By Masada Siegel , Special to JTNews
Clearing clutter and cleaning house is a Passover ritual. The Jewish version of spring-cleaning started a long time ago when the Jews had to leave Egypt on the run and without lots of stuff.
Today however, it’s easy to keep collecting more and more clutter. But does more stuff make us happier? New York City interior designer Karen Fraley says, “On the contrary, clutter in our homes and cars usually makes people more tense and stressed out.”
So what should you do with the expensive suit that has been sitting in your closet for three years, or with those handbags that are currently collecting dust? There are many options available.
“A great way to make room in your life for new opportunities is to clear your mind; one of the best ways to start to do that is by clearing your house,” Fraley explains.
First, look in your closets, drawers and kitchen and see what you haven’t used in a few years. Ask yourself: “am I really ever going to wear this item or use this other thing more than once a year?’
If the answer is no, put it in a pile with other underused items. Then determine what can be used by someone else and what should be thrown away.
Once you have your clutter pile, make sure to congratulate yourself. You are on a path to a place where your life will be easier to navigate, and now you have an opportunity to improve your world as well as improve the lives of others.
You have many choices for how to recycle your possessions.
First, and perhaps the easiest, is to ask those around you — friends, neighbors, the people who work for you, such as your cleaning lady, pool man, gardener, or nanny — if they would like any or all of the items.
Second, pick up the phone and call any number of charities such as Jewish Family Service or Dress for Success, or log onto Web sites such as www.volunteermatch.org to find out how to turn your junk into other people’s treasures.
Many charities have drop boxes, while others have scheduled pick-ups in your neighborhood at set times during the month. Donating your goods will also get you a tax break.
Of course, if you’d like to get a little something back from your possessions, use a digital camera to take photos of the items and post them on eBay. However, be aware that eBay is a little more effort and that there are fees.
In order to turn your clutter into cash on eBay, make sure to do the proper research. Search the site to find out what sells and to see what the going rate is for similar items. It is important to describe the item precisely and include details about its condition. Most importantly, when setting a price, make sure you are being realistic. Bidding can start as low as a penny, but you might end up selling a $150 item for a dollar, in which case, is it really worth the effort? Conversely, if you start the bidding too high, you could discourage bidders.
If the ins and out of eBay make your head spin, a consignment shop might be a fun alternative. At the Secret Consignment Boutique in Scottsdale, Ariz., they will consider your high-end items, and they are always looking for unusual purses and shoes. The more contemporary the better. As owner Diane Harris explains, “Fashion changes and people like new things.”
Items that sell will earn you 45 percent, and if they don’t, they will be returned to you or, if you prefer, donated to charity.
Many of Secret Consignment Boutique’s items are acquired locally, but they do get boxes from all over the country and even some from England and France.
As Harris says, “It’s also the thrill of the hunt and the thrill of the find.”
So if it’s cold hard cash, more peace and harmony in your home or simply saving the planet by recycling, clearing clutter is a win-win situation. An added bonus: when you’re done, you’ll have plenty of room in your closet for a little something new.
Masada Siegel, otherwise known as “Fun Girl Correspondent,” is a freelance writer living in Scottsdale. She can be reached at Fungirlcorrespondent@gmail.com.