Clean Out The Clutter

New Year’s Resolutions . . . . .

We start off with such lofty goals, but then, once we realize the work that is involved in keeping them, they fall to the wayside.  Sometimes it’s just a matter of not knowing where to start.

If one of your resolutions was to get rid of your household clutter this year, there’s an easy way to do that, which doesn’t involve any yard sale preparation on your part.  There are a number of fabulous thrift stores and consignment shops in the area, and many of them will happily accept donations of gently used clothing, linens, or household items.  Some of them may even offer credit towards in-store purchases.

The Jumble Thrift Shop at 110 Walnut Avenue will probably be one of the first ones to come to mind for most locals, as it has been around since 1933.    It carries new and used clothing for all ages, as well as small household items and toys.

How about Milk Money?  MilkMoneyCranford.com It was voted NJ’s Best Vintage/Consignment by New Jersey Monthly Magazine in 2010, 2011 and 2012.  This award-winning Cranford franchise specializes in children’s clothing and toys.  Just because the kids quickly outgrow them doesn’t mean they don’t have years of good wear left in them, right?  And it’s just as much fun to shop there as it is to donate there., especially when they have periodic “fill a bag for $10” sales.

A local upscale vintage store favorite is  Progress, at 200 North Avenue in Garwood. www.progressresale.com Progress is an upscale vintage clothing store for women and teens, with some AWESOME finds!  The nice thing about bringing your items here is that you can “swap” for credit towards a purchase there.

Augusta Mae boutique and fine consignment, located at 35 Alden Street,  www.augustamae.com ,offers a fabulous selection of unique and affordable fine consignment clothing, shoes, and accessories, as well as one of a kind home accents.

Of course, if you’re looking for more of a “drop and go” thrift store, one that is more of a department store of thrift, then you might want to drop off your donations to Unique, at 2485 US Hwy 22 West.   They also will be happy to take clothing, home goods, toys, and virtually anything you have that is in good enough condition to be sold to someone else.

And it’s worth mentioning that many of these thrift stores not only allow folks with little pocket money to purchase clothes they might not be able to at retail prices, but often a portion of those monies goes towards charity of back into the community.  And, hey . . . . while you’re dropping of your “trash,” maybe you can pick up some new “treasures?”  It’s just as much fun to shop at these stores as it is to drop things of there!