When the community yard sale rolls around, do you struggle to muster excitement for it? Yes, it is a way to get rid of stuff. But who has the heart to haul discards outside at 6 a.m. only to haggle with shoppers over a buck or two?
Fortunately, there are alternatives for getting rid of things that are no longer useful. As a bonus, you might also make some money or nab a tax deduction.
Here are some hard-to-get-rid-of things and my favorite places to go when saddled with them.
Large household goods and appliances
Options for getting rid of these bulky items include:
Craigslist.com: The free online classified ad service is ideal for selling large furniture and appliances you don’t want to move yourself. I sold my refrigerator and electric stove through the site.
Habitat ReStore: These retail outlets generate funds for Habitat for Humanity. A friend who volunteers at the ReStore near her home in Tennessee introduced me to this option. I was astonished at the array of things they sold, including appliances, chandeliers, desk lamps, building materials (like doors and stone), towel racks and more.
Freecycle: When stuff doesn’t sell or isn’t handy to donate, Freecycle is your friend. Post your item on the site — I always add the disclaimer that I won’t deliver it — and you’ll often find someone will gratefully adopt your item.
Mattresses, electronics and toxic waste
Of course, there are items — like mattresses and older appliances — that just won’t sell and are tough to donate. That’s where Earth911 is a lifesaver. Type in your ZIP code and the materials you want to recycle — electronics, motor oil, leaded paint, batteries, mattresses — and you’ll find a recycling location.
You can also consult the Steel Recycling Institute regarding appliances and similar items.
Professional clothes and shoes
I like to give my more professional clothes such as dresses and suits to Dress for Success, an organization that helps low-income women get a leg up in their careers by providing clothes and other types of support. Career Gear is another option for donating men’s and women’s clothing.
Want to offer your shoes to folks who really need them? Soles4Souls will make sure they make a difference.
If you have a lot of random stuff to donate, bring it to The Salvation Army or Goodwill, which have collection points and stores in most communities.
Pet supplies
Pet supplies are often difficult to donate. Look at the Animal Humane Society website to find out all about pet supply donations and recycling.
Books, CDs and DVDs
I like to see my used books, CDs and DVDs go to good homes, so I often donate them to the local library. You can also donate books to worthy nonprofit organizations that distribute books to different populations. They include:
If you prefer to sell your books, check out sites such as Cash4Books and Blue Rocket Books.
Wonder how to get the most cash for your books? BookScouter will let you compare what your book will bring at various sites. Or, check the Amazon Trade-In program to see how much they will credit you for items you’ve bought from them, including books.
Tired of your CDs? Sell them at Amazon or on eBay.
Cellphones
Cellphones should not go into regular trash, because they contain toxins that harm the environment and put landfill workers at risk. But you can sell your old cellphones.
Several resale dealers like Gazelle buy old handsets, providing an easy way to unload your unneeded phone for cash.
Some retailers’ programs pay with gift cards, including:
Another option: Donate your phone instead. You’ve probably seen collection boxes for organizations that donate phones to crime victims. Those are great options, but I chose Cell Phones For Soldiers for my donation.
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