Though the popularity of Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up has made many opt to toss their possessions, others might still find it difficult to let go. If you’re moving, or on the precipice of a life change, you might be considering selling off your items in a yard sale, or donating your old furniture and possessions to charity.
But how do you decide which items to take with you, which items to sell and which items to throw away? Even if certain knick-knacks, clothes, books or pieces of furniture might seem important, you’ll want to pare down your possessions as much as possible, especially if you’re organizing a sale. And you might be surprised at how liberated you feel after you do a little organizing—the magic of tidying up might just be real.
When you’re deciding on the things to sell, toss or keep, there’s a few things you can be sure on.
You’ll Want to Toss it…
…If it’s Broken
Maybe it’s a stereo you just didn’t get around to fixing. Maybe it’s an old-school sewing machine. Maybe it’s a broken television set. Whatever it is, if it’s broken, you can throw it. Unless it’s an antique or item of some value, modern broken appliances, rip shirts or clothing, damaged books and other items can be put in the dumpster, recycled or taken by junk removal experts. If it’s an older item that you’re unsure about, consider taking it to get appraised by a professional.
…If it’s in Poor Condition
Similar to if it’s broken, you generally won’t want to keep or sell things in poor condition. Worn down and pilling shirts and dresses, well-loved stuffed animals, or battered pieces of furniture might be better off in the dumpster, or at the Goodwill. Some items, such as records, you might be able to sell or donate cheaply at local music shops or thrift stores.
Keep in mind, too, that even well-preserved pieces of clothing won’t necessarily sell for much. Consider selling your clothes to a consignment boutique for bigger ticket items. For items like magazines and books, you almost certainly won’t sell magazines for more than a penny (if that), unless they’re vintage. Books you might have a few yard sale connoisseurs, however.
Keep it…
…If You’ll Use it Again (Really Use it!)
Think about the last time you used a particular item or appliance. If it wasn’t recently, you might consider selling it. As a compromise, take all the items you haven’t used or worn in the past several months and stack them conspicuously in your house. If you haven’t used them within a week or two of identifying them—send them out the door.
For items that are less replaceable, such as family heirlooms, you might consider alternative options. High value items can be gifted to younger generations, or kept in a safety deposit box at your local bank. Keep in mind, though, that a couch that you’ve had since college doesn’t necessarily count as an irreplaceable item (especially since pieces of furniture tend to be yard sale big-ticket items).
As for everything else? Sell it!
