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[05gage25]

I recently donated 250 pounds of clothing...didn't count the items, just bagged them up and weighed them. Sure, I could have sold them, but like some have said, it's a lot of trouble. My closet looks sooo much better, and I feel better knowing someone will get some very nice clothing.

[lianne]

There are so many videos on youtube about people that troll thrift stores and buy things to re sell on Ebay, a lot of them make very good money. They do the work to photograph and list and mail out the items, so why shouldnt they profit from it?

[coldlake]

I've donated or given away many nice things and never really regretted it--sometimes I've had to rebuy something, or I think to myself that if I still had a certain item I'd use it, but then I realize that I'd been fine without the item and I'm able to replace if need be.

I just read a book about decluttering called "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" by Marie Kondo. I don't know about "life changing" but it's very inspirational. She says instead of focusing on what you should get rid of, focus on what you want to keep. By doing it that way I think I can clear out most of my closet and probably 100% of the storage boxes in my basement. If I haven't used something for years why do I have it?

Don't forget about the tax deduction for items you donate!

[coldlake]

Oh, and as far as someone making money from your cast offs? I always think about that when I watch Antiques Roadshow when a garage sale $5 item turns out to be worth a fortune and I wonder if the person who sold it was watching. I think you'd just have to have a sense of humor about it and chalk it up to the irony of life.

If it really bothers you, try listing one or two of your discards and see what happens. You might discover that you do enjoy selling on ebay, or you might find that it's not your thing. But you won't know unless you try.

[Anniecamp]

Coldlake's comment about focusing on what you want to keep, rather than what to get rid of is so much easier. Whenever I look at things that way, it's much easier to get rid of things. My only problem is, I switch back and forth, and start thinking about what to get rid of. lol

[sarpy]

I have donated my nicest things to a shelter for battered women. They need nice clothes to interview for jobs. It helps them get back on their feet.

[millieshops]

I donate lots of things - and I can't think of anything I've regretted giving away.

One way I make the decision is to price items similar that actually sold on ebay. That way I have an idea what my work would be worth if I sold mine. Not much is my usual answer!

I think if you've had things in boxes for a year, you'll never miss them. Also, I don't think in most cases you'll get a whole lot of cash for them unless you've literally got gold in there.

[GCR18]

Move it out and don't look back. You already made the decision it had to go. I moved a lot of stuff out three/four years ago. I had several tag sales and had many new items that were marked cheap. I had a tiny bit of regret, but the reality is I wouldn't have used the items anyway. It feels lighter to be without the stuff.

[divine]

If you're really having a difficult time giving up these items I think it would behoove you to list just one thing on eBay and see how it goes. If you find that it isn't all that lucrative then maybe it will be easier for you to just donate the rest. On the other hand, if the eBay transaction goes great then maybe you'll feel more motivated to keep on selling.

[Dorothy11]

A couple of suggestions: Take a few of the nicest pieces, or ones you are most attached to and sell them on Ebay. Take some time to do a little research on the non-profits in your area that accept donations and pick the one where you think your donations will do the most good. For instance, in my area there is a non-profit that helps low income and homeless women get jobs with training and counseling. They accept womens' business clothes to provide them with work wardrobes.