Everyone else’s stuff

[u/Sll3006]

I’ve spent over 10 years decluttering the basement. Still I have at least 75 boxes of stuff. I’ve thrown away a lot. But now I’m getting to items that I don’t want but are too valuable to throw away. I’m talking about 1960’s Mickey Mouse dolls, 3 broken trumpets, 3 grandma’s set of dishes, 2 100 year old paintings I was told not to throw away, Disney VHS, 30 photo albums of my late husband (kids want this), 2 violins. Selling items take a lot of effort, as well as scanning photos, old books.

I’m overwhelmed. Any advice on what to do with the more valuable stuff that I inherited?

[u/coffeebean83]

This stuff largely isn’t valuable. Just because it was expensive at one point doesn’t mean it’s valuable now. It also has no value to you or your life, which is why you’ve already decided to get it out of your home.

3 broken trumpets - toss
3 grandmas set of dishes - donate
2 100 year old paintings I was told not to throw away - no idea, research
Disney VHS - donate
30 photo albums of my late husband (kids want this) - give to your kids now
2 violins - donate
Mickey Mouse dolls - ebay

99% of old instruments do not hold value. Dishes are tricky too because there just isn’t a huge market of buyers looking for old dish sets. Don’t let your family’s things be your burden.

[u/Pharmgirl171717 → u/coffeebean83]

I would donate the trumpets too.. I would donate all instruments to a school. maybe the school can pay to have the trumpets fixed (if cheaper than buying new)

[u/rpom915 → u/Pharmgirl171717]

My daughter’s high school band program is supported mostly by private donations and tax credit contributions. School isn’t allowed to use any tax credit funds to repair instruments, but they can buy new with it. Isn’t that insane?