Okay, you all know how much I love fashion, and yes, I am the typical clotheshorse that has ten black shirts that “supposedly” look the same.

I am definitely not a hoarder but would begrudgingly admit to the epithet of enthusiastic patron saint of clothes, shoes and handbags. I attribute my zealous/impulsive shopping tendencies on my fiery aries, pitta, dragon girl makeup. I am the ultimate bargain hunter, and seeing the word “SALE” is an immediate endorphin rush.

My shopping meditation of just experiencing the darshan (auspicious sighting) of the enticing colors, fabrics and styles and then walking away, is still a work in progress. How much headway have I really made? let’s just say that I will not be winning the most improved shopaholic in a long time because, if I even manage to push the pause button before purchasing, a little voice always pops up and whispers, “Buy it for you could be hit by a bus tomorrow.” A little dramatic? I think NOT!

When my closets are overflowing, and it takes a major expedition to find my favorite black shirt with that certain cut, I know it is time to purge. I usually give my belongings to friends or donate them to Goodwill. But, if you’re like me, you will have some great looking items that are too nice to donate, and you always think that maybe one day you will wear them again. The suggested one-year clothing rule of getting rid of clothes that you haven’t worn in one year has never worked for me since I have fabulous clothes over 15 years old that are timeless classic pieces.

However, at least once a year, I try to thoroughly clean and clear out my closets. Each year I come across many items that I have compulsively acquired, and have hardly worn or not worn at all. The clothes are still too lovely to donate, and I have not been able to apply the fifth yama of Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga— aparigraha (non-attachment).

For the past two years, a friend of mine created a fabulous online site and was able to sell most of my clothes. Fortunately for her, she got a job this year and closed down the site.

Last month Karen sent me a link to this site called Material Wrld.

Material Wrld was launched in 2013 by two friends, Rie Yano and Jie Zheng, who both worked in the NY fashion industry after meeting in Harvard business school. They co-created their company with a business mission addressing the continual cycle of fashion evolution and consumption, and feelings of guilt and frustration of owning too much “stuff” that no longer wanted to be worn.

Working with Material Wrld is very easy.

Do these steps first, by going to the website:

• Review the list of things they do NOT accept; i.e, swimwear, intimates, leggings, jewelry, watches, vintage clothes older than 20 years, menswear and children’s clothing.
• Review the brands they DO accept.
• Review the quality standards: no damages, stains, alterations, heavy wear or odors.

They accept clothes and shoes new within 5 years and handbags within 10 years.

Then you can do these four easy steps:

Karen and I both decided that we had nothing to lose. I received my kit four days after requesting it. I was leaving for a trip the next day, so I blitzed through my closet and packed the 24” x 24” prepaid UPS ground shipping bag with 26 items of clothes, shoes and sunglasses. Four days later, I was notified they had received my bag and would get back to me. It took another two weeks to get my offer.

Material Wrld ended up accepting 21 items offering me a total of $349. I was a little disappointed how little they were paying for each item, but $349 meant a FREE shopping spree for me in the near future. I had the options of having the rejected items mailed back to me at no cost or agreeing for them to donate the items to their charity of choice, “Housing Works.” I opted for them to donate the goods, and they sent me a donation receipt.

It took another two weeks to get my payment and all together about a month for the entire transaction.

There are two options for receiving payment: a Discover credit card that can be used online and in-store from a list of participating stores or a gift card from Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Shopbop, Intermix or Barneys.

The Discover card can be used at 700+ online and in-store locations.

For Hawaii in-store, the card can be used at Barneys, Saks Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack and Nordstrom.

The major online stores include: Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Cusp, Henri Bendel, Intermix, Last call, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5th.

Can you believe I’ve had my discover card in hand for 8 days and not used it? Maybe I am making some progress with my shopping darshan…ha! Who am I fooling? Definitely not me…the only reason I still have the card is that I am still debating over what shiny new thing on my current shopping bucket list I will apply it to.

If you are wondering if I will use this company again…I have already requested for another kit.