Sell or Donate: The Smart Way to Decide

You’ve done it. You’ve decided to de-own an item and say goodbye to it. What  next? 

Well, it’s another decision – sorry! You need to decide next on what you’re  actually going to do with the stuff. There are a few options that can be simplified into:
1. Sell 

2. Donate 

3. Recycle or landfill 

If you’ve decided it’s too good to toss, you’re down to two options – give away  or sell. 

Sometimes it’s an easy decision. If the item is worth thousands then yeah,  you don’t have

to agonise too much. But what if it’s maybe worth something but you aren’t  completely 

sure and need to figure it out? 

There are two things to consider when deciding whether to sell or donate. The  first is how 

much time you have, the second is how much money you have (or need).

1. If you have time but no money 

Selling stuff takes a lot of time and effort. There is research to be done, people  to 

call, photographs to take, things to upload, people to message, space to find  to put 

the stuff in the meantime … it’s a fair amount of work. 

However, if you have the time and need the money, selling privately via  Facebook 

groups, special interest groups, specialty dealers etc WILL be worth it  financially. 

You could also try a Garage Sale or a car-boot sale too. 

2. If you have money but no time 

Honestly – just donate it all. Call a charity and have them come and collect it  in one 

go. It’s fast and it’s easy. Not to mention good for the charity that receives it!

3. If you have money and time. 

Donate it, but go the extra mile and find small, specialty charities that the  stuff goes 

directly to those in need. It’s very satisfying to know your stuff is going to be  well

used and appreciated. Ask your friends for their favourites and curate a list  that 

suits you and your passions (and the stuff you have!). 

4. If you have no money and no time 

Try an auction house – you just have to pack it all up and get it there, and they  do the 

rest (they take commission for their trouble but you still get around 75% into  your 

bank account). Or you could hire someone (a student, family member,  someone on 

Airtasker) to sell the items on your behalf for a cut. 

If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself if the stress is worth it. Is losing $50 of  potential 

sales worth it for the shorter to-do list on the weekend? Look at it like it’s an  investment in 

your mental health. That’s like spending $50 on therapy!