Spring Cleaning With Charitable Twist

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.  The snow continues to cover the ground, but Midwesterners turn their faces toward the rising sun, sense a whiff of Spring, and get restless.  At the same time, many of us have become familiar with the Swedish Death Cleaning movement, which caught on with the Simplify Your Life trends.  While Swedish Death Cleaning focuses heavily on purging before you die, anyone can benefit from a purge.  After all, you'll either move or die.  One way or another you (or someone) needs to figure out what to do with all your stuff.

Spring presents a great time to clean out what you no longer need, and be charitable at the same time.  It's simple -- put together a yard or garage sale with all proceeds benefiting your favorite nonprofit.  Advertise the fact it is going to a "good cause" and have literature about the organization on hand.  Salute the fact that we can all make a difference in this world -- vintage race car not required.

Thank you for reading, and remember a blog post is intended to spark though and conversation.  It is not legal advice, nor should it be viewed that way.  Please consult an attorney in your home state for legal advice specific to your situation. 

What I've Been Reading: The Hoarder in You

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 can point them to this book, which is full of lists, resources, and action steps.  I especially liked the discussion on how to address peoples fears of throwing something out -- what if I need it?

As always, planning ahead will save time and money.  If you have a loved one who falls into the hoarder spectrum, give some thought now to how you can address the issue before you are in a crisis situation (i.e. untimely death or nursing home admission).  Starting with this book would be a good first step.  My copy was from the local library....a great way to keep the clutter down in a home, borrow instead of purchase!

Middle Class Philanthropy: Garage Sales and Giving

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 charitable organization your are raising funds for;
• offer a way for people to make a direct donation to the non-profit (i.e. computer on hand for on-line pledges); 
• hold the sale in conjunction with another event associated with the cause, such as its annual 5k; and
• have a donation center lined up for items that do not sell.

Have an idea I missed?  Post a comment and share.