The journey to become minimalist can be hard work. It requires significant physical effort, personal reflection, and unexpected emotional obstacles.
Several times along the way, in fact, I wanted to quit. But then, inspiration would strike: a work appointment was scheduled near Goodwill, an inspiring article or blog post provided motivation, family would announce plans to visit, even the garbageman’s arrival in the morning could send me into a ten-minute decluttering spree to fill one more bag. Each, at different times, provided motivation for us to continue downsizing.
But maybe, more than any other, the most significant and recurring motivation to minimize our possessions came from the opportunity that our possessions represented.
Our excess could become a blessing to somebody else.
At first, however, this was not the case. Instead, our goal was to get as much financial return as possible from the things we were discarding. My thinking was, I paid good money to buy this stuff. I should get something in return.
I opened an account on eBay (at one point, even placing my entire junk drawer on auction—surprisingly, no bids). We scheduled a garage sale. We placed items on Craigslist. We took clothes to the consignment shop.
My wife and I began conversing and planning how we might spend the extra money we were about to receive: savings, dining, vacations, or maybe new carpet for the living room? It seemed, the possibilities were endless… until we opened the doors for our first garage sale.
On that summer Saturday morning, both our garage and driveway were filled with things we had decided to discard: old clothes, toys, dish ware, decorations, electronics, books, CDs, DVDs, just to name a few. Each with a handwritten sticker to signify the price.
We got up early and rushed through breakfast. We arranged the tables neatly. We put up balloons by the street. We played soft music—just like they do in department stores. And then we opened the doors.
Customers came. And then customers went. They’d pick up items and put them down. We chatted with each of them hoping to appear like a nice, sweet, trustworthy couple. We haggled and made deals. We marked down prices. We worked every angle to make more sales.
By the end of the day, we had earned $135… and we promptly spent half of it going out for dinner because we were both too exhausted to cook.
We were tired, frustrated, and discouraged. There are few experiences in life that make you question your taste in home furnishings more than watching some of your favorite decorations not sell despite being marked down to 25 cents.
We packed up the remaining belongings in the back of our minivan to deliver to Goodwill. But before we did, my wife made a phone call.
We had boxes of baby supplies left over from my wife’s most recent pregnancy—my youngest was two years old at the time. Kim called Care Net—a local organization in Burlington, VT that routinely supplied expectant mothers with maternity and baby wear to see if they had any need. To which they responded, “Yes, yes we do. We always have a need.”
Based on their enthusiastic response, we made another phone call. This time, we reached out to the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program which helps refugees and immigrants gain personal independence and economic self-sufficiency. They explained to us their desperate need for towels, linens, and cookware.
Our hearts were softened as we began to comprehend the number of men, women, children, and expecting mothers in our own community who could benefit from the items we had stashed in the back of our closet.
We found more joy in delivering items to those local charities than we could have ever found in money earned from selling our clutter.
This experience changed my view of minimizing and forever changed my advice to others embarking on the journey.
If you need the money, make the effort to sell your excess—especially when it comes to big, expensive items.
But if you do not need the money, just give your things away.
Reselling your clutter adds time and energy, anxiety and frustration to the minimizing journey. But giving things away, especially to local charities whose values align with yours, brings a joy and fulfillment to your soul that money can never buy. You will be reminded why you embarked on this journey in the first place.
Susan says
I agree with you wholeheartedly! In 2020, my husband and I made the decision to sell our bricks and sticks home and move into our RV full-time. Thanks to taking the Becoming Minimalist course back in January 2018, we chose not do a garage sale but instead to donate. The church that our son-in-law pastors took much of our furniture (couch, recliners, TV, etc.) for their teen room at church as well as other smaller items for their annual garage sale for camp scholarships for the youth. People of the community really support this annual garage sale, and they raised over $570 recently. What doesn’t sell at the garage sale goes directly to the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore Home Improvement Store and ReStore Rack Clothing Store. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!
cat bast says
Thank you, Joshua! We can spend so much time worrying about the “right” way to give, that we can get stuck. I am okay with giving books to the library for resale, and they can select what to sell online, what to sell at their “Nook,” and what to move into library locations. The “right” hand might be the next one, or the one after that, or the one after that. I needed to give up control finding the “right” hand to be the next one. Same goes for household goods: Let the “right” hand be fulfilled–now or later. Do I accept a receipt? No. I give from the heart to the best of my abilities. Another lesson: Sunk Cost Fallacy. What I donate has served me well; I thanked it all and moved it on to others in need.
