To Sell, To Trade, Or To Donate - Those Are The Questions!

It happens to all of us. We either inherit a lot of 'stuff' or we
simply accumulate it over time. One day we head to that spare room,
garage, or attic and decide it is time to clear it out. On the heels
of our spring cleaning revelation rests another decision; donate,
trade, or sell? The option of simply throwing it out seems
ecologically destructive, and after all, somewhere, someone might
think our 'stuff' is a treasure.Here are few simple questions that may
help you decide what to do - followed by some options, depending on
where you land:Are you looking to get a bit of cash for your items or
would you be happy donating them?
Do you have rooms and garages full of stuff to get rid of, or are you
merely looking to unload a few things that your family doesn't use
anymore?
Will you have enough donation receipts at the end of the year to make
a difference with your taxes?
Do you gain satisfaction when you've done what you can to help those
in need in your community?
Are there people that may be interested in trading what they have, for
what you have?
Your items may have little monetary value but could be priceless to an
underprivileged family. Do you have blankets and coats?
If your items aren't in usable condition, are they harmful if disposed
of improperly? If you don't know. Check.
Do you have money to advertise, or time to be available for sales and
calls?
Do you have internet access to post ads, or follow-up with
emails?Donation Options: There are several options for donating your
unwanted, but usable items. Most communities have organizations such
as Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul that can re-sell things at a
low-cost to families that can't afford to buy new things. Because
these organizations can re-sell your items, they keep a stream of
income (non-profit) that is used for other outreach services and, in
some cases, employment of disabled persons. Depending on where you
live, some organizations will even pick up your donation.Other options
for donating your things include The Red Cross, local police
precincts, fire stations, shelters, safe houses, and clinics for low
income families. And don't forget your neighborhood church, temple,
school, or community center - most offer some kind of outreach to
those in need and as a result are often looking for donations.Sale or
Trade OptionsIf you could use the extra cash, and have the time to
price all of your things, arrange them in your garage or yard, and
spend the day on duty, holding a yard or garage sale can be an
effective way to make money, meet people, and get rid of things you no
longer want or need. Don't forget marketing though! Unless you live on
a visible corner or busy street, you'll need to get creative and post
signs on phone polls to attract attention. Online, you have several
options to help get the word out, classifieds, newspapers, and even
apps. Check out the iPhone app, iGarageSale to drive buyers to your
sale. Just remember, those paper signs have to come down when you're
done. If you don't sell everything, there is always the option of
donation.Similar to a yard sale, but requiring a bit more planning, is
the option of coordinating a neighborhood trading post or barter sale.
A trading post is like a block sale, but with a cooler name that
implies barter as a payment option. By setting up a trading post, you
gain more resources by involving the entire neighborhood, which should
certainly cut down on advertising expenses and 'on duty' time. In
addition, group sales or barter parties are a great way to meet the
people that live near you. If you add games and snacks, you can easily
keep kids happy for the whole weekend. A barter party, on the other
hand usually involves a small group of your friends that bring things
over to trade. Books, Movies, Toys, Children's Clothes, Tools...the
list is long on possibility.Swap meets can be a lot of fun, but
require even more planning than a yard sale or even a barter party.
They tend to occur in old drive-in theatres, empty lots or leased
commercial property. If you think a swap meet sounds like the way to
go, make sure you contact the local swap meet coordinators in time to
rent your space and plan your sale. There are usually a lot of people
that attend swap meets, so keep an eye on your items while they are on
display. Having two people present is a good way to combat theft at
these busy events.CraigsList.org is a popular place to sell or trade
your items. You can place a free ad to advertise almost any item
(except firearms), or you can use the site to announce your
neighborhood trading post or yard sale.Recycle OptionsOpportunities to
recycle more than just your milk cartons, cereal boxes and soda cans
are readily available to you, and usually free. There are places to
take old television sets, batteries, certain metals and even denim! A
quick online search will reveal the closest locations and drop off
options.Know the Value!Do online searches before you sell Grandma's
old armoire and make sure it isn't a valuable antique before settling
for that $50 bill. Get those internet savvy kids involved in the
research. They will enjoy showing you how clever they are and help you
at the same time! Work as a family on advertising posters with
markers, pictures, and spice up your online ads with photos, videos
and humor.You have a lot of options when it comes to 'your stuff', so
choose the best one for you, and your community, and have a great
time. There is nothing like finding a great deal, or seeing a
volunteers face light up when you drop off badly needed items on a
cold and rainy day.