Some municipalities do recycle them, but if they're still usable, you can donate them to a thrift store and let the shoppers decide if there's still a market for them. ;)
Overall Rating: 4 votes
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Posted 2 years ago #
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You might try to donate them to a thrift shop as Ive known some people to use them as inexpensive pots for plants, or a science expiriment. If they are at all usuable, on most military bases/posts have a Free "Thrift" store where young families can get some basics (all donated) to start out. There is no charge for these young families to get these items. I am sure there is a similar thing on the civilian side too.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thrift store it is, then. I'm sure there will be other things we can't sell and will end up donating to them, too.
Posted 2 years ago # -
This is a great thread!
I too am moving to another country, but I have a lot less time than you. I'm moving from California to Argentina in about 3 weeks. I'm excited but getting a little overwhelmed as the day closes in. However, reading all your tips, I think Im doing pretty well!
I have 2 suitcases laid out that I have been throwing things in to take.
Craigslist has been excellent for selling furniture and appliances, the hardest parts are getting over the fact that things are not worth what you hope/think they are, and being patient with people who aren't on the same schedule you are.
Another thing I recommend: I posted my things for sale on my facebook page in a photo-album. That way friends or acquaintances get first dibs. Works well, but Im selective about what I post there, only the really nice stuff so it doesn't get overwhelming for my friends. When I hold my garage sale, I will also post a notice on fb.
I started with 2 piles: Things I can't part with, and things to get rid of.
So far the most difficult are books and art supplies/ paintings (I am an artist). Yesterday and today is all about the books.... Im avoiding the art room still. I absolutely agree that multiple stages are good for getting it down to the bare minimum. My other piece of advice: box the items to get rid of immediately , Label it (sell/donated/whatever) close the lid and do not open it again. That little nugget is saving me from changing my mind, and deciding that I must keep Dante's inferno because I really will read it this time, though once in college was enough.
My plan is to list furniture or things I don't have the heart to haggle over at a yard sale on Craigslist. If I can't get what I want (give or take), I'm taking that as a sign that I'm over-valuing it and should price it lower at the yard-sale.
My yard sale will either be the first or second week of April. First week seems like a great idea because people tend to get paid/move at the first of the month. Bad because it is the day before Easter. Any yard sale pro's out there want to weigh in on that or should I not worry about it?
I will also invite (beg) a few friends to hang out with me that day. Specifically friends who are good at uncluttering and who will be un-emotional about getting rid of my stuff. My mantra for the day will be: I am doing this to simplify my life, and get rid of things I don't need. Cash to help me on the trip is wonderful, but it is not the end goal. I will surely be saying this over and over as the day goes on. I will also try my best to remember that by nature, people will be looking for a good deal. That is what garage sales are for.
Anything that doesn't sell will be loaded into a truck and taken to goodwill or posted on freecycle. I'm making a pledge not to change my mind just because it didn't sell.
I come from a pack-rat family, so uncluttering is relatively new to me. I've been following unclutterer for about a year now, and I have to give myself a little pat on the back for all the things I've let go over the year, things I am grateful I don't have to deal with on this move.
I'm looking forward to starting a new life with only two suitcases, and just the basics waiting for me on my return.
Somewhere in all of this, I am also selling my car. Thanks for the link on how to craigslist a car & for all your nuggets of wisdom, this is great!
Posted 2 years ago # -
The Facebook idea crossed my mind, too, though instead of a photo album, in the "market place." I might still do it, but the problem is most of my friends don't live near me. So I don't know if that'd do me much good. But I'm glad it's working out for you!
Also, I would love to host a garage/yard sale, but living in an apartment means no garage or yard. My husband and I have talked about when the end gets close and if we still have stuff, to put what we don't want to sell in the bedroom and close it off, and then open the rest of our apartment to other tenants in the building to wander through and see if they want anything. Not sure if that'll happen, but it's an idea.
I'm no yard sale pro, but would it hurt to host it twice? I know it eats up your day or weekend, but if that means more people have a chance to grab your stuff... And if it all/mostly all sells the first weekend, no need to host it on the second weekend, too.
Books and art supplies are my weakness, too! I tried culling my books the other day and it was HARD. I'll definitely have to take another hack at it later. I haven't even touched my paints and whatnot yet. *sigh* I sympathize!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Being an artist myself, I can imagine what you are both going through!
DisplacedArtist, I'm curious about what you will be doing in Argentina. Do you mind sharing? It sounds like you are making great progress.
Mrs. Mack, your idea about selling from your apartment is a good one since you don't have a yard. Is there no communal space in the building where you could get permission to sell your things, or would it be too hard to move everything?
Posted 2 years ago # -
No, there isn't. The lobby is smaller than my living room, so our stuff would cause a fire hazard/block exits. And there isn't an appropriate spot to put anything outside, either, since the building is right up against a street.
