Tag: extra stuff

Be the Genius Behind the Garage Sale

Posted on by Jordank

Now that you’ve celebrated #America’s #250th birthday, it’s time to get serious with your summer #organizing and #decluttering and finally get rid of some of the extra #stuff that’s just getting in the way of living your best life — and make a little extra cash while you’re at it.

That’s right: It’s time for a #garage or #yard sale. There’s no better way to recoup some of the #money you’ve spent on #clothing that doesn’t fit, disused #housewares and appliances, and forgotten sporting goods than to throw open the garage door and slap a price tag on them.

The good news? Lots of people are out enjoying warm weather and looking for good deals. The bad news? It does take some effort — and thought — to host a good garage sale. Elevate yours to a must-shop by observing a few genius ideas.

First, #cull through your merchandise. Anything with flaws — clothes with holes, chipped dishes, inflatables that don’t hold air — should be fixed or thrown away. Don’t waste your time pricing anything that’s not in usable condition; toss it or put it in a “FREE” box.

Next, #curate the items you sell. Put knickknacks together in one place, kitchen stuff in another and tools in another. Sort clothing by gender, age, color and season and media by category. If you have furniture or other large items for sale, put them on the parkway for easy pickup or make a flyer with pictures.

Price all items fairly. Your trash may be someone else’s treasure, but your goal is to reduce the volume of your stuff and make a few bucks, not to gouge people for your castoffs. What would you pay if you wanted whatever it is?

Finally, advertise. You don’t have to spend money on a classified ad — do those still exist? But do make large, colorful, easy-to-read signs with directional arrows and include the times, dates and address.

“Put them up early on the day before your sale so people see them coming home from work,” says Instructables. “The more people come to your sale, the better you will do, so do what it takes to get them there.”

Hosting a garage sale isn’t rocket science, but paying attention to a few details goes a long way. And to make the #purge complete, you can #donate any leftovers to ClothingDonations.org by scheduling a #pickup after your sale. Happy #decluttering!

Spending Time Outdoors Is Good for You

Posted on by Jordank

#Summer has (unofficially) begun! And the warm weather will urge most people to spend a lot more time outdoors. And whether it’s at the pool, on the beach or in the backyard, time spent in nature has positive effects on the mind and body.

The outdoors improves cognitive function, according to UCLA Health. Research says that time spent in nature boosts curiosity and mental focus, and any time passed in a green space can help reduce stress and improve heart health.

For city dwellers, a park can represent a break from the overstimulation of urban environments, says Heather Eliassen, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Exposure to green space results in mental restoration and increased positive emotions and decreased anxiety and rumination.”

Neuroscientist Rachel Hopman suggests the 20-5-3 rule, Reconnect With Nature reports, to maximize the benefits. It says you should spend 20 minutes outdoors three times a week, five hours per month in a semiwild outdoor location and three days per year in nature.

Outdoor time doesn’t have to be an extreme sport, though. “You don’t need to climb a mountain or drive an hour to a national park to benefit from nature,” says Becoming Minimalist. “Reading a book in a local park, walking your dog, riding your bike or eating lunch on a picnic table are all great ways to connect with the outdoors.”

Build outdoor time into your schedule. You may find that you prefer to be outdoors in the morning, before peak temperatures. And many things you do indoors — having a cup of coffee, checking your phone, and so on — can be done outdoors when the weather permits.

If you wish to spend the day outdoors and want to accomplish something that will shore up your well-being long-term, #clean out the #garage, #yard or #shed. Take whatever you don’t need and #donate it to ClothingDonations.org by scheduling a #free #donation #pickup.

Eventually, you can make outdoor time a habit. A short walk after dinner or a brief mindful meditation can work wonders for your psyche — as can the power of #decluttering. Try one or both this summer; you will be glad you did.

Hack These Household Items to Deep-Clean

Posted on by Jordank

Sometimes, the best #cleaners and #cleaning tools are hiding in plain sight. For example, toothpaste can eliminate children’s marker and crayon stains on wood surfaces and walls, Treehugger says; it can also polish bathroom fixtures, shine silverware and jewelry, and clean piano keys. Lemon and salt is effective on butcher block countertops and cutting boards, as well as dirty grates on the outdoor grill. You can also use your dishwasher to wash tools, plastic toys, switch covers and certain clothing items. Keep dishes separate, of course, depending on what you’re attempting to #sanitize. #CleaningHacks

How Professional House Cleaners Pick up Dust

Posted on by Jordank

When it comes to #cleaning, the professionals don’t use a lot of different products; a general-purpose or DIY cleaner can handle most surfaces and cuts costs. One of their favorite hacks? Using dryer sheets to get rid of dust, hair and other detritus that sweeping and vacuuming might miss. “They’re especially great for cleaning ceiling fans and baseboards,” ProHousekeepers’ Jennifer Rodriguez told Southern Living. “You can wrap dryer sheets over a duster or an extended paint roller for those hard-to-reach places by using rubber bands to hold [them] in place. You’ll be surprised at just how effective [they] are!” #CleaningHacks

Make Spring Cleaning More Fun

Posted on by Jordank

#Spring is here, and it’s time for spring #cleaning! If that’s not something you look forward to, helpful cleaning “hacks” can make the task less onerous. Make cleaning as fun as possible by pairing it with a favorite podcast, TV show or music, The Every Girl suggests. Also dedicate small chunks of your day to cleaning so that it becomes routine — washing the dishes after dinner, starting a load of laundry or “resetting” the living room when turn off the TV. “By routinely chipping away at small cleaning tasks every day, you’ll save yourself from having to do an intensive deep-clean later.” #CleaningHacks