You are moving into a new home. You are happy and excited, but there you're not sure what to do with the stuff you no longer want. What if I were to tell you that you those things can help you recoup some of the moving costs?

We help many clients clear out their homes, downsize, or just help them move to a new home to create new memories. The hard part is figuring out what to do with things you no longer need or can’t take with you. We often work with consignment dealers and other resale vendors to help our clients recoup some of their moving costs. Here’s what one of our online consignment dealers had to say about how to get rid of these types of items. Arts & Crafts Movement designer William Morris once said, “Have nothing in your houses you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” What a great philosophy to keep in mind as it finally starts to feel like Spring. Perhaps even more than New Year’s, April brings a sense of the Fresh Start. Especially after this past winter, with its record-setting cold and snow. We look forward to budding trees, colorful flowers, and warmer weather. With renewed energy, we tackle Spring-cleaning chores. We think about fresh air and a clean house. While we’re in this mode, it’s a great time to think about all the “stuff” that’s accumulated over the years.Over the years, we have heard again and again the sense of relief our clients feel as they let go of the physical possessions that have become baggage in their lives. It may be as simple as clothing you haven’t worn in many years, or kitchen gadgets you no longer use. In many cases, a sense of duty or family obligation may lead you to hang on to items you really do not want to keep. But how to honor those sentiments without being overwhelmed with all the stuff?

1. Regift: Are there other family members who love a particular item, perhaps as a memento of a dear family member? If the item still has sentimental value, but you no longer have the room to keep it, take a photo. In other words, keep the memory, not the thing itself.

2. Resell: There are many outlets, both online and local, for unwanted items of all sizes and at all value levels, from 5-figure artwork to scrap metal. Yard sales are great for lower-value items, but do your research first, as you may find something is more valuable than you would expect!

3. Donate: Local thrift shops. Many will arrange to pick up from your house. Again, research first – we recently sold a beautiful set of hand-hammered sterling silver flatware that was anonymously donated to one of our local thrift shop partners. Whatever you donate, be sure to get a receipt and note the monetary value for tax purposes.

4. Recycle: The range of recyclable materials continues to grow. Check with your local government and service listings to see what’s available in your area.

Thoughtfully finding a new home for still-useful and still-wanted items make the most of existing stuff and honors the past. Responsibly recycling as much as possible of what can’t be reused and avoiding the landfill honors our planet’s future. Before opening her own business, Carol Kamm spent 20+ years in the IT industry, managing software engineers and overseeing development projects. Combining her skills in systems and processes with a lifelong love of “stuff” was a natural evolution. Carol enjoys working with a wide range of Encore clients, from high-tech businesses to downsizing seniors.

Carol holds a B.S.E. in Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband. Encore Online resale offers full-service professional eBay consignment sales for businesses, individuals, and fund-raising for non-profits. They help sellers find new homes and cash in on items they no longer use, need or want, look for items with at least $75 in resale value and offer appraisals at no charge. You can see their current listings here. Best-selling categories include cameras/photo equipment, musical instruments, sterling silver, vintage toys, and high-end designer/household items. Resale value appraisals are always free. As always I hope this has been helpful for you.

Please feel free to comment and share. Until next time – Keep It Simple!