While I can be brutal w/purging, I currently can't stand the thought of donating when I could get at least a few hundred $$ if I were to have a garage sale. Yet, here I am, absolutely procrastinating said sale... and my kids have gone through boxes I've set aside of toys and mixed them all up w/current toys (I'm somewhat glad to hear this is common from a few other threads I opened).

So what do you all do, and why?

i usually try to sell a few things...but donate anything that i know won't sell easily.

i do a biannual consignment sale here...1,000 sellers...i usually make a great deal of money selling all the kids stuff and use that money to buy their next season's clothes.

i give a few things away on freecycle or i donate at goodwill.

i know stephanielynn has taken things to the flea market a couple times...easier than a yardsale but same idea.

I donate almost everything. Right now I have a small moving box full of stuff for Amity's/ebay. But other than that, I donate or put it out in a free pile. Every time I think garage sale the stuff ends up back in my house.

I am saving clothing for the community clothing swap in the fall. I got so much great free clothing there last year. Some of it is going back, others are things I bought elsewhere. I am so excited!

I mostly donate stuff. I thought about having a garage sale this summer because I am purging a TON of stuff, but with being pregnant and dh travelling alot, it is just easier not to. I want the stuff gone, more than I want the couple extra hundred bucks I may or may not make on having a sale.

I am contemplating doing the big kids' consignment thing this fall, though.

I usually try to donate. Usually to Good Will. I am so fed up with freecycle. The people can be such flakes. I hate it. and it takes more time to offer it, give directions, put in on the porch and then hope they really show. Compare that to throwing it in a bag and then throwing it in the back of the van and dropping off when I'm on that side of town. I'm sorry it's come to that but I'm tired of getting burned by no-shows on freecycle. I love the "idea" of freecycle.

I've tried selling things in the past but again, I find it's not really worth my time. If it's something I think I may be able to get some $$$ for, sure I'll try. But usually I'll just donate.

I'm a giver-awayer. The only time I mess with selling is if I'm seriously in need of money fast and I run around looking for stuff that might sell.

But, generally speaking, most things we have I've obtained frugally. I guess I feel like I've already gotten my money's worth out of something. And, anything I can do to tip the karma scales my way is a good thing :)

I am a hardass about freecycle, I tell people when they make an appointment with me, if they don't show up within half an hour I will go to the next person who emailed me, no exceptions. People really show up!
I always mean to yard sale, but then I want it out of my house! I either freecycle or donate to the united cerebral palsy foundation, they have a dropoff point open all day not too far from my house.

We just took 5 bags of toys and clothing out of here this afternoon. They're in the van and dh will take them to the shelter. We alternate, one trip goodwill, next trip to the local family shelter (UMOM).
I do sell some stuff - but out of the 5 bags I am selling two boy dolls and one outfit I think. lol

I, too, donate most everything - and keep the receipt and use it as a tax deduction - but that's not why. First of all, it is so much more satisfying to give away than to sell. Just feels better. Second, I HATE going to the PO. I'm mean, if I sell one thing here, one thing there, I don't make a whole lot and it's a PITA to pack and ship.

Anything that is worth enough money for me to photograph, write descriptions for, package, and drive to the PO and ship - I list on ebay. Everything else I give to Deseret Industries. ;) Even if I could make money at a yard sale (and I've had some yard sales bomb completely in the past) I figure giving it to charity will bring me good karma. :)