My Chachka Collection

I’m not a fan of chachka. Chachka quietly multiples in your house until you: A) move and have to pack it all up or B) go on a closet cleaning spree. Chachka is defined as a cheap, showy trinket. When I was single, I used to purchase all kinds of chachka and I truly believed that it made me feel better when I decorated. Looking back, I just spent a lot of money on absolute junk and now I’m overloaded. I had plastic flowers, meaningless vases, fake animal dust collectors, and an odd assortment of wall hangings, even a tapestry. Since I got married over eight years ago, my husband and I have accumulated even more chachka. From gifts to random clearance sales, I think my collection has grown into a monster. When we moved into our new house in November 2010, I was bound and determined to simplify and get rid of junk. I’ve sunk a lot of money into some of this once meaningful junk, so I decided to try and gain some of it back. I don’t care for the stress and anxiety of a yard sale, especially when everyone wants something for a quarter. So, I spread the chachka across various other outlets: Craigslist, eBay, a local consignment store and Goodwill. This is how I decided to sort my junk. I think any opportunity to earn money back is an opportunity that you should take. I’d rather get $5, then nothing at all.

1) Craigslist – good condition, large items, such as furniture, framed printed, etc. Pick-up only

2) eBay – excellent, like-new condition items such as brand name clothing and accessories, musical instruments, technology (video cameras, computers), or rare items, such as collector dolls.

3) Consignment Shop – good condition, small household, clothing items, and furniture. Opportunity for a percentage split with a sale. I just starting working with New For You Consignment in Surfside, which has a 60-40 split with a sale.

4) Goodwill – everything else.