What to do with that gift card you got for Christmas

So Aunt Emeline gave you a gift card to Starbucks and you don’t even drink coffee or tea.  So what are you going to do with that gift card?  I have lots of suggestions for you.

• Regift it – Just make sure that Aunt Emeline never gets a whiff that you did it.
• Sell it or trade it on Craigslist-Search for “gift cards” on craigslist that other people might be trading.  If you don’t see what you like, post your gift card and offer an exchange or sell it for cash.  If selling you might need to discount it so people will buy from you rather than the vendor.
• Sell it on Ebay - Gift cards for popular stores and restaurants tend to sell for near to face value.  Start bidding low (99 cents) and offer free shipping to entice buyers.
• Donate it – Some charities look for donations of specific gift cards , like grocery store or office supply store gift cards.  Check with your local charity to see if they will accept your gift card.  Get a receipt so you can deduct the value on your taxes.
• Trade on Card Hub on Facebook - Become a fan of Card Hub on Facebook and post any cards you want to trade or sell.

There are many gift card sites out there that will buy your cards at a discount and sell discounted cards to you:

• GiftCardRescue - At this site you can buy discounted gift cards as well as sell your gift cards or merchant credit.  This site will give you anywhere from 60-90% of the face value of the card.   Over the holidays I bought a couple of discounted cards from this site.  You can buy them from 7-18% discounted off face value.  You can even create a wish list of merchants whose cards you are interested in so that when the site receives one they’ll email you.  
• Plastic Jungle – List gift cards on Plastic Jungle, or cash in cards with a minimum balance of $25 for up to 85% of the card balance. You can also exchange your unwanted or partially used gift cards for purchasing power at stores like Amazon.com, or donate them for the benefit of your favorite nonprofit organization.
• Swapagift - If your gift card is worth $25 -$200 and the card merchant appears in their Merchant list, they’ll buy it.  They also have merchants you can visit who will give you cash on the spot.  (There are none in western NY unfortunately. )   You can buy giftcards from their sister site giftcards.com.
• MonsterGiftCard – This site uses a point system which allows customers to buy, sell and trade gift cards with any other client on Monster Gift Card.com.  The point system allows people to make trades with out matching exact values.
• Giftcarddonor – Gift cards are donated at GiftCardDonor.com and resold on GiftCardsAgain.com.  The charity you choose  receives 75% of the revenue — and you save up to 20% off cards you buy.

They invented a unique “Monster Point” system which allows Monster Gift Card clients the freedom and anonymity to buy, sell and trade gift cards with any other client on Monster Gift Card.com.

Are you an Innie or an Outtie (or maybe a little of both)?

I got a trial subscription to a new magazine called ShopSmart, that Consumer Reports is publishing.  Their tagline is No Hype+No Ads + Just Great Buys!  I wasn’t too impressed by the first issue I got.  A lot of it seemed like a rehash of information in Consumer Reports, which I also subscribe to.  I canceled my subscription since it was expensive, $23 for only 6 issues,  and you can find the entire issue online.  In the meantime they had shipped me the March 2010 issue which I found much more interesting than the January issue.

On the cover of the March 2010 issue is a teaser for their article on organizing.  Easy Clutter Control – 48 tips that will work for every room.  I figured the article was right up my alley given my current penchant for decluttering.  Opening up the magazine to read this article I was interested by the grouping of people’s organizational preferences into Innie, Outtie and Hybrid categories. I think I’m an Outtie in my work life; my desk is always covered in papers and notes of things I’m currently working on.  At home, I’m an Innie, mostly putting things out of sight in in nice organized fashion: cooking utensils in drawers and cupboards, jewelry in one of five jewelry cabinets, and scrapbooking supplies in labeled drawers of a plastic organizer.

The ShopSmart article was interesting because it gave tips for staying organized, based on your organizational style.  This is the first time I’ve ever seen organization tips that cater to people’s style.  You can read the article for yourself.   Organize for your Style

What’s your style?

Free Kashi Sample

I love free samples. Go to www.kashi.com to get a free sample. You have a choice of 3 different products. Hurry because the offer is only good until Valentine’s Day or until they run out.

The Price is Rite

Back in October I blogged about Aldi’s.  Another low priced, value grocery store found in the Rochester area is PriceRite.  PriceRite is currently only located in the northeastern part of the US so you may not find it in your part of the US. We are lucky to have three PriceRite stores in Rochester.

