The White Elephant consignment stores have been in the 'stuff' business for almost 20 years. In our own little sphere of influence, we've been dealing with the results of our trade area's consumption patterns for years and in many ways. But, we're well aware that we are only three (we also operate WExchange Thrift Shop to benefit local nonprofits) stores in a high population area. I often wonder, when called upon to sort mountains of donations at the thrift store for example, what it must be like to be doing the same thing in the guts of a major city! My Gosh! I think. What waste!

A very interesting short movie was made called 'The Story of Stuff' that's had over 2 million views to date. Have you seen it? A recent convert to the idea of following 'The Compact' (see previous blog entry) this weekend told me about this little movie. Even if you don't agree with everything or every point of view expressed, it's well worth watching. Here's the YouTube short clip:  

To watch the movie and learn more about it just Click! 

On the days when I lean towards over-examining my life and the choice I've made of a career, watching this little movie again sure will be on the top of the list of things to do. It'll remind me that, small as my sister's and my impact may be on the world at large, in our own little corner of it we are doing what we can to do what we feel is important - and doing our share to help protect our natural world.

Go ahead, watch the movie! Read about 'The Compact'. Take your mind off your every day concerns for a little while and think about bigger things! 

If you are one of the growing number of Americans joining 'The Compact' anti-consumerism movement - a big, fat WELCOME from The White Elephant stores! We are so glad you've chosen to explore the challenge of buying nothing new for a year, support local businesses, reduce the clutter in your lives and simplify! We'll make your efforts much easier from the start! It's what we're all about. You'll also find lots of like-minded people shoppping and consigning at our stores.

Be sure to add WExchange Thrift Shop (http://www.wexthrift.com) to your list of go-to resources when your on the hunt for a good, used necessity item. All manner of useful things come and go there on a daily basis.

For those of you who'd like to learn more about this movement, started by a few friends in San Francisco (what doesn't start out there?) click here 

If you'd like to join the small group started in Virginia go here. 

Of course, you really don't need to join a 'group' or sign anything etc. to join 'The Compact' - all you have to do is make it a priority in your life and get on with it. And, when you're stumped and need to find something 'used' - pay us a visit or give us a call. We'll be glad to do what we can to help! Of course, consigning your clutter with us is the best first step in simplifying your life.

If you'd like to learn about 'regular' people trying the experiment, try visiting Bob and Lori's blog  - read and see pics about their paper bag floor project!

STOP! Before you go rent a storage unit (or very commonly, yet another storage unit), think about what you are doing!

You invested money in most of the stuff you are about to store when you bought it. It lost half it's value or more as soon as you walked out of the store with it. Now you are thinking about paying some one more money to store the stuff (no doubt along with stuff family and friends 'gifted' you with) - investing yet more money into it. This seems crazy to me! Unless you live in such a small house you have no other place to keep outdoor gear and large tools you actually use on a regular basis, why not just get organized, clear out the clutter and sell the better stuff through local consignment shops like The White Elephant and recoup part of your investment and donate the less desirable stuff to local thrifts like WExchange Thrift Shop for a donation receipt for your income tax purposes?

A long time customer and her husband hired me to help them this past weekend to get organized before they move. In essence, they felt they needed help on how to go about the process of moving - from a home they'd lived in for 50 years.  They had decided to downsize and move to be closer to the grandchildren.

Not only was the very sizeable house crammed with stuff top to bottom, but although they had a four car garage - only one could hold a car. After some number of hours just surveying the 'stuff' and talking with them about what they wanted to take with them and getting their imput on timetables and such I got up to leave. BUT WAIT! No, no....they weren't through, they still needed my help! They drove me 20 minutes to a commercial storage facility where they had four large storage units full of stuff. Yep, about $125/month for each unit.....for at least 8 or 10 years. Even if you had money, what could possibly be worth paying $6,000 a year or $48,000 over 8 years to store? Must be some kind of special stuff I thought to myself.

Wrong! They hadn't taken anything OUT of the units - ever. It was just a graveyard of common, everyday household stuff, clothes and furniture. Imagine the money they could have MADE by selling the stuff when most of it was still of value (old clothes that are stored away become damaged, smelly and have no value, furniture can become damaged, etc. ). Imagine what someone could do: invest, pay off debt, mortagages - or go on vacation - with the money these lovely people had spent storing this stuff over the years.

They are not alone either. Many of you probably pass these lovely folk on your way to stuff more stuff into your own units!

I understand that there is an illness people have called hoarding. I also know, through my 20 years in the consignment business, how hard it is for some people to let go of their attachment to 'things', even if they aren't technically 'hoarders'.  Fortunately, I don't have that problem. I don't let stuff own me, but rather choose to own and keep certain things only as long as they prove useful and necessary.

There are lots of books, web sites and blogs out there that specialize in helping people loosen their grip on their stuff...just 'because it's my stuff!' and helping people understand that they are actually allowing 'their stuff' to own and control them. If you have this problem I'd like to suggest you avail yourself of their help. Once you can achieve a healthier perspective about your material possessions you can tackle the job of learning how to organize yourself, actually clear all the unnecessary clutter from your life and breath much freer. You'll save time, it will be easy to maintain the stuff you do have; you'll  sleep better, feel better and free up some money you could probably use for other purposes: paying down debt, helping to ease your gas bill - and more!

Here are some useful links to get you started:

• www.ehow.com/how_3810_organized.html
• www.flylady.net/
• www.noclutterguy.com
• www.get-organized.com/
• www.getorganizednow.com/

And, when you're ready to clear out and convert your underloved 'white elephants' into cash - we'll be glad to help!