Donation, Selling, and Recycling, Local:
Bikes
Not Bombs - They take your old bikes (in any condition), as
well as cotton rags, computer items, and other miscellaneous stuff.
Boomerang's
- This is a thrift/resale shop in Jamaica Plain. I've never been there,
but I've heard good things. All their proceeds go to the AIDS Action
Committee of MA.
Cradles to Crayons - They collect stuff for children - toys, clothing, cribs, school supplies, etc.
From the Pumpkin Patch - In the month before Halloween, you can donate your old costumes and related accessories to low-income kids.
More Than Words - This is a bookstore and cafe in Waltham run by at-risk youth. They accept book donations, but unfortunately don't pick up.
Rosie's Place - This shelter for homeless women needs all kinds of things, including clothing, toiletries, and food.
Second Chances - They provide clothing to homeless and low-income folks in the Boston area, especially to help with job interviews.
Solutions
at Work
- They accept baby/child supplies and clothes, as well as "interview-appropriate" adult clothing.
Donation, Selling, and Recycling, National:
Best Buy - They have both trade-in and recycling programs for old electronics and computer components.
Craig's
List -
Look here for your local Craig's List. You can sell items or offer them
for free. And when you get bored with that, you can browse the personal
ads. :-)
The Freecycle Network
- Apparently you can get something for nothing!
Give Your Stuff Away Day - On a Saturday in every May and September, people all over the country leave reusable stuff they don't want on the curb.
Goodwill
Industries - Here's information on your local Goodwill stores and
how to donate.
Big-Hearted Books and Clothing, Inc. - They will pick up your unwanted books and textiles, and they are not picky.
Staples - They will recycle your old electronics and computer components for free or cheap.
Vietnam Veterans of America - VVA is my
current favorite charity for donations, because they pick up, they
accept toys, and they always come when they say they will. This is the link telling you what they accept, and this is the link to schedule a pickup - yes, you can schedule it online.
Shopping, National and Online:
The Container Store - Pricey, yes, but their
products are good quality, and their customer service is excellent. Also, they have sales a lot, and my
clients can use my NAPO discount to get 10% off storewide and 20% off
on Elfa storage systems.
Organized A to Z - A useful site with many products. I get a teeny kickback when you buy things there.
Tasks at Bey - Bey Woodward is a friend and associate who does personal shopping, interior design, and event planning.
I also have recommendations for a handyman, a massage therapist, a
petsitter, a graphic designer, a housecleaner... Just let me know what
you want to delegate.
Services, National and Online:
Artimus Art
- They will scan your child's art, help you share it online, and will
turn it into a high-quality art book.
Fly Lady-
"Your personal
online coach to help you gain control of your house and home." If you
like (or don't mind) her Christian angle, and you need a housekeeping
cheerleader, check her out. She has a big following.
Neat(ening) Products to Buy:
Cable Organizer.com
- Products to organize wires and cables
IdeaPaint (warning: audio) - This is paint that turns any wall surface into a whiteboard.
Lifestyle
Systems - Cut-to-fit drawer dividers; very cool. I admit it;
I saw them on "Martha Stewart Living." Hey, it's professional
development!
Scan
Snap Scanner - Say that
ten times fast. This nifty product can scan your documents and turn
them into searchable PDFs. The IRS accepts this format for financial
records!
Catalog Choice - A
fabulous free website which allows you to opt out of receiving
specific catalogs. It doesn't always work; it's still up to the
catalogs whether or not to honor the request. But still a good idea.
DMA Choice - This website allows you to opt out of various kinds of commercial mail and email.
Yellow Pages Opt-Out - Just say no to more phone books we never use.
Paper Karma - My favorite app to unsubscribe from paper mail, especially catalogs.
Online Support Groups:
Children of Hoarders - This website is a message board for people whose parents were hoarders, of stuff or animals.
Clutterers
Anonymous - A 12-step program for people with life-damaging clutter problems.
Squalor Survivors
- Sometimes a home goes beyond clutter or hoarding. This site is a
great resource for people working to overcome squalor.
Stopping Overshopping
(warning: audio) - We all buy stuff we don't need sometimes (even me),
but overshopping can be a compulsion for some. This website has a lot
of information on the problem and how to get help.
Inspirational
Sites:
That
is, content to get you inspired, not code for "religious!"
Motivational
and Inspirational Quotes - You can search by author or
category.
Planet SARK
- Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy is an amazing woman who is all about
creativity, naps, and being succulent.
Humor:
Knock Knock - Very funny To Do and other checklists.
The Plastic Bag Monster of Ljubljana, Slovakia - Just what you'd expect.