Hey friends!
Okay, you’ve done the hard part—you made the decision to let something go. Now comes the next question I hear all the time:
Should I sell it or donate it?
Part of you wants to get a little money back because it’s still in good shape, maybe even valuable. Maybe you’re trying to justify a purchase that, in hindsight, wasn’t the best decision. We’ve all been there. Sometimes we want to sell something just to soften the guilt—or because money feels tight and you’re hoping to stretch every dollar during this decluttering process.
Whatever the reason, many of my clients feel pulled to try and sell as much as possible.
So they ask: “Should I sell this? And how?”
My honest answer? It depends.
You need to know your goals and your personal bandwidth.
There are so many options now for getting rid of stuff—from yard sales to online apps—but no single right answer. There’s only what works best for you. Ask yourself:
- How quickly do I want it out of my space?
- Am I trying to make the most money possible?
- How much time or energy do I actually have to deal with this?
Here’s a quick breakdown of common selling options, pros and cons included:
Yard Sale
✅ Pros: Can sell a lot in one day.
⚠️ Cons: Requires lots of physical work, time to prep, advertising, haggling over prices, and you may still be left with unsold items. Plus…weather.
Facebook Marketplace & Local Buy/Sell Apps
✅ Pros: You might earn more than consignment.
⚠️ Cons: Be prepared for lowball offers, ghosting, no-shows, and potentially unsafe meetups.
Safety Tip: Always meet in a public, well-lit area like a police station or shopping center. If someone refuses? Don’t meet them.
eBay or Etsy
✅ Pros: Ideal for niche or collectible items.
⚠️ Cons: Time-consuming. Items stay in your home until sold. Platforms take a percentage of the sale.
Consignment Shops
✅ Pros: Items leave your house right away and someone else does the selling for you.
⚠️ Cons: You typically only earn 30–40%, and only if it sells within their window. If not, you may have to pick it up or they’ll donate/sell it for you.
ThredUp
✅ Pros: Great for clearing out clothes with minimal effort.
⚠️ Cons: Payouts are super low. A client once got $1.70 for brand-new, high-end shorts—tags still on.
So… What Do I Recommend?
Honestly? I usually recommend donating.
It’s fast. It feels good. And if you’re working with me, I can even haul it away for you after a session so it’s gone and off your mind. Done and done.
If you’re set on getting a little money back, consignment is usually the easiest route with the least amount of follow-up on your part. And if you have a truly special item—like vintage collectibles or equipment—reach out to a niche expert or group who may be more likely to buy.
One More Quick Tip:
Donation centers are often seasonal—they may not take winter coats in July or Christmas stuff in spring. In those cases, try your local Buy Nothing group, neighborhood app, or social media to give it away quickly and directly.
You’d be surprised who’s ready to scoop up Halloween décor in July 😉
Bottom line?
Letting go is already hard—don’t overcomplicate the next step.
Donate if you can. Sell if it makes sense. But most importantly, keep moving forward.
And if you’re stuck at the “I don’t know what to let go of” phase?
I can help you get to the sell-or-donate stage faster—with less overwhelm and more clarity.
Let’s clear the clutter together and make space for what really matters.
Did you miss last week’s blog with my must have organizing products? Grab the list by clicking the link below.
💛
Nicole
Stay tuned for next week’s POP Talk!
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