Go Green

Getting organized is another way to go green. Donating your unused belongings and books to certain non-profits will help the people who need more than you do. After going through your books decide which ones you will never read again, or ever and donate them to the library.If the books are current, you can donate them to the area hospital. If after you finish the magazine you bought or subscribed to,bring them to you local doctor or dentist office. Make sure you cut off the name plate if it's on the magazine for safety safe.You can search the web for places that take donations and will give you a tax credit on your income tax form. If we all do our part on being green we can save the planet.

CVS

I am sick of the CVS scams that give you discounts for the NEXT time you are in the store. Last night I bought my regular BenGay pads for my back and knee, spending about 30 dollars. Then, after paying the cash register gave me discounts galore. One coupon gives me 10 dolalrs off a 30 dollar purchae. So,tonight I am returning a few things, with my receipt and re-buying them with the coupons. This is another way to save money during this recession. I would have done it last night...but there were people behind me.

I have the time and I am getting the money. In a few months I will have it all.

SPRING..Cleaning Closets

The time honored tradition of switching to winter to spring clothes is almost upon us. (Alright…I knew it’s a little early…but a girl can dream) Now is the time to take stock of what you wore for the past few months and either donate or store them for the next year, and bring out the light weight sweaters and the cotton pants. This is the best time of the year to get organized as you turn your closet around.

I’m very lucky I have a large closet and lots of storage room, so making the change is very easy. It’s also easy to see what clothes I have worn and what clothes I HAVEN’T…because last year I got rid of every item of clothes I hated and then with the remaining items I hung them on hangers and turned the hanger around so the pointing end was facing me. The hangers are now facing the opposite way. When I wore each item of clothing on those hangers, I then turned the hanger back. As I looked at the clothes this year, I can see what I haven’t worn this winter and donate them to charity.

Now, as you get rid of the winter clothes you didn’t wear this year, or feel good in, know you are opening yourself up for better clothes for next year. Folding these “horrible feeling” clothes into a pile—I mentally tell them and myself—I do not need them. (I will be thinner or fatter next year—either way I have to buy new clothes.) But, I won’t be wearing these!

Moving your spring clothes in your closet is now a snap. Put your clothes on hangers in your closet (the opposite way) and be prepared for a shock. You will use only 20 percent of the clothes in your closet. You will also realize you do not need all of those clothes and being to get your life as well as your closet organized. Remember, when you wear something on a hanger, and put the hanger and clothes back—turn it around. Look at everything you have not worn. You can go through those clothes and decide what to donate to charity.

Put a basket in your closet for wardrobe decisions, (I hate this blouse, this color looks drab on me) on the fly. Once the basket is filled, store in your trunk, the next time you are near a place of charity, you can drop it off.

I hang up my wardrobe looking at the pieces making me a fashion do or don’t for the months ahead. I look at a jacket I only wore once last year but love. And know I will wear it more this year. If not, I will donate it.

Be brutal with your clothes, if you hate them, donate them, and if you love them take care of them. And they will last until the next season where you will do this exercise again. Happy Almost Spring!