To Donate or to Sell, That Is the Question!
Let me guess. You want to declutter that closet/cabinet/storage area/garage and get rid of the dozens of items you no longer want or need, but you paid "good money" for that stuff and want to get some of that back, right?
Someday you'll sell it on CraigsList/eBay or take it to a consignment shop or hold a yard sale, but you're not really sure how to get started or you just haven't had the time. So it just sits...and sits...and sits some more.
It's a common story I've heard over and over and over again. Here's the thing: If you're gonna sell it, then sell it. The time required to do a little research or work to get rid of it pales in comparison to the time and aggravation you are wasting by living around it. But first you need to determine if selling it is really worth the time and effort, because honestly?...it's usually not.
Yard sales are a ton of work and everyone shopping at yours will expect rock bottom prices for your treasures. Unless you can think of it as more of a neighborhood block party and just hope to earn a few bucks while haggling for fun over a few beers on a hot summer Saturday afternoon, you are likely to be disappointed in the fruits of your labor.
You can go the Craigslist or eBay route, but you really need to know your market and the value of your goods. Consignment shops are often a good bet if you have something particularly valuable, such as antiques or designer fashions. But they can be choosy, and you may still get stuck still having to unload the stuff they aren't interested in and/or going back later to collect what they couldn't sell.
Remember the saying that "time is money"? Well space can be money too. If you delay decluttering due to a shortage of time, you may be prolonging the financial costs associated with having excess stuff. No doubt you are buying things you may already have because you can't find them or don't realize you have them. You could be preventing adequate maintenance of your home if you can't access problem areas, leading to costlier repairs later. Are you paying rent on space you don't really need? Then for heaven's sake,
get it out of there!)
The truth is, no matter how you slice it, the money you spent for these items is already gone. Hopefully you got your money's worth at some point. Even if you didn't, it is leeching time, money and peace of mind from your life for every day you hang onto it. Whether you decide it's worth the time and effort of re-selling or that donation is a better option, you need to get it out of you life to make room for something that brings you joy (or at least increased efficiency). If you decide selling is the best route, here's a
great blog post that can help you determine which selling option is right for you and offers some wonderful tips for maximizing your results.
Donation is usually the quicker, easier way to reclaim your space. Simply call for a pickup from your favorite local charity or drop items off at a nearby collection site. Websites like
GoodDonor.org and
DonationTown.org allow you to schedule a pickup at a time that works for you.
Whichever route you decide to take in reaching your goal, you will never arrive at your destination unless you take that first step.
