How to Decide Whether to Donate or Sell Something (and Where to Get It)
Each decluttering method and technique is slightly different, but almost all of them have one thing in common: they encourage you to sort your belongings into at least three categories: keep, donate, and throw away (with the option of adding a fourth: sell). ). Throwing everything away is pretty easy, but figuring out what to actually donate—and how and where to donate it—can be challenging.
What should you sacrifice?
For the most part, there are three questions you should ask yourself when considering donating something: is it in good condition – is it broken, is it missing parts, is it falling apart, is it dirty and not fit for purpose? repair? This is useful? Is it safe or does it contain chemicals or small parts that could harm anyone, especially children?
For example, when I decide whether to donate, throw away, or sell clothes, I consider each item and where I got it from. I buy some fashion items from time to time and those tops and dresses don’t last many wash cycles so I don’t usually donate them; instead I wonder if I can use them for household chores like mopping the floor or something, but I usually throw them away. (Don’t come for me while I’m being honest !) Give yourself permission to throw things away . If something isn’t in good condition or isn’t useful, you don’t need to beat yourself up for not donating it, especially when you’re doing something good for yourself, like cleaning out your home. That said, I always donate nicer things and try to sell really good things, but if something doesn’t sell in my Poshmark store within six months, I donate that too. If the clothes are in good condition, someone else can use them. Google to see if there are clothing donation organizations in your area. For example, Dress for Success specializes in accepting gently used women’s professional clothing. Do a quick search to see if there are similar niche organizations looking for the types of products you have on hand, or if there are any special needs trips running near you.
Otherwise, contact your local donation center. For example, if you use the Salvation Army, check what they are accepting right now. Call them or use their online guide to determine the approximate tax-free value of your items. Goodwill also posts lists of what they will and won’t accept, making it easy to determine which of your items are worth bringing.
Easy ways to donate
Raising a ton of money to donate and actually donating are two completely different things. This exercise isn’t helpful if you’re just going to keep a donation box outside your house or in your trunk for months. Remember that your first task here is to get your house in order. Any good you can do beyond this is a bonus, so if you don’t live near a donation center or don’t think you can reasonably do it, make other plans.
There are several ways to do this easily. Pick Up Please operates in 15 states and will pick up your donation bag from outside your home, and ClothingDonations.org operates in 33 states and does the same. Also check with your local centers to see if they have their own collection service. Keep in mind that when using a pickup service, you are typically limited to donating small items that a person could reasonably pick up and move into their truck themselves, so if you are trying to unload furniture or appliances, call ahead and request a pickup service. plan transport. However, Habitat for Humanity offers furniture assembly in some areas. Pick Up My Donation acts as a liaison of sorts, so if you tell them the details of what and how much you want to donate, they will coordinate with a donation center in your area to receive, provided you have enough means to justify it. . Otherwise, this center will contact you with information about where you can bring your items. Green Drop works similarly, picking up your household items and clothing, then paying a local nonprofit for access and funding community programs in your area.
You can also post larger or unusual items on the Buy Nothing platform, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or independent Buy Nothing Facebook groups in your area. The Buy Nothing app exists as a platform that allows users to organize free swaps or giveaways in their area, and may not include your location, but try typing your city or town into Facebook with the words “buy nothing” to find other independent groups , doing the same. the same. Always do this with deadlines in mind. If the item doesn’t find a recipient within a month, plan to throw it away or give it away in another way. Keep your goal of decluttering in mind and don’t let your desire to get rid of something end up becoming an excuse for why you didn’t put it away.