Recycling Your Babies' Stuff

With at least twice the amount of baby clothing, equipment and supplies, parents of multiples know space is at a premium. Once your babies' goodies have outlived their usefulness, it's time to move it out to make room for the next generation of stuff. While you can always donate items to clear out the clutter, the most you can expect in return is a tax break. To pad your piggy bank, you'll have to sell it.

Multiples Club Sales

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to turn over your excess goodies is through a local multiples club sale. If you can wait for these annual or semi-annual events, you can turn a huge profit, often with minimal outlay of money or effort. The sales draw huge crowds of people in the market for exactly what you're selling. In many cases, the club will take care of donating or disposing of any items that you don't want after the sale concludes.

Some clubs charge a nominal fee to sellers, or require sellers to volunteer at the sale. Be sure to find out how the proceeds of the sale are allocated; you may have to wait a few days to reap the profit from your sold items.

Selling It Yourself

If you can't wait for an organized sale, you can host your own garage or yard sale. It requires some extra time and effort on your part, things that are often in short supply for parents of multiples. Consider teaming up with neighbors for a community yard sale to share the burden.

Larger, more expensive items can often be successfully sold through person-to-person transactions. Advertise in the classified section of your local paper or a community "swap sheet." Or, make a card or flyer to display in a high-traffic area where parents congregate. Many community centers have a bulletin board for this purpose.

Consignment Stores

Selling on consignment is a great way to achieve a good return on expensive items, such as fancy clothing or pricey baby equipment. Be aware that the consignment shop will keep a portion of the sales price for their effort. Many shops are picky about what they will accept, choosing only those items that they know will readily sell. Be sure to check store policies; in some cases, the store will pay upfront when they receive your goods, but usually you don't get paid until the stuff sells. Some stores automatically mark down or dispose of items that are left on the shelf after a period of time; check out your options in advance if you want unsold merchandise returned to you.

Tips for Successful Selling:

- Do: Take the time to spiff up your stuff. Clean and iron clothing or fabric items. Wash or wipe down toys and plastic surfaces. Use child-size hangers to display clothing. The better it looks, the faster it will sell at a good price.

- Do: Clearly mark items. Use labels to indicate size, price and a description of the item.

- Do: Price items carefully. Your buyers are looking for bargains. What would sell for $1.00 might get overlooked if priced at $2.00. Ask yourself whether it's worth the extra dollar to take it back home and store it. A good guideline is to price used goods at 1/3 - 1/2 of their original cost. If something is brand new, say so, and leave the tags on.

- Don't: Give things away if you're not desperate. If you have an item of particularly high quality, seek out alternative ways to sell it. A private sale or consignment will net you more money for heirlooms and expensive goods.

Looking to buy secondhand? Read on for tips for Buying Gently Used Baby Stuff for Multiples.