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Make Room For Your New Year's Resolutions By Cleaning Out the Clutter

Plus where to get rid of your unwanted items on the North Shore

By Melissa Basgall, publisher of Macaroni KID Overland Park - Olathe - Shawnee, Kan. December 23, 2023

Are you looking to make room for your New Year's resolutions in 2024? Whether you want to create more space for a home gym or just need to de-clutter your home, cleaning and purging can be a great way to start the new year off right. Here are some helpful tips on how to get started, as the process can sometimes feel overwhelming. But you can do it, and there's no better time so that you can make room for a fresh start in the new year.

Get organized and start identifying unwanted items

The first step is to get organized. Start by walking through your house room by room. Look in each closet, cabinet, and nook. Look at items and ask yourself if you still love it and use it. Set aside items you no longer want or need.  

As you continue this process, you will start to see the areas of your home that need the most purging. If that means you get overwhelmed by a specific room or drawer, that's OK. Come back to it later when you're ready. Some people choose to do this process room by room, or even drawer by drawer. Do it at the speed that works best for you!


 Andrea Piacquaido | Canva

Decide what to do with your stuff

You can sell, donate, recycle or — last resort — toss your unwanted items. 

  • Selling: Selling items can be a great way to make some extra money. You can list your items online anywhere from eBay to Facebook Marketplace. You could also consider hosting a yard sale or taking your items to a consignment shop.
  • Recycling: Many items such as electronics and batteries can be recycled responsibly instead of ending up in a landfill. Check with your local municipality for information about how to safely dispose of hazardous materials like paint and chemicals.
  • Donating: If you don’t want to go through the hassle of selling your items, you might donate them instead. Make sure items are in good condition before donating — organizations likely won't want items that are broken, stained or damaged. There are plenty of charities and organizations that will gladly accept your items. Here are some to consider:
    • Thrift stores
    • Homeless shelters
    • Animal shelters and rescues
    • Schools and educational programs
    • Medical supply charities
    • Community centers
    • Veterans' support organizations
    • Crisis pregnancy centers
    • Rehabilitation centers

Beverly Bootstraps- Beverly MA- Donations Accepted

35 Park St.

Beverly, MA 01915

Thrift Shop- 978-927-1561

Office- 978-927-1561

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The Goodwill Store- Danvers MA

301 Newbury St.

Danvers, MA 01923

978-791-0600


Savers- Danvers MA

139 Endicott St.

Danvers, MA 01923

978-777-8631


Lifebridge Thrift Shop- Salem MA

47 Canal St. 

Salem, MA 01970
Questions about donating call 978-745-2459


Essex County Habitat for Humanity- ReStore- Peabody MA

Pulaski Street Industrial Park
58R Pulaski St.
Bldg. 14
Peabody, MA 01960

Phone: 978-587-3077


Leeward Light Thrift Shop-Salisbury MA

126 Bridge Rd. 

Salisbury, MA 01952

978-465-1141

 Donations: 
Tues - Sun: 8am - 10am

Store Hours:
Tues-Sat 10am - 5pm
Sun 10am - 4pm


Second Glance- Gloucester MA

2 Pond Rd. #1

Gloucester, MA 01930

978-283-4298

 


Looking to score a good deal on stuff for your kids or do you  have a variety of home/adult/children's items in good to excellent condition ready to sell?! Check out one of these fantastic  consignment venues.




Consignment Shops



Witch City Consignment- Salem MA

301 Essex St.

Salem MA 01970

978-744-4433

We can and usually buy or sell for you almost anything, but we make that decision when we see the item.


Forget Me Not Consignment Shop- Ipswich MA

28 Market St.

Ipswich, MA 01938

978-356-3211


Worthy Girl Consignment- Beverly MA

276 Cabot St.

Beverly MA 01915

978-969-2761

hello@worthygirlshop.com


Children's Orchard- Newburyport MA

45 Storey Ave #7B
Newburyport, MA 01950

978-462-5437


Gentry's Consignment- Newburyport MA

50 Water St.

Newburyport MA 01950

978-463-0040


The Children's Orchard- Rowley MA

225 Newburyport Turnpike

Rowley, MA 01969

978-948-6600


Boston Consignment- Beverly MA

45 Enon St. (Rte 1A)

North Beverly, MA 01915

978-969-1115

No matter where you choose to donate your things, know that your generosity is helping someone in need. 

Now that you’ve done the hard work of purging and donating, you should have more room and clear space to start the activities of the new year. You can relax knowing that your stuff has gone to good use ... and you've cleared out space to make room for a new year of success.