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Lots of links here, but check our tips pages for more.
If you're looking for a copy of Dianne Duncan's book "Let's Haggle! The fun Guide to Garage Sales, Op Shops & Markets", you can purchase a copy from our webstore.
Business
Check out Flying Solo - a terrific online community for solo business owners. If you're self employed or have dreams to strike out on your own, you are sure to find inspiration and advice amongst Flying Solo's 300+ articles, which have been written with you in mind. I'm one of their experts contributors: to find out about all things organising, you can read my articles here.
Think about it
The Australia Institute is an inspiring organisation who wish to help create a vision of a more just, sustainable and peaceful Australian society. Thought provoking reading on consumerism and society.
Recycling
Recycling extends far beyond the paper, glass and tins that your council collect for you.
Apart from the obvious op shops run by many worthwhile charities, there are a myriad of ways to recycle unwanted goods. I know it's sometimes important for things to "go to a good home" once they're served their purpose in your life, so check out some of the ideas below. These ideas are not a definitive list, rather, a few ideas to get you started.
Freecycle is a form of recycling that hooks up unwanted goods with new owners. Children's toys, a kitchen sink, old computers or even a box of earthworms are are just some of the free items that have been on offer around the world. Check www.freecycle.org for details. If you're in Melbourne try their local site - it's one of the largest freecycle communities outside of North America.
Need to offload an old computer? In Melbourne, visit b2crecyclers or contact your local council for similar projects in your area.
For recycling services in your neck of the woods, check out www.recyclingnearyou.com.au
Use Glassed Used Wisely.... prescription spectacles are gladly accepted by The Christian Blind Mission by posting them to: PO Box 348, Box Hill, VIC, 3128. But first check with your local optometrist as they may involved in the scheme and can send them on for you. Specs are measured for presciption and sent to third world countries- check out the sweet pics of recipient at their website.
Or you can participate in a similar scheme called Community i Care by dropping off your old specs to any OPSM, Laubman & Pank, Budget Eyewear or Vision Plus store.
Foreign currency (or Australian currency for that matter) can be donated to UNICEF's Change for Good program. If you're flying Qantas soon, use the envelope supplied on board, or check out their website for other locations.
Wine bottle corks can be recycled to the Friends of the Zoo (Melbourne), your local Dan Murphy liquor store, Guides Victoria or IKEA, who all send them on to FOTZ (melbourne) to help the elephants! IKEA will also recycle your light bulbs and all kinds of batteries (and will cover the cost of disposal).
What about old mobile phones? You can donate them - check out mobilephonerecycling.com.au or Aussie Recycling Program. By donating your unwanted mobile phone you'll prevent highly toxic materials ending up in landfill. Every phone collected will also help raise funds for the following organisation in your state.
Old towels and blankets keep doggies warm and comfy at the RSPCA - there are a veriety of drop off points so get in touch to find out where your closest one is. If you're in Melbourne, the Lort Smith Animal Hospital will also take donations of older towels and blankets.
If you have loads of unneeded wire coat hangers, consider checking with your local dry cleaners as many will recycle them (provided they're in good nick).
If you have unwanted business clothing in good condition, why not donate to this great project in Melbourne: Fitted for Work. It's a fantastic example of "old' being turned into new and is very socially aware programme. Sydney have a similar scheme called Clothing Can Make a Difference.
Being organised doesn’t mean being clean, but we really care for the environment. www.cleanup.com.au has lots of great info. We strongly recommend you get informed about how evil plastic bags are!
Our global water shortage may cripple us this century. Do what you can by reading up at www.savewater.com.au and putting their ideas into practice.
We love recycling...in all its different forms. Once you're gone, someone else might benefit from your organs. Consider your options here. Of course, you can donate your blood too! donateblood.com.au.
Finally, a note on op shops: please don't recycle rubbish to op shops; they have to pay to get rid of it. Make sure items are in reasonable condition, and where possibly, clean and in working order. The Salvation Army have a teriffic list here if you're unsure.
Homeless not helpless
Most of us have a permanent place to call home (even if it does look like a tangled ball of string!) But that's not the case for everyone.
SORTED! supports Melbourne City Mission's Homeless Not Helpless campaign. It's about intervention and prevention. Did you know...?
> on census night, 99,900 Australians were homeless, over 20,000 were Victorians
> 46% of the homeless population are under 24 years of age.
Read more at www.homeless-not-helpless.org
We're also a friend of The Big Issue - it's a hand up, not a hand out. The Big Issue is a magazine that sells for $4 and vendors earn 50% of the cover price. The magazine provides a way for homeless, ex-homeless and long-term unemployed people to participate in society as independently as possible. Started in London in 1991, The Australian Big Issue will celebrate ten years in 2006. Circulation figures have increased by a staggering 80% over the past 18 months, which proves it's a great read! Check out the vendors pages for the stories behind the faces, or have a chat to a vendor next time you spot one on the street!
Art
Corinne Grant's Have my Stuff
If you're in Australia, you're probably familiar with Corinne Grant, from Channel 10's Rove Live and the ABC's The Glasshouse. We loved Corinne's show that was part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival called Have my Stuff. She actually had the audience to help declutter her stuff from the stage... hilarious! For those of you who missed the chat I had with Corinne Grant and Helen Razer on ABC 774, it was an absolute hoot and somehow I confessed my own hoarding tendencies on air. We're all hoarders to some degree :-)
More info on Corinne at www.corinnegrant.com.
The ancient art of gleaning is explored in the beautiful documentary by 74 years young Agnès Varda "The Gleaners and I".
We've always loved the concept of Andy Warhol's Time Capsules (which toured Australia in 2005).
Products
Funky, fun, colourful, bargain-priced stationery is all yours at www.smiggle.com.au
Ecosilk bages are colourful, locally made shopping bags , and you can order by post. They come in two sizes and make a great gift! www.ecosilkbags.com.au
When shopping for basic pieces, we love IKEA; affordable European style and lashings of clever designs. www.IKEA.com.au
Zetta Florence can assist with archive materials to keep all your treasures (paper/fabric/photos etc) safe and sound for future generations.
Resources
Love a bargain? Me too! Check out this great site by Sara (the links page is terrific) The Bargain Queen.
Clutter a big problem for you? Michelle Passoff author of Lighten Up! Free Yourself from Clutter has written a book you need to read.
Are you a hoarder? Is your house full of clutter? Do you have trouble making progress? If you'd like some moral support, consider a forum (chat group). We tried it and loved it! Lots of chat, encouragement and ideas. Nice to know there's other folk out there with similar issues. Based in America, this forum is easy to join, easy to leave. You don't have to be vocal, you can just "listen in". Give it a try!
www.flylady.com is a popular U.S. website that offers assistance with managing your time and projects. Beware of subscribing: they send a LOT of mail and you may be overwhelmed with the amount of information they'll throw at you.
