It is that time of year: time for midterm exams, Spring Break, warmer weather, and...Spring cleaning. Have you done your Spring cleaning yet? When you do, you may be surprised by what you find.

When cleaning out a bedroom closet, for example, you might find a box of items left over from your school days, containing things like academic trophies, school ribbons, and papers with good grades and teachers' remarks. These items were once very important to you. Now, however, you look at them and laugh. They seem childish and unimportant. The papers and awards get tossed into the trash. Looking around your closet, you find some clothing that no longer fits. You also find some paperback books that you read a year ago. These items go in the box. They will be donated to charity.

One reason for Spring cleaning is to make room for yourself. People need space. If they have too much stuff, they cannot move around in their house. If they feel crowded, it can affect their mood and concentration. By making more room to live, you will likely be in a better mood and more able to concentrate on your work.

Another reason is because you have grown up. The papers and academic awards that were once very important to you now mean nothing. Now, you are interested in a different kind of recognition.

A third reason for Spring cleaning is to make money. If you find enough unwanted stuff during your cleaning, you may be able to get enough together for a garage sale. You may not want that paperback book that you read two years ago, but someone else on your block might be dying to read it. Set it out on a table, along with other items, sell the items for low prices, and see what happens. You just might make some money. With more money, you can accomplish many things.

One thing you can do is put gas in your car. Gas will allow you to go to work. It will also allow you to take care of other necessary business, like picking up essential items from the store, such as toothpaste and bath tissue. These items will help you to live better.

Having more money will also allow you to pay your bills. People need water and electricity. Paying your bills will allow you to keep these services turned on.

Look around your house. Check bookcases, closets, cabinets, the attic, the garage, and anywhere else you can think to look. See what you can find that you would be willing to part with. Watch the weather forcast. The next time your area is scheduled for good weather, plan on having a garage sale. You may be pleasantly surprised by the results.