Goodwill

Every day, Americans throw out more than 350,000 cell phones and 130,000 computers. But we're passing up a tidy sum -- plus some potential tax deductions -- by dumping them in the trash or leaving them to gather dust.

After compiling this huge list of senior discounts and freebies, I'm convinced that, if you're of a certain age, it's just a matter of asking to save money. Just remember to bring ID, as many retailers and restaurants will ask for proof of your age. After all, you look so young!

Clutter has taken over the American household. And I don't mean just the serious clutter that A&E features in TV shows about hoarders and storage lockers. The size of the average American home has grown by 53% in the past 30 years, up by 800 square feet to about 2,300 square feet. If that...

Reann Ballslee (pictured) is just like other 20-something college girls: She loves getting dressed up, doing her make-up and feeling fabulous. The only difference between Reann and other girls? Well, Reann isn't really a girl. Reann's real name is Ryan (Ryan preferred his last name not be...

It seemed like an innocent enough donation. A Marietta, Ohio Goodwill store received a large galvanized metal water jug with a spout -- perfect to hold lemonade during some long-ago summer picnic. Yet, the jug, which was donated anonymously, wasn't holding a refreshing drink; instead, it was filled...

Ever since the Chicago Tribune gave me the heave-ho in April, I've been thinking a lot about my image and the way I dress. An awful lot. Ready to hit the job market in mind, body, spirit and attitude -- but not in wardrobe -- I sought the advice of a true master, and a man after my own Italian...

Have you been to a mall lately? It's sort of a depressing place. Lots of stores have vacated the premises, and with the clerks that are left manning the surviving shops and kiosks look like they're starved for social interaction. There's just no one there. The Christmas music playing over the PA...

True story. Last weekend I went shopping with my daughters on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, I was dragged by my eight-year-old into a local Gap where she convinced me to buy her and her sister the cutest little spaghetti-strapped tank tops on sale for just $3.99 each. The next day, after...

Once or twice a year, I try to purge my closet of all of the clothes that either don't fit, are hopelessly outdated, stained or otherwise just been hanging around for too long. The items I can't seem to part with are those that I paid a lot of money for or the clothes that I never wore -- and they...