Best $ move for baby stuff

[meinus]

We are planning to be done having kids (we have 2, ages 2 and 4). What do I do with their old baby stuff?

I brought some of it to a consignment shop, but the amount they offered me is NOT worth my time going through it.

I am not interested in a garage sale, craigslist, etc.

I am considering donating it, but there is so much of it - maybe $1000 worth of toys, clothes, furniture - that I want to make sure it's "worth" it just to do that. We kept what we could in good condition. We don't need the money (although of course we could use it on a vacation or something!) I just want it out of my basement!

What should we do?

[The J]

Given the ages of your children, I'd wager that you have friends who are also at the having kids age? Maybe you could give it to them.

[soon2bmomof3]

Donate toys to local daycares, children's hospitals?

Clothes and furniture - like The J said, if your friends and family are starting out or have children around the same age, give it to them (but weed out the stuff that so stained it can't be washed out).

Are they the same gender? Can you hold onto the 4 yo's clothes for the 2 yo?

[cronewitch]

Jan 26, 2011 13:02:22 GMT -5 @meinus said:

We are planning to be done having kids (we have 2, ages 2 and 4). What do I do with their old baby stuff?

I brought some of it to a consignment shop, but the amount they offered me is NOT worth my time going through it.

I am not interested in a garage sale, craigslist, etc.

I am considering donating it, but there is so much of it - maybe $1000 worth of toys, clothes, furniture - that I want to make sure it's "worth" it just to do that. We kept what we could in good condition. We don't need the money (although of course we could use it on a vacation or something!) I just want it out of my basement!

What should we do?

If you have a poor teen in your life like a niece or nephew give it to them to have a yard sale or take to a swap meet. The teen can haul it out of the basement, earn a few hundred selling it and take the rest to the charity for donation bringing you the tax receipt.

[dancinmama]

If you don't personally know anyone who can use it, go to one of the local churches. I am SURE that there will be someone in the congregation who could use it and would REALLY appreciate it.

I know you don't want to have a garage sale or put it on craigslist, but you COULD put an ad in the paper listing what you have. If you just want to get rid of it anyway, you could make your asking price so ridiculously low that someone would be thrilled to buy it from you and it would give you a little extra cash to do SOMETHING.

When I got rid of all of my baby stuff (only child), I had a garage sale and one person bought EVERYTHING: the stroller, crib, high chair, bassinet, play pen, etc. etc. Her daughter was having a baby and she was thrilled to get everything she needed, in good shape, and in one stop shopping - that's what made me think about suggesting putting an ad in the paper IF you want to pick up a little bit of cash.

[thyme4change]

I dumped all of mine, in one day, on a co-worker. Good thing she owned an SUV - it was like a shower, with no guests, no cake, and no games.

[meinus]

Yes, they are the same gender so #2 inherits pretty much everything from #1. (Well, not underwear, socks, or shoes. )

[soon2bmomof3]

Just curious, what's wrong with socks? My first two are boy, girl and I let her wear some of his socks (they've been washed )

[meinus]

Oh in general I'd say there is nothing wrong with (clean) socks! #1 has feet that are a lot larger, and somehow all her socks are stained....? ;D

[whoisjohngalt]

Unless you are doing something permanent to be "done" having kids, I would hold off. No one likes getting rid of clutter more than I do, but I've heard plenty of stories where people got rid of all baby stuff, had another kid and had to re-buy everything all over again. I would box it up and keep it for a bit.

If you are THAT against it, call GoodWill, Salavation Army or American Veterans, they will come and pick up and will give you a blank receipt. IRS rules have gotten much more strict on right offs, but keep a detailed list and you should be OK.

Have fun
Lena

[NastyWoman]

Consider donating it to a home for battered women. I would think that if you flee for your life, you probably leave with very little and need everything

[Frugal Nurse]

If you want to make money, I would package a bunch of it up and sell it as a 'lot' on craigslist. If you don't want to do craigslits, then donating it is probably the next best move. Or maybe you could take it to Once Upon a Child, since they give you the money right then, instead of making you wait until it sells. It isn't much, but it is worth more than having it sit in your basement.

