You Can Donate That? 5 Surprising Items You Can Donate to De-Clutter

De-cluttering your house and yard is essential to feeling comfortable in your own home. You know the rule: if it’s not of sentimental value and you don’t frequently use it, donate it. However, many homeowners would be surprised to learn that they can donate more than knickknacks and last season’s clothing to a local charity. Some charities will pick up large-item donations and get them off your property with no hassle. Don’t add to the landfill problem, and don’t leave junk you don’t want stashed in your yard, garage or basement. Donate any of these items you have taking up space.

Used Car

Start off your surprising donation checklist by asking yourself, “Where to donate my car?” Yes, the old car in your driveway and even the beat-up clunker just collecting rust in your yard are items that charities specializing in vehicle donation are especially eager to receive. You can donate an old car by arranging for a collection with a local donation company or taking the car to a local donation center. Beforehand, take a look at the Kelley Blue Book value for your car. Even if you bought it somewhat recently, you may be shocked to see the value has depreciated substantially.

You’re actually likely to earn more by donating your used car to charity, and you could then use that money to put toward a new car. When the charity takes and then sells your vehicle, you’ll get paperwork to prove you donated the car and what the charity earned from it. You can claim those earnings — even if they’re more than the Blue Book value — as a deduction. The amount of tax you owe will decrease, or the refund you receive will increase, meaning you’ll have more money to put toward a new car.

Old Boat

Like the old car, the boat that’s been under a tarp for more than a few summers is something you can donate. Many people dream of fishing or sailing and relaxing on the water, but most people simply don’t have the time to sail or to maintain their boat. Plus, it’s a pain to lug it back and forth to the water all the time. And even if you are an active boating enthusiast, you’ll want a new boat at some point, and you probably don’t have room for two on your property. Donate the old one, and as with the car donation, you can count the hundreds or thousands of dollars the charity earns on your deductions.

Furniture

Old furniture often ends up being thrown in a skip or abandoned on the curb. Donating furniture is often too much of a hassle – many of us don’t have large enough vehicles to transport it. However, what most people don’t realize is that there are charities such as this furniture bank that can pick your furniture up for free. These charities then find a new owner for your furniture. It’s a much better method for getting rid of your old sofa or dining table.

Broken and Outdated Electronics

Who would want a computer or cell phone from five years ago, and who on earth could use the smashed or virus-laden electronics you’re ready to toss? Don’t throw them out — charities are interested in your broken and outdated electronics. Some charities fix or update broken electronics the best they can and give them to schools, daycare centers, senior centers, women’s shelters and poor families who can still make use of them even if they’re not the shiniest, newest gadget. Others recycle or sell the parts and earn money for their charitable activities. Why throw them out, when you can pass them on to a charity and know they’ll benefit someone?

Prescription Eyeglasses

Prescription eyeglasses are completely tailored to your vision. Why, then, would anyone else be interested in your old eyeglasses?

There are others out there with similar, if not the exact same, vision needs as you, and these are people who can’t afford to buy their own glasses. Charities that take prescription eyeglasses catalog prescriptions and distribute the glasses to poor communities around the globe free of charge. Your donation could give the gift of better sight to someone in need.

Many of these items are tax deductible, especially if they’re going to be used and not just recycled. However, as Today.com warns, you’ll need forms to prove you’ve donated any non-cash item totaling $500 or more, so speak with your financial advisor when you plan to make a big donation. Donate one of these surprising items today. Not only will you finally get rid of stuff you no longer need, but you’ll rest easy knowing you’re helping a cause and not contributing to a landfill.

Mazda image by Bull-Doser (Own work.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Boat image from Flickr’s Creative Commons by peter pearson

iPods image from Flickr’s Creative Commons by jesse?