Organizing + Estate Clearing--Serving the greater Charlotte area  704.856.9811
Sage Organizing Co., Professional Organizing + Estate Clearing
  • Home
  • Services
    • Rates + Packages
    • Organizing Your Home
    • Organizing Your Move
    • Organizing Your Downsize or Estate >
      • Estate Clearing Evaluation + Estimate
      • Full Service Estate Clearing
      • Do-It-Yourself Estate Clearing
      • Free Estate Clean Out Supply Checklist
  • The Process
    • The Sage Process
    • Our Policies
    • FAQs
  • Photos
    • Before + After
    • Client Love
  • More
    • Lets Work Together
    • Sage Advice Blog
    • Free Resources
    • Shop
  • Home
  • Services
    • Rates + Packages
    • Organizing Your Home
    • Organizing Your Move
    • Organizing Your Downsize or Estate >
      • Estate Clearing Evaluation + Estimate
      • Full Service Estate Clearing
      • Do-It-Yourself Estate Clearing
      • Free Estate Clean Out Supply Checklist
  • The Process
    • The Sage Process
    • Our Policies
    • FAQs
  • Photos
    • Before + After
    • Client Love
  • More
    • Lets Work Together
    • Sage Advice Blog
    • Free Resources
    • Shop
Free Organizing Printables Mother, Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat Move Moving Packing Pack Unpacking Unpack Staging Edit Box up Relocation Relo BBB Better Business Bureau Angies List Five star 5 star Faithful Organizers Jewish, Christian, Trustworthy, Honest, Kosher Kitchen Pantry Garage Living Room Closet Bedroom Laundry room Linen Closet Master Bedroom Drop Zone Mudroom Clean out Clean Liquidation Organize Organizer Organization Personal Team Packages Cheap Inexpensive Reasonable Luxury Senior Senior Citizen Over 60 OCD AARP Containers Boxes Marie Kondo Marie Kondo Spark Joy Realtor Hoarder Hoarding HD Disorder Chronic Chronic DIsorganization Disorganized Unorganized Messy Disaster Nightmare Horrible Neutral Neutral Party No judgement Judgement free Confidential Privacy Understanding Calm Private Compulsive Buying Shopping CD Alzheimer's Dementia Resource NASMM Carolina Organizers

​IT'S TIME! YOU'RE READY TO

ORGANIZE YOUR HOME +
​YOUR LIFE

​Join the 1000's of Sage Organizing visitors and grab access to our library of free  organization resources for busy families. ​
Lets get you started

Declutter, donate, and Deduct

6/25/2018

0 Comments

 
Mother,Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat
Decluttering your home and donating your items to local non-profit groups is a fantastic way to organize your home...and get a tax deduction. ​ 
​Disclaimer: This information is compiled from many sources and is not intended as tax, investment, financial planning or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. For tax, investment, financial planning or legal advice you are encouraged to consult with your personal advisers

Ready to learn how to Declutter, donate and Deduct? Read on...

​Declutter

When the organizing and decluttering bug strikes, separate things out to Keep, Discard, or Donate/Recycle piles.
  • Keep: these should be items that are actively used, treasured, or loved.  
  • Donate: make sure items being donating to charity are in “good or better” condition. Not only is it common sense to only donate quality items, but it’s also the guideline used by the IRS to qualify for a tax deduction.  So: discard/recycle sweat-stained undershirts, but donate the dress shirts that are in great shape but just don't fit anymore.
  • Discard/Recycle: the hard truth is that some of the stuff in a home really is just garbage.  Old stained Tupperware that doesn’t have a lid? Toss it. The piles and piles of gift bags that get saved, but never reuse? Recycle them. ​
Trying to figure out what you can easily declutter AND have it make a difference in your local community?
  • Do a quick Google search of “donation needs near me” and you'll likely hit the jackpot.
  • Most shelters have their immediate needs posted on their websites. Toiletries and personal care items, including travel/ hotel size, are needed at nearly every shelter, all the time.
  • Can’t find a local charity to take your item?  Post the item with a picture in the Free section of Craigslist or a Facebook group: it works!  Use caution: never disclose personal information or let strangers inside your home or garage.
Mother,Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat

​Donate

Before donating, be sure you are giving to an organization that is a 501 (c)(3) by the IRS. These are organizations that are recognized by the IRS as being tax-exempt by virtue of their charitable programs.