My favorite thing about PriceRite is its selection of fruits and vegetables. PriceRite stores are about 2-3 times the size of Aldi, but far smaller than a grocery superstore.  PriceRite’s produce departments are fairly big.  Aldi’s carries a limited selection of produce items and it is hit and miss when I find fruits or vegetables that are high on quality.  PriceRite’s produce department is wonderfully laid out and full of both common and unusual items.  It’s not quite on par with Wegman’s produce section, but it’s close.  What makes it better than Wegmans are the prices.  The prices can vary from day to day and week to week but I just bought some red peppers at PriceRite for $1.29/lb, while they are $2.99/lb at Wegman’s.  Up until the holidays I was regularly buying pomegranates for 2/$3.  (They don’t seem to be stocking them now.)  The quality of the fruits and vegetables at PriceRite is much better than Aldi’s.  I usually stop in weekly at PriceRite to stock up on produce.

Unlike Aldi, PriceRite also stocks name brand items.  PriceRite has a large selection of Hispanic and Italian foods. I usually peruse the aisles for any new items or bargains.  Some of my favorite finds at PriceRite, beyond the ones I’ve mentioned, are:

• Friendly’s Ice Cream (1.5 qt)  – 2/$5
• Frozen skillet meals with shrimp (24 oz) – $2.99
• Sliced pepper jack cheese (1 lb.) – $3.49
• Minute Maid Lemonade/Limeade (1/2 gal) – $.99
• Turkey Hill Lemonade/Limeade (1/2 gal) – $1.49
• LaYogurt yogurt (6 oz.) – 3/$1
• Orange juice (1 gal) – $2.29
• Frozen chicken strips (2 lb.) – $3.99
• Whole pork loin – $.99/lb (during the holidays)
• Mangoes – $.69

To keep costs low, PriceRite does not supply bags, however you can purchase them in the store but you will need to bag your own items.  They do not accept manufacturer’s coupons but they do accept credit cards, unlike Aldi.

PriceRite rarely runs sales, so flyers are infrequent.  Luckily there is a PriceRite next to my gym so I can stop in after my workout to pick up a few staples.

I like to visit all three: Wegman’s, Aldi, PriceRite, because they all have their advantages.  Which grocery store do you prefer?

Think about giving some of it up

Today I visited the Red Cross and donated a pint of blood. It was my 88th donation, meaning I’ve donated 11 gallons of liquid. Of course this is over my adult lifetime.

My mom has set a good example by donating regularly. There were times she couldn’t give, like when she was on malaria pills after a trip out of the country and when she was on medicine that prevents you from donating. She is still a regular donor, choosing instead to do apheresis, where the blood is filtered through an apparatus that separates out platelets and other items that are needed and returns the remainder of the blood to the circulation.  She has donated 200+ times.  If you are doing apheresis, you can give more frequently than the 8 weeks between donations for whole blood.

When I was unemployed, I cut back on all my monetary donations.  I felt bad about this but I needed to make sure I was OK financially before supporting some of the causes I believe in.  I was glad that I could still donate blood during that time.  It costs nothing but time to give blood.

I wish more people would donate their blood.  I know there are people who legitimately can’t.  Some don’t meet the height and weight requirements.  Some are afraid of needles and blood.  Some are on medications. Some don’t have enough iron in their blood.

If everyone who was eligible to give blood gave even once a year, the issues with short blood supplies would greatly improve.  The Red Cross came to my old place of employment, making it even easier for me to donate. I realize that’s not the case for everyone.  Check with your local Red Cross.  There are donations scheduled all over and at different days and times, making it easier for you to find a place and time that works for you.  In New York state, you can see a list of of locations and donation times here.

Think about giving some of yours up…even once.  It will only cost you about an hour.

Where oh where do I put it?

Dorothy Madden

This is the second blog written by professional organizer Dorothy Madden.  Dorothy wrote a previous blog about putting away your holiday decorations.  Thanks Dorothy!

The holidays have come and gone and you’re left staring at and stumbling over the abundance left behind!  Oh my, what to do with it all?  Where does it go?  How can we make space for it?  Do we really want it all?  Do we really need it all?

There are some choices and decisions to make.  The first step is to decide if you really want to keep the items and, if so, decide where to put them.  Evaluate each item individually.  Remember they were gifts to you and you don’t necessarily have to keep what someone else thought would be “the perfect gift” for you.

Most likely you want to keep most of your new gifts.  The challenge is then deciding where they go and making room for them.  If your game shelf is overflowing and you want to make room for new ones, seize this moment to sort through the old games (missing parts, children have outgrown them, no longer popular) to make room for the new ones.  Give yourself permission to donate the usable games and recycle or toss the others.

