ESL Podcast 830 - Donating to a Thrift Store
thrift store - a store that sells used (not new) items, such as books, clothing, dishes, and furniture
Yolanda bought a great dining table for just $40 at the thrift store.
donation - something that is given to a nonprofit organization so that it can be used for some particular purpose, such as offering an educational program or helping the poor
A little girl knocked on our door and asked if we would make a donation to help the library buy more books.
curtains - large pieces of fabric used to cover a window that can be opened or closed to let in more or less sunlight and to provide privacy
We hung some really heavy curtains to keep the room warmer at night and lower our electricity bill.
to sit around - to be somewhere without any particular purpose and without doing anything, just taking up space
Please don't leave the dirty dishes sitting around all day. At least put them in the dishwasher.
closet - a large cupboard built into the wall of a room with a door, used for storing clothing and other items
Welcome to our home! May I hang your jacket in the front hall closet?
to let (something) go - to agree to be separated from something, possibly while giving something away or letting someone else take it; to no longer need to have something
These textbooks were really useful when I was a student, but I haven't opened them in 10 years. It's time to let them go.
to toss - to get rid of something; to throw something away; to place something in the trash
Once a month, Heather checks the expiration date on everything in the fridge and tosses food that isn't okay to eat.
sentimental value - the feeling of wanting to keep an object because of the memories one has of it, not because it is useful or worth a lot of money to other people
These photographs have a lot of sentimental value, so Katy keeps them organized in special photo albums.
attic - a large open area above the living areas in a home and below the roof, usually unfinished (without finished walls) and used for storage
They're going to remodel their home and change the attic into a guest bedroom.
to put aside - to separate something from a group of similar items to designate it for some particular purpose
The kids ate two cookies each and then put aside the rest for later.
spring cleaning - a period of time spent cleaning and organizing one's home once each year, traditionally in the springtime
Liliana started her spring cleaning by dusting and disinfecting the light fixtures and light switches.
a good cause - a worthy purpose, such as helping the homeless or protecting endangered animals, often the focus of one or more nonprofit organizations
Our organization is nonprofit, so we can't pay you very much money, but you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you're working for a good cause.
tax deduction - an amount of money that one is allowed to subtract from the total amount of money that is taxed, so that one ends up paying less money
In 2012, people whose medical expenses are more than 10% of their income can use those expenses as a tax deduction.
win-win - a situation that benefits both of the people involved; mutually beneficial
Justine finally bought a car and Wayne found someone to buy his old Chevy, so it was a win-win.
to have a lot of life in (something) - to still be useful; to not be completely worn out
Peeta has had those hiking boots for a few years, but they still have a lot of life in them.
to put (one's) foot down - to insist; to make a firm decision and not allow one to be persuaded otherwise
It used to be easy to break the rules, but the new director has put her foot down and now there are no exceptions.
pack rat - a person who keeps everything and doesn't like to throw away or give away anything, even if it is no longer useful
David used to be a pack rat, but then he got a job that required moving every two years, so he got rid of a lot of things.