“Big name” charities (think Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, or the Salvation Army) are no-brainers, but if you’re unsure about a group you’re thinking of giving to, you can always check their website or a site that vets non-profit groups, like Charity Navigator.

Have big stuff to donate, but no truck and/or the muscles to get it done?  Try the website Pick Up My Donation: they will find a non-profit group within 15 miles of your zip code and set up the pick-up, at no cost to you.  

Be sure you get a receipt or donation acceptance letter from the non-profit you give to. Keep a file in your glove box or console to organize on-the-go receipts, then transfer them into a permanent file in the house regularly.  
​Related Articles
Donate or Dumpster?: 3 Tips to Know What to Give Away vs. Throw Away
6 Things to Not Bother Collecting Anymore (and How to Tell What IS Worth Holding Onto)
How to Beautifully Stage Your Home So it Sells in a Flash​

​Deduct

Even though the standardized deduction for individuals and married couples has increased in 2018, it’s still a good idea to keep records of your charitable giving.

Keep track of what you give!  
  • Small to medium load: a great way to keep track of items you give to charity is by using an app on your smartphone. The Its Deductible app lets you input your organization, then easily guides you through lists of items, complete with standardized values. At the end of each giving transaction, you can save the report and use it at tax time.
  • Large load or house/estate clean out: take the time to document your donation inventory by hand. Document the item, condition, and value. Use a standardized donation valuation guide, such as the Salvation Army one, to tally up your donation.  Any Estate Clearing professional worth their salt will include this in their service package; however, if you are doing a home or estate clean out on your own, be sure to document, document, document. ​

get organized and do good!

Decluttering, donating and deducting is a great way to organize your home, while making a difference in your community at the same time. ​
​
Professional Disclaimer: The ideas, recommendations, and opinions on this website, blog, and made in person are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or licensed financial professional. Sage Organizing Co., LLC is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this website, blog, or in-person discussions. If you need specific legal, financial, or medical advice, consult a professional in your area.
Related Articles:
Sometimes You Can’t Do it on Your Own: When it’s Time to Throw in the Towel and Hire an Estate Clearing Professional to Help you Finish the Job.
Nobody Wants the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When it Happens to You
5 Steps to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter
​
Mother,Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat
0 Comments

6 Things to Not Bother Collecting Anymore (and How To Tell what is worth holding onto)

6/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Mother,Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat
How do you know which things in your collections have lost value over the years, and which are worth keeping? It can be tough to tell!

Items that your parents (or you) paid a lot of money for back in the day are now worth much, much less than was paid for them.  An aging population has caused a heavily flooded market,  making "valuables" less so.  

As a Professional Organizer and Estate Clearing Specialist, I see a lot of these collectibles in homes.  Some are worth keeping, but unfortunately, most are not. 

Want to know what is worthless and how to tell the difference? Read On.

Loss in Value: Figurines and Commemorative Plates
​

 Many American households have some sort of collectible figurines or commemorative plates displayed or stored somewhere. While values for these items once were high, that isn’t the case any longer.  Figurines and commemorative plates were often mass-produced and released slowly as “limited editions”, giving the illusion of scarcity.
Well-known brands that have lost value:
(Note: the link goes to "sold" prices on Ebay)
  • Hummel and Goebel  (figurines + plates)
  • Lladros (figurines)
  • Precious Moments (figurines)
  • Franklin Mint (plates)
  • Norman Rockwell (plates)
  • Royal Doulton (plates and figurines)
Mother,Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat

