SPRING CLEANING 101: WHAT TO KEEP AND WHAT TO THROW AWAY

People often ask me about whether they should keep something or get rid of it. And then whether something they have is worth something.  My answer is really simple: there is someone who will buy anything—think scrap metal—so "value" is the fair price of an item to both buyer and seller. Translation: "I want what you don't want, but how much is it that you don't want it for?"

The question you have to ask yourself in knowing whether something stays or go is: Is it worth more to someone else than me?

Sometimes we think things are more valuable than they actually are, like our Beanie Baby collection.  But guaranteed someone out there is missing "Inky the Octopus" in their collection, and it's more valuable to them than to the guy who has three.  Other things, like our grandma's costume jewelry that we've laughed at for years, may be worth a small fortune.

But how do we know if it's trash or treasure?

MARKINGS—look carefully.  I once scored a pair of Tiffany votive holders for $1 and a rare Hull Gingerbread Man cookie jar for $5, just by wiping off some dust and looking on the bottom.
"China" is the mark of death.  A man once tried to sell me a gorgeous tin toy robot that he said was his father's.  I examined it carefully and under the lip on the bottom it said "Made in China."  When I pointed it out to him, he said he thought his dad had been to China "during the war."
Gold and silver.  Gold is marked 14k, 18k, 24k, but realize that only a metal test can actually determine the gold content.  The same applies to silver.  Silver hallmarks often provide details about the metal content and even identify the maker of the piece. "Sterling," for example, became the standard in the U.S. in the late 1800s when Tiffany & Company introduced it to their customers.  Sterling is .925 or 925 parts per 1000.
BOOKS.  There are numerous collectors guides—from coins to Barbie.  There's also a book called "Garage Sale and Flea Market Price Guide," which lists the "going price" on thousands of items.  And don't forget my book, GARAGE SALE AMERICA, a hilarious cross-country adventure to find the things America loves to buy, sell and collect.
INTERNET. There's someone out there who knows everything about every thingamajig, doodad, and whatchajig on the planet.  "Google" a description of the item and see its history and, perhaps its selling price on eBay. Cell phones have become an active part of "saleing" either to call a friend to check a price or to use browsers to see what an item is selling for on sites like eBay and craigslist.
APPRAISERS.  If you have an item that has been passed on from generations or you have been told is a treasure, take it to an appraisal house before selling it.  Appraisers can be found on the Internet or in the Yellow Pages.
YOU.  The bottom line is that the buck stops with you.  You name the price you're willing to accept for someone to take it away, out of your life forever.  And though some things are priceless, sometimes you just have to let it go!