Try assigning a number to how many of each item you want/need in your life.  Ask yourself how many games will your family realistically play this coming year?  Is it 5 or 10 or 30?  Once you select a realistic number, keep only that many.  How many turtlenecks will you realistically use?  Is it 5, 10, 15, 20?  If you do laundry weekly, you can get away with fewer rather than more.  Keep a realistic and manageable quantity.

Try the “One IN and One OUT” technique.  If you have too many toys, games, electronics, t-shirts, sweaters, shoes, etc., keep the new and toss some of the old.  When you keep five new toys, five old toys are discarded.  When you keep a new computer, an old one is donated.  In a quantifiable way, this method keeps balance with your belongings and space.

Most of all, throughout the year, be aware and selective about what comes in the door.  Think twice (or three times!) before purchasing something and know in your mind where you will put it, what you will eliminate to make room for it, and how much you will use it.  By doing this, you will make room for the important things you wish to keep and use in your space and in your life.

Dorothy Madden, a professional organizer in Rochester since 1997, is the founder and owner of ORGANIZE IT! She helps people create orderly solutions for everyday life in their offices and homes. Learn more at www.OrganizeIt.biz. You can contact Dorothy at 585.381.5511.

Undecorating after the Holidays

Dorothy Madden

I’m very excited that Dorothy Madden, founder and owner of ORGANIZE IT!, a professional organizing company has agreed to write a few guest blogs to start out the new year.   I hope your New Year is bright!—Michele

Deck the halls with boughs of holly…… well, soon that holly will be crisp and not looking so festive.  Along with the fresh greenery decorations in your home, you may soon dismantle your tree and put away table-top and other holiday decorations, inside and out.

Now is a great time to evaluate if you wish to keep all those items in your life.  Life evolves and just because you loved an item ten years ago, you may love it less today.  Newer, nicer, more special items may have entered your life.  The family heirloom nativity may be a keeper but the tacky Aloha Santa may not be so cherished.  The special ornaments the children made may be sentimental and adorable but the gold and white ball ornaments carry no attachment.

While putting away your holiday decorations, take some time to ask yourself, “Do I still love this item?  Would someone else love it more?  Do I want it to take up space in my basement….in my life?”

Grab this opportunity to decide if you want to keep something or if it’s time to donate it (you’ll support local agencies, please the purchaser, and have a tax deduction), sell it (Craig’s List is easy – check out Michele’s tips!), consign it, recycle it or just plain toss it (you can do it!).

There was a family in the city that for many years decorated nearly every square inch of their corner yard – front, sides, and back.  It was a tradition for many Rochester families to drive to the neighborhood, find a place to park, get out of their cars, and stroll around to see the display.  The owners were very friendly and the sight was amazing!  Finally, last year the owners decided to end the tradition, selling and donating their boxes, bins, and bags of decorations.  They were ready to simplify their lives and gain some much-needed time and space.  After purging the decorations, they actually reclaimed an entire room of their home!

Is now the time for you to reclaim some time and space in your life too?

Dorothy Madden, a professional organizer in Rochester since 1997, is the founder and owner of ORGANIZE IT! She helps people create orderly solutions for everyday life in their offices and homes. Learn more at www.OrganizeIt.biz .  You can contact Dorothy at 585.381.5511.

Gas it up

As many of you know, I joined the ranks of the unemployed earlier in 2009.  While searching for a new opportunity I took the time to start this blog.  Blogging was something I had wanted to do for a while.  I’m happy to report that starting in January, I will be working in a temporary position for a successful company.  I’m hoping that the temporary job will turn into something more permanent.  The one downside is that this job is in Lockport, NY, a town that is 65 miles from where I live.  Luckily I am from that area so I have family to stay with when the weather turns bad or if I just don’t want to make the 130-mile round-trip.

With all of the driving I’m going to be doing I want to get the best price on gas.  My Saturn Vue gets about 23 mpg in the best conditions.  I will be relying on GasBuddy, a website with 204 location-specific sites, which displays the cheapest gas prices in the area.  Members post gas prices, helping keep the site up to date with information.  You can easily find the cheapest gas prices in your area.  I frequently visit the Rochester site, RochesterGasPrices, to check whether my neighborhood gas station is just a few pennies or 10-20 cents off the lowest price.

The GasBuddy sites also offer interesting stats like how my city gas prices compare to the national average during the last year (Rochester tends to be 20 cents higher than the national average) and graphs of how prices have moved over time (you can graph up to 6 years of prices) and compare it to other cities tracked by GasBuddy.  My favorite data display is the Gas Price Heat Map, which visually indicates gas prices across the county. I can easily see at a glance that California and NY state are the most expensive places to buy gas and prices are cheapest in the southeast.  Zoom in far enough on this map and you’ll see prices for individual gas stations so you can easily spot the cheapest place near your location.

