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Spring Cleaning With Charitable Twist By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi February 28, 2020 Recent headlines applaud Rock Star John Oates , of the duo Hall & Oates , who will auction off a vintage race car to benefit the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation through RM Sothebys on March 8th. The media does a wonderful job of casting the spotlight on millionaires and their 6 or 7 figure charitable donations.  My wish is the media would also sprinkle in a few stories about middle class Americans who are also philanthropic.  That's why I wrote Middle Class Philanthropist: How anyone can leave a legacy in 2013.  A small book, it is designed to encourage everyday people to consider an end of life gift to a favorite non-profit.  But we don't need to wait until we are gone to be charitable, nor do we need a vintage race car. We are poised to enter March, the month when yard and garage sales sprout here in my hometown of Madison, Wisconsin, in 48 hours.  Th...

This past week I read the book The Hoarder in You: How to live a happier, healthier, uncluttered life by Dr. Robin Zasio .  My initial interest in the book was personal -- I am always seeking out ways to keep the chaos of life to a minimum. However, the chaos addressed in this book is well beyond the paper piles and toy explosions (we have children ages 4 and 2) typical in our home.  The pages address those who cannot enter rooms in their home because the piles of "stuff" won't allow a door to open or people who cannot stand to throw out fast food containers.  I was delighted to realize my hoarding was no where near that of many Americans. However, this book is useful for those with relatives who may have hoarding issues.  As an estate planning and probate attorney I regularly hear stories from children or siblings concerned about a loved one.  That concern is often articulated in a form of a question "what are we going to do with their home?".  Now I...

Whether it is during your life or at your death, philanthropic giving is within the reach of everyone through the art of a well designed garage sale.  They are great ways to give tangible items a second life, while clearing out your home or that of a loved one.  And, when done with a slight twist, promote your legacy.  Instead of pocketing the proceeds, designate them to a favorite charity.  Keep the following ideas in mind if you opt to try a sale for your favorite cause: hold the sale in a high traffic area (busy road, ask a community center or church or school to donate space for the sale); skip the pricing and simply ask people to make donations....it is for charity; see if a local bagel shop or bakery will donate food to sell, or ask friends to bake items for sale; sell brown garbage bags for $8 or $10 and allow people to fill them up for that price; in the last 2 hours slash prices by 50% or more (if you are pricing); have literature on hand about the c...