Do you have old, unwanted things at home that you want to get rid of? Examples are old clothes, shoes, toys, books, or appliances. If your answer is yes, then donating them is a great idea. Not only will you be able to help other people, but you also get to save storage space and help declutter your home. But, when is the best time to donate your old stuff? Find out the answer below.
1. When Moving
Moving from one town, city, or state to another can be a burden, especially if you have too many things to pack and carry with you. So, donating your old stuff is an excellent solution to moving-related packing problems.
You can donate suits to veterans by locating a veterans office near you. They usually have donation boxes wherein you can put clothes or other stuff you want to donate to retired veterans and their families.
It’d also be nice to donate your old stuff to a nearby church. Like veterans offices, churches also have dedicated boxes to receive all kinds of donations, from children’s books, old clothes, etc.
2. When Decluttering
Are you planning to do a major house cleaning this weekend? A major cleaning chore requires sorting things and eliminating ones that have been stored in your cabinets, shelves, and closets for many years. You might not realize that you’re hoarding many things until you schedule a decluttering day.
When decluttering, you should have a storage box, carton box, or any storage solution ready for fast and easy work. Furthermore, have a trash bag ready for items that reach their useful life and require disposal.
If you’re in doubt about whether an item is still useful or not, you might want to visit your prospective donation and recycling centers’ websites to determine the items they can accept. This will help reduce the possible waste that can pile up in landfills.
3. During Calamities
One of the best times to donate your old stuff is during natural disasters. Many families, who are victims of flooding or hurricane, usually need blankets, clothes, and any useful thing they can use.
Aside from natural calamities, your donations are also a big help in fire disasters. For instance, many families lose their homes and belongings because of a fire accident caused by electrical system faults or a forest fire that reaches residential areas.
4. When Migrating
Are you going abroad and will live there for many years? Or, maybe, you’re staying there for good. Donating your old stuff can help you prepare yourself before your flight. You don’t want to simply throw your things away or leave them in a self-storage facility that may cost you a hefty amount of money for a long absence.
You can donate your home décor pieces, children’s toys, appliances, or bags to your neighbors or the poorest neighborhoods in the city or state. Donating them to churches, veteran’s offices, and orphanage facilities would also be a great idea.
5. When Renovating
A major home renovation is also the best time to get rid of things you want to replace. For instance, you might want to replace your old living room or patio furniture with a new set of furniture for a more modern feel.
You can donate old hardwood cabinets, tables, and chairs to your neighbors who want them. Instead of hanging a garage sale signage, you can label it as for donation. Listing your old stuff for donation online is also a good idea. You can take photos of the old furniture you want to remove from your home and post them on social media.
6. When Demolishing
Some people donate their old but still functional belongings before demolition. For instance, if you’re planning to knock down your old family house to build a new one, then donating old stuff can help reduce your problem regarding finding the best place to store your things.
You might want to only keep high-value items or things with sentimental value for you. Preserving or keeping everything may cost you an enormous amount of money for renting storage units. Therefore, it’d be practical to donate the things you don’t need anymore.
7. When A Loved One Passes Away
Some people donate the things of their deceased family members. It’s one way to help them overcome grief. They don’t want to throw them away because of their sentimental and functional values. So, they just donate them to charitable organizations. Examples of common items that bereaved family members donate to charity include books, musical instruments, and clothes.
If you experienced a recent death in the family, donating items to a charity or to close relatives is a good idea. At least, someone can still use and benefit from them while you try your best to get over your grief. You’ll feel better and have peace of mind, knowing that your loved one’s possessions will be put to good use, and won’t rot or wear early because nobody is using them.
8. During Terminal Illness
Some people diagnosed with a terminal illness try their best to do some charity work as a part of their self-preparation for passing away. They donate their belongings to charity, close relatives, and neighbors.
Terminally ill people draft their will, and as a part of their final wishes, some want to give back to people, organizations, and institutions close to their hearts. They want to personally hand out their belongings to their friends, children, and other significant people they want to thank and reward for making their lives worth living.
People suffering from a terminal illness can ask the help of their family members to organize a charity event or request to donate the items to charity to avoid undue exposure to infection. They can also call a courier to pick up the items for donation and deliver them to the chosen charitable institution.
Conclusion
Are you ready to donate your old stuff? Don’t throw them away. Find a veterans’ center, non-profit organization, or church near you to hand in those items. By doing so, you can quickly declutter and organize your home while making other people happy. Just make sure that the items you’ll donate are still useful and in good condition.
