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\n <\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n Monkeybusinessimages\/Getty<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
Garages usually start out holding cars, bikes, motorcycles, maybe a workbench, a few tools, and some storage. But over time, they often become a convenient place\u00a0to stash all manner of items “just for now.” For a lot of people, out of sight quickly becomes out of mind and, before long, “just for now” stretches into months or even years. Before you know it, the garage is packed with things you barely think about anymore.<\/p>\n
It’s usually at this point that the urge to declutter kicks in. You look around and realize you need more room, less mess, and a space where you can actually find what you need without digging through piles of dusty boxes. But clearing out the garage is not always as simple as throwing away everything that looks old or unused.<\/p>\n
Sure, some things obviously need to leave your garage<\/a>, especially anything expired or broken beyond repair. But among the pile, you may also come across some items that seem pointless until the day you need them for an odd repair, a seasonal task, or even an emergency. Imagine throwing out an old power tool, only for the newer one to break down. So, before you start filling trash bags, here are some of the items you may want to hold on to.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n Why keep a stack of old, dusty manuals\u00a0when everything is online these days? Well, it’s true that there’s a lot of product information available online. But not all of it is, especially when\u00a0you are dealing with older, discontinued, or not-so-common devices. In cases like that, the original manual remains the easiest place to find the details you need\u00a0if you ever have to reconfigure, reinstall, or troubleshoot a problem.<\/p>\n There is also the fact that having the original manual and relevant paperwork can make it much easier to sell that item later on. A car, for example, with a complete set of service records\u00a0and a clean title can increase your car’s resale value<\/a> because it shows you’ve properly maintained the vehicle. You can apply\u00a0the same logic to other things like power tools, riding mowers, and large appliances. When the paperwork is still intact, buyers have fewer reasons to hesitate or haggle.<\/p>\n Another thing people throw out too quickly is receipts. When trying to process a warranty claim, for instance, not being able to find a receipt can turn the whole thing into a frustrating process. Some people\u00a0have had their claims denied altogether simply because they can’t provide a proof of purchase.<\/p>\nManuals, maintenance records, and receipts<\/h2>\n
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\n <\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n Garsya\/Getty<\/span>\n <\/div>\n