| Many of you will consider downsizing when you retire. | | | | dust in your drawers, especially if it's broken or |
| You're now empty nesters and you no longer need | | | | mismatched. |
| the large home you raised your family in, so you're | | | | Speaking of drawers, how many old pairs of |
| thinking about buying a smaller home, a condo, or | | | | eyeglasses do you have? You might be surprised, |
| another option. If the real estate market is right, this can | | | | once you start looking. Although I don't know of any |
| be a money-saving option. If the market hasn't | | | | way to make money from them, you can donate |
| recovered yet, think about downsizing right where you | | | | them to Lions Club International or to Sunglass Hut, |
| are. | | | | who both distribute them internationally to people in |
| Downsizing doesn't have to mean moving. It can mean | | | | need. And they'll be out of your drawers! |
| living in fewer rooms in your current home, or it can | | | | Electronics take up increasing amounts of space in our |
| mean cleaning out some of the clutter that has | | | | homes, and recycling those items not only cleans out |
| accumulated over the years. In fact, cleaning out the | | | | your closets, but also salvages precious metals and |
| clutter can help you live in fewer rooms. Look, really | | | | prevents heavy metal pollution. You can try selling such |
| look, around your basement, attic, and closets with a | | | | items on Craigslist, or some retailers will help find a |
| fresh eye. How much sporting equipment is still taking | | | | charity, school, or public agency that needs your old |
| up space when the last time you used it was 10 years | | | | computer, laptop, printer, peripherals, or software. |
| ago? A kayak, a canoe, water skis, snow skis and | | | | Donations with receipts are good tax deductions. Dell |
| poles? Bowling balls and shoes? You probably loved | | | | will accept its own product back for recycling, and you |
| those sports at one time, but if you no longer use | | | | can even go to the website to get free shipping. Each |
| those items, consider them a source of income. You | | | | week, it seems that another major retailer begins |
| can list sporting goods and exercise equipment on | | | | advertising that it will accept electronics for recycle, so |
| Craigslist or in classified ads and get good money for | | | | keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to |
| them. What a deal--clean out your closets and make | | | | recycle. |
| money too! | | | | What else do you have that you no longer need and |
| It doesn't have to be just big items that help you | | | | would like to get rid of? Do you have large furniture |
| downsize. Do you still have some of your professional | | | | items that are filled with "stuff?" What fills the bureau |
| wardrobe? How often do you wear those clothes | | | | or dresser in your guest room? Outdated clothing? |
| now? If they are still stylish, consider sending them to a | | | | Craft projects begun but never finished? Toys that |
| consignment shop. They must be clean and in good | | | | grandchildren have outgrown? Office supplies for |
| condition, but when the item sells, you get a | | | | some business, now long abandoned? Clean them out! |
| percentage of the profits. There are also stores that | | | | Sell the "stuff" or give it to charity. When the drawers |
| take jewelry on consignment, or if you have jewelry of | | | | or shelves are empty, you might even want to sell the |
| gold or sterling silver, you can sell that for the precious | | | | furniture. Downsize your clutter and make some |
| metal content. Of course, you won't get nearly as | | | | money! |
| much as selling it intact, but it's better than gathering | | | | |