Every Jan. 1 I do pretty much the same activities:
- Clean out the fridge and freezer
- Wash make-up brushes (I need to do this more often…) I used the directions here.
- Replace battery in smoke alarm
- Purge old books, magazines, and anything else I can get rid of. –>My favorite!!!
I know a lot of you are probably like me and have a ton of STUFF, and you wanna get rid of it but aren’t sure where to take it. I also know there are people out there, also like me, who hate to see things go to waste. Here is a quick summary of what I do with my old things (when I don’t get so antsy to get them out of the house that I throw them in the trash!).
- Old books – take to The Cracked Book, or any used book store. At this particular store I have an account and can buy books using up to 50% of my store credit. Good for gifts and books that are hard to find at the lib!
- Magazines – I love my Cooking Light, but I have a massive pile from the last year or so. (I have Women’s Health, Runner’s World, and Clean Eating too.) I take these to the gym, after cutting off my name and address info. Other options: drop them off at a school. Where I work there is a culinary program and I’m sure the teacher would love some of this literature! Donating mag’s to a school in your area is a nice way to get them out of your space, but still let them be used (beware of certain PG+ topics of course).
3. Clothes – I consign my clothes at Clementine. Of the second hand clothing stores in Richmond it is by far the best, for shoppers and consigners. I get 50% of what the clothes sell for which usually ends up being a pretty hefty check! **There is a Goodwill right beside Clementine where I donate all the other clothes that Clementine does not accept.
4. Running Shoes – Drop off at Road Runner Sports where there is a box for old running shoes that are donated to children in Africa who want to run but don’t have the means to purchase gear.
5. Misc. stuff – If I find something that someone in my family or a friend would genuinely appreciate, I give it to them. Of course I tell them that it is second hand, don’t try to pass off a mag with your name on it as a Christmas gift. It won’t work! 
Where do you donate your old items? Any other suggestions for me?
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