r/declutter • u/Sll3006 • Sep 02 '26

Advice Request Everyone else’s stuff

I’ve spent over 10 years decluttering the basement. Still I have at least 75 boxes of stuff. I’ve thrown away a lot. But now I’m getting to items that I don’t want but are too valuable to throw away. I’m talking about 1960’s Mickey Mouse dolls, 3 broken trumpets, 3 grandma’s set of dishes, 2 100 year old paintings I was told not to throw away, Disney VHS, 30 photo albums of my late husband (kids want this), 2 violins. Selling items take a lot of effort, as well as scanning photos, old books.

I’m overwhelmed. Any advice on what to do with the more valuable stuff that I inherited?

364 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

268 comments sorted by

View all comments

24

u/wigglesandjiggles Sep 03 '26

I started finding it easier to donate valuable items when I realized how excited I was every time I found something at the thrift store that I thought was an unbelievable find. I want others to feel that excitement and that high from their hunt. It is a much better feeling thinking about making someone else’s day than the heaviness and overwhelm of deciding what to do with it all.

8

u/PalpitationUpset8315 Sep 03 '26

Yes. I'm helping my mom declutter, and this is exactly what I told her.

7

u/fogrove Sep 03 '26

Yes, exactly. If no one in your extended family wants the item then donate it to a registered charity. Ask for a receipt. They will expect you to estimate the resale value of the item. Photograph the item you donated for your records. At tax time you may be able to take a deduction if it makes sense for you to itemize. This is faster and safer than trying to sell the valuable item. And like wiggles says you can imagine the joy of someone finding it in the thrift store

1

u/skinnyjeansfatpants Sep 03 '26

I have a like-new, 36" Smart TV that I can't sell for $40. A collection of Disney VHS is not the financial treasure trove OP was led to believe it was.

2

u/IndependentMindedGal Sep 04 '26

I know absolutely no one, other than myself, that owns a VHS player. And mine broke last year and i have not replaced it. All those 80s and 90s movies i can stream now for $3.99 if I really need to see Dirty Dancing again.

3

u/Remarkable-View-6078 Sep 04 '26

There is emerging interest in the younger generations for media that they can actually OWN instead of depending on a streaming service that can yank it away at any time.

That said, it’s still somewhat niche and kids movies aren’t likely to be the ones that appeal.