Another Great Dilbert

I don't plan on posting lots of these, but this one is just too funny! It reminded me of the days when I worked for QuickStructures.

(click the picture to see a larger version of it)

Garage Sales

For some reason I can't get garage sales out of my mind. Spring is coming (although you wouldn't think so by looking outside) and that will bring the season of garage sales. But for some reason garage sales are bothering me.

Why do people have garage sales? I think it is mainly for two reasons: 1) to get rid of old stuff and 2) to get more money. Every year you see hundreds of garage sales in my city. Everyone is selling off their old used items and pocketing the cash. The problem I see is why do we feel the need to get more money? Why do we go through all the work of selling off old items, labelling them from $0.25 to $5.00 and then spending an entire weekend selling it off. Then we pocket the extra cash and are so happy because now we can go buy more stuff. It really bugs me when I see garage sales in the richer neighborhoods! Really, do those people need that little extra money!!

I'm sure there are people out there who really need the money they will earn from a garage sale. But in my life I don't seem to know very many needy people. The people I know are pretty well off with good jobs. I really don't think many of them need the small amount of cash they will earn from a garage sale. Oh, sure it would be nice to have a little extra so we could go buy something. But for some reason my heart is being tugged to do something different with all that stuff we would sell at a garage sale...give it away instead.

Recently it was brought to my attention that there are families out there with a lot less than what I have. I'm not talking about the homeless people that are begging or anything. I'm talking about non abusive, loving, single (and two) parent families that struggle to make ends meet. They cannot even afford to buy new clothes for their kids. I'm sure they would love to have a little extra money to spend on necessities for their family.

So what should we do about this? I think rather than have garage sales why not instead try to find someone who can use the items you are selling and give it away instead. Nothing feels better than to give something away knowing that you are helping someone out. I've been on the receiving end of many things: tennis racket, knife, golf clubs, clothes, etc. and it is great to have things given to you. Need some ideas? Selling dishes and other kitchen items: give them to a new refugee family that just moved here and has nothing. Selling old furniture: donate it to a small church youth group or to a family that doesn't have any. Lots of old baby clothes: ask around at churches, etc to find an expecting or new mother who doesn't have a lot and give them to her. Old board games you never play: give them to some young kids. If you feel you don't know anybody you can always donate items to Community Living or the Salvation Army.

So what am I going to do about this? I hate to disappoint everyone but I'm far from perfect. Am I never going to sell anything again? Probably not. But I think I need to do two things. 1) Give away all the items that my wife and I were going to sell after our move in December 2) Get to know more needy people. #1 is easy. #2 is where I will struggle. I like living a safe little life where everyone is doing well, good jobs, decent money, nice houses. But I feel the need to start to get to know some families that are not as well off. I think being able to help a particular family and building a relationship is far better than dropping off all my old clothes and items at the Salvation Army (although that's a great start).

What do you think? Am I off my rocker? Are you having a garage sale this year? I would love to have some discussion on this in the comments.