tara
New Member
Joined: February 2014
Posts: 1 
|
Post by tara on Oct 20, 2020 11:33:36 GMT -5
Hi, I have a pile of stuff in good condition that I want to get rid of. I would like to take it to the second hand store, BUT. Problems: chronic pain limits me carrying much out to the car at a time. I will hurt myself walking back and forth carrying things and be worse afterword. If I take a tiny bit every few days, it feels like I'm wasting my time.
So.
I am having so much trouble just putting perfectly good books, clothes, and household items in the trash. HELP?
|
|
|
|
Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Oct 20, 2020 11:46:00 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by goldenthreads on Oct 20, 2020 12:55:30 GMT -5
It's hard to just toss things that we have valued and are in perfectly good shape. I'd suggest that you look at those things with a really critical eye before taking them to the secondhand store. With the books, nonfiction and textbooks especially can become dated. Clothing may have fading, small tears or fraying, etc. Those sorts of things may well mean that the store decides to toss them because they don't sell. I second CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity 's suggestion to have a look at the amnesty thread. The thrifty among us hate to see things go into the landfill, but that's better than being stuck with our own stuff haunting us. The biggest waste of all would be you hurting yourself trying to get everything out at once. A logistical question: do you ever run errands in the area where the secondhand store is? If so, you can combine the errands. You put a small box or two in your car, whatever you are physically able to handle that day, drop the box(es) off, and do your other errands. I guess my answer to your question is to both throw out and be patient with the process so that you don't hurt yourself. Mathematically, subtracting that stuff over time will mean it does disappear. How about calling the store to see what kinds of things they most want, or do you know that they will accept anything? Congratulations on having made the decision to clear your space of things you no longer need. P.S. Do any charities in your area pick up donations from residences? That's really worth looking into. Alternatively, is there anyone you could ask to help load your car, or who would take it to the store for you? |
|
|
|
Post by _Linda_ on Oct 20, 2020 16:12:46 GMT -5
I second what CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity and goldenthreads said. I would add that if there are any odors attached to the items. The only other suggestion I would have is Freecycle or curb alerts on Craigslist or Facebook. I haven't used them, but there are people here that have. For me, taking everything to the dump has relieved me of the stress of going through things. But, I can see how other people might find that more stressful.
|
|
|
|
Post by Arid on Oct 21, 2020 14:35:19 GMT -5
If you have current books--especially college textbooks--take a look at bookscouter.com
It is an easy way to sell books for good money. (They pay the shipping!)
I've made hundreds of dollars for my volunteer library group that way over the years.
Arid
|
|
|
|
Post by seahorse on Oct 26, 2020 17:17:25 GMT -5
Ugh - that's a painful situation to be in - on so many levels! I agree with giving yourself amnesty if throwing the stuff away will help you to achieve your longer term goals of clearing things out. Maybe have a good cry as you release the stuff in a non-perfect way or after you let it go. It's difficult to want to do something in a certain way, but realize that you just can't do it that way. Maybe it's a gift to yourself to throw the items away this time and then continue on your journey. The "stuff" is not worth hurting yourself over or punishing yourself by having to keep it until you figure out how to get rid of it in an "acceptable" way. Alternatively, can you put stuff on the curb with a free sign to see what you can rid of that way and then trash the rest? Sending hugs because I can understand how painful your dilemma is.    |
|
|
|
Post by stackattack on Nov 29, 2020 2:36:51 GMT -5
If I take a tiny bit every few days, it feels like I'm wasting my time. I completely understand how you feel... we don't want to be inefficient and because we may feel that we are not that great at cleaning, we want to get the biggest bang for our buck as far as our cleaning efforts go. But when I read this statement, I had a very strong feeling in my gut about this - that taking things to donate a little bit at a time is NOT a waste of time. You can get such a feeling of pride and satisfaction at letting things go, and at directing things well to possible new owners. And from creating a bit of space from getting it out of your home. Once you have decided it should go in the "Donate" category, then the effort required to shift it to the "Discard" category may just leave it stuck in limbo for a long time. If you're like some of us, it was difficult enough to make the choice to donate in the first place. I say if you have a small batch to go that you are ready to donate, then just be inefficient and get in the car and go  And then give yourself a pat on the back for following through. And while you're at it, you can look for chances to combine errands and new places to donate items. And keep in mind that sometimes a consistent trickle out the door can lead to a great momentum and maybe even enthusiasm.
|
|
|
|
Post by OnTheMend on Nov 29, 2020 5:02:36 GMT -5
I have had a great sucess selling and giving away stuff through local Facebook groups. In the past, when I have had large quantity to donate, a charity has become to pick the stuff up.
|
|
|
|
Post by gillian on Dec 10, 2020 15:59:45 GMT -5
Check with your local good will shop if they take imperfect clothes. Pre-Covid-19 I was volunteering in a charity shop, which took clothes whatever state they were in as we had an arrangement with a recycling company by which they would pay an amount per bag of unsaleable clothes. As for other kinds of unuseable goods, a lot of those had to go straight into the bin, but some ornaments went to a man who recycled them somehow. I think a lot of the time people can't make the difficult decision to throw out their precious though useless items, so they bring them all to a charity shop and pass on the responsibility to someone else, who can usually make the decision in a trice - 'bin it!'
|
|
|
|
Post by soapyclean on Dec 11, 2020 13:13:14 GMT -5
Will any local charities do a pick-up?
I second a curb alert, too. Whatever folks don't take, that might be actual trash. But the way I see people scavenge what folks leave when they move or evicted (common, sadly) makes me think there are a lot of folks desperate for things we might consider trash.
I make my income right now 100% through unemployment that runs out after the next payment and Etsy, and I can tell you that a clean walk-in dumpster of clean, dry household goods has made me a good amount of money. (I had permission.)
I also took architectural features from a house to be demolished. This was "free" income to me, and it has made a real difference, even though I don't need furniture or clothes. I have enough, but many don't.
|
|
