Column 6-3-2010

When is the last time you took a good look at the contents of your attic, garage or basement? Chances are that you are holding on to a lot of things you no longer use but don’t know what to do with. Your old possessions might just be the way to get some extra cash in your hands. Now is the time to schedule a clean-out day and find the proper place for your stuff.

Take the clutter quiz to determine if the item is worth given up.
1. Ask yourself have I used it in the past year?
2. Did I even know I had it?
3. Would I rather have it or a messy space?
4. Does it have sentimental value?
5. Does it fit?
If you answer no to two or more of these questions- It is time to give it up!
Now what do you do with all this stuff you finally decided to get rid of?
SELL IT!
Have a yard sale. Call your local newspaper to place an ad.
Take some old pizza boxes to make signs for the corner of your street. Put up flyers at the grocery stores community board. Plan on opening early. Price your items appropriately. I know you want to make some money but is it worth anything if you don’t sell it. Remember these are things you don’t need any more, whatever you get is a bonus. Please do not bring what you do not sell back into the house. Just bring it to a donation site.

· If you have brand name clothes, shoes or accessories that are in good condition take them to one of your local consignment shops. There are many located all around Lexington that will give you money for your clothes.
· Cash4books.net takes textbooks, novels and other books. Type in the ISBNs, get a quote, then print out the prepaid shipping label. You’re paid once the site receives your shipment.
· At gazelle.com or buymytronics.com, describe the gadget you want to sell, then receive an instant quote. The sites pay for shipping and wipe out your personal data. RadioShack has a similar deal: click on “Trade and Save Program” at radioshack.com
· Select the manufacturer and model at cellforcash.com to find out how much money you can get for your retired phone.
· You can sell nearly anything on eBay and Amazon or for free, post local ads on Craigslist and ebayclassifieds.com

DONATE IT
Books.
· Learn how to send a care package to a soldier or a whole unit. Boxes are free from the U.S. Postal Service and shipping is a flat $8.10 fee. www.booksforsoldiers.com
· Friends of the Library help finance many wonderful programs offered by the library. Just bring your donation to any library branch and tell them it is for Friends of the library. For large donations, pickups may be requested by calling 231-5505. http://www.friendsbookcellar.org/bookcellar/
Eyeglasses.
· Bring used lenses to any Pearle Vision or Lenscrafters Stores and they will be donated to Onesight, which recycles them for the needy.
Electronics.
· Regardless of where you bought it, what brand it is and how old it is, bring it to Best Buy. They take just about anything electronic, including TBs, DVD players, computer monitors, audio and video cables, cell phones, and more. Call before you go to double check your location will take and recycle your product.
· Join the Freecycle Network in your area to give away or get FREE stuff in your hometown. www.freecycle.org
Miscellaneous.
· Don’t forget about nearby outlets that need donations like Goodwill, Salvation Army, churches, hospitals (for toys), and soup kitchens (silverware). Call ahead to find out what the organization needs.
If selling, tossing or donating doesn’t appeal to you, here are some more options.
1. Regift it. Remove the tags from your unused items, wrap them in new packaging and give them to a friend.
2. Create a family heirloom. Even if an item isn’t expensive it can have sentimental value. Giving it to someone special along with the story behind the item can make a special memory.
3. Get crafty. One item can be used for another purpose. Turn your mousepad into a new trivet for hot pots.
Where to discard items.
· Find over 90 places in Lexington to drop off your used batteries at www.call2recycle.org.
· CFL light bulbs can be tossed at any Home Depot Center recycle box located in front of store.

FATHERS DAY GIFTS
· Free Photo Magnet ($3.99 value) from Kodak Gallery until June 17. Just enter promotional code FREEMAGNET when checking out. You do have to pay for shipping. www.kodakgallery.com
· Send a free fragrance postcard with a personalized message to dad from Hugo Boss. http://www.hugo.com/manltdkarim/freesamples
· Receive three FREE Personalized Father’s Day cards from Shutterfly. Just enter promotional code CARDS4DAD. http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery?rid=Sw6JvXEVNIk-mz1ax5wnvknyOY1Vs5Kocw&rtype=L&cid=AFLSHATX253
· Print out coupon from Picture People for a FREE 8x10 portrait or 25% off your total purchase. http://www.picturepeople.com/promotion/web_landing.html
· Help Dad makeover his sandwich with two samples of Kraft’s New Mayo. http://www.startsampling.com/sm/101289/captureAddress.iphtml?item=101289&source=&key=589f17d8cc4cf08e1f0fdbe546a2fb51
· Create a Photo Book for Dad for FREE from HotPrints . http://www.hotprints.com/
· Buy One Get One Free Photo Books from Picaboo. Just enter promotional code BGFJUN when ordering.
www.picaboo.com
· Get Dad some Armor All products for FREE from Target.
Buy Armor All Car Wash - $3.49
Buy Armor All Wheel Protectant, 7oz. - $7.99
Use $3.00 for two coupon from Target.com
Use two $2.00 coupons from Armor All Product facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/ArmorAll?v=app_4949752878
Submit for $7.99 rebate from Armor All Wheel Protectant
http://www.armorall.com/pdf/wheel_rebate.pdf
Final price = MONEYMAKER
June 4 is National Donut Day. Celebrate with Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts by receiving a free donut. (Dunkin Donuts require that you purchase a beverage- Krispy Kreme no purchase required)
Every year Kentucky offers free fishing days the first weekend in June. No license is required for residents or non-residents to fish in any Kentucky waters. The Fishing Derby is June 6. This is a fun day for youth ages 15 and under to learn about fishing. Barren River Lake State Resort Park provides youth an opportunity to learn about fishing by providing the poles, the bait and drinking water. Activities begin at 9am with a 30 minute seminar and games. Prizes will be rewarded for biggest and smallest fish. Contact Lisa Deavers at 1-800-325-0057 for more information. http://fw.ky.gov/app1/EventDetail.aspx?eid=6587
FREE Bridal Seminars for Brides to Be at Sheila Bayes fine jewelers, 410 W.Vine St. from 1:00pm to 4:00pm on June 13. Feel free to bring Moms and members of the bridal party. Each bride receives a fabulous gift bag.
Backpacker Magazine FREE Get Out More Tour at Phillip Gall’s at 1555 E New Circle Road on June 8th starting at 7:00pm. The Get Out More team is offering in-depth, 60 minute presentation inspiring both the expert and beginner hiker with their seasoned advice. http://www.getoutmore2010.com/
Blue Grass Sportsmen’s League Youth Division will host a weekend of outdoor activity from June 4 -6 for families and individuals. Youth Archery Tournament, shooting at General Purpose Range, Hiking and more for FREE at 2500 Handy’s Bend Road, Wilmore, KY. Call Lu Ann Johnson (502) 598-1533
Pack a picnic and enjoy FREE live Jimmy Buffet style music by Dave McCool on June 5th 2pm -4pm at Equus Run Vineyards, 1280 Moores Mill Road, Midway KY 40347. www.equusrunvineyards.com
Make your garden green by attending Home Depot’s do-it-herself workshop featuring Martha Stewart Living products on June 3 starting at 7:00pm. The last class I took there was plenty of men attending. Just sign up online at http://www.homeimproverclub.com/workshopsdetail.aspx?id=254&Type=1&date=2010-6
Learn how to cook that perfect steak for Dad at William Sonama 3473 Nicholasville Rd. on June 6 one class starting at 11:00am and another starting at 3:00pm. Call (859)272-5856 to register.