​ Toys: not worth what you think

Although there is sentimental value to toys,  mass production and wear + tear often leads to lowered values.  In addition, a “craze” can inflate values for a period, but often decreases after the hype dies down.  For example, most Beanie Babies sell on Ebay for $5 or less, if they sell at all.
Once valuable, now not-so-much items:
  • Beanie Babies
  • Hot Wheels
  • Cabbage Patch Kids
  • Happy Meal toys
  • Barbies​
Related Articles
Nobody Want the Family Heirlooms
With Declutter +Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan
4 Smart Ideas to Sell Your Stuff Offline and 1 Really Dumb One
With How To Sell Items Offline Cheat Sheet
5 Useful Secrets for Solving Family Inheritance Disputes

​China patterns, glassware, and silver plate items: Its a flooded market

A generation or two ago, newly married couples loved purchasing china patterns, crystal, and silverplate items.  Modern couples today are of the “Ikea generations”: they don’t want and don’t use this stuff.

So as the population ages, the market has become flooded with people trying to cash in on the value of these things. Don’t get your hopes up: there is very little value in most of the items in your parents’ china cabinet.
Common brands that have lost significant value:
  • Lenox
  • Spode
  • Wedgwood
  • Waterford
  • Reed and Barton ​
Need Help? We can do it!
Mother,Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat

How to tell what is valuable anymore

Google is a good start to determine the value of an item, but don’t expect to sell your item for retail.  Once you've done some research, it’s easy to find comparable values on Ebay. But it is VERY important that you look at the completed sales there ( click on “show only sold items”: the sold prices are listed in green).  This shows what things actually sold for, not what they were listed for, which is usually retail price or higher.

Forbes. com gives this advice: "The most important advice we can give, and consequently the most difficult to digest, is to absolutely forget what the purchaser paid and to instead look at these possessions from the perspective of a third party — someone who knows nothing about your history or shares one shred of your taste. Once you remove the expectations of financial reimbursement and sentiment, it will be far easier to process the estate in an orderly and stress-free manner.” 
Related Articles:
5 Steps to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter
With Declutter + Downsize Sentimental Items Game Plan
Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions
With Downsizing Your Home Emotional Roadmap

​Is your stuff worth anything?

When reviewing your collections and family “heirlooms”, do your research before selling.  Because values have dropped for many collectibles over the years, you may be holding onto things that just aren’t worth it anymore. 

Professional Disclaimer: The ideas, recommendations, and opinions on this website, blog, and made in person are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or licensed financial professional. Sage Organizing Co., LLC is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this website, blog, or in-person discussions. If you need specific legal, financial, or medical advice, consult a professional in your area.
Related Articles:
Assess the Mess: How to Plan out Downsizing a Home
With Room-by-Room Checklist
Gift These 5 Wonderful Experiences To the Ones You Love..Instead of Buying "Stuff"
Mother,Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat
0 Comments

    Hey There!
    ​I'm Candi.

