Downsizing: What Can I Do With My Old Stuff?

"I am moving, and I need to downsize. Where can I sell or donate my old stuff?" This is a common question for people who are downsizing their homes. The process of downsizing a home can be overwhelming for anyone. The best way to do it is to take your time and plan ahead so that you don't make any mistakes or regret decisions later on. When downsizing, you will need to address what to do with all the "stuff" in your house - from clothes, books, furniture, kitchenware, collectibles, and everything else! If you have been looking on the internet, you might have found that there are many places where you can find help with your move.

Selling Your Stuff

Selling Online

In today's world, it has become easier than ever to downsize your home. In the past, most people used to downsize their homes by selling items they no longer needed in garage or yard sales. However, the world has advanced a lot, and technology has made it easier for people to sell the stuff they don't need. There are hundreds of different websites where you can sell these items. You Can Sell Your Items Online On eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist. These are some of the most common places where people sell items that they no longer need. Platforms like eBay give you access to millions of people, which means that the chance of you selling your products increases drastically. Depending on your items, the best way to go about these platforms can be to choose a globally popular platform, like eBay.

Alternatively, a simpler option, particularly good for low-value items, is selecting a local platform such as Nextdoor or Facebook Marketplace. Choosing a local platform may not give you access to as many people as eBay. Still, it may help sell your products faster and even eliminate the need to ship your stuff.

Specialized Online Platforms

In addition to selling these products on sites like eBay, you can also find several websites designed for more specific purposes, such as:

• Decluttr - for selling tech-related items at a competitive price
• Swap - great for getting rid of your old clothes
• Books-A-Million - an excellent site to sell your old books
• AptDeco - to sell your old furniture 

These sites may not have as many users as general sites like eBay. Still, the audience is more targeted toward specific items, and you may be more likely to find qualified buyers there. So study all these relevant websites and sell your products accordingly. Their processes are extremely simple. You can upload a picture of the product on such platforms and get a quote for these items. In addition, some of these websites offer free shipping, so when you are ready to sell your products, you don't have to worry about spending extra on shipping costs.

Thrift Stores and Pawn Shops

The online platforms offer convenience and a large pool of potential clients. However, if you are looking for a more straightforward and quick experience to sell your products, you can take them to the local thrift store or pawn shop. These stores are always looking for products they can make a profit. So visiting a nearby thrift store can actually help you sell a lot of your items right then and there. You are not likely to get the best price with this option because they buy it to sell again. However, it can be a great option if you are more interested in simply getting rid of all the items at once.

Donating Your Items

You can donate the items in good condition to local charities like Goodwill and Salvation Army that have donation centers all over the country. You can also bring donations directly into their stores during regular store hours. Or look up other organizations around town by searching through Google Maps "charities + (your city name)."

If you prefer working with an organization that comes pick it up from your home, try using a website like Donate Stuff. They will send someone locally who is willing to come to get whatever you want to be donated - whether they pick it up or you deliver the items is your choice. You can also donate your goods to churches and other similar organizations.

Can You Sell or Donate All Your Items?

One question that you might have while downsizing your home is whether you can sell or donate all your items or if there are any items you can't donate. Well, if you are looking to donate an item, you should be careful. You shouldn't donate anything that is not useful, as that can be taken as disrespectful. For example, if you are donating your clothes, make sure they are not worn out to the level that they cannot be worn. Instead, donate something that other people can wear. Such items can be donated to waste management companies that recycle waste and use it for useful purposes. However, only specific types of materials can be sent to such recycling centers. It is also good to ask the company about what they accept and what they do not accept. If you feel that an item is in such a bad condition that it cannot be sold or donated, it is better to throw it away. If you don't need it, then there is no point in keeping it in your house. It will automatically be taken to the proper waste management area once it is in the trash.

Are you trying to figure out what needs to be thrown out? Check out our post - Throw These Items Out Today to Make More Space in Your Home!

There are many options for what to do with all your stuff when downsizing. The best way is always to go through each room in your home one at a time, so nothing gets missed! The more organized you stay during this process, the easier it will be on yourself later down the line once everything has been moved out.

Let us know in the comments below - What is your favorite way to get rid of items you no longer use? 

Related Content: 

• Top Tips to Declutter Your Home
• These 10 Easy Tips Will Help Tidy Your Closet and Declutter Your Life
• Throw These Items Out Today to Make More Space in Your Home 

Learn more about preparing to move on our Housing Resources page!