This is the last post in a three-part series that looks at how your home can better support you as your "MidLife" chapter takes shape.
As your circumstances shift, and you reinvent/repurpose your home to better accommodate your life now, you'll no doubt have to eliminate a lot of STUFF. Toys and art projects left over from your kid's childhood. Unused dishes in the kitchen. Clothes that may not fit you anymore (physically and stylistically). Towels and sheets that are just used up. It's time to declutter.
The big question is: What do you DO with all this STUFF? The dump/landfill should be our very last resort. It can be overwhelming to figure out the best places and ways to donate. This list of ideas and resources—although by no means exhaustive—gives you a good start.
Clothes, toys and household items: Large organizations
Donation Town is an easy-to-use website with a goal to make the process of connecting with charities and scheduling donation pick-ups as seamless as possible. They accept clothes, household items, toys, electronics, books, and more. Note: this organization does not accept large furniture. Donation Town pickups are not offered in every state.
Goodwill has more than 3,500 thrift stores in the US. The overall charity itself is highly rated, and sales profits provide job training and employment opportunities in each community. However, I've heard various criticisms about Goodwill as well, and it seems as if business practices/employee pay vary according to location.
Salvation Army operates just under 1,000 thrift stores in the US. Proceeds go to funding myriad community programs, including day care, senior centers, housing assistance, and veteran's services. They even provide pick-up services in some areas of the country.
Clothes, toys and household items: Smaller organizations
Out of the Closet has 25 stores spread across the US, and some will provide pick-up services for larger items. 96 cents of every dollar made goes to provide HIV testing, treatment and prevention services across the country and the world.
American Cancer Society Discovery Shops can be found in certain parts of the US (45 stores in CA, 6 in Ohio, 5 in WA, 2 each in Michigan, Iowa and Nebraska). Proceeds fund advocacy, research, and patient support programs to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families.
Buy Nothing Groups: called "a global gift economy network", there are 128,000 Buy Nothing groups around the world! Just download the app to get started donating things you no longer need (and finding things you DO need too!).
Finally, local charity shops offer a great opportunity for you to support hospitals and other non-profits directly in your community. Here in Oakland, I frequent Bambino Thrift shop, which benefits Oakland's Children's Hospital; and Berkeley Humane Thrift Shop, benefitting shelter animals in the East Bay.
Furniture and large household items
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are independently owned reuse stores operated by local Habitat for Humanity organizations. The sales from donated items (furniture, appliances, rugs, construction materials) help Habitat for Humanity partner with local families to build, rehabilitate and repair safe and affordable homes.
"Garbage" (ie stuff that can't be donated)
Ridwell is a service that picks up items from your home that would normally be thrown away, or are difficult to dispose of (such as light bulbs, batteries, torn and stained clothing, styrofoam, and plastic). Ridwell then delivers these items to their vetted partners who will recycle or reuse them. Plans start at $14 per month, but Ridwell is only available in certain cities across the US.
Your worn-out towels and blankets can sometimes be used by your local veterinarian or pet hospital, but be sure to call first.
Finally, your city should have local recycling centers and hazardous waste centers that will take your used paper, cardboard, paint, and more.
A word about sentimental items
It can be painful to part with old photographs, greeting cards, announcements, kids' artwork, etc. But holding on to too much of it takes up space—both physically and mentally. Here are some ideas to help you preserve memories without weighing you down.
Digitize: Have old photos and videotapes converted into digital format. Then keep them in "the cloud" so they are always accessible but take up no room in your physical space.
Take photos of artwork: Snap a photo of those old self-portraits or clay sculptures. Then feel free to let the originals go, knowing you can always gaze upon them when you're feeling sentimental.
Curate a scrapbook: Choose just the best photos to represent each person or event in your life, then collect them in a scrapbook or photo album (hard copy or digital). Once you know you've captured key memories, you can discard the duplicates.
Create a "memory box" for each child: Buy an expandable file folder or large box for each child, then fill it with only your favorite photos, report cards, book reports, etc. Be ruthless with yourself! Choose just 2-4 mementos per grade, so each will have significance.
These are great resources and tips. Bookmarking this!