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You've already heard about donating to Goodwill or other organizations and the ever popular yardsale, but have you heard about freecycle.org? There is someone out there who wants your junk. Across the country, email lists and websites (mostly through Yahoo Groups) have been set up to connect people who want to get rid of their stuff with those who want that stuff. Visit freecycle.org to find the list nearest you. I've used the local list where I am to get rid of all kinds of things that I know will be put to good use. I've also found perfectly good items for my own use to include bookshelves and paving stones!
Now granted, you can't take a tax deduction for things you get rid of on freecycle, but it is a "feel good" thing to do in your own community, and it also saves you from throwing something out in the trash (I always feel guilty when I do that, and it's not environmentally friendly).
If you still decide to donate or take items to Goodwill or another organization, be sure to get a receipt. Most times, they don't write what you donated, so I like to fill that in right after I drop things off. I have a file at home labeled "Tax-deductible", and I throw everything in there that could conceivably be used as a tax deduction when we file our taxes next year.
If you have any more tips, please post them here!
Photo by (c) FreeFoto.com
Did you know you can teach your dog how to do his "thing" on command? This especially comes in handy when you are in a hurry or freezing your buns off this winter and want to get back indoors. Let me warn you that this exercise is boring and uneventful but the rewards will be priceless as your neighbors watch you tell your dog to do his business and he immediately does and you move along to the next activity!
This is easiest to teach a puppy, but it works with an adult dog too (it just takes longer). When you take your puppy outside to the "designated business area", keep repeating "do your business"...yes, over and over again. Do this EVERY TIME you take him outside...it takes a few weeks of this repetition before you notice that he is actually doing it because you told him to!
With an adult dog, repeat "do your business" as he is squatting and doing his thing. After about a month of this, say "do your business" BEFORE he squats. If he follows along, then you know he's learned it. If not, then he is a little show (which is okay) but means you have to go back to the beginning. Be patient.
My dog is now four years old and does it when he is told. If you want them to do both duties, repeat it again after the first squat and they'll keep squatting as long as you say "do your business". Always follow up with "good dog" and make a fuss over them...now if I could only teach my cat to use the toilet...
Photo by (c) FreeFoto.com
