This afternoon I had a wonderful time presenting a workshop at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center. The staff were extremely professional and supportive, the “audience” asked some great questions and the Power Point ran smoothly. The handout included the following resources for simplifying life:
REDUCE
https://www.donotcall.gov/ (reduce time wasting calls)
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t
register to avoid those pesky (and ID Thief tempting) pre-approved credit offers
http://privatecitizen.com/ (reduce junk mail and calls by over 70%)
http://www.catalogchoice.org/ (get OFF mailing lists for catalogs you don’t want (especially good in fall as pre-Xmas is a huge mailing time))
http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/ (opt out of receiving phone books. I just used this in Jan 09 so can’t vouch for it yet.)
http://mashable.com/2007/10/26/100-ways-to-organize-life/ (lists a huge variety of ways to share calendars, remind yourself to change the oil, record what is in storage, etc.)
http://www.simpleliving.net/ (how to consume less and enjoy life more.)
Pay bills online – or automatically for recurring amounts – and cancel paper statements.
If you have a back-log of financial documents you can take it to be shredded or arrange for the truck to come to you – prices are typically $10-$12 per bankers box with a minimum of 12 boxes for them to come to you.
Local shredding companies:
www.ironmountain.com
RE-USE
Everyday Items
Grocery bags – small dollar amount but you use HUNDREDS a year.
Consignment Stores:
Taking to consignment or selling on e-Bay or Craig’s list can take quite a bit of time. However, it may be worth it for high-end items.
Donations:
Take the tax write off and donate to a local charity.
Many distribute cards then drive up the street on the set day – saves you gas and time and they’ll leave a tax receipt.
For large amounts or furniture, I’ve had good service from United Cerebral Palsy. Call (510) 881 5812 to arrange a pick up.
If you don’t want to wait until you have a large amount, both Craig’s List and Freecycle can list things very easily and the recipient just comes and picks them up. (no money changes hands so you just leave items outside for pick-up)
RE-CYCLE
Resources within San Mateo County for hazardous waste, recycling info etc.
http://www.alliedwastesanmateocounty.com
e-Waste
If you saw the 60 minutes program on our dumping toxics on other countries, you are probably scared to get rid of items – check out the 6 sites in San Mateo County www.recycleworks.org/ewaste/index.html
http://www.alliedwastesanmateocounty.com
Residents are allowed to set out a maximum of 2 cubic yards of material, which is equivalent to twelve (12) 32-gallon bags of material. In addition, residents can set out one (1) large item (e.g. washing machine, dryer, refrigerator or freezer), as long as the item does not exceed 200 pounds. No commercial size refrigerators or freezers are accepted. TVs and computer monitors require special handling so please call (650) 592-2411 to dispose of these items. No hazardous waste (e.g. paints, thinners, or other chemicals) will be accepted for on call clean-ups or for regular collection service. (copied December 09)
Medical Items:
VIDA Volunteers for Inter-American Development Assistance – 6251 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California USA 94608 phone: 510 655 8432 or info@vidausa.org (They accept drop offs of re-usable items.) or check with Allied Waste for closer places.
Clean towels and blankets can be used by the Humane Society or SPCA
Peninsula Humane Society, 12 Airport Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94401-1098 (650) 340-7022 www.peninsulahumanesociety.org