What is more valuable, Your “Stuff & Things”, or your Family, Friends and Cherished Memories?” 

“The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.”  -Henry David Thoreau, (Walden)

With the holiday season upon us, it’s a time of giving and receiving. My question to you is, what about all the stuff just hanging around not serving you? It’s the perfect time of year to sell or donate your old “Stuff & Things”.

As a personal property appraiser, I’m in a position to see all types of items, from classic cars, art, jewelry, antiques, and decorative items of all value amounts. In other words, everything from A to Z. Potentially in the millions of dollars of every imaginable type of personal property. Every household in North America has countless amounts of “Stuff & Things” worth potentially a small fortune. 

A Very Personal Question, each and everyone has to answer the following?

• Do you have a collection of something (it does not matter what) Are you still building your collection, or has it gone to the wayside?
• If your collection interest has changed, what do you plan to do with it? Do you have it documented? An inventory list?
• Is your house filled with “Stuff & Things”, where you wonder how did I get all this stuff and what I’am going to do with it all? 
• If any of the above rings true, ask yourself, are you happy with all of it? Is it serving a purpose in your life? Or is it just in the way of your happiness to do other things, and to clear the space? 
• For many, having a lot of stuff gives them great security. It’s comfortable to have all these things in a home, and this is where you have to decide what to do, or do nothing. 

Selling is very personal and only you can decide what you want to depart with. If you plan on selling, the Facebook marketplace holds the top spot in attracting the most potential buyers. Kijiji comes in second place. The number of people who look and browse through the ads is huge. Right now some hot ticket items that sell well are designer clothes, shoes, collectables, watches, tools, sporting equipment, baby clothes sold by size bundles, Mid-Century or Teak furniture, machinery and automotive. The added benefit of selling your stuff will help you earn some tax-free income before the holidays. 

Donating, to the SDG counties charities that will accept your non-monetary donation. Two notable charities are the Agape Centre, “New for You Thrift Shoppe” and ReStore, “Habitat for Humanity”. It also gives a 2^nd chance to give the item to be enjoyed by someone else. The funds created from your donation go to help many charities which in turn helps countless numbers of people. Your decision to donate or not is personal. One aspect I have found is your donation goes a long way in the process in helping out the less unfortunate. In many charities, you may even qualify for a tax donation receipt. 

Trashing, items that have no value, no use to anyone is like an invisible anchor chained to you. The items are everywhere, taking up space and in your mind space. Deciding what to throw away is personal. Only you can decide what is good or not. It’s better to do it now, and not wait for the day that you can’t do anything.

Make Space for the NEW you! Something almost magical happens when you minimize the things you are willing to hand on to. For starters, you make room for who you are now and what is to come in the future. Unless it is an item that serves you or you can give it a special place of honour in your home, it’s probably time to let it go. 

Is it stopping you from living? Does your “Stuff & Things” limit what you can or cannot do? Does it prevent you from spending time with family and friends? Does it prevent you from creating memories that will be cherished for a lifetime? 

Here are some tips for helping you with your decision-making process.

• If you have not used it in 3 years do you still really need it?
• Does it still fit?
• When will you make the time in the next year to finish that particular project?
• Take a picture and pass it on.

The holiday period is when we have a little more time on our hands, we can evaluate what we have and want to keep, remembering it’s just stuff. 

This Holiday season I and my team at Prestige Evaluation wish you a holiday season filled with love and cherished memories. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.

Weblinks https://agapecentre.ca/resources-support/new-for-you-thrift-shoppe/

Disclaimer

Prestige Evaluation Inc. does not engage in any buying or selling of any personal property. Prestige Evaluation Inc. can not do any verbal appraising without a work file and consultation. The seller/buyer needs to do his or her due diligence, before accepting an offer to purchase or in selling your personal property. For any company referred to or named in this document, there is no financial consideration or relationship between Prestige Evaluation Inc. and John Grow. This article was not generated by ChatGPT. AI Free. Edited with the help of Suzanne Charlebois, Registered Gemologist. 

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