Surprise! 

This is a great word on a birthday, anniversary or other gift occasion.  We sure do not like to hear it when we take the car in for service.  We sure do not want to hear it when we are selling a house.  To know what is going on in our homes is always a good idea.  The age and condition of the components and systems in the house allows us to make decisions and to formulate plans for our physical and fiscal health.  Before putting a home on the market, consider an inspection.  Then an interested buyer knows what he or she is getting.  Then the offer, counter offer process does not contain a “Surprise”.

Getting ready to move involves a myriad of tasks and decisions.  One that almost everyone deals with is what to do with “all my stuff”.  Moving brings us face to face with things that we do not want to move.  Typical solutions involve giving items to relatives, friends or what the heck , complete strangers.  (Do not leave your car unlocked around someone who has the “moving frenzy”.)

Ambitious, energetic and avaricious people do garage sales.  Move it, organize it, sell and still be left with unsold pieces.  Back to square one.  Clothes in particular are tough to sell.

But wait.  Why not give things away and at least get tax credits.  Local churches and rescue missions will take clothes and many other items, issue you a tax credit and then give to people who will value things you no longer need or want.  In Albany and in Schenectady there are rescue missions.  The Albany mission gives everthing away.  Schenectady sells items at very low cost.

So simplify your move, help your pocket book and assist others.  In fact, annual culling through the basement and the closets will make these big ajustments a thing of the past.  Just be careful.  Giving can be contagious…and rewarding on many levels.