DE-CLUTTERING: blatant brain-picking request

[firecat]

I want to prioritize getting rid of stuff I no longer want. I also want to give away the stuff that is still in good repair to someone who might find it useful or enjoyable to have, rather than throwing it in the garbage.

What are your favorite ways to get rid of stuff? I know of various LiveJournal communities and other online forums for getting rid of stuff. Are there any you've actually used and recommend? Are there charities and thrift stores you recommend? Other things I haven't thought of?

Comments

[mittelbar.livejournal.com]

You have a local

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You have a local <a href=""http://www.freecycle.org>FreeCycle</a>? I haven't actually used ours yet, but have helped friends find stuff they need on it. We're thinking about using it to ditch some reasonably good stuff.

Re: Books

[tedesson.livejournal.com]

I've been selling books on Amazon, and donating other things to local charities.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Online, I've used CraigsList and a Sunnyvale freecycle list. Of the two, I prefer freecycle. It is more local and I've had better experiences with the people there.

I have also given things to Goodwill, sold books to BookBuyers in Mountain View, and put a big sign saying FREE on a pile of stuff when the cleaners came. I worry about Goodwill, as I think they pitch a lot of stuff. I don't know what to do with books BookBuyers doesn't want. I have no idea what the cleaners do with stuff. I wish I were confident that it went to someone who would use it.

I'd like to hear what others have to say, too, as I would like to have more options. I'll revisit this thread a few times. :-)

[opalmirror.livejournal.com]

I sell back books to Powell's (http://www.powells.com) once a year, take computer parts to FreeGeek (http://www.freegeek.org), and give the rest to Goodwill Industries. Anything else goes to the dump to the dump to the dump dump dump...

Re: Hmmm...

[the-ogre.livejournal.com]

I don;t get rid of stuff as often as I should.

But Craigslist and eBay both have worked well for me.

[punzel.livejournal.com]

If you're trying to repurpose and renew the stuff around you, and make it meaningful, then hosting a "clothing swap" or "book/movie swap" is a fun romp for creating synergy and value with your friends. If you're just trying to REDUCE the amount of stuff, this won't necessarily help.

It can be fun, if you are really READY to let go of the stuff. Otherwise it can be angsty. Another wrong-turn is when people are not generous and receptive to what comes their way, and fight over what items seem "best" for whom.

Ideally, many folks walk away happy seeing their "trash" become treasure to a good friend or new acquaintance.

[nellorat.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I'm better at culling than I am at actually getting rid of what I cull. We have a whole flat double-bed size futon in the basement full of stuff to re-home. I keepthinking about eBay but not getting around to it. Not that this is any help to you, except maybe relieving some of your own guilt....

As far as clothes, most battered-women's shelters have plenty of clothes in smaller sizes but are really happy to get clothes, especially job-worthy clothes, in plus sizes. I've been automatically told they don't need anything, and then I mention the sizes, and they're really eager.

I am getting better at figuring what others won't want at all (even if it still works or whatever) and should just go to the dump de dump dump. Wait until we clean out the garage next!

[fattest.livejournal.com]

I like leaving things in creative places where people who appreciate them are likely to find them.

[bookofnights.livejournal.com]

bookcrossing.com