[Deleted]

Do you have any local pregnancy resource centers? Or battered or homeless women's shelters? They usually are grateful to children's stuff in good condition.

[Deleted]

1) If you want to be a good friend, then I'd hold onto it and give it to someone you know. Then just tell them to pass it along when they're done.

2) Or you can donate it to a church.

3) Or if you want max dollars, DEFINITELY selling on craigslist. If it's something really specific, like a running stroller, then it's really easy.

[Mrs. Dinero]

You know as soon as you get rid of it all you'll get pregnant. jk

I also agree with trying to sell or donating.

[ihearyou2]

Other family members, charity, or craigslist.

[Peace77]

I vote for waiting. I know you said you are planning to be done but lots of people have surprises.

[oreo]

My son is 2 and I already have plenty of stuff to get rid of. I sell stuff that is larger and more valuable on Craigslist (kind of a pain) like his small climber (easy to sell--everyone is looking for this sort of thing) his car seat bases (we had 4) and his Exersaucer, and either pass on other items to someone else or donate them. I'm in a working mother's group in my area and they have a clothing/toy swap every 6 months or so. I get rid of clothes and small toys that way (and pick up other stuff that I can use). If I don't want to wait, I donate the stuff. Clothing just isn't worth your time to sell unless you REALLY need the money or are going to be selling at the swap meet or something anyway. I know other people use freecycle but I've never tried that. We have some stores locally that sell used baby items and buy them but the buy price is so low it really isn't worth it, plus you have to wait in a line for them to buy and they only buy certain things, etc. Too much work for me.

[formerexpat]

Have you had the deed done to ensure that you are done having children?

Family of ours was done at two and got rid of all of their stuff in the middle of last year, selling most of it cheaply to a friend - furniture, baby items, clothes, etc, etc. They having number 3, an oops, in April and have to buy all of that stuff over again.

[Urban Chicago]

I second battered womens' shelters. They are the only group I know of that will accept used bottles, which in my mind proves they truly are in need.

[cael]

Do you have Freecycle in your area? Look it up. There are always posts wanting or offering baby stuff on my local freecycle groups, and I'm sure it all gets snatched up.

[ohmomto2boys]

My boys are 2 & 4 also and all baby stuff is already gone (had a hysterectomy - no more kids coming out of me!).

We have an organization called Lil Lambs Closet. It is run at a local church 2 times a year. You price your stuff, take it to the church and they do the rest. At the end of the sale you can pick up your check and your items or elect to donate your unsold items. As a seller, I had to volunteer one 4 hr shift - it was actually fun. You received 70% of what you sold - 30% of $ went to local charities. Win win situation.

I have also donated to the local Pregnancy Support Center and Domestic Violence Shelter....both organizations were very grateful.

[Clever Username]

I got into a big arguement with someone on another board who was tearing her hair out selling on Craigslist.
I got accused of putting on airs when I claimed it wasn't worth the time or effort.
I told her to ask friends if they wanted anything then call your local charity truck for the rest.

When I linked to the values you can claim on taxes, it was obvious, donating is easiest and best if you itemize on your taxes.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Thanks for this thread. I've got baby stuff that I don't think the 2 pregos in my extended family will want (for assorted reasons) and battered women/shelters never occurred to me.

[bean29]

I much prefer to donate stuff my kids have outgrown to goodwill. I get rid of it right away and I get a tax write off for more than I would get if I sold it at a rummage sale.

I have given stuff to relatives/friends, but sometimes I feel like I am being judged. I prefer it goes to a non-related party.

I did sell some of my nicer baby stuff to a local well reputed resale shop. I have both sold her stuff on the spot and consigned stuff to her. She keeps it in the shop for a period of time then donates it. One of the places she donates is the Women's group at my Mom's church. So, if I get a check good, if I don't - well it is probably going to the same places I would have taken it anyways.

I don't like to consign clothes. They want you to bring them in clean, ironed, on hangers etc. Then they go through them and tell you if they are in good enough condition to sell. I don't have time to allot for the few $$ that result. I did well on the Little Tykes, Crib, Crib sets, Daybed, car seats etc that I resold.