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Whether you need to assemble furniture, hang a picture, fix a closet rod or clean the floor, tools make the impossible possible and the difficult easy or doable. Here are some suggestions for assembling a basic tool kit.

• Ratcheting screwdriver with multiple bits
• Fire extinguisher
• Maglite flashlight
• Hammer
• Nail set to sink nail heads
• Utility knife
• Tape measure
• Crescent wrench
• Needle nose pliers
• Locking pliers
• Screwdriver set
• Circuit tester
• Level
• Paint brush
• Putty knife
• Caulk gun
• Cordless drill
• Electronic stud finder
• Bit set - torx and hex, nut drivers. Very handy for furniture assembly.

Basic supplies

• Drywall screws - get different sizes. Small hardware stores sell them by them by the pound
• Common nails
• Finish nails
• Picture hooks
• Epoxy
• Glue
• Velcro

The list can go on and on. A nice tool kit makes it so much easier to whip your place into shape.

Organizing clutter produces items no longer wanted. You may want to give them away, donate your furniture and household items, or sell the stuff. Here are some tips.

Use Craigslist

Locally, go to boston.craigslist.org select the most appropriate category, write a descriptive headline and a good description of the item for sale with dimensions if appropriate, model number, a photo and details. Not sure what something is worth? Try checking ebay.com for completed auctions on recently sold items for comparison. If you're unrealistic with your price you'll soon know it. You'll have no responses or just offers.

To deal with buyers, schedule to meet with them at a time where you'll be at home or wherever you'll be meeting them anyway. Scheduling to meet someone that inconveniences you will also infuriate you if they don't show. Potential buyers may reconsider and not have the courtesy to let you know. Don't agree to hold something. If they want to see you two days from now, no problem. Tell them to call and you'll make arrangements then, if the item is still available. You can leave off the still available part, but why wouldn' t you want to sell to the first cash buyer?

Cash is the best currency for a classified sale. Smart sellers insist on it. If they have a checking account, they have a debit card and can get cash on the way.

Some Items Do Better on Ebay

Electronics and computers are examples of items that do better on Ebay than craigslist. To sell on ebay you'll need to setup an account, just go to ebay.com to get started, and you'll also need a paypal.com account to accept payment. It's not essential, but that's the way it's done. If you're nervous about attaching paypal to your primary checking account, setup a separate account. Craigslist and ebay are a great one-two punch for getting rid of stuff you no longer need. Take the time to setup your accounts. You'll use them. Listing an item on ebay once you're setup is like craigslist, select the category, navigate into the listing process, use a descriptive headline, detailed copy and a picture. I like to prep an item to ship as soon as I list it. Get free boxes at the post office for flat rate shipping, charge realistic shipping in your auction and have some fun.

Go Dinosaur and Have a Yard Sale

If you have a lot of junk and don't mind spending the time organizing, setting up and sitting around at a yard sale

• set a date
• write an ad, you can post on craigslist, put it in the paper too, whichever one locally is most appropriate, consider including a rain date
• designate a spot to collect items to sell
• price everything with stickers or tags if it's a large item
• make and post location signs, strategic intersections, bold black on white corrugated: GARAGE SALE Date Time Address, arrow pointing the way
• Use tables to display small wares. Hang a clothes line for clothes. Organize items into categories.
• Round prices. Rather than .25 cents, try five for a dollar.
• Have plenty of change on hand.
• Have a calculator, bags and boxes on hand.
• Be prepared for rain.
• Have adequate light on indoor areas.

Be like Walmart. Greet visitors. Welcome them. Invite them to browse and ask questions then let them do their thing. A cooler with twenty-five or fifty cent bottled water and soda is another idea.

If you really want to get rid of stuff, encourage offers. Be willing to let items go for less. Clear it out and move on with your lighter, easier to manage life.