topic Re: What To Do With One's Belongings in Community Chat

What To Do With One's Belongings

Jordan2 — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:36:16 GMT

Since my mother passed away I feel ready now to get her things and mine in order. I will eventually move to a smaller place and unfortunately have to part with many beloved belongings. I know I can donate clothes, I have books, hardcover and paperbacks that are in mint condition but it seems libraries, nursing homes, and hospitals don't want them. I have cds, way too many to take with me. I have collectibles (bobblehead,figurines, dolls, plates, etc), I am looking to see if I can sell them. I know of eBay but don't know much about it. Can anyone offer help of what to do with everything, I feel overwhelmed by it all.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

kaydee50 — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:42:39 GMT

Good luck! I have found that even donating clothing is difficult since organizations don't want to take anything during this pandemic. And "collectibles" are pretty worthless even those that were once expensive, e.g., Hummels.

Worst case scenario call 1-800-gotjunk. I think they take just about anything.

Again, good luck!

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

deeva — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:46:28 GMT

Goodwill is accepting donations.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

lynne6was7 — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:50:33 GMT

If you have a Nextdoor neighborhood site, you can post items for sale or to give away.

Regarding the books, you can drive around your neighborhood and add some books to the free little libraries.

Both options better than just junking perfectly good items.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

Lucky Charm — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:53:16 GMT

This is going to be hard for you, beside the loss of your mother but also some of her belongings. Add to that a big move for you.

Remember that this is the cycle of life, she probably had to go through her mother and father's things and she knew how had that was.

I don't know about people not taking donated clothes. They have drop off boxes that you can leave clothes (and I think shoes, too). So if you are aware of any of these boxes, take your clothing there.

As far as things you'd like to try and sell, go on ebay and input what it is you're going to sell. See what comes up. That will give you an idea about pricing and desirability. Add yourself to a watch list and see how much something goes for----if it sells.

Good luck with everything.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

software — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:51:04 GMT

I wouldn't fool with Ebay. You can try it for some certain valuables maybe.

If you have jewelry, sell it locally on consignment.

Everything else, sell it like a yard sale, garage sale or whatever it's called in your location. Even if you only get 50cents a piece, you will be surprised how it adds up.

Get someone to help you with that. Don't do it alone

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

wismiss — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:51:32 GMT

Unfortunately, I don't have any good advice for you since I'm in the same position. I have just decided that what doesn't sell in a garage sale, other than collectibles, etc., will be donated to the local St. Vincent dePaul store. The collectibles I will try to sell on E-Bay and Etsy. I have had to reach the place where I have told myself these are just things and may not mean as much to someone else as much as they meant to me, but I enjoyed them while I had them. And, I chose three boxes that could fit into a walk in closet. I can keep those three boxes filled with my most sentimental items and after that other things have to go.

I will be looking forward to the responses you get so maybe I will get some ideas, too.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

Group 5 minus 1 — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:53:36 GMT

Check w/whom ever does your taxes. I think the taxable donation thing may have changed. On the other hand many places may except like GoodWill.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

50Mickey — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:54:15 GMT

@Jordan2 Almost all of the bobblehead figurines that I see on Ebay are sports figures. If you have those you might be able to sell them. Unless you just enjoy doing Ebay, I would recommend having a moving sale. I don't think there is a great demand for collectibles anymore. But you can try. After my mother passed away I gave all of her clothes to a shelter. What furniture that she had left after leaving her retirement home and entering a nursing home I gave to the home health aides. You. get such a small amount of money for used things that it wasn't worth it to me.

On the other hand a good friend of mine passed away a couple of years ago. She spent years collecting expensive clothes and had them stored away. Most never out of the bags that they came in. And I am talking probably a thousand or more items. Clothes, sweater's, jewelry, accessories. You name it she collected. Her husband has made a lot of money selling all of these things on Ebay. But it is almost a full time job. Not for me. I wish you luck.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

Major Shopper — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:00:44 GMT

@Jordan2 I am so sorry for your loss.

When my dad died and my mom downsized from our childhood home, she found a local auction house and the staff there were wonderful. One of the auctioneers came to our home and went through everything with her that was worth sending to auction.

It was amazing what she got for pieces that we thought had little value. (She had kept all of our toys from when we were kids!)

They hauled off the items and she received a check after the auction was held.

May be worth looking in to.

