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February 2011 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* You can't have everything. Where would you put it? Ring the bells ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~ HIGH-TECH, HIGH-COST CLUTTER Is it just me, or does it seem to you that since the start of the 21st Century, we have been deluged with more clutter, more paper and more information than ever before? Plus, this new era brings a whole new category of clutter -- high-tech items that we hang on to because "it was so expensive, I just can't throw it out." And these old computers, LCD monitors, digital cameras, camcorders, game systems, MP3 players, and cell phones are not like the other high-cost items from our past. Not like a fabulous diamond ring that increases in value over the years. Nope. These items have very little value. In fact, if you try to give it away, even kids aren't interested. So you keep it. They aren't even like expensive appliances or cars that decrease in value, because at least those items have the decency to look older or rusty or to stop working. Nope, your High-Tech High-Cost Clutter usually looks OK and still works fine -- it just doesn't have the power, speed, ability, app or gadget that your new one has. So you just can't love it as much. So you keep it. And you know that you could never get back what you paid for it because the brand-new-shiny-faster-one is only half the cost of the old one, right? So you keep it. So they take up valuable storage space that you cannot spare, and haunt you every time you come across them. You move them from spot to spot, can't find the perfect place to keep them because the pile keeps getting bigger and higher. But you know with all your heart that you will never, ever, ever use that old (laptop, camera, iPod, cell phone, fill in the blank) again. So why do you keep it? You have a response. I can already hear you wailing, "But wait a minute, Rita, I know you care about Mother Earth and you CAN'T be suggesting that I dump all this in a landfill and pollute the planet, can you?" No, Poor Pathetic Wailer, I am not. But I AM saying it's time you stop kidding yourself. In a perfect world, crowds would clamor to pay you top dollar for your old toys. This is not a perfect world. You are never going to recover the money you spent on these things, AND you are never going to use them. So it's time to get rid of them in a safe way, and yes, of course I've got solutions for you. To begin with, we covered a ton of fabulous links to places that would take your High-Tech High-Cost Clutter in our October 2010 Tip Sheet. The article is called "One Of The Best Recycling Lists You'll Ever Get" and includes places that will take even your broken electronic gadgets, offer FREE shipping and some even offer to pay for your used item. I don’t want to bore our regular readers by repeating that list. Instead, go to www.RitaEmmett.com, and towards the bottom you'll see the words "Keep in Touch... Subscribe to Rita Emmett's Anticrastination Tip Sheet" and just below that you can access our past Tip Sheets. And since then, I've tracked down a few more: www.Excessaccess.com matches your giveaways with nonprofits in your area that not only need them but can pick them up www.Careergear.org looking for suits and ties to distribute to disadvantaged men trying to get jobs www.Soles4souls.org sends gently used shoes to those in need, including people in disaster zones Green.ebay.com/instantsale An alternative to selling on ebay
or Craigslist. www.Gazelle.com A big buyer/recycler of electronics www.Greenphone.com For cell phones only www.RecycleBank.com Trade in your electronics for points that can be redeemed at stores. www.MyBoneYard.com For donations only Plus a perceptive reader named Jess sent us one that I can't believe
I forgot to include the first time. Jess writes: OK, I hope we've shot down any miserable, mealy-mouthed excuses you have for keeping all that High-Tech, High-Cost Clutter. If you are still struggling, then read The Clutter-Busting Handbook Then make a decision TODAY to start clutter busting. Warmly, ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM PERCEPTIVE READERS Rita, Your course "The Procrastinator's
Guide to Authorship" is invaluable and has really helped me get focused.
I decided I need a book to compliment my coaching and was feeling bogged
down by the task of writing a BOOK. I loved your suggestion of writing
a “Tiny book”. You also inspired me when you shared how you went on
cruises all over by lecturing on the cruise. I LOVE this idea and my goal
is to write a book and then call
Daniel and get onto some
ships and share my book with others. Hi Rita, Your book, The Clutter-Busting Handbook has been incredibly helpful. When I get home from house hunting, I go and tidy out a few cupboards or shelves and I have found after a month; that my home is more clutter-free & restful than before. I have taken up the idea that treasures we put away for a rainy day or that important person is a shameful notion and I have decluttered and have been show-casing my little treasures or using dishes that never got touched before. Many of the homes that I have viewed have been of older people now placed into longterm care homes and they still have stuff that was meant for that special occasion which never arrived. So the motto should be: to use all and not store. Dear Rita, Please share this Tip Sheet with 2 or 3 friends who would be interested.
And feel free to use this message in your blog or newsletter, as long as
you include my bio and contact info: No trees were destroyed in the sending of this message, |