The good news is you were super inspired after watching Netflix’s “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo”. The bad news is your garage or basement is piled with things that no longer bring you joy. No one told you how overwhelming getting rid of stuff can be, even after you know you want to get rid of it. Never fear. Here is your guide to selling and donating. 

*Sell: 

Unless you’re doing a garage or yard sale, divide your “get rid of” pile between donations and items to sell, only pulling out the truly valuable items that are in excellent condition to sell. The easiest things to sell are furniture and designer brands and jewelry, but smaller things can add up. Be prepared to create a profile, manage the sale and eventually ship the items or arrange pick-up. Do your homework to price your items accurately and make sure you have your jewelry appraised prior to a sale. 

TheRealReal—designer wardrobe consignment/sales. 

Poshmark–wardrobe consignment. 

ThredUP-basic wardrobe consignment

Vestiaire Collective—designer wardrobe. 

LePrix–designer clothes.

Amazon’s Trade-In program —upgrade your amazon devices

Second Spin—electronics

Discogs—electronics, records

Decluttr–electronics

Delgatto / I Do Now I Don’t—jewelry 

WP Diamonds—jewelry 

Chairish—furniture

AptDeco—furniture 

Apartment Therapy Bazaar—furniture 

Swap—furniture 

Facebook Marketplace—furniture or odds & ends. 

eBay—furniture, electronics, jewelry, wardrobe. 

BookScouter–textbooks

Powells Books –books

Replacements Ltd—china & flatware

Craigslist—everything 

And just remember to follow safety precautions if you are meeting a buyer in person! This includes meeting in a public area and taking a friend.

*Donate:

Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont—wardrobe and household items.

Salvation Army—wardrobe, household items, toiletries, linens, diapers. 

The Free Store—clothing, tents, sleeping bags, furniture, and any general household items.

National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina—household and clothing items 

Dress for Success– business attire (suits and blouses) in sizes 0-4 and sizes 24 and larger suits and blouses, maternity business attire, accessories and scarves, shoes, especially in larger sizes, knee-high’s and pantyhose of all sizes in unopened packages and purses in conservative colors.

Charlotte Catholic Social Services– The refugee resettlement department accepts donations in the form of household items and furniture.

Appalachian Prison Book Project–paperback books

Queer Appalachia Coat Drive: Gently used, clean winter coats can be donated to poor and vulnerable LGTBQ+ folks in rural Appalachia via:

Queer Appalachia

POB 844

Bluefield, WV 24701

Whether you get a couple bucks in return or the warm glow of having helped someone in need, you will walk away with that particular sense of relief of having unburdened yourself of belongings.