Best of luck.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

Jordan2 — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:02:24 GMT

I have been looking through a lot of my stuff wondering why I thought I needed them and why I held on to them for so long. Some items I have parted with were difficult to let go of. I'll look at five items and only keep two. Going forward I plan to not fall into this trap again, if I bring something in, something needs to go. Thank you all for your help.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

cotton4me — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:02:50 GMT

Re books, most organizations don’t want them. I found that the only place that would take them is Salvation Army. That’s where I took the bulk of my items. They will also come to your house to pick up furniture, only if it’s in perfect condition. I used 1800gotjunk for the rest of the stuff. From what I understand, collectibles are no longer worth much, so I don’t know if it would be worthwhile to try to sell them. I also donated those to Salvation Army.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

Foxxee — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:03:38 GMT

Do you have any brothers and sisters, children, grandchildren, other relatives who might want some of your Mother's things?

Did your Mother have friends?

Have you considered auctioning everything of your mother's and your things that you won't be taking with you when you move?

At one time, I considered selling on ebay, but changed my mind. I've been a long time buyer and see some of the hassles sellers have with some buyers; however, some sellers enjoy doing it.

You could sell them on Craigslist and Next Door.

I give things to Purple Heart. I like that they pickup at my house.

You could also donate them to a church that holds bazaars.

I hesitate mentioning a garage sale, but it might appeal to you.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

Peaches McPhee — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:06:28 GMT

I have seen places that will take your items, and place them on ebay for you, and obviously, take a percentage of the selling price.

Are you on facebook, or know anyone that is? Facebook Marketplace.

Goodwill is open, and in my experience, takes pretty much everything.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

Sooner — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:07:29 GMT

Talk to an estate sale company. They may take the stuff, some of it, or do a sale after you move out. AND get rid of the excess after the sale.

OR box up some as you can and when you get a few boxes call a Salvation Army truck to swing by.

All in all, having cleaned out four houses now, it's just stuff. It is not to be worried about or concerned about. It's stuff. Throw it away if nothing else but DO NOT FEEL GUILTY. It is not people, it's just stuff! Be glad it's gone!

At this point, at least that's what I think. Do not let it be a burden! So sorry you are having to do this, but it gets easier! Been there done that!

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

EdithEllenLily — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:08:47 GMT

@Jordan2 My sympathy goes out to you with the loss of your mother.

Do you have a Half Price Books in your area? Check out the website:

hpb dot com

In the black bar on the right side of the search box, click on Find a Store. You can then click on View a list on the right side of the next search box.

They buy books, movies, CDs and more and give you cash.

Best wishes to you with these projects...

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

newname0 — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:08:57 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
Since my mother passed away I feel ready now to get her things and mine in order. I will eventually move to a smaller place and unfortunately have to part with many beloved belongings. I know I can donate clothes, I have books, hardcover and paperbacks that are in mint condition but it seems libraries, nursing homes, and hospitals don't want them. I have cds, way too many to take with me. I have collectibles (bobblehead,figurines, dolls, plates, etc), I am looking to see if I can sell them. I know of eBay but don't know much about it. Can anyone offer help of what to do with everything, I feel overwhelmed by it all.

Have you tried an estate sale? I have been to many and some sell the smallest things like bottles of aspirin. I don't know how much they charge but it might be worth looking into.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

Jordan2 — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:10:06 GMT

@Foxxee wrote:
Do you have any brothers and sisters, children, grandchildren, other relatives who might want some of your Mother's things?

Did your Mother have friends?

Have you considered auctioning everything of your mother's and your things that you won't be taking with you when you move?

At one time, I considered selling on ebay, but changed my mind. I've been a long time buyer and see some of the hassles sellers have with some buyers; however, some sellers enjoy doing it.

You could sell them on Craigslist and Next Door.

I give things to Purple Heart. I like that they pickup at my house.

You could also donate them to a church that holds bazaars.

I hesitate mentioning a garage sale, but it might appeal to you.

@Foxxee I have a sister, she hasn't come over yet to see if she wants anything. My mother was 92, she really didn't have any friends left. I can't see selling certain items for $.50 at a yard sale, I rather donate it.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

happycat — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:11:00 GMT

When my husbands grandmother passed the family got in touch with a local auction company. They came and got everything, they have a huge building where they held the auction. I'm not sure if they are still having auctions though because of Covid.

Re: What To Do With One's Belongings

drizzellla — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:11:53 GMT

Jordan2 - I know what you are going through. I have MANY Rubbermaid tubs of things from my parent's house. The stuff is too nice to throw away but no one seems to want crystal, china, hand painted plates, hand made pottery from Japan, damask tablecloths, etc.

You mentioned books. The nursing home where my parents lived did not take them. BUT the nursing home that my husband's mother was in, did. They had a library set up. So the resident and visitors could take books and either keep them or return then. It seemed to work out well. Maybe there is a nursing home in your area that does the same thing. Not sure during the pandemic if they have added restrictions.

Good Luck - hope you aren't like me and years later still have Rubbermaid tubs of stuff.