Yard Sales
Holding a yard or tag sale offers a great way to get stuff out of your house. The advantage of planning a yard sale is that it forces you to clean out your house by your scheduled date. Another advantage is that you can earn some cash for your items (albeit a lot less than you might expect). The drawback is that getting ready for a tag sale can seem overwhelming. Many people will avoid it altogether and vaguely talk about “when I have a yard sale…” If you are in this category, admit it and move on to one of the options listed below.

Second-hand or Consignment Stores
You can also get cash for some of your items if you bring them to second-hand or consignment stores. Most stores pay after your items have sold but some, like Once Upon a Child, pay up front when they accept your things. This option is a little more time consuming than those that follow because you generally have to make an appointment with the management for drop off. Expect them to accept only a small portion of what you think they will be interested in. If you take this route give yourself time after the appointment to drive to a nearby thrift store in order unload any leftovers. Once you get unwanted stuff out of your house don’t let it back in!

Thrift Stores
Most communities offer a variety of thrift stores through churches or organizations like YMCA, Humane Society or Goodwill. Call the stores to locate drop off places and times. Some thrift stores will drive to your home to pick up large items. A significant advantage of this option is that it allows you to tackle a room at a time. You don’t have to wait until your entire home is cleaned out to start unloading. Thrift stores will take almost anything you drop off and if you itemize your deductions be sure to get a tax receipt. But be nice and don’t drop off broken or terribly dirty items. Those are best left for the trash.

Social Service Agencies
Social service agencies such as homeless shelters or transitional living facilities are often looking for used furniture, clothing and household goods that can be passed on to the populations they serve. Again a tax write-off is a possibility here.

Friends and Family
There are plenty of people you know who would love your unwanted items. Families with children younger than your own might be interested in your outgrown toys and clothing. Get the word out that you are trying to find a home for your stationary bike, hard cover books, beer making equipment, etc. People will dive at the opportunity to pick up things for free or at a bargain (poor cluttered souls). Sentimental items that you don’t want to sell (like Aunt Ethil’s framed print that has been in your attic for eight years) might be truly appreciated by another member of your family. Some items can even be set aside as gifts. One of my nephews will be receiving my five-year old’s almost unused Rokenbok set (ouch!) for his birthday. Not only will I unload a large box of toys with this gift, I will also save the time it would have taken to shop for and purchase a new gift.

The Trash
Don’t underestimate the value of your trash barrel for uncluttering your house. Items that are broken, missing parts, unidentifiable, or filthy beyond recognition should go right into the bin. If you have broken furniture or other large items to get rid of call your town or city hall for details on the large item pickup schedule. You can ask about hazardous waste pickup at the same time. Put the dates on your calendar and be ready when those beautiful trash trucks come around the corner.

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