What To Do With All Your Extra Stuff

Whether you’ve gone through a decluttering phase in the home or you’ve simply noticed that you have way too much stuff, it might be time to decide what to do with all of your unwanted items. There are a few different options, depending on the nature of those items and what potential worth they could provide, so let’s break them down and look at the pros and cons of each.

Selling Them

One of the biggest benefits of decluttering your home is the potential it can offer in terms of cash returns. There is no shortage of online platforms like Facebook Marketplace or eBay for selling unwanted goods, and there may be speciality stores in your area for specific things like electronics or old jewellery, as well. As well as giving you some money in return for your items, it does stop them from going to the landfill, making it an eco-friendly item, too. However, the big con is that if you’re selling online, it can be time-consuming to take photos, write descriptions, and arrange pick-ups, especially when some items may not even sell.

Donating Them

Even if your items won’t sell, that doesn’t mean that someone else can’t make use of them. You can keep your community in mind with the charities, shelters, and thrift shops that will accept gently used clothes, books, and household goods. It’s also quick and convenient, as many organisations offer drop-off points or even free pick-ups. On the downside, some charities have strict guidelines and may reject items that are too worn, leaving you to dispose of them yourself.

Putting Them In Storage

So far, we’ve been acting under the assumption that you want to get rid of the items that you don’t have room for, but that might not always be the case. Some, you may want to hold on for later, to give to someone else down the line, or they might be high-priced items that you’re just waiting for a buyer on. Renting a storage space allows you to safely keep any items you don’t have room for at home. While storage comes at a cost (typically monthly), it can help you be a lot more flexible with your belongings.

Throwing Them Away

If those items really have no use, either for you or for other people, then it might simply be better to throw them away. Note, however, this doesn’t always mean tossing them into the trash. You might want to look into recycling centres around you to see what exactly they do and don’t take. For some items like old electronics, you might even get a little cash in return. The downside is that it can take time to sort out your items to find the most eco-friendly way to deal with them all.

The best way to handle any item that doesn’t have a place in the home right now will depend on the specifics of that item. The categories above should give you an idea of how to sort them, going forward, however.

Note: This is a collaborative post