The closest thing to a "yard" we have is our tiny patio, but I doubt it's big enough to hold more than just our couch!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I think the selling from your apartment idea is a good one, especially when it's close to moving date! I know a few people who advertised their "apartment sale" on Craigslist, and everything they wanted gone was gone at the end of the day. Of course, the drawback is that the later it gets, the more people can haggle with you because they know you want to get rid of the stuff... But still, it'll be gone, and that is the goal of the sale, right?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Your responses are encouraging! I'll definitely consider this if we have trouble getting rid of stuff in time.
Posted 2 years ago # -
That's a good idea about craigslist, trillie!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I agree with Gypsie on donating the pots and pans you don't want to take. I recently had need to buy a small saucepan for a non-eating purpose. I ended up with a non-stick coated one as that was all that met my minimum criteria and was available in the local thrift shops.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Help!
I've just started reading Erin's new book, and the first project to tackle is the closet... which made me realize I have a wedding dress tucked away in there that I haven't given a thought to in a long time.
If it were a dress I bought at a store (David's Bridal, etc.) I would happily eBay/craigslist it. But it's made from scratch by my mother to fit my body, which is by no means off-the-rack shaped.
Sentimental wise, I'm willing to let it go. So turning the fabric into a pillow, or saving parts of it for scrapbooking, or something else like that isn't that appealing to me. I have plenty of pictures from my wedding of it, too.
If I were of a regular body type, I'd be happy to donate it or sell it. But I'm a little tall and have an extreme hourglass figure. This dress won't fit just anybody. In fact, I have yet to meet anyone who is even close to my proportions (I haven't been able to share clothes with anyone since I hit puberty).
What do I do with it? While I'm not that sentimental about it, I really don't want to just trash it. :/
I'm also worried about what my mother will think if I get rid of it. I know it's not hers, but she put A LOT of time and effort into it. It was a really big deal for her.
Advice, please?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Gosh, Mrs. Mack, that's a hard one! When I married my husband, it was my second marriage. I wore a red dress! LOL! (In China, it's good luck for a bride to wear red, so I figured I could wear red, too.) Anyway, several years later, I was cleaning out my closet to send clothes to Nuevo Laredo after an awful flood. So, my red wedding dress ended up going to Mexico. It felt good, because I could picture a woman, who had lost her clothing, receiving a pretty, red party dress.
However, yours was made by your mother! You don't really have room for it in Japan. You could put it on ebay for a charitable donation. They have an area where you can designate a percentage that is going to your favorite charity. Or you could find someone local who is having trouble affording a wedding dress.
I'm sure the other posters will have some really good ideas.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'm just worried that no one will have use for it, since it won't fit 99% (if not more) of the world's female population. I'm not kidding. I wear a 30J bra, and have hips to match. With that small of a rib cage and waist, but that large of bust/hips, and long enough to fit my 5'8" height... (Most girls who are as busty as me are either overweight or quite short.)
Oh! I just remembered that the top can be removed from the skirt. So at the very least, someone might be able to fit the skirt even if the top doesn't fit (the top is fitted and has boning in it, so it's not easily alterable). I can't believe I forgot that.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Mrs. Mack....Are you a Barbie doll? You sound gorgeous!
Posted 2 years ago # -
You might still try to sell the dress at a very low price as I'm sure someone might be able to reuse the fabric for something (a quincinera dress, christianing, etc.). OR you could donate it to a theater group who might be able to alter it for a play.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Mrs Mack - I have a friend here in Australia who has similar proportions (but not the height). If the skirt can be taken up she may be interested in the skirt; with that bust size she'd be highly likely to look at the top. Talking to her last night she said that she gets a lot of her clothes from the US (including eBay US) because she can't find anything here.
If you contact me off-list <l-web(at)b-m(dot)id(dot)au> I may be able to put the two of you in touch with each other.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Measurements have nothing to do with beauty. And excuse my language, but it is a BITCH to find clothes. Not fun. At all. Shopping for new clothes or bras always leaves me depressed and full of self-loathing, because nothing off the rack ever fits me. If surgery wasn't so expensive and potentially risky, I'd love to be a B or a C. LOVE IT.
(Edit: Sorry I sound so angry. I'm bitter about my situation, that's all—especially since I've spent all afternoon today calling stores in my area looking for someone who carries my bra size, and no one does. Please don't take it personally!)
Donating the wedding dress to a theater group is an option I hadn't thought of, but is a good idea.
Laetitia, are the hyphens supposed to be in the e-mail address or not?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Mrs Mack....I meant what I said only in the nicest way. I am 5'9'' tall and very thin, not any curves, have always had a terrible time finding clothes and my Mom made everything I wore growing up. If I can find something "off the rack", I have to have it altered. So from how you describe yourself, you really sound beautiful.
I do hope I didn't offend you.For bras, have you tried http://www.nordstrom.com
Posted 2 years ago # -
You can consider contacting Trash The Dress! who do art shoots involving wedding dresses.
Posted 2 years ago #
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