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

[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. :-)