What do you do with all of your extra stuff? We seem to accumulate a lot of items, even when we are frugal and try to spend less. One example is baby and children’s clothing. We will gladly take any clothing in the sizes we need or may need in the future. We often get clothing as hand me downs, at clearance sales and at thrift stores and garage sales. Sometimes it is a better bargain to offer someone a flat price for that box of clothing (or books, or electronics) that they have been trying to sell all day, instead of picking out a few pieces here and there.
But, children outgrow clothing, so when my daughter or my youngest son is finished with a size or season, there is no where for it to go but out. I usually do check with friends and family to see if anyone I know can use the outgrown stuff. Most of the time, my kids are the youngest, or the other folks I meet prefer to buy their stuff new.
So, then I am faced with the decision of whether to sell the items or whether to just donate them. Most of the time I choose to donate them. Here are my reasons why.
I think it is better stewardship to donate items. Charities do good work and can use the goods to further charitable goals.
I think that the more clothing and other items that are donated, the more that will be in circulation and available for frugal families, such as my own. I remember the thrill of being able to buy what I need at a price I can afford. Hopefully, there are other families out there that will be equally thrilled with the stuff I donate.
Often, I can make “more money” in a sense by donating items. I may sell a pretty dress for 50 cents at a yard sale, while the thrift store can sell that same dress for $4. I can then deduct that $4 on my taxes. Depending on my tax bracket, that $4 deduction may be worth more to me than the 50 cents in my pocket.
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