    Mother, Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat Move Moving Packing Pack Unpacking Unpack Staging Edit Box up Relocation Relo BBB Better Business Bureau Angies List Five star 5 star Faithful Organizers Jewish, Christian, Trustworthy, Honest, Kosher Kitchen Pantry Garage Living Room Closet Bedroom Laundry room Linen Closet Master Bedroom Drop Zone Mudroom Clean out Clean Liquidation Organize Organizer Organization Personal Team Packages Cheap Inexpensive Reasonable Luxury Senior Senior Citizen Over 60 OCD AARP Containers Boxes Marie Kondo Marie Kondo Spark Joy Realtor Hoarder Hoarding HD Disorder Chronic Chronic DIsorganization Disorganized Unorganized Messy Disaster Nightmare Horrible Neutral Neutral Party No judgement Judgement free Confidential Privacy Understanding Calm Private Compulsive Buying Shopping CD Alzheimer's Dementia Resource NASMM Carolina Organizers
    I'm an Estate Clearing Pro + Professional Organizer, helping people with family in senior care or that have lost someone to clear out all the contents of the house within a week.
    Let's Work Together
    free resources for organizing, Mother, Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat Move Moving Packing Pack Unpacking Unpack Staging Edit Box up Relocation Relo BBB Better Business Bureau Angies List Five star 5 star Faithful Organizers Jewish, Christian, Trustworthy, Honest, Kosher Kitchen Pantry Garage Living Room Closet Bedroom Laundry room Linen Closet Master Bedroom Drop Zone Mudroom Clean out Clean Liquidation Organize Organizer Organization Personal Team Packages Cheap Inexpensive Reasonable Luxury Senior Senior Citizen Over 60 OCD AARP Containers Boxes Marie Kondo Marie Kondo Spark Joy Realtor Hoarder Hoarding HD Disorder Chronic Chronic DIsorganization Disorganized Unorganized Messy Disaster Nightmare Horrible Neutral Neutral Party No judgement Judgement free Confidential Privacy Understanding Calm Private Compulsive Buying Shopping CD Alzheimer's Dementia Resource NASMM Carolina Organizers
    Mother, Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat Move Moving Packing Pack Unpacking Unpack Staging Edit Box up Relocation Relo BBB Better Business Bureau Angies List Five star 5 star Faithful Organizers Jewish, Christian, Trustworthy, Honest, Kosher Kitchen Pantry Garage Living Room Closet Bedroom Laundry room Linen Closet Master Bedroom Drop Zone Mudroom Clean out Clean Liquidation Organize Organizer Organization Personal Team Packages Cheap Inexpensive Reasonable Luxury Senior Senior Citizen Over 60 OCD AARP Containers Boxes Marie Kondo Marie Kondo Spark Joy Realtor Hoarder Hoarding HD Disorder Chronic Chronic DIsorganization Disorganized Unorganized Messy Disaster Nightmare Horrible Neutral Neutral Party No judgement Judgement free Confidential Privacy Understanding Calm Private Compulsive Buying Shopping CD Alzheimer's Dementia Resource NASMM Carolina Organizers

    Categories

    All
    Back To Schoool
    Before & After
    Closet Organization Ideas + Hacks
    Downsizing Your Home
    Estate Clearing
    Family Heirlooms
    Family Schedule Logistics
    Free Download
    Garage DIY Organization
    Garage Mudroom
    Grocery Planning
    Holiday Organizing
    Home Organizing
    Later Life Planning
    Meal Planning
    Organizing Aging Parents
    Selling Offline
    Selling Your Stuff
    Sentimental Items
    Weekly Family Routine

    Looking for something?

    Archives

    March 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017

    Want to work together?

    We love helping busy families organize thier homes + their lives. 
    Lets Work Together
    Mother, Estate, Clearing, Cleaning, Out, Professional, Organizer, Deceased, Death, Parents, Mom, Dad, Father, Family, Service, Sell, Late, House, Home, Prepare, Sale, Hoarding, Help, Stuff, Possessions, Items, Loved One, After, Dispose, Elderly, Need Help, How to, Overwhelming, NAPO, Full Service, Do it Yourself, Family Meeting, Estimate, Evaluation, Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Resources, Executor, Administrator, Power of Attorney Hoarding Pack-rat Move Moving Packing Pack Unpacking Unpack Staging Edit Box up Relocation Relo BBB Better Business Bureau Angies List Five star 5 star Faithful Organizers Jewish, Christian, Trustworthy, Honest, Kosher Kitchen Pantry Garage Living Room Closet Bedroom Laundry room Linen Closet Master Bedroom Drop Zone Mudroom Clean out Clean Liquidation Organize Organizer Organization Personal Team Packages Cheap Inexpensive Reasonable Luxury Senior Senior Citizen Over 60 OCD AARP Containers Boxes Marie Kondo Marie Kondo Spark Joy Realtor Hoarder Hoarding HD Disorder Chronic Chronic DIsorganization Disorganized Unorganized Messy Disaster Nightmare Horrible Neutral Neutral Party No judgement Judgement free Confidential Privacy Understanding Calm Private Compulsive Buying Shopping CD Alzheimer's Dementia Resource NASMM Carolina Organizers

​Company

Privacy Policy
​About
Code of Ethics
​Blog

Social

​Support
Call Us
Email Us
FAQ
Terms of Use

    Sign up for our free Organizing Tips

Subscribe to Newsletter
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.