Moving and Organization - What do I throw away?!?!?!?!
@sarahbeth1977 (384)
United States
May 3, 2007 5:35pm CST
Hey guys! I'm in the process of moving into a new apartment, and this is about the 50th time I've done it in the past 10 years. I'm tired and I have too much stuff, but I don't know what to throw away or what I can sell and make money off of. What suggestions do you have for me to get rid of some stuff??
1 person likes this
4 responses
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
4 May 07
Anything that you can replace easily within a month or two you can safely get rid of. Do you have the time to sell stuff, if not, give it away, and take it as a tax write off. I give my old clothes to Goodwill as I can write them off for more than I can get for them at a yardsale. Do you hold on to some things because of the memories they represent? Take pictures of them, then turn the things loose. After you get moved, journal about the pictures and why those things are important to you. I need to simplify things, myself. I work in a program where the clients have very little, thus their stuff does not own them. It is hard to give things away. I personally get more satisfaction out of giving away rather than selling things.
@sarahbeth1977 (384)
• United States
4 May 07
I absolutely LOVE the idea of giving stuff away - I completely agree with the idea that it's better to give than to receive. I have many times in the past done that (I used to work for the salvation army, too *grin*) - it's so much easier than having to deal with the stuff as well.
but unfortunately, I'm a poor graduate student myself...for instance...right now, I'm not going to get another paycheck until June because of the over lap of school and my teaching job...so I'm living on nothing right now - and any money that I can get a hold of is good for me - it means that I won't have to have ramen for the evening *grin*.
@CritterKeeper (519)
• United States
4 May 07
Personally I do too but I can't blame anyone for wanting to get a little money back. When I put that huge pile of books and toys outside it was DELIGHTFUL to see how excited the neighborhood children were rummaging through the toys and the parents so happy and grateful for the gift of books for their wee ones! There's several people in my neighborhood that are rather poor! No one could quite believe it! Almost every one of them asked me "For free??? Really??? Are you sure???" LOL It's FUN and it's such a simple thing to do to make others happy! It's a great way to get a wonderful warm glow and it only costs things that have no value to me anymore anyway! And maybe it will encourage others to give a little where they can to others, a "pass it on" kind of thing.
1 person likes this
@CritterKeeper (519)
• United States
3 May 07
My family tends to gather a lot of stuff we could do without so during Spring Cleaning I go through everything and ask myself "is this something we never use or doesn't have sentimental value?" If the answer is no out it goes! Very recently I put out a bunch of kid's toys and books in my yard with a "free" sign. People snapped it up fast and it was good to know that others will get some use out of it! If it was something someone would pay for, though, I'd hold a garage sale, put it on eBay, or something like that. Collectables or luxury items are examples of things I'd probably sell rather than give away or donate somewhere.
1 person likes this
@CritterKeeper (519)
• United States
3 May 07
Hmmm I didn't phrase that so well, did I? What I meant to say was I ask myself "do we ever use this?" No? Then "does this have any sentimental value?" No? Then it's gone!
1 person likes this
@sarahbeth1977 (384)
• United States
3 May 07
*Laugh* I get it - thanks for answering - I want to do more on eBay, and hopefully as I move I'll get the opportunity to do more. I'm hoping to make a ton off of eBay, then!!
I'm trying to get that whole concept of "Have I used it" in my head, but I'm always afraid that i will need it later and will end up buying it again. I keep stuff thinking it's sentimental...but then I end up forgetting why *laugh*.
My reply is just as disjointed...I had someone talking to me while I was writing!!
@awonderfullife (2893)
• United States
24 Oct 07
If you haven't used it or worn it in a year, I'd get rid of it. Sell stuff in excellent condiytion on EBay. For larger items that you don't want to ship, list it on Craigslist.com
It will sell. For stuff that isn't in perfect shape but still useable, list it on Freecycle.org
People will come and pick it up if it's free! Good luck with your new, clutter-free life!
@r0131n (357)
•
4 May 07
I normally put things that I don't think I'd use again in a box and leave it there sealed. If I don't look for it in a couple of month's time then it means I don't really need it and I can get rid of it. I tend to do this at least once a year and it works for me. My wife does not complain of clutter that much anymore. lol Obviously if they can still be of use to someone else then why not sell it or give it to charity once you know you don't need it anymore. I normally give mine to charity, they even come and collect it.
1 person likes this
@sarahbeth1977 (384)
• United States
4 May 07
I need to try that - I've had things that have moved with me since 1999 and I haven't used them once...I'm such a packrat!!
