Realty Times - Giving to Charity: Learning How to Part with Your Belongings

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Giving to Charity: Learning How to Part with Your Belongings

by Courtney Ronan

You know that it's the right thing to do. And you know that your closet is filled with items you haven't worn in years, some of which still have the store tags hanging from the sleeves. And you're well aware that once you clear your closet of those items, you'll feel better for having donated something to charity -- and your closet will suddenly look and feel larger. But this assumes that you can bring yourself to empty your closet. If you're like most pack rats, you rummage through clothing, shoes, jewelry and other belongings knowing that you haven't worn them in years; and yet, somehow you can't bring yourself to give them away. Although your instincts tell you that the bright orange shirt with the butterfly collar won't suddenly appeal to you two years down the road, you hang onto it for reasons beyond your understanding.

What you need is a few tips to help you get started. In short, you need a system of organization to help you allocate what goes and what stays. It's not easy, but it's possible. First, you're going to grab a couple of large garbage bags (preferably black ones, so that once you place items inside them, they're out of sight and out of mind -- preventing you from having second thoughts). Now, you're going to establish some criteria for items that will be placed in those bags:

Anything that you haven't worn in one year (let's face it, if it hasn't been worn in a year, it won't be worn again);

Anything stained (how many of us get the urge to wear a stained shirt to work, or worse, out on the town?);

Anything torn that is beyond your capabilities to sew, and for which you're unwilling to pay the tailor to repair;

Clothing or shoes that don't match or blend with anything else in your closet (avoid keeping anything that will require you to go shopping to locate something to coordinate with it);

Clothing or shoes that have gone out of style. (Sure, bell bottoms came back on the scene, but how often do fashion mistakes rear their ugly heads again?);

Clothing that has faded substantially, or is discolored;

Clothing that no longer fits (avoid that pledge to lose 10 pounds);

Shoes for which you can't find mates, but you're convinced you'll find them one day in the future;

Any item you don't feel the urge to wear when you open your closet each day. You shove these pieces of clothing out of the way each day on your way to something more appealing. Some items sit there day after day because you're convinced you'll have some use for them in the future; for example, that lime green bridesmaid's dress, or that suit that grabbed you five years ago but which no longer appeals to you; and

Uncomfortable shoes, even if they look great on your feet.

When sorting through your jewelry:

Donate anything that has become too tangled to wear. The more you struggle to untangle those pieces, the worse they become.

If a piece of jewelry is broken or is missing a piece that you have located, decide whether it's worth the cost of repair. If you can't justify the expense of bringing it to a jeweler (particularly if it's a piece of costume jewelry, or if you can't locate the missing piece from the item of jewelry), donate it. If the item is broken and impossible to use, throw it away.

Throw away any earrings for which you don't have a mate.

Store valuable or sentimental pieces in a safe jewelry box.

If you find a piece of jewelry in need of repair, and you decide it's worth the expense, have it repaired immediately. If you don't, the jewelry will sit there for years until you ultimately lose it, give it away or throw it away.

Store all of your favorite pieces -- the ones you use every week -- in one easy-to-find spot. Purchase a jewelry box if you don't already have one.

If you're fairly sure you're not going to wear an item of clothing or jewelry, but you're having a hard time parting with it, consider giving it to your children, a sibling, a friend or fellow family member. You'll have the satisfaction that it's being put to good use. When you finally donate your items to charity, be sure to collect a receipt for tax purposes. The reality is that once these items leave your hands, you'll probably never give them a second thought again. Contrary to what pack rats fear, it's rare that one gives an item of clothing or jewelry away to charity only to have serious regrets later. You may also consider making an appointment with your closet, so to speak -- in other words, scheduling a time (or couple of times) each year to do your clean-out. It's a good idea to clean out your closet right before the end of the year, enabling you to get a receipt for your donation before the end of the tax period. A cleaner, more organized closet has an amazing ability to reduce stress. So congratulate yourself on a job well done and on your generous donation to charity. No one loses when you take this approach to spring cleaning.

Also See:

Before You Move, Clear Out The Clutter

Need Money for Moving Expenses? Look In Your Garage !

Published: February 9, 2000

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