Code Clarity by hoisting logic into nicely named variables

variable-names.js

// Succinct, does not create strictly unnecessary variables
// but not easy to read
if((a.notes && a.notes.trim() != "") && (b.notes && b.notes.trim() != "")) {
	skip = true;
	console.log('too many notes - skipping');
}

// Verbose, creates two vars which are not really needed
// but it's instantly clear what the 'if' is doing
var aHasNotes = (a.notes && a.notes.trim() != "");
var bHasNotes = (b.notes && b.notes.trim() != "");
if(aHasNotes && bHasNotes) {
	skip = true;
	console.log('too many notes - skipping');
}

I would probably move the conditions into a method of my object.

MyObject.prototype.hasNotes = function() {
  return this.notes && this.notes.trim() != "";
};

So then my implimentation is simpler to understand.

if (a.hasNotes() && b.hasNotes()) {

I can then re-use this logic elsewhere in the codebase.