• LET GO WITHOUT GUILT: I know it’s hard to part with some items that loved ones or close friends may have given to you. Or maybe you have momentary dreams of Martha-like entertaining. I do too. Then I look in the mirror and remind myself who I really am!

• BE CHARITABLE! Once you’ve cut the fat, do a good deed and donate the things that are in relatively good shape to a college student, local school, firsttime apartment owner, or a charity. Be sure to get an itemized deduction receipt or something from the charity or organization you donate to since your charitable act will most likely provide you with a tax deduction.
• SPREAD THE GLOVE—RE-GIFT! It’s a great way to spread the organizing glove. Just be sure to give the re-gifted item to a person other than the one who gave it to you. That or let them know how much you appreciated their thinking you could cook, but that’s not the case and you thought they’d put it to better use than you!
   
  *PLEASE NOTE: Experience has taught me to keep at least two sets of serving pieces, dishes, glasses, and flatware. Chances are dishes and glasses will break “accidentally” and if you’re like me, you may unintentionally throw out silverware while scraping off plates. I find this happens frequently when I use paper plates since I tend to mindlessly toss everything out—then again, maybe it’s intentional and my way of avoiding any further cleanup!

Tagged: Excess, Glove, Rule