Aida J. says
Our town is a member of BuyNothing.org where the residents can ask for and/or give stuff to people who are also residents in the town. So far, it’s working out great. I have gotten lots of old bed sheets, pillows & blankets which in turn I donated to the local animal rescue center, and I have given away toys, books, clothes, etc. to families with young children.
Sarita says
For my books I either give them to family, coworker or friends or take them to our community library box – sometimes I’ll also take some of those books. I have been unsuccessful with garage sales too – I really hate them. But I have been able to sell a few pieces of furniture on Neighbors or FB Marketplace and will also post things for free on there. But the biggest lesson I am learning is just not to purchase all the things now.
Peggy Rees says
This past week, my sister and I had a garage sale in the PNW during a heatwave (99 degrees both days). I’m good at letting go of things and enjoy giving most things away. My sister struggled with not getting the $ amounts she thought she would get and considered having another sale this coming weekend.
Then the light bulb went off in her head. We packed everything up and divided her stuff between Abraham’s and St. Vincent dePaul. We took her computer stuff to Staples so it wouldn’t go into the landfill and I placed things next to the road.
Happy Dance! Less is more. It really is better to give than receive.
JoAnne H says
This is EXACTLY the experience I’ve had over the years with our two Garage Sales and even the few times during this pandemic where I put out tables and tables of children’s toys, books, DVDs & learning tools for FREE to the public, only to be left with so much at the end of the day that I’m dragging back in to clutter my house. It’s easier to donate. My biggest hurdle is finding a list of organizations who will benefit the most. I wish there was a directory made of: Women’s Shelters, Homeless Shelters, Underprivileged Children’s Centers, Hospitals, etc. who could benefit from certain items so we can target what aligns with our items.
Ranell says
It’s worth the time and effort to think outside the box when donating! Our local hospital has a book cart where patients can have the book they take. Therefore, they are always looking for book donations – for adults and children. Our local animal shelter was thrilled when I brought old towels and blankets that weren’t in good enough shape to donate elsewhere, but were still very much usable! Our pregnancy center takes every form of baby clothing, supplies, and toys to give away to families in need. Thanks for the great article, Josh!
AJ says
This was a good approach to walking out minimalism Josh. I know that I have thing that I could and should certainly just give away. The attachment to things because of the price paid, is what gets to me. But I know that the freedom and feeling of stuff not owning me is of more importance.
Thanks!
Jessalynn Jones says
I appreciated this article Joshua. I have sold a lot of stuff on Facebook Marketplace because it helps a little with our finances but I have found that it is just as satisfying to see a smile or fill a need as it is to get a few dollars. I recently finally let go of my favorite childhood books (I am not having children and I am not looking at them) and the little girl that got them was so happy she wrote me the cutest card ever! Giving things away is a very valid way to let things go!
Melissa Kornblatt says
Please find another charity other than Goodwill. They are misleading the public about who they are and what they do. The owner is making millions of dollars. It’s such a shame.
Carla says
I agree about the frustration over Goodwill. We’ve actually received refusals of our offerings because they were too full for furniture. My solution – out it out front with a FREE sign and watch it “roll” away.
joshua becker says
Goodwill doesn’t have an owner.
Judy says
Goodwill is an awesome place to donate to. I have been doing so for years and will continue to do so.
Barbara says
You’ve got a good point. There are pros and cons. Good Will would not throw it if it is something they have and could keep. Habitat for Humanity won’t accept clothes, or other items as donation. I prefer to make special special occasions to give for a cause to an organization, non-profit.
KD says
Each Habitat Restore is different — they are run independently under the HFH umbrella. Some now take clothing, books, games, housewares, etc.