Nov 02 2008
Home Office:Gadgets to keep, sell, or donate
As we race to the end of this year there are things that should be done to save money, save space and to clear out the clutter.
Last year I pulled out and organized all of my electronic gadgets. I decided which ones were keepers and which ones I could do without. The most difficult part of the exercise was matching up each gadget to their charger and owner’s manual.
Why would that be important – especially if I planned to get rid of the gadget? Some were listed and sold on Ebay.com. Any item that is complete with its original “in the box” items and documentation will sell better and for more money. The only thing better is to have the original box.
Speaking of the original box. I used to throw them away – now I do not. The reason is two-fold. One is that as I said, they sell better with the box. The other is that I stay aware of how many gadgets I am buying. There is a shelf in the garage the houses all gadget boxes – it really does keep me aware of what I have.
I have been known to give my “outdated” gadgets to family members as gifts. No one minds because I am an early adopter and I have great gadgets. Again, when I give the entire “original” package it is more impressive and they feel less like they are getting my hand-me-downs.
If you rather donate unused, in good working order but unwanted gadgets there are records to keep for tax purposes. Always ask for a signed receipt from the charitable organization. Goodwill for example has a sheet that provides space for the item and its approximate (cost) value. It is dated and has a line for a signature. The attendant will know what to do – just ask if you do not have a sheet.
TIP: Acquire the paperwork in advance and fill it out before asking for a signature. I also take a digital photo of the item incase proof of the donation is required later. Store paperwork and photos in a “tax” box. My “tax” box sits on a shelf near my desk during the entire year gathering one tax item at a time.
Gadgets that you keep for another year can be organized during this process. Small plastic boxes are great for storing gadget accessories. Choose a space in the home office to organize these boxes. You will be glad that you did.
