THE WEIRS TIMES & THE COCHECO TIMES, Thursday, July 7, 2011
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by Dr. Debi Warner Contributing Writer
Dear Dr. Debi, Money is pretty tight so
we are stuck at home with all this clutter. No trips. No fun. Any ideas? Signed,
Missing the Beach
Dear Treasure Under Your Nose, Tight money is always
tough, but somehow in such times we can see more clearly what our pri- orities are and the value of things we reach for, that we even hunger for that we cannot have. Somehow at a time like this, you and the family might be nar- rowing your list of what to strive for and prepare yourselves to reach to- ward your goals. Even though the feel-
ing at home may be dis- couragement as you look around at the clutter, it may also be a time to cast off the things that are use- less to your true path. Not all growth is fun, and the discouragement can bring with it some freedom that you did not have before when you took on all that clutter. So, how do we turn this
from humdrum stuck-in- the-mess to the freedom I mention? Well, you might look under your nose. De-cluttering can really bring a fresh experience at home and might even supply some money for the beach trip you would like.
Let’s start with the liv- ing room. You can clean
also while doing this. How about pulling out the stuff on those shelves and the piles in the corner? Sure plenty may go in the trash. That is fine. Then there are sentimental items that were tucked aside to savor later. Hmm. That might be nice to do when you wish. How about mak- ing a small collection of memories over near your evening chair to peruse at night and organize into keepsake boxes for the kids. I bet that among the
things that you retrieve there are useful items you don’t need. The horse bookends, the gadget tray that was supposed to or- ganize the recliner but didn’t, the cleaning wand that you never use. These can be collected for your yard sale. What yard sale? I’m
busy next weekend, can’t do that. Well, you can actually plan ahead for a garage sale and have the boxes waiting for a good hot sunny day that you wish to sit in the sun and visit with neighbors. As you start pulling things apart in the house, cleaning and culling that living room, a new mo-
mentum begins at the house. The kids will be curious when you say you are selling the old table. They may want it, but you can explain that you can get $30 for it and that will be gas for a beach trip. The light goes on; they begin their life as an en- trepreneur. I think it was similar
for me, in my 10th sum- mer, that sparked my first business start-up. I had heard that manure sold for great sums in the city, so I got some nice paper bags and filled them in the barn and set up a Manure Stand at the corner, with 25 cents, 10 cents, and 5 cent bags. Well, the rest is history and I became an entrepreneur. Actually garage sales do much better than manure sales, so you are bound at least to get gas money for the beach. Meanwhile seeing your
overhaul of the living room, the kids may wish to have their own profits so they start mining their rooms for treasures. You can go up there and see what they are into. Fear not, you do have some say in what can go – and you can let them know that
the stuff left behind needs to be neat and the area cleaned. You can spend a little time at their side and help them out with the tasks. Keeping a pleasant and eager tone, anticipat- ing the joy these items will bring others, the way the yard will set up for the sale, and what sorts of things you each might buy with some humble returns. You can organize the
items in boxes, cleaning them and even pricing them as you go. Simple painter’s tape will come off easily and be markable with a pen. You can put them in categories in their boxes so that they easily go onto a table together the day of the sale. There is also the busi- ness end of the deal. Who
makes the profits? Do you keep separate tallies or one big cookie jar? If you go for the separate route, then initials go on the price stickers. This works okay for things that sell as priced, but garage sailors love to bargain for a box of stuff and that is wonder- ful because great volumes leave quickly that way. If you can get the kids to go for the collective profit, that is simplest. Especial- ly if the money goes to a family reward. They learn budgeting, overhead, and satisfaction of the work behind their consuming. Life has come full cycle and they mature along the process. Enjoy the beach. Happy Home Team!
Dr. Debi Dr. Debi Warner is the Founder of Renovation Psychology® and
author of Putting the Home Team to Work, available now online. Dr. Debi provides advice for greater domestic harmony to folks who are renovating their home – for True Home Improvement. This column is offered for enjoyment and enhancement and is not intended to replace your personal medical care. Photo by Bob Jenks, St. Johnsbury, Vt. Dr. Debi has a con- sultation practice, visiting home sites all over New England from her studio in Littleton, NH at the Tannery Marketplace. © 2009 Renovation Psychology® Questions are welcome.
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