TexasEscapes.com HOME Welcome to Texas Escapes
A magazine written by Texas
Custom Search
New   |   Texas Towns   |   Ghost Towns   |   Counties   |   Trips   |   Features   |   Columns   |   Architecture   |   Images   |   Archives   |   Site Map

Columns
History/Opinion


Columns | Go Far With Kovar

What Should We do With Our Children's Old Toys?

by Taylor Kovar
Hi Taylor - The holiday season always leaves us with a few hundred toys our kids don't want. I hate the idea of throwing these things away and wonder if you have any suggestions for what to do with an overstock of stuffed animals and plastic cars. - Darren

Hi Darren - It's hard for us parents to avoid the excess, isn't it? I totally understand what you're going through. My wife and I have tried a few different approaches with our kids neglected toys that might work for your family.

1. Church charities. Since so many churches offer daycare and nursery services, this is a great place to send the toys you no longer need. If you go through your own church, you and your kids could still have access to the items, or at least get to see firsthand the happiness those toys bring to other children. On the financial plus side, you can also write off the donation.

2. Freecycle or Facebook. If you're hesitant to donate the toys just anywhere, you can use one of these online services to post the items you're giving away. This ups the odds of finding the perfect home for an old toy and makes the process relatively easy on your end. You don't even have to load up a box - you can just take pictures of what you have lying around and post them online, then wait for interested parties to get in touch.

3. Shelters and care centers. The reason we end up with so many extra toys is because we love the look on our kids' faces when they receive a gift. You can get that same feeling when you bring toys to facilities that house children and families in need. I recommend bringing your kids along so they can partake in the generosity and see how good it feels to make someone else's day.

4. Garage sale. Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to get your children to part with toys, even if they haven't played with them in years. If you propose a yard sale, the prospect of earning cash gives you a pretty good negotiating tool. Allowing your children to take part in the selling process also teaches good lessons about personal value and financial responsibility. Best of all, you can deal with the grownup toys that have started taking over the shed and guestroom, proving that mommies and daddies have to part with their things as well.

I wholly agree that you don't want to throw things away, and I urge everyone to avoid putting perfectly good toys into landfills. There are so many ways to do good with these items, so hopefully you'll find something that works for you. Good luck, Darren!


© Taylor Kovar January 11, 2019
More "Go Far With Kovar"

Disclaimer: Information presented is for educational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. To submit a question to be answered in this column, please send it via email to Question@GoFarWithKovar.com, or via USPS to Taylor Kovar, 415 S 1st St, Suite 300, Lufkin, TX 75901.

"Go Far With Kovar"

  • Is 2019 a Good Time to Buy a House? 1-4-19
  • How Can I Make Sure My Travel Is Affordable? 12-28-18
  • Advice for Attainable Financial New Year's Resolutions? 12-21-18
  • How Can I Avoid Falling Back Into Debt? 12-14-18
  • How Does Inflation Affect the Stock Market? 12-7-18

    more »
  •  

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


    Texas Escapes Online Magazine »   Archive Issues » Home »
    TEXAS TOWNS & COUNTIES TEXAS LANDMARKS & IMAGES TEXAS HISTORY & CULTURE TEXAS OUTDOORS MORE
    Texas Counties
    Texas Towns A-Z
    Texas Ghost Towns

    TEXAS REGIONS:
    Central Texas North
    Central Texas South
    Texas Gulf Coast
    Texas Panhandle
    Texas Hill Country
    East Texas
    South Texas
    West Texas

    Courthouses
    Jails
    Churches
    Schoolhouses
    Bridges
    Theaters
    Depots
    Rooms with a Past
    Monuments
    Statues

    Gas Stations
    Post Offices
    Museums
    Water Towers
    Grain Elevators
    Cotton Gins
    Lodges
    Stores
    Banks

    Vintage Photos
    Historic Trees
    Cemeteries
    Old Neon
    Ghost Signs
    Signs
    Murals
    Gargoyles
    Pitted Dates
    Cornerstones
    Then & Now

    Columns: History/Opinion
    Texas History
    Small Town Sagas
    Black History
    WWII
    Texas Centennial
    Ghosts
    People
    Animals
    Food
    Music
    Art

    Books
    Cotton
    Texas Railroads

    Texas Trips
    Texas Drives
    Texas State Parks
    Texas Rivers
    Texas Lakes
    Texas Forts
    Texas Trails
    Texas Maps
    USA
    MEXICO
    HOTELS

    Site Map
    About Us
    Privacy Statement
    Disclaimer
    Contributors
    Staff
    Contact Us

     
    Website Content Copyright Texas Escapes LLC. All Rights Reserved