You may not be thinking "Christmas" in October, but for local charities like Goodwill and the Salvation Army, this is the time to clear out your attic or basement of holiday decor. Artificial Christmas trees, ornaments, working string lights and stockings are items the charities love to receive now. They stock their stores at the end of the month, just like national retailers do. And since they don't save holiday items season to season, they need the items now to raise money for their valuable charitable works.

When it's time to replace your computer, it's easy to recycle the old one. Many retailers accept old technology for free recycling, and charities like Goodwill have partnered with tech companies to keep computers out of landfills. But before you donate, be sure to do one thing: Erase the hard drive. There are software programs that literally erase the entire hard drive for you, or you can follow the manufacturer's instructions to do it yourself. You can also physically remove the hard drive and destroy it to keep your private information away from identity thieves.

If you have a tree on your property that's dying or dead, and it's not presenting any kind of safety risk to your home or your neighbors, consider leaving it standing through the winter months. Diseased trees have decomposing cavities inside that provide an ecosystem of food and shelter for all types of animals. They depend on finding shelter and sustenance, and these trees can help them thrive. Just wait until late spring to remove the tree if you must.