It’s graduation time and parents are proud, but they are also probably looking forward to “moving out” day. As they ponder the potential of the extra rooms, the purging bug takes hold. But as collectors, we know how dangerous “a purge” can be. So before loading up the car and going to a donation center, we have some very important tips. Here are some general suggestions as you start.
This is just an outline on how to purge a young adult’s room with care. Good luck and don’t forget to read our complete guide on downsizing at Kovels.com or visit our list of Popular Apps & Websites to Buy or Sell Collectibles, Household Goods and More.
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You mentioned school yearbooks. I do my family geneology & found my mom’s yearbooks. So much information!!
Good Lord-why on God’s green erth would anyone toss out family members’ stuff? Don’t do it. Ask first. I have boxed up a lot of my kids’ stuff. Brought it to them and they can decide what to keep and toss. Even then, I give them guidance as to what to save and what to dump. Thier children may want to see what they did as kids (ie: elementary school pictures and report cards, etc) Now that I am “elderly” I even ask each of my children what they may want uppon my death. I’d like to get that straightened out prior to my demise. That makes it much easier in the long run.
Best advice: DON’T CLEAN OUT THEIR ROOM! I never forgave my parents for cleaning out my 1950’s collections of comic books, baseball cards and bottle caps – they said I was too old to keep these childish things. I am now 76, parents are long gone, and I still have not forgiven them!
Wait, why are parents purging their kids’ possessions? Disposing of their collections? You advise to check with other family members whether there is anything they want, but don’t mention the kids, who own the stuff, having any part in the process. If I was one of those kids I would be furious!
My mother threw out all my Barbies and Midge, Ken and Skipper while i was at school one day. I was teaching myself dress design by taking their clothes apart, using them as a pattern, then putting them back together. It took me a loooong time to forgive her. My first Barbie was 1961, Blonde bubble hairstyle, so might have been worth something now. I told her if she ever touched my Breyer models, she might lose an arm(said respectively, of course). I still have all of those. I now have ALL the collectibles from her side of the family, given to me by my grandmother, including all the genealogy stuff! She knew i would take care of it!