The Neat Sheet
May/June 2009
 
That's Neat! Organizing
www.ThatsNeatOrganizing.com
617.905.7762
In This Issue
Think Green for Your Things
Especially for Parents: Take a Fresh Look
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Greetings!
 

This month I'm definitely in cleaning and clearing mode. To help you do the same, I'm sharing my list of resources to recycle, donate, or sell a variety of items. Also read on to see how an unexpected event gave me a fresh perspective on my things.
 
While you read this I will be attending the National Association of Professional Organizers annual conference! Look for new tips and products from the conference in the next edition of The Neat Sheet.
 
Best,
Elizabeth

 
Spring Special: Free Hour for New Clients
Schedule five hours of organizing and get the sixth hour free! Call 617-905-7762 or email That's Neat! Organizing today.
To take advantage of this offer schedule your first session by June 30, 2009
Think Green for Your Things: Recycle, Donate, Sell
Give new life to your home by purging and clearing out the clutter. Take a look in your closets, attic, and basement for items you may be storing and not using....and clear them out! Here are some resources to help you donate, sell, and recycle all kinds of things.*

Small Electronics
Several companies pay for your unwanted phones, cameras, laptops, game systems, camcorders and other small electronics. Simply answer a few questions about your item, print out a pre-paid shipping label, and mail it in.
Radio Shack, receive a Radio Shack gift card
Best Buy, receive a Best Buy gift card
Gazelle, receive money via check, Paypal, or donate the amount to a charity 
 
Cell Phones

Household Goods and Furniture
Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts: This not-for-profit organization collects and distributes furniture and small goods to individuals and agencies. 
Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless: This organization provides furniture and household items to assist families in transition from homelessness to permanent housing.
 
Books
Got Books? This local for-profit company accepts books, CDs, videos and DVDs and will pick up from your home. They resell the items, so you don't get a tax deduction but it is an easy way to clear book and movie clutter.

T-Shirts
Most of us (myself included) have a pile of old t-shirts that we just can't part with due to sentimental value. Consider turning them into a quilt! Not a quilter yourself, here are some places that do the sewing for you:
Too Cool T-Shirt Quilts
Campus Quilt Company
T-Quilts 
 
Also check out Reteez, an organization based in Quebec Canada which accepts t-shirts and makes them into tote bags, home accessories, and pet leashes. 
  
Musical instruments
Contact your local school district to see if they need old musical instruments, or sell them at a consignment or thrift shop.
Operation Happy Note: This Minnesota-based organization accepts donations of musical instruments and sends them to service men and women deployed throughout the world. 
 
*Don't forget Craigslist and Freecycle!
 
Especially For Parents: Take a Fresh Look
Bugs don't bother me and I've battled spiders, carpenter ants, even a flea-ridden hotel, but I felt like I met my match when my daughter was sent home from pre-school with lice. Yes, lice.  
 
I spent days vacuuming every upholstered surface and washing or bagging all her clothing, bedding, and stuffed animals...in addition to working on her hair. After a visit to the wonderful people at NitWits, however, I found out that the cleaning and laundry has little to do with getting rid of the lice. Once I learned how to effectively deal with the lice, I stoped the excess cleaning and laundry, and took all the clothes and toys out of the bags. 
 
As I began to put everything back, I started to look at the space differently. Maybe I didn't need the dust ruffle and extra pillows on the bed. Maybe the couch was fine without all the throw pillows. And maybe my daughter didn't need so many stuffed animals. 

What does dealing with lice have to do with organizing? It was an unexpected event that forced me to take a fresh look and reconsider what I keep in my home. Some things went right back (throw pillows) and some things were purged (stuffed animals). In the end, I got rid of the lice but gained a new perspective.
 
This month I encourage you to take another look at your things. Start small: one room, closet, or cabinet. What can you put away, purge, or pass on to someone else?