Next time you fill up on gas you might want to check GasBuddy ahead of time to see if driving an extra mile might save you 10 cents a gallon.

Wrap it Up!

I’m hoping I catch at least a few of you before you are done wrapping your gifts. Do you ever think twice about all the paper we use during the holiday season? There are ways to minimize its usage and go a little greener for the holidays.

First off, instead of wrapping in paper, think about alternatives. Wrap your gift in a festive holiday towel.  You can also use brown paper (cut open a paper grocery bag) and decorate it with stickers, pictures, drawings, stamps, etc.  The kids will have fun with that.

I grew up in a family with 5 kids. To save on wrapping paper, my parents wrapped some of the gifts in the Sunday comics and put some of our gifts, unwrapped, into garbage bags to keep them separated (“Santa doesn’t have time to wrap all the presents!”).

I also like the large, opaque ziploc bags they came out with a few years ago. These are good for clothing and stuffed animals. After the holidays the bag goes back in my Christmas box for use next year.  I like these bags because they’re also a big time saver.

Another favorite of mine is gift bags.  Throw the gift in the bag and cover it with some tissue paper.  I never write anything on the attached tags so the receiver can reuse the bag.    I always reuse the bags that people give me.    Sometimes I can even repurpose a nice store paper bag with sturdy handles as a gift bag.  Or buy a reusable grocery sack to use instead.  There are many attractive totes out there, some of them holiday themed. For more ideas on alternatives to wrapping paper, see this article: http://www.naturallysavvy.com/travel-and-holidays/hold-the-wrapping-paper.

If you’ve already wrapped your gifts then you still can make some changes to help the earth.  After gifts have been unwrapped, sort through the paper to see if any of the paper can be salvaged for next year.  It’s a Christmas tradition for my husband to go through all the paper to trim off unusable parts and roll it up nicely for next year. I always start my gift wrapping with paper saved from the previous year.

Lastly, don’t forget that you can recycle wrapping paper in many communities.  Here in Rochester we are lucky that the waste management companies accept wrapping paper for recycling.  Check with your waste company before disposing of it in your recycle bin.

One of my Christmas traditions is to shop for next year’s holiday wrapping paper on December 26, when prices are discounted 50% or more.  Since I’ve learned to conserve my wrapping paper, I haven’t needed to buy any in years.

I’d like to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday!

Pricing for local selling

Back in October, in my Tricky Topic blog, I wrote about the art of pricing things to sell.  In this blog I’d like to focus on pricing for selling locally, as on Craigslist.

As I mentioned previously, you want to research what the item goes for online (Ebay, Amazon) and locally (Craigslist, classified ads).  When people buy online they usually pay shipping costs, so people may be willing to pay more for an item locally since they won’t need to pay for shipping.

Determine a price you’d be happy to sell your item for, we’ll call it the HAPPY PRICE. Your HAPPY PRICE should not be more than what the going rate is online (including shipping), unless it’s something significant to the local community, like tickets to a concert.  Your HAPPY PRICE also shouldn’t be a lot more than what people are offering similar items for locally.  Figure out what your minimum  price is for the item, we’ll call it the LOWEST PRICE.

One of the nice things about listing items on Craigslist is that since it’s free, you can keep your item listed for as long as you want, with the hope of getting your asking price.  Your listing will expire after a set number of days, usually about 30.  My plan of attack is to start my listing at my HAPPY PRICE.  If after a few weeks I am getting no bites, I will lower my price.

If you want your new price to be seen, it is best to delete your item listing on Craigslist and resubmit it at the new price. This will put your listing at the top.   If I know the price I’m asking for is a bit of a stretch, I may also add the phrase “Willing to accept offers” in my listing so people know that I am negotiable on price.  Of course, this approach works best if you are not in a big hurry to sell an item and you are not paying for your listing.  Continue to lower your price over time until your item sells or you hit your LOWEST PRICE.

If it’s still not selling after lowering the price, you may need to consider whether your timing is wrong for the item you are selling.  For example, you probably won’t be able to sell a pool in the middle of winter, no matter how low your price might go.   If you’ve had your item listed for a while and you’ve had no takers, consider taking it off the market for a while.    You might have better luck in a few weeks or a few months.

If you are paying for your local listing, I suggest you set your asking price to one that is most likely to sell, probably closer to your LOWEST PRICE.   You may also need to do this if there is deadline by which you need to sell your item, like a concert date.  Otherwise your item may not sell and any listing fees may eat up much of your profit.