Commandment #2 & #3 – Be Charitable and Be Creative

Whoops, did not realize that I missed Commandment #2 and #3 – here they are…..

Be charitable - ask yourself, do I really want to house  clothing, furniture, linens, kitchens and bath accessories, old toys and books that I know  I will never use again?  This kind of mentality is costly.

You  pay for storage, whether it  be in jammed square footage, annual cleaning costs, or the sheer frustration of being surrounded by outmoded, outlived, items you are hanging onto “just in case”.  Have you considered the ways you can enrich other people’s lives by letting them share in yours?  To families who have little, your clothes, linens, toys, dishes, glassware, blankets, and odds and ends may make the difference between poverty and comfort, between deprivation and dignity, between cold and warmth.  Charity begins at home – from your home to those of others, share your wealth and kindness.  It feels good for everyone involved.  There are a number of ways to make this happen. Here are just a few.  Goodwill, Salvation Army, church organizations, local charities and community centers, women’s centers, the list is long and you will find a group in your community that welcomes your years of saving. This is a “win win” for you. It is amazing how good you feel after giving to others.

Visit our Where to Donate for a list of links to possible charities in your area.

Visit our Where to Recycle for a list of links to possible recycling solutions in your area.

Be Creative ~   and environmentally responsible: This is tough, I warn you.  There is a huge emotional issue underlining our need to accumulate, hoard, save for a “rainy day” (and no, we are not talking about our college or retirement funding here.)  To internalize and role model respect for our environment and create new ways to use what you have, recognize that resources are limited.  Re-think buying patterns.  Avoid purchasing clothes, gadgets, junk food and other “stuff” wrapped in layers of paper and plastic.  This requires seismic shifts in behaviors. Personally, I am an avid treasure hunter, shopper, lover of new designs and ideas, both in fashion and interior design.  Aging is not dampening any of my enthusiasm.  Moving, particularly downsizing, certainly is a wake-up call.  I guarantee it.