10 Special Ways to Help Others When You Declutter

Bicycles. I'm a bicycle fanatic, and I have more than a few spare ones out in the garage. I'm going to donate them to Bikes for the World, a nonprofit organization that provides used bicycles to people in Third World countries who rely on bikes for daily transportation, not just recreation. With any luck, after I donate a few of my bicycles, we may be able to actually park our car in the garage.

Blankets, towels and linens. Where did we get all this stuff? Local animal shelters often need donations of such items to use in animal crates. Visit Pets 911 to find animal shelters near you.

Sports equipment. I've decided to donate the speed bag that nearly knocked me out last time I tried to use it to SportsGift.org so that the website can pass it along to an aspiring Rocky Balboa. Sports Gift is a nonprofit organization that uses donated sports equipment to create community-based sports programs for underprivileged kids around the world.

Old magazines. And finally, I think I'll take my big stack of old magazines — including Saxophone Monthly, Runner's World and Boxing Digest — over to the local hospital and some area retirement homes to see if they need some reading material.

I'll sleep better at night knowing that my special stuff has found some very special new homes. Now, who deserves my painting of Elvis on black velvet?

Jeff Yeager is the author of The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches and The Cheapskate Next Door. His website is www.UltimateCheapskate.com and you can friend him on Facebook at JeffYeagerUltimateCheapskate or follow him on Twitter.