Start your New Year right ...

Some wait for Spring to do their deep cleaning. Since Florida doesn't have the traditional seasons, we got started this week! What has made the most difference for us is getting rid of stuff we no longer use or need.

Rather than letting perfectly good items go to waste, we always donate what is in good condition. Here are some of our favorite resources:

Furniture and household goods:

Manatee Habitat for Humanity 355-7082

Sarasota Habitat for Humanity 363-0777

South Sarasota Habitat 493-0529

Food:

All Faiths Food Bank (Sarasota) 379-6333

Food Bank of Manatee 747-FOOD (3662)

Clothing:

Goodwill 351-8945 (for home pick-up)

Salvation Army 1-800-958-7825

Of course there are many other places that welcome your donations and you may have your favorites already established. But if you have not, please look into these or do your own research because the charities who receive donations can turn the proceeds of sales into life-changing intervention programs.

Not only will you enjoy the benefits of cleaning out and making a fresh start in 2012 but also local nonprofits will be able to reach more families in need and do more good.

Deck the halls ... and clean the closets!

Guests coming?  Entertaining and need space?  This time of year finds us digging deep into closets, cupboards and sheds to bring out the holiday cheer.  While happy and fun, always that little voice in the back of our minds is ... Ugh, come January we have to put (cram!) all this stuff back in where it came from.


An idea to consider is to store your Holiday items and any other stuff taking up valuable closet space with Stronger.  Competitive prices and a secure facility are just the beginning.  We offer turnkey moving services so all you have to do is "point and click" to tell us what needs to go and when you need it back - full service at its best!

Here is a great online resource for dealing with clutter during the Holiday season: clutter free holiday countdown (from Simple Organized Living).  You may think 'well why add one more thing to my list!?!'  We say that there is no other time of year where you change your decor, dishes and furniture so much so why not?!  

As a bonus here in Florida, you can prep for a monster yard sale during "season" when all the snowbirds are here.  As a double-bonus you can donate unwanted items to round out your 2010 tax deductions (more on this later).  Hope your Holiday season is turning into a very merry one!