorganized life, after having a garage sale I would put the leftovers back in the garage to “hold onto” for garage-sale the next garage sale. So essentially, I was holding onto stuff I had already deemed unwanted, and if not sold in the garage sale, no one else wanted it either. But for some reason I felt that this junk still had value enough to continue storing it in my garage. I now see the error of my ways, and now ban the unsold stuff from ever coming back into my garage, and I’ve never missed any of it.

How about you? Is your garage, basement, attic full of stuff you’ve already relegated to those spaces, but you hold onto it for some reason? I found some great tips for what to do with garage sale leftovers on About.com by Housekeeping expert Sarah Aquirre.

Take It To Charity: Local thrift stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army will usually have drop off points where you can take items. Local charities will sometimes even pick up donations, so check around. Specific items like toys might be a great addition at a church, school, or day care. Magazines and books might be of use at a local clinic or doctor’s office.

Give It Away: Even if you’re not giving it away to charity, just giving your unwanted stuff away to someone else who wants it and will use it is a great option. Try Freecycle. I’ve had a great experience using Freecycle in the past. Or for an even more simple give away, just place items on the curb in a box marked “free”. I did this when we moved last December and it worked like a charm. I put everything at the curb that didn’t sell in our garage sale and put a “FREE” sign on the lot and it was gone in a day!

Sell It: For nicer items that you still think could have a good amount of cash value, consider selling at an online auction site, or listing in an internet classified ad.

Trash It/Recycle It: If it’s not worth giving away or selling…? Well, you may need to consider putting your “treasure” in the trash or the recycle bin.

Let it go, and live happy in your clutter-free home.

Originally posted 2009-07-10 09:21:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Tags: Freecycle, garage clutter, garage sale leftovers, recycle