Spring Cleaning Part 2: Pay it forward

Have you ever noticed phrases like “what you put out there comes back to you” or “what you reap is what you sow,” tend to be true?  

So why not be givers?  Giving is part of a healthy financial plan.  Every unloved item in your house is an opportunity to bless others, and that action will come back to bless you. 

When doing your spring-cleaning, there are many ways to give.

• Pass it along:  Gather clothing of the same size and pass them along to someone you know that could benefit from them.  This works especially well with children’s clothing, but can sometimes work for adults.  Make sure the clothing is not stained, or torn first.  Then have a conversation to make sure the receiver is open to experienced clothing.

• Re-gifting: Keep a storage tote or drawer for items in excellent condition that you would feel comfortable giving as all or part of a gift (birthday, Christmas, mother’s day, etc).  These items could be books, music cd’s, movies, picture frames, knickknacks, or any unloved still in the box item you have no use for.  You will want to carefully choose a gift the receiver will like.  I often go into my storage tote for random thank you gifts.  It is a nice way to give back and not spend a lot of money.

• Donate: There are many places in your local area to give to others in need.  You may also want to pick up a tax write-off form, because giving to a charity is tax deductible. 

Church thrift shops

Salvation Army thrift shops

Clothing and shoe donation boxes around town

 Clothing closet charities that help people with employment

Remember giving is one aspect of a healthy life and healthy finances.  It feels good to help others and you can move unwanted clutter back into circulation to benefit others.  Try it today!