What to do with moms stuff

Before donating you could try an apartment tag sale. Cookbooks and large clothes should be salable. And if the furniture is in OK condition they should sell also. After trying that ... whatever is left can be donated. Red Cross came to our house a few days ago for old clothing, so try them. Google- "apartment tag sales" for ideas... good luck.

Your best resource is Julie Hall, The Estate Lady. Julie has written an extremely practical guide called "The Boomer Burden: Dealing With Parents' Lifetime Accumulation of Stuff." The book is available on Amazon.com. With almost 20 years experience as a personal property appraiser, advisor, and estate liquidator, there is nothing her book doesn't answer, including what to do with your mother's stuff.

She also has a blog that would be helpful to you, http://estatelady.wordpress.com. Also, she has some great articles on "stuff" and estates at http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Hall

She has always responded to my comments and questions, so try leaving her a message there at one of the two sites.

Hope that helps. You do have the opportunity to do some good for others with your mom's stuff.

You might contact some of your local Nursing Homes, they can always use books and clothes. Some people there have no one and greatly appreciate all donations. Some live on such minimal incomes and need many items that we all take for granted. Example: gloves, scarfs, hats, afgans;

thanks very much for the ideas

I too will be faced with this problem when my husband passes. Unlike women who keep years of clothes and books, he has accumulated tools, parts, and about 40 grease guns.The shear number of manuals he collected just became known two weeks ago in a hidden cabinet. Since Studebakers and Edsiels are long past and black mold has fed on them for about 20 years my only option is a nice fire. I did however, contact a local technical college and found a future home for the tools and parts. They will go to help the people who enter mechanical programs with no tools of their own and the instructor can use almost every part. Most of the articles that can be used or rehomes will go to a homeless shelter due to the growing population in our area. While we as a nation are faced with terribel economic futures, it made more sense for me to help in those departments where I could.

My Mom passed away a few weeks ago. When I can actually face going through her clothing and things, I know the apartment complex she lived in for 15 years has older people living there who could use clothing. I'd rather give it to someone who can't afford to by things, as apposed to giving it to a place who sells it to people who can barely afford to buy it. I think a care facility is also a great option because there are older people there who have no one to turn to as far as shopping for them, and seeing that their needs are met.

When having sales, use Craigs List to advertise. It's online and free. We sold a lot of stuff through them. Next we called the Salvation Army and they came and took away a lot of the big furniture. They are very well organized now with an 800 number and a way to print out receipts right on the spot. Some bookstores are for old books or recycled books. Find them in the yellow pages. They actually pay a little bit and also take old CD's.

For my husbands clothing we took it to the Veterans home where they have a clothing bank. Yes most are men, but there are also women vets and shelters for homeless women or women in special housing. Some nonprofits need anything like dishes and pots and pans, towels, etc. for homeless moving into a first apartment. Call the United Way hot line and ask where in New York you can donate.

I'm wondering how to get siblings to SLOW DOWN on throwing away my dad's stuff. Dad died this past summer, Mom is still living. Yet two siblings want to throw away so much of Dad's stuff. Like it already belongs to them! How do large families cope with this? Several of us would like "things" to remember our parents by. We think it's still too soon for our mom to have to make major decisions, due to her grief. What do you think?

I know what you mean! I've seen kids go in and ramsack the place before the funeral is even over! I'd like to be able to give my Mom's stuff to someone right now --- its not doing anyone any good in my basement -- but there seems to be an emotional tie to every little piece of clothing! I don't know why I feel that way -- - yet others can just pack it up while their loved one is still dying! Sounds cold and heartless -- but maybe thats their way of dealing -- I don't know!

I haven't been able to do anything with my mom's belongings yet. I can't seem to want to let them go. I know that I must deal with this eventually. I realize that the past few years of taking care of mom, my sick husband, the children, dogs and my own cancer have caused some degree of depression or something- I can't seem to finish anything I start.It's like I refuse to let anything end. Whatever I can control, that is