Debt Support Group

I'll try to make this story as short as possible, LOL. My mom had a shed that all of the "attic" stuff was in. It was at my grandparents' house and had to be emptied asap due to health/death. She's got boxes all over her house, and I'm taking some here as well as trying to get through my own junk. (I only want seasonal stuff in storage and the rare item that can be handed down from one of my kids to another - otherwise I get rid of it.) We've been having yard sales to get rid of what we've gotten rid of so far, but those are just tedious. We clear about $100 after paying for the ad in the paper and the yard sale license. Not bad, but when you consider I devote about 7-8 hours to the yard sale and I earn $20-$30 an hour freelancing, I'm technically in the hole at the end of the day if I spent the time working. (I've not been out of work a single time since I started freelancing a year and a half ago). So financially, it seems like a wash to do the yard sale.

So my idea is just to put the stuff out by the road on a nice day spread out "like" a yard sale, skip the pricing stuff, and just give it away. It's a LOT less work, I don't have to get up way early and go to my mom's (where I have yard sales b/c we live in the middle of nowhere), and I get to help other folks out who are all experiencing the crunch. I don't have any stellar, amazing deals or goldmines I'm sitting on. It would make me feel good and I know it would help someone else out, and I could just stick to free advertising avenues. Plus I wouldn't have to sit out there all day.

On the other hand, $100 is $100 but really...I could write an article and make that much in the same morning. But a freebie yard sale would feel good, as long as I wasn't totally shooting myself in the foot. And can I just say how incredible it would feel to get the stuff out of the house? I'm SICK of looking at it! DH hates the boxes everywhere, although he's been more than patient about it. But who wants to walk past a stack of boxes every day? Anyway, WDYT? Anything that no one took would go off to charity, as if we don't have enough tax deductions already (eye roll, LOL).

Thanks for your opinions!

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Have you decided against donating them for the tax write-off for some reason? 

Offering a mass of "free" items is a good way to attract undesirable attention to your home, not to mention attracting undesirable people.  It might be a good idea to give some more thought to that idea. 

Here's my suggestion.  If you have a Goodwill or Salvation Army nearby, call them.  If it's a lot, sometimes they will even come and pick it up.  Save you time and labor.

Also trying calling some local churches.  I'm sure they may know of a family in need.  Usually this time of year someone has lot everything to a house fire.  I know one year we donated 1/2 of DH's closet to a man the same size as him.  His house had recently burnt.  We were so excited to find someone the same size. 

I with you on the yard sales.  I had one on vacation this past July and that was the hardest $30 I ever earned.  From now on, I'll cart to the local donation center next door to work and give it all to them. 

I agree with giving it away for the tax write off.  If there is anything that might be big money, craigslist it.  In my town the American Vets will come and pick up anything.  See if there is one (or something similar) in your town.  They are so happy to have all of it - even partially used, but not damaged makeup, lotions, and the like.  Another thing I have seen on craigslist is "curb alert". Put it out and list it (it's free) and I guarantee someone will come by and take it all.

I am glad to see you back to blogging.  You inspire me!