KonMari 2016 - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

GreyQueen

Hi, Lady Bee, I cut my worn out cotton knickers up - cut the elastic off and remove the gusset (cut that into small fragments and bin it along with the elastic) and put the remaining bit, which is just a couple of triangular bits of cotton/ lycra into the rag bag. Somehow this works for me, depersonalised the undies.

Re which chazzer to donate to, I had this mental conversation. I used to donate to Hoxfam, although I seldom shopped there, because they're pretty pricey. My rationale was well, it maximises the money and it is a good cause.

Then I had several times when I found things I'd carefully donated in gift-aid labelled bags out on the shop floor; a book, clothing, a bag, without gift aid tags on them. The charity were throwing away the tax break. I spoke to the shop manager who assured me it couldn't happen, that the gift aid bags were stored in a different area and processed and labelled in such a way as they wouldn't get mixed with non-gift aided things.

I gave 'em a couple more chances but it kept on happening, and the items I was catching out on the shop floor weren't a case of mistaken identity, either. I took a couple more things off the shop floor to the manager, who again told me it wasn't actually happening.

Pal, don't pi$$ on my foot and tell me it's raining. I stopped donating to Hoxfam and registered for gift aid with what is actually my favourite charity shop to shop at. Their prices are very reasonable, average price of a garment is £2, the staff are lovely, and even the music they have on is great. And I've never once caught my former stuff out minus a gift aid sticker. They're a national charity for a particular disability.

My two'pennorth, anyway.

greenbee

I donate to my local hospice shop. I'm not sure how they price stuff, as I don't shop anywhere (I'm not avoiding CS buying, I just don't shop if I can avoid it), but the gift aid letters from them suggest they're making good money.

It may be that where you donate and where you shop may be different - you may think that your hospice shop is over-priced, but it may be that they can sell at that price. After all, charity shops do have an obligation to maxmise the return they make from their donations to support the charity!

I've picked apart an old tie-up blind which is too small for the windows here. One bit of it has been ironed and one bit is in the wash. I might use it to make lavender bags. Or bunting. Or something. I need to practice using my sewing machine.

greent

I donate to the closest one to me (out in the 'burbs)


As well as being Mothering Sunday it's also my birthday today - clearly my family & friends know me as presents have included Charbonnel & Walker billionaires sea salt truffles, pink fizz, 2 fruit trees, garden plants (already planted ), cake (yum), soap, Sanctuary smellies, loads and loads of No 7 face goodies (I now have enough for about 2 years or more!), a huge bouquet of flowers, a voucher for SW and a voucher for afternoon tea ao already - and this week will not be a good result after the cake, truffles and fizz lol). Non-consumables (other than trees and plants) were a ceramic utensils pot (which I asked for - and old wooden one has already been wiped over and is in a box ready to deliver to CS this week with a load of other bits), a silver bracelet (very sweet) and a little plaque from my DD (which I love) - I am feeling very loved and blessed - and thankful for not receiving carp!!


Hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday


xx

Karmacat

I haven't kondoed enough I can't find my tin snips

I don't take stuff to hoxfarm any more either - I used to, and when I took a bag of books in, the volunteer picked up the top one (bio of Richard Hammond) and said, "Oh, I don't like him". I said well, do you want the book? and she didn't reply, just kept on chuntering about how she didn't like him. I had to ask again before she said yes. And whenever I went in to buy things (and they do have nice things) nobody would pay any attention to me when I stood at the till waving money. I don't expect professional standards, but I expect better than that.

The other place I don't go to any moreis Cancer Research - when ever you go in, they have a "greeter" at work, whose job is to engage you in conversation, and I can't bear that.

I go to BHF and the local hospice!

Slinky

We only have the choice of 2 locally, Age Concern who I've been donating my clean rags to, along with other stuff, and an animal charity who I help through my business. I split stuff between the two.


I have a horrible feeling that OH has been paying a £5 direct debit for several years for something we know nothing about on one of his accounts. I queried it today when I was filing away the latest statement and he said he didn't know anything about it! Not much excuse as there's only about 3 transactions go through there every month. No idea how long it's been going on, he's got to make a phone call tomorrow, but it could be 10+ years.......... Unfortunately I km'd a load of statements a couple of weeks back so could have tracked back a bit further, but it's been there at least a year.

GreyQueen

:bdaycake: HAPPY BIRTHDAY greent

Wow, what an excellent selection of gifts, and clutter free.Your people are obviously taking on board your preferences and that's great.

kboss2010

Re: charity shops - I donate to my local independents, much better prices and I generally find the staff care more and are less impolite.

BHF furniture shop in Aberdeen has some of the grumpiest, rudest staff I've ever come across with the exception of one enthusiastic 20-something lad who couldn't do enough to help me last time I was in. I always think it's a shame if people get put off shopping or donating to a charity because of the staff.
The national chains are getting greedy and ridiculous these days and I wouldn't mind if the stuff was half decent.

Floss

I donate to my local B@rnados mainly for convenience as we have a donation centre nearby that is open 7 days and til 5.30pm on weekdays. I know they share the stuff around (and with gift aid tags on ) as I've seen my donations in my local "posh" large village/ small town! The BHF shop there has a greeter at weekends trying to sell raffle tickets :mad:

Karmacat

Greent, Happy Birthday - sorry I missed that earlier! Sounds like you had a wonderful time

MMF007

I also wanted to donate to a cause I considered worthy. The most convenient CS has quite a lot of shops nationwide but only benefits people in a small geographical area of UK, and it's not the one l live in so I found that unappealing, sorry to say.

I settled for Shelter because they do a huge amount of good work for people most in need when they are struggling with housing problems ( and they price their goods fairly in the shop), and The Salvation Army who also offer help to the most needy. The SA particularly appealed to DH and it helped him release some of his clothes that he was struggling to let go of. I took one big load to the local hospice and I have asked my colleagues to donate any 'leaving gift' money to the hospice rather than buy me something (I already have all the Stuff I need!).

Not sure if that will help, but it works for us.

M