Organize Your Children's Things and Make Money

Today is a new day, a new year, a new life. Whenever I want to turn over a new leaf, I organize my children's clothes. It gives me a sense of accomplishment to make piles of their outgrown things. Did you know you can make money, real cash in hand, on these discarded hand me downs?

First, gather up three laundry baskets or shopping bags. Label them: Keep, Donate, and Sell. As you go through all of their closets and drawers, you can immediately decide what to do with each item. If the item is stained, torn or shows signs of obvious wear, use it as a rag or toss it out. None of the donation centers will accept it. When you reach the end of your pile, or you've had enough, do your research online.

Check your local listings for consignment shops or stores such as "Once Upon A Child." Consignment shops will sell your items for you but keep a portion of the sale for themselves. If your items don't sell, you don't get anything. Check the details of the contract; some consignment shops donate your items if you don't pick them up within so many days.

Stores such as "Once Upon A Child" buy your things outright. You bring your items in. The staff reviews each piece to ensure it's in great condition. You leave the store with a lighter load and a check in hand. Be sure to call them first to see what they are accepting. They typically will take clothing, furniture, books, toys and shoes.

These shops rarely accept everything I bring to them. When I pick up what's left, I head straight to the Goodwill or Salvation Army to drop it off there. I'll do a quick tally of my items in the car so I can itemize my receipt. You'd be surprised to find out how much your things are worth. When I began following the valuation guide for Salvation Army donations, I realized I had been under estimating the value of everything I had been dropping off. This guide can be found on the Salvation Army website. There is a table which shows the high and low value for each piece. Consider your item's condition and age when doing your estimate. Be fair.

Get your receipt for your items. Create a file to store all of your donation receipts. The IRS is very strict on the donation deduction. When you do your taxes, you'll have one place to look to. Those deductions will add up quickly and help offset your tax burden.

At the end of this organizing day, you will feel really good about yourself. You've just decluttered your home, made some money and donated to charity. Well done!